In a large pine tree, a scar-faced figure sat silently on a thick branch. His face was stitched with tree bark, forming a bizarre scar that ran from his eyes to his mouth.
The bark had fused with his skin long ago, making his appearance neither human nor beast.
He stared intently at the glowing blue dome below but he couldn't discern what was unfolding within.
Inside the dome, Li Chen advanced slowly, sword in hand.
His steps were heavy yet composed, each one leaving a deep imprint in the dirt—a quiet testament to the immense power coiled in his muscles.
His blade moved like lightning.
One assassin, whose sword was aimed at Li Chen's brows, suddenly froze.
A thin line etched itself across his forehead.
His skull split open, brain sliced cleanly in half—like soft meat under a butcher's knife.
Another assassin gasped at the horrifying sight but quickly composed himself and launched forward.
Before he could raise his weapon, his arm was severed cleanly from the shoulder, blood spraying across the field.
He screamed in agony. His cries echoed in the hearts of all present, yet none showed emotion.
Li Chen's eyes remained cold.
He showed no mercy.
Why should he? These were heartless murderers—mere pawns of greater evils lurking in the shadows. They had come to kill his family. For that, there would be no forgiveness.
Now, he intended to end this fruitless battle with one decisive strike.
He roared:
"Soaring Starfall Slash!"
His sword hummed in the air before erupting with silver light.
The radiant edge sliced through the assassins' defensive barrier as though it were paper.
Moments ago, the assassins had barely withstood his direct assaults. Now, they were utterly helpless.
Though numerous, their strength was meager.
They couldn't even react to such a fearsome technique.
In the next heartbeat, bodies began to fall—
Heads flew, torsos split, limbs scattered across the field like dead fish washed ashore.
Various human body parts rained from the sky like flower petals. Blood gushed from torn flesh like a spring fountain, painting the ground crimson.
Such is the might of a Heaven-tier sword technique.
It could not be measured by mere Golden Core standards.
Li Chen staggered, sweat on his brow.
His chest heaved as he gasped for air.
The technique had taken a toll, draining his spiritual power.
He stood firm, but he could feel the strain in his muscles, the tightness in his lungs. He needed time—just a little more—to recover.
But the battle was far from over.
Meanwhile, Yu Qingci stood tall, loosing arrows with deadly precision.
Each shot hit a vital point—throat, heart, or eye.
Her enemies fell before they could react.
But before they could rest—before even a breath of relief—more assassins appeared.
Li Chen, who had just slain dozens in a single strike, was baffled.
How could even more enemies have arrived so quickly?
There was no time to ponder.
They resumed the bloody slaughter.
Assassins fell one after another—yet more kept coming.
It was as if the darkness itself gave birth to them.
Yu Qingci, seasoned and sharp, frowned. She realized something.
"Husband… These are not real assassins."
Li Chen, mid-swing, asked through gritted teeth,
"What…? Then where are the real ones?"
Yu Qingci paused, her bowstring stretced back.
"Protect me for a moment, husband."
Li Chen rushed to her side—but just then, a dagger flew through the air.
He dodged, but not fast enough—a deep gash opened across his chest.
He dropped to one knee but quickly rose again, shielding his wife with his sword.
Yu Qingci closed her eyes.
Her spiritual sense reached outward, past the chaos and noise.
She pushed deeper—through the unnatural darkness, through layers of confusion and obstruction, trying to understand the situation.
Then her eyes snapped open, her breath ragged.
"Husband, we're trapped!"
Li Chen's sword clashed against incoming blades.
"Trapped...? When? How?"
"I don't know. My senses were clouded. Something external is distorting everything—some kind of illusion or barrier."
He didn't speak.
Instead, he kicked an approaching assassin in the stomach, sending him crashing into several others.
After a quick moment of thought, he shouted,
"Cici, shoot into the air!"
She hesitated.
"But husband, why—?"
"Just do it!" he snapped.
She raised her bow, aimed at seemingly empty space, and released the string.
The arrow flew upward, piercing nothing…
…and then dropped straight down, hitting the ground harmlessly.
Yu Qingci's eyes widened in realization.
"We're inside something—an invisible wall. It's blocking all escape. But there's no sign of it—no feedback from the impact. Nothing tried to stop the arrow."
Li Chen frowned, spat on the ground, and charged.
He grabbed an assassin by the neck and charged forward, using their body as a battering ram.
The others were crushed under his momentum.
Dagger and blade flew at him—but Yu Qingci's precise shots gave him room.
Still, a few cuts appeared on his arms and legs.
Finally, he reached the edge of the unseen boundary.
He pressed assassins against it, but it didn't give way.
Some attackers at the very rear were crushed, reduced to paste, but the wall remained untouched.
Li Chen panted and turned back. "We have to clear the field first. Then we can figure out how to escape."
He grit his teeth.
"Cici! Kill them all—but don't use your strongest techniques. Save your spiritual energy!"
"Yes!" she replied, resuming her grim task.
But despite killing so many, their numbers never decreased—not even slightly.
Li Chen and Yu Qingci stood, panting, their arms trembling from exhaustion.
Only their unique physiques kept them upright.
Yu Qingci took a deep breath, murmuring to herself,
"Is this… our end?"
After her reincarnation, she had hoped for peace.
Only after settling her heart did she plan to seek vengeance against her past enemies—even if it meant death.
But now, she had something more precious—
A loving husband who stood between her and death.
A caring sister who understood her.
A cheerful son who laughed with joy each morning.
And within her.... an unborn child.
She could not die here.
If only her past strength had returned, she thought bitterly.
A flick of her finger would've shattered these illusions.
But her memories were still sealed.
Her advanced techniques and innate abilities were yet to awaken.
She sighed softly.
"At least this time… my family is with me."
She looked at Li Chen—then at her flat belly.
Suddenly, Li Chen's body relaxed.
His sword slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground with a dull clang.
A cheerful notion entered his mind.