’It’s actually him?!’

Yan Pingchuan’s heart jolted, a sense of absurdity washing over him.

’A kid who’s barely started Cross-Training, not even eighteen years old, actually dared to venture deep into Jingmao Warehouse to assassinate me all by himself?!’

And judging by that last attack, he almost succeeded.

’Not only is this kid audacious, but he’s also this skilled? Was Wind Shadow Hall’s previous inaction just a ruse?’

Yan Pingchuan’s perception of Zhao Xuanqi had completely changed.

However, now that he had dodged the most dangerous surprise attack, the kid’s entire operation was a complete failure!

’In a direct confrontation, there’s no way I’ll lose to him!’

’Even Liu Changfeng of the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall couldn’t kill me one-on-one!’

BOOM!!

He abruptly circulated his Qi and Blood. His two somewhat gaunt arms were instantly enveloped in a Qi Surge, swelling in size. A terrifying, murderous glint flickered in his eyes as he stared at Zhao Xuanqi.

’Perfect. If I kill him, I can get even greater benefits and rewards from Director Pete!’

SWOOSH!

Just then, Zhao Xuanqi moved. His first strike having failed, he took the initiative and attacked again.

His arms dropped, pliant as whips. With a light push of his feet, his body shot forward.

For a moment, even Yan Pingchuan had the illusion that a giant white ape was leaping over a thicket to pounce on him.

’Not Tiger Form?’

In that split second, his mind couldn’t process anything else. He had no reason to back down from Zhao Xuanqi.

Wielding his two-foot short sword, he met Zhao Xuanqi’s attack head-on!

TWANG!!

As he took a step, his body actually made a sound like a releasing bowstring. He shot forward like an arrow loosed from the bow, his speed incredible.

Simultaneously, he coiled his elbows, waist, and back, as if drawing a massive bow.

His muscles and fascia stretched taut, storing a terrifying amount of potential energy.

The moment he unleashed his attack...

TWANG! TWANG! TWANG! TWANG!

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

The sounds of releasing bowstrings mingled with the ear-piercing shriek of the short sword cutting through the air. Under the room’s light, countless blurry afterimages flickered, like phantoms bursting forth from the Underworld. They stabbed from every bizarre angle imaginable, enveloping Zhao Xuanqi.

Ghost Gate Thirteen Swords!

This was the Secret Transmission that had made Yan Pingchuan famous!

It was an exceptionally vicious and brutal Killing Sword Technique. The entire Secret Transmission was dedicated to increasing a Martial Artist’s striking speed. By attacking the opponent with incredible velocity and from bizarre angles, the user created a cascade of sword-shadows. It was as if the wielder had opened the Ghost Gate itself, releasing ravenous Fierce Ghosts to devour their prey—hence the name "Ghost Gate"!

Therefore, Martial Artists who practiced this Swordsmanship, in pursuit of ever-faster strikes, were often lean and wiry, having trained away any muscle or fat that might hinder their movements.

Furthermore, Yan Pingchuan had been secretly cultivated by the Jili Empire and enhanced by a Secret Medicine. The strength and elasticity of his ligaments far surpassed that of an ordinary person, allowing him to take his Swordsmanship to even greater heights!

Even a gifted Martial Arts Hall True Inheritance like Liu Changfeng had suffered a major disadvantage in his first clash with the man. He had sustained at least three sword wounds and only managed to severely injure and repel Yan Pingchuan by relying on his overwhelmingly powerful physique.

Still, this proved Yan Pingchuan’s extraordinary power. He was strong enough to pose a real threat to the True Inheritance disciples of the three major Martial Arts Halls.

However, facing the assault of countless phantom-like sword shadows, Zhao Xuanqi’s eyes showed no trace of fear.

On the contrary, the crimson hue within them only deepened.

In that instant, he seemed to forget himself.

He had completely become an ape.

Dwelling in the mountains, feasting on the essence of the sun and moon, swallowing the Qi of clouds and mist, wielding branches as swords, and sparring with the wind.

Cleaving clouds, parting mist, catching the wind, and grasping at shadows!

This was the Immortal Ape!

Air currents, the sound of breathing, the sense of danger...

Hundred Beasts’ Intent, fully unleashed!

Zhao Xuanqi had obtained intelligence on Yan Pingchuan’s Secret Transmission before the operation began. After all, the man had fought Liu Changfeng head-on, so the characteristics of his technique were hardly a secret.

A Killing Sword Technique known for extreme speed and bizarre angles. Physical talents enhanced by a Secret Medicine. A boost to his Physical Ability from a higher Training Method realm.

An attack combining all these traits would indeed be difficult to evade completely.

’But I don’t need to evade it completely.’

Yan Pingchuan had a fatal weakness: while the Ghost Gate Thirteen Swords was devastatingly lethal, its focus on speed came at the cost of physical strength and defense.

Facing the countless ghost-like sword strikes, Zhao Xuanqi moved.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!!

His two dagger-wielding arms lashed out like long whips, also blurring into countless afterimages under the light.

He met the swordplay head-on!

In an instant, both of their arms seemed to vanish under the lights, leaving only a constant flicker of countless shadows and cold glints of steel.

The scalp-tingling sounds of sharp blades slicing through the air and metal striking metal would make anyone’s blood pressure spike and adrenaline surge.

SLICE! SLICE! SLICE!!

The sound of blades slicing through skin rang out. In an instant, three or four new gashes appeared on Zhao Xuanqi’s body, blood spraying from the wounds.

Yet, Zhao Xuanqi’s assault didn’t pause for a moment.

Instead, a chill was creeping into Yan Pingchuan’s heart.

’Why?! Why?!’

’I’m always just short?! Just by a hair’s breadth?!’

’He’s clearly not as fast as I am, so how is he dodging? How is he attacking? What in the world is this Swordsmanship?!’

He knew perfectly well that those wounds were superficial and wouldn’t cause Zhao Xuanqi any real harm. Instead, his opponent was continuously redirecting his attacks, controlling his rhythm. The more he attacked, the more a sense of powerlessness welled up from deep within him.

He felt like prey caught in a spider’s web, becoming more entangled with every struggle.

Amid the clash, his eyes met Zhao Xuanqi’s. In those crimson depths, he saw only utter indifference and overwhelming killing intent.

ZING!!

Suddenly, a cold glint of light, like a flicker of inspiration, pierced through his web of swords from an utterly unbelievable angle.

SQUELCH!

A dagger plunged into his throat, and all his movements came to an abrupt halt.

An expression of utter disbelief spread across Yan Pingchuan’s gaunt face. He gurgled, trying to say something.

Zhao Xuanqi violently twisted the dagger, shredding the man’s throat. Simultaneously, he swung his arm in a horizontal slash.

SLICE!

Half of Yan Pingchuan’s neck was sliced open by the blade. Even for someone at the peak of Cross-Training, without the protection of powerful muscles and a Qi Surge, weak points were still not invulnerable to blades!

Scalding blood burst forth like a fountain, instantly spraying across half the room. The crimson specks looked like countless plum blossoms in full bloom.

Zhao Xuanqi was no fool. He had devised this plan because he was confident of his success.

First, Yan Pingchuan specialized in a Killing Sword Technique, but his own physique and defenses were weak. This was precisely the type of opponent Zhao Xuanqi was best equipped to handle.

Second, he knew the details of Yan Pingchuan’s Secret Transmission, while Yan Pingchuan knew nothing about him. It was a battle of the prepared against the unaware.

Gazing at Yan Pingchuan’s body on the floor, his eyes wide in death, Zhao Xuanqi took a deep breath, feeling the sting of several cuts on his skin.

The exchange had lasted less than ten seconds, but only he truly understood the immense danger it had held.

Between masters, a hair’s breadth separates life from death.

Zhao Xuanqi took a short whistle from his clothes, put it to his lips, and blew hard.

TWEEET!!

The shrill sound of the whistle carried far into the distance.