The Wolf Head moved with incredible speed, covering a vast distance in just a couple of strides. "This Iori Yagami cannot die!" he muttered inwardly. "If he were killed by that Magician just now, the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group would certainly be implicated!" The Old Wolf Head was a man of keen intellect and deep worldly experience; he saw this situation clearly.

This Magician had surely spread the news that his son and daughter were about to commit murder. Perhaps when the two acted, many "bystanders" would "coincidentally" appear. The news that Iori Yagami had arrived at the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group and was fighting him in a final confrontation had probably already leaked.

If he couldn't save the youth, the endless wrath of His Majesty Suomen would surely follow. Those participating in the Four Great Empires Rookie Selection Trials were departing tomorrow; for the champion to die in his own courtyard tonight... the accusation itself was terrifying to contemplate.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Old Wolf Head knew that even exerting his full strength while rushing here, someone of his cultivation level should not be sweating. This sweat was born of fear. Having spent so long in the Imperial Capital, navigating countless connections, he knew His Majesty Suomen's temperament intimately.

The Emperor was an astute, decisive, and calculating warlord. The Emperor regarded Iori Yagami with such high esteem, granting him a mansion and showering him with favor. Any sensible person could see this youth was destined to become a pillar of the nation.

For such an individual to die in his home, there would be no reasonable explanation possible! Just then, a white light illuminated the sky from the dense forest ahead. Old Wolf Head knew Iori Yagami must be just in front, and he charged forward without hesitation.

Upon arrival, he saw Iori Yagami holding a longsword, its tip pressed against the neck of the Magician. "No way... that Magician is a Fifth Level cultivator.

Even with Iori Yagami's talent, surely not..." Old Wolf Head could barely believe his eyes. "This youth is truly monstrous; you absolutely cannot gauge him by conventional standards..." Old Wolf Head recalled the whispers circulating in the Imperial Capital, shaking his head with a bitter smile. He had intended to step in and assist, but it seemed unnecessary now; the youth could handle it alone.

As he was turning to leave, he heard the Magician lying on the ground confess to setting up the trap to frame the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group. Old Wolf Head cursed internally. When he heard it was His Majesty Suomen's directive, Old Wolf Head could no longer contain the shock, and his legs began to tremble uncontrollably.

This was absolutely a secret. Those who knew secrets had only one path available: death. Old Wolf Head suppressed the panic churning in his heart, daring not to move an inch, not even daring to emit a breath, lest he be discovered and silenced for knowing too much................................................

Stanley watched the red-haired youth using the same moves as himself and shook his head inwardly. With his cultivation as a Ninth Level Battle Master, his application and control over liquid Battle Qi were nearly perfect. Let alone a Second Level Battle Master, even a Seventh Level Battle Master was beneath his notice—no different from an ant.

No one perhaps understood Iori Yagami’s true cultivation level better than he did. Following His Majesty Suomen's arrangements, Stanley had tracked the youth for two full months. Every movement of the boy during these months had been under his observation; how could he not know his actual strength?

However, he envied the youth's fighting skills. The move just now, the one that emitted a bright light, was incredibly powerful; perhaps even the legendary Earth-Rank Battle Skill was no more than that! He truly wondered where this youth obtained such overwhelmingly potent Battle Skills, including the flying technique.

But then again, even His Majesty Suomen coveted them greatly, always wishing to acquire the youth's techniques, let alone himself. Through two months of observation, this youth’s greatest strengths were those two glowing moves. For him to be fighting with a sword now was laughable; Stanley had never once seen him use a sword before!

With a sneer, the Qi Sword in his hand cleaved down mercilessly, without the slightest hesitation. It was just about to clash with the opponent's sword when suddenly, an incredibly potent, overwhelming will shot directly toward his forehead, stabbing into his skull like a dagger. "Ah..." Even with a will of iron, he couldn't help but clutch his head and roar in agony.

This was an intense killing intent. Before this consciousness, even the cultivation of a Ninth Level Battle Master was as insignificant as an ant. At this moment, the Battle Qi Sword in his hand vanished without mental maintenance.

The powerful killing intent made his mind spin, teetering on the brink of madness. Chen Feng sneered, putting more force into his grip. The Nether Feather Sword immediately sliced through the opponent's head like cutting a watermelon.

Blood erupted from his neck, spraying more than a meter high. The accumulated Battle Qi throughout his body finally found an outlet, erupting violently toward the sky, creating a strong, sustained resonance sound. The power of the Nether Feather Sword far exceeded Chen Feng's expectations.

However, even holding it now, he dared not unleash the power of the Qi Vortex, lest he too be afflicted by the murderous aura. This treasured sword must have a method of refinement, which he simply hadn't mastered yet. Chen Feng looked at Stanley, now a corpse on the ground, feeling no joy whatsoever.

Instead, a fierce hatred constantly churned in his mind. He had only killed some pawns now; the true mastermind remained safe within the Imperial Palace. If he didn't kill that person, more masters would surely be sent.

But to kill the Emperor of an empire—even a Dou Zun level expert couldn't accomplish that, let alone himself! Thinking of the many experts in the Imperial Palace, Chen Feng felt a sudden chill, but immediately, an intense surge of determination flooded him. Challenge was the primary impetus for constant improvement.

Wasn't the goal of the masters in KOF—those who desperately pursued the peak of martial arts—to cultivate fiercely and fearlessly face death, all for the sake of becoming stronger? At twelve, Kyo Kusanagi shut himself away in a steel cage, foregoing food and water, to comprehend the Absolute Domain—wasn't his goal also to become stronger? (Note) Possessing the techniques of KOF required the fervor of KOF.

Skill acquired without shedding blood would only lead to quicker death, unhardened by the crucible of fire and blood! With this thought, Chen Feng raised the Nether Feather Sword toward the heavens and roared, "Whoever you are, if you wish to kill me, I will show no mercy! Even Heaven, I will stab a hole through it!" "...Even Heaven, I will stab a hole through it!" "...Even Heaven, I will stab a hole through it!" ...........

These bold and unrestrained words echoed back and forth through the silent mountain forest, like a solemnly solidified oath, reverberating through the ravine long after they were spoken. After downing a recovery potion and sitting down to bring his condition to its peak, several plumes of purple flame incinerated the corpses on the ground. Chen Feng leaped into the air, soaring toward the Imperial Palace like a shooting star.

Since His Majesty Suomen wanted him dead, the debt must be repaid with fresh blood!................................................ Old Wolf Head rubbed his numb legs. The sudden shift of events was too immense; in one sentence, it was like "a dream come true." "That Iori Yagami actually killed Stanley, the Imperial Guard's First Protector!" Old Wolf Head still couldn't believe it.

But the residual heat from the ground burning remained, everything was so vivid, and the entire process kept replaying in his mind, confirming it was real. He had met Stanley once before, at a banquet where he was being treated by an Earl after completing a task. The First Protector happened to be there as well.

At that time, a Fourth Level Battle Master lost control after drinking too much; Stanley simply lifted him with one hand and tossed him out of the room—the entire sequence took less than a second! It was because of this encounter that Stanley had left an indelible impression of invincibility in his mind. Yet, this seemingly invincible powerhouse was cleaved in two by a teenage red-haired youth's sword strike in less than a second—the stark contrast made his head spin.

"It seems I am getting old," Old Wolf Head sighed. He circulated the Battle Qi within his body and leaped up, heading toward the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group. Whether the youth intended to kill His Majesty Suomen or the Emperor intended to kill the youth, it was beyond his ability to stop or influence.

He might as well return. Back at the mercenary group, Judy and the Young Commander had already taken healing medication. Although martial arts potions were not as miraculous as Light Magic, their effects were still extraordinary.

Although Judy and the Young Commander's injuries looked severe, Chen Feng's strikes hadn't been overly heavy, so they were already showing signs of improvement after taking the medicine. Old Wolf Head summoned them both into a room upon returning. He first severely scolded the Young Commander, then explained Feno’s conspiracy, concluding, "So easily misled by others; they wanted to use you to kill someone, and you didn't even realize that?

Utterly foolish." The Young Commander, knowing he was in the wrong, dared not speak much, but Judy’s fair face slowly shed a line of clear tears. "He... he will never forgive me..." Remembering the fresh red bow in his hand when he first appeared, his expression fraught with sorrow and indignation, her heart felt twisted like a knife: "He...

perhaps he came happily to give me the bow, only to hear that I intended to kill him... How immense must that gap in emotion have been..." The more she thought, the more unbearable it became. Judy slowly stood up, bid farewell to Old Wolf Head, and went to her room.

Gazing at the ashes where the red bow had been, she couldn't help but burst into loud sobs, perhaps crying out her regret and helplessness, or perhaps venting the deep sorrow in her heart...... Note: When Kyo Kusanagi was twelve, his father, Shizune (Kyo's father), told him: "If you want to become a KOF master, you must first reach the Absolute Domain. Can you do it?" Kyo confidently replied, "I can." He practiced day after day but couldn't achieve it.

Finally, he devised a plan: he sealed himself in a steel cage six feet underground, deprived of water and food, vowing not to emerge until he succeeded. A week passed. Everyone worried and asked Shizune what to do.

Shizune took a sip of tea and said, "He thought of this method himself; he will certainly accomplish it. If he gives up midway, he is not my son." Although he said this, a hint of worry remained in his eyes, though others couldn't see it. After a while, a tremendous boom echoed from the steel cage, and the ground above burst open.

Kyo staggered out, collapsing onto Daimon Goro. He had achieved 5% of the Absolute Domain. PS: For the nation's 60th anniversary celebration, Lao Ya sends everyone blessings......

(50,000 blessing words omitted) Lao Ya has seen the monthly tickets you all gave him and wants to say thank you! There will be another chapter tonight, likely around midnight. Don't wait up; read it tomorrow.

A little spoiler: F is going for revenge, and there will definitely be a huge event during the National Day period. Brothers, don't hold back your monthly tickets during the double period; cast them for Lao Ya to get a good ranking, so Lao Ya can write with more peace of mind to repay you all... Thank you!!

(To be continued. For future developments, please log in to www**m for more chapters, support the author, and support genuine reading!)

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