Assassination! The Strange Chain Artifact!

After parting ways with Commander Liu and the others, Gu Cheng didn't rush back to his lodging.

He mounted his Flood Dragon Horse, letting it carry him as he ambled through the streets and alleys of Iron Cloud City.

Ever since he had swiftly annihilated the three major gangs, this "City of Night," once filled with bloodshed and slaughter, seemed to have transformed.

The gang members had long since fled in terror or dispersed. Even the usually arrogant martial artists who reveled in conflict had curbed their overbearing demeanor.

The streets, once a constant scene of clashing blades, had surprisingly found a rare moment of peace, exuding a long-lost sense of everyday life that brought a feeling of tranquility.

The Flood Dragon Horse moved slowly, and Gu Cheng, savoring the rare tranquility around him, found his mind filled with a myriad of thoughts.

The appearance of those two colleagues from the Demon Suppression Bureau was, for him, perfectly timed.

With them investigating the City Lord's mansion, it saved him considerable effort.

Moreover, one of them was a Grandmaster of Body Refinement, and the other possessed a rare treasure. Even if they encountered danger, they should be able to retreat safely, so he didn't need to worry too much.

However, with the Demon Suppression Bureau's involvement, the fanatics of the Rebirth Sect would surely resort to desperate measures.

Tonight's Iron Cloud City was destined to be anything but peaceful...

"When that time comes, it will be my cue to harvest lifespans."

Thinking this, a cold smile couldn't help but spread across Gu Cheng's lips.

The daylight in winter was always exceptionally short.

Gu Cheng had ridden his Flood Dragon Horse around the city for two hours when the sun slowly began to set, and night quietly descended.

Shops along the streets gradually lit their lanterns. The dim, yellow light swayed in the cold wind, adding a touch of warmth to the city that was about to fall asleep.

Just as Gu Cheng was preparing to return to his lodging, a chilling killing intent suddenly locked onto him.

This killing intent was completely undisguised, outrageously bold.

Like a hunter baring its fangs in the darkness, it gleamed with a bloodthirsty coldness, high-profilely declaring to its prey:

[I'm coming to kill you!]

"Interesting..."

A playful curve formed on Gu Cheng's lips, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

The intelligence he had previously received about the Rebirth Sect colluding with the Evil King Pavilion flashed through his mind, and he had already guessed the identity of his pursuer.

He dismounted, gently patted the Flood Dragon Horse's head, signaling it to return home on its own.

The next moment, his figure shot up from the ground, transforming into a stream of black light. Amidst the shocked gazes of the surrounding passersby, he vanished into the night sky of Iron Cloud City.

Swish—

The sound of air being split cut through the silence of the night. Gu Cheng, like a black owl, soared through the sky at an astonishing speed, disappearing several miles away in the blink of an eye.

However, the chilling killing intent clung to him like a persistent curse, following him like a shadow.

"Such speed..."

Gu Cheng felt a slight surprise. His Carefree Wind Riding Art was already top-tier in terms of speed, yet his pursuer could still keep up. Clearly, their movement technique was equally formidable; this person was no ordinary foe.

A fighting spirit ignited in his eyes. He deliberately slowed down, luring the pursuer outside the city to a desolate mountain forest.

The moon was dark, the wind was high, and the trees cast dancing shadows.

The biting cold wind howled like ghosts, playing the prelude to the impending slaughter.

Gu Cheng landed in a clearing, standing with his hands behind his back, quietly awaiting the arrival of his prey.

The night wind rustled his robes, making a crackling sound, like the whisper of death, heralding an imminent storm of blood and violence.

The next instant.

A pitch-black figure appeared before him, as silent as a ghost.

A black robe and hood concealed the attacker's face, revealing only a pair of cold eyes that flickered with indifferent killing intent.

"Why aren't you running anymore?"

A cold female voice came from beneath the mask, devoid of any emotion.

"Running?"

Gu Cheng chuckled and shook his head.

"I was merely choosing a suitable burial ground for you."

Before he could finish speaking, his eyes flashed red, and the Blazing Light Divine Ability was instantly activated!

Swish—

Two crimson high-temperature beams shot out like lightning, severing the black-robed assassin's "body" and several trees ten yards behind her!

The terrifying heat instantly ignited the cut surfaces of the trees, and fierce flames soared into the sky, illuminating half the night.

However, in the reflection of the flames, the black-robed assassin's afterimage slowly dissipated, while her true form remained unharmed, suspended in mid-air.

"A decent divine ability, but unfortunately, too slow."

The black-robed assassin's voice remained cold, and a hint of blood flashed in her dark eyes.

A three-zhang long black chain appeared out of thin air, hovering beside her. It moved unpredictably like a spiritual snake, entwined with vengeful spirits and exuding a chilling, evil aura.

"Soul Hooking Chain?"

Gu Cheng's eyebrows shot up. His gaze swept over the distinctive weapon, and he had his answer.

The assassin before him, cloaked in black with a spectral figure, was indeed the notorious Ninth Destiny of the Evil King Pavilion!

He just never expected that the arrogant and ruthless individual who dared to assassinate a prodigy of the Demon Suppression Bureau in Chongshan County would actually be a woman.

However, whether male or female made no difference to Gu Cheng.

He had promised the Xiao siblings he would avenge their family's deep-seated hatred.

Since he had run into them today, he would settle this matter now!

A sharp killing intent flashed in Gu Cheng's eyes as he reached out.

Vigorous blood fiend energy surged from his body like a volcanic eruption, rapidly condensing into a four-foot-long blood-colored saber in his palm.

Before the blade even arrived, its chilling aura sliced through the surrounding air, making it hum.

Holding the Futuo Treasure Saber, Gu Cheng unleashed an aerial slash towards the black-clothed figure in mid-air!

Swish—

A ten-zhang long saber energy, like a roaring blood dragon, charged towards the Ninth Destiny with world-destroying might.

Facing this terrifying strike, capable of obliterating high-level Innate Realm great demons in a single blow.

The Ninth Destiny's eyes remained unflickering as her hands moved swiftly, black light flashing at her fingertips.

"Buzz—"

The originally dark Soul Hooking Chain erupted with malevolent light, its links expanding and multiplying in length several times over in an instant.

It then shot out like a spiritual snake, striking faster than the incoming attack, tightly coiling around the blood fiend saber energy!

"Crush!"

The Ninth Destiny let out a cold shout. The Soul Hooking Chain tightened with a snap, and the terrifying blood-colored saber energy was brutally crushed, exploding into a sky full of blood fiend energy!

Boom!

Blood fiend energy and saber energy raged, instantly leveling the nearby forest. Dust flew, trees splintered, and the scene was left in ruins.

"What a peculiar weapon..."

Gu Cheng frowned slightly. In all his battles against countless enemies, this was the first time he had encountered such an unholy weapon.

Before he could ponder further, the Ninth Destiny performed another hand seal.

The wildly dancing Soul Hooking Chain connected end-to-end, forming a bizarre ring in mid-air. Amidst swirling ghostly energy, it was as if a gateway to the underworld had opened!

"Hehehehe—"

Amidst piercing wails of ghosts, countless vengeful spirits and specters poured out from the ring.

Carrying bone-chilling winds and nauseating stench, they charged madly towards Gu Cheng!