# 327
Chapter 327 – Joining Forces Again
“A bunch of greenhorns trying to play heroes?” A vicious-looking convict narrowed his eyes and sneered. “So what if you’re Night Watch? I’ve killed plenty of Night Watchmen in my day.”
The moment he finished, a black whirlwind erupted around him. Countless shrill, miserable wails poured from the wind, raising every hair on the listeners’ necks.
At the same time, pressure almost at the peak of the “Sea” Realm burst from his body. The convicts surrounding him gasped in delight and fear.
To wield such power even under the suppressing stele meant he was a genuine “Sea”-level powerhouse. He’d hidden his strength until now—clearly, he was ready to get serious.
After the sinister man struck, two more auras just as strong unfurled from the crowd. At this final moment, anyone still holding back would be a fool.
Their appearance instantly bolstered the rest. As the black vortex of vengeful spirits howled forward, every prisoner surged after it, charging the heavy black gate with murderous intent.
Forbidden Ruins blossomed across the sky—abilities of every shape fused into a deadly, many-colored python that screamed toward its prey.
In front of the gate.
The shrieking wind whipped the four youths’ clothes. Beneath that terrifying ocean of Ruins they stood like unmovable rock. Cao Yuan turned calmly to Lin Qiye.
“Qiye.”
“Mm?”
“Kill them all?”
Lin Qiye swept his gaze over the mob. “Everyone in our way—kill them.”
“Good.”
Cao Yuan said nothing more. He simply rested his right hand on the hilt of his Straight Blade… and drew it half an inch.
A cold gleam flashed between his fingers. Black murderous aura erupted like a blazing pillar, shooting sky-high!
Demonic black flames ignited across Cao Yuan’s skin, incinerating his shirt in an instant. The flames wove together, solidifying into a ghastly mantle of killing intent.
“Heh-heh-heh-heh…”
A sound half-human, half-demon spilled from his grin. The eerie laughter echoed as he lifted his scarlet eyes to the onrushing convicts—pure savagery blazing inside.
The column of murderous aura made every prisoner’s heart skip.
Whoosh—!!
The mad Cao Yuan crouched, blade held at his hip, and stamped the ground—vanishing in a wisp of black flame.
A massive black arc cleaved the whirlwind apart. Spirits wailed and burned to ash the instant they touched his aura. He was a beast of slaughter, plowing straight into the crowd.
Killing aura raged; blades flashed; blood poured.
Lin Qiye watched, astonished. Cao Yuan’s aura was many times denser than a year ago—even he felt its crushing weight.
Without doubt, Cao Yuan had stepped into the “River” Realm.
“Damn you, Cao! Stealing my thunder!” Baili Pangpang cursed at Cao Yuan’s back while frantically pulling forbidden relics from his pockets.
Monocle of True Sight on his left eye, silver sword Thousand Forms in his left hand, dried-leaf broom Storm of Thunder in his right, prayer beads of Zen around his neck, and under his feet the golden flying sword Yaoguang…
A riot of colored light burst from Baili Pangpang, blinding onlookers—wealth incarnate.
“Here I come!”
He shot skyward on Yaoguang. A casual wave of his left hand loosed a rain of swords that threw the prisoners into chaos.
Lin Qiye glanced aside. An Qingyu was staring at the rampaging Cao Yuan, eyes sparkling with excitement and curiosity.
“They’re your friends?”
Lin Qiye nodded. “Yeah.”
“Can I dissect them?”
“…No.” Lin Qiye’s mouth twitched.
An Qingyu sighed in disappointment, crestfallen.
“Fine… if you say so.” He shook his head, lifted a finger, and a dozen invisible threads shot out, weaving a giant razor-edged net across the gate. Then, frost long-sword in hand, he flashed into the enemy ranks.
Lin Qiye narrowed his eyes; darkness thickened around him. He loosened his grip, and two Straight Blades rose into the air, vibrating at high frequency.
With a flick of his finger one blade shot out, piercing an unsuspecting convict’s chest. A magic circle flashed on the hilt—Lin Qiye appeared in a reverse-summon.
He yanked the blade free; blood spattered the night at his feet.
One instant kill, then he melted into darkness again, a ghost drifting through the battle while the second blade orbited him, ready to stab or summon.
During his confinement he’d done nothing but plot escape—and devise new tactics. Too many Ruins, too varied; forging them into a personal combat style demanded endless simulation and practice.
He cut down two more prisoners, about to vanish again, when an alien force latched onto him.
“Hm?”
He looked down. His body seemed sliced clean into three—legs, torso, head—yet no blood flowed, no pain came; only a faint gray glow at the cuts.
Then more divisions: chest, abdomen, knees, arms, wrists… He was being carved into a dozen pieces by an invisible blade.
“Not a slash… a control-type Ruin?” Even as he watched himself diced apart, Lin Qiye stayed calm. Mortal Divine Realm shrouded the area—no blade could reach him. He could still feel every limb; only his control weakened as the segments multiplied.
Someone in the shadows had hit him with a mysterious Ruin?
His gaze swept the battlefield.