Chapter 90: Where Did That Bastard Go?"

The young man quickly tore his clothes, wrapped a bandage around his two injured fingers, and got into position to perform his assassination art, ready to strike at Xue Taiyang.

Meanwhile, Reon prepared to manifest his Dark Sword Aura, but just as he was about to act, he suddenly heard the familiar chime of the System echoing in his mind.

[Ding! The Host has been given four options to choose from. Please select one option carefully.]

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[Option 1: Kneel before this man and beg for his forgiveness, pleading for your life to be spared.

Reward: +1 Cultivation Stage]

[Option 2: Surrender the Storage Ring containing the Shadow Recording Stone and flee for your life.

Reward: Qi Enhancement Pill (Uncommon Grade)]

[Option 3: Eliminate this man by any means necessary to secure your survival.

Reward: Innate Talent Awakening Card (Unknown Grade)]

[Option 4: Defeat this man and then show him mercy.

Reward: Agility Boots (Rare Grade)]

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"Fuck! Does this system have no sense of timing? Whatever—I don't have time to check those options now." Reon waved his hand, dismissing the glowing blue panel materializing before him.

"This will be a fight for survival." he thought, his mind racing. "That bastard's Assassination Art is a Mid-Tier Rare-Grade technique—perfected to the Advanced Stage. And on top of that, he's a Low-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator."

"Meanwhile, I'm only a Stage-9 Qi Refining Realm cultivator—and I don't even have an advanced sword technique to rely on. The only reason I handled Gao Jin and his group so easily was that their techniques were mediocre at best. All of them were just Mid or High-Tier Uncommon-Grade."

A sharp urgency coursed through Reon's veins as he assessed the looming threat before him.

"So what? Will I lose against someone like him? Hell nah!" Reon scoffed inwardly.

"After all, I have two monstrous beasts by my side—there's no way I'm losing this fight."

Without hesitation, he activated his Dark Sword Aura. In mere moments, black flames coiled around his blade, flickering with a menacing intensity, ready to unleash devastation.

"Shadow Fang Assassination Art…

First Style—Wind Ghost Step!"

SWISH!

In an instant, the young man vanished like a wisp of smoke, his body as light as a feather. With a swift, almost spectral movement, he reappeared behind Xue Taiyang, his presence barely more than a whisper in the wind.

"Take this, bastard!"

"Shadow Fang Assassination Art…

Second Style—Phantom Fang Strike!"

The young man's voice rang out as he unleashed his deadly technique.

SWOOSH!

Dark, spectral fangs erupted from his thrust, slicing through the air like hungry shadows, aiming to pierce Xue Taiyang from unpredictable angles.

CLANG!

At the final moment, Reon twisted his body, his sword flashing upward, its blade shrouded in Dark Sword Aura. With a sharp, resounding clash, he effortlessly parried the attack, dispersing the shadowy fangs into nothingness.

"There's no need to scream, you idiot!" Reon scoffed.

WHOOSH!

SWOOSH!

WHOOSH!

Without wasting a second, he countered, his sword slashing toward the young man with dark aura surging along its edge.

But his blade met nothing but air. His opponent had already vanished, using Wind Ghost Step to nimbly leap between the trees, dodging every strike with ease.

Yet, the sheer force of Reon's attack sent shockwaves ripping through the forest, splintering trunks and shaking the earth.

"Fuck! Not a single one of my attacks can touch him," Reon cursed inwardly.

From above, the young man sneered. "Bastard, I've analyzed you thoroughly. Your sword aura may be strange, but you lack real combat experience against humans—no sword technique to back it up. Taking down someone like you is child's play."

Reon's grip on his sword tightened. "Damn it… he's right. I can't defeat him on my own—I need the help of my companion beasts"

With a smirk, he raised his voice. "Hey, you monkey bastard! Is all you know how to do jumping around trees? If you've got the guts, fight me head-on!"

His eyes gleamed with intent. "But first, I have to lure him in."

"You're right—it's almost over. Next, I'll come for your head directly. But before that… I'd like to play with you a little." The young man smirked, his eyes gleaming with menace.

"Shadow Fang Assassination Art…

Third Style—Night Veil Execution!"

WHOOSH!

Reon's eyes darted around, his grip tightening on his sword. "Huh? Where did that bastard go?"

The moment the young man activated his third style, his presence vanished entirely from Xue Taiyang's sight. It was as if he had never existed—his aura erased, his movements undetectable, seamlessly blending into the very air itself.

"Are you wondering where I am right now?" The young man's voice echoed from all directions, making it impossible for Xue Taiyang to pinpoint its source.

He scanned his surroundings, eyes darting frantically, but no matter where he looked, there was nothing—no trace of his opponent anywhere.

"Damn it! Where is he? Why does his voice seem to come from everywhere at once?" Reon thought, frustration gnawing at him.