The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 444: Instant Killer vs. Ghost Hand!

Instant Killer vs. Ghost Hand! . . .

These two individuals found themselves on opposing sides, harboring a strong desire to see the other's downfall.

Hence, despite knowing that he was being used as a pawn, Boundless Saint leaped into the fray. In this critical moment, all assassins had converged to wage war against Ling-Bao Hall.

This was the ideal opportunity to engage in a life-or-death battle with Ning Biluo. Failing to eliminate Ning Biluo during this golden chance would likely mean that another opportunity would never present itself.

However, Ning Biluo's astounding power had caught Boundless Saint off guard. He had never envisioned ending up in this dire predicament.

Gritting his teeth, Boundless Saint struggled to maintain a defensive stance in the confrontation. Instantly defeating Ning Biluo was out of the question, and he was exerting every ounce of his strength merely to prolong the skirmish. It was more akin to a desperate struggle against impending doom. Nonetheless, he clung to a glimmer of hope. Although Ning Biluo was incredibly formidable in the state of human-sword merger, this state couldn't be sustained indefinitely. No matter how vast his energy reserves, there was always a limit. Once exhaustion set in, Boundless Saint would have an opening to retaliate.

For Boundless Saint, the priority was clear—Ning Biluo must be vanquished, more so than Feng Monarch!

The outcome of this battle rested on which side could endure longer.

Should Ning Biluo's formidable state eventually wane due to exhaustion, when his sword's radiance dimmed, the six opponents would undoubtedly launch an intense counterattack. It wouldn't be unusual for him to be brought down swiftly by a swift kill.

Nevertheless, if the other side failed to remain vigilant until that moment, they would meet their end. Their primary objective was to sustain the fight. Failure to do so would result in their collective demise.

From a long-term perspective, Boundless Lake appeared to be the more optimistic side.

Yet, Ning Biluo continued to display unyielding ferocity, despite the significant duration of the human-sword merger. He appeared tireless, while the six superior cultivators on the opposing side were growing weary.

...

On the contrary, Zhao Pingtian did not experience the same fortune as Ning Biluo. He had confidently proclaimed his intent to defeat the adversary, but reality unfolded differently. He remained oblivious to the identity of his opponent, who possessed exceptional martial skills. In fact, this adversary was no weaker than Zhao Pingtian.

Most significantly, this opponent appeared to have studied Zhao Pingtian's combat style meticulously, displaying a profound knowledge of his every move. Consequently, this opponent devised a tactical strategy aimed at exploiting Zhao Pingtian's vulnerabilities. Despite Zhao Pingtian's best efforts, he could only manage to fend off his opponent's advances, making no discernible headway in the battle.

Zhao Pingtian had recently acquired a new sword from Cha Eun Xiao to replace his broken one. Without this new weapon, he might have found himself in dire straits in the current battle.

Taking to the skies in their combat, the two martial experts engaged in hundreds of exchanges. Only when their reserves of qi were depleted did they descend to the ground. Yet, even as they landed, their duel persisted, their figures whirling around like twin tornadoes. Anyone caught in their vicinity was unceremoniously blown away.

After steadying themselves, they recommenced their fierce engagement. Their contest remained evenly matched as they both staggered backward. While retreating, they left phantom images suspended in the air, their actual forms colliding relentlessly. Swords, blades, fists, and kicks blended into a frenetic whirlwind, careening from west to east. Their movements were so swift that even the keenest observers struggled to follow.

Suddenly, a voice called out from the sky, prompting both combatants to ascend once more.

Meanwhile, Liu Changjun's predicament was growing increasingly perilous. Seven hundred assassins fought with unwavering determination. However, their foes lacked the same synergy since they hailed from various factions. Nonetheless, their sheer numbers were a formidable force.

Despite the countless lifeless bodies strewn about, many more assailants continued to scale the walls and infiltrate Ling-Bao Hall. It was as if an unrelenting tide was pouring in.

The reward for Liu Changjun's head had reached an astronomical figure, nearing ten billion. Such an exorbitant sum could drive anyone to desperate measures.

Assassins, who earned their living through murder, had no qualms about risking their lives. After all, they knew their existence was inherently precarious. The prospect of securing this immense sum, enough to alter the course of their lives, was too tantalizing to resist. Their eyes gleamed with a fervent determination.

Liu Changjun tirelessly battled on every front, defending his comrades. However, over a hundred members of his group had already perished.

The enemy's numbers continued to swell.

More and more adversaries surged into the courtyard, flooding it like a relentless tide. Liu Changjun bore wounds on three different locations, blood seeping from his injuries. Unmindful of his own suffering, he continued to combat the intruders.

In this critical moment, a chilling voice reverberated through the chaos. "That's Liu Changjun, the Instant Killer. Stand down, all of you. Let me face him!"

A shadow swooped into Ling-Bao Hall with the swiftness of a hunting hawk. His narrow eyes gleamed with malevolence, and an aura of death surrounded him, rendering him a visage of senseless brutality.

Liu Changjun's heart sank as he laid eyes upon this menacing figure. He recognized him all too well - this man bore the title of "Ghost Hand."

The moniker belonged to Yin Yucheng, a name that sounded innocuous but veiled a ruthless killer. He held the fifth position on the assassination ranking, and he was a practitioner of the formidable Sky Origin Stage.

Yin Yucheng strolled forward with his hands casually behind his back, his hawk-like eyes fixed unwaveringly on Liu Changjun. He spoke with a chilling nonchalance, "Instant Killer Liu Changjun. Excellent. Very well."

In response, Liu Changjun uttered a contemptuous retort, "Ning Biluo and Zhao Pingtian are far more formidable. Do you dare to challenge them?" His words carried a clear undertone of mockery, as he insinuated that Yin Yucheng had chosen the path of least resistance.

Ghost Hand Yin Yucheng emitted a disdainful sneer, his eyes glinting like those of a predatory bird. "The situation is dire, and there's no need to seek them out. They'll meet their demise without my intervention. As for you, Liu Changjun, your focus should be on how you'll meet your end at my hands. Whether you depart in agony or with bliss, it's all the same - death, but the sensations it yields will differ."

Liu Changjun responded with a mocking smirk, "In the end, it's all death. Since when did assassins have to engage in such verbose banter before a fight? Are you suggesting that a pre-battle chat is necessary? Did you learn this from your master's wife? Let me enlighten you. Talking to you is a monumental pain in the posterior!"

Yin Yucheng snorted with derision, and his eyes blazed with a murderous intent. "Sharp-tongued, I see. Know this, you are already a dead man. I assure you, I'll take ten days to extract every ounce of agony from you before you draw your final breath!"