In addition, Li Ling acted extremely quickly, and most of the surrounding assassins did not see what happened clearly, which is why the scene that appeared so bizarre to them just now was like this.
"Indeed, excellent martial arts!"
As a highly respected master among the evil sects of the martial arts world, Blood Bat naturally recognized the extraordinary nature of Li Ling's counterattack.
It can be said that although Li Ling did not display overwhelming power in that move, his eyesight, the angle of his attack, and his control over his true energy were all superb, something even the Blood Bat himself might not be able to do.
Thinking this, Blood Bat immediately knew that the person in front of him could not be His Highness the Crown Prince. He stared at Li Ling and said, "What a clever 'openly repairing the plank road while secretly crossing the Chencang pass' move! In that case, let me experience the martial arts of Commander Liu, the Imperial Guard!"
However, they mistook Li Ling for Liu Feng, the Crown Prince's bodyguard. (The rest of the text appears to be gibberish and unrelated to the initial statement.)
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Chapter 164 Blood Bat: Better to die than to die, my friend!
"I suppose you are Commander Liu!"
Although it was a question, the Blood Bat spoke with absolute certainty.
At this moment, Blood Bat had already concluded that the person in front of him was definitely not the Crown Prince he had initially judged, but Liu Feng.
That move just now was definitely not something a young man like the Crown Prince, who was not even twenty years old, could have pulled off.
"Liu Feng, don't think that just because the Crown Prince has entered Lin'an City, he can definitely enter the palace. We have also arranged a large number of people in Lin'an City. Even if the Crown Prince wanted to enter the palace, it would be impossible!" Blood Bat said coldly.
"All of this was arranged long ago; no matter how clever you are, it will be in vain!"
However, he soon witnessed a scene that surprised him. The person impersonating the crown prince took off his straw hat, revealing a young man who looked to be only about twenty years old.
The young man chuckled and said, "I'm really sorry, but I don't know if the assassins you arranged in Lin'an can successfully carry out the assassination under the protection of a master of innate cultivation?"
"..." The blood bat's eyes were gloomy.
"Hmph, the Crown Prince has escaped this time, but we'll see what the final outcome will be!"
Blood Bat's face was grim. Although he didn't admit it, the number of people he had arranged in Lin'an was quite large, but there was only one innate master among them. The palace was so big, and without knowing where the crown prince would enter from, the chances of successfully intercepting the crown prince under Liu Feng's protection were really not high.
The Blood Bat looked at the young man before him and shouted, "And who are you?"
"Hey, I'll tell you if you can beat me!" Li Ling raised his sword and unleashed a water-based technique—Azure Waters Raging.
Immediately, the sword strikes continued uninterrupted, and the Blood Bat felt enveloped by a desolate sword intent, as if boundless sword shadows were enveloping it. This move was derived from the continuous flow of water.
"How is this possible?" the Blood Bat exclaimed in horror. "Such a powerful sword intent has even shaken my will. Just who is this person? He looks to be only about twenty years old, yet his swordsmanship is so terrifying!"
The Blood Bat initially assumed that Li Ling's young age meant he had some extraordinary encounter that allowed him to possess innate cultivation.
Normally, martial artists like this cannot fully unleash the strength of a master of innate skill. However, Li Ling's swordsmanship was so refined that he was completely tempered and perfected. With just one sword move, he gave Li Ling, who was also a master of innate skill, an overwhelming feeling of resistance.
"drink!"
The Blood Bat immediately roared, its body swaying like the wind, leaving behind a series of afterimages, dodging Li Ling's "Azure Waters Raging" move, and aiming its steel claws at Li Ling's ribs.
Blood Bat is known for his speed and agility. His agility is quite unique, allowing him to conjure illusions out of thin air and remain in the air for a moment, making it impossible for people to distinguish between the real and the fake.
At the same time, combined with the weapon in hand and the shriek from his mouth, he has the ability to confuse people's minds. Often, before the opponent can even figure out his location, he has already been decapitated, which is extremely strange.
At this moment, Blood Bat unleashed all his skills, determined to kill Li Ling and avenge himself for being tricked by Li Ling impersonating the Crown Prince.
But Li Ling was no ordinary expert. He had already reached the Innate Grandmaster realm and developed innate spiritual awareness. Moreover, he also possessed spiritual power.
With his spiritual power radiating outwards, even the sound of ants crawling or insects flapping their wings could not escape his perception within a radius of a hundred meters.
That seductive shriek could not shake Li Ling's mind in the slightest. Although the Blood Bat's lightness skill was mysterious, every move it made could not escape Li Ling's perception.
However, Li Ling generally does not like to use his mental power, as this ability is too powerful and would hinder his progress in martial arts cultivation.
Of course, he was not a rigid person, and when it came to using cheats, Li Ling would not hesitate at all.
In an instant, Li Ling thrust out his Azure Nether Sword, accurately striking the Blood Bat's steel claws. Then, he thrust again in the empty void, with a soft 'clang' sound, striking the Blood Bat's sneak attack once more. At the same time, an invisible sword aura followed closely behind with his left hand, an unexpected release of the sword energy condensed within Li Ling's body.
At Li Ling's level, he was already able to project his true energy outwards. Combined with the sword intent he had cultivated through the Eight Forms of Famous Swords, the sword energy that Li Ling casually unleashed was no weaker than that of an ordinary pistol.
Moreover, Li Ling was already able to withstand bullets after breaking through to the Master of Physical Body realm in the 'Witch' world, let alone now that he has perfected the Dragon Roar Iron Shirt technique, making him even more difficult to harm from swords and blades.
This is also why Li Ling gave the handgun he had made to Chen Muyang.
Li Ling made the pistol just in case, and also to provide some protection for his loved ones.
Blood Bat's mind went on high alert. He quickly used his lightness skill to dodge, but he still felt a sharp force pass by his ear. If he hadn't dodged quickly, he probably would have had his head pierced by Li Ling's sword energy in just one move!
Li Ling's sword strike startled the Blood Bat, causing it to retreat more than ten feet. The Blood Bat stared intently at Li Ling and said, "Who exactly are you, kid? You're so young, yet you already possess such skill!"
At this time, Li Ling would not be foolish enough to reveal his identity and invite trouble. He had already changed his appearance, making it very different from his usual appearance, just to avoid causing trouble for Mingjian Manor.
Since this group dared to assassinate the Crown Prince, they might very well target Li Ling, who ruined their plans. It's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. Li Ling isn't invincible in this world, so he should avoid many troubles if possible.
Therefore, he didn't even bother to respond and went straight to the point: "Blood Bat, you used to stir up trouble in the martial arts world and harmed countless innocent people, but you disappeared without a trace a few years ago. It turns out that you have joined the forces of treacherous officials in the court and even dared to plot against the Crown Prince. You are truly audacious. I cannot let you live today!"
After saying that, he flew towards the blood bat.
"Stop him!"
Blood Bat has been serving a powerful figure in the court for years, living a life of luxury. Although his martial arts skills have not declined, his will has been eroded by wine and women. He only suffered a minor loss under Li Ling's sword just now. Now that he sees Li Ling taking the initiative to attack, he quickly calls his subordinates to defend him while he himself flies backward.
The assassins around were all trained death squads, brainwashed from childhood, and had no fear of death. Hearing the Blood Bat's order, even though they knew they were no match for Li Ling, they still swarmed forward and blocked Li Ling's path.
These people all resorted to desperate measures, fighting Li Ling to the death, forcing Li Ling to temporarily halt his pursuit of the Blood Bats and stop to kill them one by one.