This seems to be true essence projection? But isn’t this an ability only martial artists of sixth rank and above possess? How could it appear in an inner sect disciple?

“You are—”

He stared fixedly at the refined young man before him, and at the blue mark between the man’s brows, suddenly recalling someone.

Then a chill shot straight from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, making his whole body shudder.

This person is the Bloodwind Sword, Matthew Thompson!

A most-wanted criminal pursued by the court—why would he be in the library of Zhengyang Martial Hall?

Just as this thought flashed through the stubbly youth’s mind, his arms and legs were wrenched backward by a tremendous force, producing a crisp cracking sound.

The incomparable pain instantly shattered his thoughts, making him let out a heartrending scream.

The rising and falling wails not only left the many inner sect disciples on the first floor shocked and bewildered, but also left Henry Owen, who was hiding in that narrow corridor, utterly confused.

Henry Owen was filled with suspicion—could these guys be playing some trick, trying to lure him out?

But then he thought, with so many of them, there was no need for such a ploy, so he followed the sound and walked over.

When Henry Owen reached the corner, he cautiously poked his head out, and was immediately stunned.

He saw the nine youths sprawled all over the floor at the stairway, their arms and legs bent at unnatural angles, completely motionless.

What’s going on?

Could these guys be dead? Who did this?

Henry Owen looked around, but saw no one nearby.

After hesitating for a long while, he finally stepped forward.

Once he got closer, Henry Owen realized that although these youths were unconscious, they were still faintly breathing.

But their injuries were extremely severe—their arms and legs were all broken, and in the worst way: comminuted fractures.

Just as Henry Owen was about to poke one of the stout youths with his stick to turn him over, he heard a flurry of footsteps coming from the stairway.

Henry Owen turned his head and saw several martial instructor teachers leading a group of people running up from below.

Before these people even stepped out of the stairwell, their faces froze in shock.

They glanced at the nine unconscious youths on the ground, then all looked at Henry Owen with expressions of shock and fear.

Chapter 9: Blood Sea Drifting

“Uh—”

Henry Owen stared blankly at the crowd at the stairway.

Are they going to think he did this?

That would be a huge injustice!

Henry Owen instinctively tried to hide the stick behind his back, but then realized that would only make him look more suspicious.

He didn’t want to take the blame, and was preparing to explain himself, when suddenly a brilliant firework exploded in his field of vision.

Henry Owen focused his attention and found that although his reputation bar hadn’t changed—it was still Lower Ninth Rank (Real)—his martial points had inexplicably increased from 5 to 11.

Henry Owen blinked in surprise.

He couldn’t figure out why this happened, but could there be some benefit to taking the blame?

Just then, the crowd pouring out of the stairway erupted in an uproar.

“No wonder they were screaming so miserably—their limbs are all broken. Are they even still alive?”

“Was it this guy? No way, he took down so many people by himself?”

“Who else could it be but him? His name is Henry Owen, and I heard his blade skills are already at Lower Ninth Rank, but I didn’t expect him to be this formidable.”

“He’s ruthless, all right. Yesterday he nearly chopped off Young Master Long’s hand.”

Everyone was whispering among themselves, and some of the timid ones didn’t even dare meet Henry Owen’s gaze.

Only a black-faced martial instructor glared coldly at Henry Owen: “Were you the one who injured these people? Isn’t that a bit too vicious?”

“May I ask, teacher, which of your eyes saw me hurt anyone? Do you have any real evidence?”

Henry Owen grinned broadly, showing not a hint of respect: “I don’t know who injured them, but teacher, you’d best ask the hall master or a few of the head instructors to come and see for themselves.”

Even if there was some benefit to taking the blame, he wasn’t about to be a scapegoat for no reason.

Something was clearly off here.

But he noticed the teachers across from him looked a bit uneasy, as if they were feeling guilty or afraid.

Henry Owen thought for a moment and understood why.

They really believed he was the one who did this.

They were worried that if things got out of hand, they’d be implicated.

The hall master, Brian Reed, was an inner sect disciple of the Wuxiang Divine Sect sent to the martial hall for training. His sole focus was to cultivate some outstanding talents to help him return to the sect and rise even higher.

If he heard about this, he would be furious.

Anyone who had taken money from the Long family would be in serious trouble.

As for the so-called Long family of the inner city, in front of the Wuxiang Divine Sect, they were nothing but dust at one’s feet.

The black-faced martial instructor’s expression kept changing.

If these nine weren’t injured by Henry Owen, then who? This kid’s words were just excuses!

Just as the instructor was at a loss for what to do, suddenly the ground and the entire building shook violently.

Many people present lost their balance and fell to the floor.