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[Eighth Realm]
Outside the Divine Capital.
Zhang Yue faced off alone against more than a dozen black-clad assassins in a fierce battle.
These assassins demonstrated top-tier awareness and first-class combat skills.
For ordinary people, stepping out of the secret realm for even a second would have spelled certain doom.
However, in the face of their coordinated attacks, Zhang Yue remained calm and composed, defending and counterattacking with ease.
With extreme precision and skillful maneuvers, he deflected the assassins' relentless attacks.
Around them, a crowd of spectators had gathered, murmuring as they watched the fight:
"Isn't that beast tamer the recent sensation in Tianjing who single-handedly crushed the Glory and Chen Army?"
"What's going on? Is this a retaliation from Glory and the Chen Army?"
"If I were them, I'd never do this. At this point, targeting Zero is like lying in a coffin waiting to be humiliated posthumously."
"These assassins seem highly skilled and formidable. Their background must be significant. Looks like Zero is in trouble this time."
While the onlookers whispered nervously, Zhang Yue was both fending off the attackers and casually checking Feixin messages from Wu Haotian and Lin Tian in the guild chat.
[Lin Tian: "We were suddenly ambushed by assassins in the Seventh Realm. Their target was clear—Luo Chen. We suspect it's due to his qualification for the World Finals. It seems his life is in danger."]
[Wu Haotian: "Fortunately, we're strong enough and managed to counterattack!"]
[Ouyang Ling'er: "President, are you okay? If these assassins are after participants, they'll likely come for you too."]
[Zhang Yue: "They're already here. I'm fighting them now."]
[Wu Haotian: "What the hell! And you still have time to send messages?"]
[Ouyang Ling'er: "These assassins are no joke. We had Uncle Blade and others on our side, which allowed us to retaliate. Be careful out there on your own in the Eighth Realm!"]
[Zhang Yue: "Not a big deal."]
Closing Feixin, Zhang Yue looked up at the assassins swarming toward him.
A chilling glint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The Void Staff in his hand moved at lightning speed, unleashing a barrage of powerful S-class spells that struck the moving assassins with pinpoint accuracy.
His flawless maneuvers left the assassins utterly bewildered.
"Damn! Did he predict my prediction of his move?"
"What kind of skill level is this?"
"Was he holding back earlier? Is this his true strength?"
In the next moment, Hell's Judgment, Deathstorm, and Thunderstorm erupted in three directions. The massive AOE attacks swallowed all the assassins on the battlefield.
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
Three beams of white light shot into the sky.
The remaining assassins, realizing the dire situation, tried to flee.
However, Zhang Yue had no intention of letting them go.
"Not a single one of you is escaping."
WHOOSH!
Activating Shadow Hunt, his figure darted like a phantom through the retreating, weakened assassins.
One after another, screams echoed as the remaining assassins fell instantly.
Only one was left. Zhang Yue used Shadow Step to appear in front of him, blocking his escape.
Before the assassin could react, Zhang Yue swung his staff like a sword. With a sharp clang, the assassin was knocked to the ground.
Before he could get up, Zhang Yue stomped on his chest.
Leaning down, his expression was emotionless as he stared into the assassin's terrified eyes.
"Who sent you?"
Unexpectedly, the assassin chose death over betrayal.
Knowing he wouldn't survive, he slit his wrist, ending his own life.
Zhang Yue frowned slightly.
"So disciplined?"
He stood up and surveyed the area.
Apart from scattered silver coins and potions, the corpses of over a dozen assassins yielded no equipment drops.
It was clear their gear had undergone special anti-drop modifications.
Anti-loot measures.
As the battle concluded, the surrounding spectators exclaimed in awe:
"Impressive! Now I understand why even Glory and the Chen Army were defeated by him."
"With a rising star like him, the World Finals this year will surely be spectacular."
Just then, a message came through the guild chat.
[Wu Haotian: "Boss, how's the situation on your end?"]
[Zhang Yue: "Just a bunch of small fry."]
[Wu Haotian: "Wow. According to our analysis, these assassins were professionally trained, highly leveled, and equipped with top-tier gear. Yet you call them small fry?"]
[Ouyang Ling'er: "We managed to kill two, but the rest got away. How about you, President? Any loot?"]
[Zhang Yue: "Fourteen down. Not a single piece of gear dropped."]
The guild chat went silent for a moment before erupting in shock.
["How unlucky can they be to provoke you?"]
[Ouyang Ling'er commented, "That makes sense. Their equipment must have been bound."]
["Bound gear prevents drops but can't be traded later. Unbinding is costly, often exceeding the item's value!"[
["These guys are professional assassins. Their sole purpose is to kill others!"]
Zhang Yue had planned to hunt the World Boss and move to the Ninth Realm, but now he had to deal with another issue—clearing his red name.
After killing 14 people, including some gray-name instigators, his sin value had reached 900 points.
Heading to a Level 55 wild zone, he slaughtered 900 monsters to reset his ID to white. By the time he finished, it was already 5 p.m.
Logging off, he joined his guildmates for dinner.
During the meal, Ouyang Ling'er brought shocking news:
"It's not just us. Across the nation, all participants representing Dragon Nation in the World Finals were attacked by assassins."
"One-third of them were killed…"
Wu Haotian was incredulous. "Are they insane? This damages Dragon Nation's honor. No one rational would do this unless it's some traitor trying to ruin us."
At the mention of traitors, everyone fell silent.
Then, in unison, they said, "The Empire Guild!"
"Didn't they say the Empire Guild has ties to Eastern Nation spies? It's probably them."
"If that's the case…" Ouyang Ling'er operated her computer and uncovered more information.
"This isn't new. Every year before the World Finals, participants are mysteriously attacked."
"Even though the authorities take this seriously, they've never found the mastermind. The issue always ends with the execution of a few rebels."
"These traitors are despicable!" Ouyang Ling'er slammed the table. "Just wait! I'll hunt every one of you down."
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