Chapter Twenty-Five: A Millionfold

He possessed a defiant intellect and formidable spirit, allowing Jiang Ming to secretly learn a new martial art with every exchange. His footwork was exquisite, leaving behind afterimages as he darted among his attackers. Each strike seemed slow, yet with every blow, someone died.

Raising his brow, Jiang Ming sensed a slender sword appear behind him—so thin as to be almost invisible, and so fast it was nearly undetectable. Silent as a shadow.

"An assassin of the Innate Realm!"

He understood instantly. Spinning around, he flicked the sword aside with his fingers and turned to face his attacker. His arm moved like a serpent, tracking the enemy, and he grasped the assassin's wrist, channeling his true energy into the opponent. In a single twist, he gained insight; with a shake, he shattered the assassin’s energy, then struck their chest, sending the body flying. Before it hit the ground, life had already fled.

In the next moment, Jiang Ming’s hands danced, leaving countless afterimages, as if a thousand hands appeared at once, a current of compassion flowing through his movements. This display made Xiao Yingcheng, who had not yet moved, feel his heart tighten, as though gripped by an invisible force—his breath came short.

"A gold-ranked assassin from Blood Shadow Tower, killed in one blow!"

"That’s the Thousand Buddha Hands from Great Forest Monastery!"

"A master’s realm—he has mastered several peerless techniques, and his senses are extremely keen."

He analyzed relentlessly.

Elsewhere, Bai Yunfei and his companions stood together, watching the siege, blood boiling with the urge to join. Yet Jiang Ming’s methods left them utterly stunned.

"Thousand Buddha Hands, Dragon Claw, Flower-Picking Fingers, Diamond Finger—all exclusive skills of Wise Sword. How does he know them? Did he learn them before, or did he master them in these exchanges?"

"Surely before. Even Master Zhang in battle could not steal another’s supreme techniques. He’s no longer human—he’s a legend."

"Look! The Gale-Splitting Palm—that’s the Sea Clan’s secret art, never taught outside; and just now, that kick, like an axe splitting the earth, that’s clearly the Diamond Axe Leg, Ming Clan’s exclusive skill, also never shared."

"Sea Clan and Ming Clan’s experts recently visited Mount City—weren’t they killed near Baiyun Village days ago?"

"No way!"

"If our guess is right, then—then—my heavens, it’s inconceivable, unbelievable, indescribable!"

"You’ve missed one thing—his age!"

"This…"

A brief analysis left Bai Yunfei and the others dumbfounded. But soon they discovered something even more terrifying.

"Someone, terrified by the killings, tried to escape. Yet Commander Jiang seemed to anticipate it, shifting instantly to slay them."

"He intends to slaughter them all himself? Won’t let anyone flee?"

"Is he really so bloodthirsty?"

"He said it before: ‘Enemy, regardless of right or wrong, good or evil, status—only life or death!’ Ruthless, absolute, chilling. Such temperament is terrifying."

"Most frightening, every kill is a single move. Whether Innate or below, there’s almost no exception—too strong, too merciless."

"And another thing—the Xiao Clan's people are lurking on the periphery, waiting for their chance."

"Xiao Clan, ha, what a scheme. One hundred thousand taels of silver, and so many mercenaries."

"Do you think Commander Jiang will survive?"

The question silenced them all.

The attackers were not the Xiao Clan’s main force. Their true power had not yet moved, and everyone knew they had two master-level experts, several innate, a family among the elite of the realm—perhaps even secret forces.

And within the city, there was also the Liang Clan.

No matter how strong Jiang Ming was, could he withstand them?

Moreover, they realized the Xiao Clan was deliberately exhausting Jiang Ming’s strength—even a grandmaster might perish after such attrition.

"He should strike directly at Xiao Yingcheng," Bai Yunfei whispered.

He Qianshan and several others nodded silently.

Attrition?

A faint curve flickered at Jiang Ming’s lips.

Their words reached his ears; even amid the battle’s heart, he could hear their whispers clearly.

"What I fear least is exhaustion!"

Even combining all these people's energy seas, they might not match the size of his own. One foot compared to ten yards—seemingly a hundredfold difference. Yet that’s just surface; if one considers volume, the disparity is a millionfold.

He had cultivated the Dragon Elephant Overlord Body to the fifth stage. With a few mental secret arts he’d deduced, Jiang Ming truly did not fear being besieged.

"No escape!"

Suddenly, more than ten hidden weapons flew at him from all sides. Jiang Ming judged instantly.

He did not dodge.

Clang, clang, clang!

Golden light flashed on his body, repelling all the hidden weapons.

This was the Golden Bell Shield.

He had mastered it.

Even without using it, his protective energy was formidable—ordinary hidden weapons could not kill him.

Corpses piled ever higher.

Those watching were seized with fear.

Xiao Yingcheng harbored endless hatred, but at this moment, he was utterly calm—and deeply afraid. "Second Uncle, he’s too strong. Among masters, he’s likely at the very pinnacle. Facing such a siege, he continues effortlessly—his breathing hasn’t even faltered. What should we do?"

"The safest way—wear him down."

"Exhaust him!"

Xiao Yuanhai’s face was grim.

"But this will greatly deplete the family’s strength."

"So what! As long as our elite power remains, the Xiao Clan is still the Xiao Clan. Ordinary forces can be exhausted—there’s little effect, and they can be replaced at any time. Ordinary? They’re expendable. As clan head, you should know this!"

"Second Uncle, I am enlightened!"

"Prepare the second wave! Jiang Ming must die—even if the King of Heaven himself arrives!"

Jiang Ming’s eyes and ears were alert in all directions, his mental force surrounding him, every movement within reach of his perception.

"Second wave?"

"Is there a third?"

"Interesting!"

His skill gave him courage, leaving him unconcerned. At the same time, he divided his attention to contemplate martial arts.

"Before the master’s realm, ultimately, all fist, foot, and weapon techniques revolve around the use of true energy, creating myriad strange methods or amplifying power."

"The dantian is the root, true energy the function, thus various internal arts arise. Different circulations produce different effects."

"Twelve main meridians, eight extraordinary vessels, branching streams and minor offshoots."

"Different techniques create conflict, respond to true energy flows, even generating unique attributes—eventually hard to reconcile."

"Could I create a method that encompasses all rivers?"

His thoughts spread; meanwhile, pleas for mercy echoed around him.

"Commander Jiang, I yield, I yield! I’ll never again attack Baiyun Village or you—please spare my life!"

"Stop, stop! I’m a disciple of the Free Gate. If you kill me, you’ll be an enemy of our sect!"

They were terrified by the slaughter.

They wished to flee but could not, forced to beg shamelessly.

Jiang Ming remained unmoved—every move was lethal.

Suddenly, the area fell silent.

Everyone who had attacked him lay dead.

Xiao Yingcheng and his followers stood at a distance. Jiang Ming arched his brow, raised his arm, and shouted fiercely, "Kill!"