Although the Light of the True God is already at the fourth stage, it’s not suited for dealing with ordinary people. The Water Control Technique is quite formidable, but can only be effective in areas of large mountains or lakes.
These skills all have flaws, only the Nine Bends Yellow River Talisman Array and the Body-Stabilizing Rune are of any use.
"Although I have many skills, it seems I’m lacking offensive means, most of these are more of a support type. The only unknown is that so-called Southern Qilin, with what mysterious level does it embody?"
Thoughts flickered in Zhang Chen’s mind, yet he didn’t plan to give in. With the Invisibility Rune, the Body-Stabilizing Rune, and the Petrification Technique, he figured he could give it a try.
The Petrification Technique can be deployed once every thirty breaths; against those hundreds of samurai, it can only be a lifesaver at crucial moments. His Invisibility Rune can cloak his tracks, placing him in an undefeatable position; unless the opponent is above the fifth stage, they can’t detect his invisibility.
One should know his Invisibility Rune is at the fourth stage; Zhang Chen doesn’t believe everyone is as abnormal as Xie Lingyun and Fox Fairy Nannan.
"Oh?" Zhang Chen’s eyes fixed upon Zhong Xiang, his anger rising; he was there peacefully making a fire and cooking a meal, yet the other directly and domineeringly came up; not only to drive him away, but also trying to seize his cooked snake meat—is there such logic?
"Sir, you’re quite overbearing," Zhang Chen coldly glared at Zhong Xiang.
"It’s not that I’m overbearing, but your status is too low," Zhong Xiang’s voice was full of disdain: "Speaking to a lowborn like you, I feel I’ve sullied my soul. If those two don’t want to leave, then let them remain and find a pit to bury them."
An armored warrior with a cold expression tried to apprehend Zhang Chen, but suddenly saw a rune flicker in Zhang Chen’s sleeve, slapped onto Chen Xu: "Run!"
Along with the trigger of the Invisibility Rune, Chen Xu’s figure immediately vanished, leaving the crowd on the opposite side in astonishment.
Chen Xu was obedient, even without understanding what happened, he still stood up and sprinted wildly.
"Abnormal People?"
The opposite crowd, witnessing Zhang Chen’s maneuver, suddenly became alert.
At this moment, five warriors brandished long swords and slashed towards Zhang Chen, but Zhang Chen swiftly rolled backward and, in the next instant, vanished from sight.
Seeing Zhang Chen directly disappear, a group of black-clad warriors immediately changed their expressions and raised their guard: "Protect the Young Master!"
With a shout, all the warriors quickly converged, encircling Zhong Xiang at the center.
"Hmm?" Zhang Chen, in his invisible state, frowned at the sight, halting his approach towards Zhong Xiang: "So, this is the value of nobles carrying warriors on outings?"
"But so what, as long as you can’t break my invisibility skill, I refuse to believe you can eat, drink, defecate, and sleep always with warriors at your side. Once you’re alone, it’ll be your turn to be killed by me," Zhang Chen wasn’t in a hurry, silently changing position, eyeing Zhong Xiang in the center like a hunter.
But what stage is this Zhong Xiang at?
Though his invisibility allowed him to move without reactions from the opposite side, it seemed they hadn’t seen through his invisibility skill. Their cultivation level surely didn’t exceed the fourth stage.
As Zhang Chen gazed at Zhong Xiang’s exposed head amongst the crowd, he pointed a finger, and a yellowish-brown beam shot forth directly at Zhong Xiang.
This was the Petrification Technique! Although it only affects first-stage life forms, it’s worth testing Zhong Xiang’s composition!
"Young Master, be careful." Someone shouted, but the beam’s speed was so fast, there was no chance for others to intervene, Zhang Chen’s petrification skill already landed on Zhong Xiang. At that crucial moment, a red light flashed around Zhong Xiang, deflecting the yellow-brown beam Zhang Chen shot, bouncing it onto a nearby guard who instantly turned into a stone statue.
The Petrification Technique currently only petrifies first-stage and below life forms, Zhang Chen merely wanted to stir up chaos and see the skill’s effects. Seeing the Petrification Technique fail, he wasn’t disappointed.
Meanwhile, Zhong Xiang’s counterattack arrived; he waved a large hand, immense flames surged grandly towards Zhang Chen.
Since Zhang Chen had fired the beam, his position was naturally exposed.
"This aura... Fourth stage!" Zhang Chen couldn’t help but curse inwardly: "Damn, how can this Zhong Xiang, who doesn’t appear very old, possess such power?"
Fortunately, his Invisibility Rune was also at the fourth stage, meaning the opponent couldn’t see through his invisible state.
However, with flames approaching, Zhang Chen dared not stay still—he had no desire to experience the formidable power of fourth-stage flames.
The raging flames covered dozens of meters, akin to a sea of fire pouring down, startling Zhang Chen into rapid retreats.
"Is this the Fire Control Superpower, creating fire out of thin air, capable of remote attacks and command? This skill truly is impressive!" Zhang Chen retreated while drooling with envy: "Moreover, these flames have an unusual temperature, unlike ordinary fire."
Having regained composure, Zhong Xiang glanced at the guard turned stone statue, shuddered with cold sweat: "Damn, what kind of sinister technique is this? Luckily, this skill level is so low, only at first stage, else I’d be in big trouble! This skill is of the sealing type, greatly restraining me! This fellow cannot be spared, he must not be allowed to continue living in this world."
Zhong Xiang’s eyes turned towards the spot where the flames were burning, with a hint of contemplation: "My flame is the Four-Taste True Flame, that fellow was only at first stage, if caught by my fire he should be burned to death by now, right?"
From afar, Zhang Chen had withdrawn from the fiery range, looking at Zhong Xiang with eyes full of murder intent: "This kid’s fire isn’t ordinary, plus he has guards protecting him, quite troublesome indeed."
But just a bit troublesome!
He’s not in a hurry, he has plenty of time. With his Invisibility Rune, he can attempt assassination numerous times, while Zhong Xiang can only afford one mistake.
"Spread out, he’s surely burnt to death under my flames, though it’s a pity for the cooked snake," Zhong Xiang laughed heartily at this point, his voice full of mockery:
"That kid obviously appeared to be a fallen noble, thinking he grasped mysterious methods, unaware of his limits, believing himself invincible in the world."
Zhong Xiang spoke, indicating the guards to disperse, lowering their vigilance.
"Thanks for burning that brat to death, else dealing with his invisibility skill would have been troublesome," Zhong Xiang scoffed disdainfully, yet secretly felt relieved.
However, just as the guards scattered, suddenly a cold glint like a ghost flickered, a dagger emerged from thin air, piercing straight towards Zhong Xiang’s throat.
The mutual grudge was already beyond reconciliation, Zhang Chen surely wouldn’t hold back.
"Psh~"
The cold gleam flashed, blood sprayed.
Zhang Chen struck with precision and ruthlessness, further compounded by the unpredictability of the Invisibility Technique, Zhong Xiang was immediately hit.
Yet, at this moment, Zhang Chen’s pupils contracted, showing no joy on his face, because the dagger stabbed into Zhong Xiang’s throat melted instantly, turning into molten metal, Zhong Xiang transformed completely into a mass of flames.
Before Zhang Chen’s eyes, Zhong Xiang actually became a mass of flame energy, reminding him of a skill from novels in his past life:
"Elemental Incarnation?"
At the moment Zhang Chen pierced the opponent’s throat with his dagger, the opponent turned into a mass of flames, extending a fist from the flames, striking Zhang Chen’s chest.
Having not trained in martial arts, Zhang Chen reacted a bit slowly, getting hit directly and spitting bright red blood before falling to the ground.
Yet, within Zhang Chen’s body, the Crystal Core circulated, instantly stabilizing the injury on his body.
As Zhang Chen sprayed blood from his mouth, a group of guards located him by the position where blood was shed, drew their swords, and slashed simultaneously.