Chapter 64: Mutual Destruction

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A black boot crushed a branch underfoot as Xiu Nan sprinted forward, his shoulder-length hair whipping wildly. His speed was astonishing, darting through the woods with the swiftness of lightning, nimbly avoiding every obstacle. This was thanks to the power attributes the Cangmu Vulture had shared with him; each enhancement not only boosted his strength, but also brought subtle improvements to his other abilities. The focus, however, remained on strength, with the other gains arising as a hidden byproduct of his growing physical power.

Whoosh! The two men burst from the trees almost simultaneously.

A herd of wild boars drinking by the brook was so startled, they nearly tumbled in, squealing and scattering in panic.

Sunlight streamed through the forest, gleaming off Tie Yang’s skin with a silvery metallic sheen. He glanced sideways at Xiu Nan, surprised that the other could keep pace. In his metallized state, Tie Yang’s muscles were reinforced, making his running speed formidable.

And yet, Xiu Nan was right beside him…

On his side, Xiu Nan sensed Tie Yang’s gaze and returned it with a cold, impassive look. Though both were being hunted, they remained enemies.

He couldn’t rule out the possibility that Tie Yang might turn on him with a punch at any moment.

They raced along the stream’s edge, each sizing the other up, maintaining a strange and uneasy balance.

Shouts and cries of pursuit echoed from behind.

At once, they picked out a narrow, hardened patch of mud where the stream was at its thinnest, intending to leap across and evade their pursuers.

Xiu Nan’s muscles tensed, power surging from his soles to thighs and waist in an instant. Just as he was about to launch himself, a piercing sound split the air from his left.

A pale shadow shot toward him!

Xiu Nan swung his fist, channeling the full strength of his upper body into his arm, focusing everything into a single point.

His right arm lashed out like a black whip.

With the assassin’s complete ability package, he was a master of both martial arts and lethal strikes. A top-tier assassin’s skills meant Xiu Nan’s fighting prowess was elite.

He could mobilize his entire body’s muscle power, concentrating it into a single, deadly blow to any vital spot.

Smack! A large and a small fist collided.

His sleeve slapped against his arm with a sharp crack. Sweat sprang from his palm on impact.

“Oh?” Tie Yang, the attacker, sounded surprised.

He arched his spine, the muscles along his shoulder blades bulging like armor. His massive arms swung like battering rams.

Xiu Nan closed the distance with a quick step, one hand braced defensively at his side, the other thrusting forward to strike at a vulnerable point.

Tie Yang’s fist hammered against his forearm with a resonant thud that nearly fractured the bone.

Gritting his teeth against the searing pain, Xiu Nan slid his foot and threw another punch. Tie Yang’s eyes flashed with disdain; he hardly considered such an attack a threat. Not even a bullet could pierce his defense.

So Tie Yang swung his arm back, muscles swelling as he drove his fist down like a piledriver.

It was as if he meant to drive Xiu Nan into the ground like a stake—one blow to the head could cave in his skull or make it explode on the spot.

A shrill bird cry suddenly pierced the air. Boom!

Tie Yang’s powerful body was sent flying, spinning through the air like a cannonball. He crashed to the ground, gouging a deep furrow in the earth.

He coughed up blood and staggered to his feet.

A massive claw mark, nearly shattering his ribcage, was gouged deep into his chest.

He hacked and coughed, eyes wide with disbelief as he looked up. Xiu Nan stood bathed in sunlight.

A colossal gray-white claw emerged from Xiu Nan’s side, droplets of blood still clinging to it. Then, inch by inch, a giant Cangmu Vulture extended from his back, spreading its fierce, ashen wings and taking flight.

The bird stood a full two meters tall!

“You’re a Rune Master? Then why didn’t you use your sigils on the plane?” Tie Yang clutched his wound, the silvery light on his body intensifying.

“What a dull question. I have no interest in answering. Besides, weren’t you just about to attack me? Go ahead!” No sooner had Xiu Nan spoken than the towering Cangmu Vulture beside him fixed its gaze on Tie Yang, its eyes pale and merciless.

It looked ready to turn him to ash at any moment.

“Heh.” Tie Yang let out a cold laugh. His muscles continued to swell, stretching his skin taut. Inch by inch, his entire form grew taller and more imposing.

His aura was undiminished.

As the tension peaked, another birdcall sounded from the distant sky. The two men locked eyes.

In a flash, Tie Yang dashed to the stream and vaulted across, leaving two deep craters in the earth.

Xiu Nan grabbed the vulture’s claw with one hand. The bird’s vast wings flared, and in an instant, he glided across.

Their shadows disappeared into the woods once more.

“Why are you following me?”

“This is my route. You’re the one following me!”

“Get lost!” “Wanna fight?”

Boom! Bang! Thud! Whoosh! Crack! After a fierce exchange, four or five thick tree trunks lay shattered, the ground in chaos, scarred by their battle.

Claw marks, fist marks, footprints, and traces of blood marred the earth.

The native warriors gave chase. The one-eyed youth in the lead crouched, scanning the tracks, and said to another behind him, “Looks like they’re not working together…”

“Where are these two planning to run? It seems we’re drawing closer to the forbidden grounds…” The one-eyed youth swept his gaze over the group and waved his right hand. “After them!”

In the forest, massive, twisted trees spread their canopies wide. Below, mossy boulders tangled with roots and wild grass lay haphazardly, sprawled in all directions.

Golden sunlight slanted through the leaves, shifting across the forest floor with the wind.

A black figure was flung through the air, crashing onto a mossy stone and tumbling wretchedly to the ground.

Xiu Nan rose, trembling, his arms—used for defense—burning with pain as if struck by a locomotive.

With shaking hands, he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

A small, silver-skinned giant charged from the woods, roaring, “You really do have a special talent for taking a beating. I hit you with five full-force punches and still couldn’t smash you to death…”

“Hmph, you’re not bad yourself,” Xiu Nan narrowed his eyes.

A massive shadow loomed over Tie Yang. Razor-sharp talons struck his back with a sound like clashing metal, and a spray of blood burst forth.

Tie Yang staggered violently, his back crisscrossed with dozens of fresh wounds, each one dripping blood.

The Cangmu Vulture, Bai Mu, dove down and landed obediently beside Xiu Nan, spreading its enormous wings to shield him, its pale, piercing eyes fixed unblinkingly on Tie Yang.