The inn was silent.
Only the occasional chirping of insects broke the stillness of the night.
Moonlight seeped through the clouds, casting pale silver across the tiled rooftops.
The masked assassin crouched motionless above Lin Yuan's room.
His breathing was so faint it was almost nonexistent.
This was the patience of a hunter.
He waited.
Inside, Lin Yuan sat cross-legged on the bed.
The black chain within his dantian revolved slowly, drawing in strands of heaven and earth qi. Ever since obtaining the inheritance, his cultivation speed had increased dramatically.
Yet tonight...
His heart refused to calm.
An inexplicable sense of danger lingered in his chest.
Just then, the First Chain trembled.
A cold sensation surged through his meridians.
His eyes snapped open.
Someone was outside.
Almost at the same moment—
The window burst inward.
Bang!
Splinters flew through the room as a crimson dagger shot straight toward Lin Yuan's throat.
Lin Yuan reacted on instinct.
He threw himself sideways.
The blade sliced through the pillow where his head had been only an instant earlier.
"You dodged?"
The assassin's cold voice carried a hint of surprise.
Without hesitation, he lunged again.
His movements were ghostlike, each step silent, every strike aimed at a vital point.
Lin Yuan drew his iron sword.
Clang!
Sparks erupted as sword and dagger collided.
The impact numbed his entire arm.
This enemy was far stronger than the bandits he had faced before.
The assassin twisted his wrist, sending three hidden needles flashing toward Lin Yuan's chest.
Lin Yuan twisted his body barely managing to turn his body.
Two needles missed.
The third grazed his shoulder.
He grimace as a burning pain spread immediately through the wound .
Poison!
The assassin smiled beneath his mask.
"You won't survive until dawn."
Before he could press the attack—
A teacup flew through the wall.
Boom!
The tiny cup exploded with tremendous force, forcing the assassin backward, crashing through the broken window onto the roof.
Gu Chen stepped calmly through the doorway.
He hadn't kicked it open.
The wooden door had simply swung inward on its own.
His expression was no longer lazy.
His eyes were as cold as winter.
"So."
"You finally showed yourself."
The assassin narrowed his eyes.
"You knew I was here?"
Gu Chen chuckled.
"You've been following us since Black Crow Mountain."
"I merely wished to see who sent you."
The assassin's pupils sharply contracted.
He couldn't believe anyone in this little place could see through his hiding technique. He had hidden his aura perfectly.
How had this old man discovered him?
Without another word, the assassin tossed a black pellet to the ground.
Boom!
Thick smoke engulfed the rooftop.
When it cleared...
He was gone.
Gu Chen made no attempt to chase him.
Instead, he returned to Lin Yuan's room.
The poison had already spread through the young man's shoulder.
Lin Yuan's breathing grew heavier.
Gu Chen sighed.
"You still lack experience."
He placed two fingers on the wound.
A gentle stream of spiritual qi flowed into Lin Yuan's body.
Black blood seeped from the cut and dripped onto the floor, hissing as it touched the wooden planks.
Within moments, the burning sensation faded.
Lin Yuan looked at the old man.
"Who was he?"
Gu Chen remained silent for a while before answering.
"Someone from an organization that should have stayed buried."
He glanced toward the shattered window.
"They've found your trail much sooner than I expected."
Lin Yuan tightened his grip on his sword.
"They're after the inheritance aren't they?."
"Not just the inheritance."
Gu Chen's voice was grave.
"They're after the Nine Chains themselves."
Lin Yuan's heart skipped a beat.
"The Nine Chains?"
Gu Chen nodded slowly.
"The chain you possess is only one of nine supreme inheritances."
Lin Yuan eyes widened immediately,he hadn't told anyone about the chains yet.The old man just looked straight at him then continued
"When all nine are gathered..."
He paused, as though weighing whether to continue.
"...they can shake the very foundations of heaven."
Lin Yuan's eyes widened further his heart beating widely now not knowing if this was a blessing or a course
Outside, thunder rumbled across the night sky.
Rain began to fall.
Gu Chen looked toward the distant mountains.
"We leave before sunrise."
"The road to Azure Cloud Sect has just become far more dangerous."
Far away, atop a lonely cliff, the masked assassin knelt before a woman clad in crimson robes.
Her face was hidden behind a veil, but her presence alone made the surrounding air feel heavy.
"You failed."
The assassin lowered his head.
"The old man protecting him is stronger than expected."
The woman looked toward the horizon where the first light of dawn would soon appear.
"It doesn't matter."
"If one assassin cannot kill him..."
"...send ten."
"If ten cannot..."
"...send an army."
"No one who inherits a Chain is allowed to live."