Chapter 365 - 228: Acting

Chapter 365: Chapter 228: Acting

In truth, the dispute between the two had started because of a hidden weapon called the Shadow Needle. It was the very weapon that had made Yin Crow famous, though it was unclear how it had ended up in the hands of a member of Dragon Gate.

Legend had it that the weapon was originally forged by a special organization. Yin Crow’s father had been the organization’s number one figure, and he had received it as a reward after distinguishing himself in a battle against the Martial God Hall.

Therefore, the Shadow Needle was no ordinary item. It was hardly inferior even to Li Longxuan’s blade. Especially when combined with Yin Crow’s unique sequence, the hidden weapon possessed extraordinary abilities.

This member of Dragon Gate had, through some unknown fortuitous encounter, come to possess the Shadow Needle. But it was hard to say whether he was lucky or unlucky. Since entering Desperate Gorge, the very first time he used the weapon, he ran straight into Li Ye. And so, Li Ye had chased him all the way here.

"Damn it!!!"

’This guy was clearly affected by my Dragon Gate’s Dragon-locking Pillar, so why is he still so strong? If this keeps up...’

Yi Changhao’s face was sallow. He felt it was becoming harder and harder to hold on. ’If this keeps up, I’m definitely going to die here!’

’But... but...’

’If I hand the Shadow Needle over to him, would Li Ye really give it back? He may look refined, but he’s a ruthless man who betrayed his own sect. What’s more, I just can’t bear to hand over such a treasure.’

’I’m getting old, and I’ve already failed to break through to the eighth rank three times. By all rights, I should never have another chance. But there’s an eighth-rank senior in Dragon Gate who happens to be interested in the Shadow Needle. If I give it to that senior, I might get a fourth chance to break through.’

Therefore, the Shadow Needle was more than just a weapon to him; it was Yi Changhao’s only chance to break through to the eighth rank.

’It was so close...’

’The chance to break through was right in front of my eyes.’

’But because of this Li Ye—just because of my terrible luck—is everything going to be destroyed?’

’I can’t accept this... I just can’t accept it!!!’

"Hahaha, I know what you’re up to! You just want to take it back to that little bitch, don’t you?! Well, if I can’t leave with it today, then you can forget about getting it either!"

A crazed look flashed across Yi Changhao’s face. He realized escape was nearly impossible, so he couldn’t let Li Ye get the weapon so easily. He then moved to crush the Shadow Needle on the spot.

The Shadow Needle was precious and incredibly durable. Even though Yi Changhao was at the seventh rank, he still needed a split second to destroy it. But in that same split second, Li Ye moved with lightning speed.

A blast of pale white Spiritual Qi erupted, striking Yi Changhao in the shoulder. A bloody, glaring hole appeared. At the same time, he felt his arm go completely numb, and the Shadow Needle fell from his grasp.

Below Desperate Gorge was an extremely turbulent river. Rocky cliffs were everywhere, and the current was violent. If the Shadow Needle fell into it, even if the weapon itself wasn’t damaged, it would be washed away to parts unknown.

The Shadow Needle, after all, was a hidden weapon; it was both thin and small. If it fell into the river, finding it would be incredibly difficult.

Since Li Ye could fell his opponent in a single blow, he naturally had a faster reaction. The moment the Shadow Needle began to fall, he shot his palm out toward it.

As his palm shot out, the spatial power of an eighth-rank cultivator surged forth. Like a powerful Gale, it caught the falling Shadow Needle and sent it flying upward.

Seeing the Shadow Needle fly up, Yi Changhao, who was still in agony, immediately realized his opportunity had arrived. He forcibly suppressed the pain in his shoulder and fled in the opposite direction.

’Li Ye has the Shadow Needle now. With my strength, it’s impossible to get it back from him. That being the case, I don’t need to worry about the Shadow Needle anymore. My only chance of survival is to flee in the opposite direction.’

However, just as Li Ye caught the Shadow Needle and Yi Changhao was about to escape the area, a young man wielding a Black Sword suddenly appeared.

"..."

He didn’t speak, only glanced at the two men. Li Ye didn’t feel particularly threatened. His own power was immense, and as long as Su Xing didn’t use his Shattered Sword, he posed no major threat. But...

Yi Changhao’s reaction was completely different. The moment Su Xing appeared, he felt as if he had encountered some ferocious beast. A primal pressure, stemming from the very source of his being, halted his escape for an instant.

"Greetings, Senior..."

When Yi Changhao saw Su Xing’s face, he first registered that the man was a stranger, but this was immediately followed by an indescribable fear. He realized that this time, he likely wouldn’t be able to escape.

Meanwhile, Li Ye, having retrieved the Shadow Needle, gave Su Xing a silent look, his eyes filled with an indescribable meaning. Then, he said quietly:

"Young friend, we’ll meet again."

With that, his figure turned into a Black Shadow and fled into the distance, disappearing from the area.

’He seems to know me?’

The strange thought suddenly surfaced in Su Xing’s mind. ’But then again,’ he mused, ’it’s reasonable that Li Ye would know who I am. After all, he seems to be on Yin Crow’s side. Since I’ve already shown up at the Cyan Cloud Sect, it’s not that surprising he recognizes me.’