The night was quiet. Too quiet.
I lay in bed, half-asleep, when a subtle ripple of killing intent brushed past my senses.
My eyes snapped open.
Crack!
Glass shattered as two black-cloaked figures burst through the window like shadows.
"Assassins!" I growled, rolling out of bed and grabbing Yang Kai, who slept nearby. "Hold on!"
I leapt out the broken window just as the assassins' blades sliced through the mattress where I'd been. They pursued instantly, their figures flickering across rooftops like wraiths.
Their cultivation surged in my senses—Nascent Soul – Seventh Layer.
Tch. Why would such powerful enemies come after me?
My evasion techniques barely kept me ahead as their sword strikes rained down like lightning.
A flash of pink light came from behind—Mu Lingyao and Feng Xuan appeared in the courtyard, weapons drawn.
"What's going on!?" Mu Lingyao demanded.
"Assassins. I'm handing Yang Kai to you—keep him safe!" I said, tossing the boy toward her. "I'll handle them."
The assassins landed, their auras oppressive.
One of them stepped forward, voice muffled by a black mask. "We don't want bloodshed. Hand over the dress you bought at the auction."
My brows furrowed. That dress? For Yun Sha?
I laughed coldly. "And if I say no?"
The second assassin lunged, blade flashing with lethal intent. I blocked, but the force behind it was immense. I skidded back, blood trailing from my lips.
"You're strong for your realm," the first one said. "But not strong enough. Hand over the item, and we may spare your life."
I wiped the blood from my mouth. "You've forced my hand."
The second assassin sneered. "You can't even withstand a single strike. What can you possibly—"
"System," I said calmly. "Use one Annihilation Token."
Ding!
One Annihilation Token used.
A golden rune flared in the sky above, and the first assassin didn't even have time to scream before he disintegrated into dust—erased from existence.
Mu Lingyao and Feng Xuan stood frozen, eyes wide.
"He… he killed a Nascent Soul cultivator in one move?" Mu Lingyao whispered.
Yang Kai gawked. "Master is a monster."
Ding!
One Annihilation Token remaining.
The remaining assassin turned pale, aura flickering in panic.
"I-I'm not staying here!" he shouted, leaping away to flee.
I raised a hand.
"System—use another Annihilation Token."
Ding!
Last Annihilation Token used.
The second assassin vanished without a trace, no scream, no body—nothing but silence.
I sheathed my sword. "And that's how it's done."
Feng Xuan gulped. "You just… took out two Nascent Soul cultivators… alone."
I grinned and lied, "It was my master's protective treasure. He left it behind for emergencies."
Still stunned, they all returned to their rooms for the night. But I remained outside, staring at the star-filled sky.
"Hey, system," I muttered.
Ding!
Awaiting host's command.
"Where's my XP? I just killed two cultivators."
Ding!
Host, the Annihilation Tokens are external items. The kills were not your own, so no XP is awarded.
"What? That's a scam!" I yelled in frustration. "You cheat me like that!?"
Silence.
I sighed and finally trudged back into my room, flopping onto the bed.
"Forget it. Sleep first… kill later."