"Ahhhhhhh–" Ji Yao's scream echoed as he was hurled toward Ye Yuan.
Ye Yuan stepped forward, sending a casual claw strike toward Ji Yao, who was flying at him, though his eyes remained fixed on the Third Leader behind.
'Something's wrong,' Ye Yuan thought instantly, his gaze locking onto the Third Leader – who, instead of running away, was looking right back at him, eye to eye.
'What does he mean by that?' Ye Yuan wondered, his claw just about to land on Ji Yao.
Suddenly, he felt a strange sensation(danger) coming from Ji Yao – something completely different from before.
"Wind and Dew Steps."
In a stress reaction, Ye Yuan subconsciously performed the newly learned martial art. His body turned light as dew in air, and with a gentle tap of his toes, he shot upward, crossing right above Ji Yao.
Swish swish swish
The sharp sound of objects cutting through the air followed right after. Ye Yuan's eyes narrowed as several thin, sharp objects passed through the spot where he had just been.
When they hit the ground, he finally saw them clearly – small, palm-sized needles, their tips completely black, exuding a faintly ominous glint.
"Huh, you dodged?" a voice came from below.
Ji Yao, who had been flung midair, twisted his body in an almost impossible motion and landed safely on the ground. His eyes now carried a curious light as he looked at Ye Yuan.
"Is this some kind of speed-based martial art?" he muttered, calmly observing Ye Yuan.
"Who are you?" Ye Yuan asked instinctively, as the current Ji Yao – whether in his body language or aura – felt like a completely different person.
"Huh? What do you mean, who am I? Aren't I, Ji Yao, the one you all took a mission to hunt?" Ji Yao replied calmly, unfazed, his sharp gaze never leaving Ye Yuan.
"But don't talk about me," he continued, tilting his head slightly. "It's you who's even more confusing. With that face, you're probably under eighteen. Add to that your poor clothes and cheap weapon – you clearly don't come from money.
So tell me, how did someone below eighteen reach such mastery in three different martial arts – and all of different types?"
He paused, smiling faintly as he studied Ye Yuan from top to bottom.
"Or maybe… you're one of those hidden young masters? A talented heir of some big sect traveling in disguise?"
Ji Yao shook his head. "No, no, it still doesn't fit. If that were true, why would they only teach you low Yellow-grade skills? No major power would waste time on that. They'd give their heir something much better."
Ji Yao kept talking, his eyes sweeping over Ye Yuan as if dissecting him. His cold, appraising gaze made Ye Yuan's skin crawl with disgust.
"Envoy, forgive my earlier rudeness!"
Ye Yuan's attention shifted for a moment – the Third Leader had somehow crawled up behind Ji Yao and was now kneeling with his head lowered.
"There's no need. I don't care about small things like attitude," Ji Yao replied dismissively, waving his hand.
"But…" he sighed softly, his tone changing. "I did waste those hidden weapons for nothing. It's almost impossible to get such potent poison in Blackwood City, you know?"
He turned back toward Ye Yuan, his expression once again calm and curious.
"Now, where were we? Ah yes – how did you reach such proficiency in three martial arts? Was it under someone's guidance… or did you find some hidden treasure?"
He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, or maybe you're that one-in-a-thousand genius who grows without relying on anyone else – a rough diamond waiting to be polished?"
"So what if I am, or what if I'm not?" Ye Yuan replied coolly, his gaze steady on Ji Yao's black eyes – eyes devoid of emotion.
"Hmm… how about you join the Dragon Slaying Cult?" Ji Yao said casually, smiling. "I could recommend you myself."
"But Envoy, he just kille–" the Third Leader began to speak, but Ji Yao cut him off sharply.
"And what if he killed them all? Isn't it common for a few people to die in this world?"
As he said this, a dark, crystal-like mark appeared on the Third Leader's forehead. It pulsed twice – then twisted violently.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
A heart-wrenching scream erupted from the Third Leader as he collapsed to the ground, clutching his head in agony. His entire body convulsed, his veins bulging as the mark on his forehead flickered with a dark light.
"Haah… haah… haah…"
As the pain subsided, the Third Leader lay sprawled on the ground, breathing heavily. His chest rose and fell rapidly as he tried to regain focus and push away the lingering agony.
With his earlier wounds and the fresh blood soaking his body, he looked like a man who had been thoroughly tortured.
"Even if I don't care about your rudeness, you should know it's bad manners to interrupt when others are having a good conversation," Ji Yao said casually, his tone light as he turned his attention back to Ye Yuan.
"So then – what do you think of my proposal?"
"I – Refuse," Ye Yuan replied sharply, his expression cold and eyes steady.
"Ahh, is that so?" Ji Yao sighed dramatically, tilting his head upwards with an exaggeratedly sad look. "My first invitation to someone, and it gets rejected. How heartbreaking."
He even made a fake tearful expression, but within moments, it vanished – replaced by a calm, cold stare.
"Unfortunately," he said quietly, "now I can't let you leave alive."
As soon as those words left his mouth, Ji Yao moved. His cuffs flicked outward, and a flash of silver light shot through the air.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Several slim throwing knives flew toward Ye Yuan at blinding speed, slicing through the air like lightning.
Click!
Ye Yuan unsheathed his saber instantly. This time, he was prepared.
"Swift Saber Technique!"
Ding! Ding! Ding!
With rapid bursts of light, his blade danced through the air, striking the flying knives mid-flight. Sparks scattered, and the knives clattered harmlessly to the ground.
But before he could even take another breath, Ji Yao was already there – appearing in front of him like a shadow. His arm lashed out, flexible and fast like a whip.
Ye Yuan reacted instantly.
Shing!
A flash of light cut through the space between them. A thin line of red appeared across Ji Yao's forearm – shallow, but enough to draw few drops of blood.
The strike's force, however, sent Ye Yuan skidding backward several steps before he managed to steady himself.
Ji Yao looked down at the small cut, then sneered. "Even with three advanced martial arts, you can at best handle someone in the mid Flesh training Realm. So tell me, how will you face me – a high Flesh training warrior?"
His foot suddenly snapped upward, sharp as a blade. The wind howled as his leg whipped through the air, aimed straight for Ye Yuan's neck.