"What?!"
In the shadows, Ghost Shadow Old Devil, transformed into a transparent phantom, was suddenly startled.
It was not because Ji Yuan had reacted too quickly, but because—he had reacted too slowly!
The "Soul-Breaking Spike" in his hand stabbed toward Ji Yuan's back. That fatal strike, containing the full power of a Nascent Soul Middle Stage cultivator and designed to pierce protective aura and powerful flesh alike, unexpectedly met with a strange sensation of sluggish resistance the instant it touched Ji Yuan's robes.
It was as though he had not stabbed into flesh and blood, but into a mass of illusory mist.
At the same time, the "Soul-Shocking Seal" struck out by his other palm was about to stamp onto Ji Yuan's crown.
Yet Ji Yuan's gaze remained calm, even carrying a faint trace of mockery.
That was not the look one should have at the brink of life and death!
Ghost Shadow Old Devil's heart sank, and a terrifying thought flashed through his mind—a trap!
He followed the creed of an assassin: if one strike missed, flee a thousand miles away.
Though he had not yet determined whether the strike had truly missed, that intense sense of discord and danger made him choose to retreat without hesitation.
As his figure drifted backward like a ghost, he immediately transmitted his voice to High Person Bloodslaughter, who stood nearby in a slight daze. "This target is tough. I'm withdrawing first!"
Before his words had faded, the pitch-black "Soul-Breaking Spike" in his hand was not withdrawn. Instead, it slashed rapidly through the air before him!
"Rip—"
"—"
A soft sound rang out, like silk being torn apart.
The scene before him was like a painting sliced open by a blade. Along the trail cut by the short sword, a distinct crack appeared.