Identity

Though his companion had collapsed and Shi Lan had spoken words that were nothing short of startling, the burly man was shocked but did not panic.

"Miss, you've certainly kept your true strength hidden. Seems we misjudged you. May I ask what faction you're from? The Red Garment House? The Fragrant Incense Society? Did you lure my brother and me here on purpose?"

He spoke in an indifferent tone, but his gaze turned colder. He took a step back and shifted sideways, sliding his hand down to grip the straight hilt of the long saber at his waist, hidden from Shi Lan's view.

Shi Lan hadn't attacked him from behind just now. Instead, she'd chosen to question him because she wanted to learn the level of martial skill on this continent, and where these two ranked among its practitioners.

That would be especially important when she made plans for the future.

"Shing—"

In the blink of an eye, the man's long saber slipped from its sheath, throwing off a string of sparks as it swept through an arc. Without the slightest hesitation, he struck to kill. His gaze was as cold as ice as he aimed for Shi Lan's throat!

Strike first to gain the upper hand—that was common knowledge among martial artists!

The long saber came slashing down at an angle, wrapped in a strange energy and trailing a sharp whistle. In an instant, it was at Shi Lan's neck.

Shi Lan's gaze remained as still as an ancient well. She bent backward to evade the murderous slash, never taking her eyes off him. Her tendons and bones stretched, bringing all her strength together as she jabbed two fingers like a sword into the Yingchuang acupoint beneath the man's left ribs!

After several hours of cultivation, Shi Lan's strength