NOVEL WEB chapter 148
148. Successful Subjugation
The scar-faced youth restrained Ling Meng in a bizarre manner.
Wounds split open all over his body, and he was gushing blood.
It must have been excruciatingly painful, yet the youth remained calm and composed, showing no sign of agony.
In comparison, Taoist priest Wu Hui felt he paled significantly in comparison to him.
Reflecting on it, the three of them had been convinced from the start that he was a demonic disciple, yet in truth, they had no evidence to confirm his wrongdoing.
Instead, they were the ones who attacked him first. However, he countered with a strange spiritual technique, neutralizing their combined spiritual palms without harming them.
They were unclear why Ling Meng had suddenly become so powerful. Judging by the current strength, the three of them were no match for Ling Meng, but this scar-faced youth could restrain her. Comparatively, his strength was above theirs.
So, it was clear that the youth had been holding back before, just enough to neutralize their attacks, or else they might have lost their lives.
Logically, the youth should have been able to leave, but he chose to stay and restrain Ling Meng.
Therefore, he might not actually be the villain they presumed. Of course, he had tried to explain initially, but they didn’t listen, leading to the misunderstanding.
He felt ashamed for the misunderstanding and for causing the death of two fellow Taoists due to his own recklessness.
Although reluctant, he was acutely aware of his incompetence. Now, as the youth was restraining Ling Meng, giving him time to escape, if he stayed, he would only be a hindrance and ultimately lose his life.
There was no choice but to retreat, feeling guilty for the fallen comrades.
“Thank you for the rescue. If fate allows, I shall repay you in the martial world.”
Wu Hui stood up, bowed respectfully, and then quickly left the scene.
The bald man’s departure was good news for Lin Nuo. After all, maintaining the Dark Soul Vortex required concentration. If that broken bald man rushed in to interfere, it could lead to failure, and then they would both descend to the underworld as companions.
Ling Meng was like a caged beast, clenching her teeth, her long black hair flying, yearning to break free from the Dark Soul Vortex.
But how could Lin Nuo let her succeed? He was staking the dignity of a top-tier villain. It would be understandable if he couldn’t withstand the eruption of Su Kexin, but a demonic cultivator in the throes of power? If he couldn’t control that, he wouldn’t deserve to be called a grand villain.
“Be quiet!”
Lin Nuo’s wounds spurted more blood, staining the weeds on the ground red, reminiscent of his days battling on the battlefield.
Ling Meng’s power surged unstoppably, and the Dark Soul Vortex rapidly absorbed the energy she released, but the absorption rate of the vortex still couldn’t keep up with the speed of her power surge.
If things continue to develop in this way, she will inevitably break free from the Dark Soul Vortex, and then Lin Nuo’s fate will be quite grim.
The dark whirlwind rapidly expands, and in the blink of an eye, Lin Nuo is also enveloped.
Now both are trapped within the range of the Dark Soul Vortex, like a beast cage, trapping both the hunter and the beast together.
At this moment, Ling Meng’s angry expression turns back to her previous sickly state, feeling that she could once again lift Lin Nuo and toy with him.
“Heh.”
Lin Nuo lets out a cold laugh, now the Dark Soul Vortex has enveloped him as well, appearing to be a disadvantage, but in reality, it’s a significant advantage.
For within the Dark Soul Vortex, a vast amount of demonic energy and soul power surge, making his use of demonic techniques even more adept in this enclosed environment.
The final strike.
Lin Nuo concentrates deeply, chanting ancient curses under his breath, as a purple orb of light appears on his fingertips.
He tosses the orb into the Dark Soul Vortex at his feet, and the moment before the orb touches the ground, he swiftly breaks out of the whirlwind area of the vortex.
The orb falls into the Dark Soul Vortex, the vortex’s range rapidly shrinks, and finally, it all converges on Ling Meng.
Boom!
The vortex converges on Ling Meng, a blast ensues, and although her body’s surface remains unscathed, the demonic energy and soul power within her are nearly burnt out.
Her flowing hair settles down, the purple glow in her eyes fades away, and ultimately, Ling Meng collapses to the ground.
Sigh.
Lin Nuo finally breathes a sigh of relief, having fought a taxing battle with the explosive Ling Meng, nearly costing himself in the process.
But now, at least, he has her under control.
He walks over, checking her breath and pulse; though weak, she is not at death’s door.
As long as there is demonic energy and soul power nearby, she can recover automatically, for a demonic fairy with the same constitution as Su Kexin cannot possibly perish from a mere injury.
Lin Nuo picks up the demonic artifact, with a wisp of soul power still emanating from it.
It’s nearly depleted, but at least it can give Ling Meng some respite.
He helps Ling Meng to the rock wall, positioning the artifact so its mouth faces her, allowing the soul power emerging with the breeze to enter her body.
Her breathing rate gradually stabilizes, and regaining consciousness is only a matter of time.
Lin Nuo doesn’t leave but stays to keep watch over her, for if any Taoist monks or other such characters were to come running, she might ascend to heaven prematurely.
Having just engaged in a heart-stopping real battle with the explosive Ling Meng, Lin Nuo analyzes the situation.
Ling Meng’s strength, when combined with the soul power of the artifact, is indeed formidable. If not for his advanced demonic technique, the Dark Soul Vortex, which allows him to use the force against the opponent, he might have perished by her hand.
She is still in a developmental stage, unable to control her consciousness during an explosion, similar to Su Kexin.
But Su Kexin later managed to control her explosive power, whereas Ling Meng didn’t live to see that day and had to register for reincarnation in the underworld instead.
She’s a promising seedling; if nurtured, she might truly become a force to reckon with Su Kexin.
However, he does not wish for Ling Meng to enhance her strength solely through explosions, for the script dictates that she still gets killed by the Sword Saint after her explosion, indicating that her outbursts are directional, unlike Su Kexin’s smooth sailing.
To enhance one’s abilities, one must follow a proper path. Gaining strength through sudden outbursts is an unorthodox shortcut; only through scientific cultivation can one reach the pinnacle.
Linuo had been guarding this area for a long time. This mountain was devoid of other people, only attracting wild beasts that knew no better, such as wolves, tigers, and even swift hawks, all hoping to capture delicious prey.
Instead, they became Linuo’s prey.
With hunger gnawing at his belly and no pork floss buns in sight, he could only roast the beast meat to satisfy his hunger, reminiscing about the days of wilderness survival, the towering years past, all for a prosperous future.
Tears welled up.
The fire was burning branches, thick black smoke billowing into the sky, the aroma wafting in all directions.
After a long while, Lingmeng, leaning against the rock wall, slowly opened her eyes.
Where is this?
She felt extremely weak, and various wounds caused all sorts of pain, making it unbearable to move even slightly.
Recalling the past, she had been attacked by three Taoist priests, powerless to fight back, and could not remember what happened afterward.
“Am I not dead?”
She looked around and saw the bodies of two Taoist priests on the ground, and a young man roasting meat in the distance.