Chapter 131. Easy kill.
Lin Xuan’s eyes lit up.
Indeed, if someone had planted a soul mark, then having it erased by force would inevitably trigger a backlash.
It was the perfect opportunity to catch them before they had time to recover.
Without another word, Lin Xuan released his divine sense and silently covered the entire Lin Family estate.
"All Shadow Guards are to immediately conduct a thorough search of the entire estate and report anyone showing signs of sudden spiritual instability or unexplained injuries, as no one is exempt from this investigation."
Every Shadow Guard concealed within the estate heard the Patriarch’s command echo directly inside their minds.
They were briefly startled by the sudden mental transmission, before acting on it immediately.
Dark figures silently emerged from the shadows before dispersing throughout the estate to carry out the Patriarch’s order.
Lin Xuan then looked toward Lin Zhaoyue.
"You’ll search with me."
She obediently nodded and soon, father and daughter began searching the estate together.
Soon, two hours gradually passed by without any discoveries.
Even the Shadow Guards continuously reported back with no results.
It was as though the culprit had vanished into thin air.
Just as Lin Xuan was considering expanding the search beyond the estate, his footsteps suddenly halted and his gaze shifted toward a secluded corner of the Lin Family.
It was the former residence of the late Supreme Elder, Lin Zhenghai.
Since Lin Zhenghai’s death, the compound had remained empty.
Most of its furniture had already been removed and anything of value had long since been confiscated by the Lin Family.
The once-grand residence now appeared barren and desolate.
Dust had begun gathering in the empty corridors, while the silent courtyards gave the place an abandoned atmosphere.
Only one location continued to receive regular protection.
Behind the residence lay the Lin Family’s spirit pond.
Although the former Supreme Elder had once occupied this area, the spirit pond itself remained one of the family’s most valuable cultivation resources.
Several guards stood watch nearby day and night, ensuring that no one approached without permission.
Lin Xuan slowly walked into the abandoned residence.
His divine sense carefully swept across every inch of the compound.
"...There’s something beneath us."
He stepped into what had once been the main hall.
The floor appeared completely ordinary yet beneath it, his divine sense detected a hollow space.
Without hesitation, he waved his sleeve.
Boom!
The wooden flooring shattered into countless fragments and a thick layer of earth collapsed inward, revealing a concealed stone staircase descending into darkness.
Lin Zhaoyue’s eyes widened.
"...An underground tunnel?"
Lin Xuan’s expression gradually turned solemn.
Was Lin Zhenghai really this capable?
Had he not broken through to the Nascent Soul Realm, he would never have discovered this hidden passage.
A small concealment formation had even been arranged above the entrance, one sophisticated enough to deceive the spiritual perception of any Golden Core expert.
Whoever had created it clearly possessed considerable attainments in formations.
Lin Xuan lowered his gaze toward Lin Zhaoyue before gently setting her on the ground.
"Stay here and don’t try to run away, capisce?"
Lin Zhaoyue blinked.
"What’s that, Papa?"
Lin Xuan rubbed his forehead.
"Just tell me whether you understand or not."
Lin Zhaoyue immediately nodded with an innocent smile.
"I understand, Papa."
Lin Xuan looked at her and he wasn’t particularly convinced.
Still, there was no time to dwell on it as he turned toward the stone staircase leading into the darkness.
Without another word, Lin Xuan stepped into the passage and swiftly disappeared into its depths.
The tunnel stretched deep beneath the Lin Family estate.
The passage stretched for several hundred metres before gradually sloping upward.
A faint breeze drifted in from ahead and moments later, he emerged from the tunnel’s exit.
Before him lay an abandoned courtyard.
Its stone walls had long since cracked with age, while weeds grew unchecked between the broken flagstones.
The surrounding buildings were in various states of collapse, their roofs caved in and wooden beams exposed to the elements.
Judging by the weathered architecture, the place had likely been deserted for many years.
Lin Xuan slowly swept his gaze across his surroundings.
"...Where is this?"
Without hesitation, he spread his divine sense and the invisible wave instantly expanded in every direction, sweeping across the surrounding area.
Within moments, his eyes narrowed as nearly ten miles away, a figure dressed in black was fleeing at full speed through the wilderness.
His aura was unstable, and his breathing was chaotic, as though he had just suffered a severe injury.
Most importantly, Lin Xuan could still sense the lingering fluctuations of the shattered soul mark on him.
There was no doubt about it, he was the culprit.
"Finally. Found you."
Lin Xuan’s figure disappeared from the tunnel entrance.
Boom!
The ground beneath his feet shattered as he shot into the sky like a streak of white light.
Although he deliberately restrained his aura, his speed remained astonishing due to the cloud chasing movement technique.
The fleeing man had only covered a few more miles when his expression suddenly changed.
"...Impossible!"
His face turned deathly pale.
How had they found him so quickly?
Without another thought, he bit the tip of his tongue and spat out a mouthful of essence blood.
The blood ignited into crimson flames around his body and his speed instantly doubled.
"I just need to reach the rendezvous point..."
He gritted his teeth and continued fleeing.
Unfortunately for him, the distance between him and the mysterious chaser continued shrinking.
His heart sank lower with every passing breath.
Suddenly, a sharp whistling sound tore through the sky behind him.
His instincts screamed in warning.
Before he could even turn around, a crimson spear tore through the air with terrifying speed.
Thud!
The Blood Absorbing Spear pierced clean through his abdomen, carrying him forward with overwhelming force before nailing him to the trunk of a massive ancient tree.
"Gah!"
A mouthful of blood burst from his lips as unbearable pain spread throughout his body.
He struggled desperately to pull the spear free, but it refused to budge in the slightest.
Instead, the Blood Absorbing Spear erupted with a crimson glow as it began violently devouring his blood.
The man’s face visibly paled as his vitality rapidly drained away.
Cold sweat soaked his back.
"...Who are you?"
He had investigated the Lin Family countless times.
The Lin Patriarch should only have been at the Golden Core Realm.
So who was the terrifying expert standing before him?