Chapter 1784: Qin Han

It was clear that the power divisions within the Ancient Martial God Path were far more complex than Xu Yang had previously imagined. At least, the appearance of these individuals proved that there were still hidden forces comparable to the Imperial Royal Guard martial artists. Using a powerhouse at the mid-Integration Realm, like the Great Martial Venerable of the Qin Dynasty, as a benchmark, could not truly reflect the true strength of the strongest individuals within the entire imperial martial arts cultivation environment. The group hiding behind the scenes was probably the real threat.

Xu Yang scanned his surroundings. The masked figures in black who were blocking the path of the martial artist competition team at that moment had already reached the peak of the Soul Transformation Realm in overall strength. There were over three hundred of them. Although there was a clear contrast in numbers between the two sides, it was evident that the combat abilities and individual killing methods of these masked martial artist assassins were definitely not something ordinary martial artists could contend with.

“How dare you intercept even the imperial martial arts competition team?” the leader of the Qin family's elite guard, clad in golden armor, demanded coldly. “Who exactly are you presumptuous individuals?” As Qin Zhao's direct disciple, this person had already reached the Half-step Integration Realm. His strength far surpassed that of the peak Soul Transformation Realm assassins, but it was unrealistic for him to single-handedly block a team of over three hundred assassins.

“Hehehe, you must be Qin Han, Qin Zhao's eldest disciple!” the powerful martial artist leading the three hundred assassins said coldly. “Though your reputation is considerable, in my eyes, you are nothing but a pretty face with no substance. Qin Zhao certainly values you, but your current level is nowhere near your master’s; you’re just cannon fodder. Someone doesn’t want your imperial team to participate on time today. That’s why we were sent to greet you. Apologies, Qin Han, but you are not our target today. If there’s another opportunity, I wouldn’t mind personally taking your head.”

Then, with a command from him, the three hundred black-clad martial artists instantly vanished from the sight of the competition participants. Unbeknownst to them, Xu Yang saw right through their trick. This maneuver was achieved by using a special martial arts technique to conceal their forms. Once successful, they would disappear from their enemies’ sight for up to three seconds. Combined with powerful movement techniques and explosive speed, this was enough for an assassin team of this caliber to complete a large-scale assassination operation.

As expected, these individuals split into two groups. Their targets were clear: the two hundred competitors in the two large flying vessels. In just one encounter, nearly thirty participants were instantly killed, their heads severed. Xu Yang and Long Kun observed silently, making no move. Awkwardly, two of the black-clad assassins, lacking discernment, actually chose Xu Yang and Long Kun as their targets. Embarrassingly, these two hadn't even gotten within ten meters of Xu Yang and Long Kun before they were completely disintegrated by a powerful, unknown force. Flashes of starlight appeared and vanished instantly, but they were enough to reduce these two reckless individuals to nothingness.

Perhaps because the demise of their two comrades was too bizarre, it immediately drew the attention of over a dozen black-clad assassins nearby. The strong individuals who had originally intended to launch an attack towards Xu Yang and the others instantly held their breath and changed direction again.

After the chaos caused by the three hundred black-clad assassins, over thirty of the two hundred participants were killed on the spot, and more than forty were injured to varying degrees. Naturally, the three-hundred-member assassination team, due to their overly blatant actions, had more than half of their numbers slaughtered by Qin Han and his accompanying guards. Only a small portion of the assassins managed to escape alive from the pursuit.

“Reporting, Guardian General, these individuals are clearly well-trained professional assassins,” a guard reported. “We were unable to capture any alive, and we also have no idea of their origins.”

Qin Han solemnly pounded his chest, trying to calm his anger as quickly as possible. “This is my first time leading a team independently,” Qin Han declared. “That it would end like this is infuriating. If I find out which assassin organization launched this surprise attack, I will tear their leader into ten thousand pieces to sate my hatred. It seems our whereabouts have been exposed. The only way to minimize losses now is to reach Juexing Peak as quickly as possible. Our imperial clan’s living fossil elder is personally stationed there, so no further incidents will occur. Pass on my order: all injured martial artists are to immediately begin recovery. Give them the medicines they carry, and strive to recover to their peak condition as much as possible before the competition begins.”

From start to finish, Xu Yang and Long Kun showed no further reaction. Through observation, Xu Yang had also, to a certain extent, grasped the characteristics of the black-clad masked figures’ movement techniques. If this group reappeared, he would definitely recognize them, just as he had recognized the Heavenly Sect members who repeatedly targeted the Xuanhuang Gate. Xu Yang even entertained a bold idea: to establish a powerful martial artist assassination team within the Ancient Martial God Path, one that would only obey his commands. This would more effectively allow him to remain hidden while investigating the whereabouts of the Supreme God’s Will, which deeply interested him.

As the entire competition team accelerated their pace, half a day later, everyone successfully arrived at Juexing Peak. Qin Han, who had successfully led the large contingent to complete their mission, also discussed the mid-journey ambush with the living fossil elder stationed at Juexing Peak. For safety, the living fossil elder immediately had the imperial martial artists stationed at Juexing Peak simultaneously activate the mountain protection array. This was to ensure that no further incidents would occur during the entire Hundred Martial Alliance gathering.

Meanwhile, the two hundred participants from the neighboring empire, along with the top martial artists leading their faction, appeared one after another, and were completely unharmed. However, Xu Yang's astonishing perception soon detected a cultivation technique aura among this group that was strikingly similar to that of the black-clad figures.

“So that’s it,” Xu Yang thought. “The previous wave of black-clad individuals weren't Heavenly Sect disciples, but martial artist assassins sent by the opposing empire. It seems just as we suspected: this is nominally a friendly martial arts gathering, but in reality, it's a covert competition between the two great empires. No wonder His Majesty gave us such a special killing order when we set out.” Using his powerful spiritual energy, Xu Yang had been secretly communicating with Qing Ya and Long Kun. Qing Ya and Long Kun were not surprised by this outcome. This place was not much different from a real life-and-death martial arts battlefield.

After the leaders of both sides met, they exchanged unavoidable, insincere pleasantries, before finally announcing the official start of the alliance gathering. The first stage, before the actual matches, was naturally the drawing of lots.