Jing Ke heard this, a flash of eagerness crossing his eyes:
"With this, we can boost our strength while ensuring loyalty. The Lord is sending us sharp blades indeed!"
Nie Zheng also nodded, saying, "We have been practicing the Blood Slaughter Art for some time now, and we feel we are lacking somewhat in concealment. This Shadow Art arrives just in time."
Although Di Yun and Linghu Chong were not known for the killer's path, they still saw the extraordinarity of this cultivation technique. Exchanging a glance, both had the intention to practice it.
Ye Junlin looked at everyone's reactions and nodded with satisfaction:
"Very well, the matter of the cultivation techniques shall be arranged by Yuan Tiangang."
"In the coming days,"
"First, step up your cultivation and raise your strength;"
"Second, the Eight Guards will continue to expand the pool of killer candidates;"
"Third, Di Yun and Linghu Chong will guard the Langya Pavilion and cooperate with Yuan Tiangang to integrate intelligence;"
"Understood!" everyone answered in unison, their momentum like a rainbow.
As various matters were properly arranged, everyone headed toward their assigned pavilions respectively.
Yuan Tiangang held the Shadow Art, walking lightly toward the Six Ultimates Pavilion, clearly unable to wait to study this cultivation technique.
Jing Ke and the others split into two teams: one team returned to the stronghold, while the other headed straight to the Eight Guards Pavilion to hone their martial skills through the martial arts arena there.
Di Yun and Linghu Chong planned to return to the Langya Pavilion first.
Inside the Eternal Night Space, the newly completed pavilions emitted a faint spiritual light, and the spiritual energy curled like mist.
Ye Junlin stood before the Lord Pavilion, gazing at this vibrant cluster of buildings and the figures striving for a common goal.
Heroic sentiment surged in his heart, and a smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.
If in the future, powerhouses from different worlds and spaces were gathered together, he wondered what kind of scene that would be.
And then together in this world and realm, they would carve out a clear and bright universe belonging to everyone.
Three days later, the first-floor hall of the Misty Rain Tower stronghold.
Morning light pierced through the thin haze, spilling onto the bluestone slabs and reflecting fourteen tall, upright figures.
Four of them had a presence as deep and heavy as an abyss, their spiritual energy billowing around them. They were astonishingly in the Grandmaster Realm.
Although the remaining ten were slightly inferior, their vital blood was still robust, and all were Grandmaster Realm cultivators.
Jing Ke stood with his hands behind his back at the edge of the arena, his gaze like a knife as he slowly swept across the crowd.
Nie Zheng, Yao Li, and a few other Eight Guards members stood separately on both sides, and the formless killing intent they emitted made the atmosphere in the arena increasingly solemn.
These fourteen people were new members who had been screened layer by layer by the Misty Rain Tower over the past three days and vetted in secret.
To gather so many skilled fighters in a short time relied not only on the growing reputation of the Misty Rain Tower, but even more on the intelligence network and thunderous methods laid out by Yuan Tiangang and the others.
"Iron Wall Ape, Wind Above Branch, Wei Xiaochao, Gong Changyang," Jing Ke called out in a deep voice.
The four responded in turn, cupping their fists in salute: "Greetings, My Lord!"
Iron Wall Ape had a sturdy build, his arms twice as thick as an ordinary person's and his muscles tightly knotted all over, showing at a glance that he was an expert in body refinement.
Wind Above Branch had a slender figure, nimble eyes, and light footwork, exuding an elusive and unpredictable aura.
Although Wei Xiaochao and Gong Changyang looked ordinary, their auras were restrained, clearly marking them as individuals skilled in concealment and surprise attacks.
Jing Ke nodded and said, "All four of you are in the Grandmaster Realm. From today onward, you are Xuan character killers of the Misty Rain Tower."
"Your code names in order are Xuan Two, Xuan Three, Xuan Four, and Xuan Five."
He paused, his tone turning stern:
"From now on, assassination missions of the Grandmaster level within the Eastern Region will be executed by you."
"Remember, the Misty Rain Tower only looks at results and does not ask about the process, but if you break the tower rules, do not blame our blades for being merciless."
"Understood!" the four answered in unison, a flash of excitement crossing their eyes.
Xuan character killers—these past few days, this was already an awe-inspiring moniker within the Black Market, let alone with a behemoth like the Misty Rain Tower backing them up.
Jing Ke looked again at the remaining ten grandmasters:
"You ten shall be Huang character killers."
He took out ten tokens carved with the character "Huang" and tossed them over.
"You are responsible for carrying out assassination missions of the Grandmaster Realm. Your code names are Huang One through Huang Ten in order."
"In addition, you may independently develop Xiantian Realm cultivators as subordinates, with the code name 'Dark character killer', directly under your jurisdiction."
"But remember, Dark character killers are not permitted to step foot into the Misty Rain Tower stronghold even half a step. If any disobey, you will be punished together with them."
The ten grandmasters accepted the tokens, their fingertips trembling slightly.
Being able to become Huang character killers was already a stroke of fortune, and to think they could even develop subordinates—this meant they would have more resources and power in their hands. They hurriedly bowed:
"We understand!"
Once everyone received their orders, Jing Ke retrieved a stack of copied booklets from his embrace, which were precisely the first half of the Blood Slaughter Art, and distributed them to the fourteen people:
"This is the first half of the Heaven tier cultivation technique, the Blood Slaughter Art. Study it well."
"If you can perform great deeds, the second half will naturally be bestowed upon you. You can also redeem it using your mission points."
"A Heaven tier cultivation technique?!"
Everyone took the booklets, and after a brief flip through them, they gasped in shock.
Even Iron Wall Ape and the others, who were in the Grandmaster Realm, had never imagined they would be able to touch a Heaven tier cultivation technique, and for a moment they were so excited that their voices trembled somewhat.
"We are willing to give our lives in service to the Misty Rain Tower!"
The fourteen dropped to their knees simultaneously, their voices resounding through the martial arts arena.
Such favor far exceeded their expectations, and nothing could repay it save death.
Jing Ke nodded with satisfaction, turning to the side:
"Xuan Yi, take them to settle into the East Wing Tingyu Residence, and explain the tower rules and the stronghold's situation in detail."
"Understood." A figure walked out from the side, who was none other than Shi Yong.
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