Chapter 197: Chapter 197

Witnessing Xiao Chen’s demise by his hand, Song Zhigang felt a sense of absurdity yet had to admit this was reality. He should have remained an outsider to Xiao Chen and Su Lin’s conflict.

Yet, driven by a sense of obligation, he intervened and even saved Xiao Chen, only for Xiao Chen to lead the Song family into a trap aimed at killing him. Song Zhigang felt no guilt; even if Wang Yannian sought retribution, he wouldn’t be afraid.

Carrying Xiao Chen’s body, Song Zhigang vanished from the scene. Meanwhile, Su Lin, engaged in battle, heard the system’s notification in his mind.

[Ding! The main character Xiao Chen is dead. Congratulations to the host for winning and receiving three epic treasure box draws.].[Ding! Successfully eliminated a main character, system evaluation in progress.].[Ding! Evaluation completed, system rating: S.].[Ding! Host eliminated the main character, awarded one opportunity to advance a minor realm. Simply wish to upgrade.].[Ding! Host successfully eliminated the main character Xiao Chen, automatically completing the first needle of Taiyi Divine Needles – Departure Gold Needle.].

Su Lin, entangled in combat, was delighted upon hearing the system’s voice. He had been easily handling these opponents, feigning struggle to lure Song Zhiming into action.

Su Lin’s goal was clear: eliminate Xiao Chen, ensure Song Zhigang’s return and control over the Song family, and avoid wiping out the Song family’s grandmasters unnecessarily.

Thus, he deliberately appeared to be struggling, waiting for Song Zhiming to make a move.

Seeing Su Lin battling against seven or eight opponents, narrowly avoiding serious injury while his own side suffered due to Su Lin’s tactics, Song Zhiming realized he needed to intervene as the battle turned increasingly dire.

Without hesitation, Song Zhiming shouted and joined the fray, his grandmaster’s aura enveloping the battleground. The surrounding grandmasters were astounded, having not expected the typically gentle Song Zhiming to be a peak grandmaster, on the verge of becoming a celestial.

Su Lin saw his chance: “Good timing!”

Activating the Vajra Indestructible Technique to its limit, Su Lin endured another round of attacks from seven grandmasters, revealing his silver needles.

“Master, be careful!”

Su Lin’s power surged to a grandmaster’s peak, and his silver needle burst Song Chunsheng’s head, then aimed at Song Zhiming.

Song Zhiming moved aside slightly, the needle grazing his cheek.

“Zzz~!” He felt the searing needle mark his face with a burning wound.

Enraged, Song Zhiming vowed, “You’re seeking death!”

“Old Blood, you two, coordinate with me. Let’s take him down together.”

“Alright.”

Song Zhiming, now devoid of his previous gentleness and appearing wildly enraged, coordinated with Old Blood and the sabre-wielding warrior. They attacked Su Lin’s lower body and upper body simultaneously.

“Clang, clang, clang~!”

Though the sabre didn’t cut Su Lin, the forceful impact was still uncomfortable for him. Seizing the opportunity, Song Zhiming attacked again.

Just as he aimed for Su Lin’s neck, a flash of silver appeared, and a woman in plain clothes suddenly intervened on the battlefield, her sword striking Song Zhiming’s arm.

He Suxin’s timing was impeccably precise, catching Song Zhiming off-guard during his full-force attack on Su Lin. Despite Song Zhiming’s quick reaction, faced with a sneak attack by He Suxin, a fellow grandmaster at peak level, he couldn’t defend in time and was successfully wounded by her.

Su Lin, seizing the rare opportunity, braced against Old Blood’s blood-colored palm strike and with concentrated force, punched Song Zhiming’s abdomen.

“Pfft!” Song Zhiming bent over as the back of his shirt burst open, revealing a fist-sized purple bruise. The punch had caused various degrees of injury to his internal organs.

Just then, Song Zhigang, carrying Xiao Chen’s body, rushed in. He dropped Xiao Chen’s body on the ground and loudly declared, “All esteemed guests of the Song family, please, halt and hear me out.”

Many veteran Grandmasters recognized Song Zhigang and, hearing his words, ceased their attacks.

Of course, the main reason was the knowledge that continuing the battle would be certain death against Su Lin, who was seemingly invincible with his Vajra Indestructible Technique, managing to fight off seven or eight people single-handedly. While others’ attacks barely made him clang, Su Lin’s counterattacks could send someone flying with severe injuries.

The difference in power was just too vast. These Grandmasters, either rallied from other families or longstanding ones, and a few truly loyal ones, had been instantly neutralized by Su Lin from the start.

Therefore, once Song Zhigang spoke up, everyone willingly stepped down and stopped fighting.

Su Lin approached Song Zhigang and said, “Your older brother has been severely injured by me; I’ll leave him to you now.”

Song Zhigang, with a complex look, nodded. He hadn’t expected the scheming Song Zhiming to be defeated by Su Lin.

As Su Lin turned to leave Song Zhiming called out to him.  “Wait a moment!”

Su Lin looked towards Song Zhiming. “I don’t think a man like you would beg for mercy. What do you want?”

Wiping the blood from his mouth, Song Zhiming grimly said, “What kind of technique is that? Why is it so domineering?”

Su Lin smiled lightly and turned to leave ignoring him.

Song Zhiming, stunned, watched Su Lin walk away then resignedly said to Song Zhigang, “Xiaogang, I’ve lost.”

Song Zhigang, with a complex expression, asked, “Any last words?”

After pondering, Song Zhiming shook his head, “I’ve done too many evil deeds. Bury me with Xiaocheng.”

“Alright.” Song Zhigang, looking at the dying Song Zhiming, shook his head. The man had committed countless atrocities and brought this end upon himself.

He turned to the Song family’s guests, “Does anyone else wish to continue this fight?”

With two Grandmasters at the Great Perfection level on Su Lin’s side, both ancient warriors, how could they fight?

Su Lin was terrifying enough, and with the addition of a sword-wielding ally, whose strength seemed to indicate she could take on five or six alone without issue, fighting seemed futile.

Song Zhigang nodded, “Since no one wishes to continue, let’s discuss what comes next.”

Su Lin didn’t concern himself with how Song Zhigang would handle the Song family affairs. He was keen on returning to the Qin family to see his girlfriends.

He Suxin, appearing beside Su Lin at some point, observed him with a complex expression, “You’re truly a monster. I’ve never heard or seen someone enhance their realm in battle like you. You’re the first.”

Su Lin shrugged, “If you knew more about me, you’d find that enhancing my realm in battle is pretty normal, just like eating and drinking.”

He Suxin sighed, “Others need at least a year or three to consolidate their realm after advancement. But not you. After advancing, you don’t need to consolidate your realm, and you’re much stronger than others at your level. I’m curious, what technique do you practice?”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Su Lin smiled, “Since you ask I practice the Vajra Indestructible Technique.”

“The Vajra Indestructible Technique? That name is very fitting. I take back my earlier words. Wanwan choosing you as her boyfriend does her credit.”

Su Lin smiled lightly, clearly not interested in delving deeper into the topic. At this point, He Suxin had fully accepted Su Lin.