Chapter 40: Another Assassination Attempt

"It is the Black and White Impermanence." Yu Qi immediately recognized the silver needles flying in from all sides, his brow furrowing.

While swinging his sword to deflect the needles, he pulled Mu Qingnan backward.

The other man was also under attack by the assassins from the Ghost Gate. He raised his sword, which was gradually being covered in frost, and an intensely cold aura rose from the blade.

As the silver needles entered the perimeter of his reach, they were instantly coated in frost; the tiny needles were transformed into thick, heavy ice spikes.

The ice spikes seemed to encounter an invisible resistance, slowing down significantly. By the time they neared the man, they had lost all momentum and fell to the ground.

In contrast, Yu Qi did not have it so easy. Every needle shot his way carried immense force, and each time he parried with his sword, a violent impact surged through the blade, forcing him to take several steps back.

It was clear that these attackers were far stronger than those who had attempted to assassinate them last time.

After blocking all the needles, the man cast a cold glance at Yu Qi's side, then leaped into the fruit grove.

The Ghost Gate assassins intended to pursue, but were stopped by a man wearing a conical bamboo hat. "Do not pursue. The target is what matters."

The others remembered their objective and immediately turned to attack Yu Qi and Mu Qingnan.

Yu Qi looked cautious. Standing back-to-back with Mu Qingnan, he faced the enemies surrounding them. He assessed the situation and said nervously, "Qingnan, these people are all at least Ninth-Rank assassins. Be careful."

Mu Qingnan was undeniably nervous, but more than that, he was bewildered. Who could he have possibly offended to trigger repeated bounties issued through the Ghost Gate?

However, this was not the time for deep thought; he had to survive.

Before the Ghost Gate, nine deaths for one life!

To reach the Ninth-Rank within the Ghost Gate, one's strength was at least comparable to Yu Qi’s before he had attained the state of "Observing the Micro."

Even so, Yu Qi did not dare to be complacent, as a state of mind only represented a method of attack; if the opponent possessed superior martial arts techniques, Yu Qi could still be defeated.

Moreover, behind them stood the man in the conical hat. The aura he exuded was even more terrifying; it was likely his strength had already reached the "Front" rank.

A surge of fighting spirit suddenly emanated from behind Yu Qi. A radiance rapidly traced through Mu Qingnan’s eyes, and the surrounding space began to distort.

Golden threads appeared in the air, and several spectral soldiers manifested. Among them was one clad in iron armor, its fighting spirit even more intense than the rest.

"Kill!" the man in the hat shouted. The surrounding figures in black robes drew their weapons and charged. The man himself prowled the perimeter, ready to deliver a fatal blow the moment anyone showed a moment of carelessness.

Yu Qi held his sword, channeling his strength to its limit. He raised his blade, clashing against a hammer that came crashing down. A massive force slammed into him, making his sword-wielding arm sink. Before he could recover, the surface of the hammer turned a searing red, glowing like two fireballs. The intense heat stung Yu Qi's face.

The others engaged with the soldiers Mu Qingnan had summoned. Only the specter that had attained the rank of Centurion remained idle for a moment, then leaped through the air, its translucent form descending to shield Mu Qingnan.

At this moment, Mu Qingnan had transformed into a warrior covered in golden iron armor; he had become the Centurion himself.

Su Dongli watched the scene quietly from his hiding spot in the forest. He was in no rush. He had spotted the Ghost Gate assassins lurking in the woods long before. Even the man in the conical hat was relatively weak compared to him, and he was confident he could save Yu Qi and Mu Qingnan if their lives were in danger.

There was no faster way to improve one's strength than through life-and-death combat. Mu Qingnan’s strength was simply too low; he needed tempering, and this was an excellent opportunity.

Now as the Centurion, Mu Qingnan stepped forward, reaching to his waist to draw a curved blade befitting his rank. He swung his arm with force, the blade carving a golden arc through the air as it slashed down at an enemy.

Seeing the attack, the enemy extended three sharp claws from his left hand to block the blade, while simultaneously extending three more from his right.

With a "whoosh," the claws raked across Mu Qingnan’s midsection. Three deep gouges appeared on the Centurion’s iron armor. Mu Qingnan felt a stabbing pain in his abdomen, and the force of the blow pushed him backward. He glanced at his stomach, cold sweat beading on his forehead. Had it not been for the armor, he would have been gutted.

Seeing this opening, the man in the conical hat struck. A cold glimmer flashed in his hand, and a silver needle flew toward the damaged section of the armor with terrifying speed. Given the breach in the iron plating, it would be unable to withstand the force of the man's strike.

"Qingnan, look out!" Yu Qi noticed the situation and tried to help, but the fireball-like hammer kept him pinned. In that moment of distraction, he was nearly struck in the face.

Hearing Yu Qi’s shout, Mu Qingnan looked up just in time to see the silver needle flying toward his abdomen. It was so fast that, with his current strength, he could not possibly dodge it.

Su Dongli, hidden in the shadows, also noticed. His expression shifted, and he vanished from his spot.

A moment later, he appeared in front of Mu Qingnan. Su Dongli’s fingers moved rapidly; just before the needle could pierce Mu Qingnan’s stomach, he pinched it between two fingers. With a light flick, he sent the needle flying back toward the man in the conical hat.

The man’s brow tightened. The moment he saw the old man, he knew he was no match for him, as the elder’s speed far exceeded his own. As the needle returned, the man drew a blood-red dagger. In a split second, he slashed horizontally, intercepting the needle.

He immediately retreated. "Retreat!"

Having issued the command, he was the first to flee into the forest.

"When you discover your strength is inferior to your enemy, run!" This was the lesson taught to the man in the conical hat the moment he entered the Ghost Gate.