Li Rushi still had no idea what kind of trap he had walked into.

  So he thought of the simplest and most effective countermeasure: have someone watch Lin Lin.

  The two cultivators he left behind happened to be from the Spirit Sword Sect.

  In its current state of depleted talent, Qingfeng Sect could hardly survive the treacherous cultivation world.

  Their only hope was to latch onto the Spirit Sword Sect or Baiyue City.

  If Lin Lin ignored all face and killed these two from the Spirit Sword Sect, he would offend his own potential backers.

  If Lin Lin did not dare to kill them, then these two would keep a tight watch on him, ensuring he could not cause any trouble.

  This tactic was simple, but very effective.

  Because Lin Lin was indeed full of wicked schemes, just waiting for the Canglong Gang to go fight the Ma family to the death.

  After all, those cultivators were precious research subjects for his cultivation studies. He absolutely had to capture them.

  Unfortunately, it seemed Lin Lin could not leave Qingfeng Sect for the time being.

  "May I ask how to address you两位?" Lin Lin respectfully invited them into the house and had outer disciples serve them fresh tea.

  The leading Foundation Establishment cultivator replied, "I am Lei Tongming, and this is my younger brother, Lei Tongda."

  The surname Lei meant they were not from the Qi main family.

  "Since you two are Spirit Sword Sect disciples, how did you end up joining the Canglong Gang?"

  Lei Tongming's brows furrowed into a knot. He sighed deeply. "That is a long story."

  Then Lei Tongming began to pour out his grievances.

  It turned out that although the Spirit Sword Sect was a branch sect, it was not on the same scale as a small sect like Qingfeng Sect.

  The Spirit Sword Sect had one Core Formation cultivator and over a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators.

  As for Qi Refining disciples under them, there were more than six thousand.

  It could be said to be a famous and powerful sect.

  There were two main reasons they could attract so many cultivators.

  First, the Sect Leader Qi Yuan and Vice Sect Leader Qi Shen were both at the False Core stage.

  And the sect's young lady, Qi Wenxue, was not only at Core Formation but also a Sword Immortal who had perfected her swordsmanship.

  With this level of cultivation, they were essentially local overlords.

  After all, in most sects, the highest cultivation of the leader or elders was only Foundation Establishment.

  In this world where people were like weeds, combat power was always the most important thing.

  Cultivation level only represented a person's basic ability; actual fighting relied on artifacts and various techniques.

  Not to mention that ordinary cultivators could not afford artifacts.

  Even if they had artifacts, many required consuming spirit stones to use.

  So from an economic perspective, the safest way was to learn a combat technique.

  Second, the Spirit Sword Sect's techniques were very strong and very practical.

  When Spirit Sword Sect disciples fought cultivators of the same level, they won more often than they lost.

  Even late Qi Refining disciples from the Spirit Sword Sect could hold their own against early Foundation Establishment cultivators from other sects.

  As a result, many low-level cultivation families would do anything to send their children to the Spirit Sword Sect.

  That way, even if their children could not get a Foundation Establishment Pill and remained at Qi Refining, they were still strong enough to protect the family.

  However, with so many people, the allocation of cultivation resources became tricky.

  Lei Tongming had only侥幸 obtained a Foundation Establishment Pill by winning a match in the Spirit Sword Sect's sword arts competition.

  After breaking through realms with this pill, his progress stalled due to limited talent.

  This immediately led to rumors spreading within the sect.

  Many cultivators in the sect believed he did not deserve to use that Foundation Establishment Pill.

  Others thought he only got the pill because the top competitors had died, allowing him to pick up the scraps.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  Under immense public pressure, Lei Tongming had no choice but to leave with his brother.

  "The Spirit Sword Sect has long been rotten. Those elders and sect leaders stick to old rules and hold onto their high positions. They should have stepped down long ago." As Lei Tongming said this, he clenched his teacup, full of resentment.

  "In my opinion, the Canglong Gang is better. No matter your background, strength is what matters." Lei Tongda took over the conversation, looking quite pleased.

  Although Lin Lin had heard of the Canglong Gang's evil reputation in Qingfeng Sect, he did not know the details.

  So he asked them for information. "I heard the Canglong Gang's commerce is withered. What is the reason?"

  Lei Tongming was confused by the question at first.

  When he realized Lin Lin wanted to know about mortal life, he misunderstood. "Sect Leader Lin, are you looking to buy human slaves from the Canglong Gang?"

  "Human slaves?"

  Lei Tongming and Lei Tongda, one after the other, explained the mortal world in Canglong Gang territory.

  It turned out that in the Canglong Gang's domain, there was no concept of 'people', only cultivators and slaves.

  All mortals within Canglong Gang territory were human slaves owned by cultivators.

  Human slaves were divided into two types: public slaves and private slaves.

  Public slaves belonged to the Canglong Gang collectively.

  They were mainly responsible for repairing and maintaining official buildings.

  But most public slaves were sold off, becoming private slaves owned by individual cultivators.

  Private slaves could be traded among cultivators, and any children born to private slaves were also the property of the cultivator.

  Hearing this made Lin Lin's heart sink.

  Scientific progress often required ordinary people to have work motivation and basic education.

  If the cultivation world all turned humans into slaves like the Canglong Gang,

  where would Lin Lin find craftsmen to work for him in the future?

  "You two, if I bought a human slave in the Canglong Gang and they escaped, what would happen?"

  Lei Tongming shook his head, a hint of disdain in his eyes. "Brother, you must have heard some rumors. Basically, no human slaves flee the Canglong Gang. On the contrary, quite a few people flee into Canglong Gang territory to volunteer as slaves."

  "How is that possible?"

  Lei Tongming was happy to explain to Lin Lin.

  "Look at so-called righteous sects like the Spirit Sword Sect. Don't they also oppress the people? Who among them treats mortals as human? To them, mortals are just animals that can talk."

  "In years of famine, when disaster victims have no food, we cultivators certainly won't care whether they live or die. Where can they go? Heh, only to the Canglong Gang."

  "Being a public slave for the Canglong Gang means you are guaranteed a full meal. Not just in famine years, even in normal times, few farming families in villages can eat until they are sixty percent full."

  "Those who run away are just the stupid ones. In fact, every few years, disaster victims flee towards the Canglong Gang, and many of them end up as food for demon beasts along the way."

  Seeing Lin Lin stunned, Lei Tongda added more.

  "How many poor children who can barely eat journey over mountains and rivers to come to the Canglong Gang? Because the Canglong Gang screens for children with cultivation talent."

  "As long as you have talent, the Canglong Gang will give you a chance to cultivate. Once you reach the third level, you can automatically shed your slave status."

  "For a sliver of hope to become an immortal, young men willingly become human slaves. Even if they fail and remain slaves for life, they have no complaints."

  These few words painted the cruelest truth of this world.

  No one was willing to remain merely mortal; they all wanted to attain the Dao, become immortals, and live a carefree life.

  And after becoming immortals, they looked down on mortals.

  In the eyes of Lei Tongming and Lei Tongda, mortals were also failures.

  And for failures, being able to eat until sixty percent full was the best treatment they could hope for.

  On this point, they were in complete agreement with Ma Zhaoyuan and the others.

  Or rather, most cultivators shared this value system.

  Sensing something different in Lin Lin's reaction, Lei Tongming stood up briskly. "Enough of this depressing talk. When I was in the Spirit Sword Sect, I heard Qingfeng Sect's Wind Scar Sword Art was unique. I specifically wanted to experience it."

  Lei Tongming's intention was obvious: to probe Lin Lin's strength.

  If Lin Lin was no match for him, he could take the opportunity to kill him.

  If he was no match for Lin Lin, he would at least be prepared for Lin Lin's techniques. In case of conflict, he would have a response strategy.

  Lin Lin did not decline, as this was also an excellent opportunity for him.

  If he could deal with these two during the sparring match, so much the better.

  "I would also like to experience the Spirit Sword Sect's techniques. Please."

  The three returned to the training ground.

  By now, the outer disciples had buried the Ma father and son's corpses under the stele inscribed "Qingfeng Sect, One Big Happy Family."

  The formalin on the training ground had not yet been completely cleaned up.

  The three, each harboring their own schemes, glanced at each other and revealed chilling, hypocritical smiles.

  "Please." Lei Tongming cupped his hands in salute.

  "Please." Lin Lin placed his hands behind his back, his sword finger ready to strike.

  In an instant, Lin Lin's sword finger shot out, using the famous Wind Scar Sword Art move, "Wind Passes Leaving No Trace."

  The move had no howling gale, no earth-shattering force.

  It only held the pure killing intent within stillness.

  On the other side, Lei Tongming drew his long sword and countered with the Spirit Sword Sect's "Spiritual Energy Expands in All Directions."

  The sword's momentum was like a rainbow, carrying immense spiritual power.

  The powerful techniques clashed, producing a clang like a thousand weapons meeting.

  Lin Lin stood his ground, motionless as a mountain.

  Lei Tongming felt his energy and stumbled back seven or eight steps before stopping.

  This exchange tested their internal energy. Lin Lin had not used his full strength, while Lei Tongming was thoroughly defeated.

  "Again!" Lei Tongming changed his sword style, switching to the Spirit Sword Sect's exquisite sword techniques for a比拼 of skill.

  Lin Lin did not hold back. The Wind Scar Sword Art had countless variations, and he attacked with increasing ferocity.

  After three moves, the offense and defense shifted; Lei Tongming could only defend, not attack.

  After thirteen moves, Lei Tongming was defeated. He leaped out of the training ground and voluntarily conceded. "Sect Leader Lin's swordsmanship is excellent. I, Lei, admit defeat."

  Lin Lin also withdrew his technique.

  "You flatter me, Friend Lei. You are too kind."

  Damn, Lin Lin realized this Lei Tongming was unexpectedly not easy to deal with.

  If it came to a real fight, Lin Lin could definitely win against Lei Tongming.

  Lei Tongming's foundation was not deep; he was probably at the bottom even among early Foundation Establishment cultivators.

  Moreover, his sword techniques were too rigid, too bound by forms.

  It was clear he had worked hard to master this sword art.

  But whether it was his teacher's faulty instruction or his own limited comprehension, his moves were just stiff.

  However, his defensive swordplay was quite methodical and watertight.

  Just now, Lin Lin had exhausted his sword techniques, but it would still take twenty moves to defeat him.

  Twenty moves were enough for Lei Tongming to hold the rear, allowing Lei Tongda to break through and escape to inform Li Rushi.

  With Qingfeng Sect's current lack of talent, asking a group of mid Qi Refining disciples to stop Lei Tongda was unlikely to succeed.

  So it seemed that force alone could not remove these two thorns.

  Lin Lin had a sudden flash of inspiration and devised a plan.