"How is it possible? The information we've obtained clearly states that you are only at the fifth grade of
Blood Purification. How could you be in possession of such powerful strength?" The assassin's eyes
had suddenly grown solemn as he gazed at Ricky, lost in thought. The contempt had disappeared from
his eyes.
"Humph! You are like a frog at the bottom of a well. Haven't you heard that there is a kind of genius
who has the ability to compete above his level? Obviously, that is what I am." Ricky sneered.
"That means today, you are the one destined to die!"
"You fool!" the three assassins said coldly, their eyes flaring up at Ricky's bold words.
Even Elder Samuel and Bertha were speechless. How could Ricky be this arrogant?
However, when they recalled Ricky's track record, they calmed down to an extent. His arrogance was
usually substantiated.
"Die today! I will show you what Endless Shadow is! You arrogant bastard!" The assassin shouted as
he waved his sword, ready to wield it on Ricky.
He was indeed remarkable. He had comprehended a considerable level of sword-light and he was now
at the seventh grade of Blood Purification. His speed also ranked high among the warriors at his grade
level. Along with his ghost-like attack path, he was virtually untouchable at the seventh grade of Blood
Purification.
However, he had now met Ricky, a warrior who possessed abilities previously unheard of. Even if Ricky
was just at the fifth grade of Blood Purification, he was capable of competing with any warrior at the
seventh grade of Blood Purification! Outstanding!
"Ghostly Flurry!"
The assassin roared loudly, and then his figure and sword disappeared in a ghostly manner from
Ricky's eyes. He was using an advanced speed.
At once, Ricky directly activated the Nine-degree Body Refining Formula to the Fourth Degree. The
green lights floated into space around him, shining brightly.
"Clang!"
The sound of a forceful collision rang through the air.
With the appearance of the assassin's figure, the tip of the sword had stabbed Ricky's neck, but
because he had used the Fourth Degree of Nine-degree Body Refining Formula, only a nick was made.
'What a tremendously fast speed! I can't even see him, but only feel him! If it weren't for the Fourth
Degree of Nine-degree Body Refining Formula, I would have been dead meat now. Oh, it's true... I still
have a long way to go!' Ricky thought to himself once he had felt the nick in his flesh.
For the discrepancy in level, he could perhaps try harder to increase his power. But for something like
observation competence which was ideally cultivated with time and experience, it would be difficult for
him to improve in such a short span of time.
While Ricky was deep in thought, the assassin was also pondering. 'What a powerful body refining
cultivation method! He withstood my fatal attack with great ease!'
'He has cultivated the Fourth Degree of Nine-degree Body Refining Formula! It seems that Ricky
learned a lot during the two months he spent in the Blizzard Cliff. Now I'm really itching to know! What
opportunity did Chief Zenith give him?' Elder Samuel was shocked upon the sight of Ricky surrounded
by green lights.
Any warrior at the fifth grade of Blood Purification that was able to cultivate the Nine-degree Body
Refining Formula to the Fourth Degree must be a true genius!
'Ricky truly is a great asset to the Snow Sect!'
...
"Now that you've managed to nick me, it's time for me to beat you," Ricky said with a serious look on
his face.
He first wielded a Freezing Palm to drive the assassin back. Then he stimulated the deer cultivation
method of the Five Beasts Arts to increase his speed. Along with the powerful bear cultivation method,
he slashed fiercely at his opponent.
The power and speed of this slash had already reached the limit of the seventh grade of Blood
Purification. If the assassin had been an ordinary warrior, he would definitely meet his death at this
intense attack.
But once again, he used his ghostly pace to disappear suddenly in front of Ricky and escape from his
powerful attack.
When he became visible again, his sword, which was surrounded by sword-light, again stabbed Ricky
in a vital part of his body. However, things stayed the same. He could only leave a mark in Ricky's body
because Ricky had cultivated the Fourth Degree of Nine-degree Body Refining Formula.
"I don't believe it. Let me see how many times you can resist my attacks by your body refining
cultivation method!" The assassin roared at Ricky, his frustration getting the best of him.
He used his ghostly pace to avoid Ricky's attack each time, time and time again stabbing Ricky.
After dozens of moves, Ricky was growing a bit weary.
After all, the Nine-degree Body Refining Formula was just a body refining cultivation method. It was not
one hundred percent meant to be death proof.
Ricky knew fully well that if he broke out his Fifth Degree of Nine-degree Body Refining Formula and
other powerful means, he would be protected from this assassin's attack.
But by now, Ricky had come to anticipate and predict the assassin's ghostly pace.
"I will kill you in the next hit!" The killer growled at Ricky. He had likely discerned that Ricky was
reaching his limit.
"Nine Swords of the Ghost—seven swords in one!"
The killer waved his sword, instantly displaying seven real sword shadows in the air with strong sword-
light surrounding each.
With the sound of metal colliding, these seven sword shadows combined into one. Together with strong
black spiritual energy, a sharp sword was formed. It emanated piercing ghostly lights, which hurt
Ricky's eyes.
Clearly, this was the assassin's last attempt. It would be the deciding moment in their battle.
In a flash, the assassin had disappeared again.
The moment the killer disappeared, Ricky shut his eyes and called forth the tiger cultivation method of
the Five Beasts Arts.
"Whiz Fist—Whip Blade!"
Ricky bent over, springing forward like a tiger leaping on its prey. The Iron Destroyer on his right hand
surrounded by flame mercilessly slashed downwards.
Ricky had developed this strike with reference to predators' attack, such as the fierce tiger's attack with
its tail, aiming at killing with one strike.
"Clang!"
The sound of metal colliding rang loudly again. Suddenly, the assassin's figure had become visible right
in front of Ricky. His Iron Destroyer collided with the sword.
"Boom!" The moment their power collided, the sword in the assassin's hand was knocked into the air.
Ricky's Iron Destroyer with diffusing flame sank deep into his chest.
"Bang!" A dull sound was heard as he fell heavily onto the ground.
With blood spurting out of the deep gouge in his chest, the assassin could do nothing but stare at Ricky
as his life drained out of his body.
"How is it possible? I can't believe it. How did you know my position?" He growled with his last ounce of
life, still unwilling to accept defeat.
This was the destiny of an assassin. Once his fatal attack failed, his life would be on the line.
"You've comprehended sword-light, and I've comprehended saber-light. Both are from the Light
Apperception. Once I calm down, it's not difficult for me to zero in on your direction.
So, don't be so overconfident with your pace, and don't rashly look down upon any opponent.
But I suppose... you won't be able to use this advice,"
Ricky said, the assassin's life ending together with his sentence.
"Useless idiot! You can't even handle a weakling at the fifth grade of Blood Purification. You deserve to
die!" The demi-immortal assassin sneered at this scene.
Their organization of assassins was just like this. Everyone was unmerciful and emotionless. It had to
be that way to be able to do their job.
"Quest failed! Retreat!" the demi-immortal assassin yelled out to his colleague at the peak of Blood
Purification. They glared at Ricky, who was still standing over the corpse of their slain fellow.
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