His Ki barrier appeared as floating shields around him as a powerful storm of swords gathered above. It was a deadly attack that is about to rain down that no one could stop it. They blanch in fright as they stared at the impending death.
The group knew that they had met with a frightening foe the moment they saw the assassin. This is a feeling developed from the large power differences between them. When they felt his murderous intents, even the strongest of the 18 felt cold sweat roll down their backs.
That was why, each time, they met with the assassin’s casual attack with all they had. Jones’ attack that caused him to fly out was a move infused with all the power he could muster and was why Kairos found him in the infused state.
Vouno forcefully redirecting the assassin’s Crescent Moon Spear despite being badly wounded was out of desperation. A real fear that if he did not put in his all, they are all going to die.
Later on, Kairos’ Thunder God Descends – his spear skill, Immolation Finger – his Ki technique, and Jones’ World Sword skill were all their best.
Especially, the battle formation, the Northern Swords Array.
But as expected of a cultivator from the immortal realm, he had swiftly and accurately deduced the only solution in an instant.
The northern swords array is no doubt one of the most mysterious and intricate combat formation the world has ever seen, and no matter how strong an enemy is, none could break it by conventional methods.
Even killing the participants in the array one after another would not resolve the technique, instead, until the last person is left, the northern swords array would still be activated.
In addition, the person he targets will become many times stronger to receive his attack, and at the same time, he would have to face the retaliation of 17 others in the formation. Therefore, the assassin found only one way out, and that is to attack all enemies simultaneously so that none could help the other.
“They are indeed difficult to deal with... There must be some unbelievable link between them that allows a rapid transfer of Ki. In that case, let’s see how you block all my attacks.
Will you save one of your own? Or will you break down and flee? HAHAHHAAHA!”
He couldn’t even understand the basis of this formation he is trapped in, much less derive how the Ki transfer link came about or how to break it, so he could only use a stupidly crude method. However, no matter how simple his way was, the power behind it was no joke.
But the next moment, a valiant and confident laugh accompanied by a slow clap broke the stoic silence of the coming deathblow.
Jones, amidst the assault, said cheerfully, “This move of yours is really quite majestic. I guess you deserve me using this treasure. My teacher had given it to me but told me never to use it except to preserve my life. I suppose this counts, right Kairos?”
“The heck are you still talking leisurely right now! We are about to dieeeeee!” the group exclaimed with the same breath and even tone. The Northern Swords Array was miraculous indeed.
“Okay, okay, don’t worry. Everything will turn out fine. You know the saying? The boat will straighten itself naturally when coming into the harbour?”
With the snail-pace response from Jones, the other people in this place were about to cough out blood in frustration. In fact, many already did.
“If you’re gonna do something, hurry up!!”
But, the one that was the most tensed was none other than the attacker.
The assassin hurried his technique, but if it is something that could be instantly unleashed, he wouldn’t need to chase away the enemy before casting.
“Could he truly diffuse my attack? The mortal realm have such treasures? Impossible! I won’t believe it!”
He wasn’t frightened, but his heart burned with urgency as he sent down the Demon God Sword Rain, his greatest area attack.
A smile broke out on his face as a hailstorm made of swords shimmered down upon them. Instead of randomly falling, each blade homed in on a target.
Yet, Jones, as if he had all the time in the world, slowly raised a pentagram plate on his palm. The others stared wide-eyed as the sword rain were about to hit them. Then, all of a sudden, the attacks froze. No, the swift blades had become extremely slow, and at the same time, everyone sped up.
The Demon God Sword Rain had separated into 18 groups to target each of them, but at the same time, it also allowed the situation to be turned around. With this difference in speed, all they need was to take a single step, and they managed to step away unharmed.
Of course, normally it wouldn’t be so easy to dodge this technique, because every sword homes in on its target.
“The Sun and Moon Reversal Grand Technique? You... You! You’re not from Gaia?!” An unbelieving roar surprised everyone. The pentagram plate seemed to be a renowned thing, just by using it, the enemy could identify Jones’ background.
The pentagram plate is, in fact, one of the core artefacts from the Immortal Blue Sect that Jones belongs to. And they are one of the topmost immortal realm sects, an existence that the assassin didn’t dare to ignore.
“Who is this guy to have such a treasure on him?! Even a core seed disciple like me isn’t given any sect artefacts. Just what is his identity…? A direct disciple? Damn! Is the Immortal Blue also interested in this tiny kingdom? If they really are interfering, things will become messy!”
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He gritted his teeth and stared at Jones, and quickly made his decision.
“However, if he returns to the Immortal Realm, my name will be completely smeared. Conversely, if I can kill him, no one will find out it was me, and his treasures will be mine!
I must eradicate them all!”
After using the pentagram plate to dispel the situation, Jones collapsed to the ground heaving for breath. His limbs shivered and even to take a step was tough. Anyone could walk over and steal the artefact right now.
“Whew, this… this is even tougher than fighting an immortal savage beast.”
It was a passing remark that the fighters didn’t think much of, but the assassin paled immediately.
“You… you’ve fought savage beasts up there before?”
It was a question that broke his chain of thoughts and erupted from his curiosity, but Jones immediately answered and took the chance to rest.
“Hahaha, when I was chasing you down to the Mortal Realm, I’ve had the luck to run into a captain rank beast. It was a tremendous battle. Look.”
Jones, supporting himself with one hand, uncovered the front of his robes with the other arm and revealed three deep gashes that are still bleeding.
It was a horrific sight that caused everyone to pale. He had been fighting with tolerating his wounds, and from the yellowed and blackened flesh, it looked infected.
“A captain ranked Poison Wind Scythe?!” Although he knew that Jones is dragging for time, he couldn’t help but exclaim.
Looking carefully, the assassin could tell how terrifying the battle that Jones had gone through was.
The gashes were, of course, the most eye-catching, but the rest of his skin were covered with bruises and cuts. It is definitely the work of an immortal realm beast.
Those that had not gone to the upper realms might not know how scary the savage beasts are, but he knew.
Because even a core disciple like him wasn’t allowed to fight one.
These beasts are completely different from those from Gaia. Nurtured and raised by land with thick spiritual energies, these creatures had become incredible lifeforms.
Their vitality is so ridiculous that they may not die even from being cut in half. At least, surviving with half a torso for several months would be the norm.
They are true-blue monsters that have poison, magic, or overwhelming brute force. And, most frightening of all, they have a human-level slyness to trick and kill their preys.
“To take down a captain level savage beast! Just what treasures does he have!?”
The assassin never thought for a moment that Jones could slay a savage beast with his own strength.
With the strength of a Double S ranker? Pifft… Even he couldn’t be certain to survive.
A monster can only be considered captain level when it is strong enough to take down an immortal. Granted that the main reason the Poison Wind Scythe could barely reach that category was because of its venom, but it still has at least the strength equalled of a Triple S ranker.
Even if one has a way to avoid the toxic, it still requires a team of Triple S rankers to defeat a single savage beast of the same rank.
The assassin knew instantly that it is in for a difficult battle; the Sun and Moon Reversal pentagram plate mustn’t be the only artefact he has.
He tried to charge over to finish Jones off, and if he succeeds, half the danger would instantly evaporate.
But, when he moved just an inch, the other 17 fighters reacted immediately.
Just a moment ago, Jones was completely out of breath, but he seemed to be suddenly enveloped by strong energy and jumped onto his feet. The group had shared their strength with him. By giving him less than ten percent of their Ki, his previous weakened state is completely gone.
“Damn it!” he hissed, “This bloody formation! What is this ridiculous rate of Ki transfer?”
But even as he was yelling with his face scrunched up with hatred, he was moving at an unbelievable speed.
The 18 immediately followed though they were unable to pin him down with their inferior speed.
Like a shadow, before everyone’s eyes, he reached the Relestia’s side and clasped his hand around her neck.
“Let’s see how you stop me now!”
In less than a second, their advantage is totally destroyed.
There are definitely a good number of guards in this place, however, at this moment none of them could make a move. Even if they wanted to move, they can’t even lift a finger right now.
Not only are they unable to help, but they have also even turned into baggages.
And, the worst part is their princess has fallen into the enemy’s hands.
It was no secret in the Gilded Snow that everyone hoped that the young master would one day become her husband, the prince consort.
They had grown fond of this kind-hearted princess, for she possessed an empathy that could become the hope for all commoners in the future. And they felt the pair are a good match for each other.
They gritted their teeth and gathered their strength, wanting to throw their lives away to at least save her.
“Let her go!”
The frustration of helplessness, knowing that they are unable to protect her despite being directly instructed by their young master, was enough to make these burly grown men come to tears.
But, even if they could move, would the assassin that had come for her agree?
Fortunately, the princess already persuaded Xuan Xian and the three masters to bring Ling’er away. She herself refused to flee, knowing that she was the target. Even by the process of elimination, she could tell. After all, despite her youth, Relestia had already been through such a thing twice: Assassination attempts sent by her older brothers, the Third and Fifth Princes.
When she woke up this morning, the birds were silent, and the air was heavy with an unnatural chill.
She immediately checked her gemstone ring and found it to be blood red. The meaning is clear to her, and her face paled. It was the indication that her royal guards had been slain, including the stern and reliable uncle Ralts that had saved her the previous two times.
Relestia hurriedly dressed and started convincing everyone to evacuate quickly using her powers as a soul healer, while she stayed behind, hoping to draw the assassin’s attention away from the rest. It was a foolish action and one that does not befit her status. However, she was convinced not to drag anyone along with her if she must die.
The ten-year-old was naïve, but her courage and resoluteness cannot be belittled.
Relestia thought the killers would let those uninvolved evacuate – especially since it will make their assassination less complicated. However, she never imagined that hell would rain down on the entire city and so swiftly. Before most could exit the building, disaster struck.
She was fortunate that her assassin had been awaiting his cue after dispatching the princess’ guards. The other killers that were targeting the emperor needed more time to get ready, and it was necessary for them to strike at the same time.
When Kairos appeared, it was just in time to come to her, and his actions touched the little princess. There was a smile on her face as if saying that she felt that it had been a worthy run.
It wasn’t something that a girl of her age would think, but her ability made her thoughts mature faster though it did not take away her childlike innocence.
She could touch the soul of another being, and thus she knows that what determines a person’s worth wasn’t money, power, or even the strength in one’s flesh.
It is the brightness of one’s soul that is invaluable.
And within Kairos remains an attractive light.
Granted, there are others with a bright soul, but they are all slowly tainted over time – the only difference was the magnitude.
But what Kairos has is different. It was the only light she saw that purifies the engulfing darkness around.
Just like Kairos wanted to protect her, Relestia wished to protect the glowing light in him, so when she saw him rush to her, an unbearable fear welled up from within.
Of course, she wanted to be saved too. When he first appeared, she only wished to escape into his arms, but now, her heart's desire had been replaced by a more fervent one.
With all the power she could muster and large tears rolling down her cheeks, she shouted to Kairos, “Don’t save me… Run! Please!”