A Single Blade Decapitates, Fame Shakes Kui Mountain

Yang Ning slowly retracted his fist.

A stinging pain radiated from the wound on his left shoulder; it was the lingering erosion of the Cloudy Force.

With a flicker of his thoughts, a strand of force within his body immediately surged toward the injury like a scorching torrent.

Although the wound had not yet healed, the bleeding stopped, and the edges of the torn flesh even began to feel a tingling itch.

After breaking through to the Tendon Changing realm, his physical recovery capabilities seemed to have improved further, subtly influenced by the Destiny System.

This body was transforming toward a true martial arts physique at a speed that defied common sense.

His gaze swept across the surroundings, his attention landing on the scattered, pitch-black wooden beads.

He leaned down to pick them up; they felt slightly heavy in his hand, yet they seemed to contain a strange rhythm within.

A surge of malice rushed forth from them, but upon sensing Yang Ning, it withered away as if faced with a White Jade Mask.

This was clearly a Secret Artifact with powerful effects, yet it also carried strict usage limitations and backlash.

"The effect is astonishing, but the price is equally steep."

Yang Ning carefully tucked them away.

"If not for my Destiny System being able to suppress the backlash of Secret Artifacts, it would be hard to say whether obtaining such an item would be a blessing or a curse for an ordinary person."

After putting away the beads, Yang Ning cast his gaze toward the battlefield in the alley.

The three Patrol Chiefs were locked in a fierce struggle with the leaders of the Blood Ape Gang, with forces clashing and neither side gaining the upper hand.

Yet, the most eye-catching sight was undoubtedly the near-vacuum zone in the center of the fray.

There, the duel between Gong Tian and Wang Han had reached a state of perfection.

Wang Han's eyes were bloodshot, his massive fists, encased in dark iron gauntlets, swinging wildly.

Every punch contained terrifying power, with dark red blood-energy and force intertwining to shatter the bluestone slabs on the ground.

However, facing such formidable attacks, Gong Tian appeared completely at ease.

His movements were elegant, as if he were taking a leisurely stroll.

Every time Wang Han's iron fists were about to strike, Gong Tian would effortlessly dodge them by a hair's breadth.

Gong Tian's footwork was as light as a crane dancing among the clouds, yet his counterattacks were equally sharp and precise.

His arms, shimmering with a jade-like luster, would occasionally strike like a crane's beak, piercing accurately toward Wang Han's vital points.

At other times, they would sweep out like a crane's wing, the force condensed into something tangible, causing the surrounding air to crackle with sonic booms.

"Crane Form Fist Technique... Jade Crane Force!"

A brilliant light flashed in Yang Ning's eyes; his senior brother was practicing the Crane Form, one of the Five Animals!

The characteristics of his force seemed to combine the condensed solidity of jade with the agility and sharpness of a crane, changing at will.

Gong Tian was clearly not using his full strength.

He was deliberately controlling the rhythm of the battle, like an experienced hunter.

He was continuously whittling down the strength of Wang Han, this trapped beast, forcing him step by step into a dead end.

Wang Han's roars grew increasingly frantic, his breathing began to show signs of instability, and his defeat was already evident.

"Junior brother, well done."

Gong Tian's voice reached Yang Ning's ears directly.

"Having been guided by Master, I am on the verge of Organ Refining.

This Wang Han is definitely no match for me."

While easily neutralizing Wang Han's offensive, he continued to transmit his voice:

"However, the Bone Forging realm is ultimately a major watershed in martial arts, and he is a figure of note in the outer city.

The subtlety of Hidden Force is not something the Bright Force of the Tendon Changing realm can compare to.

This brute is now at the end of his rope; today, I shall use him to let you practice and test your skills."

"In a moment, I will intentionally reveal a flaw to give him a 'breathing space.'

He hates you to the bone and will surely risk his life to pounce on you."

Gong Tian's voice was steady, carrying a hint of mentorship:

"Take this opportunity to properly experience the might of a Bone Forging expert and the elegance of Hidden Force.

This will be of great benefit to your future progress in martial arts.

Rest assured, with me by your side, you will be safe."

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Hearing this, Yang Ning felt his spirits lift; his senior brother's actions were not only practical combat training but also a great show of trust.

He took a deep breath, his eyes locked firmly on the battle, ready to strike at a moment's notice.

Sure enough, after another dozen exchanges, the figure of Gong Tian seemed to pause slightly. After parrying a punch, he slid backward, exposing an opening.

For Wang Han, who was on the verge of desperation and focusing all his energy on finding a way to survive, this flaw was undoubtedly the perfect moment!

"Gong Tian, you've grown arrogant!"

Wang Han let out a wild roar. Ignoring Gong Tian entirely, he twisted his body violently and, fueled by hatred and his remaining momentum, lunged straight at Yang Ning!

"You little bastard! Pay for my son's life with your own!!"

Before his voice even arrived, his fist struck!

The dark red Mad Iron Fist tore through the air, emitting a shrill whistle. That condensed, lead-like, and mountain-heavy Hidden Force of the Bone Forging realm had already locked onto Yang Ning like a shackle from afar.

This was the true, rage-filled strike of a Bone Forging expert!

Just as the two were about to collide, the unremarkable black bracelet on Yang Ning's left wrist suddenly flashed with a dark, gloomy luster!

Immediately after, the bracelet transformed into a streak of black light.

It spread rapidly along Yang Ning's arm, covering most of his torso in the blink of an eye to form a thin yet tough, scale-like, and cold-gleaming inner armor!

This was the item gifted to him by the little girl he had kindly saved in East Fourth Street that day, which had revealed its true form after his master removed the restrictions:

It was the Black Scale Soft Armor, a standard-issue qi-blood inner armor equipped only for elite officers in the Great Yue military!

Its defensive power was sufficient to withstand the full-force attack of an ordinary Hidden Force expert.

Gong Tian had clearly known of this item's existence, which was why he dared to make such arrangements.

"THUD!!!"

Wang Han's frantic punch slammed solidly into the left side of Yang Ning's chest, which had been covered by the inner armor just in time!

A dull, deafening boom exploded outward!

Yang Ning felt as if he had been struck head-on by a giant rhinoceros; a violent, massive force mixed with a raging Hidden Force penetrated through the armor!

At that moment, the Black Scale Soft Armor flared with dark light, dispersing and neutralizing at least eighty percent of the force.

However, the remaining power still caused Yang Ning's qi and blood to surge. A sweetness rose in his throat, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

His entire body was sent flying backward.

Fortunately, the inner armor had blocked the most lethal piercing force, and the Bone Forging Hidden Force had also been significantly weakened.

His injuries were not light, but he was far from losing his ability to fight.

Meanwhile, after this desperate strike, Wang Han's previously forced momentum plummeted like a deflating balloon.

An unnatural flush appeared on his face, and his breathing became extremely chaotic. It was clear he had reached the end of his rope, and he could barely even stand steady.

"Yang Ning, catch the blade!"

Just as Yang Ning steadied his figure and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, Gong Tian's sharp shout reached him.

Gong Tian threw the gray-blue sheathed longsword gifted by Wu Xian forward. The blade traced an arc through the air and landed steadily in Yang Ning's hand as he reached out at the perfect moment.

The moment the hilt touched his palm, the familiar cold sensation returned.

Yang Ning's spirit lifted. He pushed the sword guard with his thumb.

"CLANG!"

A clear, resonant blade-ring echoed across the battlefield!

The longsword left its sheath, the gray-blue blade shimmering with a chilling, soul-capturing light.

That deep, restrained sharpness resonated faintly with the fierce, lingering Tiger Demon Force within his body.

Wang Han's bloodshot eyes stared fixedly at Yang Ning, who stood holding the blade, and then shifted to Gong Tian, who had blocked all his paths of retreat.

Despair and madness finally appeared on his face as he reached a dead end.

He gathered his remaining qi and blood once more, brandished his iron fists, and stumbled toward Yang Ning to launch a final, cornered-beast struggle.

This time, Yang Ning did not meet him head-on.

He tapped his toes against the ground and easily dodged Wang Han's desperate, spent lunge.

At the same time, the longsword in his hand traced a cold, gray-blue arc!

"Wind Howling Blade Technique."

The blade light was not swift, but it skillfully sliced into the gap at Wang Han's neck just as his old strength was spent and his new strength had yet to arise.

"SLASH--!"

Wang Han's movements froze abruptly, the madness and despair on his face locking into place.

He blinked, seemingly wanting to look down, but his vision uncontrollably spun and blurred...

A massive head soared into the sky, trailing a spray of blood. It traced a parabola, slammed heavily onto the filthy ground, rolled a few times, and became coated in dust.

The headless, burly body swayed on the spot before collapsing with a crash, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The tyrant of East Street, the Bone Forging expert, "Mad Iron Fist" Wang Han, had been beheaded in the street by a twenty-year-old youth!

In Red Scarf Alley, there was a moment of deathly silence.

Only the thick scent of blood drifted along with the wind.

Everyone stood frozen like wooden chickens, staring at the hideous head that had rolled to their feet.

Yang Ning slowly sheathed his blade, breathing slightly hard; though his internal organs in his left chest still ached faintly, his hand gripping the hilt remained as steady as a rock.

The White Jade Mask concealed his expression, leaving only those eyes exposed, bright as stars.

"Clean and swift."

Gong Tian strolled over and patted him on the shoulder:

"This final strike—the timing, the angle, the force—was all perfectly executed.

Today, you slew Wang Han with your blade; you shall surely become renowned throughout Kui Mountain."

"Many thanks to you, Senior Brother, for your guidance and protection."

Gong Tian waved his hand, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield as his tone turned cold and stern:

"Everyone, take your men to clear the battlefield, hunt down the remaining enemies, and head to the Blood Ape Gang dungeon to rescue the captives!"

"Yes!" the crowd roared in response, their morale soaring like a rainbow.