The night deepened into a cold, suffocating stillness.
Outside Lian Hong's room, the wind died.The insects stopped.Even the bamboo grove fell silent.
An unnatural silence—one that only arrived when prey and predator were alone.
Lian Hong stepped away from the corpse of the first assassin, wiping blood from his knuckles.His breathing was calm.His mind sharp.
But the system's warning echoed in his thoughts:
[New Threat Detected:Intermediate Assassin – Qi Gathering (Late Stage).]
He knew this one would be different.
The first assassin was only a test—a disposable pawn to gauge defenses.The second assassin was the true blade.
Lian Hong turned toward the window.
The darkness outside seemed thicker, heavier.
Watching.
Waiting.
He spoke without raising his voice:
"Come out."
Silence.
But his instincts screamed.
So he moved.
Just one step.
And a needle sliced through the air where his throat had been.
Silent.Precise.Deadly.
THWIP!
It embedded into the wooden pillar, smoking faintly with poison.
A voice drifted in.
Smooth.Calm.Deadly.
"Impressive reflexes."
A figure emerged from the darkness.
No sound accompanied his steps.Not even the rustle of fabric.
He wore a black mask covering his lower face, leaving only icy eyes visible—eyes devoid of emotion, devoid of mercy.
He studied Lian Hong.
"You killed the first one quickly.That spares me the trouble of cleaning up."
Lian Hong said nothing.
He read the assassin's qi—densedeeprefined.
Stronger than Hong Feng.Stronger than Li Fengxia.Possibly equal to Chen Wuyou.
This was a true killer.
The man tilted his head.
"You fought well today.Wei Changbai did not lie—you are… extraordinary."
Lian Hong's eyes darkened.
"So he sent you."
The assassin didn't deny it.
"A problem must be solved at the source.You understand."
His fingers brushed the hilt of a slender blade at his side.
Then—
the assassin vanished.
Not moved.
Vanished.
The First Exchange
Lian Hong's system screamed a warning.
[Danger Level: Critical]
He ducked—
A blade sliced past his cheek, cold enough to numb the skin.
Another slash followed instantly—aiming at his spine.
Lian Hong twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding it.
Fast.Too fast.
He landed and felt the floor tremble.
A boot struck him in the ribs from the side—
CRACK!
The blow launched him into the wall.
Splinters exploded around him as he hit hard.
The assassin landed silently, eyes calm.
"Your reaction speed is admirable."He raised the blade."But you're two realms below me."
Lian Hong pushed himself up, coughing blood.
Two realms…?No.Just one.
He wiped his mouth.
"I've killed people stronger."
The assassin's brows twitched.
"Lies."
He blurred again.
Lian Hong braced himself.
But the assassin didn't strike physically—he flicked three fingers.
THWIP! THWIP! THWIP!
Three poisoned needles shot toward Lian Hong from different angles.
Lian Hong moved—
Shadowstep ignited under his feet—
and he slipped between them by a hair.
But the assassin anticipated this.
His blade flashed again—
a killing arc aimed directly at Lian Hong's exposed flank.
It was perfect.
Unavoidable.
Lian Hong's eyes narrowed—
and he activated his passive.
〈Blood Surge Ignition〉
His injured body flushed with power.Muscles tightened.Pain dulled.Agility sharpened.
He spun, catching the blade with the reinforced bones of his left forearm.
CLANG!
Sparks lit up the room.
The assassin's eyes widened slightly.
"You caught it… with your arm?"
Lian Hong kicked him backward, forcing distance.
Blood ran down his arm—but it didn't matter.
He exhaled slowly.
"You're stronger than the one who came before."He lifted his fist."But strong doesn't mean invincible."
The assassin's eyes chilled.
"You think you can kill me?"
"No," Lian Hong answered."I know I can."
The Assassin Releases His Limit
The assassin's aura suddenly surged.
Terrifying pressure filled the room as he whispered:
"〈Ghostshadow Step〉."
He blurred—
And this time—
Lian Hong lost sight of him completely.
Not hidden.Not invisible.
Gone.
[Warning!Fatal strike incoming!]
Lian Hong reacted instantly—
blocking with both arms—
CRRRACK—!!
A strike landed that felt like a hammer made of steel and qi.It blasted him through the door, sending him tumbling across the courtyard stones.
He tasted blood.
But he stood.
Barely.
The assassin stepped calmly out of the shadows, blade dripping with qi.
"You should have stayed a servant."
He raised the dagger—
ready for the final blow.
Lian Hong's breathing slowed.
His senses sharpened.
His blood boiled.
The world contracted.
He muttered:
"Then let me show you…what a servant can become."
He clenched his fist.
A crimson aura exploded around him.
Breakthrough energy surged in his meridians.
The assassin's eyes widened.
"You—You're breaking through NOW—?!"
Lian Hong's voice echoed like a blade drawn from its sheath.
"Yes."
He was advancing—in the middle of a killing strike.