Evan Chu instantly unleashed Wave-Skimming Steps, slipping away from the black-clad man's blade with a movement so subtle and profound it defied explanation. Of course, that's how it looked to the others—but in truth, Evan had already calculated exactly how he'd dodge.
He was deliberately putting on an act, making it seem like he barely managed to evade, so everyone would think his strength wasn't nearly as high as the rumors claimed.
Playing the fool to strike the tiger—Evan loved the feeling. Catching people off guard with a ruthless blow was just his style.
"Doesn't look like you're that strong after all! Just one move and you're already scrambling like a mess. Brothers, let me take care of this brat myself—just sit back and enjoy the show!" the black-clad man laughed loudly.
Evan snickered to himself, 'This young master is letting you get cocky on purpose. Just wait and see how you die!'
He tightened his grip on the Frostbane Sword and stepped forward in a flash. His movement was ghostlike, and in the blink of an eye, he was right in front of the black-clad man.
At the same time, the Frostbane Sword traced a graceful arc, stabbing at lightning speed straight for the man's throat.
By now, Evan had mastered the first seven forms of the Windchaser Sword Codex. This strike was blindingly fast—the black-clad man's nerves couldn't even react, he only saw a fierce sword aura coming right at him.
Then he felt a numbness in his throat, his breathing suddenly strangled, as if something was blocking his windpipe—he couldn't draw a single breath.
A moment later, bright red blood poured from his neck. The black-clad man couldn't make a sound, his body slowly collapsing backward.
Even in his final moments, he never understood how he died.
Maybe he never even realized that Evan Chu had pierced his throat with a sword as fast as lightning.
Evan's swordplay was so quick, like the wind—passing by without leaving a trace, giving his opponent no time to react.
And when Evan's Frostbane Sword stabbed into his throat in an instant, he hardly felt any pain at all.
Only when Evan pulled the Frostbane Sword out of his neck did he realize he'd underestimated this guy—his strength really was as terrifying as the rumors said.
There's no medicine for regret in this world. He collapsed, unwilling, eyes wide open, unable to rest in peace.
At that moment, the other four black-clad men saw Evan's earlier move—it was simply too fast. They couldn't do anything but watch their comrade fall, powerless to stop it.
The feeling of killing with one sword was exhilarating. Evan didn't even frown at the corpse—the world was better off without people like that.
"Looks like we really underestimated this brat. He was faking all along, making us hold back. Brothers, let's go—all together! Quick and decisive!" the leader barked.
As he spoke, three attackers were already upon Evan. Yet his face showed not a hint of panic—his expression was calm as still water.
He flicked the Frostbane Sword in his hand and unleashed Glimmerflash Steps, his body sliding sideways like a ghost for two meters, trailing an afterimage to dodge the attack from all four men.
At the same time, he fired off his signature sneak attack—Phantom Shadow Finger—aiming at the nearest black-clad man.
The unstoppable finger force of Phantom Shadow Finger met no resistance, easily landing every strand on the black-clad man's body.
"Ah!" The man screamed as several deep, bone-revealing bloody holes opened in his chest, his clothes instantly stained red.
Ever since Evan achieved the first tier of the Starforge Body, he felt his strength soar—especially the power of Phantom Shadow Finger, which was now at least twice as strong as before.
That black-clad man collapsed, unwilling to accept defeat—one strand of finger force had pierced his heart, and with his heart ruptured, death was certain.
This was the first time Evan had ever killed someone with Phantom Shadow Finger—and he did it in a single move. Judging by the strength of the man's attack, he was at least seventh-level Mystic Warrior.
The shock in Evan's heart was greater than anyone else's. He'd felt stronger, but never imagined he'd reach such a terrifying level.
The sudden turn of events left the remaining three men stunned and afraid. Even the weakest among them was seventh-level Mystic Warrior, yet Evan had dispatched two of their number in a single move—his strength was simply monstrous.
Sure, surprise attacks played a part, but without enough power, even a sneak attack wouldn't work.
The leader's eyes flashed like lightning at Evan Chu, his sword hand trembling. "So you really do have the power to kill a ninth-level Mystic Warrior. The rumors were true after all."
"Good thing you're finding out now! Weren't you just saying today would be my death anniversary? Let's see whose memorial day it really is!"
From the assassins' earlier conversation, Evan sensed something was wrong—something must've happened at home. He had to finish off these three and get back, fast.
"Roxanne, come out! Something's happened at home—we need to end this quickly and hurry back!" Evan knew it was urgent, so he had to let Roxanne Lin help.
Two sneak attacks, two kills—both because the enemy let their guard down. But trying that trick again clearly wouldn't work. Facing three at once was going to be tough.
Hearing Evan's voice, Roxanne Lin immediately stepped out from behind the boulder. "Linfeng, I'll handle one—you take care of the other two, all right?"
"No problem! Just be careful yourself!"
Seeing Roxanne appear, the black-clad man snarled, "I planned to finish off this brat first, then savor you slowly. Didn't expect you to be so impatient."
"Today I'll show you what a real man tastes like!"
"Scum! Give me your life!" Roxanne Lin was furious at his words and instantly unleashed Heavenly Maiden Flowerfall.
A flurry of sword-qi petals swept toward the black-clad man—Roxanne Lin was eighth-level Mystic Warrior, and her furious strike was devastating.
The black-clad man was strong, but Roxanne struck first with her full power while he could only defend in haste.
It was clear—after that move, he was badly wounded, dozens of bloody gashes pouring fresh blood down his body.
Even Evan Chu was a little shocked. He hadn't expected this Earth-tier technique to be so powerful—it made him reevaluate Roxanne's strength.
"Roxanne, finish him off—don't hesitate!" With that, Evan spun his Frostbane Sword in a flurry of sword blossoms and struck at another enemy.
Evan's uncanny speed was what the black-clad men feared most. Both became extra cautious—then the leader suddenly roared, "Taste my Blazing Tailwind Cleave!"
Roxanne Lin had never killed anyone before. Her hand trembled slightly, but she forced herself to thrust her sword—she couldn't let Evan down.
The black-clad man's technique made Evan wary too—flames erupted from his sword, fiercer than Shangguan Wuwo's Sevenfold Blastflame Execution back on the arena.
Evan could feel a huge wave of heat rushing toward him, mixed with barely visible stellar sword-qi.
He unleashed Glimmerflash Steps in an instant, his afterimage darting aside while his hand fired Phantom Shadow Finger—not enough to cripple, but enough to stop another attack.
Just then, the other black-clad man unleashed his own martial technique, targeting Evan right as he finished Glimmerflash Steps—throwing him into sudden danger...