Assassin

Tang Deyou looked at the Great Elder, speaking with some concern. "We need to be cautious about this. We can't let the Chen Family catch us with any more evidence."

The Great Elder smirked wickedly. "Relax, I'll find someone to handle it cleanly. I want Yang Lingtian to vanish from this world without a trace."

"He ruined our plans—death is too good for him."

Yang Lingtian had spent the past several days inside the Weapon Workshop, guiding Wang Tie Zhu in forging weapons day and night.

Finally, after half a month, Wang Tie Zhu's forging skill had reached the standard of a top-tier apprentice, fully capable of taking on the task of overseeing weapon quality.

Yang Lingtian also breathed a sigh of relief. For half a month, he hadn't cultivated at all, instead devoting all his time to instructing Wang Tie Zhu.

Now, as long as he returned to report to his Foster Father, he could finally step down from the heavy responsibility of Chief Artifact Refiner.

At last, he stepped out of the Weapon Workshop and set off on the road back to Chen Manor.

As he turned into a corner, a Flying Needle suddenly shot toward Yang Lingtian.

Fortunately, his reflexes were quick, and he barely managed to dodge by executing the Flowing Cloud Wind Movement technique.

At that moment, a surprised voice rang out.

"Who would have thought a mere Qi Refining Level 7 like you could evade my attack."

"A Movement Martial Skill—definitely a Movement Martial Skill. A mere Qi Refining Stage cultivator actually trained in a Movement Martial Skill."

A Black-Clad Man appeared before Yang Lingtian, radiating the aura of a Foundation Establishment Realm expert.

At the same time, a glint of greed and excitement flickered in his eyes, as if he had stumbled upon some astonishing treasure.

Yang Lingtian's expression turned grim as he demanded, "Who are you? Why are you attacking me?"

"A dignified Foundation Establishment expert ambushing a Qi Refining Stage cultivator like me—aren't you ashamed? Aren't you afraid of ruining your reputation?"

The Black-Clad Man sneered. "I'm just doing a job for money. I've been waiting for you for a long time."

"That movement technique you just used was impressive. Hand over that martial skill, and I'll let you die a quick death."

Yang Lingtian sneered back. "Hmph, if you want it, come and take it yourself!"

The Black-Clad Man was enraged. "Arrogant brat! You think dodging one attack makes you my match?"

"I'll show you the vast gap between a Foundation Establishment expert and a Qi Refining cultivator."

Facing the Black-Clad Man's threat, Yang Lingtian's expression was tense, but his tone remained firm.

"Whether I'm your match or not, you're welcome to try!"

The Black-Clad Man's eyes turned cold. His figure vanished from the spot in an instant, leaving only a black afterimage.

Suddenly, a sharp Sword Qi appeared behind Yang Lingtian.

Sensing it, Yang Lingtian once again used his movement technique to evade, then spun around, drew his Spirit Sword, and executed the Hundred Shadow Cold Sword, unleashing a fierce Sword Qi.

It collided violently with the opponent's Sword Qi, the two forces clashing against each other.

Yang Lingtian was knocked back repeatedly, barely able to steady himself.

He was pushed back over ten meters before finally stopping, his originally calm face turning noticeably pale.

After all, the gap between Yang Lingtian and a Foundation Establishment Early Stage expert was still far too great.

If not for the boost from his Spirit Sword and his mastery of two martial skills, he would have been killed by that single sword strike.

"A Spirit Sword—looks like your status in the Chen Family is no ordinary one, to be equipped with a Spirit Sword." The Black-Clad Man said in surprise.

"A mere Qi Refining cultivator like you can't unleash the full power of a Low-Grade Spirit Sword. Hand it over to me."

The Black-Clad Man revealed a greedy look.

"That strike you used to block me just now was indeed stronger than the average Qi Refining Level 9, but you're still far from a Foundation Establishment expert."

"I advise you to surrender obediently. Even with a Spirit Sword's boost, you're no match for me."

Yang Lingtian said nothing, instead fully channeling his own power.

Then, he activated the Flowing Cloud Wind Movement and the Hundred Shadow Cold Sword technique, charging straight at the Black-Clad Man.

The two figures began to clash repeatedly in the air, the battle growing increasingly fierce.

At this point, both Yang Lingtian's speed and power were infinitely close to that of a Foundation Establishment Early Stage expert.

Yet he was facing a genuine Foundation Establishment Early Stage expert, and from the start, he was at a disadvantage.

Yang Lingtian kept swinging and thrusting his sword, while using his movement technique to dodge attacks continuously. For a time, the opponent couldn't defeat him quickly.

The more the Black-Clad Man fought, the more shocked he became. He never expected Yang Lingtian to be able to unleash strength close to that of a Foundation Establishment expert.

And that bizarre movement technique kept causing his attacks to miss again and again.

The Black-Clad Man grew furious. He began to channel his full power, going all out.

He suppressed Yang Lingtian completely.

Bang!

In the end, Yang Lingtian failed to dodge one attack. He was sent flying violently, crashing to the ground, spitting blood.

"For you to have fought me to this extent is already quite impressive."

"But you're still no Foundation Establishment expert—today, you won't escape death!" the Black-Clothed Man snarled.

Yang Lingtian staggered to his feet, sneering, "Hmph, I really can't beat you, but killing me won't be that easy either."

"Watch my final move—Hundred Swords Convergence!"

With his fierce shout, an even more powerful aura erupted from his body.

He swung his spirit sword, forming a dazzling blade of light.

All his strength surged into the spirit sword, shooting forth with that streak of radiance.

The Black-Clothed Man's pupils dilated—he could feel that this strike had truly reached the level of a Foundation Establishment expert's blow.

He hurriedly swung his own sword, channeling his power to block this mighty attack.

Boom.

The Black-Clothed Man was sent flying by the impact.

Seizing the chance, Yang Lingtian activated his Movement Technique, Flowing Cloud Wind Movement, and fled swiftly.

By the time the Black-Clothed Man steadied himself, Yang Lingtian had already escaped far into the distance.

That strike hadn't dealt much damage to the Black-Clothed Man, but it bought Yang Lingtian a window to run.

The Black-Clothed Man could only watch helplessly as Yang Lingtian got away, fury and resentment burning in his eyes.

A trace of shock lingered too—he hadn't expected a Qi Refining Level 7 to unleash such a powerful blow.

And a wave of shame welled up inside him—he'd let a Qi Refining Stage cultivator slip through his fingers.

"Damn it, I failed—that brat got away."

"Who'd have thought he was a freak who could fight above his level, with that many trump cards?"

"A Low-Grade Spirit Sword and a martial skill—rare finds—such a pity to miss that chance!"

"And without finishing the job, how do I face the Employer..."

Since Yang Lingtian had fled into the bustling city, even if he caught up, he couldn't make a move there.

Meanwhile, Tang Deyou and the Great Elder were waiting for the Black-Clothed Man's good news.

It was Tang Deyou who'd tipped off the Black-Clothed Man about Yang Lingtian's whereabouts.

"Rest assured, Patriarch—Yang Lingtian is as good as dead this time. I spent a fortune to hire a Foundation Establishment Realm Assassin."

"A waste at Qi Refining Stage can't possibly escape a Foundation Establishment Assassin's kill." The Great Elder said with absolute confidence.

Tang Deyou also believed Yang Lingtian had no way out this time, a smug grin spreading across his face.

"If Yang Lingtian really is a First-Rank Artifact Refiner, then the Chen Family's about to lose another precious Artifact Refiner."

Just as they were gloating, the Black-Clothed Man returned.

Tang Deyou and the Great Elder stood up, walking over with eager anticipation. "How'd it go? Clean job—no one noticed?"

"I messed up. He got away." The Black-Clothed Man said bluntly.

"What? Got away?" Tang Deyou's smile vanished, replaced by shock.

"What's going on? I gave you a ton of Spirit Stones, and you let him escape?" The Great Elder Tang Defa's face also darkened.

"My mistake, but your intel was off too." The Black-Clothed Man explained.

"Yang Lingtian's only at Qi Refining Level 7, but going all out, his strength's close to a Foundation Establishment Early Stage expert."

"He's mastered a powerful sword technique and a bizarre Movement Technique, plus he's boosted by a spirit sword—I couldn't land a one-hit kill."

"And since we're inside the city, I didn't dare pursue. If it were outside, he'd be dead for sure."

Tang Deyou and Tang Defa were deeply shaken by this.

A Qi Refining Level 7 cultivator could unleash power close to Foundation Establishment Early Stage?

They couldn't believe it—even with a Low-Grade Spirit Sword's boost, his strength shouldn't skyrocket that much.

"Also, his aura reads as Qi Refining Level 7, but I faintly noticed his Spiritual Power is purer than most Qi Refining Level 8 cultivators."

"I think that's why he can put out such strong force." The Black-Clothed Man added.

Tang Deyou and the Great Elder Tang Defa fell into deep thought.

They realized Yang Lingtian wasn't so simple.

The former wastrel had not only become a First-Rank Artifact Refiner overnight but also carried so many secrets.

It made them increasingly suspect that Yang Lingtian had stumbled upon some great fortune.

Maybe he'd even inherited a powerful expert's legacy.

"This kid has changed too much—like a completely different person." Tang Deyou narrowed his eyes, muttering inwardly.

"His strength's shot up so fast in such a short time—definitely a big opportunity. I have to dig it out."

By now, Yang Lingtian had returned to Chen Manor and told his Foster Father about the assassination.

"What? A Foundation Establishment Assassin? They sent a Foundation Establishment killer after a Qi Refining Level 7?" Chen Zhengqing's face filled with shock.

Normally, an assassination target at Qi Refining Level 7 wouldn't require a Foundation Establishment expert to make a move.

That would be overkill!

It showed that the other side truly valued this, sending a Foundation Establishment Assassin just to be safe.

Unfortunately, that one-in-a-million chance still happened.

"Lingtian, are you alright? How did you escape?" Chen Zhengqing then asked with concern.

He immediately checked Yang Lingtian's body and found he had only suffered minor injuries.

For someone at Qi Refining Level 7 to escape from a Foundation Establishment expert without serious harm was astonishing.

"I held them off for a bit, then took the chance to flee into a busy area. The Assassin didn't dare keep chasing," Yang Lingtian explained.

Still, this surprised Chen Zhengqing. For an ordinary Qi Refining Level 7 expert, a Foundation Establishment expert could kill them with a casual strike—there wouldn't even be time to react and run.

That Yang Lingtian managed to escape meant his true strength was far more than just Qi Refining Level 7.