Li Hai possessed the weathered appearance of someone who'd reached his natural ceiling decades ago. Sixty years old, early-stage Martial Artist, forever trapped by inferior genetic potential. Mo Shaobei's father had assigned this loyal servant as permanent retainer—a position Li Hai had faithfully maintained despite limited advancement prospects.
"Young Master, the investigation is complete."
Li Hai's voice carried the crisp efficiency of a professional intelligence gatherer.
"Ye Tian originates from ordinary family circumstances. His parents achieved Martial Artist status before dying in wilderness missions over a year ago. Currently, only he and his younger sister remain."
"If I hadn't been secluded for Martial Artist advancement, that peasant would already be dead!"
Murderous intent radiated from Mo Shaobei like heat from forge flames.
"Find someone. Kill him. Immediately."
Li Hai's composure cracked slightly. "Young Master, assassination within base boundaries carries severe consequences. Even Mo family influence cannot shield us from such investigations!"
"Only if we're discovered." Mo Shaobei's smile held no warmth whatsoever. "What if no evidence remains?"
"You mean..." Understanding dawned in Li Hai's expression. "The Shadow? But his services cost at least one million yuan!"
One million to eliminate a mere Martial Apprentice seemed economically absurd to the elderly servant.
Mo Shaobei's family resources barely exceeded that amount—his recent advancement hadn't yet qualified him for substantial funding access.
"That boy's talent is exceptional for his age and background. Elementary grade minimum, possibly reaching intermediate level. Combined with the fierce beast blood he acquired during the trial, Martial Artist advancement could occur within two years."
Strategic calculation colored every word.
"Assassinating a Martial Artist costs exponentially more than killing an Apprentice. I want him eliminated before reaching his potential. One million now saves ten million later. Understand?"
"Young Master demonstrates excellent foresight. I'll contact the Shadow immediately."
Li Hai departed with swift efficiency, leaving Mo Shaobei alone with his murderous contemplations.
"Shadow possesses only inferior cultivation talent—early Martial Artist ceiling—but his multi-talent classification makes him lethal beyond normal parameters. Elementary shadow talent allows complete concealment within darkness. Even Elite Martial Artists struggle to detect his presence."
Satisfaction warmed his chest at the elegant solution.
"Among base-level assassins, Shadow represents the absolute pinnacle of lethality. Even I might fall to his surprise attacks. Against that Fifth Academy peasant? Victory is mathematically guaranteed."
The matter settled temporarily in his mind as cultivation duties demanded attention.
The Next Evening
Ye Tian completed his standard training routine in the academy's secluded grove, muscles singing with familiar burn from intensive Body Forging Method repetitions. Time to return home for dinner with Ye Yu.
But as he prepared to leave the tree-lined sanctuary, ice flooded his veins.
His copying talent—now functioning as passive surveillance system—detected an impossible presence.
Three meters away, beneath a massive oak tree's shadow, emptiness greeted his visual inspection. Nothing visible occupied that space.
Yet his genetic scanning ability revealed undeniable truth:
Name: Li Cun
Cultivation Talent: Inferior
Shadow Talent: Elementary
"Shadow talent user. Complete invisibility through darkness manipulation."
Tactical analysis processed the implications with crystalline clarity. Li Cun had achieved Martial Artist status despite inferior genetic limitations—elementary shadow talent compensating for cultivation deficiencies.
Evening approached rapidly, most academy students had departed, leaving him isolated in perfect ambush conditions.
"Professional assassin."
The conclusion formed with mathematical certainty. Li Cun had no personal connection to him—this was contracted killing.
"Mo Shaobei."
Rage burned through his consciousness like molten steel. He'd expected petty harassment, not lethal escalation. The aristocratic bastard had chosen war.
"Survive this encounter, and Mo Shaobei dies."
The oath crystallized with absolute conviction.
Current circumstances presented both mortal danger and extraordinary opportunity. His copying ability had recharged completely, but suitable targets had remained elusive.
Until now.
Shadow talent represented incredible utility for someone of his current strength. Assassination, infiltration, escape—countless applications opened through darkness mastery.
"To claim shadow talent, Li Cun must die first."
He resumed casual movement while lethal intent coiled within his muscles like compressed springs. Death approached through supernatural concealment, but his genetic scanner provided perfect awareness.
WHOOSH!
Speed talent exploded through his nervous system as Li Cun launched his assassination attempt. Eight hundred pounds of strength combined with elementary speed enhancement launched Ye Tian beyond normal Martial Apprentice velocity—approaching mid-stage Martial Artist levels.
Li Cun's shock was palpable as his target not only detected the invisible attack but moved with impossible swiftness.
"Die!"
The fine iron blade carved through air with predatory precision, intermediate knife talent guiding steel toward vital organs.
SLASH!
Blood sprayed across evening shadows as metal found flesh. Li Cun's right arm opened in a crimson gash that sent droplets pattering onto fallen leaves.
"Impossible! You're seeking death!"
Li Cun materialized from shadow form, injury forcing visibility as his concentration shattered. His right arm hung nearly useless, forcing awkward left-handed combat that drastically reduced effectiveness.
The assassin expected easy victory over a mere Martial Apprentice. Instead, he found himself outmatched in every parameter.
Ye Tian's speed exceeded his own capabilities. Knife technique displayed decades of mastery despite the boy's obvious youth. Twenty years of blade experience couldn't match this supernatural skill.
Speed and precision combined to create overwhelming pressure. Li Cun's injury bled continuously, weakening him further with each passing second. His condition deteriorated while his opponent seemed to grow stronger.
"Perfect opportunity."
Ye Tian seized a momentary opening, driving his blade deep into Li Cun's chest. Ribs cracked under the impact as steel punched through vital organs.
"Boy, this isn't over!"
Li Cun's figure flickered, disappearing into shadow form as blood streamed from multiple wounds.
But Ye Tian's blade continued its trajectory toward apparently empty space.
BOOM!
Steel connected with invisible flesh, launching Li Cun's broken form across the grove like a discarded doll. He crashed into a tree trunk with sickening impact.
"How... how can you see through shadow talent?!"
Disbelief saturated Li Cun's dying words. "Elite Martial Artists can't detect me! Only Great Martial Artists possess mental power sufficient to pierce shadow concealment!"
Ye Tian offered no explanations—only additional blade work.
Li Cun's neck opened in a spray of arterial blood, his desperate protests silenced forever.
Death claimed another would-be killer.
Ye Tian knelt beside the cooling corpse, placing his palm against still-warm flesh as his copying ability engaged for the final time.
[Elementary Shadow Talent successfully copied. Merge with existing abilities?]
"Fusion."
Power flowed through him like liquid darkness, rewriting neural pathways to accommodate supernatural concealment abilities. The familiar pain felt almost pleasant compared to beast blood integration—shadow talent merged smoothly with his existing capabilities.
Name: Ye Tian
Cultivation Talent: Intermediate
Speed Talent: Elementary
Knife Talent: Intermediate
Shadow Talent: Elementary
Perfect.
Mo Shaobei had inadvertently provided him with the ideal assassination tool for future retaliation.
The hunter had become the hunted.
[End of Chapter 14]