Burke also withdrew from the fray, leaving Chen Jinzhao to hold the line alone.
Ling Nan saw that the three had retreated from the battle, and couldn't help but laugh. In this world, might made right. Only by demonstrating the terrifying power of the Black Blood Group would they feel fear. Just as it was now.
"You've made a very wise choice, and I congratulate you," Ling Nan said with a smile, while Burke and the others naturally looked far from pleased. For those at their S-class level, their reputation was far more important than their lives. They had promised to stand with Chen Jinzhao, and now they had backed out halfway; if this spread, they would be laughed at by everyone.
But—
They had no other choice. To survive, this was the only way.
Burke, Blood Wolf, and Nan Kang exchanged glances, then turned to Ling Nan and said, "We ask for nothing, only that you grant Chen Jinzhao a swift end when you kill him, sparing him any torment. If you do not agree, we will fight to the death."
Ling Nan chuckled, "We understand that much."
"Then please stand aside and observe."
Ling Nan beckoned to Xi Kang Yongsheng and Poisonous Hedgehog, signaling them to step forward and surround Chen Jinzhao. Su Xiao was also among them.
"Zhulong, do you have anything to say?" Ling Nan said from above.
Chen Jinzhao wiped the blood from his lips and snorted, "I am outmatched, I have nothing to say."
Ling Nan burst into laughter, "You know your place, so I won't torment you. I'll give you a quick end."
Chen Jinzhao's gaze dimmed, wondering if he was truly going to perish here. He hadn't anticipated the Black Blood Group deploying all their elites from the Asia-Pacific region for this contest. Unless he could reach a realm beyond S-class, it was impossible for him to defeat them all. Moreover—
These people before him might not be the entirety of their forces; perhaps others were hidden, waiting in the wings.
With that thought, Chen Jinzhao closed his eyes, seemingly resigned to his fate.
Just as Su Xiao was about to make his move, Chen Jinzhao's eyes snapped open, burning with an inner fire.
Under everyone's gaze, Chen Jinzhao pushed himself up unsteadily with one hand on the ground. Poisonous Hedgehog and the others took half a step back. Chen Jinzhao, wielding Tai Sui, pointed at Xi Kang Yongsheng, Poisonous Hedgehog, Su Xiao, and Ling Nan.
"Though I am doomed, I can drag one of you down with me before I die."
"You—"
"Who wants to die?"
For a moment, no one dared to speak. They all knew Chen Jinzhao wasn't bluffing. Even if all four of them attacked him together, Chen Jinzhao could still take one of them with him in death. As for who that might be, anything was possible.
At this instant, the chill emanating from Tai Sui was more piercing and bitter than the frigid air of the snow-covered land. Ling Nan and the others' imposing aura was instantly overshadowed by Chen Jinzhao.
Finally, it was Ling Nan who broke the stalemate, his face grim as he said to Chen Jinzhao, "Is that so? I'd like to see if you truly have that strength!"
"Don't hesitate, attack him together."
As the words fell, the others no longer faltered and prepared to strike Chen Jinzhao in unison.
It was at this moment that a metallic whirring sound suddenly echoed through the air, as clear and resonant as a dragon's roar!
"His life must be spared."
Someone whispered, yet the voice reached everyone's ears. Everyone, including Li Xiaoning, looked around, trying to find the speaker. Chen Jinzhao seemed to realize something and, after scanning his surroundings, his gaze settled on a mountaintop about ten meters away. A figure stood at the summit.
This figure was clad in black, his loose clothing fluttering in the cold wind. In his hand, he held a long sword. Seeing the sword, Chen Jinzhao immediately knew his guess was correct; this was the mysterious assassin from before. He had indeed appeared. Regardless of whether the newcomer was friend or foe, Chen Jinzhao breathed a sigh of relief. At least he wouldn't die at the hands of the Black Blood Group.
Burke and the others followed Chen Jinzhao's gaze and also saw the figure standing against the wind.
"Who are you?" Xi Kang Yongsheng demanded.
The black-clothed figure said calmly, "I am the one who will kill you."
Su Xiao roared, "Arrogant! Do you know who we are? A mere nobody, daring to think of killing us?"
What a joke! Poisonous Hedgehog also taunted, "Come down here and fight me!"
Ling Nan narrowed his eyes, his eyelids twitching involuntarily. This black-clothed figure gave him an extremely terrifying sensation, akin to facing himself in his youth. Ling Nan wouldn't misjudge this feeling.
"Who are you?" Ling Nan asked again.
Burke stared intently at the shadowy figure and secretly took two steps back. Heavily injured, he didn't wish to stir up more trouble. Nan Kang and Blood Wolf felt the same.
The black-clothed figure said, "As I've already said, I am the one who will kill you."
With that, the black-clothed figure leaped, plunging from a height of over forty meters. Chen Jinzhao and the others gasped, thinking how reckless this figure was, to jump from such a height. At most, those present could leap from ten meters without injury. Chen Jinzhao could jump a bit higher, from twelve to thirteen meters, and remain unharmed.
"Hmph, who are you trying to impress? You'll surely crash badly," Nan Kang grumbled to himself. Burke Ross agreed.
The shadowy figure descended like a meteor striking the ground, kicking up a massive cloud of snow. However, when everyone saw the black-clothed figure rise up without a scratch, they all inhaled sharply. This person was terrifyingly powerful. Even Chen Jinzhao was far inferior!
"No wonder this person has caused so much slaughter in the far north; his strength is immense, killing is like slicing vegetables," Chen Jinzhao murmured to himself. Perhaps this black-clothed figure was a rumored expert beyond S-class.
The black-clothed figure walked forward with his sword, and no one dared to obstruct him. He soon appeared beside Chen Jinzhao. Ling Nan stared intently at the figure, as did Chen Jinzhao. It was only then that everyone noticed the black-clothed figure was wearing an ancient Daoist robe, with a congenital Bagua diagram embroidered on its back, giving him an unfathomable aura.
"I intend to spare his life. Do you agree?" the black-clothed figure asked.
Xi Kang Yongsheng drew his saber and held it before him, "You must be a reclusive master from Hua Guo. We have no quarrel with you, why then would you kill my comrade?" Clearly, the Black Blood Group had already guessed that this person had killed their companion.
"No reason. They are all deserving of death," the black-clothed figure stated calmly.
Xi Kang Yongsheng's heart pounded. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Very well, then allow me to experience your swordsmanship, to see if my saber skills are superior, or if your swordplay is even more formidable."
The black-clothed figure scoffed. "You?"
"Forget it, you are not qualified to be my opponent."