"How is this possible?"
The man in black was greatly shocked. Zhou Yan was not afraid of the poison, which was simply unbelievable. Ordinary people would be paralyzed and lose all strength the moment they touched it.
*Whoosh~ Whoosh~ Whoosh~*
The man in black did not dare to hesitate. With a wave of his sleeve, dozens more poisonous needles shot out, covering the sky and attacking Zhou Yan.
*Clang clang clang!*
Wielding the Soul Severing Blade, Zhou Yan fought against a hundred with one, blocking the endless barrage of poisonous needles.
At this moment, Zhou Yan was also somewhat disheveled, his body covered in poison, his hair and face turning green.
"Damn you! You actually poisoned me!"
Zhou Yan roared, his mind racing. "It seems I have to use my strongest move to deal with this fellow!"
"Little bastard! Die!"
The man in black sneered, his palm seals flying, his true qi spewing out like a tide, surging with immense power. A terrifying pressure permeated the air, making it difficult to breathe.
*Rumble~*
He spread his five fingers, his palm wind whistling, like a divine being, grabbing fiercely at Zhou Yan. Before the palm strike even landed, the surrounding vegetation cracked inch by inch and turned into powder.
*Bang~*
Zhou Yan raised his arm to block, but was forced back three steps by the immense force. His arm throbbed, and a hint of crimson seeped from his palm. He looked down to see that his skin had already turned black.
Clearly, this potent poison had already spread into his body, eroding his meridians and flesh. If this dragged on, it would be extremely dangerous.
"Kid, surrender obediently, or I guarantee you'll wish you were dead!"
The man in black said sinisterly, a cruel curve on his lips.
"You want to capture this young master? Wishful thinking."
Zhou Yan gritted his teeth, his eyes cold and fearless.
Although the man in black's cultivation was higher than his, he had many trump cards. If he went all out, he might still have a chance to turn the tables.
"Since you are stubborn, then do not blame me for being ruthless."
The man in black said coldly, his right hand giving a slight flick. A dagger suddenly appeared in his palm, emitting a cold glint, like a viper's tongue.
"Die!"
He roared, his body a blur. Like an arrow loosed from a bow, he instantly closed the distance, dagger in hand, thrusting at Zhou Yan's chest.
"Hmm?"
Zhou Yan's brow furrowed. He felt something was wrong.
*Clang~*
At the critical moment, Zhou Yan reacted extremely quickly. He reached out and firmly grasped the dagger, then twisted his wrist. The dagger traced an arc, aiming for the man in black's throat.
"Haha, a mere trick, how can it harm me?" The man in black sneered. His left hand flashed out like lightning, and he punched, accurately hitting the tip of the dagger, deflecting its course. It grazed his side and pierced into the trunk of a tree.
*Bang~*
The tree trunk exploded, sending wood chips flying.
Zhou Yan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the man in black was careless, otherwise, he would have been in grave danger.
*Swish~ Swish~ Swish...*
However, just as Zhou Yan relaxed, the man in black stomped his legs on the void, leaping into the air. Dozens of afterimages were left behind in mid-air, each one a substantive attack, sealing off Zhou Yan's vital points with unparalleled ferocity.
"Hmph!"
Seeing this, Zhou Yan remained calm. He retreated, creating distance, and also stomped on the ground. His figure shot up, dodging the man in black's attack.
*Stomp~ Stomp......*
After a brief exchange, Zhou Yan was at a slight disadvantage.
After all, his cultivation techniques were varied, and his true qi was insufficient to sustain a prolonged battle.
"Brat, do you have any last words?" The man in black grinned, a mocking look in his eyes.
He, a dignified Xiantian fourth-level cultivator, could not defeat a Xiantian second-level martial artist. This was simply a great humiliation.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan's expression was indifferent, neither confirming nor denying. He slowly drew out the Soul Severing Blade.
Instantly, a chilling blade hum reverberated through the surroundings. A murderous aura rushed towards him, causing the air temperature to drop sharply, making one shiver.
"What? The Soul Severing Blade!"
Seeing this, the man in black's pupils contracted, and his heart sank.
Legend had it that the Soul Severing Blade was a famous treasure blade in the Southern Ridge, incredibly sharp, capable of cutting through iron like mud, cleaving gold and jade, and shaving hair with a breath. It had drunk countless blood and slain countless lives...
"Die!"
At this moment, Zhou Yan let out a fierce cry, his figure soaring into the sky. The Soul Severing Blade chopped down, a silvery-white blade light blooming, carrying a cascade of brilliant starlight.
This scene caused the man in black's eyeballs to bulge, his hair standing on end, and he felt a fatal threat...
*Pfft~*
A wisp of crimson blood splattered. The man in black grunted and was sent flying backward, crashing onto a hillside ten feet away. He convulsed all over, on the verge of death.
Zhou Yan retracted the Soul Severing Blade and stood still in mid-air. The emerald green poisonous mist on his body gradually dissipated.
Just now, the potent poison used by the man in black was extremely venomous. Fortunately, he had reacted quickly and taken an antidote pill in time, otherwise, he would have died from the poison.
"Damn! Damn! Damn!"
The man in black cursed, struggling to get up, his black eyes filled with malice. He glared hatefully at Zhou Yan, a sense of inexplicable fear in his heart. "How can this little bastard, a mere Xiantian second-level cultivator, possess such a formidable weapon?!"
At this moment, Zhou Yan was also greatly shocked. He had initially thought the man in black was a Xiantian fourth-level martial artist, but it turned out he was only Xiantian third-level.
"It seems my guess was right. This man in black should be a disciple of a prominent family or sect."
After a moment of thought, Zhou Yan made a judgment. The man in black's age should be over thirty. Martial artists of this level usually had their own mentors or were disciples of a powerful family.
After all, ancient martial families had long inheritances and deep foundations. They could cultivate some genius disciples and then find suitable apprentices to train. In just over a decade, they would stand out.
"This mission has failed. I absolutely cannot reveal my identity!"
The man in black's eyes flowed with killing intent. To be injured by a mere Xiantian second-level ant was simply a disgrace.
He then took a deep breath, suppressed his turbulent qi and blood, and his body shot up, charging towards Zhou Yan.
*Whoosh~*
The man in black was very fast. In the blink of an eye, he was close. The dagger in his hand flashed with cold light, fiercely stabbing at Zhou Yan.
Zhou Yan's expression was solemn. His heels were slightly bent, ready to spring. His body moved like a slippery fish, incredibly agile, narrowly dodging the man in black's attack.
"Such keen senses!"
The man in black frowned, growing more wary in his heart. This guy, despite being at the Xiantian second-level, was as cunning and troublesome as a monkey.
"Hmph, today, I'll let you know what it means to have heavens beyond heavens and people beyond people!"
With a cold snort, the man in black gripped the dagger with both hands and suddenly threw it. It tore through the air, like a venomous snake emerging from its hole, carrying a destructive force.
*Whoosh~*
The dagger whistled, breaking through the air, kicking up a cloud of dust, and aimed at Zhou Yan's neck. Its speed was as fast as lightning, making it impossible to evade.
"Scram!"
At the crucial moment, Zhou Yan roared, his eyes flashing with a cold glint. He tilted his body slightly, evading the dagger's attack.
"Eh, he actually dodged it!"
The man in black was stunned, his face full of surprise. In that move, he had almost pushed his power to the limit. If it had hit, Zhou Yan would have died on the spot, leaving no trace.