Ling Tian Sword God-Chapter 665 - 663 - Desolation Everywhere_1

"Jiang Yunting, you tell me, how should this man be dealt with?"

Ling Chen looked at Jiang Yunting with a somewhat playful gaze.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yunting instantly felt his head throb. Ling Chen had passed the buck to him, putting him in a very difficult position. Naturally, he didn't want to punish Shi Zhong severely, but he was afraid Ling Chen was testing him. If he suggested leniency and angered Ling Chen, the consequences would be dire.

"For disrespecting the Sect Leader, he should be expelled from the Cyan Robe Association and flogged forty times," Jiang Yunting said in a deep voice.

"Uncle!" Shi Zhong cried out upon hearing he was to be expelled from the Cyan Robe Association and flogged forty times.

"Silence!" Jiang Yunting glared fiercely at Shi Zhong, little knowing he was actually trying to save him.

"He didn't just disrespect the Sect Leader; he even threatened to kill me. Didn't you hear him?" Ling Chen asked, smiling.

"Sect Leader, I was just confused for a moment! I harbor no such intention. Even if I had a hundred times the courage, I wouldn't dare plot against you!" Shi Zhong quickly pleaded.

However, in his heart, he cursed his bad luck. He also didn't understand why Jiang Yunting, a Top Sky Apex Strong, was so afraid of Ling Chen. Ling Chen was just a young whelp, yet Jiang Yunting acted like a mouse before a cat. His prestige as an expert had all gone to the dogs.

"Heh, you may not dare now, but it was hard to say what you thought before. Shi Zhong, your insubordination is a capital offense. However, I will spare your life today," Ling Chen stated.

"But while death may be spared, punishment cannot be escaped. Your conduct has been reprehensible, thoroughly wicked. I will cripple your martial arts to prevent you from committing evil deeds in the future."

With that, Ling Chen brought two fingers together and thrust them directly towards Shi Zhong's Dantian.

"No! You can't cripple my martial arts!"

Shi Zhong tried to struggle, but Ling Chen's finger beam had already arrived. Like lightning, it struck his Dantian. The incredibly sharp finger energy pierced Shi Zhong's Dantian in an instant.

Once his Dantian was shattered, Shi Zhong immediately went limp like a deflated leather ball, collapsing to the ground.

From start to finish, Jiang Yunting didn't dare to move a muscle; sweat beaded on his forehead.

Others might not know Ling Chen's true strength and could underestimate him, but he, Jiang Yunting, knew it very well. He had been on the Puppet Warship during the battle between Ling Chen and Shentu Yan at Sky Void Palace. Never mind Ling Chen merely crippling Shi Zhong's martial arts; in Ling Chen's presence, his own Sky Apex Realm First Layer cultivation was insignificant.

"Jiang Yunting, you listened to slander and used your power to oppress others. You are also guilty. From today, you are stripped of your position as Branch Master and demoted to Great Executor," Ling Chen said flatly.

Upon hearing these words, Chen Beixuan and Hong Ling were shocked again. Jiang Yunting was a prominent figure—a Top Sky Apex Strong and a hegemon who had dominated the Fire Country for twenty years. Yet Ling Chen dared to strip him of his position right in his own territory! Wasn't Ling Chen afraid Jiang Yunting would retaliate?

"This subordinate accepts the order!"

To their surprise, Jiang Yunting accepted the order immediately without a word of protest, showing no intention of resisting.

What terrifying authority and awe-inspiring prestige must Ling Chen possess for Jiang Yunting to not dare move, not dare harbor any dissenting thoughts?

"However, you have been in charge of the Fire Country Branch for many years, and it will take time to find a suitable replacement. For now, continue managing the Branch Master's affairs. Consider it a chance to atone for your mistakes by rendering meritorious service," Ling Chen said.

"Thank you, Sect Leader!"

Jiang Yunting sighed heavily in relief. Even if Ling Chen had wanted to depose him entirely, he would have had to accept it. Moreover, Ling Chen had given him an opportunity. As long as he made no further mistakes, he could still recover his position as Branch Master.

"You may leave. I will visit the Cyan Robe Association Branch to find you later," Ling Chen waved his hand.

His approach was like offering a sweet treat after a harsh slap. At this moment, Jiang Yunting should be immensely grateful, with no trace of displeasure.

"Yes! This subordinate will await the Sect Leader's arrival at the branch!" Jiang Yunting clasped his fist towards Ling Chen, then looked at Shi Zhong, who lay like a dead dog on the ground. His expression darkened. "Drag him away!"

Luckily, Ling Chen had a good temperament, Jiang Yunting thought. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been so fortunate today. I was nearly killed by this stupid pig!

After clasping his hands in a salute to Ling Chen, Jiang Yunting led his men away from the Blood Whale Gang.

"Thank you, Brother Wuchen, for your righteous assistance."

After everyone from the Cyan Robe Association had withdrawn, Chen Beixuan walked over, gave a wry smile, and clasped his hands to thank Ling Chen.

He could never have imagined that Ling Chen's identity would be linked to the high and mighty Master of the Cyan Robe Association, Chen Beixuan mused.

"I'm not sure whether to call you Dustless or Ling Chen?" Hong Ling looked intently at Ling Chen from the side, her gaze now different from before.

"Just call me Dustless, as usual," Ling Chen shrugged and said with a faint smile.

"I didn't expect you to be The Master of the Cyan Robe Association. Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Hearing Ling Chen's response, Hong Ling relaxed considerably, glancing at him with a hint of playful resentment.

"If I had revealed my identity, would you still consider me a friend?" Ling Chen shook his head, then added, "If one focuses too much on status, genuine sentiment is lost." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

If I hadn't revealed my identity, I would still be Dustless, Ling Chen thought. I could still be friends with Chen Beixuan and Hong Ling. But now that I have, things are somewhat different. That's why I was reluctant to reveal it. We are not people of the same standing.

"Now that the crisis is resolved, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave. If you encounter any critical situations, you can come to Green Cloud Mountain to find me." Ling Chen clasped his fists towards the two of them. "The green mountains remain, and the clear waters flow on. We shall meet again someday."

"We shall meet again!" Chen Beixuan and Hong Ling successively clasped their fists.

Under their gazes, Ling Chen's figure moved. He executed a Light Skill, leaping out of the courtyard and vanishing from sight.

"Sigh, knowing him feels like I've been in a dream," Hong Ling said, watching Ling Chen's retreating figure, a peculiar glint appearing in her beautiful eyes.

"Hong Ling, have you fallen for Dustless? Well, a man like him would probably capture the hearts of most women in the world. However, the status gap between you two is too vast. It's best not to entertain such thoughts, or you'll only end up hurting yourself." Chen Beixuan patted Hong Ling's shoulder.

"I know."

Hong Ling nodded. Just as Chen Beixuan had said, it was best to extinguish that small flame of hope in her heart sooner rather than later.

「Fire Capital, Cyan Robe Association Branch.」

After leaving Mingyan City on the Qingfeng Jue, Ling Chen headed for the Cyan Robe Association Branch in the Fire Country's capital.

Along the way, however, Ling Chen saw many villages and cities reduced to ruins, bearing numerous signs of having been trampled by Exotic Beasts.

"Could there have been another Beast Tide outbreak here?" Ling Chen stared at the desolate ground, his expression turning grave.

Having witnessed the power of a Beast Tide before, Ling Chen naturally knew its devastating impact: wherever it passed, almost no life remained; no one could survive. Observing the current scene, it truly seemed as if a Beast Tide had ravaged the area.

Without lingering, Ling Chen urged the Qingfeng Jue to accelerate, flying towards the Fire Capital.