Above the sky, thick, lead-gray clouds hung heavily, like a giant wet cloth, as if they could be wrung out at any moment.
Outside Anshan Academy, there was a commercial street on the road directly opposite the main gate.
All sorts of snacks and milk tea shops were available, neon lights flickered, and a constant stream of people came and went.
At this moment, by a window near the second floor, a young man wearing headphones and white clothes ordered a cup of milk tea and sat there, seemingly playing a game.
However, his gaze occasionally swept towards the entrance of Anshan Academy.
“Skinny Monkey, how’s it going? Any movement?”
A steady male voice came through the headphones.
“Damn it, the opponent is so sneaky, just hiding in the bushes and not coming out.”
The man named Skinny Monkey cursed, seemingly complaining about behavior in the game, but actually referring to the mission target.
And in his heart, he was full of exasperation.
This guy must be a turtle; for a whole month, the target hadn’t even stepped half a foot out of Anshan Academy.
As for why they didn’t sneak in and kill him?
If they had that kind of ability, why would they be assassins?
“Otherwise, let’s just give up on this one. We’ve been here too long; once the opponent’s teammates discover us, we’re finished.”
Hearing Skinny Monkey’s words, the other side fell silent for a moment.
If Skinny Monkey could understand this logic, how could he not?
The longer they stayed, the easier it would be for the Snake Heart Gate to notice them.
However, he truly couldn’t bear to give up the generous mission reward.
“Hmm, that’s it!”
Suddenly.
Just in this brief moment.
Skinny Monkey habitually glanced over.
He actually saw a figure walk out from the entrance of Anshan Academy.
Although they were far apart, he recognized this person at a glance; it was the target they had been monitoring for nearly a month.
It was no exaggeration to say that he was so familiar with this person’s appearance that he could recognize them even if they turned to ash.
“The opponent is dead.”
Skinny Monkey said, turning off his phone.
Then he picked up the milk tea on the table and got up from his seat.
On the other side, upon hearing Skinny Monkey utter the code phrase.
The original bearded man’s expression froze, and he quickly began to act.
…
After leaving, Hu Qi went to the bus stop, waited for a while, and then got directly onto a bus.
Sitting by the window, he watched the constantly receding scenery.
Suddenly, his expression shifted.
Through the reflection in the glass, he looked at a gray van three car lengths behind the bus.
This car was following him.
With Snake Form Stake Cultivated to the ninth level, reaching Qi Blood Three Transformations Perfection, and boosted by the Inner Energy blood sphere within his body.
Hu Qi’s five senses became increasingly acute, even to an incredible degree.
He could sense that if nothing unexpected happened, this group of people was coming for him.
“Interesting, who is it?”
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Is it that Xie Guang, or someone else?”
He thought this, but his face showed no hint of abnormality.
With his current strength, unless a true Martial Artist made a move, he had nothing to fear at all.
“Perfect, I can use this to verify my own strength.”
Thinking of this, a dangerous glint appeared in his eyes.
…
“Stick close, don’t lose him.”
Inside the car, Xiaoya spoke in a low voice.
Her gaze was fixed on the distant bus, her eyes radiating a fervent glow, as if it were a mountain of gold waiting for her to claim.
“Don’t worry, he won’t get away. Get your weapons ready.”
The bearded man driving said indifferently.
His face was stern, with sharp features and a taut jaw, revealing a sense of determination and resolve.
“After we finish this job, we’ll leave here immediately and never come back!”
Hearing this, the woman and Skinny Monkey, who was sitting beside her, both nodded with serious expressions.
At the same time, the two of them began to check the pistols they carried, loading bullets.
Facing a student from that place, the few of them dared not be careless in the slightest.
They had encountered someone from that kind of place before.
The incredible physique that person displayed was simply inhuman.
However, that person still died under gunfire in the end.
Adding this mission target, according to the information they had found, he had only just joined two months ago. In such a short time.
No matter how much of a Prodigy the opponent was, how strong could he be?
The combination of these two factors was why they dared to make a move on Hu Qi.
…
Ten minutes later, the bus stopped at the entrance of an exhibition center.
At this moment, the entrance was bustling and lively.
Crowds surged like a tide, and the colorful costumes and styles were dazzling.
Cosplayers in elaborate anime costumes gathered in groups of three or five, some holding carefully crafted props, striking cool poses, attracting the attention and flashlights of those around them.
After Hu Qi got off the bus, his figure blurred and he disappeared into the crowd.
Seeing this, the three pulled the car over, stopped it, and quickly got out.
“According to the previous plan, Skinny Monkey, you wait here to support us. Xiaoya, let’s go.”
The bearded man said in a low voice.
With that, he quickened his pace and walked forward.
The woman named Xiaoya followed closely behind.
Seeing this, Skinny Monkey said nothing and went directly to the driver’s seat and sat down.
Among the three, he had the weakest combat power, and his marksmanship was not accurate. His only strengths were driving skills and computer skills, so it was reasonable for him to be left behind.
He started the car and sat in it, waiting quietly.
Plop!
A drop of rain fell from the sky, making a small, dark mark on the dry ground.
Almost simultaneously, rain poured down, and large raindrops violently hit the ground, splashing up water.
The street instantly turned into a rushing river, with rainwater carrying leaves and debris flowing rapidly.
The crowd that had been at the entrance couldn’t help but start running towards the exhibition center to take shelter from the rain.
The bearded man and Xiaoya pretended to be visitors, bought tickets at the entrance, and then walked inside.
Rain lashed against the windows, forming winding streaks of water, but this did not affect the enthusiastic atmosphere inside.
Inside the exhibition center, lights shone brightly, illuminating every corner.
Swordsmen holding long swords.
Mages wearing black robes.
Girls with beast ears…
All kinds of characters were present.
As their gaze swept across these faces, the heavy makeup and varied costumes were dazzling.
The bearded man looked around, his face showing curiosity, appearing no different from an ordinary cosplayer enthusiast.
However, both of their right hands were in their pockets, gripping pistols with the safety off.
Xiaoya, beside him, was also doing the same.
But ten minutes passed, and they still found nothing.
She thought for a moment and suggested in a low voice:
“Boss, there are too many people here. Should we split up and search?”
The bearded man frowned slightly, just about to say something.
At this moment, a girl wearing a black robe and a pink wig walked by.
The girl’s face had delicate makeup, and she was very cute.
Judging by her attire, she seemed to be a witch from some anime.
Beside her, someone was holding a camera, wanting to take a photo with her.
The two only glanced at this person before shifting their gaze.
Their attention was focused on the tall men.
Just as the three crossed paths.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a fierce gust of wind arose.
The girl with the delicate face actually took a single step to appear in front of the two of them.
From beneath her black robe, a thick arm extended, directly grabbing at the faces of the two.
“Not good!”
The two’s expressions changed drastically. They immediately rolled on the ground, pulled out their pistols, and started shooting.
Bang!
Gunshots suddenly rang out.
The figure in front of them suddenly lowered, dodging their shots.
At the same time.
‘Crack’ a bone-shattering sound, making one’s teeth ache, exploded.
Xiaoya only felt her vision go black, then saw a figure approach her, and then her throat was struck by a punch.
Her body was hit hard, flying several meters and landing on the ground.
Her neck was twisted into a strange, bent position.
She struggled and twitched a few times, then stopped moving.