Chapter 18: The Formidable Hybrid
Su Xiao faced off against Sin, neither making a move. Based on Su Xiao’s judgment, under normal circumstances, he might not be a match for Sin. However, this guy used energy weapons—that was his opportunity.
Dark clouds slowly obscured the moon, and the once silver-white courtyard gradually darkened, leaving only the faint light from the banquet hall. The moment the moon was fully hidden behind the clouds, Su Xiao and Sin vanished from their spots simultaneously.
Clang!
The long blade clashed against the energy spear. The Azure Steel Shadow energy clinging to Dragon-Slaying Flash rapidly spread, instantly enveloping Execution·Dusk within.
The energies corroded each other. With a crack, Execution·Dusk shattered. Azure Steel Shadow emerged victorious. Sin’s pupils constricted sharply as he leaped backward, the lawn beneath him crushed, mud and green juice splattering.
The long blade slashed across Sin’s collarbone, the sharp edge cutting through his skin and muscle, striking his ribs. Judging by the momentum, this strike would pierce his organs.
Puff, puff, puff.
Three energy spears pierced through Su Xiao’s abdomen, shoulder, and chest without any resistance, passing straight through. Such was the terror of Execution·Dusk.
Both Su Xiao and Sin retreated simultaneously, each looking at the other with surprise.
Sin was astonished because Su Xiao had severed Execution·Dusk with a single slash—no, Execution·Dusk had been devoured in an instant, dissipating right in his hand.
Su Xiao was surprised because the enemy’s energy spears were too fast. Dragon Shadow Flash was still on cooldown, and while his Instinct ability had sensed the attack, he was too close to the enemy to dodge.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…
Several energy spears shot toward Su Xiao. He leaped back, dodging the first, then swung his blade horizontally. The blade rang out as it shattered the second.
Upon landing, Su Xiao crouched to evade the third. He braced one hand on the ground, ignoring the feel of the lawn against his palm, and used his right arm to push himself up. The fourth energy spear passed under his armpit.
Boom!
An air blast spread as Su Xiao stomped on one energy spear, narrowly dodging the fifth.
Su Xiao landed, and almost simultaneously, he formed an energy shield behind him. A rapid series of collisions came from behind—clearly, the energy spears had turned back.
Ignoring the spears behind him, Su Xiao lunged forward from his crouch, charging straight at Sin.
Sin did not retreat. Even though Su Xiao could instantly destroy the Execution·Dusk in his hand, he still advanced to meet him. This was about momentum. If he lacked the courage to face his enemy, he would never have honed his close-combat skills to this level.
Whoosh…
Sin swung his Execution·Dusk, streaks of green light cutting through the air. The surrounding airflow grew chaotic, seemingly forming a vortex.
“Soul!”
Sin roared, the sound seeming to pierce the eardrums and strike directly at the brain.
Su Xiao’s mind went hazy as a pulling force came from ahead. Fortunately, his soul strength had been greatly enhanced in the Black Abyss, so he recovered from the daze in an instant.
A white-green spear tip appeared before Su Xiao’s eyes. Somehow, he was now standing right in front of Sin, the energy spear thrusting toward his brow.
Su Xiao raised his blade and struck. Azure Steel Shadow energy surged, shattering the Execution·Dusk in Sin’s hand. But Sin was prepared—the moment Execution·Dusk broke, he immediately consumed energy to re-manifest it.
Clang.
The blade tip grazed Sin’s neck, leaving a trail of blood. Yet Sin’s Execution·Dusk had already touched Su Xiao’s brow.
Boom!
Dirt and grass clippings flew as Sin’s thrust missed. Without pausing, he used Execution·Dusk as a pivot, leveraging the thrust’s momentum to flip forward.
The blade hummed as Su Xiao’s Dragon-Slashing Flash cut through Sin’s white shirt. The enemy was far too alert, with rich combat experience, sharp perception, and remarkably high combat intelligence.
Sin landed lightly, twirling his Execution·Dusk into a green spear flower.
“I thought humans only relied on awakened abilities.”
White-green energy flickered in Sin’s hand as five Execution·Dusk spears manifested, floating above him. As for the pain caused by Azure Steel Shadow energy, this kind of enemy had terrifying pain tolerance—otherwise, the Aura Release ability would have already taken effect.
Although Sin’s overall attributes were equivalent to a Thirteen-Eyed Nether Ghost, his Spear Grandmaster skill granted him combat power surpassing that of a Thirteen-Eyed Nether Ghost.
Su Xiao could fight a Twelve-Eyed Nether Ghost with an over 80% win rate. Against a Thirteen-Eyed Nether Ghost, without activating Demon Hunting Hour, he would likely lose. Fortunately, he countered Sin’s energy weapons; otherwise, he wouldn’t have lasted this long.
Moreover, Sin was different from a Thirteen-Eyed Nether Ghost. This guy combined a powerful physique with superb technique. Using Demon Hunting Hour against such an enemy was unwise. If Sin focused on defense and dragged out Demon Hunting Hour’s duration, Su Xiao would be exhausted, and then he would die. No doubt about it—Sin could achieve this. Spear Grandmaster Lv.29 wasn’t just for show. Su Xiao had known since acquiring Demon Hunting Hour that it was a double-edged sword: if the enemy didn’t die, he would.
A pool of blood formed under Su Xiao’s feet. After drinking [Polar Blood], his recovery had greatly improved, but even so, the wounds from the energy spears piercing his abdomen, chest, and shoulder still bled profusely. This was a derivative ability of Spear Grandmaster.
Su Xiao took a deep breath, then charged at Sin in a few steps, swinging his blade without any technique.
Sin was not easily fooled. Seeing Su Xiao charge like this, he naturally sensed something was wrong. But retreating was impossible now, so he could only meet Su Xiao with his spear, the five Execution·Dusk spears above him thrusting downward to force Su Xiao back.
With a crack, Dragon-Slashing Flash shattered the energy spear in Sin’s hand. At the same time, the five Execution·Dusk spears struck toward Su Xiao.
Blood energy gathered above Su Xiao, forming almost instantly. A ten-meter-long beast with a mouthful of sharp fangs appeared above him.
Roar!!
The Blood Beast formed in an instant and lunged straight at Sin. Both its formation and charge happened in the blink of an eye.
Sin tried to leap back, but the Blood Beast was already upon him, swift and decisive.
Boom!
Blood energy exploded, sending mud flying dozens of meters high. The surrounding walls and castle cracked.
In the midst of the exploding blood energy, Sin stood with blood-stained cloth strips hanging from him, his body covered in wounds, white bones clearly visible. He froze mid-air, his exoskeletal mask covering his head and neck, leaving him only to watch helplessly as the blade slashed toward him.
Clang.
A line of blood was cut through—Absolute Shadow Flash!
Su Xiao appeared behind Sin, nearly collapsing to the ground. Five energy spears were embedded in his body. Adding the previous three, the situation was dire.
Sin crashed headfirst to the ground. Trembling, he manifested an Execution·Dusk and crushed it.
Boom!
Energy exploded. Su Xiao’s entire body was encased in a crystal layer.
A few seconds later, the energy explosion subsided. Su Xiao stood up from the ground. Sin had vanished. In a way, Su Xiao’s purge operation this time was unlucky. Sin was the leader of the Ghost Ring organization, a big boss-level enemy that would normally require a group of fourth-rank contractors in the promotion stage to surround and defeat.
[Tip: The Hunter has purged the Wild Boar Estate. Promotion Task (First Ring) completion +21%.]
[You have gained 7% World Source.]
[You have obtained Codex: Holy Cross.]
[Tip: The Hunter has repelled Ghost Ring Organization Leader·Sin, successfully preventing the formation of the ‘Sixteen-Eye Chamber’ tonight (next formation in 7 natural days). You may choose one of the following rewards:]
A. Register.
B. World Source 5%.
C. Monarch·Harold’s Gift.