Chapter 245 - 41: Bone Fragment

Chapter 245: Chapter 41: Bone Fragment

"Brother Minghao, let me handle it."

The tip of Lin Yan’s Abyssal Sword pressed against a button on the gray-clothed man’s collar, blocking Lin Minghao’s hand.

"It makes no difference if I search him for you."

Lin Minghao didn’t rise. Instead, he reached straight for the body of the Abyssal Sword. The Blood Gang from his Blood Exchange Second Transformation cultivation gathered between his fingers, forming a dark red halo that completely enveloped his hand.

’The Abyssal Sword is a Spiritual Weapon, true, but I’m already at the Blood Exchange Second Transformation. Even if Lin Yan has cultivated Sword Gang, he can’t break through my Blood Gang in a short amount of time.’

However, the instant his fingertips were about to touch the Abyssal Sword, its blade suddenly vibrated.

A silvery-white Sword Gang erupted from the blade, directly shattering the Blood Gang gathered on his palm.

Lin Minghao’s pupils contracted. He couldn’t believe Lin Yan actually dared to make a move against him. A flash of anger crossed his face. Instead of retreating, he intensified the Blood Gang on his palm and lunged for the Abyssal Sword again.

’Looks like defeating Lin Wang from the Fourth Branch with that Blood Gang has made Lin Yan arrogant. Now he doesn’t even respect me.’

A muffled bang sounded as the Sword Gang and Blood Gang collided.

Like thin ice against a raging fire, the Blood Gang was instantly ripped apart, and blood oozed from the wound.

Lin Minghao violently snatched his hand back and retreated two steps. He stared down at the wound on his palm, his eyes filled with disbelief. The next moment, he looked up, his gaze locked onto Lin Yan. "You’ve reached the Blood Exchange Second Transformation?"

’The power that had just erupted from Lin Yan’s Sword Gang was unmistakably that of the Blood Exchange Second Transformation.’

"I was lucky enough to break through a few days ago."

Hearing Lin Yan’s nonchalant reply, Lin Mingye, who was standing behind him, felt his jaw go slack. His face was a mask of utter shock.

’Lin Yan reached the Blood Exchange Second Transformation?’

’If I remember right, Lin Yan broke through to the Blood Exchange Realm a few days *after* I did. And I’ve only just managed to get halfway to the Second Transformation. My cultivation speed is considered pretty fast in the clan, yet Lin Yan just went and broke straight through to the Blood Exchange Second Transformation?’

’There was already a gap between us because of his Sword Gang. Now our Realms are different too. How is it that the more I cultivate, the wider the gap between us becomes?’

Of course, Lin Mingye wasn’t jealous. It was more a sense of helplessness.

’Just how in the world does that guy Lin Yan cultivate?’

"No wonder you dare to be so disrespectful to your brother. So, breaking through to the Second Blood Exchange Realm is what gives you your confidence."

"Brother Minghao, you’re going a bit too far. I’m simply following the rules. I killed the man, so I should be the one to search the body. There was no disrespect intended toward you, brother."

Naturally, Lin Yan wasn’t about to admit to Lin Minghao’s accusation.

"Fine! In that case, I’d like to see for myself just what the so-called ’youngest genius of the Third Branch’ is capable of!"

Enraged, Lin Minghao drew the long saber from his waist and pointed it directly at Lin Yan.

Lin Yan didn’t answer, only slightly raising the Abyssal Sword in his hand.

The atmosphere instantly grew tense.

"Enough!"

A deep, angry shout echoed from the distance. The voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.

Lin Yan and the other two turned their heads in unison to see Lin Shouzhi emerging from the woods. He wore a cyan robe, and his stride was steady, his expression placid. His gaze lingered for a moment on the wound on Lin Mingye’s left shoulder before finally turning to Lin Yan.

"Since you’re the one who killed him, Lin Yan, you search him. It’s the rules."

Lin Minghao’s expression faltered. His lips twitched a few times, but ultimately, he didn’t dare to object. He simply tucked his injured hand into his sleeve, his gaze on Lin Yan flickering with an uncertain light.

Lin Yan nodded, walked over to the corpse of the man in gray, and knelt to search it.

Collar, waistband, cuffs, the soles of his boots... he missed no potential hiding spot.

A moment later, he stood up and opened his hand. In his palm lay two silver banknotes and a small bottle of Elixir.

Seeing that Lin Yan’s search yielded nothing of consequence, a flicker of glee showed in Lin Minghao’s eyes.

"Bring the body back with us. We’ll deal with it then."

"Yes."

Lin Yan hefted the corpse of the man in gray and followed Lin Shouzhi. A moment later, Lin Mingye joined them, also carrying a corpse.