Immortal Sword Master

Chapter 484: Chapter 480: Dragon God Celestial Palace, The First Assassination

”Meteor Island is just ahead.”

In the clouds, a group of people dressed in black appeared.

Their group was small, only a few people. Each wore a ferocious bronze ghost-faced mask. The masks were incredibly sinister, with four fangs around the mouth resembling a Demon’s maw, chilling to the bone.

Their robes were also quite distinctive. The pitch-black fabric was adorned with blood-red flowers that closely resembled the legendary Other Shore Flowers, as if symbolizing Hell itself.

”Is the newcomer from the Hidden Dragon List inside?”

The leader of the group spoke, their voice low and genderless.

”Reporting to Lord Ghost Shadow, we’ve completed our investigation. A few days ago, the Sea-Splitting King attacked Meteor Island and broke through the Meteor Array. However, a mysterious expert appeared at the critical moment and repelled the Meteor King. It seems this mysterious expert is connected to the new talent on the Hidden Dragon List.”

One of them reported from the side.

”Oh? The Sea-Splitting King is a veteran King whose strength has reached the Three-Stars Level. To defeat him, one must be at least a Four-Stars King, or even stronger. It seems this newcomer to the Hidden Dragon List has quite the background,” Ghost Shadow said, surprised.

”My lord, it seems that mysterious King left the very same day. Right now, only the Meteor King is on Meteor Island. Should we make our move?” someone asked.

Ghost Shadow contemplated for a moment before shaking their head. ”There’s no need to rush. If that mysterious King hasn’t left and is still hiding in the shadows, our plan will be ruined. Besides, I’m worried that the damned Dragon God Celestial Palace has already sent experts here in secret...”

”You’re worried that the Undying Celestial King has long known we’ve been assassinating geniuses from the Hidden Dragon List and will have certainly taken precautions. The Dragon God Celestial Palace has ruined our plans several times in the past. Several of our own lords have even fallen at their hands. We truly must be on guard against this,” someone else added.

”Black Shadow, you will infiltrate Meteor Island. See if you can get close to this Ning Jiang. If you can, kill him. The rest of us will observe from the shadows for now.”

”Yes, my lord. I will not fail you.”

The man named Black Shadow took a step forward and shot toward Meteor Island like a pitch-black shadow.

”Black Shadow’s Shadow Escape Skill is becoming more and more masterful.”

”Black Shadow’s strength is only at the Earth Martial Realm Early Stage, but he’s assassinated many experts at the Earth Martial Realm Middle Stage. He even took part in an operation to assassinate a Hidden Dragon List genius back in the day. Although that mission failed, he was the only one of the nine assassins to survive, which is proof enough of his skill.”

”Let’s just wait for Black Shadow’s good news.”

...

「Meteor Island.」

「Nightfall.」

Ning Jiang strolled slowly along the coast, his feet sinking into the soft sand and leaving shallow footprints behind him.

Beside him, Chu Xiu’Er skipped and bounced, her two pigtails swinging endlessly, full of youthful energy.

This beach was a rather famous scenic spot on Meteor Island. Not only was the view beautiful, but at night, a type of coral in the sea would begin to glow. The myriad of colors painted the area in an exceptionally beautiful light.

”Brother Ning, I’ve wanted to come to this Seven-Colored Coral Beach for a long time, but I never had the chance. Thank you for coming with me today.”

Chu Xiu’Er gazed at the clusters of coral radiating with seven-colored light, her small face blooming into a smile like a flower.

”It certainly is beautiful.”

Ning Jiang looked out. The azure sea before them, stretching for dozens of miles, was filled with multicolored rays of light, making the place feel like a celestial wonderland.

Many other Martial Artists were also nearby on the Seven-Colored Coral Beach, enjoying the view.

In this world, Martial Artists spent most of their time pursuing Martial Arts and engaging in constant Cultivation. But sometimes, they also needed to relax. The path of Martial Arts was, after all, tedious and long. While pursuing it, it wasn’t a bad idea to occasionally stop and appreciate the scenery.

”Brother Ning, let’s go look over there.”

Chu Xiu’Er said. Ning Jiang nodded. Just as he lifted his foot, a voice stopped him.

”Are you Ning Jiang from the Hidden Dragon List?”

Before them stood an ordinary-looking young man in black robes, gazing at Ning Jiang with an excited expression.

”That’s right! Brother Ning is the one on the Hidden Dragon List,” Chu Xiu’Er quickly and proudly interjected.

”To make it onto the Hidden Dragon List at such a young age is truly enviable,” the black-robed youth praised, his eyes filled with admiration for Ning Jiang.

Ning Jiang’s gaze, however, was completely indifferent.

”The Meteor King said that once I made it onto the Hidden Dragon List, people might come to kill me,” Ning Jiang said, shaking his head. ”I just didn’t think it would be this soon.”

SHIIING!

The moment the words left his mouth, a cold light flared instantly.

A short sword appeared in the black-robed youth’s hand, striking toward Ning Jiang’s heart like a bolt of lightning.

The strike was sudden and without warning. Even an Earth Martial Realm expert would have fallen on the spot.

Yet Ning Jiang’s expression remained unchanged, as if he had anticipated the youth’s attack all along. He flicked a finger, striking the edge of the short sword.

CLANG.

With a loud noise, the black-robed youth’s expression changed drastically. He felt an immense Power transmit through the blade, making it impossible for him to keep his grip on the sword.

He retreated several steps in a row before he could finally negate the force.

”Who are you?” Only then did Chu Xiu’Er, who was standing beside him, finally react, her small face turning pale.

The attack just now had been too fast. Who would have thought that a seemingly friendly person would suddenly attack Ning Jiang? And with a fatal blow, no less.

In that split second, how many people could have possibly defended against such a strike?

The black-robed youth ignored Chu Xiu’Er. His gaze was fixed coldly on Ning Jiang as he asked, ”How did you know? I’ve taken part in many assassinations and have long since learned to hide my killing intent. It’s impossible that I gave off any just now. How did you know?”

He couldn’t understand how Ning Jiang had sensed it. He was confident that he had shown no flaws.

”You’re right, you showed no killing intent,” Ning Jiang said calmly. ”But you were too tense. Your muscles were taut, constantly ready to strike. That was your mistake.”

”I see.” The black-robed youth gave a cold smile. ”As expected of someone on the Hidden Dragon List. You’re a tricky one. Since you’ve found me out, I’ll let you go this time. But I’ll leave you with this: no matter how careful you are, there’s always a slip-up. Prey that we’ve targeted can never escape death!”

As he spoke, the black-robed youth retreated rapidly, like a shadow.

”Since you’re here, don’t even think about leaving.” Ning Jiang took a step forward.

’He fell for it!’

A cunning glint flashed in the black-robed youth’s eyes. Suddenly, a black shadow appeared behind Ning Jiang, launching a vicious strike at his back.