Ambush?

Despite the nature of its organization, the Lotus Tavern design was actually quite welcoming for cultivators to come in.

There weren't any patrolling guards at the front door. Thus, Lin Xiang promptly stepped inside.

He was soon greeted by a greatly spacious lobby.

Just like the exterior, the design of the interior was brightly colored and had numerous Law Rune markings of beautiful Lotus Flowers. The quality of source energy and the air were more concentrated within the lobby. At least three times better than what one can feel outside Sacred Emperor City.

Cultivators alike had gathered in the lobby. Mostly, everyone had banded together in groups. Though there was the occasional loner.

These cultivators primarily discussed current missions or upcoming missions to take in the future.

Lin Xiang had taken a whiff of the air. A particular stench of blood, dirt, and grime exuded from numerous cultivators.

The presence here was overtly bloodthirsty. Any freshly green cultivator wouldn't be able to stand this insidious atmosphere by the cultivators.

When Lin Xiang walked in, only a few passing glances swept over him. His Lin Family robes made him slightly stand out, but not to a noticeable degree.

Lin Xiang headed straight over toward the mission bulletin board. This board was quite wide, being over 50 meters long.

A wide array of missions were neatly placed into columns. The three were Spirit Tier, Heavenly Tier, and King Tier. Within these columns, missions were separated into three grades: low, mid, and high. Everything was set up so there wouldn't be any confusion.

Nobody bothered Lin Xiang as he walked over. He swept his gaze over the Spirit and Heavenly Tier missions, mainly noting the rewards they provide.

'Spirit Beads, Heavenly Tier weapons, and even Heavenly Tier resources...all are quite nice. But, at my current prowess, it'll be a little difficult to do the high grades ones without risking my life.'

One such high-grade mission involved going into death woods and collecting a special kind of grass stalks that only grows near a nest of late layer Heavenly King monstrous beasts!

The danger was evident. But the rewards included high-grade Spirit Weapons, thousands of high-grade Heavenly beads, and a selection of unique high-grade Heavenly resources that can greatly help with cultivation.

It felt tempting to do this mission. But Lin Xiang knows his limit very well. Even though he can jump up major realms to fight Heavenly Origin experts, he wasn't yet at the level to cross over two major realms.

He didn't doubt he could reach this kind of level in the near future. Black grade Absolute bloodline means his combat prowess would surpass even the highest geniuses across the Nine Grand Worlds.

Lin Xiang swept his gaze across many other missions. He soon concluded the only missions currently helpful to boost his cultivation base are the peak high-grade Heavenly missions and King missions. Anything else would be too negligible of support.

As of now, Lin Xiang can easily break through realms by relying on World Source energies. But in the future, when his dantian sea continually evolves from his bloodline energy refinement, the requirement to increase his cultivation base will tremendously increase!

It'll shoot up to the point where his cultivation speed can take an immense nosedive.

Lin Xiang didn't want to experience such a situation. Thus, the earlier he could collect highly efficient resources, the less likely he'll fall into a cultivation downfall.

While Lin Xiang observed the mission board, he had kept his Soul Sense continually expanding. The possibility wasn't greatly high, but he had rather stayed safe while in the Lotus Tavern.

There wasn't any overt rule prohibiting cultivators from starting fights within here. The only ironclad rule is to not attack any staff working around the Lotus Tavern.

But still, no cultivators were foolish. Many were arrogant, but still highly valued their lives. Rarely would one start trouble without fully realizing the power of their foes.

Hence, it came as a slight shock to Lin Xiang when he detected hidden, hostile gazes directed at his back.

These people had all suppressed their killing intent. But against Lin Xiang's evolvable soul that was equal to the power of a Heavenly Origin cultivator, it wasn't possible for them to keep themselves hidden.

Lin Xiang internally smiled. 'As I expect. Being from a low Middle-level family would paint me as someone with a good amount of money. At least better than mercenaries or bandits. Alright, let's see who's so daring.'

Naturally, Lin Xiang didn't show he was being watched. He simply looked around for a few seconds before calmly turning around and heading toward the entrance.

Once Lin Xiang had left, at one corner of the Lotus Tavern, five black armored warriors gained a glint in their eyes.

Two were women, while the rest were men. Each of them exuded a natural bloodthirsty presence. They slaughtered many for their individual gains, recklessly harvesting lives from any ant weaker than them.

They hailed from the black claw mercenaries. And Lin Xiang was currently set as their next target!

The five black claw members held Profound Auras ranging from the 7th layer all the way up to the peak of the realm, the 9th layer!

The 9th layer was the leader of this small group squadron. They all spoke in sound transmission and the leader said to one of his members, 'Well? Is this Lin brat identifiable?'

One of the men in the group cruelly smiled. 'Nope. This one is completely ordinary. No kind of influence at all. And his Profound Aura is merely at the 6th layer. Of course, this brat could have some kind of protective item from their family treasures, but I heavily doubt it. Still, if we simply surround him, we can clear this brat for everything he's worth without any extra trouble.'

One of the women giggled lightly. 'Maybe if he knows what is good for him, he'll let us plant a loyal seal and have him serve us. The other Lin brats know it's a better choice than death.'

The 9th layer leader coldly snorted. 'I can detect that brat isn't going back to his manor. He's leaving the city. Let's hurry up and finish this.'

By just casually walking around did Lin Xiang already invite people with malicious intentions. This was just the standard of their martial society.

Even if a city claims to be more orderly than others, the oppression of the weak couldn't be stopped. Without sufficient strength or at least backing, one can only get trampled upon.

Although, who will be trampled would come as a surprise to the black claw members...

...

Slowly walking through Sacred Emperor City, Lin Xiang soon found himself in the grassy plains. He didn't try to take any elaborate routes, letting those with malicious intentions easily follow him.

Lin Xiang soon began sprinting over toward Polaris Mountain. Off the beaten path, the number of cultivators became less and less.

He gradually reached a point where it seemed that Lin Xiang was the only one around.

It was finally when he reached this secluded region that Lin Xiang suddenly stopped. He swiveled around, his terrifyingly calm expression piercing into space.

"Alright. Come out now."

His voice wasn't loud, yet it still carried an irresistible presence. As if he was a commander ordering all lowly subject to present themselves to him.

At the same time, five insidious killing intents erupted throughout the area.

"Oh? You're quite confident, aren't you?"

Five black armored warriors suddenly rushed out from different sections of the area. They all actually kept a reasonable distance of 30 meters away. Even a peak Profound expert wouldn't be able to leap over 30 meters in a second.

Instead of instantly rushing down on Lin Xiang, the black claw members were a bit hesitant.

The 9th layer leader kept his sense completely expanded out, waiting for any unpredictable ambush to occur.

None of them here were fools who believed they could do anything in the world. Evidently, since this Lin brat can calmly face off their combined killing intent pressure, he must have some tricks up his sleeves.

A slight sneer hung on the 9th layer leader's lips. His tone was a bit condescending as he said, "Just what sort of tricks are you planning? Is it such a thing that will protect your life? Kid, you should simply take the path of least resistance. Simply accept our loyalty seal and you can keep your life."

"Loyalty seal, huh?" Lin Xiang's expression was indifferent. But his eyes gleamed with a frosty killing intent.

Against people like this, there was no reason to waste any words.

Bloodline energy poured into Lin Xiang's Qi Sea. The fusion of energies rapidly rose and burst through his body!

A terrifyingly freezing atmosphere overturns the world. Particles of Extreme Ice Law essence turned the air into a frosty chill.

Powerful Profound Aura smashed down on the black claw members!

Every black claw member opened their eyes wide. A suffocating pressure smashed on their chests.

However, none of them even got the chance to react.

Lin Xiang already took a step forward, instantly hurdling over thirty meters, appearing right in front of the 9th layer leader!

Extreme Ice essence coated Lin Xiang's palm as he quickly thrust out.

Fast!

Absolutely too fast!

The 9th layer leader not only felt a freezing cold weighing down his body and Spiritual Sea but also couldn't respond to the blur that is Lin Xiang's icy palm. It completely surpassed his Spiritual Sea's reaction time in every aspect!

No resistance could stop Lin Xiang's icy palm. The 9th layer leader's protective Profound energy was instantly shattered into tiny bits. The icy palm then clamped down on the 9th-layer leader neck's with an iron grip.

Bones were promptly crushed in his neck. The 9th layer leader spat out a mouth of blood, his eyes nearly popping out of his sockets!

He wanted to desperately surge every ounce of his Qi Sea energies. But Lin Xiang merely blinked his eyes.

'Chi!'

Particles of Extreme Ice Law essence penetrated the 9th layer leader's body. Faster than a split second, the Extreme Ice Law essence particles completely froze the 9th layer leader!

Every part of his skin gained a layer of ice!

Only a horrified expression plastered the 9th layer leader's face. He couldn't even understand how he died.