Chapter 252: You Are Not Worthy!
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Qu Yuanen and the others exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with fear. They were assassins who showed no regard for human life, but when it came to their own lives, they cherished them greatly.
Chen Fei’s sudden act of violence, without any hesitation, made him appear just as ruthless as they were. They knew it was a show of force, but it had effectively intimidated them; they didn’t want to die.
“Can we go free once we’ve said our piece?” someone asked in a hushed tone.
“Perhaps,” Chen Fei replied after a moment.
Perhaps?
Qu Yuanen and the others felt a shiver down their spines. This answer was too ambiguous, almost like not saying anything at all. Whether they would survive this ordeal or not would ultimately depend on Chen Fei’s mood.
However, for now, they chose to remain defiant, refusing to speak. But they didn’t have the courage to do otherwise.
“Somebody down at Rain Pavilion assigned a task, requesting that Miss Ruan never return to Qinhai City. The price offered was very high, which is why this operation was initiated, and everyone involved in this operation is here,” Qu Yuanen stubbornly explained.
Despite the fact that normally, such matters were kept confidential, known only to the assassins who accepted the missions. However, it was clear that these were not normal circumstances.
When one’s life was hanging by a thread, one’s own rules and codes didn’t hold much weight.
“Is the pay so substantial that even with Aperture Tempering realm cultivators involved, Rain Pavilion is still proceeding with this task?”
Chen Fei asked with interest. It seemed that the Ruan family was putting everything on the line for this.
“Yes, even with Aperture Tempering realm cultivators involved, the mission will continue because the target is Miss Ruan, not the Aperture Tempering realm cultivators,” Qu Yuanen explained.
Chen Fei’s expression subtly changed, and he nodded. The target of the mission remained Ruan Qiaojun, and even with Aperture Tempering realm cultivators protecting her, it was still simpler to take a life than to protect one.
Killing wasn’t limited to direct confrontations; if they had known beforehand that Chen Fei was a Aperture Tempering realm cultivator, the ambush wouldn’t have played out the way it did. They would have opted for alternative assassination methods.
Unfortunately, they had only now realized that Chen Fei was an Aperture Tempering realm cultivator. The information asymmetry had turned their ambush into a farce and had trapped everyone involved in this mission here.
Ruan Qiaojun, standing on the side, listened to Qu Yuanen’s words with a desolate expression. Even with Aperture Tempering realm protectors, they still intended to carry out the assassination. They were all part of the same family, so why were they so heartless?
Chu Lan sensed Ruan Qiaojun’s dejection and stood closely by her side, while Chu Wenye sighed softly. This was the reality of powerful families; when it came to interests, so-called family bonds often couldn’t prevent them from taking action.
“Chirp, chirp!”
A bird’s cry echoed, and a flying creature circled in the sky continuously.
Chen Fei looked up, and in the next moment, as if being dragged by some unseen force, the flying creature began to descend. No matter how it struggled, it couldn’t prevent its descent.
“There’s new information coming in,” Qu Yuanen quickly said, fearing any misunderstanding. He knew that if Chen Fei became displeased, they might lose their lives before they could even explain.
Chen Fei nodded, and Qu Yuanen hurriedly approached, taking the piece of paper from beneath the bird’s feet. This bird was part of his flock and was used for exchanging messages with Rain Pavilion.
Qu Yuanen quickly glanced at the information on the paper and then unfolded it, displaying it for Chen Fei to see. Chen Fei glanced at it, and it was all in code, with no specific decryption method; no message was discernible.
“The Pavilion has received a message speculating on your possible three identities based on the information they obtained: Roaming cultivator Xiaobo, Immortal Cloud True Transmission Disciple Nie Chuanshan, and Chen Fei, Chief of Primordial Sword Sect True transmission Peak,” Qu Yuanen said, not wanting to keep Chen Fei in the dark.
Chen Fei’s eyes flickered slightly.
Rain Pavilion was indeed a veteran assassin organization; they had quickly narrowed down his identity to a certain range.
Roaming cultivator Xiaobo was unfamiliar to Chen Fei, but judging by the name, it seemed to be a renowned wandering cultivator. Immortal Cloud True Transmission disciple Nie Chuanshan, on the other hand, was someone Chen Fei knew; he had met him once at the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect.
In terms of age and appearance, both Chen Fei and this Xiaobo seemed somewhat similar. They had likely both appeared in Apricot Fen City recently.
“Furthermore, it says on here…”
Qu Yuanen was about to continue explaining the content on the paper when he suddenly saw that Chen Fei had turned his gaze forward, his demeanor changing from casual to serious.
“Your spiritual awareness is sharp! Let me guess, roaming cultivator Xiaobo, although it’s widely rumored that he can break through to the Aperture Tempering realm within five years, Aperture Tempering realm breakthroughs are exceedingly difficult for wandering cultivators, and Xiaobo wouldn’t risk it until the last moment,” a figure strolled out leisurely, not paying any attention to Chen Fei’s early detection.
Instead, he continued his speech, “Nie Chuanshan, although listed among the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect’s True Transmission disciples, holds a relatively low rank, and breaking through would still take several years.”
Dai Fangxuan slowly approached, stopping about ten meters away from Chen Fei.
“But Chief of Primordial Sword Sect Transmission Peak, Chen Fei, tied for second in the Immortal Cloud True Transmission rankings, with unlimited potential, and has suddenly disappeared from the Primordial Sword Sect. It seems that he has successfully broken through,” Dai Fangxuan’s face revealed a hint of a smile.
“Chen Fei, am I right?”
“Rain Pavilion?”
Chen Fei looked at Dai Fangxuan, his Aperture Tempering realm aura clearly evident. Dai Fangxuan hadn’t bothered to conceal it.
The earlier statement that Chen Fei had noticed Dai Fangxuan was more of a formality. In reality, Dai Fangxuan had approached openly.
Dai Fangxuan’s actions conveyed a certain attitude: he didn’t care whether
Chen Fei had detected him or not because none of this would affect what he was about to do.
Such arrogance! But more than that, it was a severe underestimation of Chen Fei’s strength and an extreme confidence in his own abilities. In Dai Fangxuan’s eyes, although Chen Fei was an Aperture Tempering realm cultivator, he was just a newly advanced Aperture Tempering realm cultivator.
Going from the Visceral Tempering realm to the Aperture Tempering realm was indeed a significant leap in power, but that was only in comparison to the Visceral Tempering realm.
In the eyes of experienced Aperture Tempering realm cultivators like Dai Fangxuan, someone who had just broken through, was undoubtedly the weakest. They lacked spiritual weapons, their first Aperture might not even be fully charged, and they might not have fully mastered the Aperture Tempering realm techniques.
Without several years of refinement, a newly advanced Aperture Tempering realm cultivator could only suppress Body Tempering realm cultivators. Compared to their peers at the same Aperture Tempering realm stage, they were considered quite weak.
Even if Chen Fei was an internal martial artist of a sect, the same held true. Any veteran wandering cultivator pulled out at random would likely be much stronger than a newly advanced Aperture Tempering realm cultivator.
This was Dai Fangxuan’s confidence, built on his many years of experience in the martial world.
Upon seeing Dai Fangxuan’s appearance, Ruan Qiaojun and her two companions were all startled and instinctively took a few steps back, fearing that they might cause trouble for Chen Fei.
On the contrary, Qu Yuanen and the others were excited. They recognized Dai Fangxuan, a well-known Aperture Tempering realm assassin within Rain Pavilion, who had achieved Aperture Tempering realm status many years ago.
With Dai Fangxuan here, there was hope that they could all be rescued.
“I asked the question first, and you didn’t answer but instead asked me. Your behavior lacks courtesy,” Dai Fangxuan lightly chuckled, shaking his head as if somewhat disappointed in Chen Fei.
“You’re not worthy,” Chen Fei replied emotionlessly.
“Insolence!”
Dai Fangxuan’s expression changed slightly. He hadn’t expected Chen Fei to dare speak these words. An Aperture Tempering realm cultivator who had just broken through, did he think he was still in the Visceral Tempering realm, free to say whatever he pleased?
Dai Fangxuan had noticed the blade Chen Fei was holding, which was nothing more than a semi-spiritual weapon. Not even a full spiritual weapon. How could someone without a spiritual weapon dare to speak so arrogantly in his presence?
It seems I need to teach you a lesson on behalf of your sect – before your strength catches up, you should learn to be humble!”
Dai Fangxuan snorted coldly, and the blade in his hand moved. A strong gust of wind swept up, and in the next moment, he appeared right in front of Chen Fei, bringing the blade down towards Chen Fei’s head.
Profound Wind Technique! Dai Fangxuan’s primary Aperture Tempering realm cultivation technique. When fully mastered, it could open up seventy-four apertures, and Dai Fangxuan had been fortunate enough to obtain a complete Profound Wind Technique that he could continue to cultivate into the later stages of the Aperture Tempering realm.
Dai Fangxuan had been an Aperture Tempering realm cultivator for over a decade, with six Apertures opened. He wielded a spiritual weapon, and every move he made sent ferocious wind blades slicing through the air.
In the world of Aperture Tempering realm wandering cultivators, his strength was considered quite remarkable. However, Dai Fangxuan’s innate talent was rather ordinary; it took him two or three years to open each aperture.
With a straightforward cultivation path, he would never have reached the later stages of the Aperture Tempering realm in his lifetime. Consequently, a few years ago, Dai Fangxuan joined Rain Pavilion.
It wasn’t a matter of allegiance, but rather cooperation. Dai Fangxuan saw Rain Pavilion as a platform to obtain the resources he needed.
Dai Fangxuan’s presence here was due to a mission he had accepted – to assassinate Chen Fei.
Several months ago, someone had posted a mission at Rain Pavilion, offering a reward equivalent to assassinating an Aperture Tempering realm powerhouse. Clearly, whoever wanted Chen Fei dead had put a significant stake on the line.
After receiving the three possible identities that Rain Pavilion had deduced, Dai Fangxuan guessed that this location was highly likely to be where he could find Chen Fei. So he had come directly.
“Bang!”
With a muffled sound, a black tendril extended in front of Chen Fei, containing ten sword beads. When Dai Fangxuan’s strike shattered seven of them, they immediately reformed.
The Zhongyuan Force Formation unfolded beneath Chen Fei’s feet, enveloping Dai Fangxuan within it.
Unless the power significantly exceeded the formation’s strength, simply breaking the sword beads wouldn’t destroy the Zhongyuan Force Formation. This was the brilliance of the Zhongyuan Sword.
“Zhongyuan Sword? It seems I’ve chosen the right person!”
Sensing the sword formation enveloping him, Dai Fangxuan was surprised that Chen Fei had progressed so quickly in mastering the Zhongyuan Sword Technique. But he was even more excited to have identified the right target.
“Bang, bang, bang…”
Inside the formation, sword beads shot toward Dai Fangxuan one by one, but he effortlessly blocked them all.
Compared to the time when Chen Fei had killed Lu Zhichun, Dai Fangxuan might not be as powerful in his prime, but at this moment, he was uninjured and at his peak combat strength.
Back then, the sword beads had been able to force Lu Zhichun, who was covered in injuries, into a desperate situation. Now, they couldn’t even get close to Dai Fangxuan, let alone harm him.
“Primordial Sword Sect’s Zhongyuan Sword may be renowned, but its effectiveness depends on the person using it. Based on your current state, do you really think you can harm me?”
Dai Fangxuan began to approach Chen Fei step by step. Ten sword beads, barely visible to the naked eye, continuously attacked him, but Dai Fangxuan easily deflected each one. He even had no trouble stopping to speak, completely unfazed by the sword beads..