Final Exam, Assassination

After cultivating diligently at home for several days, Shangguan Ye finally awaited the Final Exam.

"Gold Five Stars. Cultivating with a Cultivation Method really is fast." Shangguan Ye took a bath and headed to school.

The training ground bustled with people. Shen Xiu led her class to the testing site.

"Students, this machine is used to test strength, and the Soul Crystal beside it tests Soul Power. You have three chances for the strength test, and your highest score will count," the testing teacher explained.

"Who wants to go first?" Shen Xiu asked.

"I'll go first." Shen Yue stepped forward with a disdainful expression.

Shen Yue assumed his stance and threw three punches, each exceeding 100. His Soul Power also exceeded one hundred.

"Shen Yue, Bronze One Star!"

"Not bad. Reaching Bronze One Star after only one semester." The academy leaders on the platform clicked their tongues in amazement.

"Next."

Nie Li, Xiao Ning'er, and the others all finished their tests. Because Xiao Ning'er had received Shangguan Ye's cells, her overall strength had directly broken through to Silver One Star.

Xiao Ning'er excitedly ran over to Shangguan Ye.

"Shangguan, I've reached Silver!" Xiao Ning'er said with a smile.

Shangguan Ye affectionately rubbed Xiao Ning'er's head.

"Very good. Keep it up. The Cultivation Method I got from Nie Li for you is pretty good, isn't it?"

"By the way, Shangguan, you haven't been tested yet. You should go take the test first," Xiao Ning'er reminded him.

"Alright."

Shangguan Ye walked over to the strength-testing machine and asked the teacher,

"Teacher, are there any other classes left to be tested?"

"No, your class is the last one." Though puzzled, the teacher answered patiently.

"Alright. Please have the students behind the machine move away."

"Uh... alright." The teacher led the students behind it away.

"Alright, you can begin."

Shangguan Ye gathered all the strength in his body into his right fist and punched the machine.

Boom!

The machine in front of him instantly fell apart, and even the ground behind it was blasted into a deep trench.

Gulp.

The teacher could not help swallowing. Now he understood why Shangguan Ye had asked him to clear the area. If anyone had been behind the machine just now, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

"Shangguan Ye is actually such a monster..." Ye Sheng was greatly shocked as he watched Shangguan Ye's performance from the platform.

"You can go test your Soul Power now." The teacher looked painfully at his shattered machine.

Shangguan Ye came before the Soul Crystal and reminded the teacher once more.

"Teacher, switch to a high-grade Soul Crystal. Otherwise, it'll explode."

The teacher froze, then looked toward Ye Sheng as if asking for his opinion. When Ye Sheng nodded, the teacher replaced it with a high-grade Soul Crystal.

Shangguan Ye reached out and touched the crystal. It radiated a dazzling golden light.

"Gold... Five Stars," the teacher said shakily.

!!!

The entire field was stunned.

No. Such a monster must be reported to Lord Ye Mo and the City Lord. He is beyond our ability to teach... Ye Sheng thought to himself.

Everyone present looked strangely at Shangguan Ye in the center of the field. Only Nie Li and the others were happy for him.

"You brat, we're still at Silver and Bronze, while you're almost Black Gold already." Nie Li threw an arm around Shangguan Ye's shoulder.

"Not too bad." Shangguan Ye shrugged.

"What are your plans for the upcoming break?" Shangguan Ye asked.

"Of course, we're all going home. Our families are just ordinary families, and we don't live in Glory City. But you and Xiao Ning'er can enjoy some time alone together," Nie Li teased.

Xiao Ning'er's face reddened.

"That... would be nice..." Xiao Ning'er murmured.

"Alright, everyone, get going." The crowd dispersed, each returning home. Yet from the shadows, a pair of eyes fixed itself on Shangguan Ye.

"A true monster indeed. But you'll be dead soon..."

Because Shangguan Ye and Xiao Ning'er had become engaged, the Winged Dragon Family and the Shangguan Family had been interacting frequently lately, with their business exchanges growing increasingly numerous. Shangguan Xun and the others were not home today.

The moment Shangguan Ye returned to the courtyard, he sensed something was wrong.

"Come out. Do I need to invite you?" Shangguan Ye said coldly.

Several Men in Black emerged from the shadows. Shangguan Ye sensed them out. They were all Black Gold Demon Spirit Masters, though none had surpassed three stars.

"Brat, your senses are sharp." The leading Man in Black advanced toward Shangguan Ye step by step.

"Someone paid for your life. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for being too conspicuous." The Man in Black suddenly lunged forward, reaching for Shangguan Ye's throat.

Almighty Push!

Just as the Man in Black was about to grab Shangguan Ye, a powerful repulsive force erupted from Shangguan Ye's body and forced him back.

"How is that possible? You can use a Battle Skill without fusing with a demon spirit?"

"Surprised? There's something even more surprising waiting for you."

Shangguan Ye created four Shadow Clones. The four clones appeared at the four corners of the courtyard and formed hand seals simultaneously.

Four Violet Flames Formation!

A black-violet cubic barrier enveloped the courtyard.

"Since you came, don't even think about leaving."

Seeing this, the four Men in Black did not dare lower their guard. They immediately fused with their demon spirits and charged at Shangguan Ye.

Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique!

Shangguan Ye exhaled wisps of white mist, which blanketed the entire barrier. The four men tried to sense Shangguan Ye's position, but were powerless to do so.

"Back to back!" The leading Man in Black ordered the four of them to stand back to back to prevent Shangguan Ye from launching a sneak attack.

Within the dense fog, their vision was obstructed and their senses were in chaos. Just as they nervously tried to respond, one of them was suddenly sent flying. Their formation was instantly broken, and the Man in Black who had been blasted away coughed up blood.

"We can't see Shangguan Ye. Where did that attack come from?"

"Limbo: Border Jail is quite useful." Shangguan Ye had just stood in the distance and released his Limbo clone. The men could only passively endure the attacks.

One of the Men in Black ran over to help the fallen man up. At the instant he was about to touch him, that man suddenly became Shangguan Ye. No—Shangguan Ye had switched places with him.

Shangguan Ye had already fused with his demon spirit. His Dragon Claw shot straight toward the man's throat.

Splat!

The man's throat was instantly pierced by Shangguan Ye. Shangguan Ye immediately vanished back into the white mist.

Seeing his companion die so miserably, the leading Man in Black began considering retreat.

"Concentrate your attacks on this barrier with me!"

The three Men in Black unleashed their strongest skills at a single point simultaneously, punching a hole through the Four Violet Flames Formation.

Shangguan Ye slowly withdrew the Hidden Mist Technique. When the dense fog dispersed, the three men discovered that they were surrounded by Black Gold Demon Spirit Masters from the Shangguan Family.

"Don't let a single one escape. Capture them all alive." Shangguan Ye exited his demon spirit state and spoke slowly.

Shangguan Xun and the others surged forward and captured the three men alive.

News that the Shangguan Family had come under attack quickly spread through the city. Before long, the Wind Snow Family, Void Nether Family, Sacred Family, and Winged Dragon Family had all sent representatives.

"I never expected the Dark Guild to be so rampant, daring to carry out an Assassination so openly. Despicable!" Ye Zong's clenched fists cracked.

"Fortunately, Patriarch Shangguan possesses extraordinary strength and was able to kill enemies above his rank," the Void Nether Family Patriarch praised.

"Shangguan, are you alright?" Xiao Ning'er had come with her father as well and hurried over to ask.

"I'm fine." Shangguan Ye took Xiao Ning'er's hand and comforted her.

"I have already captured those three Dark Guild members alive. In time, I'll use special methods to pry useful intelligence from them. I will find the mastermind behind this and never let them go!" As he spoke, Shangguan Ye glanced in Shen Hong's direction, making Shen Hong's heart skip a beat.

Does this brat know?