Guess?

Outside the inn, everything was pitch-black.

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

It seemed he had been a Qi Refiner of the Ancient Martial Arts Path from the Fifth Squad, a second-tier Ascender. He had died just like that.

"Heh. You don't need to be so wary of them. These little brats might have seen blood before, but if they actually watch a teammate die right in front of them, I bet they'll be scared shitless. Need diapers, little ones?"

"I see a few pretty girls among them. Should we have a taste later?"

"The young guys here look pretty good, too."

Voices brimming with malice rang out from the darkness all around them.

People came down from the freight elevator, the storeroom, the basement, and the stairwell.

The group included both men and women. The oldest looked to be around sixty, while the youngest had only just come of age.

Seven members of the rookie squad had already been captured, guns pointed at their heads.

The two Priests in the squad were among them.

"P-please, save us..."

One of them was covered in blood and looked utterly wretched, his voice trembling.

The other had a strange black pallor to his face. He writhed and convulsed as if he had gone mad.

They were twin brothers.

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

The others had also been beaten until they were gravely wounded and on the brink of death.

The group stared at their captured teammates, feeling suffocated.

Useless fools!

Twenty Fallen surrounded the survivors in the inn from all sides, watching them with mocking smiles.

Their leader was a burly, middle-aged man.

Two enormous steel axes were crossed on his back. He sat on the dead man's corpse, the firelight illuminating a face crisscrossed with scars. His eyes had mutated into terrifying, insect-like compound eyes.

"Don't get too cocky. If Book Elder hadn't warned us, we'd be the ones getting captured right now."

The middle-aged man dipped a finger into the blood on the corpse and licked it. "Not bad. Pure Ascender blood. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm the second-in-command of the Grave Diggers. They call me Compound Eye. I'll give you a chance: put down your weapons and surrender, and I'll let you meet our leader in one piece."

"That's right. Our leader specifically ordered us to keep you alive, because you're still useful."

He paused. "But breaking your arms and legs still counts as keeping you alive."

The Fallen eyed these so-called lapdogs of the Association with amusement and sneers.

They wanted to see some fear in their faces.

Everyone living in Black Cloud Stronghold lived on a knife's edge. Killing was an everyday occurrence.

You might be alive today and dead tomorrow.

You might make a fortune one moment, only to be killed by your own companions the next.

A single disagreement could get your hand chopped off.

None of this was something those sheltered flowers in the Association could endure.

Each of the eight surrounded rookies was interesting.

Some were brimming with fighting spirit, some trembling slightly, and others were expressionless.

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

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

Just as I thought.

Sea Siren was a mole in the Ether Association and had leaked information about this operation.

But he wasn't worried.

He had two Mythic Armaments on him. In the darkness of night, no one could stop him from escaping.

The other one who wasn't afraid at all was the white-haired girl.

Tang Ling carried a huge instrument case on her back and held a silver-white iron sword. Her head was slightly lowered, her long hair swaying in the breeze.

Beneath the shadow of her hat brim, her gaze seemed to rest on a group of corpses.

With her overwhelming personal strength, it would probably be difficult for her to die even if she wanted to.

The last one who showed no fear was Yan Ye.

As the squad leader, he was remarkably composed. He folded his arms and said calmly, "What makes you so sure that we're the ones surrounded? I don't know who leaked information about this operation, but if you think raiding this inn means you've won, then you're the fools."

Compound Eye laughed indifferently. "You mean to say your captain is nearby, don't you? Our boss already dealt with those good-for-nothings using the Necro-Gu. Yes, the advanced version of the Necro-Gu used by Joker."

At his words, most of the group's expressions changed.

Their first instinct was to think it impossible.

As far as they knew, a squad leader couldn't be taken out so easily!

Yet there was a dead deputy squad leader in the restroom, killed without even a trace of a struggle.

That made them hesitate.

Only Gu Jianlin knew that, whatever had happened to the squad leaders, they probably wouldn't be coming to help.

"Don't panic. The squad leaders can't possibly be in trouble. He's just trying to rattle us."

Yan Ye remained calm and glanced at his younger brother. "Even without the squad leaders, we can break out."

"Assume a tactical formation. Protect the Priests first. Close combatants up front, ranged combatants behind them."

In an instant, Yan Ye had arranged the best possible strategy.

Of the eight who remained, two were Priests: Nie Xiangsi and Mu Ziqing. They were moved to safety.

Yan Feng and Cheng Youyu took the front, their bodies erupting with surging qi as their muscles bulged and bones rumbled.

Yan Ye and Zhang Cheng, both of the Heavenly Master and Overlord Paths, were best suited to providing ranged support.

"Interesting, but you're too ignorant."

Compound Eye glanced at the battered watch on his wrist and said calmly, "Midnight is in half an hour. Before those things come out, let's give you a taste of suffering."

At that, everyone felt their hearts sink.

From his tone, it seemed there was something else in Black Cloud Stronghold they didn't know about!

Gu Jianlin watched the black fog churning outside and narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Hasegawa Shinichi doesn't dare show his face, so he sent you little nobodies here to die? Whatever he's doing in the Undersea Palace, I'll go there and drag him out myself."

Suddenly, Yan Ye spoke coldly, too. "Everyone, execute the plan!"

"Li Xun, use Ghost Humanization!"

The moment he shouted the words, a demon's roar seemed to echo through the air.

The Priest who had been trembling just moments ago raised his right hand, wreathed in pale ghostly fire, and pressed it against his heart.

In the darkness, an energy that seemed unrelated to negative forces was forcibly infused into his body.

His breathing turned monstrous. His heart pounded like a war drum.

Pale flames also sprang up on his forehead. The black pupils of his eyes spread like ink, swallowing the remaining whites until all that remained was a chilling, pitch-black gaze, cold and regal.

Black, flame-like markings appeared on his face, their patterns radiating a sinister chill.

Dark, mysterious runes spread and flowed across his skin like living things, branching out in countless strands.

The first-tier Life Controller's ability to fight head-on!

—Ghost Humanization!

It consumed a massive amount of spiritual energy and forcibly sacrificed the user's vitality, allowing an unobservable negative power to flood into their body.

In return, their physical abilities were greatly enhanced!

Even for a Priest, this technique was forbidden.

First, the cost was enormous.

Second, using it for too long would twist their personality and drive them mad, eventually causing them to lose control of their mind.

They would then become Fallen.

So even a seasoned Priest could use it only once a day at most. Afterward, they had to take a large amount of medication and recuperate for a long time before fighting again.

When a Priest used this technique, it meant they were ready to risk their life.

Crack!

In the blink of an eye, Li Xun darted forward and snapped the necks of the two Fallen holding him.

After his Ghost Humanization, his temperament seemed to change completely. He was domineering and cold.

His voice came out hoarse, like metal scraping against metal.

The sudden transformation filled the other Fallen with fear.

"Don't move! Stop resisting right now! Your brother is still in our hands!"

One of the Fallen held the Priest whose condition was clearly wrong, pointing a gun at his head.

Li Xun stood before them and merely tilted his head. His neck crackled.

"You're holding him hostage. Why should we stop resisting?"

Yan Feng burst into action, rushing into the enemy ranks like a ghost as he forced qi into his blade.

With a boom, the blade exploded, and the blast of surging qi wounded several Fallen.

"Brother Cheng, Xiangsi! Protect Brother Lin! He can't fight head-on!"

With a roar, Cheng Youyu charged forward as well. The muscles in his raised right arm bulged, and his fist seemed to brim with terrifying power. His punch landed like an Iron Cannon Fire, knocking down four Fallen at once!

Yan Ye stood in the rear and suddenly brought his hands together.

Boom!

A gale sprang up, like a storm sweeping across the desert, and tore through the enemy formation.

As for Zhang Cheng, he took the enormous iron bow off his back and gripped its handle.

The bow shuddered violently, as though it had come alive in an instant, with a breath and heartbeat of its own.

His eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, and the darkness did nothing to impair his vision. He nocked an arrow with practiced ease. The steel arrow let out a desperate, hungry roar before tearing through the air!

Boom!

The arrow split the air with an explosion and pierced three Fallen through the head, killing them in a single strike!

The Overlord Path's core ability was to merge with weapons and imbue them with tremendous power!

The rookies of the Ether Association did lack experience.

But the Fallen also had a weakness.

Their Paths were generally not very strong.

By contrast, the Association's members had almost all chosen the strongest of the ancient Paths!

The melee erupted!

"Free our captured teammates first!"

Yan Ye controlled the elements as he assessed the battle. "As for Li Yi, he's already been corrupted. Leave him."

There was nothing wrong with rescuing their teammates, but the words that followed sent a chill through everyone.

Most were too busy fighting to say anything.

Yet Li Xun, the twin brother, didn't object either. He showed no intention of saving his younger brother.

"Xiangsi, Zi Qing, use Saint's Protection to guard against mental interference."

Yan Ye continued giving orders.

Mu Ziqing immediately recited an ancient incantation, bathing everyone in a gentle, holy light.

Nie Xiangsi glanced at her and hurriedly recited the incantation as well, releasing a holy glow.

Just then, something unexpected happened!

Compound Eye sprang into action, gripping an enormous axe in each hand as he stormed into the fight with wide, sweeping blows.

His aura surged to astonishing heights, and his strength was approaching the third tier!

Caught off guard, Cheng Youyu had his back slashed open, a terrifying wound spilling blood like a fountain.

Compound Eye kicked him in the stomach and sent him flying.

Yan Feng realized the man was no pushover and hurriedly raised his arms, forming a shield of qi.

Boom!

Yan Feng was sent flying as well, grunting in pain.

As Priests, Mu Ziqing and Nie Xiangsi immediately spread out and began treating the wounded, one on each side.

Just then, Compound Eye gave a savage grin and charged straight into the rear ranks, axes in hand!

Seeing this, Li Xun didn't hesitate. He released the two Fallen whose necks he had broken and turned to pursue him.

Compound Eye's target was anyone's guess.

Logically, the two Priests were the best targets—and the ones a fighter had to kill first.

However, Yan Ye and Zhang Cheng stood guard behind them, one on each side, so they should have been safe.

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

Yan Ye's hands gathered terrifying flames. He still needed a few seconds to unleash them.

Zhang Cheng had already nocked another arrow, preparing to fire ten at once. The arrows trembled and roared!

Suddenly, his expression changed.

"Look out, Brother Lin!"

Compound Eye had realized killing the Priests would be difficult, so without hesitation, he chose a target outside their tactical formation.

The black-haired boy standing in the corner!

Gu Jianlin!

"I'll kill one of you first and show you what happens when you resist!"

Compound Eye sprang up, lifted his giant axe, and brought it crashing down!

"Li Xun, save him!"

Zhang Cheng bellowed.

After Ghost Humanization, Li Xun was much faster. He could easily have circled around and blocked the attack.

Yet he didn't go to save him. A cold smile touched his lips as he pulled a pitch-black dagger from his waist.

He lunged straight for the other man's back!

Damn!

Zhang Cheng's expression changed dramatically. He instinctively lowered his bow and arrows and was about to rush over.

Nie Xiangsi wanted to hurry over and save him, but it was too late.

"Holy shit, Brother Lin!"

Cheng Youyu coughed up a mouthful of blood, his eyes going blank with shock.

As for the others, Mu Ziqing was healing Yan Feng, and both of them looked calm.

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

He didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with this choice.

Trading the descendant of a Fallen for the chance to kill the enemy's strongest fighter first was well worth it.

At this critical moment, a voice rang out, calm and utterly unruffled.

"Attack with everything you've got."

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

Everyone was slightly taken aback.

For a split second, Compound Eye seemed to drop from the sky like a fierce tiger. He wielded a massive axe in each hand, tearing through the air with a shrill scream.

The blades crossed and came crashing down, their cold gleam flashing and vanishing!

BOOM!

A terrifying roar erupted, like the crash of steel.

Compound Eye landed on one knee, his crossed steel axes frozen in midair, unable to move forward another inch.

Because a hand had seized the crossed blades.

Silence fell. Everyone instinctively stopped attacking, afraid they might hit Gu Jianlin by mistake.

"Samurai Path, second tier. That strike wasn't as fierce as the last one. You didn't use an ability—just brute strength?"

Gu Jianlin lifted his eyes. Something flickered deep in his gaze. "You underestimated me."

Silver-white chains coiled around his right hand, so he hadn't been injured at all.

Pale ghostfire burned at the center of his brow, illuminating his strange, noble features and his deathly cold, ghostlike face.

His black hair fluttered wildly, and his dark eyes spread like ink, swallowing the remaining whites until eerie black markings appeared across his face. They blazed outward like fire, wild and unrestrained.

Black, sinister runes writhed and flowed across his skin as if alive, spreading in countless fine strands.

Violent, overwhelming negative energy filled his body, making him seem like a demon crawling out of hell!

His cold, savage aura climbed higher and higher.

"The information I got says you're a tier-zero Divine Priest."

Compound Eye hadn't chosen his target at random. He'd already looked over everyone's records and had deliberately picked the weakest link.

Besides, this man had killed Joker and carried a Mythic Armament.

Stealing the Mythic Armament was one of his goals, too.

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

He had probably killed Joker by getting lucky and taking advantage of the situation.

"When did you advance?"

Compound Eye tilted his head, his terrifying eyes full of confusion.

Gu Jianlin stared back at him and silently raised the chair he was holding.

"—Take a guess?"

Eight thousand four hundred words today. It got a little late. Thanks to Big Shot Yang Nai for the Silver Alliance support. I'm deeply grateful for your kindness—more updates, more updates...