C12 Easily Killed

The dust settled around them, revealing Lin Yaoyang and Yin Zhiping still with their fists connected, yet the outcome was nothing like what the onlookers had anticipated.

Their fists remained locked in a straight punch position, but the aftermath was starkly different. Lin Yaoyang's arm, though his sleeves were completely torn to shreds, was otherwise unscathed. In stark contrast, Yin Zhiping's hand was a horrifying sight, wrapped in a sinister black energy.

Captain Kou Quan's pupils constricted at the sight of that familiar black energy. It was the same menacing force Lin Yaoyang had demonstrated before, a power Kou Quan had deeply feared, one that hinted at Lin Yaoyang's mastery of a technique surpassing the Profound Truths realm, capable of such devastating might.

As the black energy faded, a collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Yin Zhiping's arm was stripped of all flesh, leaving nothing but the stark white of bone connecting his shoulder to his hand, mirroring the skeletal transformation of the hand that had clashed with Lin Yaoyang's.

This was no accident; it was Lin Yaoyang's deliberate act. Had he not restrained the full force of the Ant King's power, even Yin Zhiping's bones would not have been spared. During their exchange, Lin Yaoyang had focused the Ant King's voracious black energy into his fist.

Though this energy's devouring nature was not as comprehensive as his own ability to decompose anything, it had a unique benefit. After absorbing his enemy, Lin Yaoyang felt the Qi he had expended instantly restored.

Meanwhile, Yin Zhiping, facing Lin Yaoyang, was consumed by fear. What in the world was this? He stared at his right hand, now devoid of flesh, and felt a chilling estrangement. The absence of any pain only deepened his terror, making him question the reality of it all. His eyes, now a bloodshot red, echoed his inner turmoil as he let out a thunderous roar.

"Ah!!"

With only his left hand remaining, he drew the sword from behind his back—a blade he hadn't used earlier due to his underestimation of the enemy.

Once unsheathed, Yin Zhiping lunged at Lin Yaoyang, channeling all his might into the attack. The sword blade shimmered with a pale blue light, indicating Yin Zhiping's Qi was of the water attribute.

Yet Lin Yaoyang maintained a slight smile. Effortlessly, he reached out and caught the incoming sword, silently invoking two words in his mind: "Disintegrate."

No sooner had the word left his lips than Yin Zhiping felt the sword vanish from his grasp. He looked down in disbelief to see his treasured blade reduced to nothing but ash.

Stunned, Yin Zhiping froze in place, his mind racing. What had just happened? Why had his sword disappeared?

Not only Yin Zhiping but everyone present, save for Lin Yaoyang, was taken aback. How had Yin Zhiping's sword turned to ash? What had Lin Yaoyang done? Their gazes shifted to Lin Yaoyang, now tinged with fear, as if they were beholding a monster.

After a few seconds of shock, Yin Zhiping, eyes blazing with fury, screamed, "You demon! Die!" and charged recklessly at Lin Yaoyang.

Lin Yaoyang let out a cold laugh and leaped into the air, his foot connecting with Yin Zhiping's head in a devastating kick. A terrifying black glow emanated from his foot, and upon impact, Yin Zhiping's head burst like a fragile watermelon.

A shower of red and white flew through the air, yet eerily, the black glow from Lin Yaoyang's foot enveloped every fragment of Yin Zhiping's shattered skull. Not a single drop of blood reached the ground; it was all consumed by the dark radiance.

With a thud, Yin Zhiping's body collapsed, his head's severed joint eerily smooth as if cleaved by a swift blade.

But it was clear to all who witnessed the scene—this was the work of Lin Yaoyang's lethal kick.

His right hand was reduced to nothing but bone, devoid of any flesh and blood. Such a bizarre and eerie corpse lay on the ground. For those with a faint heart, the mere sight of this body could shake their Dao Heart and lead to errors in their cultivation.

Lin Yaoyang glanced at the Mercenary Team members, disregarding Yin Zhiping's body on the ground, and asked, "Anyone else care to try their luck?"

There was a collective gulp.

This time, everyone, including Captain Kou Quan and the woman in the black robe, swallowed hard in unison, not a single person daring to utter a word.

Eventually, Captain Kou Quan stepped forward and said in a parched tone, "Uh, Lin Yaoyang is truly formidable. Let's get ready to move out."

"Mm-hmm!"

All the Mercenary Team members responded in perfect sync, their voices suddenly amplifying as though they had practiced it countless times.

Lin Yaoyang couldn't help but feel speechless at the Mercenary Team's sudden display of unity. They were visibly shaken, but inside, Lin Yaoyang was elated.

How could he not be thrilled with such a significant boost to his strength? With just one punch and a straightforward kick, he had taken down a First Grade Martial Master Level opponent who was above his own level.

Even before he was struck by lightning, back when he was a Second Grade Martial Master and still whole, he couldn't have dispatched an enemy so cleanly and efficiently.

It seemed that the lightning strike was a gift from the heavens, a chance to defy fate itself!

Basking in the awe-filled stares of the others, Lin Yaoyang was suddenly interrupted by a voice in his head.

"Congratulations. For defeating an enemy above your level, your reward is doubled."

"Ding!"

"Enemy defeated: Yin Zhiping. You've earned 8,000 experience points and one skill point."

"Ding!"

"Congratulations, Lin Yaoyang. You've acquired 300 gold coins from Yin Zhiping."

"Ding!"

"Congratulations, Lin Yaoyang has ascended to a Second Grade Martial Artist. With the doubled hesitation reward, you've advanced to a Third Grade Martial Artist."

"Ding!"

"Congratulations, Lin Yaoyang, you've received a novice gift. Would you like to open it now?"

Upon hearing the initial part of the report, Lin Yaoyang wasn't surprised about leveling up. After all, he had defeated Yin Zhiping, an opponent above his own level, so advancing was only natural.

Yet, the moment he learned of the 8,000 experience point reward, he couldn't help but pause in astonishment.