"Hah!" A furious dash propelled us toward the exit of the mining tunnels. The entire passage was deathly silent, littered with corpses—some of Zombies, others of the young, novice Rangers who hadn't managed to flee in time. It was clear that Shabak was a merciless demon, sparing even the innocent. Yet, in our haste to escape, we couldn't dwell on it; we had to leave the mining area before they discovered Hua Yu was dead. If they dispatched experts to block the entrance, we would be trapped with no avenue of escape.

"Thump-thump-thump-thump." A flurry of hurried footsteps suddenly echoed, jarringly loud in the vast emptiness. Almost simultaneously, a group of figures burst out ahead of us. Judging by their attire, they were all Shabak members, each kitted out in standard Zuma gear: three Mages, three Warriors, and two Taoists. Damn it, they were all peak Chi Yue level experts. A wave of alarm washed over me.

"Someone up ahead!" Almost at the same instant, the opposing group spotted us. Someone immediately shouted.

"Blast it, it’s the Shabak Chi Yue Assassination Squad!" Jin Niu’s face changed drastically. Though he didn't know what the Chi Yue Assassination Squad was, judging by Jin Niu's tense demeanor, they were certainly no easy targets.

"Here they are!" the leading Warrior roared. "Blow the whistle! Give the alarm!"

"Woo-woo!" A sharp, urgent whistle sound erupted instantly. The group ahead charged toward us at full speed, their faces contorted with grim determination and murderous intent.

"Let's see where you run this time. Hand over the map," the leading Warrior fixed his gaze on Jin Niu, examining his prey with a cruel, slight curl of his lips.

"In your dreams," Jin Niu snarled back.

"Stop wasting time with him. Kill him first," several Chi Yue experts behind him grew impatient. "Lest others arrive and compete for the credit."

"Agreed," another figure, clearly a Mage, chimed in. "These two look like they're with him. Take them both down."

"Hmph! Big talk," Yan Luo's expression hardened. She assessed the enemy while whispering, "They don't know our true strength yet. We need a swift battle. We must get out before they realize Hua Yu is dead; otherwise, the trouble will be immense."

"Mm."

"Jin Niu is mine. The other two are yours," the leading Warrior grinned suggestively toward Yan Luo. "Heh heh, try not to kill the little lady, now."

"Don't worry. I'm not one for crushing flowers ruthlessly," the Mage behind him replied with equal malice.

"Hmph!" Yan Luo merely let out a low hum, visibly suppressing the killing intent boiling inside her, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

"Roar! Kill!" Jin Niu suddenly let out a fierce bellow and charged first at the enemy Warrior.

"Whoosh!" Almost simultaneously, I moved as well.

"Clang!" However, Yan Luo’s Ice Roar struck the frontline of Warriors first, arriving ahead of our attacks.

"Ah!" The sudden, massive impact caught the Warriors completely off guard. None had time to react before Yan Luo's Ice Roar slammed into them. No one expected this seemingly gentle female Taoist to unleash such a terrifyingly powerful Ice Roar. Such a wide-area, high-damage spell isn't cast on a whim. An ordinary Mage needs at least three seconds of chanting to summon an Ice Roar, though more skilled ones might use silent incantation. Even then, a visible white, circular magic array appears at their feet during casting, which experienced Rangers can easily spot and evade. For someone like Yan Luo to cast it almost as soon as she moved her hand was exceedingly rare on this continent. Yan Luo’s attack was no different from a surprise ambush—completely unavoidable—and one lapse in guard immediately led to a direct hit. However, as Chi Yue Warriors, the defense offered by their War God Armor was exceptionally strong. Though terrifying, Yan Luo’s magic couldn't annihilate them; at most, it severely wounded them. But this was all within our calculation; in fact, it was precisely the result we intended.

"Whoosh!" A sharp whistle pierced the air, and a dazzling white light streaked across the space like a transient meteor in the night sky, tracing a beautiful arc.

Thwack-thwack-thwack-thwack!!!!!

Four jets of blood shot skyward.

My coordination with Yan Luo was perfect, down to the millisecond. Taking advantage of the moment they were struck by the Ice Roar, I followed up instantly with a lethal strike. With a single sweep of my blade, I sheared off the heads of two Chi Yue Warriors and two Chi Yue Mages.

It happened so suddenly that this squad of Chi Yue experts hadn't even registered what was happening before losing four members. But my Hundred Battles Long Blade did not stop there. After decapitating four, I spun, and the dazzling arc of light instantly traced a strange U-shape. This next target was the two Taoists standing together and the final Mage.

"Ah!" Only now did the three realize the gravity of the situation and instinctively retreated. As the Mage backed away, he carelessly flung a Great Fireball, while the Taoists' Soul Fire Talismans shot out with lightning speed, striking my chest.

Thwack-thwack! Unfortunately for them, their reaction was too slow—at least, that’s how it seemed to me. Another three columns of blood erupted towards the sky. Perhaps until their dying moments, they would never understand why two Soul Fire Talismans and one Great Fireball, despite clearly striking me, had zero effect.

Clang! On the other side, Jin Niu finally collided heavily with the leading Warrior.

But the gap in strength was obvious. How could a peak-level Warrior stand against a novice Chi Yue opponent? Without a doubt, Jin Niu was sent flying a long distance by a single sweep of the Warrior’s club. However, that was enough. Jin Niu’s mission was solely to stall the leading Warrior's attack.

Almost simultaneously with Jin Niu being knocked away, a massive disc, laced with icy killing intent, instantly enveloped the leading Warrior. Only two seconds had passed since Yan Luo unleashed the first wave of Ice Roar.

Impact! The leading Warrior was slammed directly by Yan Luo's Ice Roar, screaming as he flew a great distance, tumbling right toward where I stood.

Hmph! If you deliver yourself, there's no reason to refuse.

Whoosh! The white light flashed again. A blurry mist of blood soared through the air, and a body cleaved in two crashed heavily onto the ground.

"Ah! Good heavens! Incredible! So powerful!" Jin Niu struggled to push himself up, staring dumbfounded at the scene. Less than five seconds, and they had wiped out an entire Chi Yue Assassination Squad.

"Are you hurt?" I rushed over to Jin Niu and helped him up.

"I'm fine. Not dead," Jin Niu pulled out a healing potion and gulped several mouthfuls.

"Let’s go, quickly!" Yan Luo urged.

"Hahahaha! Did you really think you could just leave?" A burst of arrogant laughter suddenly rang out. In the blink of an eye, a group of figures reappeared ahead of us like a whirlwind. The leader was a powerfully built Warrior, whose stature towered over Jin Niu by at least two heads—by modern standards, perhaps 2.1 meters tall. His build was magnificent, with long, thick arms, carrying a Decisive Execution weapon slanted across his shoulder, clearly a man of immense strength. Even through the heavy War God Armor, one could sense the muscles beneath subtly pulsing. He wore no helmet; his brow was heavy, his eyes large, his face broad. Merely standing there exuded an awe-inspiring, commanding presence.

"Nu Jiao Li Xie!" Jin Niu’s voice held an unnatural sharpness and distortion; his entire frame looked on the verge of collapse.

"Damn it, that whistle drew him here," Yan Luo’s expression also turned grave. Even more noticeable was the extreme tension emanating from Yan Luo, a state I had never witnessed before. In my memory, Yan Luo was always an unmoving glacier, unmoved even if the mountains collapsed—was she actually afraid now? Just who was this person?

"The Mad Woman Yan Luo and Blue Lightning. Your combined strength is indeed formidable. No wonder Hua Yu perished at your hands!" The large man stood brazenly blocking our path. Though his stance seemed casual and full of openings, he felt like an imposing, towering mountain, completely obstructing us, making me feel I had no point of attack.

How powerful. This aura—it could only belong to a battle-hardened, top-tier expert, even superior to Hua Yu. Fortunately, behind him stood only four high-level Warrior-clad Rangers, meaning our only opponent was this giant man.

"Be careful. This guy is one of Shabak’s Nine Gold Medal Assassins, ranked thirty-seventh on the Marfa Experts List. He has innate divine strength, and his Battle Qi surpasses even Hua Yu's. Most terrifyingly, his Decisive Execution has been weighted to over 150 jin. You absolutely cannot be struck by it; it guarantees death," Jin Niu warned nervously.

"Watch for an opening. If we can escape, we run. If not, I will stall him," Yan Luo’s face was resolute, though a trace of guilt flickered when she looked at me. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this."

"What are you saying?" I said seriously. "No matter what, we will break through. If someone has to stall him, it should be me. Don’t forget, I am Blue Lightning. What in this world can stop me?"

"Hahahaha!" Li Xie laughed wildly. "Big talk! Today I'll shatter your body to pieces!"

"Roar! Come if you dare!" I yelled. "Attack!"

"Whoosh!" Yan Luo’s Ice Roar slammed down instantly, and almost simultaneously, I thrust my sword, Lightning, toward his throat.

"Seeking death!" Li Xie roared, his body flaring with golden light. He paid no heed to Yan Luo’s incoming Ice Roar or my thrusting Lightning Sword. He swung his Decisive Execution weapon in a fierce arc, laden with sharp Battle Qi, aiming directly at our chests.

Ah! I was shocked. I quickly executed an Electric Step to sidestep, and in a flash of lightning, I evaded Li Xie's Decisive Execution. However, my sword accurately struck Li Xie's throat.

Clang! Ding! Almost at the same moment, Yan Luo’s Ice Roar landed squarely on Li Xie. It felt like striking a steel plate, yet Li Xie showed no visible effect, completely unmoved. He followed through with his swing, the Decisive Execution sweeping out like a crazed golden serpent, instantly enveloping my figure.

Ah! This guy has incredibly strong protective Battle Qi! My sword couldn't pierce his body, and Yan Luo’s Ice Roar likewise caused him no damage.

Roar! Realizing this, I gave my wrist a sharp flick, using leverage and the incredible elasticity of my sword to spring backward abruptly.

Whoosh! A streak of gray shadow grazed past my chest, but the Battle Qi coating the Decisive Execution struck me square on.

Impact! It felt as though a massive, searing fireball had slammed into my chest. My ribs felt close to shattering, and a wave of intense pain and internal energy surge forced me to spit out a mouthful of blood.

Boom! Sent flying, I crashed heavily onto the ground, nearly blacking out.

"Xing Chen!" Yan Luo and Jin Niu cried out in alarm, rushing toward me.

"What Blue Lightning? Nothing special," Li Xie laughed maniacally, his Decisive Execution following my retreating form like a shadow, slamming down onto me where I lay prone.

"No!" Yan Luo desperately hurled a Lightning Bolt in an attempt to stop Li Xie’s attack.

Ah! Watching the Decisive Execution plummet like a swift thunderbolt, I poured all my strength into a desperate side roll.

Crash! A world-shattering explosion rocked the very earth. The ground was gouged out into a pit nearly three cubic meters in size by Li Xie's weapon. Although I managed to deflect the descending Decisive Execution at the critical moment, the explosive shockwave from the immense Battle Qi energy was like a detonated landmine. Countless hard fragments of stone and dust rained down upon me like a violent storm.

Thump-thump-thump! The barrage was so relentless that it nearly knocked me unconscious.

It wasn't until then that Yan Luo's Lightning Bolt struck Li Xie.

However, against Li Xie’s terrifying shield of protective Battle Qi, it only sparked a few thick, writhing arcs of electricity, like blue electric snakes twisting about, which only added to Li Xie’s imposing and mighty aura, yet failed to harm him in the slightest.

Mm! Taking advantage of the space created by the shockwave, I managed to force myself back to my feet.

Damn it, is this guy a monster? His Battle Qi is simply too overwhelming; it’s not even in the same league as mine. The disparity is too vast. Only now did I truly understand what a gulf in class meant—facing an opponent like this, I had absolutely no way to cope.

"Die!" The moment I managed to stand, Li Xie’s Decisive Execution whistled toward me, a single strike sealing off all my escape routes. Indeed, the immense Battle Qi energy clinging to the weapon made the Decisive Execution resemble a ten-meter-long Battle Qi club; a mere gentle swing could easily seal off every path of retreat. However, he still underestimated my speed, just as I had underestimated his Battle Qi energy initially.

Clash! The massive Battle Qi club struck only an afterimage. My true body had already drifted twenty meters away. Simultaneously, I quickly retrieved a healing potion and downed it. While experiencing the magical healing effects, I cautiously monitored Li Xie's movements.

From the moment I initiated the attack until I was struck by Li Xie’s Battle Qi, only five short seconds had passed, yet it provided me with sufficient intelligence: the first round of engagement clearly left me at a disadvantage.

On the other side!

Clang! Yan Luo and Jin Niu were fully engaged with the four high-level Warriors. The scene was chaotic to the extreme. However, against Yan Luo, those four high-level Warriors posed no threat whatsoever. They were quickly dealt with by her.

"You two go first!" I shouted, greatly relieved.

"But..." Jin Niu hesitated, looking at Yan Luo.

"..." Yan Luo stared at me with horror. "I won't leave you behind."

"I won't die!" I roared. "If you stay here, you’ll only hold me back!"

Truthfully, Jin Niu and Yan Luo should realize that with their strength, they couldn't help me; staying with me would only hinder my movements. If I were alone, perhaps relying on my astonishing speed, I might manage to shake off Li Xie.

"None of you are going anywhere!" As his four subordinates were eliminated, Li Xie reacted swiftly and charged toward Jin Niu, as their primary objective was securing the map on Jin Niu.

But how could I let him have his way? Chasing Li Xie’s retreating form, I attacked with all my might. I condensed all my Battle Qi energy into my sword. Now that Li Xie dared to turn his back on me to pursue Jin Niu, I would never miss such an opportunity.

I immediately used Electric Step to catch up and plunged my sword into Li Xie's upper back.

Whoosh! A sharp whistle alerted Li Xie to my attack, but he remained completely unfazed. Instead, his entire body suddenly blazed with golden light as he pushed his protective Battle Qi to its strongest state while still running. Clearly, he intended to take my strike head-on to kill Jin Niu.

Damn it! He looks down on me! This strike contains the entirety of my Battle Qi. Furthermore, I used my One Line, Three Swords consecutive move. Even if you are a steel plate, I will pierce a hole through you! Like a white rainbow piercing the sun, a silver streak of light chased directly toward Li Xie's back.

Ding! With a sharp, crisp sound, my sword finally struck Li Xie.

Thwack! Ah! Li Xie shuddered violently, twisting his body and stumbling forward a great distance before staring at me with sheer shock. Evidently, my attack had succeeded, but this time it only managed to pierce his skin and flesh. Even so, it was enough to make him extremely wary. Regrettably, that was the limit of what I could achieve now; with my current power, I couldn't inflict any further meaningful harm.

"Xing Chen, you must come back!" Yan Luo cried out mournfully, grabbing Jin Niu and sprinting toward the tunnel exit.

"You dare wound me!" Li Xie exploded in fury. Seeing Jin Niu already vanishing into the distance, he became even more enraged. But now, he absolutely dared not expose his back to me again. He was caught in a dilemma—pursue or not? Finally, he hardened his resolve. "Die for me!" Li Xie’s roar was like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky, shaking me so hard my vision swam, nearly causing me to vomit blood on the spot. Taking advantage of my momentary distraction, Li Xie’s Battle Qi club descended upon my head. It seemed he still planned to eliminate me first before chasing Yan Luo and the others. But I had no intention of letting him succeed.

It is true that in terms of raw power, I couldn't defeat him, but in terms of speed, he couldn't touch me either. Now that Yan Luo and Jin Niu were clear, I had no burdens dragging me down, allowing me to fully exploit my speed advantage. My goal was simple: stall him. Even if it was just for one minute, that would be enough time for Yan Luo and the others to escape, after which I could figure out how to break free myself.

Roar! Without hesitation, I transformed into an afterimage and retreated using Electric Step.

Clash! Li Xie’s mighty, imposing Battle Qi club failed to even brush my clothes. At this moment, I was concentrating twelve thousand percent of my focus, my feet moving in light footwork, meticulously controlling the distance between Li Xie and myself.

Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh! Li Xie unleashed several consecutive strikes, desperately trying to close the gap, but I deftly dodged every one. For a while, the entire passage was saturated and agitated by Li Xie's dense Battle Qi. The astonishing explosions threatened to collapse the massive mine shaft. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't even graze the edge of my robes.

Yes, that was the situation now. It was undeniable that Li Xie’s strength surpassed my imagination, but my speed left him equally helpless. What use is immense power if you can't land a hit? Moreover, my current objective was not to score a point but simply to avoid any mistakes. Focusing solely on evading Li Xie’s attacks made the task relatively easy.