The Legend of the Netherworld

Chapter 200 Meeting Wang Qingzhao

Amidst the turbulent situation, Lin Xiao gradually realized that he was not fighting alone. Just as he was about to investigate the power behind Li Hong, he suddenly heard a familiar sound of footsteps in the distance.

He turned around and saw a young man in a green shirt walking slowly towards him. He carried a long sword on his back, his eyes were clear, and there was a hint of scholarly air between his brows. Who else could it be but Wang Qingzhao?

"Lin Xiao, it seems you haven't been idle either." Wang Qingzhao walked over with a smile, with a barely perceptible trace of fatigue on the corners of her mouth, obviously having just experienced a big battle.

Lin Xiao relaxed a little and chuckled, "Why are you here? This place isn't really suitable for a scholar like you."

Wang Qingzhao waved her hand, a smile tinged with helplessness. "Although I'm a scholar, those people dared to provoke me. I had no choice but to defend myself. You know, I can't stand this kind of pointless fighting."

Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes and sighed, "You are truly extraordinary, able to enter this bloody place as a scholar."

Wang Qingzhao raised a brow. "Where's the bloody part? You're becoming increasingly unpredictable." He paused, his voice lowered. "I'm afraid your actions this time are closely related to Li Hong, right?"

Lin Xiao's expression darkened slightly, and he nodded. "Yes, Li Hong is not only an enemy in my eyes, but also the source of darkness hidden behind this trial. He is manipulating this situation with extremely insidious means, and his purpose is not simple."

Wang Qingzhao stared at Lin Xiao, her eyes showing a hint of alertness: "What are you going to do?"

Lin Xiao said calmly, "I've figured out some of his tactics, but we must first find his true trump card. This time, if we two join forces, we might have a chance."

Wang Qingzhao's eyes flickered for a moment, and she suddenly said, "You're right. The power behind Li Hong is indeed formidable. Although I don't have an advantage on this battlefield, I can help you with other things. What help do you need?"

Lin Xiao pondered for a moment, his expression gradually becoming grave. "Right now, the most important thing is to minimize unnecessary conflict. If Li Hong truly has a powerful force behind the scenes, he might have already set a trap. We can't act rashly." He paused, his gaze cast into the distance. "So, I need you to help me contain some of these people so they don't pursue me."

Wang Qingzhao smiled faintly upon hearing this. "Leave it to me. After all, I never rely on brute force." He turned to leave, but suddenly stopped and looked at Lin Xiao seriously. "But, you have to be careful of Li Hong. He's more than just a simple enemy. What he's controlling is probably more complicated than you imagine."

Lin Xiao nodded, his eyes becoming more resolute. "I know he's not just relying on the power in his hands. There must be a deeper conspiracy behind him. I will find out the truth as soon as possible and not give him any chance to counterattack."

Wang Qingzhao looked at him and smiled slightly: "That's good, I'll wait for your news. Remember, although we are friends, in this situation, even friends cannot be too dependent."

After saying that, Wang Qingzhao turned and left. Lin Xiao stood quietly there, watching his back disappear at the end of the woods.

Although Wang Qingzhao's help warmed his heart, he knew that this confrontation would be far more complicated than he had imagined. And Li Hong's shadow was like a hanging sword, ready to fall at any time.

Lin Xiao stood still, taking a deep breath, a flicker of determination in his eyes. Although he had found some comfort and support in his conversation with Wang Qingzhao, the wariness and uneasiness within him remained. The conspiracy behind Li Hong was gradually revealing its terrifying nature, and all he could do was to do his best to uncover its flaws.

Lin Xiao walked slowly towards a more secluded place in the forest, where he sat down silently and began to carefully think about Li Hong's plan.

Li Hong's methods were extremely sinister. Every provocation, threat, and even planned assassination was meticulously planned. He exploited the selfishness and greed of the crowd, transforming the trial into a massacre that gripped everyone's heart. If he relied solely on force, he wouldn't be able to maintain this situation for long. He must be supported by a powerful force behind the scenes.

And that power is probably the part he has not yet fully understood.

"No matter what, I must find Li Hong's weakness first." Lin Xiao whispered to himself, his tone full of determination.

Just as he was about to continue his thoughts, the sound of hurried footsteps shattered the silence. Lin Xiao quickly stood up and glanced around alertly. His body was slightly bent, his hands ready to strike at any moment. Just as he was about to hide in the nearby bushes, a familiar figure appeared before him.

"Lin Xiao!" Wang Qingzhao's voice came from a distance. His face was serious, and it was obvious that there was something urgent.

"What's the matter?" Lin Xiao put away his guard, smiled slightly, and walked over to him.

Wang Qingzhao took a breath and said quickly, "Li Hong's men have already begun deploying defenses on the periphery. He seems to have sensed someone plotting against him, and is now acting more cautiously. I heard from a source that he will set a trap in the plains tonight, and his target is you."

"I know." Lin Xiao's face darkened slightly, but then he regained his composure. "He has never stopped monitoring and testing me. This is his usual tactic, but he underestimated my patience."

Wang Qingzhao frowned and said, "But we can't ignore this threat. Tonight, you'd better make some preparations in advance, especially to avoid any traps he may set."

"Yeah." Lin Xiao nodded. "I originally planned to go to the plains area. Since he's already making plans, I have to act in advance and give him a surprise attack."

"What are your plans?" Wang Qingzhao asked.

Lin Xiao's eyes flickered, and he had already made up his mind: "Tonight, I will not confront Li Hong's trap head-on. Instead, I will exploit his self-confidence. Let me lure the enemy, and you, be ready to assist from the side."

Wang Qingzhao was slightly stunned: "Luring the enemy?"

"Yes." Lin Xiao took a deep breath, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes. "Li Hong seems to be in control of everything, but he overlooks one thing - his arrogance. Tonight, I will let him taste the consequences of his arrogance."

After saying that, Lin Xiao turned and left, followed closely by Wang Qingzhao. The two walked side by side towards the plain area.

As night fell, the atmosphere on the plains grew tense. The rustling of wind and leaves blended together, creating an eerie atmosphere. Lin Xiao and Wang Qingzhao moved silently through the woods, carefully avoiding Li Hong's patrols. Lin Xiao's mind was focused on the upcoming operation. He knew that tonight would be a crucial moment that would determine his and Li Hong's fate.

When they reached the edge of the plain, Lin Xiao stopped and turned to Wang Qingzhao and said, "Are you ready?"

Wang Qingzhao nodded, a look of determination in her eyes: "I'll follow your arrangements."

Lin Xiao smiled slightly: "Then, let's get started."

He walked straight ahead, without hesitation, into the open plain. His steps were deliberately heavy, as if each step was intended to reveal his whereabouts. Sure enough, after he had walked a short distance, he heard footsteps from a hidden location in the woods. Soon, several men in black emerged from the bushes and surrounded Lin Xiao.

"Hey, kid, you actually dare to come up here and die." The leading man in black approached with a sneer, and several of his men behind him also raised their weapons, ready to attack Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao didn't panic, but smiled coldly: "Do you think I'm so easily fooled?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Xiao suddenly changed his pace. He spun rapidly, his figure flashing like a ghost, and slashed at the nearest man in black with his sword. At the same time, he also used his "Illusionary Body Skill: Imitating Phantom Moves" to instantly summon two powerful Lin Xiaos, forming an intricate offensive posture.

These men in black had not expected Lin Xiao to be so swift and agile, and were thrown into complete confusion. Lin Xiao remained calm, using illusions to confuse the enemy while simultaneously unleashing his "Sword Qi Horizontal Art" to break through the enemy's defenses.

Several men in black had almost no power to fight back and fell down one after another.

"This is the assassin sent by Li Hong." Wang Qingzhao's voice sounded behind him. He had already arrived, and his eyes revealed a bit of caution. "It seems that Li Hong has already noticed your presence."

Lin Xiao said no more, quickly gathering his spoils and focusing his gaze once again on the central area of ​​the plain. Tonight's plan had entered its most critical moment.

Lin Xiao quickly gathered up his spoils, his gaze fixed once again on the distant plain, where he could vaguely see the presence of some unknown force. As the night deepened, the atmosphere grew darker, a sense of unease thickening in the air. He could sense that tonight's situation was more complex and dangerous than ever before.

"Let's go, Wang Qingzhao." Lin Xiao said softly, turned and walked towards the center of the plain.

Wang Qingzhao followed closely behind, glancing around from time to time, cautiously observing the surrounding movements. He had long known that Lin Xiao's scheming was far more complex than it appeared. Tonight's action was clearly intended to completely thwart Li Hong's plan in one fell swoop.

However, just as the two were about to approach the center of the plain, a chill suddenly spread. Lin Xiao frowned slightly, stopped in his tracks, and glanced around.

"Someone is actually lying in ambush here." Lin Xiao whispered, with a hint of coldness in his voice.

Wang Qingzhao's eyes grew serious. Observing his surroundings, he slowly said, "Li Hong's plans are more far-reaching than we imagined. It seems he has deployed more forces in this area."

"However, tonight we must take this opportunity to catch him in one fell swoop." A gleam of courage flashed in Lin Xiao's eyes. He suddenly turned and whispered to Wang Qingzhao, "You go around to the east side, and I will break through from the west side."

Wang Qingzhao nodded, said nothing more, and took quick action.

Lin Xiao gripped his sword tightly, his mind focused. He knew that Li Hong's methods weren't just about simple physical confrontation; there was a deep and unfathomable conspiracy behind them. Therefore, his goal tonight was not only to defeat the assassins, but also to uncover Li Hong's true identity and thwart his series of schemes.

He walked lightly toward the west, nearing the edge of the plain. Suddenly, a figure swiftly passed by, bringing with it a gust of wind. Lin Xiao's gaze fixed, and he instantly determined the other person's direction. The person was clearly monitoring the surrounding situation. Lin Xiao's mind moved, and he decided to test it first.

He channeled his energy and instantly disappeared from the spot. Using his "Dragon Swimming Across the Seas" technique, he quickly approached the man's back. Before the man noticed, Lin Xiao suddenly leaped and appeared in front of him.

"Who are you?" The man turned around suddenly, a flash of panic in his eyes, but he was obviously not prepared to deal with it.

Without any hesitation, Lin Xiao swung his sword downwards, the flash of his sword piercing the night sky like lightning. The man was completely unable to resist and was directly cut down by the sword.

Lin Xiao quickly dragged the body into the nearby woods and continued forward. This time, he didn't pause at all, knowing full well that this was the best time to attack.

However, as he advanced deeper into the center of the plain, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Lin Xiao knew that Li Hong's plan was far more than just a few assassins. Just then, he heard a distant commotion, as if hundreds of people were gathering at a certain location. A flicker of alarm flashed in Lin Xiao's eyes; it was clearly Li Hong's main force.

At this moment, Wang Qingzhao's voice came from the darkness: "Lin Xiao, be careful!"

Lin Xiao quickly turned around and saw Wang Qingzhao approaching from the east. His expression was serious. "It seems that Li Hong has already begun to take action. His main force has begun to move, setting up layers of defense around this area."

Lin Xiao nodded, his eyes filled with murderous intent. "In that case, we must break through his defenses in one fell swoop and let him know that we are not so easy to deal with."

As he finished speaking, the sound of footsteps suddenly rang out in the surrounding darkness, becoming increasingly frequent, as if the entire plain was enveloped by some invisible force. Lin Xiao knew in his heart that Li Hong's trick had succeeded again, but he was prepared.

He suddenly leaped up into the air, standing atop a giant tree, looking down at the battlefield below. At this moment, he saw Li Hong's main force finally appear in the center of the distant plain—a team of more than a dozen Jiachen Realm powerhouses. Behind them, Li Hong was looking at Lin Xiao with a sneer.

"Lin Xiao, you've finally made it this far." Li Hong's voice was low and provocative. "But I want to see how far you can go."

Lin Xiao's eyes turned cold, and his voice was as piercing as the cold wind: "Li Hong, tonight I will let you know who the real prey is!"

After saying this, Lin Xiao suddenly swung his sword, unleashing the "Sword Dance Spinning with Wind and Glory." Instantly, sword energy swept out like a hurricane. At the same time, Wang Qingzhao also swiftly passed by, cooperating with Lin Xiao in launching a fierce attack.

The combination of the two was like a thunderbolt, instantly igniting the atmosphere of the battlefield.