Guess?

The area outside the inn was pitch black.

The corpse that had fallen from upstairs lay motionless, blood pooling around it.

It seemed that this was an Ancient Martial Arts practitioner from the Fifth Squad, a second-tier Qi Refiner, dead just like that.

"Heh, no need to be so wary of them. These little brats might have seen blood before, but if they actually saw their companion die right in front of them, they'd probably be so scared they'd wet their pants, right? Do you need some diapers, little ones?"

"I see a few pretty young girls in this batch. Should we taste them in a bit?"

"Don't even get me started, the young men in here aren't bad-looking either."

Malicious voices echoed from the darkness on all sides.

People emerged from the freight elevator, the storage room, the basement, and the stairwell.

There were men and women among them; the oldest looked to be about sixty, while the youngest had only just reached adulthood.

Seven people from the rookie squad had already been captured, with guns pressed against their heads.

Among them were the two Divine Priests of the team.

"Save, save us..."

One of them was covered in blood, in a wretched state, his voice trembling.

The other had a strange, black hue on his face, twitching and struggling as if he had gone mad.

They were twin brothers.

The older brother was named Li Xun, and the younger was Li Yi.

The others had also been beaten to the point of being critically injured and on the verge of death.

Everyone stared at their captured companions, feeling a sense of suffocation.

These losers!

A total of twenty Fallen surrounded them from all directions, sneering as they stared at the survivors in the inn.

The leader of this group was a burly, middle-aged man.

He had two crossed giant steel axes strapped to his back and sat atop the dead body. The firelight illuminated a face scarred through and through, and his pupils had already undergone a distortion, turning into terrifying, insect-like compound eyes.

"Don't get carried away. If it weren't for Book Elder warning us, we would be the ones being captured right now."

The middle-aged man reached out, touched the blood on the corpse, and licked it. "The taste isn't bad; it's the flavor of a pure Ascender. Let me introduce myself. I am the second-in-command of the Grave Diggers organization. They all call me Compound Eye. Now, I'll give you one chance: drop your weapons and surrender obediently, and I might let you go see our leader in one piece."

"That's right, our leader specifically requested that you stay alive, because you are still useful."

He paused. "But having your hands and feet chopped off still counts as being alive."

The Fallen stared at these so-called lapdogs of the Association, full of mockery and sneers.

They wanted to see a hint of fear in their expressions.

Those who lived in the Black Cloud Stronghold, without exception, lived lives of licking blood off the edge of a blade; slaughter was a daily occurrence.

You might be alive today, but dead tomorrow.

You might make a fortune one second, only to be killed by your companion the next.

A single disagreement could lead to someone having their hand chopped off.

These were not things the hothouse flowers of the Association could endure.

Among the eight rookies surrounded, everyone was quite interesting.

Some were full of fighting spirit, some were trembling slightly, and others were expressionless.

Gu Jianlin stood in the shadows, expressionless, holding a chair.

Only when he heard the codename Book Elder did he raise an eyebrow.

As I thought.

Sea Siren was the mole within the Ether Association, leaking the details of this operation.

However, he wasn't worried.

Because he had two Mythic Armaments in his possession; in this night, if he wanted to escape, no one could stop him.

The other person who was completely unafraid was the white-haired girl.

Tang Ling carried a massive instrument case on her back, gripping a silvery-white iron sword in her hand, her head slightly lowered, her long hair fluttering.

The gaze beneath the shadow of her hood seemed to be looking at dead men.

Given her powerful personal strength, it would be hard for her to die even if she wanted to.

The last one who was entirely fearless was Yan Ye.

As the squad leader, he appeared quite calm. He crossed his arms and said indifferently, "How are you so sure that we are the ones being surrounded? I don't know who leaked the intelligence regarding this operation, but if you think that raiding this inn guarantees your victory, then you are fools."

Compound Eye laughed indifferently. "Are you trying to say that your captains are nearby? That bunch of losers has already been dealt with by our boss using Necro-Gu. Yes, the advanced version of the Necro-Gu used by Joker."

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of most people changed.

They instinctively felt it was impossible.

In their understanding, it was impossible for captain-level figures to be wiped out so easily!

However, there was a dead vice-captain in the restroom, and he had been killed directly without even a trace of a struggle.

This shook them.

Only Gu Jianlin knew that regardless of what happened to the captains, they were likely not coming to help.

"Don't panic. It's impossible for the captains to be in trouble; this is just a tactic."

Yan Ye remained calm and gave his younger brother a look. "Even without the captains, we can break out."

"Prepare tactical formation. Prioritize protecting the Priests. Melee in front, ranged in the back."

In an instant, Yan Ye made the optimal strategic deployment.

Of the eight remaining, there were two Priests; Nie Xiangsi and Mu Ziqing were protected.

Yan Feng and Cheng Youyu stood at the very front, surging Qi erupting from their bodies, muscles bulging and bones roaring.

Yan Ye and Zhang Cheng were of the Celestial Master and Overlord paths, respectively, making them best suited for ranged cover.

"Interesting, but too ignorant."

Compound Eye glanced at the worn-out watch on his wrist and said indifferently, "It's half an hour until midnight. Before those things come out, let's let you have a taste of suffering."

At this moment, everyone's heart suddenly sank.

Judging by that tone, there seemed to be something else in the Black Cloud Stronghold that they didn't know about!

Gu Jianlin saw the black mist surging outside and narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Hasegawa Shinichi doesn't dare to show his face, so he sends you small fries to die? No matter what he's hiding in the Undersea Palace to do, I will go over and drag him out."

Suddenly, Yan Ye also said coldly, "Everyone, execute the tactics!"

"Li Xun, use Ghost Humanization!"

After he shouted this, the roar of an evil spirit vaguely echoed in the void.

The Divine Priest who had been trembling just a moment ago ignited pale ghost fire on his right hand and pressed it against his own heart.

In the darkness, a surge of energy that did not belong to the negative side seemed to be forcibly poured into his body.

Monster-like breathing, heartbeat like a beating drum.

Pale flames ignited on his forehead, and the black pupils in his eyes seemed to spread like ink, swallowing the remaining whites of his eyes, leaving only a heart-stopping, cold, and noble pitch-black.

Black, flame-like facial markings appeared on his face, glowing with chilling patterns.

Dark, mysterious incantations spread and flowed across his skin like living things, thousands of strands weaving together.

The frontal combat capability gained by a first-tier Life Controller!

--Ghost Humanization!

It consumed a massive amount of spirituality, forcibly sacrificing one's own life force in exchange for unobservable negative energy being poured into the body.

Thereby significantly enhancing physical capabilities!

This move was also considered taboo for Divine Priests.

First, the consumption was enormous.

Second, if used for too long, it would lead to personality distortion and madness, followed by a loss of mental control.

Thus becoming a Fallen.

Therefore, even a mature Divine Priest could use this move at most once a day, and after it ended, they had to take large amounts of medicine and rest for a long time before they could continue fighting.

So when a Divine Priest used this move, it basically meant they were fighting for their lives.

Crack.

In an instant, Li Xun flashed forward and snapped the necks of the two Fallen who had been holding him.

After Ghost Humanization, his temperament seemed to have changed completely; he was arrogant and cold.

The voice that came from his mouth was as hoarse as steel scraping against steel.

This sudden change left the remaining Fallen terrified.

"Don't move! Give up resistance immediately! Your brother is still in our hands!"

A Fallen held the other Divine Priest, who was in a bad state, and pointed a gun at his head.

Li Xun stood before them, merely tilting his head, his neck popping.

"You're holding him hostage, so why should we give up resistance?"

Yan Feng erupted with a roar, killing his way into the enemy formation like a ghost, forcibly pouring Qi into his blade.

With a boom, the blade exploded, and accompanied by wild Qi, it wounded several Fallen.

"Brother Cheng, Xiangsi! You are responsible for protecting Brother Lin; he has no frontal combat capability!"

After Cheng Youyu roared, he also charged forward directly. His raised right arm bulged with muscle, his fist seemingly wrapped in terrifying power. With one punch, it was like an iron cannon firing, immediately hammering down four Fallen!

Yan Ye stood in the rear, his hands suddenly pressed together.

Boom!

A gale suddenly rose, like a storm sweeping through the desert, directly disrupting the enemy formation.

As for Zhang Cheng, he unslung the massive iron bow from his back and gripped the bow handle with his right hand.

The great bow trembled violently, as if it had gained life, breath, and a heartbeat in an instant.

His pupils were as sharp as a hawk's, and the night did not hinder his vision in the slightest. He skillfully nocked an arrow, and the steel arrow let out a hungry, impatient roar, suddenly tearing through the air and whistling out!

Boom!

This arrow shot out, the air exploding; it directly pierced the skulls of three Fallen, a one-hit kill!

The core ability of the Overlord path: they could coexist with their weapons, imbuing them with powerful might!

In truth, the weakness of the Ether Association's rookies was their lack of experience.

But these Fallen also had a weakness.

That was that their paths were generally not strong.

In contrast, those in the Association were basically all of the most ancient paths!

The melee broke out instantly!

"Rescue the captured companions first!"

Yan Ye controlled the elements, analyzing the battlefield. "As for Li Yi, he has already been contaminated, so don't worry about him."

Although there was no problem with rescuing companions, the latter sentence made people's hearts tremble.

However, most people were busy fighting and said nothing.

And Li Xun, as the twin brother, did not express any opinion on this, showing no desire to save his brother at all.

"Xiangsi, Ziqing, use Saint's Protection to prevent mental interference."

Yan Ye continued to issue orders.

Mu Ziqing immediately chanted an ancient incantation, and a holy, gentle light bathed everyone.

Nie Xiangsi glanced at her and also hurriedly chanted an incantation, releasing holy light.

Just then, a sudden change occurred!

Compound Eye erupted into action, lifting two giant axes with both hands and killing his way into the battle with wide, sweeping motions.

He unleashed an astonishing aura, his strength infinitely approaching the third tier!

Cheng Youyu was caught off guard, and a terrifying gash was ripped across his back, blood spraying like a fountain.

Compound Eye kicked him in the lower abdomen, sending him flying.

Yan Feng realized this guy was not easy to deal with and hurriedly blocked in front of him with both hands, condensing a Qi shield.

Boom!

Yan Feng was also sent flying, letting out a muffled groan.

Mu Ziqing and Nie Xiangsi, as Priests, immediately split up, one on each side to provide healing.

Just then, Compound Eye sneered and, carrying the two giant axes, killed his way directly into the back row!

Seeing this, Li Xun did not hesitate to let go of the two Fallen whose necks he had twisted, turning to chase after him.

Compound Eye did not know who he would choose as his target.

Logically speaking, the two Priests were the best choice and the ones that had to be killed first on the battlefield.

However, Yan Ye and Zhang Cheng were guarding their backs, one on the left and one on the right, so there usually wouldn't be a problem.

"Li Xun, don't let him succeed."

Yan Ye's hands were condensing terrifying firelight; it would probably take a few more seconds to release it.

As for Zhang Cheng, he had already nocked an arrow again; this time he prepared to fire ten arrows at once, the arrows trembling and roaring!

Suddenly, his expression changed.

"Oh no! Brother Lin, watch out!"

Because Compound Eye found it difficult to kill the Priests, he chose someone outside the tactical formation without hesitation.

The black-haired boy standing in the corner!

Gu Jianlin!

"Kill one first, and let you see the consequences of resisting!"

Compound Eye leaped up, lifted his giant axes, and hacked down in a rage!

"Li Xun, save him!"

Zhang Cheng roared.

After Ghost Humanization, Li Xun's speed was even greater, and he could easily have circled around to block the path.

However, he made no move to save anyone. A cold sneer curled his lips as he drew a pitch-black dagger from his waist.

He lunged straight for the opponent's heart from behind!

Damn it!

Zhang Cheng's expression shifted violently; he instinctively put away his bow and arrow, ready to charge over.

Nie Xiangsi tried to rush to the rescue, but it was already too late.

"Holy shit, Brother Lin!"

Cheng Youyu coughed up a mouthful of blood, his eyes dazed.

As for the others, Mu Ziqing was tending to Yan Feng's wounds, both of them wearing calm expressions.

Yan Ye also aimed the fireball in his hand at the enemy's back, ready to strike.

He did not seem to think there was anything wrong with such a choice.

Trading the descendant of a Fallen to secure the kill on the enemy's strongest combatant was a very worthwhile deal.

At the critical moment, a voice, calm and devoid of ripples, rang out.

"Attack with full force."

Gu Jianlin said indifferently, "Don't worry about me."

Everyone was slightly stunned.

For a split second, Compound Eye descended from the sky like a fierce tiger, dual-wielding giant axes that tore through the air with a shrill, piercing whistle.

The axe blades crossed and slashed down, a flash of cold light vanishing in an instant!

Boom!

A terrifying roar erupted, sounding like the screeching of steel.

Compound Eye landed on his knees, his crossed steel axes frozen in mid-air, unable to advance a single inch.

Because a hand had caught the crossed blades.

Silence. Everyone instinctively ceased their attacks, fearing they might hit their own.

"Samurai Path, second stage. This strike wasn't as fierce as the last; you didn't use an ability, just raw strength?"

Gu Jianlin raised his eyes, something flickering deep within his pupils: "You've underestimated me."

His right hand was wrapped in silver-white chains, so he hadn't been injured in the slightest.

Pale ghost fire burned between his brows, illuminating a face that was eerie, noble, and as cold as a phantom.

His black hair drifted in disarray, and those pitch-black pupils bled out like ink, swallowing the whites of his eyes until strange black patterns bloomed across his face, spreading like fire, wild and unrestrained.

Pitch-black, mysterious incantations crawled and flowed across his skin like living things, thousands of strands weaving together.

Violent, surging negative energy flooded his body, as if he were a demon crawling out of hell!

His cold, brutal aura climbed steadily.

"The information I received was that you were a zero-stage Divine Priest."

Compound Eye clearly hadn't chosen his target at random; he had long since reviewed everyone's files, specifically looking to pick the softest persimmon.

Moreover, this person had killed Joker and was carrying a Mythic Armament.

Seizing the Mythic Armament was also one of his goals.

As for a zero-stage Divine Priest, he didn't consider him a threat.

Being able to kill Joker was likely just a matter of picking up the scraps.

"When did you advance?"

Compound Eye tilted his head, his terrifying eyes filled with confusion.

Gu Jianlin stared back at him, silently raising the chair he was holding.

"--You guess?"

Eight thousand four hundred today, a bit late. Thanks to the big boss Yukinoshita for the Silver Alliance, I am honored by your favor, more updates coming, more updates...