C10 The Flying Knife

The night was deep, and the autumn wind was chilly as a lone figure sprinted swiftly under the moonlight. He dashed through the forest and over hills, heading straight toward the city of Sunset.

This was Luo Tongtian, who had escaped from the mountain. He had run for miles without stopping, and exhaustion was beginning to show on his face. Glancing back, he saw the mountain had once again become a dark, looming beast, allowing him to relax his wary expression slightly.

Just then, a sudden cold wind arose, rustling the leaves around him. The intense, howling sound resembled crashing waves, causing Luo Tongtian to tense up. He halted, focusing intently on a large tree about a hundred yards ahead, his gaze narrowing.

"You, a mere novice, can sense my presence? That's quite unexpected," a surprised voice remarked. A burly man emerged, riding a giant wolf the size of a young mule.

"A Sixth Level Hercules?" Luo Tongtian's expression darkened slightly upon seeing him.

"You sure know how to surprise people!" the man continued. "Not only did you escape my blade, but you also took down my trusted subordinate, broke through the blockade, and managed to run nearly sixty miles on foot. If I hadn't come personally, you might have actually made it back to Sunset City."

The burly man watched Luo Tongtian with interest, a mocking expression on his face. Despite being surprised by Luo Tongtian's actions, he didn't take this minor third-level fighter seriously. As a peak-level sixth-tier warrior, he had his own pride.

"How about letting me go? My godfather can give you any reward you want," Luo Tongtian suggested, sensing the powerful aura emanating from his opponent.

"General Luo is indeed a brave man, but unfortunately, he crossed the wrong people, so he must disappear from this world. And you, his godson, will become worthless because of it. I advise you to surrender now, kneel before me, and maybe you'll escape death," the sixth-level warrior sneered, his face full of disdain.

"In that case, a fight between us is inevitable," Luo Tongtian sighed, his expression more serious than ever. He slowly swallowed an Origin Energy Pill, feeling the abundant energy course through his body, making his Vein Seal pulse rapidly and his entire being surge with power.

"A fight? Are you even worthy?" the warrior scoffed. "You're just a minor third-level fighter, thinking you can match me with some dubious technique you've picked up. It's laughable."

The commander of the city guard, with a fierce glint in his eyes, swiftly waved his large hands seven times, sending seven intricately designed, razor-sharp throwing knives slicing through the air. These deadly blades streaked like a brilliant arc, targeting the seven vital points on Luo Tongtian's body.

Before the knives could reach their mark, a thunderous roar erupted. Amidst the booming thunder, a barrage of dense, powerful punches collided with the blades, producing a metallic clashing sound. Although the seven knives were deflected, Luo Tongtian's fists were left covered in a web of deep cuts. Each wound pierced the flesh, curling the skin like a baby's delicate lips.

His arms trembled violently, and blood trickled down between his fingers. In just one exchange, Luo Tongtian's fists were riddled with injuries, revealing the formidable strength of his opponent.

The deflected knives traced graceful arcs in the sky, returning with even greater speed. Luo Tongtian gritted his teeth, refusing to retreat. Instead, he charged at the commander with reckless abandon.

"Hmph, trying to drain my power? Keep dreaming. I won't let you get close," the commander sneered.

With a commanding gesture, the leader summoned a deadly chain of sixteen flying knives. The chain whistled through the air, slicing and slashing, leaving Luo Tongtian covered in blood and wounds, resembling a figure made of blood.

"Die!" he shouted.

As the knives lost momentum, a massive, blood-red fist came crashing down from above. This punch was filled with pure energy, carrying a terrifying destructive force that could have ended Luo Tongtian's life in an instant if it hit him directly.

However, Luo Tongtian didn't explode into a mist of blood under the punch's power. At the critical moment, a faint blue aura flashed around him, miraculously absorbing the force of the punch.

While the leader stood in shock, an even more astonishing scene unfolded. A brilliant green beam shot from Luo Tongtian's forehead, moving faster than lightning, and pierced through the leader's head in an instant.

After absorbing the power of several formidable opponents, Luo Tongtian no longer felt that mysterious weakness. Instead, it transformed into a mystical force, creating a tranquil lake of energy within him.

This enigmatic lake of power was incredibly potent. In times of danger, it would come to Luo Tongtian's aid, with a strength capable of instantly defeating even the most powerful of foes, showcasing its terrifying might.

The emerald beam of light struck down the enemy, but instead of vanishing immediately, it danced softly like a harp string, continuously drawing in the energy from the defeated leader. Under the influence of this powerful force, the lake of strength grew even more tranquil and profound. Luo Tongtian's already formidable physique became even more robust and resilient, as it was repeatedly washed by waves of power.

On the surface, his once pale gold skin turned into a dazzling golden hue, radiating a brilliant light that gave him an air of grandeur. Although Luo Tongtian absorbed only a fraction of the energy, it was enough to elevate him to a mid-tier level three. Feeling the potent force coursing through his body, he couldn't help but show a hint of excitement.

"Mid-tier level three, ha, finally another step forward!" Luo Tongtian collected all the valuables from the fallen leader and then set off toward Sunset City.

Shortly after his figure disappeared, five figures emerged from the nearby bushes. Each wore a black bandana, their energy fluctuating—clearly the elite of the Black Bandana Thieves.

"Second in command, the leader wanted us to join forces to ambush that guy. Letting him go like this doesn't seem right, does it?" one of the subordinates asked the leader.

"Yeah, that leader was a sixth-level warrior. His storage bag must have held incredible wealth, and letting that guy take it all is really hard to swallow."

Another person chimed in.

These bandits, greedy by nature, even covet the wealth of their allies.

"That kid is something else. He's just a third-level fighter, yet he managed to make it out of the perilous Tongtian Mountains, where even the mighty fall. He even took down Commander Bear, a sixth-level fighter. It's beyond belief."

In response to his subordinates' questions, the deputy leader slowly spoke.

"So what? Even if he had three heads and six arms, our archers could send him packing with a single volley."

Another subordinate, not quite convinced, retorted confidently with a smirk.

"It's a shame to waste such talent. He could be useful against the City Guard."

The strategist beside the deputy leader smiled slyly, a glint of cunning in his eyes.

"Against the City Guard?"

The two who had spoken earlier exchanged surprised glances.

"Think for a moment, will you? The City Guard pretends to ally with us, but they're just using us. Once we help them deal with the General's Mansion, they'll turn on us."

The deputy leader gave them a withering look, clearly frustrated with their lack of foresight.

"Exactly. To survive around Luoyang City, we need to maintain the balance of power."

"Only by keeping the General's Mansion and the City Guard at odds can we maneuver between them, playing both sides to our advantage and surviving in the cracks," the strategist agreed with a nod.

"Turns out these soldiers aren't trustworthy at all. Looks like we really can't rely on them."

The two bandits suddenly realized this, a flicker of annoyance crossing their faces.