Chapter 22: Instant Flash . . .
For the past two days, Chou Ying had observed Ye Yuan from a distance, unaware of the profound transformation that had taken place within him. Now, facing Ye Yuan directly, he discovered that his intended target had ascended to the Third Level Essence Qi Realm.
To Chou Ying, the disparity between the First Level and the Third Level Essence Qi Realm seemed inconsequential. An opponent of this caliber was, in his view, an easy target for a swift elimination.
In the Essence Qi Realm, every three levels marked a significant stage. While the difference between the Fourth Level and the Third Level Essence Qi Realm might seem minimal, the gap in strength was substantial. A person at the Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm could effortlessly contend with five or six individuals at the Third Level.
Chou Ying, being two stages superior to Ye Yuan, perceived no real threat from him. However, a nagging uncertainty lingered—was the employer's information inaccurate, or was Ye Yuan an unprecedented prodigy?
Opting to believe the former, Chou Ying found it implausible that Ye Yuan had progressed from the First to the Third Level Essence Qi Realm in a mere two to three days.
"Brother Ye, this individual is formidable. I'll engage him; you and Lu-er should hasten to the academy, which is approximately ten miles away. Seek help quickly!" Tang Yu, brandishing his sword, positioned himself protectively in front of Ye Yuan and Lu-er.
Feeling Chou Ying's intense killing intent, Tang Yu realized they faced a formidable adversary. With Ye Yuan saving his father's life and offering a high-level medicinal pill, Tang Yu felt indebted. His current sacrifice was an attempt to repay that debt, recognizing his inferiority compared to Chou Ying's battle-hardened experience.
Though a gifted student of the Dan Wu Academy, Tang Yu acknowledged his shortcomings against someone like Chou Ying, who had weathered countless battles. Staying behind meant almost certain death.
Among the trio, Tang Yu possessed the greatest strength, prompting him to act without hesitation.
Observing Tang Yu and Lu-er's brave actions, Ye Yuan couldn't help but laugh. "Silly girl, what can you achieve by staying behind? Move aside."
"No way! I won't leave!" Lu-er insisted stubbornly.
Amused and touched by their actions, Ye Yuan marveled at the sincerity revealed during a crisis. Lu-er's response was expected, but having met Tang Yu just days ago, he didn't anticipate such unwavering resolve. Even facing the formidable Chou Ying, the duo chose to stand their ground.
"Hahaha, what a heartwarming scene! Ye Yuan, you may stay silent, but this young lady is quite enchanting. Soon..." Chou Ying began to laugh uproariously.
Confident that Ye Yuan possessed a technique or a valuable treasure to detect him, Chou Ying considered extracting this information vital. Moreover, the allure of Lu-er made this an opportune moment.
"Clear the way!" Ye Yuan pushed Lu-er and Tang Yu aside, stepping forward. A smile lingered on his face, now tinged with an icy resolve.
An indescribable chill swept over Chou Ying, prompting an involuntary shudder.
What's happening?
Chou Ying, a seasoned assassin with numerous kills to his name, exuded a natural coldness. Even a Spirit Condensation Realm martial artist would find it impossible to make him shudder. Yet, facing this Third Level Essence Qi Realm youth, an unexpected chill enveloped him.
Chou Ying found the day's events exceptionally abnormal. What was meant to be a straightforward mission had taken an unexpected turn.
"You and I had no prior grievances. Initially, I merely intended to test you, given your penchant for helping others avert disaster by taking their money. But since you dare to harbor ideas about Lu-er, don't blame me for taking your life," Ye Yuan's words carried a bone-chilling intensity.
At this juncture, Ye Yuan ingested a medicinal pill he had crafted before embarking on the journey. Anticipating the dangers ahead, he came well-prepared.
This Five Elements Spirit Link Pill, composed of medicinal herbs representing the five attributes—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—could elevate an Essence Qi Realm martial artist's strength by an entire stage for a temporary period.
"Hahaha, this is amusing! I want to see how a Third Level Essence Qi Realm brat like you can take my life!" Chou Ying, though maintaining a fa?ade of calmness, felt a surge of unease within. His words were more to embolden himself and dispel the growing shadow in his heart.
With a swift schwing, Chou Ying unsheathed his sword. As a seasoned assassin, he knew no bounds in his pursuit of killing. The notion of a sneak attack during a frontal battle was well within his arsenal. In the blink of an eye, his sword, moments ago engaged in conversation, was now aimed at Ye Yuan.
"Brother Ye (Young Master), be careful!" Tang Yu and Lu-er's simultaneous cries echoed.
However, their warnings lagged behind Chou Ying's sword. By the time they reacted, the blade had already pierced through Ye Yuan's body.
"Young Master!"
"Brother Ye!"
Tang Yu and Lu-er's anguished cries filled the air.
Chou Ying sensed something amiss. Although his sword had unmistakably passed through Ye Yuan's body, why did his hand not register the impact?
The urgency that prompted Chou Ying's swift swordplay wasn't solely due to caution but also because the disquiet within him had intensified. Witnessing Ye Yuan ingest that medicinal pill, he couldn't believe that mere pills could pose a threat. Yet, driven by caution, he acted swiftly with his sword.
Only a deceased individual could afford peace of mind.
But he had clearly killed Ye Yuan. Why, then, did this ominous feeling persist?
At that moment, the figure of Ye Yuan, impaled by Chou Ying's sword, gradually dissipated, turning into nothingness.
What Chou Ying had stabbed was merely an afterimage!
"Hey, it's very dangerous to show your back to the enemy," Ye Yuan's voice made Chou Ying go stiff.
Impossible! I already stabbed him!
"Instant Flash! It's actually Instant Flash!" Tang Yu exclaimed.
"Young Master! It's great that you are fine!" Lu-er shouted, pleasantly surprised.
"Hahaha, of course, I'm fine. How can your Young Master die so easily?" Ye Yuan said with a smile.
"Brother Ye actually managed to master such difficult footwork. Furthermore, your use of it was absolutely superb. What a genius!" Tang Yu marveled at this display of skill.
"Just a trifling skill."
To others, Instant Flash was an immensely profound footwork, challenging to comprehend. However, to Ye Yuan, this level of footwork posed no real challenge.
Instant Flash might seem impressive, but it was, in fact, only a footwork technique enabling freedom of movement within a small radius. A mere Tier 1 Martial Technique, it lacked profundity.
Nevertheless, this footwork incorporated Heavenly Dao, making it easy to learn yet challenging to master. While others found it an incredibly difficult technique, Ye Yuan, with his past cultivation level, considered this level of Heavenly Dao inconsequential.