The night was calm. The moon and stars shone brightly above, casting their silver glow over the mountains. A pin-drop silence hung over the Sanatan Flame Sect.
Suddenly, in the night sky, shadowy figures appeared. They descended silently, landing among the trees in front of the sect.
Twelve men — members of the Black Venom Assassin Organization.
They stood at the edge of the forest, gazing at the silent sect. Not a single lantern burned within its grounds; the only light came from the moon and stars.
One assassin frowned.
> "There’s too much silence... a sect shouldn’t be this quiet."
> "Isn’t that good for us? We can kill them easily."
A third assassin drew his double daggers, eyes glinting with malice.
> "Let’s start the job."
They rushed forward, leaping over the main gate. No protective formation was active. No guards patrolled the grounds.
The assassins entered the sect without resistance, scattering into positions — some hiding among the courtyard trees, others crouching atop the Alchemy Hall’s roof. They communicated silently with hand signs.
Then, a voice rang out.
> "So you finally arrived."
The assassins froze, their eyes snapping toward the source.
A beautiful fountain stood under the moonlight. Sitting on its edge was Shaurya. His right leg rested straight along the fountain wall, left leg bent on the ground, his left hand braced behind him for support. In his right hand, he casually held his spiritual gun, his eyes fixed on the water’s reflection.
The assassins’ eyes widened. Their bodies tensed into fighting stances.
Shaurya slowly rotated his neck and met their gaze. That single look sent chills down their spines. He rose to his feet, smirking.
> "You took more time than I thought... stopped for tea on the way, did you?"
His mocking tone lit a spark of rage in them.
> "How does he know about us?" one hissed.
"More importantly, how did he know we were coming?" another muttered.
Shaurya began walking toward them at an unhurried pace. The assassins’ earlier confidence faltered — replaced by an unshakable dread.
They rushed him at once.
From the shadows, a volley of ice arrows streaked toward the assassins. They sensed the attack and dodged just in time.
Xiao Lian and Xiao Rui — the sibling duo — stepped into view in front of Shaurya.
The assassins stared in shock, unsettled by how close they’d come to being skewered.
Xiao Lian pouted in disappointment.
> "Ahhh... I thought I’d hit them."
Xiao Rui patted her head.
> "Don’t worry, my little sister."
Shaurya approached, smiling.
> "The attack was good. You just need more practice."
The assassins whispered among themselves.
> "Where were they hiding? I only sensed the attack..."
"Be careful. They’re well prepared. Take guard and let’s form our attacking forma—"
Before he could finish, a deafening bang split the night.
A cannon-like spiritual bullet tore through the air, bursting the speaker’s head apart. Blood sprayed across the courtyard.
The other assassins recoiled, fear flickering in their eyes.
Shaurya lowered his gun, his voice cold.
The assassins regrouped, trembling.
"What kind of weapon does he have?"
"This guy’s too strange!"
Shaurya chuckled darkly.
> "I’ve heard that many times."
He fired again. The assassins hastily formed a spiritual barrier, but the bullet shattered it and struck another assassin’s skull, exploding it into crimson mist. His blood spread to other bodies.
Only ten assassins remained.
Shaurya holstered his gun into his storage ring, stretching his body as though bored. The assassins exchanged uneasy glances.
Then Shaurya turned to leave — but stopped, glanced over his shoulder, and smiled.
They all got scared but still rushed at him.
Two streaks of light descended between Shaurya and the assassins, blasting them backward. Wang Tian and Luo Chen stood side by side, releasing their oppressive auras with confident smiles.
The assassins snarled in frustration, killing intent boiling, and charged again.
The two men exchanged a glance, drew their swords, and roared together:
> "Ultimate Sword Strike!"
In a blur, they moved through the assassins’ ranks. A single sweeping motion cleaved bodies in half. Blood rippled through the air as lifeless halves collapsed to the ground.
Wang Tian and Luo Chen bumped fists.
Shaurya clapped slowly.
> "As expected from the Brothers of Destruction. Your duo is truly amazing."
With a wave of his hand, divine fire consumed the corpses.
> "Alright, everyone rest well. Tomorrow, we destroy that pathetic assassin organization."
They nodded and dispersed to their rooms. Shaurya stayed behind, commanding:
> "Guards, back to your positions."
The sect guards returned to duty. Shaurya reactivated the sect’s protective barrier.
Later, he lay in bed.
> "Uff... I need a good sleep. Tomorrow’s going to be a big day."
The system’s voice chimed in.
> Congratulations, Host, for completing the mission: Protect the Sect from Assassin Attack.
Reward: Divine Sword Art — End of Darkness.
Shaurya sat up, grinning.
> "Perfect timing. That useless organization will regret offending my sect."
He lay back down and slept.
Shaurya stood before the sect, disciples and elders gathered before him.
> "Are you all ready? If not, get ready. Today, we battle the entire assassin organization. They’re cold-blooded killers, so don’t hold back."
A devilish smile spread among the disciples.
Shaurya raised his right hand toward the sky and roared:
> "Hail the Sanatan Flame Sect!"
All members mirrored him, shouting in unison:
> "Hail the Sanatan Flame Sect!"
They boarded the Dark Pearl. Elder Wu remained behind with the guards and disciples lower than Foundation Builder lev8, along with Jian Fan’s team. Ninety-six disciples, Elder Liya, Elder Wan, and Lin Shu accompanied Shaurya.
Once aboard, Shaurya called out:
> "Hey, Systu. Find me the location of that useless organization."
The system’s cheerful voice replied:
> Of course, Host. Why not? That’s my job.
Shaurya narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
> Here’s the map you wanted. Only 50 DP deducted.
Shaurya roared in outrage.
> "I knew it! Whenever you butter me up with sweet talk, it means you’re going to do something to me!"
> This is business, Host, the system replied with a wink and tongue-out emoji.
Shaurya gritted his teeth.
> "I’ll remember this, Systu..."
Scene shift — a dark hall.
Behind a thin, translucent curtain sat a female figure on a throne. Before her, a man in black robe a assaisan, knelt on one knee.
The woman’s voice was smooth and cold.
> "All the assassins we sent to the Sanatan Flame Sect were killed? It seems this toy might be fun to play with..."
A cunning smile curved her pink lips.