I Can Control Resources

To put it simply, some people are the burst-damage type. For example, Li Tiannan’s Ghost Thunder Art is a combat technique with immense destructive power. However, its weakness is also obvious: it requires time to build up energy.

Sword Elder, on the other hand, is the sustained-damage type. His Golden Light Sword can be cast instantly and is fiercely powerful, but dealing a fatal blow to an enemy is still quite difficult.

Different combat styles naturally lead to different roles on the battlefield.

Overall, however, both Li Tiannan and Sword Elder are direct, head-on fighters. In reality, a battlefield is ever-changing, so direct confrontation is far from the only method of combat.

From ancient times to the present, one profession has always existed.

It is called: assassin.

During the historical Pre-Qin Era, there was a famous assassin named Jing Ke.

And among the twenty Strongest, there was also an assassin.

However, this particular assassin had since walked out of the shadows and into the light, becoming the current Saintess of the Bright Sect—the master of Yi Qinglian.

But just because she walked into the light didn’t mean everyone would.

For example, Luna, who hailed from the same school as her, had always remained in the shadows.

She, Luna!

Was not just an Alchemist.

She was also a preeminent assassin.

According to rumor, Luna had assassinated more people than she had refined pills in her Alchemy.

That was why Luna had always been extremely confident.

An assassin has a hundred ways to kill someone. Likewise, they also have a hundred ways to stop others from killing.

Luna stood on high ground.

But her Spiritual Power was firmly locked onto Gao Neng.

She wasn’t locking onto Gao Neng’s body, but rather the unique energy signature that distinguished him from others. This was an ability possessed by a top-tier assassin.

She could spot her target in a vast crowd with a single glance.

Super impressive!

It was simply impossible for her "prey" to escape.

But now, as Luna watched Gao Neng carry Fang Tangtang and suddenly dive underground, her eyes went blank with confusion.

’His energy signature... is gone?!’ Luna’s eyes nearly popped out of her head.

This phenomenon could only mean one of two things: either the target had moved beyond the range of her Spiritual Power, or the target was dead.

But right now, neither possibility seemed to hold true.

Gao Neng was definitely within her Spiritual Power’s range—after all, she wasn’t blind—and he most certainly wasn’t dead...

’What’s going on?!’ Luna had been in the assassination business for decades and had never encountered something so bizarre.

’The target vanished right under my nose?’

’Am I seeing ghosts in broad daylight?!’

Luna couldn’t believe it, but it was the truth. This was getting awkward...

Gao Neng had only been out of the Underground City for less than two hours.

And she’d already lost him?

’Stopping under these circumstances... He’s either taking a piss or circling back for a surprise attack!’ Luna performed a serious psychological analysis and quickly came to a conclusion.

’Nine times out of ten, Gao Neng is sneaking back to the Daoist Sect.’

’I can’t believe he knows how to hide his presence. He has the makings of a top-tier assassin... No, I have to follow him and see for myself!’ With that thought, Luna vanished from the spot.

...

The Sect Leader of the Daoist Sect was known as Master Zhang.

However, his eldest son’s surname wasn’t Zhang...

The reason was that "Master Zhang" was actually a title, not a real name.

Master Zhang’s son’s surname was Ma, and his name was Ma Sanqian.

It was meant to signify the "Three Thousand Great Daos."

Ma Sanqian was not young; at fifty-three, he was moving from middle age into his later years.

Although cultivators at the Tier Six Late Stage no longer had to worry about things like osteoporosis, his recovery speed was still a bit slower than a younger person’s.

「One month ago.」

Ma Sanqian had been beaten to a pulp by Shen Ning’Er.

Three of his ribs were broken, he was shot in the leg, and his face was beaten into a swollen mess. To be honest, it was a truly miserable sight.

But Ma Sanqian had not admitted defeat.

He hadn’t uttered a single curse word, even up to the moment he was knocked unconscious.

Because he was the eldest son of the Daoist Sect’s Sect Leader. Even though he could no longer inherit the title of Master Zhang like his father, he still possessed the mindset of the Daoist Sect.

His state of mind was peaceful.

Without anger or resentment.

Without sorrow or joy.

’If I get beaten, I can’t blame my opponent. I can only blame my own lack of strength.’

’Besides, dueling with an expert is a form of training. I may have been stuck at the Tier Six Late Stage for many years, but what if I break through one day?’

’The opportunity is there!’

’I must hold fast to my convictions.’

As Ma Sanqian was thinking this, he decided to "add a dish" to his training today.

After more than twenty days of recovery, he had been able to get out of bed a week ago. So, he decided to add an extra hour to his planned training regimen for the day.

The wind on the back mountain was strong.

On this cold winter day, the ground was tinged white with frost.

But Ma Sanqian was not afraid in the slightest.

He stood in the gale wearing only thin clothes, his mouth constantly opening and closing as he drank the northwest wind... Oh, wait, no, as he practiced his breathing exercises.

"HUFF!"

"PUFF!"

"HUFF AGAIN!"

"PUFF AGAIN!"

"..."

Gradually, Ma Sanqian entered a state of spiritual harmony.

He felt a gentle warmth spreading through his body, completely impervious to the surrounding cold. He was not just a wintersweet branch in the wind; he was one that would surely release its fragrance into the gale.

He was very happy.

His mood was exceptionally good.

But Ma Sanqian didn’t start singing, because he was focusing his mind on cultivation.

However, just as he felt he was about to enter a "state of selflessness," he suddenly felt a light tap on his shoulder.

’Is that a falling leaf?’

’A leaf, carried by the cold wind, has landed on my shoulder.’

’Just like my bygone youth...’

Ma Sanqian composed a poem in his heart. He thought he must have achieved selflessness, because he could even perceive the faint touch of a leaf landing on his shoulder.

’If so, can the sound of water and the song of the wind be far behind?’

Just as he was thinking this, his shoulder was tapped again.

"Huh?!" Ma Sanqian was abruptly jolted from his state. ’Wait, someone is definitely tapping my shoulder. But this is the back mountain of the Daoist Sect, a private area.’

And more importantly, when he cultivated, his Spiritual Power was released outwards. He hadn’t sensed any energy approaching him at all.

No energy meant no people.

So, who could be tapping his shoulder at a time like this?

’Could it be... I’m seeing a ghost in broad daylight?’

Ma Sanqian’s thoughts raced like lightning. He instantly opened his eyes and glanced back.

And then, he saw two ghostly faces.

They were truly two ghostly faces—or rather, two faces so ferocious they looked like ghosts, sending an inexplicable chill down one’s spine in the dead of winter.

"Hey, you’re Ma Sanqian, right? I’m here to challenge you!" Standing behind Ma Sanqian were, of course, Gao Neng and Fang Tangtang.

However, to ensure a successful sneak attack...

...Gao Neng and Fang Tangtang were both wearing scary-looking ghost masks. But where were they?

This was the Daoist Sect!

The son of the Daoist Sect’s Sect Leader definitely wouldn’t believe in ghosts!

Gao Neng felt that the two ghost masks were no big deal.

But the reality was...

Ma Sanqian’s face instantly turned green.

No energy!

No presence!

You suddenly turn around and see two ghostly faces.

What would you think?

"G-ghosts!!!" Ma Sanqian yelled. Just as expected, he attacked, striking with his palm toward the female ghost behind him.

Because, in his heart, female ghosts were often more terrifying than male ones.

"Whoa, he really does attack the moment you ambush him!" Gao Neng didn’t quite hear what Ma Sanqian shouted. All he knew was that the moment he announced his challenge, the other party attacked.

’The efficiency is truly astonishing.’

Since his opponent had already made a move, there was no need for him to be polite anymore.

CLANG!

The black longsword left its sheath.

This slash from Gao Neng could be said to be his strongest since entering the Underground City.

The blade struck!

The entire world seemed to be shrouded in lightning.