Ye Cangtian sized up the man in black. Judging by his aura, he was a peak Earth-level expert, not someone insignificant.
"Since you're here as a guest, why hide your face? State your name!" Ye Cangtian said with a playful tone.
"Heh, you are not worthy of seeing my true appearance."
The man in black sneered dismissively and then spoke, "However, I can let you know who killed you. Remember, my codename is Hei Yu!"
"Hei Yu?"
"The Wing of the Dark Association? Interesting?"
Upon hearing the codename, a mocking smile flickered across Ye Cangtian's face.
Despite his outward demeanor, Ye Cangtian's brow furrowed inwardly.
He had underestimated the traitors of the Hidden Group. After so many years, they were no longer individuals but had formed a force.
Furthermore, this force seemed to be no weaker than the Hidden Group, possibly even stronger…
"That's right, everything you said is correct. I serve the Dark Association!"
"But it's too late for you to know, even if you do!"
Hei Yu's eyes were filled with a playful yet sinister glint.
In his opinion, from the moment he appeared, Ye Cangtian was already a dead man. Therefore, admitting his identity was inconsequential, as Ye Cangtian would be unable to reveal it.
"Heh, you mean to say that knowing too much will get you killed?"
"Hei Yu, you're quite confident, but you alone are not enough!"
"If your master were to come, perhaps there would be a chance!"
Ye Cangtian glanced at him, unfazed by the man's gaze, and spoke mockingly.
Hm?
His words startled Hei Yu.
Let alone the person behind him, even he himself had been extremely secretive in these matters, leaving no trace.
Yet, this person immediately knew there was someone else behind him, suggesting he had already uncovered something.
With this thought, Hei Yu let out a sinister smile and said, "Ye Cangtian, you indeed know a lot. And you're right, knowing too much means death! Not only will you die, but everyone around you will die too!"
Hei Yu knew very well that to completely safeguard their secrets and sever all clues, killing one person was not enough.
Who knew if this person had let anything slip in casual conversations?
"Heh, you're quite ruthless."
"But the moment you uttered those words, you crossed my bottom line. Today, you are as good as dead!"
Ye Cangtian's gaze turned ice-cold. The people around him were his absolute limits, and Hei Yu had now crossed them, sealing his own doom.
"Hmph! Stop acting tough in front of me!"
"Let me see what you're made of today!"
Hei Yu snorted and drew his long, dark sword, charging at Ye Cangtian.
His eyes flashed with a vicious yet excited light.
He had heard many rumors about Ye Cangtian and had long wanted to spar with him.
If he could slay this rising star, it would not only be a great achievement but also a testament to his own capabilities.
"Hmph!"
Seeing the incoming attack, Ye Cangtian snorted, his hand trembled, and an ice crystal dagger appeared in his palm. He then met the charge.
However, after only a few exchanges, Ye Cangtian's expression subtly darkened.
Hei Yu's attack speed had suddenly increased dramatically. Caught off guard by this sudden burst, the long sword thrust directly towards his chest.
Fortunately, Ye Cangtian's sensory abilities were incredibly sharp, making him sensitive to such changes in speed.
Upon realizing the situation, Ye Cangtian sneered, instantly retracted the dagger he had thrust out, and then drove it downwards with force.
*Pfft!*
In the next instant, Ye Cangtian's dagger accurately pierced Hei Yu's arm, while Hei Yu's long sword narrowly missed Ye Cangtian's chest.
Having missed his mark, Hei Yu did not linger. Enduring the searing pain, he retreated rapidly for over ten meters before stopping.
"Your strength is not late-stage Earth-level!"
Hei Yu looked at Ye Cangtian, a frown on his face.
Under the circumstances just now, with his sudden burst of speed, not even a late-stage Earth-level cultivator, let alone a peak Earth-level one, could have dodged.
Ye Cangtian had managed it, which could only mean he had been hiding his true strength.
His real power must be terrifyingly strong!
"I never said I was late-stage Earth-level!"
"Besides, I have no reason to tell you, and you've been hiding your strength as well."
"Your true strength is definitely not peak Earth-level. You should be between the first or second level of Quasi-Heaven-level."
Ye Cangtian glanced at him and said calmly.
A trace of aura that leaked out when the opponent's speed surged had allowed him to perceive Hei Yu's true strength.
"So what if I am?"
"Now that you've discovered my true strength, do you plan to resist?"
"Lay down your weapons. I promise you a swift death."
Hei Yu's expression flickered slightly after his strength was exposed, but he spoke with unwavering confidence.
He knew Ye Cangtian was hiding his strength, but in his view, no matter what, Ye Cangtian's cultivation could not surpass his.
It was simple: how long had it been since Ye Cangtian broke through to the Earth-level? How could he have leaped to become a Quasi-Heaven-level expert?
As for Ye Cangtian dodging his attack just now, he could only attribute it to sheer luck.
"Heh, you're still so confident even after being injured. That's remarkable!"
"But in front of me, your confidence is utterly laughable!"
"To expect me to surrender and await death is a joke!"
Ye Cangtian sneered. He had no intention of wasting more words and slowly walked towards Hei Yu.
His words seemed to serve as a reminder to Hei Yu.
Hei Yu glanced at the wound on his arm, his gaze shifting.
The fact that Ye Cangtian was still approaching with such confidence, even after knowing he was a Quasi-Heaven-level expert, forced Hei Yu to reconsider.
Could it be that Ye Cangtian wasn't bluffing, and his strength truly surpassed his own?
With this thought, Hei Yu waved his hand and commanded, "What are you waiting for? Kill him with me!"
"Yes!"
The ten individuals surrounding them responded in unison. The first to act were two Quasi-Earth-level experts, with the remaining eight following closely behind.
*Pfft! Pfft!*
In the next instant, Ye Cangtian's figure flickered, and a streak of ice crystal flashed.
The two Quasi-Earth-level experts immediately clutched their necks, collapsing in a pool of blood.
Witnessing this scene, the remaining eight were filled with terror, their charge slowing noticeably.
Meanwhile, Ye Cangtian showed no mercy. His figure flickered again.
He moved like a phantom, weaving through the eight men. With flashes of sword light, drops of blood bloomed one by one at their necks.
In mere tens of seconds, all ten attackers were dead.
Seeing this, Hei Yu's gaze grew even more somber. He had planned to cooperate with his subordinates to kill Ye Cangtian.
However, Ye Cangtian had acted too swiftly. Before he could find a suitable opening, he had already eliminated all his subordinates, leaving him in a highly disadvantageous position.
These subordinates were too weak to be of any help, and they hadn't even managed to test Ye Cangtian's true strength.
"Ye Cangtian, the green hills remain, the flowing water continues. I shall spare you for now!"
"We will settle this next time!"
Finally, after a moment of hesitation, Hei Yu gave up. He was not confident!
This time, he had underestimated Ye Cangtian's strength and had fallen into a passive position.
Moreover, he was unsure of the opponent's true capabilities. Continuing the fight might put him at a disadvantage.
Therefore, it was better to retreat for now. Once he had investigated Ye Cangtian's true strength and prepared accordingly, killing him later would not be too late!
With that, Hei Yu swiftly flashed towards the exit of the side courtyard.
"Since you're here, why the hurry to leave?"
"Besides, do you think this is any place for you? To come and go as you please?"
Watching the fleeing figure, Ye Cangtian sneered, and simultaneously, his own figure shot out in pursuit.
*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh…*
Sensing Ye Cangtian's movement, Hei Yu did not hesitate. He flung his hand backward, sending over a dozen daggers flying!
Not good!
Sensing the incoming daggers, Ye Cangtian quickly raised his hand to block them, but in the next moment, he cursed himself inwardly.