Chapter 115: The Figure in the Black Robe

Chapter 115: The Robed Figure

Xu Tianming looked at Shen An, his eyes filled with terror. He realized that Shen An was certainly not merely approaching the Third Rank; in all likelihood, he was a genuine Third Rank master.

"You... could you be at the early stage of the Third Rank?" Xu Tianming stammered.

"Hmph. After all the evil you have committed, your life ends here. Any final words before you die?" Shen An stared at Xu Tianming, his eyes brimming with lethal intent.

"You cannot kill me! The master I serve is not someone you can afford to offend," Xu Tianming warned.

Shen An swung his black iron sword toward Xu Tianming without a hint of hesitation; one strike would be enough to claim his life. Xu Tianming panicked, knowing he could no longer evade the blow.

*Clang!*

The black iron sword was intercepted in mid-air by a projectile. Could it be that Xu Tianming truly had a powerful protector, and the master he spoke of had finally arrived?

"Show yourself. Why keep hiding in the shadows?" Shen An shifted his gaze toward the corner.

A figure clad in a black robe emerged from the shadows. The aura radiating from this person was immense—even Shen An felt a flicker of danger.

"So, you are the one behind Xu Tianming," Shen An said coldly.

"Since you have discovered my identity, there is no need for you to continue living. Prepare to die," the stranger replied.

Xu Tianming regained his composure. He had thought his death was certain, but the master he served had intervened just in time to save him.

"Master, you’ve finally arrived! If you hadn't, I would have perished at this man's hands. This is the Shen An I told you about. He is the one who has been sabotaging my plans. Please, Master, show him no mercy!" Xu Tianming said, his voice deep with malice. He intended to repay the humiliation Shen An had forced upon him tenfold.

The robed figure offered a faint smile, having already assessed that Shen An possessed strength nearing the Third Rank. As a master at the early stage of the Third Rank, he saw no threat in someone merely approaching that level.

"Impressive. To have reached the threshold of the Third Rank—it is no wonder Xu Tianming is no match for you," the robed man remarked.

Shen An sneered. Since he was actually at the middle stage of the Third Rank, it was clear that this robed figure wasn't as formidable as he seemed, failing even to discern Shen An's true cultivation level.

"Believe what you wish. But you will be the one losing your life at my hands very soon."

"Arrogant brat! This place shall be your grave. Anyone who knows of my existence must die, and you will be no exception," the robed man laughed coldly.

His aura surged, instantly escalating to the terrifying level of an early-stage Third Rank master. Xu Tianming watched in awe; no wonder his patron was so confident.

"The master is an early-stage Third Rank expert! That brat Shen An is finished," Xu Tianming thought, feeling a grim sense of satisfaction. He prayed for the robed man to kill Shen An quickly so he could finally have his revenge.

"Master, kill him! Avenge me!" Xu Tianming shouted.

The robed figure lunged at Shen An, his hand transforming into a claw that struck out with the ferocity of a dragon. Such an attack would be impossible for any Awakened below the Third Rank to withstand, yet Shen An easily deflected it with his black iron sword. It seemed this supposed Third Rank master was nothing special in Shen An's eyes.

The robed man’s expression shifted to shock. He had not expected Shen An’s strength to be so formidable.

"How is this possible? You are only approaching the Third Rank—how could an Awakened who hasn't reached the Third Rank see through my attack?" the robed man demanded.

His strike should have been impossible for anyone below the Third Rank to perceive. If Shen An could see through it, his strength must exceed the Second Rank. Even someone at the late stage of the Second Rank could not have done this. Could Shen An also be at the early stage of the Third Rank?

"It seems you are also an early-stage Third Rank Awakened. Heh, I truly underestimated you," the robed man said, staring at Shen An. He became serious, no longer treating Shen An with the same disdain as before.

Xu Tianming finally understood why he had been no match for Shen An. He was a Third Rank expert! No wonder Wang Gang had been killed so easily; this was a powerhouse he had no business provoking. Thank goodness his master had intervened, or he would have been the one to die today.

"Thanks to the master's help, heh heh. Shen An, whether you are a Third Rank master or something else, you are absolutely no match for the master!" Xu Tianming still believed his protector was invincible.

Shen An scanned the robed figure. Early-stage Third Rank Awakened were indeed rare in Silver City.

"The next strike will sever your left arm," Shen An stated.

"Sever my left arm? Hahaha! Boy, we are both early-stage Third Rank Awakened. What makes you think you can defeat me?" the robed man scoffed.

He still had vast room for growth; once the ritual was complete, his strength would reach a staggering level. But for now, he believed his current power was more than enough to deal with Shen An.

In an instant, Shen An slashed his sword—a strike like a bolt of lightning cutting through the dark night. It tore through the air with terrifying force. *Swish!* An arm flew through the air—the robed man's left arm.

The man let out a shrill scream, blood spurting from the stump. His face turned paper-white, and he seemed to collapse in exhaustion. Seeing the severed arm, Xu Tianming realized the robed man was no longer a match for Shen An, and his thoughts turned to flight.

However, just as he attempted to slip away, a voice froze him in his tracks.

"Where do you think you're going? Stay where you are!" It was Shen An.

Xu Tianming slumped to the ground, knowing escape was impossible.

"Shen An, there is no deep-seated hatred between us. How about this? I will give you all of Zhicheng Pharmaceuticals if you just spare my life. Is that acceptable?" Xu Tianming pleaded.

Shen An replied, "Stay put. If you step out of my sight, I will kill you immediately."

Under the weight of Shen An’s pressure, Xu Tianming dared not move, pinning his only remaining hope on the maimed man in the black robe—though he knew that hope was exceedingly slim.

Shen An ignored him, knowing Xu Tianming wouldn't dare flee.

"The next strike will end your life!" Shen An declared.

"Brat, I am not so easily finished," the robed man growled, his voice trembling with fury.