C21 Fight Alone

"Brother Xue, are you getting cold feet?" Ning Gao attempted to goad Xue Hong with a taunt.

Xue Hong gave Ning Gao a dismissive glance and gestured toward a middle-aged man in the crowd. "Brother Ning, do you realize who that is? He's the deputy leader of the Snowflake Mercenary Group, Lin Zhi, with the strength of a peak seven-star Apprentice."

"A peak seven-star Apprentice, huh? That's intriguing." Ning Gao let a mischievous grin spread across his face. The thought of how much his spiritual energy could increase if he were to defeat Lin Zhi was beyond his wildest dreams.

Xue Hong then pointed out a younger man compared to Lin Zhi, "And that one there is the deputy leader of the Snow Lotus Mercenary Group, Liu An, an eight-star Apprentice at the lower tier."

"The plot thickens." Ning Gao watched them, his excitement mounting. To him, these individuals were nothing more than clusters of spiritual energy ripe for the taking.

"It seems I'm on the verge of another breakthrough," Ning Gao mused internally.

"Brother Xue, why don't you go ahead and notify Brother Hu and the rest? I'll stay here and keep watch." Since Xue Hong was reluctant to make a move, Ning Gao figured he'd send him away.

"Be careful then," Xue Hong advised.

"I will." Ning Gao nodded in assurance.

With a pat on Ning Gao's shoulder, Xue Hong took a leap and departed.

"Hold on, someone's here," Liu An halted, scanning the surroundings.

The group paused and directed their attention to Liu An.

"What is it?" inquired Lin Zhi.

"There's someone close by." Liu An's eyes settled on a large tree.

That very tree was Ning Gao's hiding spot. With a powerful leap, Ning Gao landed squarely in front of Liu An and his companions.

"Good day to you all!" Ning Gao greeted them with a smile.

"Who are you, and why have you been spying on us?" Liu An eyed Ning Gao with a lethal stare.

"I've come for the hunt," Ning Gao declared.

"Hunting, you say? Then where's your quarry?" Lin Zhi challenged.

Ning Gao met their gaze and said with a smirk, "As distant as the horizon, yet as close as your own shadow."

"Presumptuous!" Liu An's fists tightened, and he charged at Ning Gao.

Ning Gao leaned to the side, effortlessly evading the attack.

"An intermediate six-star Apprentice, and yet so bold," Liu An remarked.

"Shadow Fist!"

Liu An unleashed a peak yellow-level martial skill, sending a black fist of spiritual energy hurtling towards Ning Gao.

"Blood Demon Claw!"

Ning Gao transformed his hands into claws, shattering the black fist of spiritual energy.

With a powerful leap, Ning Gao landed a punch squarely on Liu An's chest.

Liu An staggered backward, coughing dryly.

"How is this possible? Your cultivation has to be beyond a six-star Apprentice! Who are you, really?"

"I've told you, I'm a hunter," Ning Gao said with a sinister smile.

"It doesn't matter who you are; with so many of us, your high cultivation will only lead to your death!" Lin Zhi declared.

"We'll see about that," Ning Gao taunted.

"Everyone, charge!" Lin Zhi commanded, leading the mercenaries in a charge towards Ning Gao.

Ning Gao channeled the 'Gluttonous Blood Scripture,' his eyes turning a blood-red hue as the blood fiend energy swirled in his hands.

"Bring it on!" Ning Gao bellowed, his gaze brimming with an insatiable lust for slaughter.

The forces of Snowflake and Snow Lotus encircled Ning Gao.

The fight was on!

Ning Gao, brandishing his lethal claws like a savage beast, reaped life after life.

His clothes soaked in crimson, Ning Gao exuded an aura of fear, embodying the very essence of a demon on earth, his every action laced with deadly intent.

"Yin Yang Demon Palm!"

Lin Zhi unleashed his ultimate technique, a peak yellow-level martial skill.

A colossal palm imprint surged towards Ning Gao with overwhelming ferocity.