C13 One Hit Kill!

As everyone reeled from the recent turn of events, a man began to make his way up to the arena. He appeared to be in his late teens, clad in a grey robe, moving with a deliberate stride. His gaze was fixed intently on Chu Feng, who stood within the arena.

The crowd erupted into murmurs as the man stepped onto the stage.

"Is that... Xiahou?"

"Xiahou? Can't be, he's been out of the scene for ages!"

"Who's Xiahou? Why is everyone so shocked?"

"Man, you don't know Xiahou? Five years back, he deliberately maimed three opponents in the Ralens Tournament. His methods were so brutal that he was barred from competing for two years. And now, he's back..."

"What on earth could have brought Xiahou out of hiding?"

"I just saw Xiahou with Chu Lang. Could it be that..."

"Zip it! If you value your life, keep quiet. If word gets out, you're a dead man!"

"Yeah, yeah, let's all act like we heard nothing. Besides, the match is about to start. Let's focus on that..."

Whispers and speculation buzzed among the spectators as they pointed at the man facing Chu Feng.

Chu Feng's adversary, known as Xiahou, was one of Chu Lang's men. Three years prior, he had reached the fifth level of the Initial Transcendent. Despite the years, he remained at that level, likely still bitter about not clinching first place in the Ralens Tournament.

"Who might you be?"

Chu Feng asked, his brow furrowed as he studied Xiahou across from him.

Something about the man's presence felt off to Chu Feng, particularly his stare—it was identical to that of an enemy from a past life.

It was a look of enmity.

Chu Feng couldn't fathom why this stranger's gaze was laden with such intense malice.

"You needn't concern yourself with who I am, Your Highness. Just know that someone has sent me to take you down," Xiahou said, his lips curling into a sinister smile as he spoke with a steely countenance.

"Chu Lang?"

Chu Feng's eyes narrowed. He didn't have a long list of enemies, but he had a good idea of who would want him dead.

"Enough talk. Your Highness, brace yourself!"

Xiahou's voice was icy as he lunged at Chu Feng with incredible speed. In a flash, a gleaming dagger appeared in Xiahou's hand and thrust swiftly towards Chu Feng.

"Stormstride! So Chu Lang did send you!"

Recognizing the footwork, Chu Feng bellowed and stepped back rapidly.

The footwork Xiahou employed was familiar to Chu Feng. It was the same technique that Chu Lang had mastered when he advanced to the Initial Transcendent level, a gift from the King of Edora, Chu Batian.

To think that Chu Lang would share his own footwork with someone else just to target him!

The King of Edora, watching from afar, furrowed his brow at the sight.

Xiahou was quick, bearing down on Chu Feng without hesitation.

"Heh, Stormstride? Merely a medium grade Mystic Ascension technique. Today, you're fortunate to face me, for I can only use a top grade Initial Transcendent footwork!"

Chu Feng called out as he continued to retreat.

In the blink of an eye, Xiahou's dagger seemed to plunge into Chu Feng's chest!

"Phew!"

"What's happening? He actually dared to kill a member of the royal family!"

"Prince Chu Feng... he actually..."

The crowd was stunned into silence at the sight.

"Father!"

Chu Xiao, standing next to the King of Edora, cried out in alarm as the King, who had been seated, suddenly rose to his feet.

"Ah, quite impressive. The drive to kill in one blow is fierce. Too bad, you're up against me."

Amidst the shock of the onlookers, a voice echoed from behind Xiahou.

"It's Prince Chu Feng! He's... still alive!"

"What's going on? Wasn't Prince Chu Feng just stabbed in the chest?"

"Top grade Mystic Ascension footwork is indeed rare..."

As murmurs filled the air, an elder squinted at Chu Feng and spoke slowly, his eyes reflecting a mix of intrigue and respect.

"Senior, are you saying that Prince Chu Feng just used top-grade Mystic Ascension footwork?!"

"Mm, precisely."

The elder nodded slowly.

Witnessing this, the King of Edora, from afar, smiled, shook his head, and settled back into his chair with ease.

"Father, is that... top-grade Mystic Ascension footwork that Chu Feng is using?"

Chu Xiao inquired, his face etched with astonishment.

"Mm."

The King of Edora offered little more than a hum in response, his eyes alight with interest as he watched Chu Feng.

"How... how could you possibly?"

"How could I possibly dodge, you mean?"

Chu Feng said slowly, turning to face Xiahou, whose expression was one of utter disbelief.

It was fortunate that Chu Feng had learned a set of footwork from his past life just a month prior; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to avert today's crisis.

"No, it's that you... you've learned footwork!"

"Mm-hmm, top-grade Mystic Ascension footwork, Cloudwalk. Pardon my display."

Chu Feng replied with a soft chuckle.

"You! No... you must die today!"

Hearing about Chu Feng's footwork, Xiahou's fighting spirit evaporated. Yet, the thought of Chu Lang in the distance steeled his resolve, and he charged at Chu Feng with Stormstride, teeth gritted.

"So you still seek my life? Very well, today I shall discipline you right before your master!"

Chu Feng watched as Xiahou rapidly approached. He initiated Cloudwalk, and as Xiahou's dagger neared, Chu Feng spun around. Simultaneously, he channeled his Shadow Power, transforming his palm into a blade and striking fiercely at the arm Xiahou used to wield his dagger.

"Ah!!!"

In almost an instant, before Xiahou could grasp what had happened, he felt an intense pain in his arm and reflexively released the dagger.

"Hiss..."

In pain, Xiahou looked up only to find Chu Feng unscathed, examining the dagger that had been in his own hand.

Xiahou's dagger!

"Not bad at all, a medium-grade Mystic Ascension dagger. It suits you well."

Chu Feng looked up, his smile tinged with irony. Then, with a glint in his eyes, he vanished from sight.

"Not good!"

Chu Feng vanished in an instant, causing Xiahou's heart to seize with dread. He had recognized a familiar murderous aura in Chu Feng's gaze, reminiscent of the time he was relentlessly hunted by a savage War Beast during his training.

"Pfft!"

Xiahou attempted to retreat hastily, but it was too late. With a thud, he lay sprawled on the platform, a cold dagger protruding from his heart—his own dagger, no less!

A one-hit kill!

This was not only the ultimate skill Chu Feng had honed in his previous life but also the one he had perfected a few months prior while hunting dire beasts.

"Is... is Xiahou dead?!"

"Hiss..."

"He's incredibly fierce... Prince Chu Feng is terrifying!"

"A few years back, Xiahou left three opponents crippled, and they remain paralyzed to this day. Who would have thought Xiahou would meet the same fate!"

The crowd around the arena buzzed with conversation. They had assumed Xiahou would be the one to defeat Chu Feng, but instead, he was taken down by Chu Feng with a single, lethal strike.

"Damn it! How can this guy be so strong?!"

Chu Lang, watching from a distance, cursed under his breath, his teeth clenched in frustration.

"It looks like Prince Chu Feng has really been playing the long game these past few years, huh? He even possesses a top-grade Mystic Ascension footwork."

Xiahou Jiao, standing next to Chu Lang, commented with a sly squint.

"Could it be... that person gave it to him?!"

Upon hearing Xiahou Jiao's remark, Chu Lang responded immediately.

"Which person?"

Xiahou Jiao inquired urgently.

"A few days ago, I probed Chu Feng's strength and found an expert in his quarters."

"What kind of expert?"

"He must be at least of the Eternal Green realm. I was defeated by him, but he spared my life."

"Eternal Green..." Xiahou Jiao mused, narrowing her eyes. "Did you get a good look at his face?"

"He was shrouded in a black robe; his face was obscured."

"…"

"Fikdar, it's either him or you."

Xiahou Jiao turned to the twenty-one-year-old man beside her and issued the ultimatum after hearing Chu Lang's words.

"Leave it to me."

Fikdar, the man addressed, cracked his neck, and a series of pops echoed in response.

"Father, I never imagined that the seemingly frail Chu Feng would possess such strength. It appears that he's a strong contender for first place in the Initial Transcendent rank."

Chu Xiao said with a slight smile to the King of Edora.

"Indeed, it's quite possible. I must admit, I haven't kept an eye on him for quite some time. His progress is truly astonishing..."

The King of Edora mused, speaking thoughtfully.