Chapter 291: Attacking in Unity to Disperse the Forces

After concealing the true strength of the Gu Huan Sect, Ning Ji Sect launched several attacks on the spiritual arrays. Though they were repelled each time, these attempts only strengthened the resolve of everyone in Ning Ji Sect to break through the Xing Li Sect in the next attempt.
The stalemate continued. Outside the Xing Li Sect, Fang Shi Jin looked grim. Aside from the hundred disciples and a few elders remaining in the main camp, Ning Ji Sect had mobilized all its forces—over nine hundred people—who managed to rout Qian Chang Jian’s forces but also lost more than a hundred of their own disciples.
They had thought the remaining strength of the Xing Li Sect was easily crushable, only to find that the spiritual arrays prevented them from advancing. In just one day, Ning Ji Sect had suffered over a hundred casualties.
If this continued, even if they managed to take control of the Xing Li Sect and obtain its weapon-making techniques and all the spiritual skills and artifacts in its treasure hall, it would be extremely difficult to seize the minerals in its territory.
A single mistake could lead to other sects joining forces to attack Ning Ji Sect.
They couldn’t delay any longer. They had to take control of the Xing Li Sect at once and secure allies before other sects realized Ning Ji Sect’s losses. Otherwise, despite gaining a treasure hall, the heavy losses would make it unprofitable for Ning Ji Sect, even if other sects were too busy fighting over the minerals to pay attention to them.
Glancing at the equally concerned elders, Fang Shi Jin waved his hand and said, “Call back Third Elder and Ninth Elder!”
The elders of Ning Ji Sect sensed something was up—this move clearly indicated they needed to discuss matters. And the topics to be discussed were either retreating or launching a relentless assault.
An hour later, Lin Dong received another message from a disciple of the Gu Huan Sect: Ning Ji Sect had gone all out, with all its elders joining forces to break through the arrays. This meant the outcome would be decided today.
Although he didn’t want to waste time, Lin Dong still called Yun Lan and together they headed to the location where Ning Ji Sect was launching its main attack.
Upon arrival, two of the three spiritual arrays had already been broken. You Bei De was leading the Xing Li Sect’s elders and disciples inside the arrays to resist, while outside, only Xiao Tianchi stood with his hands behind his back—no trace of the Gu Huan Sect’s disciples was visible.
“Master Xiao, how is it going?” Lin Dong asked.
Xiao Tianchi smiled, a hint of coldness in his eyes, “Today is the day the Ning Ji Sect perishes.”
Lin Dong looked up at the sky. It wasn’t yet noon, but it was possible.
Before long, You Bei De led his group out, with shouts of battle echoing behind them. Fang Shi Jin and the elders rushed out of the arrays first.
“Disperse!” You Bei De waved his hand, and the Xing Li Sect’s disciples scattered like birds and beasts.

Seeing this, Xiao Tianchi couldn’t help but laugh and say, “Shopkeeper Lin, Miss Yun, it’s time for us to flee too.”
Lin Dong and the others exchanged a smile before dashing off in one direction.
“All senior disciples, follow orders—spread out and chase them down, leave none behind!” With spiritual energy surging in his throat, Fang Shijin roared, “Destroy the Xingli Sect!”
The disciples of the Ningji Sect immediately became frenzied, waving their long swords. Under the leadership of their senior disciples, they split into small teams and pursued the fleeing members of the Xingli Sect.
Fang Shijin and the other elders closely chased You Beide and the five elders of the Xingli Sect.
As they pursued deeper into the territory of the Xingli Sect, none of Fang Shijin’s group could have imagined that in a small courtyard about a kilometer ahead, nineteen elders and nearly a hundred disciples of the Guhuan Sect were lurking quietly, waiting to strike a devastating blow.
What surprised them even more was that Xiao Tianchi, Lin Dong, and another person appeared after all the disciples of the Ningji Sect had scattered into small groups.
With a shout from Xiao Tianchi, hundreds of disciples of the Guhuan Sect rushed out from a wooden building in an instant.
“Let the people of the Ningji Sect know that our Guhuan Sect isn’t easy to bully,” Xiao Tianchi said, a fierce killing intent appearing on his gaunt face. “They forced me to hand over minerals, killed my disciples, and destroyed my sect. Today, if even one of them escapes alive, I, Xiao Tianchi, will slash my own throat.”
After saying that, he raised his spiritual sword sharply, scanning his disciples with his gaze before shouting, “Kill them! Leave none behind!”
“Kill!”
The thunderous roar made Lin Dong feel envious. So far, he only had fifty-eight loyal subordinates. Compared to these disciples of the Guhuan Sect, their combined strength was probably not even enough to take on one of them.
“Maintain formation! Follow me and fight!”
Xiao Tianchi shouted and charged forward first.
Lin Dong and Yun Lan stayed at the back of the group, looking for opportunities to practice their skills against those who managed to escape.
When a group of over a dozen disciples of the Ningji Sect came into sight, they were terrified by the sudden appearance of so many enemies and turned to flee.
Xiao Tianchi swung his long sword, sending groups of disciples from both flanks to encircle them.
Although Xiao Tianchi had consumed the Qinglan Fruit and his strength was somewhat improved, he was still inferior to the elders of the Ningji Sect. But compared to these disciples of the Ningji Sect, he was far stronger.
In just a few moves, Xiao Tianchi broke into their ranks, swinging his spiritual sword repeatedly. Like a swift serpent, he moved swiftly among the dozen disciples, stopping their escape.

With just these brief delays, the disciples of Gu Huanzong rushed forward. Even in one-on-one fights, they were superior to their opponents. With dozens fighting against one, the disciples sent out to encircle them were completely unnecessary. In just a moment, not a single disciple of Ning Jizong remained.

Xiao Tianchi swung his sword, and the disciples on the flanks returned to the main group, as the entire force advanced rapidly.

Behind them, Lin Dong stopped and said with a helpless smile, “With such ferocity, unless we encounter a group of over fifty, I have no chance.”

“Should we go look for them alone?” Yun Lan asked.

Lin Dong nodded.

“Okay!” Yun Lan agreed. Since the elders of Ning Jizong had already been lured away, she was confident she could take Lin Dong in and out effortlessly, even if they encountered fifty or more disciples of Ning Jizong.

The two immediately separated from the main group and dashed toward one side.

Before long, a group of eight disciples of Ning Jizong came into sight. These eight were desperately chasing after two disciples of Xinglizong, but because the disciples of Xinglizong had slightly better movement skills and were familiar with the terrain, it was difficult for them to catch up.

Seeing that the eight were too focused on chasing and hadn’t noticed the two enemies following behind, Lin Dong, seeing an opportunity, locked eyes on one of their legs, his gaze flashing briefly.

The disciple of Ning Jizong targeted by Lin Dong suddenly felt his left leg move on its own, taking an extra half step forward. Losing balance instantly, he flipped forward.

As he fell, he pointed his spirit sword at the ground, using the momentum to flip over, spin once, and land steadily.

Just as he was about to continue chasing his companions, he suddenly remembered seeming to see someone behind him. Turning around, he exclaimed in delight, “There are two more fearless ones behind!”

His companions turned as well and all grinned. These two were indeed fearless. The previous two had only known how to run frantically, while these two even dared to follow behind, perhaps hoping to launch a surprise attack.

The eight stopped one after another, fearing that Lin Dong and Yun Lan might realize something was wrong and try to escape like the other two. They bent their legs and dashed forward, competing to attack the two.

“With my strength, how many can I handle at once?” Lin Dong turned to look at Yun Lan.

Among these eight disciples of Ning Jizong, only one was at the third level of the Mind State phase, four were at the second level, and three were at the first level. After a quick estimate, Yun Lan said cautiously, “If it’s the strongest ones, with your strength, four should be no problem.”

Facing the strongest among them, he could handle four at once. Undoubtedly, none of these eight had a disciple as powerful as Ningjizong. Lin Dong opened his right hand, and a bench appeared silently in his grasp. His gaze sharpened: “If that’s the case, leave all eight to me!”
Yun Lan was stunned, then fell silent, her movements coming to a halt as well.
Lin Dong took a deep breath and charged forward alone. When they were less than five meters apart, he pushed off with his right foot and lunged forward, swinging the bench fiercely at the leading Ningjizong disciple.
A bench? Could it be a servant from the Xingli Sect?
The eight were shocked, then dismissed that idea—given his speed, it was impossible for him to be a servant.
“Everyone else has stopped, yet you keep charging ahead blindly…”
The leading Ningjizong disciple was the strongest. Though he saw Lin Dong’s fierce attack, he couldn’t help but sneer. Without dodging, he swung his spiritual sword straight at Lin Dong’s heart.
“Back off!”
As the spiritual sword approached, Lin Dong gritted his teeth and continued swinging the bench, ignoring the attack just like the Ningjizong disciple.
Seeing this, the Ningjizong disciple was shocked. Comparing the two, it was clear he had caused far more damage. This man was foolish enough not to analyze the situation.
Although being hit by a bench wouldn’t kill him, it would still be extremely painful. Seeing that Lin Dong was truly determined to risk his life to hurt him, the Ningjizong disciple grew frustrated. His spiritual energy surged as he forced himself to stop the attack, tilting his body to the left to avoid the swinging bench.
With a whoosh, the bench missed its target as Lin Dong kicked at the Ningjizong disciple’s groin.
The disciple was terrified. This reaction made him realize that this man’s strength far surpassed his own.
His body was already tilted, and to avoid the kick, he needed to adjust his posture first—there was no time at all. With no way to avoid it, he flipped his wrist, swinging his spiritual sword horizontally at Lin Dong’s right arm, trying to force him to dodge.
But to his extreme frustration, Lin Dong didn’t dodge. Just as the sword was about to strike his arm, he kicked right at the disciple’s groin.
Agh…
A shrill scream erupted from the Ningjizong disciple’s mouth. He flew backward toward his companions.
With a tearing sound, the spiritual sword scraped above Lin Dong’s elbow before following its master into the distance.
A gush of blood sprayed into the air.
From afar, Yun Lan’s heart tightened. Her gaze toward the Ningjizong disciple was filled with murderous intent.
With a thud, the disciple fell to the ground, clutching his groin and screaming before losing consciousness.
“Second senior brother…”

The other seven disciples of Ning Jizong each stared at Lin Dong, their eyes filled with murderous intent as well.
Lin Dong exhaled, not even glancing at the wounds on his arm. In his view, being able to take down one of the enemy’s strongest disciples with a single sword was well worth it!
Inside his dantian, spiritual energy slowly gathered.
Before the seven could act, Lin Dong struck first.