Two black-cloaked figures dashed through the dark forest at astonishing speed. Their movements left no trace, their presence as light as air—true assassins of the infamous Hunter Assassin Clan.
They were both Qi Condensation Level 9, confident and deadly.
"Brother," one of them chuckled, "this mission is too easy. No Foundation Realm cultivators to guard the mountain. We'll kill him, take the reward, and return before dusk."
The second assassin, more cautious, narrowed his eyes as they approached a river.
"I… feel something's wrong. Like eyes are watching us… This place… doesn't feel right."
Before he could finish, their surroundings shifted.
Suddenly, they stood in a blood-red valley, the ground sticky and thick, the air filled with the stench of iron.
Then—
From the trees.
From the rocks.
From the shadows.
Over a hundred men and women, each dressed in black, daggers drawn, eyes cold and soaked with killing intent.
They were surrounded.
"What the hell is this?!" one assassin barked, readying his blade.
From the crowd, a tall demi-human stepped forward. His sharp fangs glinted in the mist.
"Hunter Clan assassins… right? You don't talk much. Good. Makes it easier."
Without warning, the demi-human vanished and appeared behind the first assassin—slicing through his spine.
The second turned in shock, only to be pierced through the chest. His eyes widened before they dulled into death.
The demi-human crouched beside the corpse and began soul searching.
Moments later, his expression twisted in fury.
"Someone… is targeting Master Xuan Long."
He immediately rushed toward the mountain base, storming into the war room.
"Hei Mo! Mu Chen! Someone sent assassins after Master!"
Hei Mo's eyes darkened.
"Who?"
"Zhou Family… through the Hunter Assassin Clan."
Mu Chen clenched his fists.
"That arrogant city scum…"
They rushed to Xuan Long, who was drinking tea in the spiritual garden with Xiao Xue.
"Master," Hei Mo said solemnly, "there's trouble."
Xuan Long sipped slowly.
"Let them come. The more snakes leave their holes… the easier it is to cut off their heads."
Back in Sky Flame City, the Hunter Assassin Clan sent a sealed scroll to Zhou Liang.
Inside:
"Target stronger than expected. Unknown cultivation level. Two Qi-level operatives dead. Send stronger assassins. Foundation Level 5 or above."
Zhou Liang read it in his golden chamber, expression unreadable.
His subordinate spoke softly.
"Young Master… your instinct was right again."
Zhou Liang chuckled coldly.
"Like I said—chess. Every piece has its time."
He stood and walked to a hidden door.
Inside was a dark stone room with chained demi-humans—bruised, bleeding, trembling.
Without hesitation, he took a whip and lashed it across their backs.
Two of them died instantly.
Only then did Zhou Liang sigh in relief and walk out.
"So satisfying. Now then… let's see if our next move on this mysterious 'Master' succeeds."
Back on Mount Shadow Fang, Xuan Long stood outside, watching the sky.
"I'll be leaving for a bit," he said aloud.
Xiao Xue ran toward him immediately.
"Brother! I want to come too!"
Xuan Long turned and knelt down to her eye level.
"Little princess… this time, you stay. I'll return with a big surprise."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
She pouted, but nodded.
"Okay. Come back soon…"
He smiled and vanished into the sky.
Not far from the city gates, five cloaked Foundation Realm assassins emerged from the forest and surrounded Xuan Long mid-flight.
"So… you finally left your mountain, bastard."
"We've been hunting you for days."
They all sneered, blades drawn, ready to strike.
But Xuan Long only raised an eyebrow.
"And yet… you still dared to speak."
They attacked.
He raised his hand, absorbing all five spiritual strikes in an instant. Before they could react, a wave of energy blasted out—
Five corpses fell.
Dead in a single blow.
Just then—
DING!
New Skill Unlocked!
Skill: Singular Replication
Effect: Duplicate any non-living object once.
(Includes spiritual energy, stones, pills, artifacts, scrolls, weapons…)
Xuan Long's eyes widened.
"A cheat…?"
He reached into his spatial ring and withdrew 100 mid-grade spiritual stones.
Then—he activated the skill.
Another 100 appeared.
"Heh… infinite resources incoming."
Later, in the bustling streets of the city, he wandered incognito—his presence hidden.
He searched for signs of the Zhou Family, but found no clue.
Instead, he entered the children's market, quietly buying toys, soft robes, and bags of sweets.
"She'll love this," he murmured.
As he returned through the forest, he heard cries in the distance.
A group of cultivators was battling a giant demonic beast, but many had already fallen. The beast was rampaging, tearing through formations.
Xuan Long stepped forward calmly.
The cultivators yelled—
"Senior, get back! It's too dangerous!"
But he raised a hand.
The beast struck him—
And was absorbed.
"Now…"
He closed his eyes, let the energy build, then used Singular Replication.
The duplicate energy exploded from his palm—destroying the beast in one instant.
The field fell silent.
The injured cultivators stared in awe.
"Senior… thank you. We are disciples of Hua Sect, the weakest sect in this region…"
Xuan Long tossed them healing pills.
"Heal. Protect each other. Your hearts are stronger than many sects I've seen."
He turned to leave.
The cultivators bowed.
"Wait! What is your name, senior?"
But he was already gone.
One disciple looked up and smiled.
"We'll… we'll draw a portrait. The world needs to know him."
They all nodded in agreement.
"A nameless savior. A demon with the heart of a god."