Chapter 704: Neat and Tidy!
"Young Sect Leader, be careful! That's Koga Ichiro, a Grandmaster Peak—" Zhou Yunhu's warning died in his throat. He stared, utterly dumbfounded, at the scene before him. The body of Koga Ichiro, split cleanly in two, slid to the floor in a spray of blood. The man was so shocked he couldn't form another word.
Having dealt with the ninja world of the Sakura Country before, Zhou Yunhu understood the power and influence of the Koga Dojo. It was an organization whose foundation was no less deep than that of the Tianshi Sect, the very leader of Yanxia's cultivation world. Koga Ichiro's status was comparable to the former Sect Leader, Zhang Tianen; both were titans at the peak of the Grandmaster realm.
Just moments ago, when Koga Ichiro had vanished into the shadows to launch his assassination, Zhou Yunhu, the formidable boss of the Yunhu Association, had felt his blood run cold.
Who in this world could possibly survive an assassination attempt by a Peak Tenin?
Even if the Young Sect Leader, Zhang Zhiyun, had broken through to the Celestial realm, it should have been impossible!
But now… Zhang Zhiyun had merely flicked his finger, and a single wisp of sword energy had killed him?
'As expected of the Tianshi Sect's most outstanding successor in a thousand years!'
Zhou Yunhu's gaze on Zhang Zhiyun burned with a newfound, fervent admiration. He had been deeply worried about the storm Zhang Zhiyun would face after annihilating Yanxia's Yu Clan. The fallout would be so immense that even the Tianshi Sect would struggle to bear the cost.
But now, he understood. An existence that could effortlessly slay a Peak Tenin could trample the so-called rules of the world underfoot!
Given time, he might even shatter the barrier to the Land Immortal realm and ascend into myth!
A question lingered in Zhou Yunhu's mind, however. Wasn't the Young Sect Leader a Celestial? Why did his methods seem more akin to a martial artist's? And that scarlet sword energy—so ominous and terrifying—what divine art or forbidden technique could produce such a thing?
'So this is the power of the Yin Corpse Devil Swordplay,' Zhang Zhiyun thought, his gaze sweeping over Koga Ichiro's bisected corpse. 'The swordplay alone is this potent. If I can successfully refine the Yin Corpse Devil Sword Embryo… even a Land Immortal could be slain with ease!'
He was immensely satisfied with the power of that single strike. The taste of it only made his craving for the completed Yin Corpse Devil Sword Embryo more intense.
Once he mastered that ultimate power, who in the mortal world could possibly stand in his way?
By then, taking his revenge on Shen Anyu would be as simple as breathing.
Miles away, Shen Anyu was also quite satisfied with Zhang Zhiyun's performance. The Yin Corpse Devil Swordplay was nearing completion. Soon, Zhang Zhiyun would offer himself as a sacrifice to the Yin Corpse Devil Sword Embryo, completing the final, crucial step of its sharpening. The process would grant Shen Anyu a demon sword of unimaginable terror.
As for Zhang Zhiyun instantly killing Koga Ichiro, Shen Anyu wasn't the least bit surprised.
The Yin Corpse Devil Swordplay was a true immortal-slaying art—or more accurately, a demon-slaying art. How could a mere ninja hope to contend with it?
Only those with great fortune and prodigious talent could even begin to comprehend its secrets. But once they did, their strength would advance by leaps and bounds, progressing a thousand miles in a single day.
Investing in Zhang Zhiyun had been a brilliant move.
Shen Anyu toyed with a wisp of the Yin Corpse Devil Sword's intent in his hand, a cold, sharp thread of malevolent energy. A deep, knowing smile touched his lips.
"Koga Ichiro… was instantly killed by a single wisp of sword energy? How is that possible?"
Yu Guanying stared at the carnage, feeling as if his mind was fracturing.
Koga Ichiro was a Peak Tenin, a master whom even he, the heir of the Yu Clan, had to exhaust every means to win over. His strength far surpassed that of their own retainer, Old Qin. Such an individual was considered a top-tier powerhouse in the Sakura Country, a name known across the globe.
And now, this legendary figure had been instantly slain by a young man who looked to be his own age?
Looking at Zhang Zhiyun's clear, handsome face, now utterly devoid of emotion, Yu Guanying felt a deep horror grip him.
He was as young as Shen Anyu, and just as powerful—no, perhaps even more so.
How could this world produce so many young prodigies?
Yu Guanying had always considered himself outstanding enough. A Grandmaster Peak in his twenties with a clear path to becoming a full Grandmaster before thirty, born to a prominent family, and exceptionally capable. But compared to the man standing before him, he was utterly insignificant.
Yu Guannan was just as shocked, but her shock was instantly consumed by a raging inferno in her phoenix-like eyes.
"You… you killed my second brother!"
Her gaze was fixed on the body clutched in Zhang Zhiyun's left hand. Who else could it be but the second young master of the Yu Clan, Yu Guanxiong?
But the Yu Guanxiong in his grasp no longer possessed any of the arrogance of a dissolute young master. He was limp as a discarded puppet, held aloft like a dead dog.
Worse, his skin was a ghastly, pale white, his flesh withered as if all his blood and vital essence had been drained away.
Yu Guanying's pupils constricted. A flash of fury ignited in his eyes, but he forced it down, his voice low and strained. "Who are you? And why did you kill my brother, Yu Guanxiong?"
Though he was ambitious, the bond between the three siblings was strong. Seeing his brother's corpse, his heart ached with a grief so sharp it was almost a physical blow. But Yu Guanying knew that the person before him possessed a terrifying power that could not be challenged head-on.
He also deduced that this man was definitely not from the Special Department, nor did he seem like a righteous figure. He wasn't one of Shen Anyu's people, either; a young powerhouse of this caliber would have a significant background and could never be controlled by someone like Shen Anyu.
'Young Sect Leader…' Yu Guanying's peripheral vision swept over Zhou Yunhu, standing respectfully behind Zhang Zhiyun. His pupils shrank again.
Although Zhou Yunhu was beneath his notice, he knew that the underground emperor of Hangzhou, the boss of the Yunhu Association, was backed by the Tianshi Sect.
For Zhou Yunhu to call someone "Young Sect Leader"... could this man be the Young Sect Leader of the Tianshi Sect?
"If you must blame someone, blame your own bloodline. You are the descendants of Immortal Master Si," Zhang Zhiyun's cold voice rang out. With a dull thud, Yu Guanxiong's withered corpse fell to the expensive hotel carpet.
Descendants of Immortal Master Si?
What did that even mean?
Yu Guannan and Yu Guanying exchanged a look of complete confusion.
"Sir, have you made a mistake? Have you found the wrong people?" Yu Guanying asked, his voice low and cautious.
Zhang Zhiyun did not answer.
He raised his right hand, revealing an ancient talisman. It was almost entirely scarlet, dyed the color of congealed blood. Only a tiny sliver at the very top still showed the original faint yellow of the paper.
"It's almost full," Zhang Zhiyun murmured, his indifferent gaze sweeping over Yu Guanying and Yu Guannan.
When that gaze fell upon him, Yu Guanying felt a chill seize his spine, as if he were being stared down by a primordial demon god. He spoke quickly, his voice tight with desperation. "I am the heir to the Yanxia Yu Clan! My life has far more value than my death!"
He didn't make a threat. Facing such a terrifying existence, threats were useless and would only provoke him. But a venomous resentment was already coiling in his heart. He would avenge his second brother. He swore it.
"Heh," Zhang Zhiyun shook his head, a sneer twisting his lips. "The Yanxia Yu Clan… There is no Yanxia Yu Clan anymore."
There is no Yanxia Yu Clan anymore?
The words struck Yu Guanying and Yu Guannan like a physical blow, leaving them stunned and breathless.
From behind Zhang Zhiyun, Zhou Yunhu spoke, his voice filled with a chilling pride. "The Yanxia Yu Clan? Before my Young Sect Leader, they were nothing. He wiped them out. Not a single one could fight back. It was a clean sweep."
"You… you annihilated the Yu Clan?" Yu Guanying's voice was a horrified whisper.
If anyone else had said this, he would have dismissed it as a madman's raving. But hearing it from the man who had just effortlessly slaughtered the Peak Tenin Koga Ichiro… he had no choice but to believe it.
"Little sister, run! Go now! We split up!" Yu Guanying finally reacted, roaring at the still-dazed Yu Guannan before spinning on his heel and bolting towards the panoramic window.
Even on the top floor of the Hilton Hotel, over three hundred meters in the air, the chance of surviving the fall was infinitely higher than facing Zhang Zhiyun.
In the next instant, Yu Guanying froze. He lowered his head, watching as a line of scarlet blood seeped through the fabric at his waist.
A searing pain erupted from his midsection.
"Big Brother!!!" Yu Guannan's sorrowful cry echoed from behind him.
'Impossible… How can I die here…?' Yu Guanying's eyes trembled violently, filled with a deep unwillingness.
He was the heir of the Yanxia Yu Clan, born to stand above tens of thousands, destined to dominate an era. Even with the alliance of the Shen and An families, he was confident he could contend with them, forming his own alliances to counter theirs. Even after Shen Anyu displayed his incredible strength, he still schemed of ways to wrestle for power.
But now, he had encountered some mysterious Young Sect Leader who appeared out of nowhere… and was killed just like that?
Excruciating pain surged from his waist, a wave of agony so intense it broke through the limits of adrenaline. In that moment of searing clarity, Yu Guanying turned his head back toward Zhang Zhiyun, his last breath a desperate plea.
"My little sister… she's innocent… Sir, don't kill her…"
Hearing his final words, Yu Guannan's heart shattered. A wild, grief-stricken rage consumed her.
"I'll kill you!" she shrieked, charging mindlessly toward Zhang Zhiyun.
"Overestimating your own strength."
Zhang Zhiyun's expression remained as cold as glacial ice, showing not a flicker of mercy for the beautiful, desperate woman. With another casual flick of his finger, a wisp of blood-colored sword energy shot forth, tearing through the very fabric of the air itself.
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