Assassination

Night was like water.

Soft moonlight illuminated the earth.

Lingyuan Temple, the back mountain, and the forest were deathly silent.

Fang Xing leaned against a tree, a blade gripped in one hand as he watched the lights flicker to life within Lingyuan Temple.

Still no movement?

Watching Lingyuan Temple, Fang Xing frowned slightly.

An incense stick of time had passed, yet there was not a single sound; this seemed somewhat abnormal.

In the silent night, with his Dark Force cultivation level of perception, he should have been able to hear even the slightest disturbance.

Yet, as it stood, he failed to sense even the faintest trace of activity.

Could they have fled toward the front?

Gripping the hilt of his blade, Fang Xing squinted.

He did not know the current situation inside Lingyuan Temple, but even if there were movement at the main gate, his perception should have allowed him to hear at least something.

No movement meant that Shen Ye had not yet made his move.

However, it was also possible they were clashing within a secret chamber of the temple.

After all, the intelligence report had described the situation quite clearly: there were several hidden secret chambers within Lingyuan Temple.

I should just hold my post.

Casting aside distracting thoughts, Fang Xing calmed his mind and focused, continuing his stakeout.

If there were no surprises, that would naturally be for the best.

Although he wanted to obtain more Enhancement Points, the risks were also high.

"Swish!"

Just as Fang Xing was waiting patiently, a figure suddenly burst out from the temple courtyard wall.

Aided by the moonlight, Fang Xing keenly captured a glimpse of a pale face.

The stench of blood permeated the air; it appeared the individual was injured.

They're here!

He instantly perked up, his figure shifting as he moved toward the person fleeing the temple like a phantom.

His body was light, and as he moved, he did not make a single sound.

Having cultivated Gale Step to the pinnacle, this movement technique had truly shown its worth.

Within a breath's time, Fang Xing had closed the distance.

Vaulting over the temple wall, the figure staggered toward him. Fang Xing did not immediately confront him head-on, stopping while still several paces away.

He pressed his body against the trunk of a large tree, using the darkness to seemingly blend into one with it.

One step, two steps...

Fang Xing silently calculated the distance.

When only seven steps remained, he suddenly moved!

The long blade tore through the air!

The tip was icy and cold, striking out like a venomous snake in the dark, fast as lightning.

A single strike, like a startled swan!

With a "squelch," the sharp blade pierced through the figure's chest.

The already pale complexion turned even whiter in an instant.

A thick, bloody scent permeated the air.

Agonizing pain struck!

He looked down with difficulty at the blade protruding from his body, his throat turning sweet as fresh blood spilled from the corners of his mouth.

But at that very instant, a hand reached out like a ghost, grabbed his neck, and twisted!

With a "snap," his expression was permanently frozen at that moment.

Drawing out the long blade, the body in front of him collapsed to the ground, blood flowing freely.

Under the moonlight, a pale face lay on the cold ground, eyes wide open.

Fang Xing looked at the corpse on the ground, and under his gaze, a wisp of crimson emerged and sank into his body.

Fang Xing subconsciously checked the Crimson Panel.

Name: Fang Xing Cultivation: Dark Force Enhancement Level: One Star (22%) Enhancement Points: Fifty-four

Fifty points...

Satisfying!

Looking at the surging Enhancement Points, a smile appeared on Fang Xing's face. As he cast his gaze toward the temple wall, he looked forward to seeing if a few more might come his way.

If a Bright Force martial artist granted fifty points, how much would a Dark Force martial artist be worth?

The thought flashed through his mind, and Fang Xing snapped back to reality, immediately grabbing the corpse and dragging it into the forest.

Following that, he continued to wait.

From the silent Lingyuan Temple, the sounds of a struggle drifted over.

Fang Xing did not act rashly, continuing to hold his ground.

Inside the temple, it was left to Shen Ye.

Their mission was to clean up the fish that slipped through the net!

If he ruined Shen Ye's plan, the consequences were not something he could bear.

As long as no fish escaped from the area he was guarding, there would be no problem.

The silent night at Lingyuan Temple was shattered.

In the open space of the temple, two figures were locked in combat.

An invisible wave of energy churned in the surroundings.

"Bang!"

A dull sound rang out, and the two figures were jolted backward.

One of them was none other than Shen Ye.

The other was a white-bearded monk.

Shen Ye's expression was cold and stern, his body wreathed in a majestic aura. The white-bearded monk had blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, his face deathly pale.

"Heh, the people from the Heavenly Supervision Bureau are indeed impressive. However, with just you alone, you won't be leaving today." The white-bearded monk's gaze was icy, a cold smirk cracking his face.

"Come out!"

The white-bearded monk let out a low roar.

Within the night, several monks stepped out holding long staves, forming a formation that surrounded Shen Ye.

"Form up! Kill!" The white-bearded monk grinned hideously. The monks rushed forward rapidly, their staves slicing through the air as if tearing it apart.

"A bunch of rats in the dark trying to flip the heavens? Wishful thinking!"

A cold voice rang out. The moment the words fell, a blue light condensed around Shen Ye.

The temperature in the air plummeted abruptly.

"Swish!"

Before the staves could even fall, his figure vanished instantly.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

In that very instant, the monks were sent flying, vomiting blood as their staves snapped, crashing heavily to the ground.

The white-bearded monk's pupils constricted, a layer of red light suffusing his hands.

A red palm imprint surged toward Shen Ye.

The air seemed to scorch as it passed.

Shen Ye's expression remained unchanged. Blue light condensed in his palm, and an icy aura erupted as he met the attack head-on.

"Boom!"

A dull thud sounded as the two figures collided, a powerful shockwave sweeping through the surroundings.

"Pfft..."

The white-bearded monk was jolted back several yards, spitting out another mouthful of blood.

"Old thing, it's time to end this."

A faint voice drifted over, and a cold, white blade-light struck at the white-bearded monk.

The blade-light descended.

The white-bearded monk's expression changed drastically, and he moved to dodge, but he was still a step too late.

"Pfft!"

Blood sprayed out, and an arm flew into the air, landing on the ground.

"Ugh...!"

The white-bearded monk's face turned pale as he let out a muffled groan. Seeing Shen Ye rushing forward again, he immediately whipped out a black bead.

"Boom!!!"

A thunderous explosion erupted, thick dust billowing upward as the entire temple shuddered.

The ground shattered, and rolling smoke engulfed the figure of Shen Lang.

The white-bearded monk's silhouette vanished into the thick haze.

From within the dust, a disheveled Shen Ye stepped out, his expression grim. His gaze turned toward a certain direction, eyes icy, and with a flicker of movement, he vanished from the spot.

"Such a massive commotion?"

Hearing the boom echoing from Lingyuan Temple, Fang Xing was startled.

With a racket like that, they must have used gunpowder inside Lingyuan Temple!

The sound was truly earth-shattering!

It was a case of remaining silent until the moment of action, then shaking the heavens with a single cry!

Staring at the towering temple walls, Fang Xing itched to see the situation for himself.

A clash of Transformation Force!

That was a rare sight indeed.

"The one fighting Shen Ye must be the abbot of Lingyuan Temple."

Although he could not see the interior of the temple, Fang Xing could infer as much.

The dossier clearly recorded that the temple's abbot was a bona fide Transformation Force master.

In Qingshan County, he was a top-tier existence.

He was also the leader of this Fire Worship Cult stronghold.

"Hm?"

"He's coming!"

Just as Fang Xing was filled with anticipation, a figure vaulted over the temple wall.

He immediately braced himself, his Demon Subduing Force coiled and ready within his body.

The figure cleared the wall and hurried frantically in his direction.

"He's severely wounded. Excellent, the opportunity has arrived."

Watching the panicked figure, Fang Xing's eyes brightened as he gauged the distance.

When the man reached within ten paces, Fang Xing's silhouette vanished in an instant.

His long blade cut through the air, thrusting out like a bolt of lightning.

"Pfft!"

The sharp blade pierced through the body, blood gushing forth!

Yet, at that very instant, the figure pierced by the blade spun around violently, one hand reaching out.

Fast as lightning, a terrifying force swept toward him.

"Not good!"

Sensing the danger, Fang Xing felt his scalp tingle. He twisted his body to the side, the formidable force grazing past him.

With an explosive crack, a foot-thick slab of bluestone shattered instantly, turning into powder.