One Sword Move; Problem Solved! . . .
The dispassionate voice once more pierced the air. "That, Bu Tianfei, is precisely why you will never truly ascend within the Saint Sunlight Sect. They despise and disdain you. You are, and always will be, utterly worthless. You know nothing of the reverence for strength or the pride of a powerful man. No matter how long your pitiful existence drags on, you remain nothing more than human-shaped refuse!"
Bu Tianfei's voice crackled with anger. "You understand nothing! I pursue this path because I comprehend the power of those who are truly mighty! You have no inkling of the ecstasy and pleasure involved! You have never tasted the joy of absolute control, of ruling over all… It's an intoxicating sensation you will never grasp unless you try it once!"
"I revel in debasing the lofty and powerful, reducing them to wretched, submissive serfs," Bu Tianfei laughed. "I take pleasure in doing whatever I please with them. It's exhilarating!"
Bu Tianfei chuckled and continued, "That's my motivation. I strive to attain that pleasure, which is why I've worked so diligently to grow stronger. Otherwise, what's the point? A man should only follow his true desires in this world. We exist for our own gratification, don't we? But I've grown weary of instructing you. Your fate is sealed, and you're in my hands. I have the authority to do as I please!"
He then pulled out a vial of liquid, his grin malevolent. "Enough chatter. It's time to unveil your true countenance. I'm certain this will earn me significant recognition within the sect."
The man on the ground heaved a deep sigh and closed his eyes. He was utterly powerless, devoid of any energy. On any other day, he could easily dispatch these men with a single gesture, but now he could only endure their actions. They were akin to butchers, and he was naught but a piece of meat. All he could do was accept his fate and allow these insignificant pawns to wield power over him.
"It can't be worse than death," he mused. "Over a thousand men have perished by my blade this year. It's a fitting end... However, I have yet to dismantle the three factions. What a lifelong regret... I can't avenge Brother Cha... What a life of remorse! Fine, all that remains is a walking husk. Perhaps I should just let this life of mine reach its conclusion."
He closed his eyes in silence.
The liquid was about to touch his face.
It was unremarkable, with the sole purpose of removing any disguise from a person's features.
He could no longer prevent it.
As the liquid inched toward his face, an abrupt shout echoed, "Bu Tianfei!"
A chilling and forceful voice pierced the atmosphere.
Even as the voice continued to reverberate, a brilliant, colossal sword-light streaked down from the heavens like a shooting star.
Bu Tianfei had yet to cease his maniacal laughter, but a growing sense of peril encroached on him. He felt as though he was the target of an ancient, colossal beast. Fear seeped in, causing beads of sweat to form on his brow.
Realizing that someone might be attempting to rescue Shadowless Assassin, Bu Tianfei made a quick decision. He forcibly pivoted and seized the man on the ground.
It seemed like a cunning plan, but reality had other ideas. The assailant had foreseen Bu Tianfei's potential move. The sword-light wasn't merely targeting him; it was homing in on the area around Shadowless Assassin.
- Puff! -
The radiant sword-light descended with speed and precision, causing a spatter of blood.
Bu Tianfei's right hand had been cruelly severed in an instant!
Simultaneously, a forceful kick impacted his chest, propelling him dozens of meters away before brutally crashing into a massive tree.
Emerging as a slim silhouette positioned resolutely between Bu Tianfei and the helpless Shadowless Assassin was none other than Cha Eun Xiao.
The sight of Cha Eun Xiao flooded Shadowless Assassin with an unexpected sensation of security, and he couldn't help but inquire, "My friend, who might you be?"
In Cha Eun Xiao's hand quivered the Star Sword. Under the influence of the Sword Art of Stars, it manifested a surprising and formidable might.
With an unmistakable glint of ruthlessness in his eyes, he cast an unyielding gaze upon the blood-soaked Bu Tianfei. Methodically, he approached the wounded figure.
Bu Tianfei, a mere cultivator at the sixth level of Dream Origin Stage, found himself utterly powerless before Cha Eun Xiao's overwhelming presence. It was evident that even a cultivator at the ninth level of Dream Origin Stage would be hard-pressed to challenge Cha Eun Xiao at this moment.
The sheer potency radiating from Cha Eun Xiao was enough to send chills down Bu Tianfei's spine.
"Bingxue, how shall we dispatch this man? Shall we dismember him, or perhaps incapacitate him and offer him as a feast to the beasts?" Cha Eun Xiao inquired in a calm, yet menacing tone, his back still turned to Shadowless Assassin.
Shadowless Assassin was stupefied by the acknowledgment of his name. He pondered, [Bingxue?]
[He knows my name!]
[Without even turning to face me, he knows my true identity!]
[Who is he?]
Despite the myriad questions swirling in his mind, he managed to regain his composure. Flashing a faint smile, he replied, "Dismembering or leaving him as a meal for the beasts would be far too merciful for him. Capture him! I will personally take care of him!"
A menacing gleam danced in his eyes.
Having traversed the world, Shadowless Assassin had never encountered such affront to his dignity. He was not about to allow these insignificant adversaries to tarnish his honor and fate. Revenge was now an undeniable imperative.
"Very well," Cha Eun Xiao responded, his long cyan robe billowing gracefully in the air.
Bu Tianfei cried out in anguish, bewildered by the excruciating pain and the abrupt loss of his hand.
[Where did this formidable adversary materialize from?]
[A single sword strike, and I couldn't even draw my weapon to defend myself?]
[Isn't Shadowless Assassin a solitary figure? Hasn't he been single-handedly opposing the three factions? How has this transpired...]
Confusion flooded Bu Tianfei's thoughts when, suddenly, the sword-light glinted once more. Cha Eun Xiao now hovered directly above him.