After the successful mine clearance, the reputation of the Bladefang Mercenaries subtly changed. They were still rough, but the fact that they could complete high-risk contracts efficiently—thanks entirely to Ling Tian's silent cleanup—made them slightly more reputable.
Ling Tian continued his routine: completing contracts, secretly draining the contaminated spiritual waste, and slowly but steadily advancing his Perfect Golden Chaos Core.
One week later, the Bladefang Mercenaries accepted a crucial contract: protecting a high-grade Immortal Herb transport route near the border of the Scarred Earth Plateau.
"This is big, Brother Ling Tian," Hu Lie said, excitement bubbling in his voice. "The payout is triple our usual rate. But the risk is high. This territory is often contested by the Shadow Sect."
The Shadow Sect was a notorious group of assassins and cultivators specializing in stealth and poison, generally operating at the Mid to Late Immortal Foundation level.
The Ambush
The transport convoy consisted of three heavy carts guarded by ten mercenaries. As the convoy passed through a narrow, rocky pass, the ambush struck.
WHOOSH!
Dark, shadowy figures descended from the cliffs. They weren't loud or aggressive; they were silent and deadly. Their attacks weren't Qi blasts, but specialized Spirit Corroding Poisons delivered via small, precise needles.
Hu Lie and his men, despite their experience, were immediately thrown into disarray. Two mercenaries screamed as the poison needles pierced their skin; the potent Immortal-level poison instantly began attacking their Dantians.
"The poison! Don't let them hit you!" Hu Lie roared, desperately trying to defend the carts.
Ling Tian, standing at the rear, watched the chaos with cold eyes. His Primordial Chaos Core instantly neutralized the airborne toxins that drifted toward him, making the Shadow Sect's primary weapon useless.
He saw the Shadow Sect leader—a lean, masked figure operating at the Peak Immortal Foundation level—move with precision, targeting the convoy's driver.
A Controlled Display
Ling Tian knew he couldn't let his allies die, as that would ruin his cover. He also couldn't use the annihilating power of the Primordial Chaos Palm.
He opted for a calculated, destructive strike.
He rushed forward, not using speed, but using perfect trajectory calculation. He intercepted the Shadow Sect leader mid-strike, not with a fist, but with his forearm.
The Shadow Sect leader was surprised. He unleashed a full-powered Spirit Corrosion Fist, aiming to cripple Ling Tian instantly.
CRACK!
The impact was sharp. The Shadow Sect leader's fist met Ling Tian's defense, which was slightly augmented by a controlled sliver of Primordial Chaos Qi. The leader's fist shattered.
Ling Tian used the recoil to spin, delivering a swift, non-lethal kick to the leader's chest, sending him flying back and crashing hard onto the rocks.
"Retreat! This man is too strong! His body is fortified!" the Shadow Sect leader shrieked, clutching his ruined arm.
Seeing their leader defeated instantly, the remaining Shadow Sect members quickly vanished into the rocky crevices, their primary goal—eliminating the transport—failed.
The Aftermath
Hu Lie rushed over, his face pale, not from fear of the enemy, but from shock at Ling Tian's strength.
"Brother Ling Tian! You... you defeated their leader in one move? He was Peak Foundation!" Hu Lie stammered, pulling the poison needles out of his allies.
"My physical defenses are robust," Ling Tian said simply, masking the true nature of the Primordial Chaos defense. "The immediate threat is the poison. It targets the spiritual core."
Ling Tian looked at the two poisoned mercenaries who were writhing in pain. Conventional healing pills would take days and leave lasting damage.
He pulled out two extremely low-grade pills he had refined from the mine waste—pills barely Tier-1 by Immortal Realm standards, but infused with a trace of his Primordial Chaos energy.
"Swallow these," Ling Tian commanded.
The mercenaries swallowed the seemingly simple pills. Almost instantly, the deadly, corrosive poison—which was attacking their Immortal Foundations—was neutralized and completely purified. Their pain vanished.
"I... I'm healed," one mercenary whispered, looking at the small, dark residue that was purged from his system. "That was instant!"
Hu Lie's respect turned into genuine awe. He knew Ling Tian was strong, but instant detoxification of Shadow Sect poison was a legendary feat.
This Ling Tian is an elite genius hiding in the lowest realm, Hu Lie realized. If I follow him, the Bladefang Mercenaries will rise.
Ling Tian looked at the receding shadows of the Shadow Sect. They are organized and efficient. A good distraction. I must increase my cultivation speed if I am to deal with the true factions of this Realm.