Divine Emperor Demon Emperor

Lin Yun’s group of three remained on guard. More and more people around them were vanishing without a sound. In an instant, the group of over a thousand began to panic, and many chose to flee in the chaos.

"What a bunch of idiots," Li Tian said with disdain, watching the fleeing people.

Sure enough, after running just over ten meters, they charged straight into the Ghost Lizards’ encirclement and vanished without a trace.

"We’re already surrounded by Ghost Lizards," Li Tian warned. "It’s best not to move rashly right now."

Hearing Li Tian’s words, fear appeared on many faces. It seemed they had also heard of the terrifying Ghost Lizards and understood the danger they were in.

"Everyone, we need to stick together now, or we’ll never make it out of this plain," a Martial Artist at the Eighth Layer of Opening said just then.

The Eighth Layer of Opening was considered a top-tier Cultivation level among the Trial Takers. Most of the Martial Artists who had signed up for the Academy were only at the Fifth and Sixth Layers of Opening.

As soon as he spoke, many people voiced their agreement. After all, his Eighth Layer of Opening Cultivation was undeniable. Many recommended that he become their leader and guide them through this crisis.

"Alright, everyone gather up and don’t act on your own!" Buoyed by the crowd’s fawning, the man instantly grew arrogant, barking commands and ending by ordering Li Tian around. "You, come over here and tell me everything you know about the Ghost Lizards."

Hearing the man’s command, Li Tian simply ignored him. A mere Eighth Layer of Opening meant nothing. Though Li Tian could be a chatterbox, as a former member of a great family’s Direct Lineage from the Eastern Domain, he was incredibly proud. Apart from Lin Yun, it was impossible for anyone else to order him around.

Seeing that Li Tian was completely ignoring him, not even sparing him a glance, the man felt a loss of face. His expression darkened instantly. "This is an emergency. Everyone is to listen to me now. What do you think you’re doing?"

"Listen to you?" Li Tian replied indifferently. "You’re not worthy."

At that moment, Li Tian’s arrogance was on full display. His words completely enraged the man, who said something to his companions. Five Martial Artists at the Sixth and Seventh Layers of the Opening Realm then started walking toward Li Tian.

"Kid, get on your knees and apologize to Brother Tie, then spill everything you know about the Ghost Lizards," one of the five Martial Artists said coldly as they stood before Li Tian.

The five were clearly Brother Tie’s companions. They had been the first to support making Brother Tie the leader.

"Get lost. We don’t need a leader," Lin Yun, who had been silent until now, spoke up. His voice was calm.

Hearing this, all five turned to look at Lin Yun. When they saw he was just a Martial Artist at the Fifth Layer of Opening Realm, the disdain on their faces deepened. One of them said arrogantly, "Kid, are you looking to die? Let me tell you, from now on, you do whatever Brother Tie says. You’d better be smart about it."

Lin Yun had no intention of dealing with people like this, but some people in this world were just strange. Give them an inch, and they’ll take a mile.

"Li Tian, Qin Feng, cripple them," Lin Yun said lightly. He believed that with Li Tian’s and Qin Feng’s strength, killing this trash would be a trivial matter.

At Lin Yun’s command, the two moved in an instant. The five men didn’t even see their figures clearly before five miserable screams rang out. Li Tian and Qin Feng had broken all of their spines.

With their spines broken, the five were utterly ruined for life. They couldn’t even stand.

Lin Yun’s actions were domineering. When Brother Tie saw his companions crippled in an instant, his anger erupted. He didn’t look at Li Tian or Qin Feng, but stared directly at Lin Yun. He knew Lin Yun had given the order; everyone could see that Lin Yun was the boss of the three.

"Kid, you dare cripple them?" Brother Tie’s voice was ice-cold.

"Why wouldn’t I dare? They’re just a few clowns," Lin Yun replied nonchalantly.

"Fine, fine! Everyone, attack! Kill these three, and I’ll lead you out of this plain!" Brother Tie roared.

However, aside from a few Martial Artists who were close to him, no one else responded to his roar. The rest clearly had no intention of getting involved.

Seeing that most people were unmoved, even taking a few steps back as if it had nothing to do with them, Brother Tie knew he had two choices: either de-escalate the situation or kill Lin Yun himself to establish his authority.

"Kid, I’ll give you one chance. Get on your knees and kowtow three times, and I’ll forgive you," Brother Tie threatened, not making a move just yet.

Lin Yun walked toward Brother Tie at a leisurely pace, a faint smile on his face. This Brother Tie was nothing more than a brainless clown. A few words of flattery and he couldn’t even tell north from south anymore.

"You really want to be the boss? To lead us all through the Trial Road? There’s one thing you don’t seem to realize, though. It seems you don’t have the ability," Lin Yun said as he walked.

As his words fell, Lin Yun instantly executed Inch Step. His body bizarrely vanished from in front of Brother Tie, and when he reappeared, he was already behind him.

Having not seen at all how Lin Yun got behind him, Brother Tie broke out in a cold sweat as he felt Lin Yun’s index finger pointing at the back of his head.

"If you lead everyone, you will only lead them to their doom. But the most detestable part is that you actually tried to order my people around. Tell me, how should I punish you?" Lin Yun’s light voice sounded.

There was no threatening tone in his words, but to Brother Tie and his companions, they sounded like a death sentence.

"I... I didn’t mean it. I didn’t know he was one of your people. I won’t do it again," Brother Tie stammered.

"So, do I still need to apologize to you?"

"No, no! I’ll apologize to you! I’ll apologize to you!"

With just a few simple sentences, Lin Yun had scared Brother Tie witless. Lin Yun had no interest in even killing someone like this; he was just a clown.

"Good. Remember what you said. If there’s a next time, I’ll throw you into the Ghost Lizard swarm and let you have a good heart-to-heart with those beasts." After saying this, Lin Yun let Brother Tie go.

Lin Yun wouldn’t waste his thoughts on a clown like this. This was the type of person who, if you gave him any face, would walk all over you. But once you displayed overwhelming strength, he would immediately start groveling.

Returning to Li Tian’s and Qin Feng’s side, the three of them said no more. Meanwhile, the Martial Artists who had supported Brother Tie now had ugly expressions. With just a few simple words, Lin Yun had made Brother Tie grovel like a pathetic coward.

"Li Tian, when is the best time for us to break out of the Ghost Lizard encirclement?" Lin Yun asked.

Hearing this, Li Tian smiled faintly. "Young Master Lin, you have a Magical Treasure right here with you that counters the Ghost Lizards. We don’t need to break out."