After creating a small earthquake on the ground, Xu Xing tore open a rift in the earth. However, instead of seizing the opportunity to attack the burly man, Xu Xing turned and swung her blade. Those following Xu Xing were astonished by this move.
Moments later, blood gushed out of the air where the long saber had sliced through, and a person materialized before everyone's eyes. This person, however, was already in two halves. A corpse fell to the ground, the very ability user who had vanished from sight earlier. This individual had disappeared during the previous standoff and had stealthily circled behind Xu Xing. Fortunately, Xu Xing's reaction was swift; otherwise, she would have been successfully ambushed.
The corpse lying on the ground was split in two. A wound ran from the left shoulder straight to the right ribcage, and Xu Xing had bisected the individual with a single strike. It was evident that the person wore a bulletproof vest, yet now, even the vest had been directly sliced through by the sharp blade. Such power was beyond human capability.
After killing the hidden enemy behind her with a single strike, Xu Xing began to laugh. "Your strength is lacking," she said. "You claimed to have killed dozens of ability users before. It seems your boasting skills are on that level."
The burly man holding the staff was stunned by the scene. In their past collaborations, the three of them had never failed. One would always draw the enemy's attention from the front, another would seize the opportunity for a surprise attack, and the third would provide support from the rear. This tactic had always been foolproof, naturally leading to their reputation for killing dozens of ability users. While they hadn't killed dozens, they had certainly eliminated eight or nine. Yet, at this very moment, their tried-and-true coordination had proven useless, leaving them bewildered.
"He was clearly invisible, so how did you locate him? Why is this happening?" the burly man asked, pointing at Xu Xing.
To their surprise, Xu Xing began to answer. "Why is this happening? Of course, it's because I can accurately detect your positions. My ability allows me to sense all vibrations around me. When you walk, no matter how careful you are, you create vibrations. Through the transmission of these vibrations, I know where you are. Alright, it's time for me to eliminate a menace."
With that statement, Xu Xing surged forward, leaping across the ground's裂缝 (lièfèng - crack/fissure), and began her assault on the burly man.
The burly man, an ability user with enhanced physical strength, immediately felt immense pressure. Their investigation had indicated Xu Xing possessed no formidable power, but now, Xu Xing appeared overwhelmingly strong. It was uncertain whether he could withstand Xu Xing's attacks.
Xu Xing brought her saber down in a cleave. Under the starlight, the path of the long saber was like a streak of light.
"Clang!" The burly man hastily used his staff to block. As the saber descended, a crisp sound of metal striking metal rang out. Xu Xing remained unfazed, but the burly man's hands, at the base of his grip, were directly cracked, his arms numb. He was forced to retreat uncontrollably.
"Such immense strength. I can barely hold onto my staff," the burly man thought in terror. He had never expected a seemingly frail woman to possess such power.
Xu Xing continued her relentless assault, her long saber continuously slashing. As she swung, the blade emitted a "humming" sound, as if it had become excited and craved blood.
The reason for this was that the saber in Xu Xing's hand was in a state of high-frequency vibration. Each strike would directly cause the wound to tear. Furthermore, the moment the blade contacted an object, it could transmit vibrations. Xu Xing had only managed to crack the burly man's grip by activating her ability; otherwise, with the burly man being a physically enhanced ability user, Xu Xing's strength would naturally be inferior.
The burly man was greatly alarmed by Xu Xing's onslaught, surprised that her attacks possessed such an additional effect. He immediately used his staff to block, desperately wanting to save his life, with nothing else mattering.
As a result, Xu Xing continued to strike one after another. Xu Xing hadn't learned any particular saber techniques, so her attacks were somewhat random. However, these very attacks forced the burly man to retreat continuously. His arms were constantly assaulted by the vibrational waves, rendering them weak, and he was pushed back step by step.
Each clash between the saber and the iron staff sent sparks flying in all directions. The burly man felt the strain, never imagining he would encounter such a formidable ability user. Having only become an ability user six months prior, his current strength far surpassed that of ordinary people; he was truly not simple.
"What are you still watching for? I'm no match for this person anymore. Why aren't you coming to help me?" the burly man shouted desperately to his supporting companion, urgently needing assistance.
The last masked figure was also approaching Xu Xing. However, Xu Xing's subordinates now came into play. Ten individuals drew their pistols and began firing. In normal times, these team members were also evolved humans. While not as powerful as ability users, their strength was still greater than that of ordinary people. Now, firing their pistols in alternating volleys, they effectively blocked the final ability user's advance.
Seeing that he could not reach his comrade, the last masked figure, unable to support his disadvantaged companion, thought for a moment, turned, and fled into the distant dark woods at full speed, as if afraid of being caught.
Xu Xing, seeing that the assailant who had tried to ambush her was now attempting to escape, became anxious. She then performed a flourish with her saber, as if intending to strike the burly man's head. The burly man immediately raised his iron rod to block, but Xu Xing suddenly changed the trajectory of her blade. At the last possible moment, she plunged the saber into the burly man's body.
"You... you are so despicable," the burly man said, his eyes wide with disbelief even in death, clearly not expecting to be tricked.
Xu Xing ignored him. Calling her despicable? These people had clearly intended to ambush her under the cover of night. Was that not a despicable act?
Following this, Xu Xing vibrated her saber intensely, directly shattering the burly man's heart and killing him.
Afterward, Xu Xing saw the figure fleeing towards the distant woods. Without a word, she stomped her foot forcefully on the ground. Instantly, a massive wave appeared on the ground, composed entirely of soil. As it rolled, it swept up debris and vegetation. The destructive power was astonishing.
"Swish!" The wave of soil surged outwards and directly engulfed the fleeing figure. The giant earthen wave slammed the escaping individual hard onto the ground. The person then became motionless, lying quietly on the ground as if knocked unconscious.
Xu Xing turned back and said to her team members behind her, "Clean up the battlefield. I'll go confirm if that last fellow is dead. They want to hunt me? They're truly insane. If they take me for a pushover, they will surely pay the price."
Although Xu Xing was a woman, her pride was no less than any man's, as she was inherently an arrogant woman. Now, having easily dealt with those who had attempted to assassinate her, Xu Xing felt smug and believed that the Tianya Alliance mentioned by her subordinates was nothing but an empty name, possessing no real ability.
However, as Xu Xing, feeling self-satisfied, approached the figure by the edge of the woods, she suddenly smelled a strange odor. Before Xu Xing could react, she felt a wave of dizziness, and before she could utter a word, she collapsed to the ground.
Seeing this situation, her team members immediately wanted to rush to her rescue. But at that moment, one team member stepped forward. "Don't move, stay put. Our captain is an ability user; she wouldn't just faint so easily. It must be that last fellow's doing. If we go over, we'll faint too."
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately halted, clearly understanding the situation. They absolutely could not approach, not knowing what other tricks the enemy possessed.
"Then what do we do? We don't know how the captain is doing, and the City Lord specifically instructed us to protect the captain. If something happens, how will we face the City Lord?" a female team member asked.
The person who had spoken to stop everyone was named Lu Anping. He continued to issue commands, "Everyone draw your pistols and aim at the last enemy, prepare to fire."
As soon as these words were spoken, the figure who had been slammed to the ground by the earthen wave instantly got up and disappeared into the small woods.
Now the truth was revealed. It seemed Xu Xing's sudden fainting was definitely caused by the opponent, and that person had likely been feigning death earlier. In reality, they were probably covertly using their abilities.
"That's strange. If the last fellow's ability was a hypnotic wave, we should also be affected, but we're fine. Is there some kind of limiting condition? Or is this last ability user's ability not a hypnotic wave?" Lu Anping mused silently.
"Now, whoever isn't afraid of death can go and check on the captain's condition. The rest of you maintain vigilance against attacks from the surroundings," Lu Anping continued to command.
A female team member stepped forward. As soon as she reached Xu Xing's side, she smelled a strange odor and immediately reacted, saying, "The captain has been drugged. I smell ether, and it's currently volatilizing. It seems the last ability user's ability is material-based."
Lu Anping quickly said, "Quickly take the captain to the windward side. Everyone else maintain vigilance, be careful of any unexpected occurrences."
There were three enemies. Two had already been killed by Xu Xing, and now only one ability user remained. However, the remaining individuals were evolved humans, and the opponent was hidden in the woods. As the saying goes, "Never enter a forest." Therefore, the team did not dare to pursue, only escorting Xu Xing to the windward side for care.