Chapter 16: 16. The Man Who Laughs at Death
An Unshakable Killing Intent
The entire battlefield froze.
The man standing atop the burning rooftop radiated power.
His killing intent wasn't just strong—it was suffocating.
Ling Tian felt it pressing down on him, like a mountain threatening to crush his bones.
Yet, instead of fear…
He grinned.
The man narrowed his eyes.
"Something funny?"
Ling Tian chuckled.
"You people keep trying to kill me, yet here I am—still standing."
The man's gaze sharpened.
"You won't be standing for long."
With a wave of his hand—
A massive pressure exploded outward.
The Ling Clan disciples collapsed to their knees, gasping for breath. Even the elders struggled to stay on their feet.
"This aura…!" one of them choked out.
"He's at the King Realm!"
A murmur of panic swept through the clan members.
A King Realm cultivator wasn't just strong—he was a walking disaster.
But Ling Tian?
He merely cracked his neck.
"King Realm? That's it?"
The man's brow twitched.
"Arrogant brat. Let's see how long you can keep that attitude."
Then—
He moved.
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A Clash of Titans
BOOM!
The man descended like a meteor, his fist crashing toward Ling Tian's chest.
Most warriors would dodge.
Most warriors would block.
Ling Tian?
He stepped forward.
BANG!
Their fists collided, sending shockwaves through the entire battlefield.
The ground shattered beneath them.
The remaining assassins and Ling Clan members were blown back, struggling to stay on their feet.
Ling Tian didn't budge.
Neither did the man.
For a moment, their gazes locked.
Then—
They vanished.
A blink later, they reappeared—clashing in the air.
CLANG! BANG! BOOM!
Fists met flesh. Energy exploded.
Their battle moved so fast that only afterimages remained on the ground.
Ling Tian laughed.
"This is more like it!"
The man smirked.
"You're insane."
Ling Tian grinned wider.
"And you're slow."
Before the man could react—
Ling Tian's palm struck his chest.
A deafening explosion erupted, sending the man crashing into the ruins of the main hall.
---
The Enemy's Trump Card
Dust and debris filled the air.
The battlefield fell silent.
Ling Tian exhaled, rolling his shoulders.
"Not bad. But I expected more."
Suddenly—
A low chuckle came from the rubble.
Then—laughter.
Ling Tian narrowed his eyes.
The man stood up, wiping blood from his lips.
And he was… smiling.
"That actually hurt."
Ling Tian frowned.
His attack should've shattered bones, ruptured organs.
Yet this guy was standing like it was nothing.
The man flexed his fingers, dark energy coiling around his body.
"You're strong, Ling Tian."
His smirk widened.
"But I haven't even started yet."
Then—
His aura exploded.
A terrifying black flame erupted around him, twisting like a demonic serpent.
The sky darkened. The air thickened.
Even the flames of the burning Ling Clan hall were swallowed by his power.
Ling Tian narrowed his eyes.
"This isn't normal."
The man grinned.
"Of course not."
Then, his voice dropped to a whisper.
"It's forbidden."
Ling Tian's heart pounded.
Not with fear—
But excitement.
"This just got interesting."
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