Assassin Collection Addiction? . . .
Zhao Pingtian found himself in a state of intense turmoil. His current combat prowess had plummeted to a shocking low. Even if Boundless Saint were present, he wouldn't dare to engage in a battle, choosing instead to retreat and evade. In the Land of Han-Yang, Zhao Pingtian may have appeared invincible, but in the presence of Cha Nantian, Bing Xinyue in her prime, or the unrestrained Wan of Clouds and Xiu of Heavens, that status might not hold true.
As they journeyed back to Ling-Bao Hall, they left a trail of death in their wake, with no one daring to challenge them.
When they were mere hundreds of meters away from their destination, they faced their final and most formidable confrontation. It was also the most intense battle, one that culminated in Zhao Pingtian's sword shattering into pieces.
Their adversaries were all highly skilled cultivators, each wielding a divine weapon. Zhao Pingtian was undeniably powerful, but the sword he carried was unremarkable. After enduring numerous clashes, despite being fortified with spiritual energy, the sword finally gave way and shattered.
The enemy combatants were elated upon witnessing the broken weapon. They believed that their opportunity for victory had arrived, confident that evading Zhao Pingtian's attacks and even countering to end his life had become a more feasible prospect.
However, to their astonishment, as the sword disintegrated, Zhao Pingtian roared and made a defiant advance. He didn't retreat; instead, he charged forward. In an instant, he transformed into multiple shadowy figures, reminiscent of flickering swords. Within a matter of seconds, over a dozen opponents lay lifeless at his feet.
Exulting in his triumph, he cried out with a joyful heart, "When a hero's sword shatters, a separated couple shall reunite."
These were the very words spoken to him by Mister Destiny. Zhao Pingtian had clung to these words, never allowing them to fade from his memory. This was the reason he held his sword so dear, despite its unremarkable appearance. It was mentioned in the prophecy, and so he chose to preserve it. And now, the sword had indeed shattered, the very moment he had anticipated and feared.
Whether it was mere coincidence or a truly foretelling prophecy, Zhao Pingtian felt a glimmer of hope. The future appeared to be gradually brightening for him.
His heart was filled with elation and excitement as they finally returned to Ling-Bao Hall.
Inside the main hall, Ning Biluo and Liu Changjun exchanged glances, bewildered by the elation and surprise in Zhao Pingtian's eyes.
Cha Eun Xiao, Cha Nantian, and Liu Changjun found themselves sharing a peculiar, collective thought. "Is Feng Monarch developing an addiction to amassing assassins?" they pondered in unison.
Within this enigmatic gathering, Zhao Pingtian contemplated the situation with evident surprise. "I can't help but wonder if there are just too many renowned assassins in this room now. Two of the most elite assassins in the world are present! While Liu Changjun is impressive, the other, Ning Biluo, reigns supreme as the King of Assassins."
Zhao Pingtian had immense confidence in his own skills, but he would never dare to assume he stood above the King of Assassins, Ning Biluo, even though he was hailed as the Killer King.
On the opposing side of the spectrum, Ning Biluo and Liu Changjun were in even higher spirits. "Feng Monarch simply came here for a brief visit, and yet, he... brought another assassin along? It's none other than Zhao Pingtian, the Killer King himself. This is utterly astonishing, more so than any plotline in a novel," they mused.
Both Ning Biluo and Liu Changjun felt somewhat intoxicated by this unforeseen turn of events. Little did they know that what would transpire next would leave them even more baffled. To acclimate to the circumstances, they might need to indulge in a bit of actual intoxication.
It was one thing for the Killer King to pursue Zhao Pingtian. Unexpected encounters were not unheard of. However, what truly confounded them was the level of respect the Killer King displayed toward Feng Monarch.
"Shouldn't they have only just met? After all, Zhao Pingtian is known for his unrestrained nature. He is not one to bow before the world's number one assassin, even if he holds a higher rank. Why is he so deferential to Feng Zhiling, who is clearly less powerful in terms of cultivation?" they wondered.
Ning Biluo and Liu Changjun struggled to grasp the rationale behind this conduct. It left them yearning for a drink, or perhaps several.
Liu Changjun, in particular, couldn't contain his emotions. "I have two idols in my life: Ning Biluo, the King of Assassins, and Zhao Pingtian, the Killer King. Now, they both stand before me and might become my comrades. Isn't this an exceedingly joyous turn of events? Indeed, it is!"
However, it was impossible to ignore that Ye Xiao, or rather, Cha Eun Xiao, had once been a sort of idol to Liu Changjun. Yet, Cha Eun Xiao's actions were consistently enigmatic, often surpassing Liu Changjun's comprehension. This left him viewing Cha Eun Xiao as only a half-idol, rather than a complete one.
In the end, Cha Eun Xiao briefly convened with the three assassins, leaving an air of intrigue hanging in the room.
"Now, you three stand as the premier force in Ling-Bao Hall," Cha Eun Xiao stated with solemnity. "But to address the present circumstances, this may not suffice."
"Ning and Zhao Pingtian possess the capacity to vanquish individual adversaries, yet should they join forces and attack us with numerical superiority, our situation might falter. Every individual possesses limitations; there are constraints we cannot overcome."
The trio of assassins nodded in unison, fully cognizant of the challenges at hand and harboring no resentment.
"So, we must augment our power to navigate the current exigency and prepare for the future," Cha Eun Xiao declared. His words were measured, punctuated by intermittent pauses, underscoring the gravity of his decision.
Unbeknownst to the three assassins, Cha Eun Xiao had just made a momentous decision—a choice few would dare to make.
"We, too, aspire to enhance our abilities," they responded, their expressions tinged with helplessness. However, this endeavor was far from straightforward.
To begin with, they needed innate talent, followed by access to specialized martial arts. They required unique elixirs and materials, as well as fortuitous opportunities to advance. Enhancing their capabilities was no trifling matter, far from achievable in a mere few days.
While their innate talents were undeniable, having reached the pinnacles of the martial world, they found themselves in an arduous position when it came to improving their martial skills.
Making a breakthrough seemed to elude them, particularly Ning Biluo and Zhao Pingtian, who stood on the precipice of the world's limitations. Progressing further from such heights presented an insurmountable challenge.
How could one improve when perched at the pinnacle?
They gazed at Cha Eun Xiao as if he were a dreamer, a naive individual who spoke of the task as though it were as simple as chopping vegetables. His words felt like the fanciful musings of a frog looking up at the sky from the bottom of a well.
Cha Eun Xiao ruminated for a while, then retrieved three books. He held them in his hand, silently assessing their weight. He examined the three assassins, his gaze unwavering.
Ultimately, he raised the books and inquired, "Ning, have you ever contemplated your life's purpose? To what extent do you envision your martial arts cultivation reaching? What do you understand about the limitations of martial arts in the Land of Han-Yang?"