Chapter 3 – Backstabbing
As night fell and a gentle breeze brushed the clouds, Lin Hao sat meditating in his cave dwelling, diligently cultivating.
With Li Xunran's help, the problem of the evil fire within him was resolved, allowing him to continue his cultivation.
Moreover, he had discovered a significant secret: a woman's Primordial Yin could aid him in absorbing and refining fire Spiritual Energy, rapidly enhancing his strength.
Lin Hao thought having a maid was quite beneficial, as she could assist in his cultivation. Unfortunately, Li Xunran wasn't genuinely loyal to him.
Suddenly, Lin Hao opened his eyes because the cave's barrier was triggered.
He sprang to his feet, sending a streak of light from his fingertips to open the barrier, revealing a graceful figure.
"Master, I'm back!"
"Master, you must be tired from cultivating. Let me make you some spiritual tea."
Lin Hao inwardly sneered, thinking this venomous woman was planning to poison him under the guise of concern.
To avoid alerting her, he deliberately ignored her actions and closed his eyes to regulate his breathing.
Before long, the woman brought a cup of spiritual tea, smiling charmingly, "Master, have some tea."
"Mm."
Lin Hao took the cup with an indifferent expression and coldly said, "Go close the cave door, then come serve me."
Seizing the moment she turned around, he used his power to evaporate the tea, pretending to have drunk it, and collapsed on the ground.
"Oh no, Master, what's wrong?"
Li Xunran exclaimed in shock.
"Xunran, you've done well."
Mu Xuan, dressed in black, walked in, looking at Lin Hao sprawled on the ground like a dead dog, and smirked.
"Lin Hao, do you even realize your status, daring to provoke me!"
"You bastard, daring to oppose me, I'll kill you right here!"
Fear flashed in Lin Hao's eyes as he trembled, "What... what have you done to me?"
"You bastard, you've been poisoned with the Ten Fragrance Soft Tendon Powder, feeling weak, aren't you? I'll slice your flesh while you're conscious and unable to resist!"
Li Xunran clung to Mu Xuan's sleeve, softly saying, "Boss Mu, don't rush, my reward..."
Mu Xuan replied impatiently, "What, you think I won't pay you?"
"That's not it."
"Stay aside and don't cause trouble, got it?"
Fear appeared on the woman's face as she quickly stepped aside, watching the man approach Lin Hao.
Mu Xuan slowly crouched down, staring venomously at his enemy.
"You bastard, let's start by cutting off your dick!"
Clang!
Lin Hao pretended to be powerless, waiting for Mu Xuan to lower his guard. He gripped a poisoned dagger, ready to end him.
But suddenly, a slender sword pierced through Mu Xuan's chest, in and out, bringing a spray of blood.
Lin Hao was surprised. What was that woman doing? She attacked Mu Xuan from behind!
Mu Xuan was even more incredulous that Li Xunran had betrayed him!
"Why... why?"
"Stupid dog, there's no why. I belong to the Master, killing you is only right!"
"Treacherous woman!"
Mu Xuan nearly went mad, his bulging eyes almost popping out, as his Spiritual Energy surged wildly!
He was a Qi Refining sixth-layer cultivator, with vigorous vitality. Even with a sword through his body, he was only severely injured and still had the strength to fight.
He slapped Li Xunran away, who spat blood in mid-air.
Lin Hao was speechless. What were these two doing, backstabbing each other?
The most urgent thing now was to quickly deal with Mu Xuan!
Otherwise, if he escaped and was protected by an inner sect elder, it would be difficult to kill him later!
Lin Hao moved swiftly, flashing in front of Mu Xuan, and cleanly stabbed the poisoned blade into his heart.
The dagger was coated with a potent poison, lethal upon contact, not to mention the rust, making it a sure tetanus blade.
Mu Xuan kicked his legs and went to meet the King of Hell.
Boom!
Lin Hao's palm erupted in flames, for killing required destroying the body!
After dealing with Mu Xuan, it was no time to relax. His eyes flashed with cold light as he quickly approached Li Xunran, grabbing her delicate neck.
"Why did you turn against him, was it because you realized I wasn't poisoned?"
The woman coughed, anxiously saying, "No... no, I didn't poison you.
Master, I've always been yours, how could I help Mu Xuan?
That bastard approached me, wanting me to poison you and then torture you.
I pretended to agree to find a chance to cooperate with you and eliminate this snake!"
Lin Hao's eyes were filled with icy killing intent as he temporarily released her, but still pressed the poisoned blade against her heart.
"Do you think I'll believe your story? The tea was poisoned, and you only turned against him when you saw things weren't going your way!"
Li Xunran's face turned pale, babbling, "Mas... Master, it's not like that. I was just puzzled why you fainted after drinking the tea I served.
I tried to stall Mu Xuan, hoping to find a chance to kill him!"
"Fine, if you're truly loyal to me, then drink this cup of tea."
Lin Hao summoned the teacup filled with spiritual tea with his Spiritual Energy, handing it to the woman with one hand.