Chapter 172: Shattering the Realm

Chen Xiao narrowed his eyes. He had already realized that this Canghai Chengkong was actually a seventh-tier supernatural being, but his realm seemed unstable, as if he had just reached that level not long ago.
Chen Xiao glanced at the staircase leading to the second floor. Above it stood Canghai Yunfeng and several elders from the guild, but they showed no intention of coming down to stop them. It seemed they wanted Canghai Chengkong to fight Chen Xiao.
“These old foxes clearly want to use me as a sharpening stone to help Canghai Chengkong improve his realm. Hmph.”
Chen Xiao understood what was going on all too well. With a cold smile in his heart, he thought that if they wanted to exploit him, they would have to pay a price.
Sure enough, at that moment, Canghai Chengkong spoke up, “Canghai Chengkong has made some progress in his cultivation and would like to experience the master thief’s skills once again. I hope you’ll agree to this challenge.”
Though his words sounded polite, they essentially constituted a challenge. A freelance hunter, within the Hunters’ Guild and in front of countless others, challenging another freelance hunter left no room for refusal. Otherwise, he would lose his status as a freelance hunter and be despised by all.
“Sure,” Chen Xiao replied without hesitation. He nodded and said, “But a simple fight like this is too boring. How about we add some stakes?”
“Stakes? Bets?” Canghai Chengkong was slightly surprised.
“That’s right, bets,” Chen Xiao said. “I’ve heard that your Canghai family possesses a highly powerful divine dagger called ‘Cannong’. How about using that as the stake?”
“You want Cannong?” Canghai Chengkong was momentarily stunned. Then, a glimmer of light appeared in his hand, and a black dagger, emitting a faint dark glow, appeared in his grasp.
“I can use Cannong as the stake, but what can you offer in return?” Canghai Chengkong asked calmly.
“Wow, it’s actually a top-tier magical weapon. If infused with the laws of a realm master, it might instantly become a true spiritual weapon. The Canghai family really dotes on Canghai Chengkong by giving him such a thing.”
Chen Xiao was secretly amazed. He could immediately discern the true nature of that dagger.
Most weapons crafted by supernatural beings are called magical weapons. Only those infused with the laws of a realm master who has grasped those laws are called spiritual weapons, possessing their own spirituality. Above spiritual weapons are virtual divine weapons, which are forged by consuming one’s own virtual divine laws.
“Since I’m betting your dagger, I certainly have something to offer in return.” Chen Xiao stretched out his hand, and suddenly, a pale yellow plant appeared in it. The plant was about the height of a palm, with two leaves, and at its top was a yellow flower the size of a fingernail.
Although the plant was no longer in soil, it still thrived, drawing energy from its surroundings through its leaves to sustain itself.
“Spirit-Driving Grass!”
As soon as the plant appeared, someone recognized it and exclaimed loudly.

“That’s right, it’s the Spirit-Extinguishing Herb. Just one leaf of it can refine spiritual energy and strengthen the physical body, which is extremely beneficial for those who have just reached a new rank. As for its flower, it can allow an ability user to immediately advance to the next rank.”
Chen Xiao smiled. Treasures that could help ability users advance were priceless in the world of abilities, and this Spirit-Extinguishing Herb was something he obtained from the treasure trove of Atlantis.
“Alright, today I’ll use this Withering Wind Dagger to exchange for your Spirit-Extinguishing Herb. I ask everyone present to be witnesses.”
Cang Hai Cheng Kong immediately spoke out loudly. He had just reached the seventh rank, and just one leaf of the Spirit-Extinguishing Herb could help him solidify his status. If he consumed its flower, he might be able to advance to the eighth rank right away and become a supreme, super-ranked ability user.
Free hunters long for freedom, unbound by rules and constraints. Calling it a competition, the two went straight to an open area outside the guild.
But from start to finish, no high-ranking members of the Hunters’ Guild showed up.
As the two fought, the other hunters around them couldn’t stay idle either and began betting on who would win.
…
“Fei Zha, go ahead! I’m afraid if you don’t act, I won’t have a chance.” Cang Hai Cheng Kong held the Withering Wind Dagger, his face showing confidence.
“Very well.” Chen Xiao nodded. “Flowers in a greenhouse—today, I’ll show you what true combat is.”
Suddenly, a golden light flashed across Chen Xiao’s body. It was him using the power of the Supreme God to simulate golden spiritual energy.
In an instant, the golden light filled the area. Cang Hai Cheng Kong and the other ability users around him couldn’t help but squint slightly.
In less than one-tenth of a breath’s time, the golden light dissipated, and Chen Xiao’s body appeared right in front of Cang Hai Cheng Kong. His right fingers were pressed together, gathering sharp golden energy that pointed straight at Cang Hai Cheng Kong’s throat—less than a millimeter apart.
This distance wasn’t enough to hurt Cang Hai Cheng Kong, but it trapped him tightly. Even if he tried to resist, that sharp golden energy could pierce his throat in an instant.
At that moment, Cang Hai Cheng Kong still remained in his original position, not moving at all.
“What’s going on? What happened?” The surrounding hunters looked at each other, unsure of what had occurred.
“It seems Cang Hai Cheng Kong lost. He was defeated in just one move? He didn’t even get a chance to act?” Some hunters said in disbelief.
“Shameless,” Cang Hai Cheng Kong gritted his teeth, forcing out those two words.
Chen Xiao shrugged and said, “Combat means using whatever means are necessary to defeat your opponent. If you’re not convinced, we can fight again.”
Chen Xiao withdrew his fingers from Cang Hai Cheng Kong’s throat and made a gesture inviting him to attack.
The moment Chen Xiao pulled back his fingers, Cang Hai Cheng Kong immediately retreated to a relatively safe distance.
“Go ahead and attack first this time,” Chen Xiao said proudly, with his hands behind his back.
“Hmph.”

Cang Hai Cheng Kong’s expression darkened slightly. With a single gesture, a black light enveloped his body. His form turned into a phantom, carrying a fierce killing intent as it charged forward, aiming straight at Chen Xiao’s head.

But at that moment, a dazzling golden light burst forth from Chen Xiao once again. Cang Hai Cheng Kong’s vision blurred, and his advancing blade movement also began to slow down slightly.

Seizing this opportunity, Chen Xiao kicked Cang Hai Cheng Kong in the lower abdomen, sending him flying.

“You!” Cang Hai Cheng Kong got up from the ground. Seeing Chen Xiao use that same move again, he was filled with rage.

“Falling twice in the same place, Young Master Cang Hai. I really doubt how you managed to pass the trials and become a free hunter.”

A hint of disdain appeared on Chen Xiao’s face.

“What’s going on? How did Flying Claw become so powerful? He defeated Cang Hai Cheng Kong with just one move!”

“Yes, during their last battle, Flying Claw only had a slight advantage. But now, Cang Hai Cheng Kong has reached level seven and become a supreme warrior of that rank, yet he was defeated in just one move?”

All the superhumans found it unbelievable. They knew Flying Claw was strong enough to defeat some low-level level-seven superhumans, but they didn’t realize he was this powerful.

Back then, when Chen Xiao was still in the early stages of level six, he could already kill level-seven warriors. Now, his physical strength had reached the middle stage of level six, while his mental power was at the peak of level six. Level-seven superhumans could no longer pose any threat to him.

“It seems this Flying Claw has been hiding his true strength all along.” In the Hunters’ Guild, Cang Hai Yun Feng frowned slightly upon seeing his son defeated twice in one move by the other party.

“This Flying Claw has a record of killing level-seven superhumans,” said one of the guild’s elders while reviewing the records about Flying Claw. “However, after taking on the task to hunt Chen Xiao, he disappeared. Who would have thought he would appear here again? But this time, he’s here to take on top-tier assassination missions—targeting warriors above level seven.”

“He’s here to take on those long-standing top-tier assassination missions?” Cang Hai Yun Feng frowned. “His current strength indeed qualifies him to take on those missions. But if he hid his strength before, why reveal it now?”

Cang Hai Yun Feng was full of confusion.

“Guild Leader, could it be related to the Dragon Secret?” asked another elder.

“Perhaps he was invited by some powerful force to create chaos in the foreign superhuman worlds. Before the downfall of the Japanese superhuman forces, many important figures were assassinated, leaving them leaderless, which allowed our Huaxia to conquer them easily.”

“There’s a possibility. That Fei Zha is just a sixth-tier supernatural being. Although he has the ability to harm enemies beyond his own rank, he probably won’t be able to achieve much. His grand display in coming here to take on a mission must carry some warning intent,” Cang Hai Yun Feng sighed slightly. “However, this is a great training opportunity for Cheng Kong. Also, that Spirit-Repelling Grass in Fei Zha’s hands must be obtained at all costs.”
……
Cang Hai Cheng Kong’s expression darkened. The Remnant Wind in his hands began to emit a faint glow. Suddenly, a black whirlwind enveloped his body.
The next moment, nine figures surrounded Chen Xiao and jointly launched nine different combat techniques at him.
This was the special ability of the so-called ‘mythic weapon’—Remnant Wind.
“Trivial tricks,” Chen Xiao sneered upon seeing this. His body moved, almost splitting into nine parts, as he rushed toward Cang Hai Cheng Kong’s nine clones.
This wasn’t a special combat technique—it was simply speed, extreme speed.
Bang!
As the nine afterimages came into contact with the nine clones, in just one more move, Cang Hai Cheng Kong’s nine clones were sent flying. They recombined in midair, while he himself spat out a mouthful of blood.
“Once, twice—no third time,” Chen Xiao shook his head and said, “The first time, the second time, I’ve already given you warnings. The third time, I’ll really take action.”
Cang Hai Cheng Kong’s face turned red. Suddenly, more black blood sprayed from his mouth, but the next moment, his face turned deathly pale.
His realm had been knocked down by Chen Xiao’s single strike, dropping from early sixth tier back to the peak of sixth tier. Filled with anger, Cang Hai Cheng Kong lost consciousness.