Chapter 64

Here is a revised version of the passage:

The roof of the hall was shattered by a ten-centimeter-wide hole, tiles crashing down as dust billowed. Two black-clad figures, hidden on the rafters and poised to strike, froze in shock.

Their third comrade, who should have been aiming from directly above, had been caught off guard. Unexpectedly, the other target looked up, brandishing a shining silver object that fired off a projectile too swift for them to discern.

Then... their companion's chest was pierced, the light glinting off the roof!

"Thud!"

The black-clad man plummeted to the ground, blood pooling around him, a life cut short.

"Ding!"

"Resolved 1/3 assassins [elite mission] hiding in the shadows to kill the host."

Xi Jun often smiled, his arms steady as he aimed his gun at another black-clad figure still perched on a beam. His voice was cold as he spoke, "Daring to come and assassinate me, you are quite audacious!"

With a gun in hand, he felt secure and untroubled.

"Swoosh!"

The targeted assassin hurriedly moved to the opposite side, eyes full of intent to kill, but several concealed devices gleamed in his grasp!

Xi Jun often laughed, flicked his gun, and squeezed the trigger.

"Bang!"

The bullet shot out from the muzzle, piercing the opponent's forehead with astonishing speed. The roof erupted into another hole, and the assailant fell to the ground below.

"Ding!"

"Resolved 2/3 assassins [elite mission] hiding in the shadows to kill the host."

"Swoosh!"

Turning swiftly, Xi Jun often laughed and aimed his gun at the third assassin. His tone was casual as he remarked, "Think you can move faster than this seat's hidden weapons? You might want to reconsider."

The black-clad man, who had planned to retaliate, froze in place, eyes widening with shock.

The first assassin had descended and been killed by a hidden weapon, possibly understandable in the heat of the moment. But the second had been struck down while in motion, a chilling display of skill!

"Swoosh! Swoosh!"

Lu Luzheng and Li Qingyang burst into the hall from the formation, eyes widening at the sight of two black-clad men lying in pools of blood. Following the line of the gun's barrel, they spotted the third assassin still on the beam.

This was... an assassin!

...

Assassins were like venomous snakes lurking in the shadows, always watching their target and striking swiftly when the opportunity arose. This was the stereotype held by ordinary people.

However, the black-clad man standing on the beam at this moment unwittingly mocked this enigmatic profession of 'assassin.' Below, a group of disciples were discussing him openly.

"Is this the assassin?"

"Wearing a black suit in broad daylight? Not afraid of standing out?"

"He looks like he might be a martial artist."

As they spoke, they observed the assassin with the curiosity of spectators at a zoo.

The blood boiled in the veins of the black-clad man, pressure mounting in his throat as if he might spew blood. Yet, he dared not move, for the gleaming silver weapon remained trained on him.

With disciples blocking the exits, escape was impossible even without a gun.

The assassin's actions had brought shame upon his secretive profession.

Xi Jun often sat back with a smile, crossing his legs comfortably. "Enjoying the view? Why not come down?"

The black-clad figures had no choice but to descend from the beam.

Xi Jun often laughed. "Empty your sleeves of hidden weapons, then squat down with your hands on your head."

"Ding!"

With a few pings, the black-clad men obediently squatted down, hands gripping their heads.

"Swoosh!"

Li Qingyang stepped forward, Han Fengjian poised at the neck of one of the assassins.

The assassins were captured. Xi Jun kept his gun trained on them, not overly cautious but ready nonetheless after firing two shots consecutively, his arm muscles tense once more!

Seriously, how long had it been since he'd tempered them in the physical training room?

"Ding!"

"Resolved 3/3 assassins [elite mission] hiding in the shadows to kill the host."

"Ding!"

"Congratulations to the host for completing the side mission and earning 30 martial contribution points."

"Ding!"

"Martial contribution: 92/500."

As Li Qingyang and Su Xiaomo secured the assassins with thick ropes, the secondary mission was fulfilled as stipulated.

To resolve meant to kill, incapacitate, or capture.

Xi Jun often chuckled to himself, thinking, "Thirty points, not bad."

"Leader, what should we do with these assassins?" asked Li Qingyang.

Xi Jun often laughed, approaching the assassins. He removed their black scarves, revealing middle-aged men with stern features, and asked, "Speak. Who sent you to kill me?"

"The first rule of an assassin is not to disclose the identity of the employer!" the assassin gritted his teeth.

Xi Jun often chuckled, squatting down with a smile. "Actually, whether you speak or not, I know it was Lingquan who sent you."

The assassin's eyes flickered strangely, though he quickly masked his reaction.

Xi Jun often laughed, having gotten the answer he wanted. He stood up and said, "Bind their meridians and detain them."

"Yes."

Putianqi and Su Xiaomo took charge of securing the assassins.

Disciples stepped back, gossiping excitedly about the gunshot they'd heard, regretting they hadn't seen the shooting!

Xi Jun often laughed, sitting comfortably on a thousand-year-old nanmu chair. "No wonder they were persistent. Lingquan must be behind this."

Ever since the Yuncheng incident with Wei Yile, Xi Jun knew his relationship with Lingquan was as fiery as ever. However, he hadn't expected such a direct attack.

"First, they sent thieves to tie up my disciples, now they hire assassins to kill me. Lingquan's tactics are escalating," Xi Jun's eyes narrowed dangerously.

If he could ignore it before, now they had tried to kill him multiple times, which went against his principle: if anyone crossed him, they'd pay the price.

"The martial arts competition will soon conclude. It's time to show them I'm not one to trifle with."

Xi Jun often laughed, firm in his resolve.

He accessed the purchased items in the data panel and ignited the exquisite fire.

"Ding!"

"The host spends 50 contribution points to obtain the best fire, exquisite fire × 1, delivered to the space ring."

"Ding!"

"Martial contribution: 42/100."

"Swoosh!"

In the space ring, Xi Jun often chuckled, conjuring a flame with a snap of his fingers. This was the exquisite fire, successfully purchased from the mall.

With the tinder in hand, he could be considered a 'fire warrior,' channeling spiritual power to conjure flames.

"The flame is here; time for alchemy!"

Xi Jun often laughed, handing two disciples a thousand two-silver notes, instructing them to purchase four types of medicinal herbs from Qingyang City while he continued practicing martial arts.

By dusk, the disciples returned with the purchased herbs.

Although they brought back a variety of medicinal materials, Xi Jun only managed to refine five Healing Dan (First Level Product) and two Body Sculpting Dan (First Level Product). The Juyan Dan and Cyclone Dan were still lacking.

Xi Jun often laughed, unconcerned. "Let's try the refining cabinet."

He selected the refining cabinet, started the alchemy, and with automatic material matching, exquisite fire pairing, and the glowing 'Refine' button, he began.

"Ding! Ding! Ding!"

Thirty minutes later, five Healing Dan and two Body Sculpting Dan appeared in the space ring.

Xi Jun often laughed. "In the main character's alchemy in novels, it usually takes a chapter or two to describe the difficulty. I didn't expect such an easy success in the Alchemy Pavilion."

The Healing Dan was temporarily ineffective. He stored it in a Dan bottle first, then picked up a Body Sculpting Dan and swallowed it.

The medicinal effects surged, transforming his meridians, blood vessels, and muscles in an instant!

"Boom!"

Xi Jun often laughed, striking the strength testing machine, which displayed a reading of 2200 kilograms.

Having broken through twelve meridians, he tested his strength at two thousand pounds, a two-hundred-pound increase after ingesting the Body Sculpting Dan!

"Creak."

At that moment, Xiao Xie slipped out of the practice room.

Xi Jun often smiled, walking over and opening his mouth, tossing the only Body Sculpting Dan left and murmuring, "You've really put a lot of effort into this, disciple."

...

Twenty-six days later.

Li Qingyang and five other disciples completed their rigorous training, standing ready on the Yanwu field.

Xi Jun, clad in white, stepped out of the hall, his voice ringing clear. "This time, as we head to Liyang City for the martial arts competition, this seat has only one requirement: finish in the top five!"

"Yes!"

Li Qingyang and Su Xiaomo echoed in unison.

With a snap of his fingers, Xi Jun often laughed, leading them out the gate, the attention of many disciples following, marking the first step toward the Iron Bone Sect's prominence on the continent!