Battle

The narrow street was shrouded in thick fog, and two figures, one black and one green, moved rapidly through the swirling mist. Each collision between the two produced a clash of metal and a gust of wind.

Initially, Ling Ying had approached the fight with a playful attitude, wanting to test Xiao Se's abilities. However, he soon realized that he far surpassed his opponent in both speed and strength. Yet, Xiao Se, with his incredible perception and deft swordsmanship, managed to deflect every attack.

"This kid's got something," Ling Ying thought. "I'll have to get serious." With this thought, he sheathed his blade and looked calmly at Xiao Se. "Kid, your soul perception is indeed outstanding, but it's not yet enough to lock onto my movements. You... seem to be able to see me."

"Do assassins these days like to talk so much?" Xiao Se shook his demonic sword and popped a Purple Fire Pill into his mouth, looking indifferent.

Indeed, with his fourth-rank alchemist's soul power, he couldn't see through Ling Ying's movements. But he had X-ray vision, which allowed him to see through any obstacle within his line of sight, including Ling Ying's fog and his own body. In other words, with X-ray vision fully activated, he could see every angle and direction of his body clearly.

"Very well, let me show you what an unavoidable attack looks like." Ignoring Xiao Se's question, Ling Ying bowed slightly, his hands reaching into his waist to grasp two half-long curved blades. A slight smile appeared on his lips as he murmured, "Don't die, okay?"

As he spoke, countless afterimages of himself appeared around Xiao Se, created by Ling Ying's high-speed movements. These could be considered both afterimages and actual entities, as they were formed by Ling Ying's rapid movements.

Seeing the countless Ling Yings rushing towards him, Xiao Se smirked and returned his demonic sword to his body. He quickly formed several strange hand seals.

"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"

As Xiao Se roared, a huge purple flame, like a sea of fire, erupted from his mouth, instantly engulfing the entire street.

This was the purple flame from the Purple Fire Pill, and under the amplification of Great Fire Annihilation, although its power had not changed, its range had reached an incredibly terrifying level.

"Whoa... what the hell is this? Can flames be used like this?" Ling Ying's eyes twitched as he created a dark shield in front of him to block the oncoming purple flames.

The next moment, the vast purple flames engulfed him.-

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Miteer Auction House, Top Floor

Ya Fei poured a cup of tea for Hai Bodong and smiled. "Elder Hai, Clan Head Teng Shan replied that the four herbs have been reserved for you. He's also doing his best to find the other missing herbs and will obtain them at any cost as soon as he has news."

"Thank you for your hard work," Hai Bodong replied, taking a sip of tea.

"Please don't mention it. You are the Supreme Elder of our Miteer family. This is something Ya Fei should do," Ya Fei replied gracefully, putting down the teapot.

From the moment Xiao Se addressed Hai Bodong as "old man," Ya Fei had been paying attention. After Hai Bodong finished writing his letter, she also wrote one, sending both together. It was through the reply that she learned that the old gentleman in front of her was the Ice Emperor who had disappeared from the Miteer family.

"Heh, little girl, no wonder that kid said you have a talent for business. Just this ability to recognize people is extremely rare, which is exactly what the Miteer family needs. And from my observations these past few days, this auction house branch is indeed managed very well by you. When that kid finishes his business and returns, you should come back to the Miteer Auction House headquarters with me. This small place is not worthy of your talents," Hai Bodong said with a light laugh.

"Thank you, Elder Hai," Ya Fei replied with a wry smile. It seemed that she had been helped by that little guy again without even realising it.

Suddenly, Hai Bodong's expression changed drastically. He put down his teacup and said, "That flame aura... it seems that little guy is in trouble." With that, Hai Bodong leapt through the window and flew towards the source of the flame aura.

Ya Fei was left standing there, confused.

On the other side, in the alley, Xiao Se looked at Ling Ying, who was unharmed, and couldn't help but smile wryly. The purple flame's power was still too small. Even with the amplification of Great Fire Annihilation, it only increased its range. It was fine against some miscellaneous soldiers, but against a true powerhouse, it was still not enough to break through their defenses.

"Kid, that's a good flame, but it's still too weak. Do you have any stronger techniques?" Looking at Xiao Se, who remained calm, Ling Ying's eyes flashed with admiration. Xiao Se's excellence had exceeded his expectations. Whether it was his combat ability, soul perception, or fire control techniques...

Xiao Se smiled lightly and nodded. "Of course I do. But I think even if I use them, I won't be able to defeat a Dou Huang-level powerhouse like you. And my reinforcements have arrived."

As soon as he finished speaking, Hai Bodong's familiar figure landed directly between Xiao Se and Ling Ying, the ground cracking into spiderweb-like fissures.

"Elder Hai, this peak battle is up to you," Xiao Se waved to Hai Bodong with a smile and jumped back onto the rooftop.

"Tsk, this kid is always saying strange things," Hai Bodong rolled his eyes at Xiao Se, condensed a long ice spear over two meters long in his hand, and looked at Ling Ying with a cold expression. "I don't know what grudge you have with this little brat, but if he dies here, I'll be very annoyed."

As he spoke, Hai Bodong fully demonstrated his passion for peak battles. Facing Ling Ying, who was six stars higher in rank, he charged forward without hesitation.

Ling Ying was equally unyielding, drawing his dark curved blades and disappearing into the fog.

The two clashed, and after only three rounds, they had a rough idea of each other's strength.

"So you're a Dou Huang." ×2

Both of them looked at each other with a hint of surprise and stopped their reckless attacks.

"Today, let's call it a draw. Kid, you're lucky," Ling Ying glanced at Xiao Se, sheathed his blades, and turned to leave.

As Ling Ying left, the fog that had enveloped the alley also dissipated.

"Little guy, how could you provoke such a person? Could it be that, like me, you were threatened by him in the past and came here for revenge?" Hai Bodong glared at Xiao Se, speechless.

"Hehe, I didn't offend him. I just discovered a Dou Huang was often monitoring me. I called you over just in case. I didn't expect you to beat him away with a few moves," Xiao Se laughed, flattering Hai Bodong.

"Cut it out. That guy's cultivation was higher than mine. If we had really fought, I might have suffered a great loss," Hai Bodong couldn't help but twitch his lips. He was already regretting getting involved with Xiao Se.

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