“If you make a move, I can take your life at any moment.”

Zhang Fuguang’s voice echoed from the darkness, coming from all directions, elusive and unfathomable.

“The Blood Shadow Sect actually has such an expert. I’ve visited the Blood Shadow Sect before and understand it well. In my view, your strength ranks within the top three of the sect,” Yue Hanjun said cautiously, surveying his surroundings before continuing indifferently, “Even I can’t sense your presence. If you’re willing to follow me, I can give you anything you desire.”

“Blood Shadow Sect, Zhang also.”

Zhang Fuguang stated calmly.

“Zhang Ye, the Soul Fading Blade…” Yue Hanjun’s pupils constricted, his vigilance rising to a new level!

Indeed, that name had been notorious long ago, chilling to anyone who heard it.

This was Zhang Fuguang’s intention; revealing his identity would further deter Yue Hanjun from acting rashly. Although confident in his assassination skills, his priority was ensuring Li Hengsheng’s escape before considering killing Yue Hanjun.

Otherwise, should he fail, Li Hengsheng would be in danger.

“The Soul Fading Blade, ranked sixth on the Divine Weapon List, plus the Blood Shadow Sect’s god of slaughter, Zhang Ye. I never expected such treatment,” Yue Hanjun chuckled, “Your master once nearly succeeded in assassinating a land immortal. His disciples, such as yourself, are equally outstanding. If I’m not mistaken, you once assassinated a member of the Great Martial Sect, and at that time, you were merely at the peak of the Innate realm.”

“After stepping into the Grandmaster realm, six members of the Great Martial Sect fell by your hand. Your reputation could even surpass your master’s.”

“It’s just a pity that there was no news of you afterward. Despite being in the Infinite Prison, I still heard about the outside world. You defected from the Blood Shadow Sect and were hunted by them, but all the assassins sent after you died by your hand.”

“Zhang Ye, I admire you. Follow me, and I can give you anything you want.”

Yue Hanjun kept persuading Zhang Fuguang.

But no matter what Yue Hanjun said, Zhang Fuguang remained silent, like a beast lurking in the mountains, waiting for its prey.

If Yue Hanjun showed a flaw, he truly could strike and kill him on the spot.

The night was Zhang Fuguang’s domain.

No one could escape his assassination in the dark.

Zhang Fuguang had this confidence.

Yet Yue Hanjun didn’t give up, continuing to persuade, while remaining vigilant, ready for Zhang Fuguang’s assassination at any moment.

Yue Hanjun knew that if he relaxed even slightly, Zhang Fuguang would appear in the night and strike at his vitals.

His life would end right there.

But Yue Hanjun was also anxious; he had followed the spatial traces here with great difficulty. If he continued to delay and the traces vanished completely, finding Li Hengsheng would become exceedingly difficult.

The Cangyuan Realm was vast.

Finding one person was not so simple.

Yet Zhang Fuguang was restraining him, preventing Yue Hanjun from any other actions.

One hour passed.

Then two.

As time slipped away, Yue Hanjun admired Zhang Fuguang’s patience. He had been trying to persuade Zhang Fuguang for two hours, but since announcing himself, Zhang Fuguang had remained silent, as if he was no longer there.

However, Yue Hanjun knew Zhang Fuguang was here, waiting for him to show a flaw.

The assassination prowess of the Blood Shadow Sect was among the best in the Cangyuan Realm. Not just for two hours.

Even for two days, or twenty, they could lie in wait, just for the opponent to reveal a single flaw.

And what was this Painting Treasure that could turn the whole world dark as if entering an eternal night?

This place was almost indistinguishable from the Infinite Prison.

The two were at a stalemate for who knows how long.

Meanwhile, in this vast desert, other figures appeared.

Dozens of silhouettes entered the darkness, each one as silent as the next, all appearing quite ordinary.

Then, suddenly, a brilliant light illuminated the dark world.

Zhang Fuguang’s Painting Treasure floated in mid-air, now grasped by someone.

The newcomer was the Faceless Painting Sage.

The Faceless Painting Sage pinched the darkness under the lamp, examining the wooden carving in his hand, finding it quite miraculous.

“Is this also a Painting Treasure?”

It was the first time the Faceless Painting Sage had seen such a thing.

When the desert was enveloped in light, the night disappeared, and Yue Hanjun frowned, looking around. Everyone here was from the Blood Shadow Sect.

Yue Hanjun had been trapped here and had used a secret method to inform the Faceless Painting Sage to bring people from the Blood Shadow Sect to eliminate the traitor.

The Blood Shadow Sect had received news of Zhang Ye.

Twenty-seven top experts had arrived.

The Blood Shadow Sect’s method for dealing with traitors was always lethal!

But even with the light shining down, no one could find Zhang Fuguang.

It was as if he wasn’t there, yet no one was surprised. Due to the special nature of the Blood Shadow Sect’s techniques, they knew Zhang Fuguang must be hiding, and among them were those who understood his capabilities.

“Kill the shadow!”

The leader, a purple-robed elder, commanded sternly, “Zhang Ye’s life-bound item is his shadow!”

As his words fell, everyone drew their weapons and attacked their own shadows!

Even Yue Hanjun snorted coldly, raising his hand to strike at his shadow.

“Pfft!”

At that moment, Zhang Fuguang’s figure emerged from one assassin’s shadow, his dagger swiftly breaking the assassin’s weapon and decapitating him with its sharp blade.

“Traitor, die.”

The purple-robed elder looked at Zhang Fuguang and said coldly.

Now revealed to all, Zhang Fuguang stood alone with his blade, facing the dozens of experts without a trace of fear.

In the vast desert, with no cover, Zhang Fuguang had no shadows to slip into.

The others were wary of their shadows, giving him no opportunity.

Thus, he could only fight head-on!

Direct combat was not the Blood Shadow Sect’s forte, but with no alternative, a fierce battle ensued!

Zhang Fuguang wielded his Soul Fading Blade with formidable power, fighting bravely.

The other assassins engaged him in combat.

Before long, more and more bodies lay on the ground, but Zhang Fuguang was also severely wounded, his body riddled with countless cuts.

Yet, he stood tall, his gaze fixed on the remaining assassins.

“The Blood Shadow Sect’s rules need to change,” Zhang Fuguang said, staring intently at the purple-robed elder, “Why can’t we of the Blood Shadow Sect live normal lives, have families, children, and desire a common life? Is that wrong?”

The purple-robed elder looked at the bloodied Zhang Fuguang and said indifferently, “The Blood Shadow Sect raised you from childhood; your lives belong to the sect. You have no right to choose your destiny! The sect rules are clear: unless you annihilate the entire Blood Shadow Sect, do not harbor such unrealistic thoughts.”

“Heh,” Zhang Fuguang scoffed.

In that moment, a figure burst from the sand beneath Zhang Fuguang’s feet, a short sword aiming for his heart.

But Zhang Fuguang sidestepped, turning to slash, his Soul Fading Blade decapitating the assassin.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

Zhang Fuguang said coldly, “I’ve heard of someone in the sect who can hide in the sand. Did you think I wouldn’t be prepared?”

“Anyone else seeking death, come forth.”

Zhang Fuguang raised his Soul Fading Blade, his eyes brimming with murderous intent, “I want to see if you truly are not afraid to die.”

The others fell silent.

Their assassination skills were adequate, but their combat prowess was mediocre. With the Soul Fading Blade in Zhang Fuguang’s hand, they feared how many more would fall.

More importantly, dusk was approaching, and the sun was setting. If night fell, it would be Zhang Fuguang’s world, and they would all likely fall to his assassination.

“Retreat!”

The purple-robed elder ordered, leading the survivors away.

Once everyone had left, Zhang Fuguang finally sat down, weakened.

He watched the distant sunset, the wind blowing against his face, a comforting sensation.

“Mr. Li Changqing, I failed to kill Yue Hanjun to avenge you. Next time, I will surely…”

Before he could finish, a short sword pierced his heart from behind!

The sword came from behind.

Zhang Fuguang’s pupils dilated, and he turned his head in disbelief, only to see a blue-haired youth with beautiful eyes.

“Master, it’s been a long time.”

The blue-haired youth looked at Zhang Fuguang, then withdrew the short sword from his heart.

Zhang Fuguang fell to the ground…

“Master, I’m sorry.” The blue-haired youth stepped back, knelt, and kowtowed to Zhang Fuguang, “Thank you for the assassination techniques you taught me. Killing you today is by the Blood Shadow Sect’s order. You should know, I am a man of the Blood Shadow Sect; I cannot defy orders.”

Zhang Fuguang looked at the person before him, who had come to the Blood Shadow Sect as an ignorant boy, whom he had taught for six years.

Various assassination techniques.

But the sect’s rules forbade inquiring about one’s life-bound item.

So Zhang Fuguang never knew what his disciple’s life-bound item was, only that it seemed extraordinary. Later, the sect took him away for special training, and since then, they had never met again.

Zhang Fuguang tried to speak but choked on blood, which then sprayed out.

The blue-haired youth crouched down, looked at Zhang Fuguang, and said slowly, “Master, you’re going to die, so I don’t mind telling you. My life-bound item is the sect’s greatest secret, known only to the sect master.”

“It’s the wind.”

After saying this, the blue-haired youth picked up Zhang Fuguang’s Soul Fading Blade from the ground and left the desert.

In North Cold Country.

At Li Changqing’s residence.

Zhang Siyao was holding a red ball, quietly gazing into the distance.

Her small body curled up on a stone bench.

She had been waiting here for three days.

Zhang Fuguang would sometimes go out alone, and Zhang Siyao would obediently wait for his return.

Waiting for her father, then asking if she had been good these past days.

Zhang Siyao had grown accustomed to such days.

But this time, before Zhang Fuguang left, he told her that if he hadn’t returned by sunset after three days, she should not wait for him anymore.

Zhang Siyao had never been overly worried before, but this time, she had a bad feeling. During these three days, she felt uneasy.

Now, as the sun slowly set, Zhang Fuguang still hadn’t returned.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Zhang Siyao’s tears finally fell. Clutching the red ball, her tears flowed uncontrollably.

She remembered Zhang Fuguang asking her, “Is it nice here with Mr. Li Changqing?”

“Yes. There’s enough food and warm clothes.”

“But we can’t always trouble Mr. Li Changqing.”

“As long as I’m with Daddy, Siyao is happy anywhere.”

“Then, once Daddy repays Mr. Li Changqing’s kindness, we’ll find a peaceful village and live a quiet life, okay?”

“Okay.”

The conversation seemed to echo in her ears.

But now, Zhang Siyao’s heart ached as if she had truly lost her father.

At that moment, the door opened.

A figure walked in.

The person looked at Zhang Siyao with a hint of regret. She looked up at the newcomer.

“Let’s go, Siyao.”

It was Yan Botao.

Yan Botao extended his hand. Before his death, Li Changqing had written to Yan Botao, entrusting many matters, including the care of Zhang Fuguang and his daughter. If they wished to leave, he was to let them go; if not, he was to take them to Changting Town.

Li Changqing had not anticipated Zhang Fuguang would attempt to assassinate Yue Hanjun on his behalf.

Likewise, Li Changqing did not foresee that without Zhang Fuguang holding Yue Hanjun back, Yue Hanjun might have captured Li Hengsheng.

Yue Hanjun and the Faceless Painting Sage had searched for a long time, but the spatial traces had long vanished. While being delayed by Zhang Fuguang, they lost all traces.

Yue Hanjun had completely lost any leads on Li Hengsheng.

This infuriated Yue Hanjun.

He issued a Black List warrant in his capacity as the Cangyuan Realm Master!

A reward was offered for capturing Li Hengsheng alive: a Painting Treasure of the Immortal Painter level!

Today, a new group has been created; the group number can be seen in the homepage introduction or below. Fans of the book are welcome to join.