CHAPTER 686: SIX HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SIX, DESCENDS FROM THE SKY

Therefore, Lin Xuantian had devised this strategy, which was not only for the enhancement of his own Meridian Spirit but also to utilize the Vein Demon to swiftly eliminate Lin Xuanhao.

Lin Xuantian believed that as long as Lin Xuanhao was dead, he would ultimately be the only heir to the Lin Family, since the Family Head and his spouse had not had any more children since Lin Xuanhao’s birth over the past decade.

Previously, Lin Xuantian, with calculated intervention, knew the leopard-patterned bamboo cat would not dare to engage in direct combat with him due to his overwhelming strength. Most likely, it would attempt to break through from the direction of Lin Xuanhao, who was by himself.

Over these past ten years, Lin Xuantian had come to thoroughly understand Lin Xuanhao’s temperament and stubbornness. He knew the latter had a ruthless streak and a foolish streak, that even if he knew resisting fiercely would cause him to sustain severe injuries, he would not back down an inch.

Therefore, at this very moment, Lin Xuantian was extremely confident that the enraged leopard-patterned bamboo cat would most likely strike Lin Xuanhao to death with a single blow, and such an outcome was exactly what he had methodically orchestrated.

First, he had injured the leopard-patterned bamboo cat severely, then agitated it further, and finally channeled all its fury towards the obstructing Lin Xuanhao. At this instant, Lin Xuantian felt a smug satisfaction with his linked schemes, one leading to the next.

However, at such a crucial moment, Lin Xuantian could not afford to stand idly by. Pretending to have just noticed the leopard-patterned bamboo cat’s impending strike on Lin Xuanhao, he shouted a warning just as his figure finally moved.

But any observer could see that, even if Lin Xuantian moved as fast as he could, it would likely be impossible to stop the leopard-patterned bamboo cat’s first attack on Lin Xuanhao. Now, it all depended on the second young master of the Lin Family’s own fate.

Bang!

Slash!

As Lin Xuantian had anticipated, the leopard-patterned bamboo cat’s strike was immensely powerful, breaking both arms Lin Xuanhao used to block in front of his chest, then with a swipe of its claw, tearing off his front clothing and leaving three ferocious bloody marks on his chest.

"Huh? He’s not dead?"

Yet, such a gruesome sight in Lin Xuantian’s eyes was followed by a flash of coldness. The outcome was quite contrary to his ultimate goal.

But in the next moment, Lin Xuantian realized the problem. He had injured the leopard-patterned bamboo cat too severely earlier, and Lin Xuanhao’s desperate burst of strength was not weak, so this attack had not taken Lin Xuanhao’s life.

Since Lin Xuanhao had not died, Lin Xuantian’s movements also slowed at this moment. However, with the many Lin Family guards watching plainly, he dared not make it too obvious. Should his vile intentions be exposed, he probably would not be able to remain in the Lin Family.

"Damn it!"

It had to be said that Lin Xuantian was quick-witted. Seeing the leopard-patterned bamboo cat’s second strike hurtling towards Lin Xuanhao, he discreetly channeled his energy, and his complexion instantly turned ashen.

"Phew!"

A mouthful of fresh blood spurted from Lin Xuantian’s mouth, and his breath weakened instantly. No one knew he was feigning it, and this moment of vomiting blood undoubtedly shocked all Lin Family guards.

After all, the one in mortal danger was the legitimate son of the Family Head. These guards had all believed that Lin Xuantian would be able to save him if he took action in time, but no one expected such a dramatic turn of events.

No one knew why Lin Xuantian would cough up blood at such a critical moment, but they all understood that with this delay, the next moment Lin Xuanhao might be clawed through the throat by the leopard-patterned bamboo cat.

The leopard-patterned bamboo cat wouldn’t care if you were the young master of the Lin Family of Yujiang City. It was extremely vicious and, sensing the presence of a human nearby, believed that it could escape to freedom as long as it broke through.

"Could it be that I, Lin Xuanhao, am truly going to die here?"

Lin Xuanhao, utterly drained of strength, had no way to avoid the inevitable this time. Even if he had the will, he lacked the strength and could only watch as the shining claw of the cat neared his throat.

As for Lin Xuantian, who had just wiped the fresh blood from the corner of his mouth, his face bore an expression of sorrow, yet, deep within his eyes, there flickered a glint of triumphant conspiracy.

Whoosh...

Just then, the sound of rushing wind came from the sky, and to everyone’s astonished eyes, a figure descended from above, coincidentally landing right on the attacking body of the leopard-patterned bamboo cat.

Bang!

The figure that came from the sky was tremendously forceful, and it was unknown from how high it had fallen, but the impact sent the vast body of the leopard-patterned bamboo cat flying several meters away.

"Mew mew..."

All eyes watched, stunned, as the displaced leopard-patterned bamboo cat struggled a few times without standing back up, then fell silent with a couple of whimpers, their expressions filled with disbelief.

"Could it be... killed by the collision?"

The Lin Family guards, although not Meridian Refining Masters, were nevertheless Cultivators who had reached the Spirit Vein Realm; sensing the fading life force of the spotted bamboo leopard, this thought began to rise in their hearts.

As for the Lin Family’s foster son, Lin Xuanting, he was even more startled by this abrupt turn of events, initially thinking that some powerful member of the Lin Family had struck from the shadows. If that had indeed been the case, wouldn’t all his recent actions have been clearly observed in secret?

"Huff... huff..."

The legitimate son of the Lin Family, Lin Xuanhao, who had narrowly escaped death, took several deep breaths to regain his composure, forcibly suppressing his injuries to shift his gaze onto a certain figure.

Upon looking, whether it was Lin Xuanhao, Lin Xuanting, or the Lin Family guards, all were left agape, for they beheld a young man in coarse clothing who appeared not to be very old – yet at this moment, he was clearly unconscious.

"Could it be... after crushing the spotted bamboo leopard, he himself was knocked out by the collision?"

Everyone harbored this notion, finding the scenario nearly inconceivable; and how could this thin young man in coarse clothing fall from the sky so precisely as to land on the spotted bamboo leopard?

"He isn’t dead as well, is he?"

Lin Xuanhao forcefully reconnected his broken arms, painstakingly walked over to the young man in coarse clothing. Strange as today’s incident had been, without this youth who had fallen from the sky, he would have likely lost his life.

Lin Xuanhao, the second young master of the Lin Family, was known for his good nature, which had already been evident from his refusal to retreat in a fight to the death. From the bottom of his heart, Lin Xuanhao hoped that this young man in coarse clothing was not dead so that he would have the opportunity to repay this lifesaving grace.

However, including Lin Xuanting, everyone doubted that the young man could still be alive. The force of the fall from the sky was so great it killed the physically powerful spotted bamboo leopard; how could a feeble human boy possibly survive?

"The damn brat who messed up my plans had better be off to see King Yan!"

Especially Lin Xuanting, who had seen Lin Xuanhao about to die under the claws of the spotted bamboo leopard and even suffered internal injuries himself, only to have the scenario unexpectedly ruined by this strange man from the sky.

In Lin Xuanting’s heart, it would be ideal if the boy who ruined his plans died alongside the spotted bamboo leopard. As for scheming against Lin Xuanhao, he could simply find another opportunity in the future.

"Eh? He’s still breathing!"

However, just as malevolence surged in Lin Xuanting’s heart, a hint of joy appeared on Lin Xuanhao’s pale face. Then he shouted, "Quick, come over and carry this elder brother, we must immediately return to Yujiang City to find someone for treatment!"

Hearing the joy in Lin Xuanhao’s voice, the bewildered expressions on everyone’s faces deepened even further. Was that boy even human to have not died like that? Could it be that his physical strength was actually greater than that of a Sixth Rank Advanced spotted bamboo leopard?

As for Lin Xuanting, who had been inwardly cursing, the gloom in the depths of his eyes deepened. The matter, which had seemed completely under his control, had been disrupted; and the boy who had interfered with his plans had actually survived.

Nevertheless, given the situation, Lin Xuanting knew that his plan had failed due to a bizarre twist of fate, so he quickly adjusted his mood and stepped forward.

"Xuan Hao, are you alright?"

At this moment, Lin Xuanting unquestionably returned to his role as the elder brother. Lin Xuanhao, completely unaware of his brother’s vile intentions and sensing his somewhat weakened aura, would never consider ulterior motives.

"I’m fine, big brother. You should check on him first!"

Lin Xuanhao, having great faith in his elder brother, instead asked Lin Xuanting to examine the young man in coarse clothing. It was not until that moment that Lin Xuanting carefully assessed the young man lying on the ground, his breath faint.

The person had rather delicate features, dressed in coarse cloth, not seeming like someone from a prominent family or sect, especially with a Wooden Sword strapped to his back, resembling a child’s plaything.

Such a person had not only killed the Sixth Rank Advanced spotted bamboo leopard but also survived; this was utterly mysterious, inciting Lin Xuanting’s curiosity about the young man in coarse clothing.

"His breath is faint but stable; his life should not be in danger. Once we return to the family, we can have Uncle Qiao take a look at him!"

After standardly checking the young man’s pulse, Lin Xuanting turned around. The words he spoke finally allowed Lin Xuanhao to relax significantly.

"But as for you, little brother, don’t be so reckless next time. It was just a spotted bamboo leopard. If anything had happened to you, how would I explain to our father?"

To clear his own conscience, Lin Xuanting was putting in a lot of effort. His words seemed to indicate that Lin Xuanhao’s own actions had been reckless and had nothing to do with him.

However, after storing the spotted bamboo leopard in his Waist Storage, a sudden realization dawned upon Lin Xuanting – could it be that the survival of this young man from the sky was due to him landing on the spotted bamboo leopard, thus absorbing the impact, and that was how he managed to stay alive?