Chapter 48: Since We’re Here, There’s No Reason to Turn Back!

There is a magnetic field that exists among masters. The four third-tier experts from the Eagle League who had accompanied Xiang Nan, upon seeing that Heaven’s Cripple and Earth’s Deficiency were rare opponents of great skill, feared that Xiang Nan might suffer a loss and immediately stepped in front of him.

“Young Master, let us take the vanguard!”

Xiang Nan had no objection. That brief exchange just now, though he had managed to fend off the sonic blade, had left his tiger’s mouth numb, which was proof enough of the opponent’s formidable power.

He had yet to witness the true prowess of the third-tier experts within the Eagle League; this was a good opportunity to assess his own men. Besides, each person had a Reviving Grass in their mouth—if the worst came to pass, they’d still have another life.

A faint smile played at the corner of Xiang Nan’s lips as he retreated beside Su Yao.

At this moment, Xu Jiya was already tending to Su Yao’s wounds. In just a short while, she would recover.

“Brother Xiang Nan, it was these two blind men who hurt my father! Their cultivation is unfathomable, at least third-tier nine-star!” Xu Jiya warned softly.

A third-tier nine-star martial artist was undoubtedly a master among masters, even capable of slaying ordinary fourth-tier cultivators.

As with each stage, the extent to which a third-tier martial artist could advance depended on the rank of the ancestor to whom they regressed. For those who regressed to third-tier five-star, once they reached that level, they could then begin their fourth regression and acquire fourth-tier abilities.

However, in terms of martial foundation, they were not as solid as those who regressed to six stars or above within the same tier. This was why people preferred to solidify their foundation at each stage, even if it meant a longer wait to enter the next regression. A firm foundation, slow accumulation, and a sudden breakthrough—this was the true principle.

Haste makes waste—this was no idle saying.

But that was only true for ordinary circumstances.

For someone like Xiang Nan, blessed by the system, his cultivation advanced a thousand miles in a single day.

“Xiaoya, Su Yao, don’t worry. Today, the Eagle League will not let this vendetta go unavenged!”

After all, the Eagle League was an old power in the capital. If they did not reclaim their honor, how could they continue to operate here?

As the newly appointed Young Master of the Eagle League, if he did not set a new precedent, how could his brothers follow him?

[Ding! The host’s decisiveness and leadership have matched the temperament of Zhang Sanfeng. Compatibility increased by 5%.]

Xiang Nan was delighted—it happened again.

At the beginning of a new stage, the system would always find ways to grant compatibility points.

Over the past period, every time he cultivated and triggered a new skill, he’d gain a 2% compatibility reward for each. At present, his compatibility had reached 21%.

He had entered second-tier, two-star.

Xiang Nan felt as if a gentle breeze brushed his face; his physique, cultivation method, state of mind, and understanding of Taiji had all broken through once again.

At that very moment, Brother Chen, who stood loftily at the entrance of the second-floor corridor, was joined by several more third-tier experts, each with a menacing look, eager for battle.

The four third-tier experts of the Eagle League, confident and unafraid, roared and brought out their signature techniques as they charged forward.

Instantly, fireballs, ice arrows, wind blades, sonic waves—abilities and weapons of every sort tangled together. The sounds of metal clashing, thunderous explosions—it was all there.

The Eagle League had four experts, while the Hatchet Gang had dispatched at least six, including Heaven’s Cripple and Earth’s Deficiency. Not only did they have the numerical advantage, but they were also fighting on home ground, bolstered by the terrifying power of their two top fighters.

Very quickly, one by one, the four Eagle League experts fell to the ground, gravely injured.

But in the next instant, they miraculously recovered, internal injuries vanished, external wounds healed, and they were instantly revived.

“What the hell! Impossible—he took my ice arrow, he should be dead!”

“My explosive fireball clearly took him out!”

“No one has ever survived our combined demonic sound attack!”

The Hatchet Gang’s experts were all dumbfounded.

What is this, respawn armor?

Brother Chen had expected to wipe out the Eagle League’s experts, but after all that, they were unscathed. Was all their effort just tickling them?

The way they’d been beaten a moment ago didn’t look like it had been a light touch!

Humiliated and enraged!

He had to be furious!

“You little bastards, don’t think your little tricks can stand against the Hatchet Gang! None of you are leaving here alive today!”

The next moment, several heavy-gunners suddenly appeared on the surrounding high platforms, each wielding a heavy machine gun with a caliber of at least 20 millimeters.

“Damn! That’s some serious firepower!” Su Yao sprang to her feet—her wounds had completely healed.

“Brother Nan, the Hatchet Gang actually has so much illegal ordnance stashed away. Should we retreat for now?” Wu Liang, though not highly cultivated, was always at Xiang Nan’s side, guarding him.

Hoarding military weapons was a serious crime in the Nine Provinces. The Eagle League dominated with cold weapons and would never dare to be so blatant.

“We’ve come this far—there’s no turning back!” Xiang Nan drew another Reviving Grass from the system and handed it to Wu Liang. “Distribute these. Today, the Hatchet Gang is going down!”

Before he finished speaking, Su Yao flicked a hidden mechanism at her fingertip and soared into the air.

At the same time, she scattered a handful of silver beads, each one flying toward the gunners.

“What are you waiting for? Fire!”

Brother Chen roared. The machine gunners squeezed their triggers.

Purple flames burst everywhere, the roar of gunfire filled the air.

Meanwhile, several gunners fell dead, struck by Su Yao’s silver beads.

Xiang Nan swept up Xu Jiya and darted through the hall, his longsword flickering like a silver serpent—only the whistle of slicing wind could be heard, not a single other sound.

In less than half a breath, a line of bullets was caught on his sword. With a surge of inner energy, he flicked the blade sideways.

The bullets shot back with a speed no less than that of the machine guns.

Boom—boom—boom—boom—

Another row of gunners fell dead on the spot.

While Xiang Nan protected her, Xu Jiya was not idle either; she had already unleashed her concealed weapons, silver needles raining down like a storm, felling countless foes.

The lower-level disciples like Wu Liang did their best to protect themselves.

Amidst the hail of bullets, several were hit, but thanks to the Reviving Grass, none lost their lives.

In the chaos, the Hatchet Gang’s third-tier experts began to target Xiang Nan. But the resurrected Eagle League experts leapt forward, fighting desperately to shield him.

“Don’t worry about me! Take out the machine gunners first!” Xiang Nan shouted, his sword emitting a dragon’s cry.

“Taixuan Divine Art!”

With a single slash, it was as if a tidal wave surged forth. A powerful sword aura and shockwave forced four third-tier experts to retreat.

Without pause, Xiang Nan unleashed a horizontal slash into the void.

The four retreating third-tier experts were struck by the sword aura, sent flying dozens of meters, crashing heavily into the already crumbling walls.

Blood spurted from their mouths in unison!

The crowd was stunned by the spectacle!

The Hatchet Gang disciples who’d thought of taking advantage of the chaos to strike now cowered, not daring to advance.

By now, the machine gunners had all been eliminated—their guns destroyed, their lives lost.