Chapter 629: Young Master Zhu!
"Who are you?"
Upon seeing Li Yun, the expressions of the two black-robed men changed. However, when they discovered that Li Yun’s cultivation was only at the peak of Mortal Core Realm, they immediately relaxed and burst into loud laughter.
"Peak Mortal Core Realm. I never thought a mere kid at the peak of Mortal Core Realm would dare block our path. Interesting, this is truly interesting."
One of them laughed heartily and said, "But this is actually good. A cultivator at the peak of Mortal Core Realm has richer blood and qi than hundreds of mortals combined. Capturing this guy is an unexpected gain."
"Exactly."
The other nodded and also laughed loudly. "I thought all the cultivators nearby had already been captured, but we actually caught a stray fish. Good. Kid, surrender now."
Amid the laughter, the black-robed man suddenly lunged forward, his hands reaching directly to grab Li Yun. Clearly, he did not take Li Yun seriously at all.
This black-robed man was at the peak of Earthly Core Realm, while Li Yun’s displayed cultivation was merely at the peak of Mortal Core Realm. It was perfectly normal for the black-robed man to look down on him.
"Foolish."
Li Yun shook his head, his expression indifferent, and suddenly swung his sword casually.
Whoosh!
A flash of Sword Light passed.
In the next moment, the black-robed man’s head flew off. With just one sword strike, he was instantly beheaded.
"What?"
This scene shocked the other black-robed man. His wild laughter was abruptly cut off, and a look of fear involuntarily appeared in his eyes.
This kid had actually killed his companion with one sword strike, slaying a peak Earthly Core Realm existence in a single blow.
Could this kid be a peak Heavenly Core Realm expert?
"Speak."
At that moment, Li Yun’s figure flashed, appearing directly in front of the black-robed man. His expression was indifferent, his sword pointed straight at the man’s heart as he coldly said, "What is this Young Master Zhu you mentioned?"
"Ah!"
With the sword pointed at him, the black-robed man was so frightened that he almost lost his soul. He hurriedly spoke, "Do not kill me! Young hero, do not kill me. I will tell you everything you want to know."
"Young Master Zhu is the son of a protector from our Blood Fiend Hall. The area within a thousand miles around here is all under his jurisdiction. We are capturing people on his orders. This is not our fault."
"A protector of the Blood Fiend Hall?"
Li Yun raised an eyebrow.
He knew a little about the Ironblood Sect.
Within the Ironblood Sect, the most revered position was naturally the cult leader. However, it was said that the cult leader of the Ironblood Sect was extremely mysterious, appearing and disappearing like a dragon. Even within the Ironblood Sect, few people had ever seen him.
Below the cult leader were the Hall Masters of the four major branch halls and the five chief elders of the main cult. These nine powerhouses were collectively known as the Nine Giants of the Ironblood Sect, and all of them were Spirit Manifestation Realm experts.
In addition, the Holy Son of the Ironblood Sect, Yan Wuhen, held a status equivalent to the four Hall Masters and five chief elders, perhaps even slightly higher.
Within the four branch halls, there were Hall Masters, Deputy Hall Masters, branch elders, and branch protectors. The Deputy Hall Masters were all experts at the peak of the 9th level of Heavenly Core Realm, only one step away from the Spirit Manifestation Realm.
The branch elders were all ordinary 9th level Heavenly Core Realm experts. As for the branch protectors, they ranged from the 6th level to the 8th level of Heavenly Core Realm. The strong ones could reach the peak of the 8th level of Heavenly Core Realm, while even the weaker ones were at least top-tier experts at the 6th level of Heavenly Core Realm.
Since Young Master Zhu’s father was a protector of the Blood Fiend Hall, that meant this person was at least at the 6th level of Heavenly Core Realm.
"What is Young Master Zhu’s cultivation level? What is his father’s cultivation level? Where are they now?"
Li Yun’s gaze was cold and indifferent as he spoke.
"Young Master Zhu is at the 1st level of Heavenly Core Realm. His father is at the 6th level of Heavenly Core Realm."
The black-robed man quickly replied, "Young Master Zhu is in the nearby Violetthorn City, while Protector Zhu is stationed in Coiling Dragon City, overseeing the area within ten thousand miles."
"Oh?"
Li Yun’s eyes flashed, and he asked again, "In that case, besides Young Master Zhu, are there any other experts in Violetthorn City?"
"None."
The black-robed man shook his head. "The area within ten thousand miles is all under Protector Zhu’s control. As the son of Protector Zhu, who would dare offend him? Besides, Young Master Zhu is lawless and arrogant, so he naturally cannot stand having someone stronger than him overseeing him. Even the people Protector Zhu sent to protect him were driven away."
"Good."
Hearing this, Li Yun nodded.
Then, he suddenly thrust his sword, piercing straight through the black-robed man’s heart.
"You..."
The black-robed man was stunned. Clutching his heart, intense resentment appeared in his eyes. He had cooperated so fully with Li Yun, yet he had never expected Li Yun to still kill him.
Li Yun’s expression remained cold and indifferent, showing no sympathy or pity.
Letting this black-robed man go would surely bring endless trouble later. Besides, this person was a lackey of Young Master Zhu and was no good himself. Killing him was only right.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Li Yun suddenly swung his sword, and Sword Qi crisscrossed through the air. In an instant, the chains on hundreds of people were cut and shattered without harming a single one of them.
"Thank you, young master."
"Thank you, young hero, for saving our lives."
Immediately, the hundreds of mortals bowed together, each expressing their gratitude.
"It is nothing."
Li Yun shook his head and said, "I can only protect you for a moment, not for a lifetime. From now on, try to find a hidden place and do not let the Ironblood Sect find you again."
Though he said this, Li Yun knew that the chances of these people escaping the Ironblood Sect’s search were extremely slim.
After all, they were only mortals, and the Ironblood Sect surely had some special search methods. In the end, these people would likely still be captured by the Ironblood Sect.
Unfortunately, this was all he could do. After all, even he seemed too weak in the face of the entire Ironblood Sect.
Thud!
At that moment, the beautiful girl wearing coarse and tattered clothes suddenly knelt down. Her hair was disheveled, but her eyes were firm as she said, "Big brother, please take me as your disciple. I am willing to follow you in cultivating the Sword Dao, to cut down all injustice in the world and slay all evil demons and heretics."
"Hm?"
The beautiful girl’s sudden action made Li Yun pause.
He frowned slightly and looked at her, about to shake his head and refuse. But just then, his gaze suddenly sharpened.
From this beautiful girl, he sensed an incredibly strange aura.
It felt like a sharp precious sword, radiating an unyielding Sword Intent.
"Innate Sword Body?"
Li Yun’s heart shook violently, and he could not help showing a trace of shock on his face.