C4 Showing His Sharpness!

"Tyrant's Halberd Technique!"

Upon seeing Wang Yu, Zhao Kun, and Zhou Qin in peril, Yang Rui called out, seized the Celestial Pike from his warhorse, and charged toward Zhao Han.

"Yang Rui, if you're so eager to seek death, I'll be the one to oblige you!"

Zhao Han's eyes flashed with malice as he watched Yang Rui approach. He immediately left Wang Yu, Zhao Kun, and Zhou Qin behind, spurring his horse forward to confront Yang Rui.

Yang Rui was the current head of the Yang family and its sole heir. If Zhao Han could kill him, the Yang family would crumble, allowing Zhao Han to seize control of Oakenbreak and establish a dominant family that ruled the town.

"Whirlwind Spear Technique!"

At a distance of ten meters from Yang Rui, Zhao Han let out a furious roar. His internal strength flowed, and his power surged wildly. He brandished his stainless steel spear, which, like a whirlwind, thrust fiercely toward Yang Rui.

The Whirlwind Spear Technique, detailed in Zhao Han's internal strength mantra and augmented by his cultivated Whirlwind internal strength, could unleash formidable combat power, amplifying his strength by more than threefold. It was a fearsome move and Zhao Han's most potent attack.

A lion uses its full strength even when hunting a rabbit, and Zhao Han was no different. Facing Yang Rui, a well-known third-level warrior, Zhao Han exerted his full force, leaving no opportunity for Yang Rui to exploit, ensuring he would have no regrets.

"Tyrant's Halberd Technique!"

In response to Zhao Han's spear assault, Yang Rui called out as power surged within him. He executed the Tyrant's Halberd Technique, and with the Celestial Pike in his grasp, he unleashed a strike with lethal precision and overwhelming force straight at Zhao Han.

The Tyrant's Halberd Technique, a Martial General Battle Skill from the first level of the tower, was designed to inflict damage through sheer force and was ideal for those with innate godly strength, allowing the user to fully harness their power.

Having mastered the Ninefold Body Forging Technique, Yang Rui's physique had become exceptionally robust, far exceeding that of an average person and even surpassing those with innate godly strength. This made him exceptionally suited to the Tyrant's Halberd Technique, enabling him to maximize the devastating potential of its moves.

Bang!

In the midst of a sharp metallic clash, Yang Rui's Celestial Pike met with Zhao Han's stainless steel spear, sending a shower of brilliant sparks into the air. A monstrous force bore down on the spear, wrenching it from Zhao Han's grasp and sending it flying.

"This can't be! How can you possess such immense power?"

Zhao Han, staring at his spear spiraling away and feeling the intense tingling in his arm, was a picture of incredulity. He exclaimed in disbelief, unable to accept the reality unfolding before him.

"Impossible is nothing! Your time has come to die!"

With a cold snort, Yang Rui swung his Celestial Pike with lethal precision, aiming a deadly blow at Zhao Han.

As the Celestial Pike bore down on him, Zhao Han's face blanched. He hastily drew his longsword, positioning it defensively in front of him.

Bang!

The Celestial Pike, charged with fearsome power, crashed down on Zhao Han's longsword with such force that it sent the blade spinning out of his hands. The momentum unabated, the pike sliced through Zhao Han's midsection, cleaving him in two. Blood sprayed in all directions as he met a gruesome end.

"Wasn't the young master just a third-level warrior? How did he become so formidable all of a sudden, slaying a third-rate warrior in just two moves?"

"A third-level warrior? That must have been a ruse by the young master to fool everyone!"

"Exactly! The young master surely didn't want to expose his true strength, feigning a lower level to avoid becoming a target!"

Witnessing Yang Rui dispatch Zhao Han with such ease, Wang Yu, Zhao Kun, and Zhou Qin, the trio of ninth-level warriors, were visibly stunned. They couldn't help but voice their amazement, their eyes brimming with excitement and astonishment.

Yang Rui, as the patriarch of the Yang family, was its pillar of strength. The more formidable Yang Rui became, the more secure the Yang family's future. This meant elevated status for the family's guards and access to greater resources for cultivation.

Thus, seeing Yang Rui's display of power, not only were Wang Yu, Zhao Kun, and Zhou Qin, the three ninth-level warriors, thrilled, but the seven eighth-level warriors shared in the elation, their eyes alight with happiness and eager anticipation.

"Summon all the villagers of Curseguard to the square; I have an announcement to make!" Yang Rui commanded with a steady voice.

"Yes, Young Master!"

Wang Yu, Zhao Kun, Zhou Qin, and the others responded with evident excitement, quickly dispersing and delving into the heart of Curseguard Village.

In no time, the thousands of villagers were herded by Wang Yu, Zhao Kun, Zhou Qin, and the Yang family guards to the central square of Curseguard. They looked on at Yang Rui with faces etched with fear and anxiety.

"The village chief of Curseguard, Zhao Han, has led a betrayal against our Yang family and has been slain by me. His head will be severed and displayed for three months as a deterrent! The other traitors who have died will have their heads displayed alongside Zhao Han's for three months. Those who survived will be sent to the blackstone mine to toil for three years!"

Yang Rui surveyed the throngs of villagers from atop his warhorse, his voice icy and resolute.

As Yang Rui finished speaking, Wang Yu, accompanied by several eighth-level warriors, beheaded Zhao Han and the other deceased Curseguard guards. The wounded guards were then carelessly cast aside, bound with ropes, and prepared for transport to the blackstone mine.

Upon hearing Yang Rui's declaration and witnessing the actions of Wang Yu and his men, the villagers' expressions shifted dramatically, their eyes wide with horror and dread. Those with ties to Zhao Han and his cohort bowed their heads low, fearful of being implicated by Yang Rui.

Observing the villagers' frightened demeanor, a look of satisfaction crossed Yang Rui's face. He gestured to Wang Yu and announced, "Henceforth, Wang Yu will serve as the village chief of Curseguard. You are to obey his commands without question, or you will be deemed traitors to the Yang family and face severe punishment!"

With that, Yang Rui beckoned Wang Yu to his side, instructing, "Wang Yu, I'm entrusting you with five eighth-level warriors to aid you. You must ensure Curseguard remains firmly under my control."

Upon hearing Yang Rui's words, Wang Yu's face lit up with excitement as he fervently assured, "Young Master, rest assured, I will not disappoint you!"

With Wang Yu's promise secured, Yang Rui clapped him on the shoulder, entrusted him with the affairs of Curseguard Village, and then departed with Zhao Kun, Zhou Qin, and three warriors of the eighth level.

As Yang Rui took his leave, the spies lurking outside Curseguard Village wasted no time in relaying the events that had transpired to the leaders of their respective factions.

Deep within the blackstone mine at Blackrock Crest, west of Oakenbreak, Yang Ann, the captain of the Yang family guard, perused the intelligence report from his scout. A subtle smile crossed his face as he remarked, "The Yang family has found a worthy successor. I no longer have concerns for the family's well-being."

Over a hundred miles to the east of Oakenbreak, in the central area of Rogueforest, within a sprawling estate, Sun Yuqi of the Sun family pondered over the report in his hands, murmuring, "Yang Rui dispatched Zhao Han with just two moves. This clearly shows his combat prowess is formidable, likely on par with a late-period third-rate warrior.

"With the emergence of Yang Rui, my plans to take over Oakenbreak will require further preparation. I must wait for the opportune moment to strike with decisive force and obliterate the Yang family, paving the way for my annexation of Oakenbreak."