The moment the two clashed, William finally understood that he had encountered a formidable enemy today. If he couldn't eliminate the person in front of him, escaping would be a problem.
So, he turned, drew a dagger from his waist with his other, uninjured hand, and a cold glint sliced towards Ling Tian.
Ling Tian was not to be outdone. He raised his hand, and a completely black dagger appeared in his grasp as well.
The two daggers collided mid-air, immense force concentrating within them.
"Clang!"
With a crisp sound, William's tiger mouth went numb, and the dagger almost slipped from his grasp. His body was also thrown off balance by the tremendous force.
Ling Tian seized the opportunity, stepped forward, and kicked William squarely in the chest.
"Ah!"
William let out a pained cry, his body flying backward and crashing heavily several meters away.
Ling Tian pressed his advantage, intending to capture him. Just then, William suddenly raised his hand, and a cloud of powder flew towards Ling Tian.
For a flower thief, it was only natural to carry some soporific powder.
However, before the powder could reach Ling Tian's head, a surge of immense internal energy erupted from Ling Tian's body.
"Bang!"
Under the impact of the internal energy, the powder exploded mid-air, not a speck touching Ling Tian. Moreover, for Ling Tian at this stage, this common soporific powder was utterly useless.
Ling Tian stepped forward and struck William's Dantian Qi Sea with his palm.
William screamed and spat out a mouthful of blood.
For martial artists, the Dantian was the most crucial acupoint.
According to Daoist inner alchemy theories, the Dantian is where internal energy converges. If the Dantian suffers a severe blow, it becomes extremely difficult, if not impossible, to mobilize one's internal energy, leading to the dissipation of one's cultivation. Not only would future martial arts practice be impossible, but even simple movements and heavy labor would be out of the question!
Ling Tian harbored no pity for such a lecherous flower thief.
When these scoundrels harmed others, they never showed any mercy to their victims.
Ling Tian looked at the flower thief before him with amusement, much like a hunter observing its prey.
"Brother, I beg you, spare me. I've only slept with some women, I haven't done anything wicked..."
"What? You haven't done anything wicked?
You actually dare to say that? After you ruined those girls, their physical foundations were severely damaged, shortening their lifespans by twenty to thirty years. You tell me this isn't wicked?
If this isn't wicked, then everyone in prison is a paragon of virtue!"
"Brother, let's not talk about that, nor about who is right or wrong. As long as you let me go, I won't treat you unfairly. Cultivation techniques, money, status, whatever you want, I'll give it to you!"
Ling Tian smiled and extended his hand, showing off the watch on his wrist and the prayer beads on the other.
"See? Do I look like someone who lacks money?
I already have all the things you mentioned, and I'm not interested in them at all!"
"Our Zhe Zhi Sect has extremely potent cultivation techniques that can make your cultivation process twice as effective. You must understand that all martial artists are currently facing an opportunity...
This involves a monumental secret..."
"Secret? What a load of crap. You mean the spiritual energy revival, and you guys are getting antsy?
You want to take advantage of this opportunity to stir up trouble, doesn't everyone know that? And you still treat it as a secret, pfft!
Besides, with your shoddy cultivation techniques, you can't even defeat me. And you want to bribe me?"
Ling Tian's words left William utterly bewildered. He could never have imagined that the things he took pride in were worthless in the eyes of the other party!
Ling Tian took out his phone and dialed a number.
"Brother Xie, I've caught the person. I've sent you the location information. Come and take him away!"
On the other end, Xie Chong asked anxiously, "Ling Tian, are you alright? This guy is a master."
"He is indeed a master, but he's no match for me. Furthermore, his martial arts have been crippled, beyond even divine intervention!"
"Alright, wait for me, I'll be there immediately!"
Twenty minutes later, Xie Chong arrived at the park with his men. He was surprised to see Ling Tian's appearance. Ling Tian winked at him, and Xie Chong immediately understood that Ling Tian was in disguise!
Ling Tian did not want to bring trouble to his family and friends, especially since their opponents were unorthodox practitioners, even demonic cultivators.
These individuals were capricious, violent, malicious, and utterly without bottom lines. Wiping out entire families was a routine matter for them.
When Ling Tian joined the Righteous Alliance, one of his conditions was not to reveal his identity and not to implicate his family because of it.
Xie Chong quickly stepped forward to check the condition of the suspect.
"This guy here, he even tried to bribe me. What a joke!" Ling Tian said with a playful smirk.
"Interrogate him thoroughly. He's from that Zhe Zhi Sect. From his words, I sense he has fellow disciples, and even a master above him.
Unearth all of them and bring them to justice."
"Don't worry, I'll make him confess!" Xie Chong said with a smile, cracking his knuckles with a series of pops.
"Oh, and Brother Xie, if you get any information on the whereabouts of the Zhe Zhi Sect leader, please inform me as soon as possible!"
Ling Tian said this very seriously because, from the memories of the Gu King, he knew that the Zhe Zhi Sect leader was also one of the thirteen protectors of the Heavenly Demon Gate.
The leader of the Zhe Zhi Sect was among those who participated in the siege of the Ling family, causing the tragic massacre of his entire clan.
Xie Chong paused for a moment. Ling Tian whispered to him, "Personal vendetta, a deep-seated hatred!"
Xie Chong nodded, "Understood!"
Fulfilling Ling Tian's requests to the best of his ability was a directive from Xie Chong's uncle, Xie Liheng.
For the Xie family uncle and nephew, Ling Tian had bestowed great favors.
Ling Tian had saved Xie Chong's life. If Ling Tian hadn't helped him neutralize the poison of the Five Poisons Heart-Piercing Palm in time, Xie Chong would likely have been cremated long ago.
Subsequently, Ling Tian had also assisted the Xie uncle and nephew in resolving several other major cases.
It could be said that Xie Liheng's current position was significantly related to Ling Tian's help on these occasions.
Moreover, Ling Tian's requests were not against principles. After all, unorthodox practitioners ultimately met their demise, and it made no difference who delivered the final blow.
Ling Tian left the park and took a taxi back to the bar. At the entrance of the bar, the doorman was still eagerly waiting for Ling Tian's return.
Upon seeing Ling Tian, he immediately approached.
"Sir, do you need a ride?"
He had long passed his working hours, but for the sake of a tip, he decided to go the extra mile.
Ling Tian directly took out ten hundred-yuan bills from his pocket and placed them on the doorman's chest.
"Go find me a designated driver. The rest is yours!"
"Yes, thank you, sir!"