But the question remained: who was the target of the bomb? If it was meant for me, it could only be Kusta or his successor, but based on the sensation of this bomb, it probably posed no threat to a peak Master. That leaves Princess Haffen and her entourage, I suppose. Ultimately, their whereabouts were compromised, and now I’m entangled in it. Regardless, the third-level peak expert who teleported the bomb in directed his killing intent at everyone in the room; I doubt anyone can stand apart from this. Where did this bastard come from, daring to strike at me and intending to kill me? How could I possibly let him go!”

As he thought, Yang Ying’s body was already moving. He sent a telepathic message for Warren Gas to look after Four-Fat, then shifted his footing, instantly flashing behind the three Flinn individuals. The explosive shockwave, carrying boundless heat, violently slammed against the plasma shield surrounding Yang Ying. It was like the sea crashing against a reef—it exploded, fracturing the waves, with a small portion skirting around the sides, but most of it rebounding!

Bang!

The three Flinn scattered out of the windows. The explosion’s shockwave immediately blew out every window on the floor, shattering them into crystal shards. The explosion occurred on the top floor of the hotel, at least a hundred stories high, and the debris rained down onto the street below like a sudden storm!

But the crisis was not over.

Just as they burst through the windows, several beams of Uranium light shot over from a rooftop several blocks away, targeting Princess Haffen, the butler, and the female Flinn. It was Princess Haffen’s head maid, who activated her lightsaber at the same time. Both sabers were silver, and she swung them through the air, attempting to deflect all the beams. But the beams were too tricky; after blocking only two each, they felt overwhelmed, and there were still several beams they couldn't stop.

At that moment, Yang Ying swept past them, placing himself in the path of the light. His golden lightsaber flashed blindingly as he spun it into a curtain of light, deflecting all the piercing rays. Simultaneously, using Void Steps, his figure flickered, leaving a trail of afterimages, and in a few strides, he reached the rooftop across the way. The roof seemed deserted, but the piercing beams originated from here. Yang Ying knew this was likely some master skilled in stealth techniques, much like himself.

Upon reaching the rooftop, the proximity allowed Yang Ying to vaguely sense the enemy’s presence through his sixth sense.

“Who are you?” Yang Ying struck out with his saber toward the sensed location, but in the void, another golden sword light flared, blocking Yang Ying’s strike.

The invisible person remained silent, instead unleashing an exquisite swordsmanship, hacking at Yang Ying sword stroke after sword stroke. Since his body was invisible, yet he wielded a lightsaber that couldn't be cloaked, it looked as if a golden lightsaber was flying through the air alone, battling Yang Ying.

After a few exchanges, Yang Ying sensed that the invisible man was battle-hardened, his swordsmanship exceptionally fierce, striking from unexpected angles with every move—even surpassing Helas and Longge. Among the third-level peak experts Yang Ying had encountered, only Hardek could surpass this invisible man before him.

“A worthy opponent!”

Yang Ying’s fighting spirit ignited. He immediately commanded his ten clones to cease whatever they were doing and focus entirely on scrutinizing the invisible man’s swordsmanship. At the same time, he spun his own lightsaber with blurring speed, locking swords with the invisible man. With the aid of ten clones, his speed of absorbing experience accelerated tenfold. Every full-effort battle made him keenly aware of his own progress.

Both were masters ranking just below the fourth level. The force of their clash radiated outward, cracking the rooftop floor within a few breaths, and the two plummeted through the ceiling into the floor below.

“Look! Look! The experts are fighting!” Some of the aliens outdoors, witnessing such an intense battle, couldn't help but cheer. They were hot-blooded individuals, typically most interested in fighting and killing, and battles between masters were their greatest delight.

Quite a few aliens were struck on the head by falling debris, shards of stone, broken glass, or other fragments, causing them to curse under their breath before retreating further away.

The three Flinn drifted down to the ground.

“As expected of a third-level peak expert. If it weren't for Master Yang Ying, the three of us likely wouldn't have survived,” the butler said with lingering fear.

The head maid checked Princess Haffen’s body and, seeing she was unharmed, breathed a sigh of relief. “What is happening? How was our location exposed? And who is this invisible man trying to kill us?”

The butler shook his head. “I don’t know how our trail was revealed, but that invisible man is likely one of the Ten Killers we mentioned during our conversation in the room. That kind of killing intent cannot be faked; only those who have slain countless people can project such oppressive pressure.”

Princess Haffen, still shaken, clutched her chest. “What should we do? That person makes killing a profession. Can Master Yang Ying handle him? This situation has nothing to do with Master Yang Ying, yet he’s dragged into it—I feel terrible about imposing on him.”

“We’ll worry about that later, Princess,” the head maid urged anxiously. “We aren't out of danger yet. We should get further away and hide.”

Princess Haffen immediately shook her head. “No. Master Yang Ying was dragged into this entirely for our sake. How can we possibly abandon him and leave? Absolutely not!”

The head maid said nervously: “Now is not the time for sentiment, Your Highness’s life is paramount. How can you risk yourself like this? We must leave quickly.”

“No, this is precisely the time to discuss it,” Princess Haffen’s tone was unusually stubborn. “If we only speak of principles in normal times and cast them aside in times of crisis, then we deserve our nation’s ruin. As a member of the royal family, there are things commoners or nobles can do, but I cannot. I must set an example for my people, in every situation!”

“Princess, don't be willful!” The head maid exchanged a telepathic message with the butler, preparing to knock the princess unconscious and carry her away.

Suddenly, a voice sounded from behind the trio. “Well spoken. It’s rare for a young girl without any spiritual power to utter words with such backbone.” The words were spoken in the Flinn language.

The three turned to see a Garlan Starling walk slowly towards them.

“Is that Chairman Falaise?” the butler stepped forward to ask.

“It is I. I heard long ago that the Flinn royalty sent people everywhere to organize armies; I didn’t expect there was such activity even in Veda.” Falaise glanced at the three of them, then looked toward the high-rise where the battle was raging. Flames were visible everywhere on that building, occasionally triggering an explosion or two, with debris from construction materials flying everywhere. “The trouble you’ve stirred up is quite something. A battle involving peak experts is a rarity in Veda City. The last one was three years ago. Is the combatant in that building Colonel Yang Ying of the Tran Mercenary Corps?”

“Yes, Princess Haffen,” she replied. “We are deeply sorry for this, but the instigators are the rebels of the Pseudo-Flinn Republic. They hired a formidable assassin.”

“Ah,” Falaise raised a hand to stop her. “There’s no need to elaborate. A coup is inherently an irreconcilable matter between two sides. They kill you, and you kill them. Do you dare say that you didn't approach Colonel Yang Ying to assassinate someone from the Flinn Republic?”

Princess Haffen lowered her head, speechless.

Falaise continued, “Originally, I was very angry that this occurred in Veda, but hearing what you just said, I’ll let it pass. I will send the bill to the Flinn Republic. Once the battle in the building concludes, you should also leave here as soon as possible.”

“Very well,” Princess Haffen replied.

Falaise nodded, turned, and walked away, his figure flickering until he vanished without a trace.

At this moment, a bulky figure shuffled out of the hotel—it was Warren Gas. He had some minor scratches, but they were healing at a visible rate, indicating he was fine. In one hand, he held a black-robed individual, the bodyguard who had been guarding the door while they were talking. In the other hand, he held a robot’s head, which was still chattering incessantly: “Oh, how tragic! Poor Four-Fat, his body is torn to pieces! I am an administrative translation robot; savage acts like combat have nothing to do with me.”

Warren Gas flicked the robot’s head with his finger. “Shut up! Go back and have Lai repair you! In any case, your core memory chip is in your head; everything else is replaceable.”

Four-Fat immediately fell silent, looking like a statue.

Seeing this, Princess Haffen rushed forward. She spoke a few syllables but got stuck. Four-Fat translated, “She says, thank you, uh—”

Warren Gas knew she was stuck on his name.

Princess Haffen seemed very pleased and spoke a longer passage, which Four-Fat translated again: “She says thank you for saving her attendant.”

“Tell her it was nothing,” Warren Gas handed the unconscious Flinn individual to the butler, then turned his gaze toward the distant battle.

By now, the upper half of the high-rise was engulfed in sparks. Inside the building, Yang Ying and the invisible man’s fight was still raging. Swords flashed back and forth; occasionally, a spell or two was thrown, filling the narrow space with scorch marks from the lightsaber slashes. The walls were like paper, tearing apart with a single impact.

Initially, Yang Ying couldn't adapt to the opponent's style. The invisible man’s strikes were maximized in their trickiness, almost always coming from the most improbable and unexpected angles, each sword thrust aiming at a blind spot in Yang Ying's thought process. Had Yang Ying not been able to predict the invisible man’s sword paths, keeping his defense impenetrable, he might not have lasted this long.

But as time passed, the advantage brought by the ten clones began to manifest. Yang Ying was now learning while simultaneously deciphering the opponent’s moves. Although the invisible man’s swordsmanship was infinitely varied, there were still underlying principles guiding the multitude of techniques. Yang Ying was gradually grasping his essence and learning the core of his sword skills.

“This invisible man’s swordsmanship truly has its unique points. It seems complementary to the combat techniques of the Dark Templar Warriors. Very well, let me try it.”

A thought flashed in Yang Ying’s mind, and his entire body instantly became invisible—this clearly surprised the invisible man. Yang Ying unleashed a flurry of fierce attacks, then took the opportunity to create distance. He deactivated his shining golden lightsaber and switched to his invisible one.

One more chapter.