Chapter 23: The Soul-Breaking Fruit

“The Xianyun Ravine is filled with countless treasures: there is even the Soul-Breaking Grass, a legendary immortal herb. You only have to pay a few Spirit Stones to enter and seek your fortune, yet you want to force your way in? Do you truly believe my Ghost Wolf Gang has no one to enforce the law!”

The powerhouse from the Ghost Wolf Gang shouted: his voice was filled with an overbearing, dictatorial tone.

Having witnessed the Ghost Wolf Gang slaughter the disciple from the Tingchao Pavilion, those who had been protesting were now as silent as cicadas in winter. Earlier, they had grumbled about the gang’s arrogance; now, they dared not utter a single word.

“A mere second-grade Jindan dares to be so arrogant? Who gave you the courage?”

Suddenly, a voice rang out. It was Lu Jin. He stepped forward, looking at the Ghost Wolf Gang powerhouse with a face full of disdain.

Huh?

The gang’s expert frowned when he saw Lu Jin standing out. “Heh, it seems we really do have someone who isn’t afraid to die! Did you not see how that Tingchao Pavilion expert perished?”

“This Xianyun Ravine has always been under the jurisdiction of my Ghost Wolf Gang! If you want to enter to find treasure, we naturally must collect a small fee. Brat, what did you just say? I will give you one chance to rephrase your words: and hand over ten thousand Spirit Stones. Otherwise, your end will be the same as his.”

The Ghost Wolf Gang expert looked at Lu Jin, his expression dripping with contempt.

Swish!

However, the moment his voice fell, the crowd saw his head fly into the air! His body remained standing where it was, but his head had already taken flight!

This scene left everyone utterly petrified: they had not expected Lu Jin to be so violent, killing a member of the Ghost Wolf Gang without a second thought!

“What? You dare kill our Young Master!”

“This bastard struck while our Young Master was completely off guard! Charge! Kill him!”

Swish! Swish! Swish!

A group from the Ghost Wolf Gang rushed forward, surrounding Lu Jin. Seeing this sudden turn of events, the expressions of the other cultivators became quite animated.

“Heh, another reckless fool. He actually dared to provoke the Ghost Wolf Gang?”

“That boy doesn’t know the meaning of death! It isn’t worth losing your life over a mere two thousand Spirit Stones.”

“Still, it was quite satisfying to watch. The Young Master of the Ghost Wolf Gang was killed instantly: I wanted to do the same, but I lack the strength!”

“Heh, having killed the Young Master, the Gang Leader will surely seek revenge for his son. This fellow is dead!”

Amidst the murmurs of the crowd, the gang members immediately sent a transmission to their leader. However, in Lu Jin’s eyes, their actions were nothing more than ignorant and laughable. With his current strength, let alone a small Ghost Wolf Gang, he could wash even a larger faction in blood by himself!

“I do not wish to kill you. Move.”

Lu Jin swept his gaze coldly over the group. These people were merely lackeys in the Spirit Pearl Realm: they were too weak for him. He did not wish to slaughter the innocent indiscriminately.

“You killed our Young Master and still think you can leave? Seek death!”

A gang member wielding a massive black saber barked. But in the next second, his head also went flying. No one had even seen how Lu Jin made his move!

“Wh… What!”

“This…”

The group of lackeys was stunned. Lu Jin shook his head slightly. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he walked toward the depths of the Xianyun Ravine.

“Who exactly is that young man? Could he be a disciple from a major faction?”

“He is too bold! The Leader of the Ghost Wolf Gang is a third-grade Jindan expert! He killed the leader’s son: he is dead for sure!”

“We should just pay the stones and go in properly. The Gang Leader will be in a towering rage; we mustn’t let him implicate us!”

As the crowd debated, the shadow of a massive demonic beast descended upon the forest! Simultaneously, a violent roar erupted:

“Who dares take my son’s life!”

Boom!

When this person appeared, a powerful wave of spiritual Qi radiated in all directions, knocking down the surrounding trees and turning the area into a chaotic mess!

“The Leader is here!”

“Leader! It was a young man! He killed the Young Master! We tried to stop him, but Captain Zhu was killed instantly! His methods are too powerful; our strength simply cannot—”

Bang!

Before the gang member could finish, half of his head was gone.

“Useless trash! Speak! Who is that bastard! Where did he go!”

The Ghost Wolf Gang Leader roared like a savage beast. His murderous aura enveloped the forest: the onlookers trembled and dared not speak!

“Lea… Leader, he entered the Xianyun Ravine!” A captured gang member said, shivering in fear.

Kacha!

The Leader gritted his teeth and shouted: “Follow me and hunt him down at once!”

Before his voice had even faded, he had vanished from the spot. At this moment, the other cultivators looked on with complex expressions. They wanted to enter the ravine, but they had the heart of a thief without the courage: the Ghost Wolf Gang was the dominant power in this region, and they could not afford to offend them.

Most of these people were ordinary cultivators from small sects with no significant background or combat power. Without enough strength, they dared not cross a powerful faction. However, a few decided to take the risk just to save two thousand Spirit Stones.

After all, two thousand Spirit Stones was not a small sum for an ordinary cultivator!

“This Ghost Wolf Gang deserves what they get!”

“Two thousand Spirit Stones for the life of the Young Master: this deal was worth it! Hahaha!”

“Go! They’ve all left! What are we still afraid of!”

“I hope I can get my hands on that Soul-Breaking Fruit…”

A group of people also ducked into the ravine. The Xianyun Ravine was not large, but it was filled with dangers. Even though the Ghost Wolf Gang was the local hegemon, their own members did not dare to venture too deep. Their blockade was purely a scheme to get something for nothing.

The Soul-Breaking Fruit… where is it?

After entering the ravine, Lu Jin searched along the way but found nothing. Just then, Empress Qinglian, who had been silent for days, finally spoke!

“Three hundred meters ahead. There is a tree: the only Soul-Breaking Fruit upon it has already ripened.”

Lu Jin frowned: “Empress, you are finally willing to speak.”

Empress Qinglian’s voice was cold: “Enough nonsense! Go and get it for me immediately!”

Lu Jin nodded and smiled: “Very well. I am going now!”

He charged forward. Sure enough, in a prime location within the forest, there stood a Soul-Breaking Fruit Tree. The lone fruit upon it was radiating a faint white light. The aura within that light was quite strange: it seemed capable of eroding a person’s sanity.

“Lord Empress, you told me to find this fruit within three months. Now, I have found it in just a few days. Are you satisfied?” Lu Jin teased suddenly.

“Heh. You haven’t secured it yet!”

Empress Qinglian gave a cold sneer. Lu Jin’s brow furrowed: “I will pick it for you right now!”

But just as Lu Jin moved, a burly figure suddenly rushed in from the side!

“This Soul-Breaking Fruit belongs to me! Whoever dares to fight me for it dies!”

But before the man could finish his sentence, his voice came to an abrupt halt!