Chapter 80: The Eighth Opportunity for Death

With a muffled splutter, the sixth-level spirit master from the Feng family clutched his bleeding throat, but no matter how he tried to stanch the flow, the blood kept spurting forth. He could never have imagined, even in his wildest dreams, that he would die such a miserable, sudden death—without even a chance to react, his throat had been shot clean through.

The art of the bow lies in speed and precision; true experts rely on the element of surprise. This sixth-level spirit master, presuming that Xue Lin was too occupied dueling with the main family’s experts to spare him any attention, had relaxed his guard. Never would he have dreamed that the words he had just spoken had offended Xue Lin, who was already calculating the most ingenious way to kill him.

The other Feng family members, all weaker than their fallen kin, trembled at the sight of his grisly death and could not help but retreat, their bodies quaking. All they wanted was to get as far away from Xue Lin as possible. For there are few master archers in this world, but when one appears, killing becomes all too easy—especially when it comes to those of lower cultivation.

Even those of equal rank stand no chance before a true archer, unless they possess some rare ranged skill or the means to instantly close the distance. Otherwise, the archer will always have the upper hand.

The eighth-level spirit master from the Feng family shuddered as well, staring at Xue Lin. “I’ve long heard tell of the Feng family’s archer ancestor, famed for defeating higher-level opponents. Now that I see you with my own eyes, your reputation is certainly well deserved. But I, Feng Daoran, do not believe in legends. Today will be your death anniversary.”

“Die!”

“Phantom Spear Unleashed!”

With a thunderous roar, Feng Daoran’s spear technique revealed its brilliance. With a casual sweep, he lashed out a hundred strikes, a hundred spear shadows hurtling toward Xue Lin. More impressive still, many of these spear shadows did not conflict but actually superimposed, multiplying their power.

Confronted with this dense and overwhelming assault, Xue Lin dared not be careless. Her right hand’s bow glimmered with a dazzling blue light, while her left hand conjured a sphere of energy, nocking it to the string and drawing back her bow.

“Iceburst Arrow!”

The glowing sphere shot toward the foremost spear shadow. With a resounding blast, it exploded, scattering shards of ice that struck the onrushing spear phantoms with formidable force.

The two great attacks collided and neutralized each other.

Whoosh!

“Ultimate Penetration!”

An archer’s attack speed far outstrips that of other professions; before the previous attack had fully faded, the next was already upon them. The Feng family’s expert’s brow furrowed, but he did not panic. He swung his spear, aiming to bat aside the ice arrow.

Crack!

The sharp snap rang out, and a smile flickered across Xue Lin’s face, as if she had anticipated this outcome all along. The Feng expert’s expression turned to horror, panic setting in at last.

His spear had broken the ice arrow, but the severed arrowhead maintained its course, streaking straight for him. There was no time to dodge.

“Damn it!”

A dull thud resounded.

The Feng family expert shifted his body at full speed, managing to avoid a fatal wound—the arrowhead missed his heart. But even so, he could not feel the least bit of relief; instead, terror mounted. The spot where the ice arrow struck was already numb and frozen, the chill spreading rapidly.

He poured all his spirit energy into his defensive artifacts to resist the cold, but his affinity was with wind, not fire, and the effect was negligible.

Escape.

At this moment, he had only one thought: to flee, or else die here.

He fled at top speed.

Xue Lin was in no hurry. She drew her bow again, this time loosing an ordinary arrow infused with a surge of spirit energy to grant it greater range.

Affected by the icy energy, the Feng expert’s spirit energy surged sluggishly, his speed greatly reduced. Sensing mortal danger at his back, he had no time to dodge and shouted to his companions, “What are you standing there for? Block—”

A dull splatter cut him off.

He’d meant to shout for them to shield him, but the arrow’s speed was too great. It pierced clean through his back.

He did not die immediately, but fell toward the ground.

The other Feng family spirit masters wouldn’t dare help him; they turned and fled without hesitation. If an eighth-level spirit master could not match their foe, what hope did they have by staying?

Gu Feng seized the opportunity, charging toward the falling Feng expert. As he drew near, he swung his greatsword in a merciless arc toward the man’s head.

A sickening sound followed—head separated from body, death complete.

“Ding! Killed an eighth-level spirit master: Experience +200,000, Resurrection Points +80, Gold +10,000, Points +20.”

Xue Lin glanced at Gu Feng’s unnecessary act and shook her head.

The fleeing remnants of the Feng family were not so lucky. On the road, they encountered the forces of the White Spirit City Lord’s Mansion. The City Lord’s faction was sworn enemy to the Feng family; seeing them so battered and on the run, they immediately struck and slaughtered them all.

From Upper Middle City, the wails of the dying could be heard.

After dispatching the Feng survivors, the White Spirit City Lord’s men sped toward Upper Middle City, heading straight for the Xue family estate.

At this moment, Upper Middle City was deserted—whether the slums or the commercial district, not a soul was to be seen, not even beggars, all of whom had hidden themselves away. The local city lord’s mansion paid no heed to these affairs.

Before long, the White Spirit City Lord’s forces arrived opposite the Xue family estate, locking eyes with Xue Lin, Gu Feng, and Yao Yao.

Gu Feng, always eager for a verbal skirmish, pointed at the strongest among them and jeered, “Hey, old man, staring at your ancestors like that—aren’t you afraid of getting struck by lightning?”

The other side understood at once that “ancestor” referred to Xue Lin.

Xue Lin shot Gu Feng an exasperated look. “Don’t talk nonsense. How could I have such an ugly descendant?”

What might have been a straightforward insult, delivered in concert by Gu Feng and Xue Lin, almost drove the opposing leader into a rage.

Xue Lin sent a message to Gu Feng: “When the fight breaks out, you retreat at once. The enemy is strong, and I may not be able to protect you.”

Gu Feng deliberately replied loudly, “Just a measly ninth-level spirit master dares to act so arrogant before me? I’ll swat him dead with a single slap!”

The man glared at Gu Feng, already poised to strike down this annoying gnat.

Seeing the man’s focus on himself, Gu Feng continued to provoke, “What’s wrong? Not convinced? Want to fight me? Come on! I won’t even move—hit me if you dare!”

“You’re courting death.”

“Ding! Jiu Changsheng’s killing intent toward you has reached the maximum—Eighth Death Pact activated.”

At last, he could bear it no longer and lunged at Gu Feng.

Xue Lin was alarmed. She cursed Gu Feng’s recklessness—infuriating the opponent was tantamount to courting death—and reached for her Frost Punisher.

Though Xue Lin had recently advanced, she was still only an eighth-level spirit master; to face a ninth-level, she would need to rely on a superior artifact.

Gu Feng quickly messaged her, “Sister Xue Lin, leave this ninth-level to me. I have my own way. The rest are yours.”

Jiu Changsheng’s speed was staggering; in the blink of an eye, he was upon Gu Feng, needing no weapon at all—his hand chopped toward Gu Feng’s neck, certain he could sever it in a single blow.

Unfortunately, Gu Feng had his system. No matter how fast his opponent, it was never quite fast enough.

Gu Feng grinned mockingly.

Seeing that smile, Jiu Changsheng was startled. Was this a trick? But what could a youngster like Gu Feng possibly do?

“Die!” Jiu Changsheng roared.

Gu Feng shouted back, “Yes! Die! Self-destruct!”