The Blood Shadow Hall leader did not move.
His eyes stayed fixed on the young woman.
Then…
He laughed.
“So you’re from one of the great sects.” The young woman said nothing.
She simply held her sword.
The cold air around her became even stronger.
The leader slowly raised his own sword.
“I don’t care who you are.” “Our mission comes first.” He pointed at Lin Tian.
“Hand him over.” “I’ll pretend I never saw you.” The young woman shook her head.
“No.” One simple word.
But it carried complete confidence.
The leader’s face darkened.
“Then don’t blame us.” He suddenly waved his hand.
More black-robed cultivators appeared from behind the trees.
One…
Three…
Five…
Eight…
Ten assassins surrounded the cave.
Lin Tian’s heart sank.
“There are so many…” The old man’s voice echoed in his mind.
“Stay calm.” “This is your first real battle.” “You don’t need to defeat them.” “You only need to survive.” The leader smiled coldly.
“Kill the boy.” “As for the girl…” “We’ll deal with her together.” The assassins rushed forward.
The young woman moved first.
Whoosh!
Her blue robe fluttered in the wind.
Her silver sword flashed.
A wave of icy Spiritual Qi swept across the ground.
Crack!
Ice spread beneath the assassins’ feet.
Several of them lost their balance.
Before they could recover— Slash!
Two swords were knocked from their hands.
Bang!
Another assassin was kicked backward into a tree.
Lin Tian watched in amazement.
“So fast…” The old man chuckled.
“Watch carefully.” “A battle is also a lesson.” Just then— One assassin slipped past the young woman.
He charged straight toward Lin Tian.
His sword cut through the air.
Lin Tian’s eyes widened.
Instinct took over.
He stepped to the side.
The blade barely missed his shoulder.
The assassin smirked.
“Lucky.” He attacked again.
This time…
Lin Tian remembered everything his master had taught him.
Stay calm.
Observe.
Move.
He lowered his body.
The sword passed over his head.
At the same time…
Lin Tian swung his own sword.
Clang!
The two blades collided.
The impact forced him backward.
His arms went numb.
The assassin laughed.
“So weak.” Lin Tian didn’t answer.
He tightened his grip.
He wasn’t stronger.
He wasn’t faster.
But he refused to give up.
The assassin attacked a third time.
Lin Tian sidestepped.
Then kicked the man’s knee.
The assassin stumbled.
It was only for a second.
But it was enough.
Lin Tian swung with all his strength.
Clang!
The assassin’s sword flew out of his hand.
His eyes widened.
“My weapon!” Bang!
Lin Tian punched him in the chest.
The assassin crashed onto the ground.
He quickly stood up again.
But this time…
He looked at Lin Tian differently.
“This kid…” “He improved during the fight.” The old man laughed proudly.
“The Heaven-Forbidden Root.” “It learns through battle.” Lin Tian was breathing heavily.
His arms hurt.
His legs felt weak.
But a small smile appeared on his face.
He had survived.
He had actually fought a cultivator.
Not far away— The young woman had already defeated five assassins.
The remaining members of the Blood Shadow Hall slowly stepped back.
Fear appeared in their eyes.
The leader clenched his fists.
He looked at the girl.
Then at Lin Tian.
Finally…
He spoke through gritted teeth.
“This isn’t over.” “The Blood Shadow Hall never forgets.” “We’ll meet again.” He raised his hand.
“Retreat!” Within seconds…
The assassins disappeared into the forest.
Silence returned to the mountain.
Lin Tian let out a long breath.
“They’re gone…” The young woman slowly sheathed her sword.
“For now.” She looked toward the dark forest.
Her expression remained serious.
“They’ll come back.” “And next time…” “They won’t come alone.”