It was clear that taking that pill had greatly benefited him.
"Kill!"
The leader of the dark guards roared, unleashing his ultimate skill. He gathered all his strength into his hands and thrust his sword forward.
This sword was invincible, as if it could pierce the heavens.
Zhou Yan's pupils constricted sharply.
"Such power!"
Zhou Yan's heart sank. He knew he couldn't confront it head-on; he could only evade its sharp edge.
Therefore, he leaped into the air, narrowly dodging the sword.
"Swish!"
Seizing the opportunity, Zhou Yan drew the sword at his waist and, with a fluid motion, slashed an arc towards the dark guard leader's neck.
The dark guard leader's eyes blazed with ferocity as he punched out, meeting Zhou Yan's long sword.
Clang!
Weapons clashed, sparks flying everywhere.
Immediately, they engaged in close-quarters combat, fighting each other.
At this moment, a true fire raged between them. Every move, every strike, was filled with a sharp killing intent.
Zhou Yan and the dark guard leader were both blinded by rage. Forgetting their enmity, they fought with all their might.
In the blink of an eye, half an incense stick's time had passed.
Zhou Yan was caught off guard by the dark guard leader and was fiercely kicked in the chest, sending him flying backward.
"Pfft~" Zhou Yan coughed up a mouthful of blood, his face ashen.
He struggled to his feet, swaying precariously.
"Damn it!"
The dark guard leader was not faring any better, his hair disheveled, blood gushing from his mouth.
His face was contorted, terrifying and savage, like a wild beast.
"Zhou Yan, you destroyed everything I had! I won't rest even as a ghost!" the dark guard leader screamed hysterically.
"If you want to be a ghost, you'll have to survive first!" Zhou Yan took a deep breath, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
The dark guard leader's face showed panic. Just as he was about to flee, his head began to buzz, and his eyelids felt incredibly heavy.
"What is this..."
"Soporific powder?"
The dark guard leader's eyes widened in confusion. "Who, who ambushed me?"
Soporific powder was a special poison, colorless and odorless. Upon ingestion, it immediately induced a brief period of sleep and caused intense dizziness, plunging the person into a state of temporary stupor.
"Heh heh, old man, die!" Zhou Yan's eyes flashed with cold light, and he lunged forward.
"Pfft~"
The next moment, a sharp dagger sliced across the dark guard leader's throat, severing it, and blood spurted out.
"Cough, cough, cough~"
The dark guard leader clutched his throat, gasping for breath with difficulty, his eyes filled with terror. "You... why aren't you poisoned?"
"How could you ask such a foolish question?"
Zhou Yan sneered, then crushed the dark guard leader's throat and tossed him into a nearby pool.
The dark guard leader struggled for a few moments before finally dying.
Zhou Yan panted heavily, sweat beading on his forehead. His heart pounded rapidly, and a wave of intense fatigue washed over him, nearly making him collapse.
"It seems my cultivation level is still too low."
Zhou Yan sighed inwardly.
This physical body's aptitude was mediocre, far inferior to his original peak form, and its combat power was limited.
In other words, he was only suited to be an assassin,
not a martial artist.
"Never mind, I'll continue cultivating the 'Profound Nether Art' again." Zhou Yan calmed his mind, sat down, and continued to study the cultivation method.
This cultivation method was called the 'Profound Nether Art', divided into four stages: Profound Nether Force, Profound Nether Palm, Profound Nether Finger.
According to the introduction, Profound Nether Force required immense energy and willpower to cultivate diligently.
Profound Nether Palm was a powerful technique that used the palm as a weapon, consuming a large amount of true qi.
As for Profound Nether Finger, it could only be wielded by innate masters. Zhou Yan could currently only manage the first level of Profound Nether Finger.
"As expected of a top-tier Yellow-grade mid-class cultivation method," Zhou Yan murmured.
Even the first level of Profound Nether Finger possessed terrifying power.
"The Profound Nether Finger has a total of seven levels. Once mastered, with a single strike, the enemy will have no chance to evade!" Zhou Yan thought.
"Hmm? Someone's coming?"
Suddenly, Zhou Yan frowned, sensing something amiss.
Whoosh!
He teleported to the roof beams and looked outside. He saw a troop of black-armored soldiers approaching hundreds of meters away.
"As I suspected, there's an ambush!"
Zhou Yan's gaze turned cold. Concealing himself in the darkness, he waited patiently.
Shortly after, dozens of black-armored soldiers arrived at the courtyard, quickly sealing off all escape routes.
"Commander, Zhou Yan should be hiding inside." one of the black-armored soldiers said.
"Hmph, since he dared to provoke our Iron Blood Royal Mansion, he will pay a heavy price!" the dark guard leader sneered, waving his hand and ordering, "Search! Dig three feet deep if you have to, find him!"
Whoosh!
Upon hearing this, the soldiers immediately sprang into action, entering the house one after another to search for Zhou Yan.
However, after a thorough search, they found nothing.
"Strange, how did this guy leave?"
"Could it be that he knows the art of earth-遁?"
"No matter how he left, he won't escape tonight."
"Pass my order, mobilize all black-armored soldiers to come and hunt down Zhou Yan together," the dark guard leader said indifferently, flicking his sleeves.
He led the remaining black-armored soldiers and marched towards the Zhou family manor.
...
The night was clear and the moon shone brightly.
In the dark forest, it was tranquil and peaceful.
"Whoosh~ Whoosh~"
A gentle breeze blew, and fallen leaves drifted down.
Zhou Yan's figure walked slowly.
"These black-armored soldiers are truly persistent," Zhou Yan said with a wry smile.
"Master, these good-for-nothings are still lurking nearby. Shall this servant eliminate them for you?" the little fox, standing on Zhou Yan's shoulder, licked its paws, looking eager to try.
"Don't cause trouble!" Zhou Yan tapped her head.
If they were discovered, they would be in trouble.
"Master, please rest assured. This servant's stealth techniques are superb and will never expose your identity!" the little fox said, fawning.
"Oh? You have a way to deceive that black-armored commander?" Zhou Yan's eyes lit up.
"Heh heh, this servant is the saintess of the Myriad Beasts Sect. How could a mere black-armored army commander see through my illusions?" the little fox proudly puffed out her chest.
"Illusions?"
Zhou Yan narrowed his eyes. "You mean, you can create illusions to disrupt the enemy's vision?"
"Of course."
The little fox said with a triumphant look.
"Excellent. Then I'll give you a mission: help me put on a show!" Zhou Yan's eyes gleamed.
"What show?" the little fox asked curiously.
"A killing game," Zhou Yan said with a sinister smile.
"Uh..." The little fox's fur stood on end, and a chilling sensation washed over it.
Although she was a demonic beast, she was still a pure and kind pet. She knew a little about the wickedness of human hearts. Upon hearing Zhou Yan's plan, she had a bad premonition.
"Master, let's take a different path," the little fox suggested.
"Heh heh, too late!" Zhou Yan's lips curved upwards.
Instantly, he began to move, rushing into the darkness.
"Kill!"
At the same time, Zhou Yan roared, his fists striking out.