The Legend of the Netherworld

Chapter 222 Tribulation Field

Today was the day the entire Shangguan family would be executed. Tianyuan City's execution ground was ready, soldiers had assembled, and the air was thick with the smell of blood. Lin Xiao's heart was filled with endless anger and pain, but he knew that if he didn't act, the Shangguan family would completely disappear from this world.

Early that morning, he quietly infiltrated Tianyuan City, gathered information, and confirmed the whereabouts of the Shangguan family. Shangguan Qingqing's name still echoed in his mind. She was his only friend in this city, and the only thing he cared about. He couldn't let the Shangguan family be destroyed, couldn't let all his efforts go to waste.

Lin Xiao, dressed in ordinary clothes and with an ordinary face, carried a simple bag of medicinal herbs on his back. He blended in discreetly with the surrounding people. He knew that today would be a restless day. The entire execution ground was heavily guarded, and rescuing the Shangguan family from it would be no easy task.

"Shangguan Family... Shangguan Qingqing..." Lin Xiao muttered silently, his gaze as firm as steel. That night, after refining the elixir in the Shangguan Family's treasury and achieving a breakthrough in strength, Lin Xiao's aura had become even more steady and powerful. However, he still understood that without a thorough plan and fearless determination, his strength alone would be insufficient to defy the odds.

When he reached the perimeter of the execution ground, he saw a line of soldiers standing there, their silent and dignified gazes sweeping over the passersby, showing no sign of relaxing their vigilance. On the execution platform in the center of the field, several members of the Shangguan family were being escorted there. Their eyes were terrified, their breath was hazy, but they still held their backs stubbornly straight.

Lin Xiao's eyes quickly locked onto Shangguan Qingqing. Her face was pale, her lips tightly pursed, yet she didn't resign herself to her fate like the rest of the clan. She was clearly waiting for an opportunity, a chance to save herself and her family.

Lin Xiao's heart stirred, and he quietly approached the execution ground. His eyes scanned the surroundings, confirming the distribution of the guards. His heartbeat gradually accelerated, but he remained calm. At this moment, he had only one goal: to rescue the execution ground and save the entire Shangguan family.

Suddenly, there was a faint sound of footsteps behind him. Lin Xiao turned around and saw a woman in black quietly approaching. The woman had a delicate face and a calm expression. She was from the Shangguan family.

"You want to save her?" The woman's voice was low but powerful.

Lin Xiao looked at her with a firm gaze: "Yes."

The woman nodded gently. "I can help you, but I need your cooperation." She took out a talisman from her bosom and handed it to Lin Xiao. "This is a void talisman. It can conceal your aura for a short period of time, allowing you to pass through the defense line."

Lin Xiao took the talisman paper and nodded slightly, "Thank you."

The woman glanced at the execution ground again, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes, "The people of the Shangguan family have been taken to the stage and are about to be executed. You still have time, but if you don't act immediately, they will really..." Her voice paused, as if she didn't dare to continue.

Lin Xiao didn't have time to think more. He silently stuck the Void Talisman on his body. In an instant, the air around him seemed to solidify, and his figure instantly blurred, as if disappearing into the air.

He bypassed patrolling troops and quietly entered the execution area. He took every step carefully, fearing anyone would notice. The execution platform was within reach. Someone from the Shangguan family stood on it, their chains gleaming coldly.

"Ready!" a high-ranking official shouted loudly, raising the sword in his hand, obviously preparing to carry out the beheading.

Lin Xiao's eyes were fixed on Shangguan Qingqing. Her eyes suddenly met Lin Xiao's. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

At this moment, Lin Xiao flicked his finger, and the power of the Void Talisman erupted. His figure suddenly appeared from thin air, appearing like a ghost beneath the execution platform. Almost at the same time, the sword in his hand flashed and swept towards the guards.

"kill!"

A roar resounded through the sky, and Lin Xiao's sword energy swept out like a violent storm, instantly killing the two high-ranking warriors standing beside the execution platform. Without stopping for a moment, he quickly pounced on Shangguan Qingqing and broke the chains.

"Come with me!" Lin Xiao whispered, holding her hand without hesitation.

Shangguan Qingqing's eyes lit up slightly, and without hesitation, she quickly followed Lin Xiao. She knew this might be her only chance.

However, the countless sword flashes and impacts that followed were enough to cause the Tianyuan City defenders to react, rushing towards Lin Xiao and Shangguan Qingqing. Alarm bells rang loudly, and soon, officers and soldiers from all around began to swarm in.

"Hurry up!" Lin Xiao shouted, suddenly pulling out a dagger and stabbing a warrior who tried to intercept him to the ground. Then, he and Shangguan Qingqing rushed into the darkness outside the execution ground.

They weren't planning to escape through the main gate, but rather through the woods surrounding the execution grounds, using underground tunnels and hidden passages. Lin Xiao, with his familiarity with Tianyuan City, already knew how to escape these encirclements. The woman in black also watched from a distance, ready to provide a final cover for them.

"There will be help on this road." The voice of the woman in black came in the night, and as soon as she finished speaking, she disappeared into the darkness.

Lin Xiao relaxed somewhat, but he remained vigilant. No one in the Shangguan family, even the lowest servant, would be spared. Lin Xiao would take Shangguan Qingqing and her family, beyond Tianyuan City and beyond the enemy's pursuit, to find a place of peace that truly belonged to them.

But this road is still rugged and difficult. Lin Xiao knows that what he faces is far more than just the confiscation of property and execution of the Shangguan family.

Lin Xiao and Shangguan Qingqing swiftly made their way through the dense forest, their steps light and swift, but the tension in their hearts remained. Although they had temporarily escaped the pursuit of the execution ground, Lin Xiao knew that this was only temporary safety. The Tianyuan City defenders would soon seal all entrances and exits, and even more powerful forces would take action to try to recover the Shangguan family and him.

Shangguan Qingqing followed closely behind Lin Xiao. Although her heart was filled with worry and uneasiness, she remained steady, a rare determination in her eyes. She could sense Lin Xiao's powerful aura and his determination to risk his life for herself and his family. Without Lin Xiao's help, she would have been executed long ago.

The two quickly crossed a jungle and finally stopped by a secluded stream. Lin Xiao instructed Shangguan to hide in a hidden cave, while he quietly walked to the stream, cleaned off some sweat and dirt, and waited quietly.

"Where are you taking us?" Shangguan's gentle voice broke the silence.

Lin Xiao whispered, "Let's go to Tianji Mountain in the northern border first. There's a secluded sect there that few people visit. We can hide there for a while and make plans after the situation stabilizes a bit."

Shangguan Qingqing was silent for a moment, as if digesting Lin Xiao's words. She had originally thought that Lin Xiao would choose to take her to a safer place, but he chose Tianji Mountain, a place fraught with danger, and almost no one knew the sect's exact location.

"Tianji Mountain?" Shangguan raised his head slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. "That's an extremely secret place. Could it be that you..."

"I practiced there for a while." Lin Xiao nodded gently, his eyes deep. "Some things must be faced."

At this moment, Lin Xiao's perception suddenly became sharper. He frowned slightly and turned to look deep into the woods in the distance. The tranquility of the forest was broken, and a faint aura slowly approached.

"Someone is coming." Lin Xiao whispered, with a hint of alertness in his tone.

Shangguan nervously grasped his sleeve. "Are we pursuers?"

"Not necessarily." Lin Xiao shook his head, "But it might be someone we don't want to meet."

At this moment, a figure emerged from the depths of the woods. Tall, with a steady aura and light steps, Lin Xiao's eyes narrowed. This person wasn't a pursuer, but a familiar face—a member of the Shangguan family.

"You shouldn't be here." The man's voice was low and full of majesty.

Lin Xiao stared at him, raised his eyebrows, "Are you from the Shangguan family?"

"Yes." The man nodded, then turned his gaze to Shangguan Qingqing, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. "The Shangguan family suffered heavy casualties, and Miss Qingqing has been declared a criminal. You are our only hope, and we cannot give up just like that."

Lin Xiao's heart skipped a beat. He had seen this man before; he was a guard of the Shangguan family, a skilled martial artist who had once saved Shangguan Qingqing from danger. Clearly, he hadn't escaped the bloody purge of Tianyuan City either.

"Where are you taking us?" Lin Xiao asked calmly.

"Northern Territory." The guard looked at Lin Xiao, then turned to Shangguan Qingqing. "Tianji Mountain is our last refuge. But, Lin Xiao, your name has spread throughout Tianyuan City. The court will not let you go easily. Even if we escape to Tianji Mountain, we may still be hunted down."

A hint of coldness flashed in Lin Xiao's eyes, "They dare."

He didn't say anything else, but turned and walked towards Shangguan Qingqing, whispering, "Get ready, we're leaving now. If you can survive this, I promise that you and your family will see the light of day again."

Shangguan nodded silently and looked at Lin Xiao deeply, his eyes filled with gratitude and determination. "I believe you, Lin Xiao."

The three of them embarked on a new escape, their destination being Tianji Mountain. Lin Xiao knew the journey would be filled with difficulties and dangers, but he was ready to face every challenge. And that familiar aura still lingered behind them, as if countless enemies were staring intently at their backs.

However, Lin Xiao had no intention of retreating. He had never felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders as heavy as he did now—not only for himself, but also for the Shangguan family, for Shangguan Qingqing, and even for those who had silently supported him behind the scenes.

Tianyuan City is no longer his homeland. Now, Tianji Mountain may be his only refuge.

But even in such a perilous situation, Lin Xiao didn't flinch. His heart was filled with hope for the future—no matter how treacherous the future, he would fight to the end.

Lin Xiao, Shangguan Qingqing, and the guard quietly advanced under cover of darkness, passing through dense forests, over cliffs, and across a stretch of barren grassland. Their goal remained steadfast: Tianji Mountain. As they grew further and further away from Tianyuan City, and though the pursuers behind them hadn't immediately caught up, Lin Xiao knew a greater storm was brewing.

The three of them were moving at a breakneck speed. Every time they paused in an open area, Lin Xiao's senses would instantly heighten their vigilance, alerting him to the possibility of a sudden enemy appearance. Although Shangguan Qingqing and the guard didn't appear overly nervous, Lin Xiao remained unwavering, knowing their situation was far more dangerous than he had imagined.

Lin Xiao never relaxed for a moment during this journey. He had thought he would become stronger in this pursuit, but in reality, every dodge and breakout was like standing on the edge of a cliff. Every action he took was a gamble of his courage and wisdom.

Just as they were approaching Tianji Mountain, Lin Xiao suddenly stopped and fixed his eyes on the darkness ahead, where there was a strong murderous aura.

"There are enemies." Lin Xiao said in a low voice with a serious tone.

Shangguan Qingqing and the guards immediately became alert, and the air around them seemed to become heavy.

"It's them, they're really chasing us!" The guard's face changed and he gripped the hilt of his sword nervously.

Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath. He knew that the enemy in front of him would be the most powerful opponent along the way.

Suddenly, several figures emerged from the darkness, rapidly approaching. They were clad in black armor, their blades gleaming, their auras cold and chilling. The leader, nearly two meters tall, carried a massive sword slung across his back. His expression was stern, his gaze like an eagle's, and he immediately felt a powerful sense of oppression.

"Lin Xiao, if you dare to offend our Tianyuan City again, you will be beheaded here today!" The leading man sneered, as if Lin Xiao was already a sure thing.

"It's you?" Lin Xiao's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness. "I didn't expect that Tianyuan City's power has expanded to this extent. It seems that I really need to strike back."

"You really don't repent." The leading man spoke in a low voice, the giant sword in his hand trembling slightly. "Since that's the case, let me show you the prestige of Tianyuan City!"

As he finished speaking, he swung the giant sword in his hand violently. The sword tip flashed with a sharp light and slashed towards Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao's eyes flashed, and his figure instantly disappeared. Using the "Dragon Swimming Across the Seas" technique, he dodged the opponent's attack like a dragon, and then formed hand seals with his hands. "Sword Dances with Wind and Spin!"

Several brilliant sword energies slashed out swiftly, carrying a powerful momentum, attacking the enemy. The sword energy swept through like a storm, and the flashes of swords and shadows intertwined.

The leading man's eyes narrowed, and he suddenly drew another short sword from his waist and faced the direction of the sword energy. "Extreme Wind Invincible!"

The dagger was raised, and a gust of wind erupted. As the swords crossed, the temperature in the air suddenly dropped, and the sword energy was forcibly split apart. However, Lin Xiao's attack did not end there. His body followed like a shadow and instantly appeared behind the enemy, condensing a second round of sword energy and slashing towards the enemy's vital points again.

The opponent obviously did not expect Lin Xiao's speed to be so fast. He immediately turned around and blocked with the giant sword, but only heard a violent collision sound, and the giant sword was actually blown away by Lin Xiao's sword energy.

Lin Xiao did not give the opponent a chance to breathe, and quickly launched the "Tiger Roar Palm" to strike the enemy's chest.

"puff!"

A stream of blood gushed out, and the leading man let out a muffled groan. He was blown several feet away by the palm wind and fell heavily to the ground. His face was pale, and it was obvious that he was seriously injured.

"You're nothing special." Lin Xiao stared coldly at the fallen man with a hint of contempt in his eyes.

But at this moment, several other black-armored soldiers attacked with lightning speed, quickly surrounding and attacking. Each of them had an extraordinary aura, obviously they were all masters who had undergone rigorous training.

Lin Xiao frowned slightly, knowing that the strength of these people should not be underestimated. They were definitely honed through several life-and-death battles.

"Shangguan Qingqing, you go with him!" Lin Xiao whispered to Shangguan Qingqing, his eyes revealing a hint of determination, "I will hold them back!"

Shangguan hesitated for a moment, but seeing the determination in Lin Xiao's eyes, he finally gritted his teeth and nodded: "Be careful!"

Before he finished speaking, Lin Xiao moved like a flash of lightning, facing the enemy's siege. His speed was so fast that it was dazzling. "Imitation Move Phantom" was displayed again, and in an instant, three images of Lin Xiao appeared, and sword energy splashed in all directions, with a fierce momentum.

Several black-armored soldiers exerted their strength at the same time to counter every attack of Lin Xiao, but no matter what, they were unable to withstand the surging sword energy and powerful internal force suppression.

"Damn it!" One of the black-armored soldiers gritted his teeth. "What kind of monster is he?"

"Don't let him run away!" another black-armored soldier shouted, wanting to attack from behind, but found that Lin Xiao's figure had disappeared from his sight like a ghost.

At this critical moment, Lin Xiao suddenly leaped up, unleashing his "Sword Qi Strike" technique and slashing at the strongest black-armored soldier. The sword light pierced the void with overwhelming momentum.

"puff!"

The sword energy pierced through his chest, and the black-armored soldier fell to the ground on the spot, his body torn to pieces.

"You, will never be able to stop me." Lin Xiao said coldly, his eyes as sharp as an eagle.

He wasted no time and continued to attack other enemies. The battle continued, but he had only one goal in mind - to break through this siege and continue forward, towards Tianji Mountain, towards his final freedom.

In this battle, Lin Xiao knew that he was getting closer and closer to the end of his destiny - but this time, he was no longer the pursued fugitive, but embarked on the road of true revenge.