CHAPTER 16: endless

Bai xieye's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing the mesterius figure more closely

The white-robed man stepped forward, his body emitting an aura different from ordinary cultivators.

Spiritual pressure filled the air.

Bai xieye could feel it.

>"This mesterius man is at the peak core formation stage..."

A stage that only a few people in this world possessed.

The assassin from the shooting star sect gritted his teeth. His injured hand still gripped his bloody chain, but his gaze was filled with fear.

"Why would someone like you be in a place like this?" Her voice was trembling, either from injury or fear.

The white-robed man did not answer directly. Instead, he looked at Bai xieye with a faint smile.

"I just happened to be passing by."

His tone of voice was light, but behind it implied something deeper.

Bai xieye was unaffected by her presence, but in his head had already begun to formulate various possibilities and plans.

"The shooting star sect... They are known as a sect whose members are quite powerful and famous. If someone from this sect is sent to kill me, then it means that I have attracted the attention of someone quite influential."

However, the presence of this white-robed man was more suspicious.

Who was he exactly?

TSSSSH!

Suddenly, the assassin of the shooting star sect darted forward, swinging the venomous chain with full force towards the man in white robes!

His attack was no longer aimed at Bai xieye. But more like an attack to escape.

However-

[Azure lotus seal.]

The white-robed man's voice sounded soft.

In an instant, a symbol was engraved in the air, shining with a turquoise-blue light.

BRAK!

The assassin was struck by an invisible force, his body as if crushed by a giant mountain.

TSSSSH!

Blood gushed from his mouth as his bones shattered in an instant.

The assassin fell to his knees, his entire body trembling.

Bai xieye observed everything keenly.

This technique....

This man wasn't just an ordinary core formation. He was already halfway to the next stage.

The white-robed man sighed, then turned to Bai xieye.

"I wonder... How did someone like you make it this far?"

The atmosphere grew heavier.

Bai xieye realized something:

He was now in a situation where he was not only a hunter but also being hunted.

"I can't let him dominate this situation."

Bai xieye raised his sword slowly.

Although his opponent was stronger in cultivation, he would not allow himself to become a pawn in someone else's game...

[Red hell fang tear]

His sword trembled, emitting ripples of energy that resonated with the night wind.

"I can't win in a head-on fight, but...."

With incredible speed, Bai xieye leaped forward...

The white-robed man did not move.

However, the moment Bai xieye's sword almost hit his body-

"Heaven's Mirage."

The man's figure disappeared like a shadow on the water.

From behind!

Bai xieye instantly twisted his body, slashing backwards with sharp reflexes.

CLANK!

His sword met the white-robed man's bare finger!

Bai xieye's eyes narrowed.

Resisting my slash with just days...?

This fast?"

However, he had already expected this.

[Blood Slash - Death Raven]

Bai xieye's sword trembled, bouncing power back with unexpected force!

The white-robed man smiled faintly. And took a step back for the first time.

"It worked."

Bai xieye jumped onto a nearby rooftop, creating distance.

Below, the ground that was their battlefield trembled violently.

The surrounding stone walls began to collapse from the energy pressure.

The residents who were still awake fell silent in fear.

Even some low-level cultivators felt dizzy just by being near this battle.

But Bai xieye wouldn't let this fight drag on.

"I've seen enough."

He couldn't kill this man now.

However, he could leave without losing his dignity.

With a single movement, he disappeared into the shadows of the dark city.

Bai xieye was silent, his eyes still fixed on the direction where the white-robed man had disappeared.

"Damn..."

His hands trembled slightly, not from fear, but rather from exhaustion after such a long battle.

Blood flowed from the wound on his shoulder, dripping onto the ground. His breathing was heavy.

The man in the white robe.... The assassin who attacked him.... Disappeared like a shadow without leaving a trace.

Bai xieye kept his posture steady. Although he looked relaxed, he was still alert. Just in case the assassin was still stalking him from the darkness.

But after a while, no attack came.

He finally lowered his sword slowly, but did not sheath it.

"He just left... Or is this just part of another plan?"

From the experience he had, enemies who left for no reason usually had hidden intentions.

Bai xieye scanned around, his eyes combing every shadow in the passage. However, silence was the only answer he got.

Finally, he let out a deep breath.

"I should get out of here before more enemies arrive."

With slow steps, he began to walk away.

However, the pain in his shoulder began to get sharper.

The wound from the chain attack seemed to be deeper than he thought.

As he took a step, a sudden dizziness attacked him.

"What is this?"

The blood flowing from the wound was darker in color.

Bai xieye's eyes widened. Poison.

"Bastard.... It's not an ordinary wound."

He quickly reached into his clothes, taking out the antidote pill he had brought with him. But the moment he tried to put it into his mouth...

TSSSSH!

Her hand trembled slightly.

The effect of the poison was starting to work.

Bai xieye gritted his teeth and forced himself to swallow the pill.

"Damn, I have to find a safe place before the effects of this poison get worse."

Although the pill was beginning to suppress the effects of the poison, he knew that this was only a temporary solution.

He had to find a way to completely neutralize this poison... Before his body weakened completely.

With hobbled steps, Bai xieye stepped further away from this place.

But as he approached the exit, another shadowy figure appeared in front of him.

Bai xieye halted his steps, his hand again gripping his sword tightly.

From a dark place, a silver-haired man in a black robe walked out.

His eyes shone sharply, and in his hand, a dark purple longsword pulsed with strange energy.

The man grinned.

"Looks like you're not in a good state, boy."

Bai xieye raised his head. Staring at the man expressionlessly.

"Damn... Another enemy came again."

However, although his body felt increasingly weakened, a cold smile began to form on his face

"There is only one choice... I must kill him before this myopic kills me."

The silver-haired man stepped forward confidently. His black cloak fluttered softly in the night breeze. His purple sword gleamed in the moonlight, emitting an odd energy that made the air around him tremble.

"My name is Ling Fengwu of the Purple Sword Sect," he said in an arrogant tone. "I didn't expect to meet my main target in a place like this."

Bai Xieye stood up straight, hiding his weakened body condition. The poison from the previous chain of assassins began to spread, making his vision slightly blurry. The antidote pill he swallowed only bought him a little time, not completely eliminating the poison.

"Purple Sword Sect..." Bai Xieye muttered under his breath. A sect famous for their poisonous sword techniques. His knowledge of the various sects and clans was indeed extensive, despite his young age.

Ling Fengwu grinned widely at Bai Xieye's condition. Although his opponent tried to hide it, Ling Fengwu's sharp eyes could see signs of weakness on the young man's body.

"I've been following you since you left the city earlier," Ling Fengwu said, moving his sword in a graceful circular motion. "Seeing you fight against the previous two opponents... was entertaining."

Bai Xieye remained calm. His brain was spinning fast, searching for the best strategy to deal with this new opponent in his not-so-great condition. His hand gripped his sword tightly, trying to suppress the tremors that were starting to appear due to the poison.

"To be honest, I'm a little disappointed," Ling Fengwu continued. "The person who was valued at 50,000 spirit stones turned out to be just a kid like you. But seeing your ability against those two opponents earlier, I can understand why the reward for your head is so high."

Bai Xieye's eyes narrowed. The pressure of Ling Fengwu's cultivation was palpable-a late-level Foundation Establishment. Under normal conditions, Bai Xieye might be able to face it with more confidence. But now, with poison eating away at his body and stamina drained after two consecutive fights...

"If you're done talking," Bai Xieye said coldly, "let's get this over with."

Without further warning, Bai Xieye darted forward. His sword slashed horizontally towards Ling Fengwu's neck.

CLANG!

The two swords met in a deafening boom of energy. Sparks emerged from the meeting point of the two weapons.

Ling Fengwu smiled, enjoying the thrill of the fight. "Quite powerful for someone who's already weakened," he commented. "But far from enough!"

With one powerful push, Ling Fengwu pushed Bai Xieye backwards. The young man was thrown a few steps back, but managed to keep his balance.

"[Purple Sky Poison - First Slash]!"

Ling Fengwu's sword moved quickly, leaving a purple trail in the air. Purple-black energy shot towards Bai Xieye like a rampaging dragon.

Bai Xieye gritted his teeth. His body felt heavier than usual, his response slightly delayed due to the poison.

"[Moon Shadow Dance]!"

With movements a split second slower than usual, Bai Xieye managed to dodge. Ling Fengwu's slashing energy slammed into the wall behind him, leaving a large hole with blackened edges and emitting toxic fumes.

"Slowly," Ling Fengwu commented. "You're slowing down, boy. The poison from the assassin earlier must have started working properly."

Bai Xieye did not reply. His breathing was getting heavier. He had to end this fight quickly before his condition worsened further.

"[Red Hell Fang Tear]!"

Bai Xieye's sword was enveloped in dark red flames. He swung it in a powerful vertical motion.

Ling Fengwu did not dodge. Instead, he raised his sword to parry.

"[Poisonous Purple Shield]!"

Purple-black energy formed a protective layer around his sword. The flames from Bai Xieye's attack met with that purple energy, creating a blast of energy that split the night air.

BOOM!

The shockwave from the collision of the two techniques shattered several sections of the street and walls around them. Dust and debris flew in all directions.

When the dust began to settle, Bai Xieye and Ling Fengwu were still standing face to face. Both were still gripping their swords, but Bai Xieye was clearly more out of breath.

"Interesting technique," Ling Fengwu commented. "But I can feel the power isn't as full as it should be. Is the poison starting to affect the flow of qi in your body?"

Bai Xieye felt cold sweat start to break out on his forehead. His vision was getting blurry. The time given by the antidote pill was running out.

"I'll end this quickly," Ling Fengwu said, raising his sword. "Perhaps I'll take your head to the sect headquarters. The reward for your head is enough to buy some high-level cultivation techniques."

Bai Xieye tightened his grip on his sword. He took a deep breath, trying to stabilize the flow of qi in his body that had begun to be chaotic due to the poison.

"[Purple Sky Poison - Nine Consecutive Slashes]!"

Ling Fengwu darted forward with incredible speed. His sword moved in intricate patterns, leaving a purple trail that formed nine lines in the air.

Bai Xieye concentrated all of his concentration. He knew he couldn't possibly dodge all those slashes in his current state. He had to take a risk.

"[Shadow Sword Dance - Three Moons]!"

Bai Xieye's body seemed to split into three, each moving in a different yet complementary pattern. This was a high-level technique that he should not use in his low stamina state, but he had no other choice.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

The sound of clashing swords echoed throughout the dark hallway. Bai Xieye's three shadows managed to parry or dodge seven of Ling Fengwu's nine slashes.

However, the last two slashes...