Chapter 393: A Glimpse of Xu Yan's Tactics

Chapter 393: A Glimpse of Xu Yan's Tactics

"Where did Xu Yan go? Why can't we find any trace of him? Could he have just vanished into thin air?" The masked assassin from the Xia Clan asked in a deep voice.

"Keep searching! We must find him!" The assassin added, gritting his teeth. "I refuse to believe that with our network, we still can't locate him!"

As their plan reached its most critical stage, success hung on this final step. Yet, Xu Yan, the pawn in their game, had disappeared without a trace.

This was intolerable.

"Which force is hiding Xu Yan's whereabouts?" Wan Tianlin asked coldly.

"Unknown!"

"Utilize all our resources. We must find him, or how can the Wan family maintain our reputation?" Wan Tianlin's killing intent was palpable, and he continued, "Investigate the source of those rumors. Perhaps we can find some clues there!"

"Yes, young master!"

The Wan family was also in action, mobilizing their full strength to locate Xu Yan.

Aside from the Xia Clan and the Wan family, several other True King Heavenly Venerates were equally perplexed as to Xu Yan's whereabouts. They had searched almost every corner of Da Gai Mountain to no avail. Without finding him, how could they lure him into the Wu Mo Cave in Qian Die Mountain?

What troubled them even more was that while they couldn't find Xu Yan, the Wan family mistakenly believed that they were the power backing Xu Yan. This had led to some conflicts.

It was unwise to clash with the Wan family on their own turf, so they quickly backed down, making it clear that they, too, were only there to search for Xu Yan's traces.

The two parties even exchanged messages, agreeing to notify each other if they found any clues about Xu Yan's whereabouts.

Xu Yan, ignorant of these external developments, focused solely on cultivating the Heaven's Will Divine God.

"Finally, I've succeeded!" Xu Yan's face lit up with a smile as a radiant light appeared between his eyebrows, resembling an eye. Above this eye hovered a force akin to the will of heaven itself.

"The Small Eye of the Heavenly Dao, when combined with the Heaven's Will Divine God, has a higher success rate and can more easily immobilize an enemy's divine sense," Xu Yan thought excitedly.

"With this divine ability, I can accomplish a lot of things." As the light between his eyebrows faded, Xu Yan raised his palm, and in its center, a vast power akin to the will of heaven swirled. It gave off an overwhelming, irresistible feeling.

"It's time to leave seclusion." Having mastered the divine ability, Xu Yan was now ready to continue gathering the treasures he needed and building a solid foundation for his upcoming breakthrough.

"Wan Tianlin, are you ready? I'm about to give you a little shock." Xu Yan wore a smile of anticipation.

Even if Wan Tianlin backed down, Xu Yan wouldn't let him off easily. Since he dared to send people to assassinate Xu Yan, he should be prepared to face the consequences.

With a thought, the mountains and rivers vanished, and the formation disappeared.

Xu Yan waved his hand, erasing all traces and auras, and in the next step, he disappeared from his original location.

"Da Gai Mountain is the territory of the Wan family. Let's find a major city of the Wan family and gather some information about their situation and Wan Tianlin."

"If he's currently in seclusion, comprehending a cultivation technique, I'll have to wait to strike. But I need to be well-prepared."

Wan Tianlin was the pride of the Wan family, and wherever he secluded himself, the defenses were always tight. Ordinary members of the Wan family couldn't get close.

"I'll choose a target and test out the Heaven's Will Divine God." Xu Yan decided to head to one of the Wan family's large cities and select a suitable target to control and send a message to Wan Tianlin.

As Xu Yan traveled through Da Gai Mountain, he headed in a specific direction toward one of the Wan family's major cities.

Shen Kui was a member of the Di Ying, the hidden part of the Xia Clan, and he was embedded within the Wan family. Among the Wan family, he was quite close to the core guard unit.

This time, he had received orders from Di Ying to find and assassinate Xu Yan, thereby cementing the Wan family's role in the attempt on Xu Yan's life.

Although assassinating Xu Yan was extremely dangerous, as he was only in the early stages of the True King Heavenly Venerable realm, Shen Kui considered it an honor to contribute to Di Ying.

If he survived, his status within Di Ying would be elevated, and he might even have a chance to join the core guard unit of the Wan family.

He could even be granted the surname 'Wan,' truly becoming an integral part of the Wan family, or perhaps even one of their death warriors.

Thus, Shen Kui searched for Xu Yan with great enthusiasm, motivated both by his loyalty to Di Ying and his desire to impress the Wan family.

Even if he ultimately failed to find Xu Yan, his efforts might still earn him a place in the core guard unit.

Shen Kui had no way of knowing if there were other Di Ying members within the Wan family besides himself. Each Di Ying member operated independently, their true identities and even appearances unknown to each other.

Di Ying was responsible for infiltration, biding their time, and stirring up conflicts, while Tian Sha, the other part of the Xia Clan, was the dominant force that led and possessed the true formidable strength.

Shen Kui had no idea how many Tian Sha or Di Ying members there were in the organization, as his position within Di Ying, though not at the very bottom, was not high enough to be privy to such information.

"Is that... Xu Yan?" Suddenly, Shen Kui spotted a young man ahead, and his heart raced as he recognized the person they had been desperately seeking.

"My opportunity has arrived!" Shen Kui moved, his aura becoming faint as his figure seemed to be enveloped by a layer of shadows, blending seamlessly into the surrounding darkness. This was a Di Ying technique for stealth and ambush.

Xu Yan was powerful, and those who had tried to assassinate him in the past had never returned.

Shen Kui, only at the early stage of the True King Heavenly Venerable realm, knew he stood no chance in a direct confrontation. Thus, he chose the path of stealth and ambush.

"If I can injure Xu Yan and escape unscathed..." Shen Kui's excitement grew.

As members of Di Ying were adept at infiltration, they naturally also excelled at ambushes and escape. This gave Shen Kui the confidence that he could successfully carry out the assassination and get away safely.

"Here I come!" Shen Kui's heart pounded with a mix of excitement and tension.

Even with his stealth techniques, facing a powerful opponent like Xu Yan meant that he would inevitably be discovered if he got too close.

He had to maintain a precise distance—close enough to launch a sudden attack before Xu Yan could react, yet far enough that his presence remained undetected until the last moment.

Mastering this delicate balance was a crucial skill for every Di Ying member and the first thing they needed to learn.

Shen Kui considered himself highly skilled in this regard, thanks not only to his training in Di Ying but also to the additional guidance he had received from the Wan family. He had employed these tactics while carrying out missions for the Wan family, gaining valuable experience.

"Just three more zhang, and I'll make my move!" Shen Kui's heart raced with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

"This guy from the Wan family has some skills. His stealth technique is quite impressive!" Xu Yan had already detected Shen Kui's presence.

In terms of stealth and infiltration, Xu Yan believed that few could match him. Shen Kui, a mere early True King Heavenly Venerable, thought his stealth techniques were extraordinary, but they were nothing to Xu Yan's eyes, especially now that he had cultivated the Small Eye of the Heavenly Dao.

Even without that divine ability, Di Ying's infiltration techniques were insignificant to Xu Yan.

"Just three more zhang, and I'll make my move!" Shen Kui's heart raced with anticipation and nervousness.

"This guy from the Wan family has some skills. His stealth technique is impressive!" Xu Yan had already detected Shen Kui's presence. Xu Yan, confident in his own stealth and infiltration abilities, knew that Shen Kui's early True King Heavenly Venerable level techniques were no match for his eyes, especially now that he had cultivated the Small Eye of the Heavenly Dao.

Xu Yan stepped forward, leaving behind a divine avatar to confuse Shen Kui. In the next moment, he silently appeared behind Shen Kui.

"Not good!" Shen Kui's heart sank as he felt a sense of impending doom. As a warrior, his survival instincts kicked in.

"It's time to give Wan Tianlin a shock." Xu Yan's eyes gleamed with anticipation. He knew that Wan Tianlin was behind the assassination attempts, and he intended to use their own pawn against them.

Before Shen Kui could react, Xu Yan unleashed his power. Invisible mountains and rivers enveloped Shen Kui, immobilizing him instantly. Xu Yan's palm, glowing with a faint light, pressed against Shen Kui's head, imbued with the overwhelming might of heaven's will.

Shen Kui's soul, consciousness, and intellect froze. He was unable to resist or escape the overwhelming sense of facing the inexorable will of heaven. His consciousness was in a state of confusion, unsure of his own state of being.

"Go back and assassinate the one who sent you to kill me!" Xu Yan's will descended upon Shen Kui's soul, an irresistible force akin to the mandate of heaven itself. It was like a heavenly lock, securing him firmly.

"Go back and kill the one who ordered me!" Shen Kui's mind echoed with this overwhelming and unquestionable command.

"Yes, yes!" Shen Kui nodded, his entire being submitting to the will imposed upon him.

Xu Yan, confident in his newfound ability, anticipated the impact it would have on Wan Tianlin. To ensure success, he used his full power, aided by the Small Eye of the Heavenly Dao.

"Go now. Don't give him time to break free from the technique halfway," Xu Yan instructed, waving his hand. "Use your methods to gain their trust, get close, and then strike. Assassinate him!" Xu Yan's smile was sinister.

"Yes, I will definitely do it!" Shen Kui's attitude changed drastically. He became obedient and respectful, not daring to meet Xu Yan's eyes, as if afraid to face the heavenly will. Without another word, he hurried away, driven by the irresistible command.

Shen Kui's thoughts raced as he rushed back. "I must kill Tian Sha. It was Tian Sha who ordered me to assassinate Xu Yan, so I must kill Tian Sha." He quickly identified his target. Although the Wan family had also given him orders, as a member of Di Ying, his true allegiance was to the Tian Sha and Di Ying organization.

Since he was to assassinate the one who gave the order, his target was naturally the Tian Sha who had issued the command within the Tian Sha Di Ying.

"Wan Tianlin, this is just the beginning," Xu Yan said with a cold smile as he watched Shen Kui depart. "Shen Kui is the first, but he won't be the last."

"As my master said, a true warrior is not a brute. How could I, Xu Yan, act like a barbarian? These tactics are familiar to me, and the Wan family is strong. Let them witness my methods!" Xu Yan continued on his way to the city, his plans in motion.

Shen Kui, driven by the irresistible command, rushed back without rest. He headed straight for one of the Tian Sha Di Ying's secret bases, his heart heavy with the knowledge of his impending betrayal.

"Have I gone mad? Am I really going to kill Tian Sha?" Shen Kui's inner consciousness was somewhat lucid, and he knew that his actions were wrong. Yet, he was powerless to change the mandate imposed upon him, and he could only watch in anguish as he rushed toward the base.

As he neared the base, Shen Kui donned his mask. Despite his high level of cultivation, the frantic journey had left him slightly breathless.

"Where is Tian Sha?" Shen Kui rushed into the base, his voice urgent as if he had urgent news to report.

"Tian Sha is not here. What is the matter?" the base commander asked, his voice deep and stern.

"Quickly, notify Tian Sha to come here. I have a secret matter to report," Shen Kui said anxiously.

"Alright, wait here," the commander replied, intrigued by the secret matter that required Tian Sha's personal attention.

Within the Tian Sha Di Ying organization, there were strict rules. Matters that could only be reported to Tian Sha were not to be discussed with others. Additionally, there were clear distinctions between the levels of secrecy. Every member of Di Ying was well aware of these rules and would not report matters haphazardly.

Shen Kui waited anxiously, feigning urgency and the need to report to Tian Sha directly.

Half a period of time later, a figure wearing a fierce mask appeared. It was Tian Sha, and he asked Shen Kui, "Do you have a secret matter to report?"

"Yes, Tian Sha!" Shen Kui nodded solemnly.

As he spoke, he moved closer to Tian Sha, his expression grave. He glanced at the base commander beside him and appeared to be preparing to transmit his message through sound.

Tian Sha moved closer, expecting to hear about the Wan family...

Suddenly, a cold light flashed, and a sharp beam of light pierced Tian Sha's chest.

Tian Sha was stunned, and so was the base commander, who had been trying to stay out of the way.

Boom! Shen Kui's attack was the strongest of his life, and he had struck with all his might. The Tian Sha, completely unprepared and at such close range, had no chance to defend against the attack.

In the history of the Tian Sha Di Ying, there had never been a betrayal, and such an act of insubordination was unprecedented. Every member of Di Ying was loyal to the core, willing to die for the organization's goals without hesitation.

No one could have anticipated that someone would dare to strike from below.

"You!" Tian Sha roared in anger. However, Shen Kui's attack had already drained him of his strength, and his power burst forth.

Boom! The fierce mask Tian Sha's chest exploded, and despite being at the peak of the True King Heavenly Venerable realm, just one step away from the Immortal King realm, he was severely injured and on the brink of death.

Enraged and shocked, Tian Sha struck back with a palm, sending Shen Kui flying.

The base commander also took action. "How dare you betray the Tian Sha Di Ying?" he shouted, his voice filled with disbelief and fury. This was the first case of betrayal within the organization, and it was a member embedded within the Wan family. Did this mean that he had defected to the Wan family? Had the Tian Sha Di Ying's plans been exposed to the Wan family?

"Kill him!" Tian Sha ordered, his voice filled with rage as he clutched his wound and took a healing pill.

Shen Kui's heart trembled, and deep within his consciousness, he was lucid. He knew that he had betrayed the Tian Sha Di Ying, and despair filled his being.

Boom! The battle was brief. Shen Kui, having exhausted his strength in his initial attack, was unable to recover in time. The base commander was stronger than him, and Shen Kui could not hold out for long. In the end, he chose to end his own life rather than face the consequences of his betrayal.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end