Rebirth of the Celestial Swordmaster

Chapter 6: The Predator Becomes Prey

The moon hung high in the sky as Lin Xiao crouched on a thick tree branch, his breath steady, his heartbeat slow. Below him, two Blood Moon Sect disciples stood in a small clearing, speaking in hushed voices.

“Elder Feng has ordered us to track the intruder.”

“Hmph. Just a Qi Condensation brat. Why send so many of us?”

Lin Xiao’s eyes narrowed. So they had noticed his actions. He had expected this.

“They sent a hunting party after me… but they’ve made a mistake.”

Instead of fleeing, Lin Xiao would strike first.

His muscles tensed. Then—

He moved.

Dropping silently from the tree, he struck like a viper. His first target barely had time to turn before Lin Xiao’s dagger sank into his throat, silencing him instantly.

The second disciple staggered back in shock, his hand reaching for his sword.

Too slow.

Lin Xiao stepped forward, driving his palm into the man’s chest. A loud crack echoed as ribs shattered. The disciple gasped, blood spilling from his lips, before crumpling to the ground.

Silence returned to the forest.

Lin Xiao wiped his blade clean and searched the bodies.

“Three more spirit stones. Not bad.”

He had no interest in looting the dead for weapons—his focus was cultivation. Every battle, every kill, brought him closer to his true power.

But as he pocketed the spirit stones, a shiver ran down his spine.

A presence.

He turned sharply.

A shadow moved in the trees.

Lin Xiao’s eyes narrowed. “I’m being watched.”

From the darkness, a figure emerged.

Unlike the previous disciples, this one felt different. His aura was heavier, his posture relaxed yet predatory. His black robe bore silver embroidery, signifying a higher rank.

Foundation Establishment Realm.

Lin Xiao’s grip on his blade tightened. This was not an opponent he could take lightly.

The man studied him with mild curiosity. “I expected a reckless fool. But you’re… efficient.”

Lin Xiao didn’t respond. His mind raced. Against a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he was outmatched. A direct fight meant death.

He needed a different approach.

The man smirked. “Not going to beg for your life?”

Lin Xiao exhaled. “Why would I? You’re not leaving here alive.”

The man chuckled. “Interesting.”

Then—he attacked.

The air trembled as he moved, his speed inhuman. Lin Xiao barely dodged as a powerful palm strike shattered the ground where he had stood.

Fast.

Lin Xiao countered with a swift slash of his dagger, but the man twisted, evading effortlessly.

Too fast.

Lin Xiao gritted his teeth. He was at a clear disadvantage. His best option? Escape.

He dashed backward, leaping onto a tree branch. The man’s smirk widened. “Running already?”

Lin Xiao didn’t answer. Instead, he reached into his robes and tossed a small vial toward the ground.

BOOM!

A thick cloud of Blinding Mist Powder erupted, covering the entire area.

The man cursed. “Coward—!”

Lin Xiao didn’t stay to hear the rest. He vanished into the trees, moving swiftly, silently.

He had bought himself time.

But he knew one thing for sure.

This was only the beginning.

By the time Lin Xiao stopped running, dawn had begun to break. He found a secluded cave and sat cross-legged, steadying his breath.

The fight had exposed a cruel truth. He was still too weak.

A single Foundation Establishment cultivator had nearly ended him. If he wanted to stand against the Blood Moon Sect, he needed more than just clever tricks.

He needed power.

Lin Xiao pulled out the spirit stones he had collected. There were five in total, each containing refined Qi essence.

He placed them in a circle around him and closed his eyes.

Time to break through.

The moment he focused, the energy within the stones surged into his meridians. His body trembled as pure Qi flooded his system, stretching his limits.

Pain. Pressure. Burning heat.

Lin Xiao gritted his teeth. His meridians felt as though they would shatter.

But he endured.

Then—

BOOM!

A pulse of energy erupted around him. His body felt lighter, his Qi more stable. He opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing within them.

Third Layer of Qi Condensation.

He exhaled. Stronger. But not enough.

The Blood Moon Sect wouldn’t stop hunting him. He needed to push further.

And that meant taking a greater risk.

Lin Xiao stood, glancing westward.

The nearest major city was Black Rock City—a place crawling with mercenaries, sect spies, and dangerous opportunities.

A smirk tugged at his lips.

It was time to step into the real world.