I’ll Take That Opportunity Chapter 22 - Killing Zhang Xiao And Settling Karma

"Let's begin cultivating."

Ye Lin gazed at the mid-grade Spirit Stone in his hand, then closed his eyes, circulating the Stellar Method at full force. Wisps of spirit qi surged into his meridians, strengthening every part of his body.

Time slipped by unnoticed as he cultivated—in the blink of an eye, a full day and night had passed.

By the evening of the second day, Ye Lin's eyes suddenly snapped open.

"Tonight’s the time to seize Niu Bo’s opportunity. If I can refine and absorb a Foundation Establishment demon beast core, I might break through to the 8th layer Qi Refinement stage."

"Once that happens, my chances of becoming an inner disciple will soar."

For now, his understanding of the inner sect was still limited. Even if he intended to challenge an inner disciple, he’d need to target a weaker one. He’s needed to find time to properly grasp the general situation within the inner sect.

With those thoughts in mind, Ye Lin rose to his feet, pushed open the door, and headed down the mountain. Traveling by night was something he’d grown increasingly accustomed to.

His frequent nighttime excursions hadn’t escaped the notice of certain watchful eyes.

Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, Ye Lin made his way directly toward Dragonfall Canyon.

According to legend, a True Dragon had plummeted into the canyon a thousand years ago and perished there. In the aftermath, countless cultivators had swarmed the area, seeking the True Dragon’s remains—but none had ever found a trace.

It was worth noting that anything worthy of being called a True Dragon would’ve reached the Great Ascension stage. Even a single bone from such a being would be enough to set one for life.

Dragonfall Canyon wasn’t far from the Azure Cloud Sect. After roughly a two hours' journey, Ye Lin finally arrived.

A vast canyon stretched before him, exuding a bone-chilling aura. Even though Ye Lin was at the 7th layer Qi Refinement stage, he couldn’t suppress a shiver.

"Hiss… With my cultivation base, I shouldn’t feel a thing even standing bare in sub-zero temperatures. Something’s wrong with this place." Ye Lin muttered to himself.

He then quickened his pace, eager to find the corpse of the Foundation Establishment demon beast. He wanted to grab the demon core and leave this eerie place as fast as possible.

After all, this place was anything but ordinary.

He searched for a long time, yet not only was there no sign of a Foundation Establishment demon beast—he couldn’t even find a single strand of fur. Stranger still, the surrounding kept dropping.

Further ahead, the vegetation was already sheathed in frost—and this was supposed to be summer. The place was far too bizarre.

Finally, atop a patch of ice, Ye Lin spotted the corpse of a massive boar. How massive? Several times larger than the elephants of his previous world.

"I finally found it. But a boar this big… has it mutated?"

Staring at the enormous carcass, Ye Lin’s expression turned strange.

He then drew his sword and swung at the boar’s skull. His newly upgraded low-grade mystic-tier sword sliced through with ease, splitting the head open to reveal a white demon core.

Ye Lin swiftly stowed the demon core away. But just as he was about to turn and leave, his eyes widened in shock.

The boar hadn’t been killed in battle—it had been frozen to death alive.

At the Foundation Establishment stage, with spirit qi protecting the body, one could survive for several minutes even submerged in molten lava. And yet, this demon beast had been frozen to death alive.

"This place… it’s hiding a terrifying secret, or perhaps a world-shaking treasure. I’m not strong enough now, but once I reach a higher realm, I’ll return and uncover the truth."

After one final glance toward the ominous canyon in the distance, Ye Lin decisively turned and made his way back toward Azure Cloud Sect.

If even a Foundation Establishment demon beast could perish here, lingering any longer would be courting death.

It had taken him two hours to get here—but only an hour to rush back. A clear reminder that in the face of death, humans could unleash astonishing potential.

Upon returning to the sect, Ye Lin first secured the demon core.

"According to the panel… tomorrow’s the day Zhang Xiao makes his move. Refining the demon core will take half a month."

"First, I’ll deal with Zhang Xiao. Then, in half a month, I’ll seize Wang Yun’s opportunity. After that, I’ll enter closed-door cultivation. Once I break through to the 8th layer Qi Refinement stage, I’ll finally be qualified to challenge an inner disciple."

After briefly laying out his plan, Ye Lin began adjusting his physical condition, tuning his body to its peak.

Zhang Xiao was at the 8th layer Qi Refinement stage. Though Ye Lin had the talisman as his trump card, he didn’t dare grow complacent. Even a lion used its full strength to hunt a rabbit.

By the time the sun dipped below the horizon the following day—

"It’s time."

Ye Lin’s eyes snapped open, brimming with murderous intent.

It was time to settle their karma.

After making his final preparations, Ye Lin left his quarters and descended the mountain, intentionally creating an opportunity for Zhang Xiao.

When he reached the foot of the mountain, the moon hung high in the sky—a perfect hour for murder.

In a desolate clearing, Ye Lin crouched down, pretending to search for something. The moment he left the sect, he had already sensed Zhang Xiao tailing him.

Compared to Wang Yun, Zhang Xiao’s stealth skills were laughable.

Just then, a tiger’s roar echoed from the darkness. Ye Lin abruptly turned, and a blood-red mist surged around his right arm.

"Seven Kill Fist."

Boom!

Two fists collided, producing a deafening shockwave that reverberated through the night.

Ye Lin staggered back a step, his arm numb from the impact, his heart sinking.

As expected—there was a distinct gulf between the 7th layer and the 8th layer Qi Refinement stages. He had intended to probe the difference, but just one exchange made it clear.

He had used his full strength in that strike, yet Zhang Xiao was merely forced half a step back. In that single exchange, the outcome of their fight was already written.

"That punch was only half a point stronger than mine. In a head-on fight, even if I can’t win, I’ll at least escape unscathed." Ye Lin mused calmly.

Zhang Xiao’s expression darkened, "7th layer Qi Refinement… you’ve been hiding it well."

From that single exchange, Zhang Xiao had already discerned Ye Lin’s cultivation base—not just at the 7th layer Qi Refinement stage, but clearly exceptional even within that layer. A typical 7th layer cultivator would have been crushed by that punch.

"What treasures are you hiding? No matter—once I kill you, it’ll be mine."

With a roar, Zhang Xiao unleashed his martial art, "Howling Tiger Fist!"

The night air trembled as tiger roars erupted behind him. A fierce tiger phantom formed around his right arm as he sent his fist flying toward Ye Lin.

Without hesitation, Ye Lin drew out his talisman, pouring his spirit qi into it. In an instant, it lit up, releasing a blinding beam of light.

"What—?!"

Zhang Xiao’s face twisted in shock. Instinctively, he pushed his spirit qi to the limit and threw his fist to meet the beam.

Boom!

A deafening blast erupted. The blood vessels along Zhang Xiao’s arm burst open, painting his body crimson.

But before he could recover—

"Sword Manipulation Method."

A streak of light flashed past. A sword ray cleaved through the air, slicing through Zhang Xiao’s chest. He clutched his chest in disbelief, staring at the sword hovering in the air behind him.

"Th-the… Heavenly Sword Sect’s Sword Manipulation Method?"

His pupils widened in terror. Kneeling on one knee, spirit qi in complete disarray, Zhang Xiao was powerless to resist.

"S-spare… spare me." He pleaded weakly, watching as Ye Lin approached.

Zhang Xiao was an 8th layer Qi Refinement expert—a newly minted inner disciple. This should have been the brightest moment of his life.

He didn’t want to die…

"You being alive is the greatest threat to me."

Without hesitation, Ye Lin swung his sword. A flash of cold light, and Zhang Xiao’s head tumbled to the ground with a heavy, final thud.

Ye Lin crouched beside the corpse and swiftly rummaged through Zhang Xiao’s belongings.

He found ten low-grade Spirit Stones.

"Only ten? Did he burn through the rest of his resources breaking through to the 8th layer?"

Ye Lin frowned slightly. For someone who had been the outer sect’s top disciple for eight years, carrying just ten low-grade Spirit Stones made no sense.