Qinglan City.
The Lin family.
"What? The assassination failed? The assassin is dead?" Upon receiving this news from Lin Xunsha, the core members of the Lin family showed looks of shock.
"Yes." Lin Xunsha's expression was also grim; he had been utterly shocked when he learned this.
The assassin, Poison Snake, although his strength was only at the peak of the Yuanwu realm, possessed many assassination techniques. He was considered one of the most skilled quasi-six-star bronze-ranked assassins in their Yellow Springs Gate!
Yet, within a few days, the news confirmed Poison Snake's death.
When Lin Xunsha heard this, he could hardly believe his ears. The next moment, he grew anxious. This implied either Yang Feilong's strength had reached the Diyuan realm, or Yang Feilong had a guardian at the Diyuan realm!
Either scenario indicated Yang Feilong's extraordinary nature. It was indeed unwise for the Lin family to have provoked such an existence.
"What is Yellow Springs Gate's assessment now?" the Lin Patriarch asked, taking a deep breath.
"At least a six-star ace assassin must be dispatched to ensure absolute success," Lin Xunsha said after a moment of thought.
"What is the price for a six-star ace assassin?" the Lin Patriarch inquired.
"One thousand low-grade spirit stones, or ten mid-grade spirit stones!" Lin Xunsha replied with a wry smile.
Previously, hiring Yellow Springs Gate for the assassin Poison Snake had cost two hundred low-grade spirit stones. However, because the assassin died, half of that amount, one hundred low-grade spirit stones, was forfeited as a deposit.
But, if they were to hire a higher-ranked assassin, the one hundred low-grade spirit stones could be used as a deposit. If they decided not to proceed with hiring an assassin, those one hundred low-grade spirit stones would not be refunded.
"Should we continue?" someone asked, their face showing indecision.
"In my opinion, we should continue. After all, we have already offended him. It's possible Yang Feilong already knows it was us. Whether Yang Feilong has the strength, or his surrounding forces are so powerful, since we have offended him, we should eliminate the threat permanently. Moreover, in my view, Yang Feilong might not have any powerful protectors. The reason he could kill the assassin Poison Snake might have been an accidental encounter, a fortunate opportunity. Such powerful aids might disappear after use!"
"That's right. We have also investigated Yang Feilong's situation. Although not very thoroughly, he doesn't seem to have any significant background. Otherwise, he wouldn't be teaching at Lan Hai University."
"Speaking of teaching, I recall something from my investigation: his medical skills seem to be very high!"
"High medical skills could mean he can concoct poisons. Could he have used poison to kill so many of our clansmen and then counter-killed that assassin Poison Snake?"
"You know, this is highly probable! If he truly came from a prominent family, he would know that it was the Lin family pursuing him, and he wouldn't retaliate like this!"
"Indeed!"
As the crowd discussed animatedly, their eyes grew brighter. They all believed they had grasped the truth of the matter.
However, despite their self-proclaimed understanding of the situation, they still looked towards the Patriarch, who was the ultimate decision-maker.
"Hire him!" the Lin Patriarch gritted his teeth. "Your discussions are correct. Yang Feilong might have used means like poison to escape our pursuit repeatedly. As long as we target him, I believe Yang Feilong will have nowhere to escape!"
Then, the Lin Patriarch looked at Lin Xunsha. "Fifth brother, has Yellow Springs Gate analyzed this possibility?"
"They have analyzed it. Therefore, Yellow Springs Gate's recommendation is a six-star ace assassin with the strength of an early Diyuan realm, but with exceptionally skilled poison techniques!" Lin Xunsha replied.
"Early Diyuan realm? Exceptionally skilled in poison?" The Lin Patriarch's eyes lit up.
"According to some inside information I know, this assassin is extraordinary. It is said he nearly poisoned to death an early Tianyuan realm existence, who was fortunately rescued by a divine physician!" Lin Xunsha stated seriously. "One could say this assassin possesses assassination skills close to a seven-star assassin!"
"This is the one!" the Lin Patriarch decided.
...
Huolian Mountain.
This was a relatively famous active volcano. Although active, it erupted only once every many years. However, this volcano at Huolian Mountain was unusual. Its eruptions occurred frequently, sometimes every ten to twenty years, and other times as short as two to three years.
Its frequency was unlike that of a typical volcano.
A young man, wearing a short-sleeved shirt and appearing not to be of advanced age, was strolling through the mountains.
"Halt!" Suddenly, several people converged towards the young man.
"What are you doing?" the young man frowned, looking at the people blocking his path.
"This mountain area has been booked by Young Master Xu. Outsiders are not allowed!" one of them said coldly.
Upon hearing this, the young man's expression soured. "The mountain has been booked? This is a public mountain; since when did it become private property?"
"What, are you trying to challenge Young Master Xu?" another person said mockingly, looking at the young man.
"I don't care about any Young Master Xu or Young Master Ma. Move aside!" the young man said flatly.
"How dare you disrespect Young Master Xu like this! Brothers, attack!" the leader, a young man, said in a cold tone.
"This is the first time I've seen someone disregard Young Master Xu. Brothers, beat him to death!" another person sneered.
"Attack!"
*Whoosh whoosh whoosh!*
Immediately, three people surged forward to attack the young man. These three all possessed cultivation, but in the young man's eyes, their cultivation was negligible. After all, he had killed people in the Yuanwu realm, and more than one.
How could he possibly take these people with only Xuwu realm cultivation seriously?
*Bang bang bang!*
These three charged forward with great speed, but they were sent flying back even faster.
"Ahhh!"
"Damn it, he actually fought back! My arm seems to be broken!"
"Brothers, attack him together!"
The remaining people also surrounded the young man, their faces contorted with ferocity, as if they intended to beat him to death. However, among them, only the leader had reached the Zhenwu realm; the others were merely in the Xuwu realm, posing no threat whatsoever to the young man.
Even the small leader in the Zhenwu realm was crying out in pain under the young man's assault.
"Stop!" Suddenly, an angry shout rang out, and a figure appeared.
This figure's aura was clearly much stronger than the others.
However, this person's shout did not stop the young man from continuing his assault. *Bang!* The young man knocked down the last person who was still resisting and then looked at the newcomer, his gaze cold.