Ian's figure finally slowly manifested from within that ghostly blue vortex.
He did not intentionally hide his strength. That terrifying magnetic field power, which had surpassed the limit of a million horsepower, was like an invisible tide that instantly swept across the entire Tang Sect martial arts field. The air seemed to solidify into a physical substance at this moment; every speck of dust stopped dancing, the wind ceased abruptly, and the light of the lamps seemed suppressed and dimmed.
The old Tang Sect Leader's face turned pale in an instant. It felt as if an invisible giant hand had seized his throat, making even breathing incredibly difficult. His battle-hardened body tensed instinctively, and the Qi within him surged frantically in an attempt to resist this pressure, yet it was as futile as a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
The surrounding Tang Sect experts acted as if facing a mortal enemy. They gripped their poisoned hidden weapons, held their trigger mechanisms, and crouched low in defensive stances. Shock and disbelief were written on every face as they stared fixedly at the man who had appeared last. That man was clearly just standing there peacefully, yet he seemed to be the center of the entire world, radiating a terrifying aura that made their very souls tremble.
What kind of monster was this?
The Head of the Zhao Family lost all color in his face, his legs turning so weak he nearly collapsed to the ground.
However, in the next moment, that physical, terrifying pressure vanished without a trace. Ian perfectly withdrew that vast magnetic field power into his body, as if everything that had just happened was merely an illusion.
With a gentle smile on his face, he stepped forward and naturally patted the shoulder of the burly, middle-aged Zhang Zhiwei beside him, signaling for him to step back.
"Sect Leader Tang, Head of the Zhao Family, do not be alarmed. We are not enemies."
His gaze swept across the field and landed back on the old Tang Sect Leader and the Head of the Zhao Family. "We are outcasts of the 'Magnetic Field Sect.'"
"Our disciples come from all corners of the world; they include members of various major sects and families. We have gathered together solely because we all practice the same kind of power—this 'Magnetic Field Martial Arts.'"
Ian gestured toward Zhang Zhiwei beside him. "This one used to be from the Celestial Master Mansion of Dragon-Tiger Mountain."
He then pointed toward the middle-aged man with bloodshot eyes who was radiating a sky-toppling killing intent. "This one is from the Lu family."
Next, he pointed toward a middle-aged man with a resolute face and steady eyes. "And this one is from the Lu family as well."
He casually identified the origins of several individuals.
The old Tang Sect Leader and the Head of the Zhao Family looked carefully at those Ian pointed out, and their pupils constricted instantly.
Dragon-Tiger Mountain? The man before them was as burly and sturdy as an iron tower, with muscles bulging and filled with a sense of explosive power. Where was there even a hint of the elegant, ethereal look of a Dragon-Tiger Mountain Taoist? Although his clothing bore a faint resemblance to the style of Dragon-Tiger Mountain, his physique and temperament made it hard to believe.
And that member of the Lu family—his face did indeed bear a resemblance to the head of the Lu family, but his body size was also a bit exaggerated.
The old Tang Sect Leader was filled with suspicion and uncertainty, and could only temporarily credit everything to that mysterious "Magnetic Field Martial Arts." What kind of miraculous method was this unheard-of martial art that could cause such a world-shaking change in a person's temperament and even their physique?
At that moment, a sharp-eyed young Tang Sect disciple couldn't help but let out a low cry of shock from within the crowd. He pointed at the middle-aged Zhang Zhiwei, his voice trembling with disbelief.
"Sect Leader! Look! He... he looks too much like Zhang Zhiwei of Dragon-Tiger Mountain!"
"Could he be his older brother?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding Tang Sect disciples broke into a flurry of whispers and low-voiced speculation.
"You're right, they look so alike, especially the eyes and brows!"
"If you took away the beard, it feels like it's the same person!"
"This physique is too terrifying. Does Dragon-Tiger Mountain really have this kind of style?"
Ian ignored the disciples' chatter and looked at the old Tang Sect Leader, his smile remaining gentle.
"I believe I just heard you all discussing a plan to deal with some Ninja Leader from Bihe Mountain?"
"It's perfect timing. My disciples here have just learned some new skills, and every one of them is itching for a fight. Why don't you let us participate as well?"
"Consider it our small contribution toward eliminating a national pest."
The old Tang Sect Leader looked at Ian, his voice low and solemn. "This... Sect Leader, I thank your noble sect for its kindness. But the matter of assassinating that villain is of great consequence; it is not child's play."
The old Sect Leader's tone was serious, carrying a hint of undetectable wariness.
"That Ninja Leader of Bihe Mountain is not only powerful himself, but his methods are also eerie and unpredictable. More importantly, he is currently hiding within a heavily guarded encampment of the Japanese invaders, making his movements extremely secretive and his protection airtight."
"My Tang Sect disciples are proficient in the arts of stealth and tracking, and specialize in the ways of mechanical traps and poison. We have researched this path for hundreds of years across generations. Only then do we have a certain degree of confidence in approaching the target silently to complete the assassination."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the "Magnetic Field Sect" members behind Ian who possessed such powerful auras—especially the violently radiating Lu Ci and the phenomenally built Zhang Zhiwei.
"Your noble sect's strength is earth-shaking, and I admire it. But if I may speak frankly, the auras of you all are too powerful and domineering, like the sun in the dark of night—there is no hiding them. I fear that before you even get close to that Japanese camp, you will have already alerted the enemy."
"If that happens, not only will the assassination fail, but our intentions might be exposed. Alerting the Japanese to encircle us is a small matter, but if we fail to kill that Ninja Leader, it could ruin everything."
The old Sect Leader's voice was resolute, carrying the confidence and pride of the Tang Sect's centuries of heritage.
"Infiltration, reconnaissance, poisoning, and extraction—every step requires precise calculation, professional skill, and countless hours of practice. The dangers involved are unimaginable to those who haven't experienced them personally."
He straightened his back slightly, a sharp light flickering in his single eye.
"Forgive my bluntness, but the risk is immense. It is something that can only be done by those with special inheritance and long-term, rigorous training. This kind of 'dirty work'—hiding in the shadows to end an enemy's life in silence—should still be left to us 'professionals.'"
Though his words were polite, he made no effort to hide his absolute confidence in his own sect's skills, as well as his worry and distrust toward the negative impact Ian's "brute" strength might have on a stealth operation.
Ian laughed when he heard this. How were their assassinations not professional? Besides, wasn't this mission supposed to be a "Bright Killing"?
Ian then replied, "Our Magnetic Field Sect is also quite adept in the way of assassination. Our assassinations and Bright Killings are both extremely professional; we have never failed in all these years."
However, Ian didn't explain their methods. In the Magnetic Field Sect, an "assassination" meant killing every single person on the opposing side—that way, no one would know an assassination had taken place.
A "Bright Killing" meant leaving exactly one survivor to go back and report; then, once reinforcements arrived, those reinforcements would be killed as well.
This was the way of assassination for a magnetic field warrior!