Three days after forming the Void Shadow Team, Lin Kai decided it was time to leave the abandoned valley.
The group packed everything important.
Qin Yu carefully removed the temporary formations he had set up, while the others prepared food, weapons, and spirit stones.
Lin Kai stood in front of everyone and spoke clearly.
“From today, we will move closer to Azure Cloud City. The Cloud Mountain Sect entrance test will start soon. Many people will gather there. It is a good chance to gather information and also to test our strength. Stay careful. The Li Clan has hired three Stage 8 rogue cultivators to hunt us.”
Everyone nodded seriously.
Wang Bo grinned.
“Let them come. We are not the same small group anymore.”
The team left the valley quietly and traveled through the mountains for a full day.
By evening, they reached a dense forest only twenty kilometers away from Azure Cloud City.
Lin Kai chose a hidden spot near a small waterfall as their new temporary base.
That night, while most of the team rested, Lin Kai sat alone and cultivated.
The Mid Stage 6 energy inside him was still stabilizing.
Black mist slowly moved around his body.
Suddenly, Bai Shan appeared behind him without making any sound.
“Leader, there are people approaching from the east. Three strong auras. All of them feel like Stage 8.”
Lin Kai opened his eyes.
“The ones hired by the Li Clan.”
He stood up and gave orders quickly.
“Bai Shan, Old Scar, and Ye Chen — come with me. The rest of you stay here and protect the base. Do not come out unless I call you.”
The four of them moved silently through the trees.
After a short time, they saw three figures standing in a small clearing.
The leader was a thin man with long white hair and a cold face.
His name was Bai Wuya, a well-known rogue cultivator.
Beside him stood a muscular man with dual axes named Tie Shan, and a woman in black robes who used long silver needles named Yin Mei.
Bai Wuya spoke first.
“So you are the black flame boy, Lin Kai. The Li Clan paid us a high price to bring your head. Make it easy and die here.”
Lin Kai looked at them without fear.
“Three Stage 8 experts for one Mid Stage 6. The Li Clan must be very afraid of me.”
Tie Shan laughed loudly.
“Cocky brat!” He charged forward with both axes swinging.
Lin Kai activated Lightning Flash Step and dodged the first attack.
At the same time, Ye Chen and Bai Shan moved to stop Yin Mei, while Old Scar blocked Tie Shan with his heavy axe.
Bai Wuya did not join the fight right away.
He watched carefully with cold eyes.
Lin Kai clashed with Tie Shan.
The muscular man’s strength was terrifying.
Every axe swing created a strong wind pressure that cut the trees around them.
Lin Kai used Shadow Step and Void Domain together.
A small black area formed around him, weakening Tie Shan’s energy for a short time.
Dark Flame Palm!
Lin Kai’s palm hit Tie Shan’s chest.
Black flames exploded, and the devouring power started pulling energy from the Stage 8 expert.
Tie Shan roared in pain and jumped back.
“What kind of evil technique is this?!”
On the other side, Ye Chen and Bai Shan were having a hard time against Yin Mei.
Her silver needles were fast and carried a strange poison.
Old Scar was holding his ground against Tie Shan after Lin Kai forced the man back.
Bai Wuya finally moved.
He appeared behind Lin Kai like a ghost and stabbed with a thin sword aimed at the heart.
Lin Kai sensed the danger with Void Eye and twisted his body at the last moment.
The sword still cut his shoulder, and blood flew out.
“You are fast,” Bai Wuya said coldly.
“But not fast enough.”
Lin Kai’s eyes turned colder.
He stopped holding back.
The Void Core inside him spun at full speed.
Black tentacles shot out in all directions, forcing Bai Wuya and Tie Shan to step back.
“Ye Chen, Bai Shan, Old Scar — fall back and support each other!” Lin Kai ordered.
The three of them quickly regrouped.
Lin Kai faced Bai Wuya directly.
Their fight became the center of the battle.
Every time Bai Wuya’s sword came close, Lin Kai used a mix of Shadow Step and Lightning Flash Step to dodge.
The battle lasted for more than twenty minutes.
Lin Kai was injured in several places, but the three Stage 8 experts were also starting to feel troubled.
The devouring power was strange and difficult to deal with.
Finally, Bai Wuya raised his hand and signaled the other two to stop.
“Enough,” he said.
“This boy is more troublesome than the Li Clan said. We will retreat for now.”
Tie Shan looked unwilling, but he still followed the order.
Yin Mei also pulled back her needles.
Before leaving, Bai Wuya looked at Lin Kai one last time.
“Next time, we will come prepared. Enjoy your short life.”
The three Stage 8 experts disappeared into the forest.
Lin Kai stood in place, breathing heavily.
Blood was still dripping from his shoulder and arm.
Ye Chen quickly supported him.
“Leader, are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” Lin Kai said.
“They were testing us. Next time they will be more serious.”
They returned to the base.
Su Mei quickly treated Lin Kai’s wounds with healing pills and clean bandages.
The rest of the team looked worried but also more motivated after seeing their leader fight three Stage 8 experts and survive.
That night, Lin Kai sat alone again.
The fight had given him a clearer understanding of his current strength.
He was still not strong enough to defeat Peak Stage 8 experts alone, but he was no longer completely helpless against them.
He looked at the direction of Azure Cloud City.
“Cloud Mountain Sect entrance test… I will go and see it. And if the Li Clan or Lin Clan tries anything, I will make them pay.”
Far away, in the Li Clan mansion, Elder Li Hong received the report from Bai Wuya.
His face became extremely ugly.
“Even three Stage 8 experts could not kill him… This Lin Kai is becoming a real problem.”
In the Lin Clan, Lin Feng heard the same news and simply smiled.
“Good. Struggle more, Lin Kai. The stronger you become, the more beautiful your fall will be.”
End of Chapter 14