These afterimages, unlike regular Shadow Blade afterimages, were all transparent and carried the spiritual attack of an Evil Spirit doppelgänger.
The afterimages simultaneously opened their mouths, emitting a silent shriek.
Anyone with a weak will who glanced at them would suffer a splitting headache, and even mutants with firm resolve would experience spiritual disorientation and feel as if their brains were being pricked by needles.
However, Ji Xinghuo showed no reaction.
He ignored the menacing spirits and turned around on the spot.
The Dagon person happened to leap out from the shadows, facing Ji Xinghuo; the two were only two steps apart, their gazes colliding.
Ji Xinghuo saw confidence and cruelty in the eyes of the Dagon.
He guessed the enemy’s thoughts.
He himself was an archer, while his adversary was a ghostly assassin skilled in melee and seemed to have a high Martial Arts Rank, probably feeling overwhelmingly confident, even holding a guaranteed victory.
The Dagon’s dark, sharp blade thrust toward Ji Xingyan’s throat.
As quick as lightning.
Yet this guaranteed hit missed.
Ji Xinghuo vanished in an instant, the Dagon noticed his opponent appear at his side, his body twisting at an incredible angle, his dagger thrusting back.
Ji Xinghuo’s right hand had already grabbed the Thunderbolt Battle Blade, the blade smacking the dagger, the Dagon felt a fierce and intense strength transmitted through his dagger, coupled with a high-voltage electric current entering his arm, making it impossible for him to hold onto the weapon, which slipped from his hand instantly.
The Dagon’s entire arm was disabled, unable to exert any force.
He was terrified, instinctively slipping into the shadow to leap away—however, after only a few steps, lightning burst from Ji Xinghuo’s blade, striking directly.
The figure of the Dagon fell out.
He had just rejoiced in his mind that he had managed to escape about ten meters, creating distance from his enemy, and was momentarily safe.
Then he saw Ji Xinghuo pulling back his bowstring toward him.
The Dagon, paralyzed by the electric current and unable to transform back into a spirit, slowed in his reaction; an Invisible Arrow shot into his eye and exited through the back of his head.
Spiritual Origin Ability +28
Ji Xinghuo was not surprised, but a slight smile appeared on his face.
This Dagon was strong, capable of ranking within the top five hundred in Yanhuang City on Earth, stronger than the one he had killed before, using Flying Steps. If it were before his evolution, defeating the enemy would have been very difficult and perilous.
Now, without even activating Myriad Phenomena, he could easily kill the enemy, which showed how much his strength had increased.
He quickly cut off the scalp, picked up the spoils, and then left.
In the following days, Ji Xinghuo continued to hunt enemies.
He did not return to Sword Valley Fortress but moved east along the Star Realm defensive line, hunting enemies while advancing. Whenever he passed a human fortress or stronghold, he would enter to hand over the spoils and collect bounties and points. Since the quantity was never large, it didn’t draw much attention.
When Ji Xinghuo reached Yanhuang City at the easternmost end of the Star Realm defense line, he had almost gathered two thousand points of Spiritual Origin Ability.
He first upgraded Qing Hong’s Spirit Smell to Level Four (1/2273).
However, Qing Hong still did not evolve.
In a hostel in Yanhuang City, Ji Xinghuo invested all the remaining Spiritual Origin Ability into Golden Scale Iron Spine, directly upgrading it to Level Four.
This Ability was shared between him and Qing Hong; scales appeared on the skin of both the man and the snake.
Half of the scales had already turned golden.
The other half remained green.
Ji Xinghuo’s hand rested on Qing Hong, and the moment Golden Scale Iron Spine was upgraded to Level Four, he sensed the change.
Qing Hong revealed its true form, over three meters long, its scales glistening with a dim light as vast Ether Energy surged from all directions. Qing Hong’s body grew visibly, larger and thicker with each moment, its scales becoming somewhat translucent, revealing a spine inside that looked as if it were forged from metal.
Ji Xinghuo was greatly pleased; this was a sign of evolution.
Qing Hong was advancing toward Superior!