Chapter 1: Brutality (Part 2)

Luo Jie asked, “What guarantee do you have? If you suddenly rebel in battle… it’s better to kill you now!” His tone was calm, yet filled with murderous intent.
Chen Tianyao shuddered at these words. He said, “I don’t know how to guarantee it. How… how should I guarantee it?” He regretted speaking as soon as the words left his mouth. Sacrifice-class professionals had countless ways to control people—wasn’t this putting himself on the chopping block?
Luo Jie nodded and conjured a black talisman, saying indifferently, “Stick it on your altar!”
Chen Tianyao jumped up as if pricked by a needle, screaming, “Oh no, is that a Soul Talisman? How… how do you have such a monstrous thing?”
Luo Jie replied coldly, “Refuse? Then you can die!”
Chen Tianyao shouted, “I accept! I accept!”
Luo Jie said, “Then stick the Soul Talisman on the altar! Hurry up!”
Chen Tianyao trembled and obediently stuck the talisman on the altar. As it turned into a black shadow and merged into the altar, he said helplessly, “It’s done…” If he resisted now, death was certain. With the Soul Talisman in place, at least he might survive—he had no choice but to endure.
Guo Shier said, “Poor guy. Why did you take on a mission just because? You didn’t have to take on the Gu Mi family’s task. There are better ways to seek death.”
Chen Tianyao smiled bitterly. “I need a few important materials. I’ve been searching for them for a long time without success. The Gu Mi family promised that if I complete this task, they’ll give me the rewards listed on my list… Sigh, what bad luck.” He was devastated—who would have thought the Gu Mi family’s enemies were so powerful?
Qi Nanshan said, “You know how dangerous Soul Talismans are. If you try anything funny, heh, once it’s activated, you’re really dead—and not even a trace of you will remain.”
Chen Tianyao said, “I know, I know… Sigh, can you give me any hope?”
Even Ying Mo, Luo Zhan, and Nan You couldn’t hold back their laughter. This guy was quite interesting. Guo Shier said, “Whether there’s hope depends on your performance. If you do well, maybe I’ll ask my master to remove the Soul Talisman.”
Chen Tianyao was instantly grateful to Guo Shier, repeating, “Ah, thank you, thank you…”

Nan You thought, “Poor guy, being bullied like this and still thanking them… Damn it, if it were me… uh, never mind. If I reached that point, I wouldn’t be any better.” Disheartened, he realized he might not be stronger than Chen Tianyao—unless pushed to the absolute brink, he wouldn’t dare take the risk.

Chen Tianyao said, “Since we’re all in the same group, could you tell us your names? I’m a fifth-tier altar professional, Chen Tianyao, a professional mercenary.”

Luo Jie nodded and said, “I’m a professional rogue, seventh-tier altar, Luo Jie.”

Qi Nanshan said, “I’m a professional rogue, Qi Nanshan.”

…

Nan You said, “First-tier altar, Nan You.”

Chen Tianyao sighed, “When did rogue professionals become so strong… Sigh.”

Guo Shier asked, “Chen Tianyao, where were you planning to go just now?”

Chen Tianyao rallied his spirits and said, “To Mixia City, about a few hundred miles from here…” He added resentfully, “If I had gone to Milong City… I wouldn’t have met you guys. Sigh, my luck is terrible!”

Qi Nanshan said calmly, “Your luck is good—meeting us!”

Chen Tianyao was speechless for a moment before murmuring, “Yeah, my luck is fucking great, even better than before… couldn’t be any better…” No one paid attention to his complaints.

Guo Shier said, “Master, let’s head to Mixia City. By the way, Chen Tianyao, is Mixia City a big city or a small town?”

Chen Tianyao replied weakly, “A big city… very big, extremely big… Oh, there are many powerful altar-level professionals there.”

Luo Jie asked, “How powerful? Are there professionals at the eighth tier?”

Chen Tianyao couldn’t help but cover his forehead and sigh, “God, are there really many professionals at the eighth tier in this world?”

Guo Shier retorted, “Weren’t you saying there are many powerful professionals?”

Chen Tianyao felt frustrated. He said, “Powerful professionals… Well, anyone above the third-tier altar is already considered powerful. Mixia City has a master at the fifth tier!”

Luo Zhan couldn’t help but interject, “You’re also a fifth-tier altar professional.”

Chen Tianyao immediately fell silent. His own situation was miserable, and that fifth-tier professional in Mixia City would likely suffer even more if he encountered these people. He said, “Yes, yes, I… you… Sigh, you guys are bullying one person like me. Of course I can’t win!”

Guo Shier said, “Your job is to find that person. You don’t need to worry about anything else.”

Luo Jie said, “Hmm, you can help kill others—go ahead and kill!” Then he added, “This will show your attitude. If you dare to hold back, hmm, you know the consequences!”
Guo Shier thought to himself, “Damn, this is like a pledge of loyalty. This guy can’t stay out of it; he must kill with us. My master is really clever—forcing a top expert to join us.”
Although Chen Tianyao seemed so helpless, it was because he encountered two experts from the Soul Altar. He had no chance to escape. If he had faced ordinary experts from the sixth or seventh level altars, he would definitely have had a chance to run. The most terrifying thing about experts from the Soul Altar was that once combat started, the slightest carelessness could damage their souls. As a professional, such soul damage was unbearable and could likely prevent them from advancing further.
Chen Tianyao would rather face an expert from an eighth-level altar than a Black Talismanist, which explained why he was in such a sorry state and had to submit. It wasn’t because of his weak strength, but rather bad luck.
Knowing he couldn’t refuse, Chen Tianyao resigned himself and said, “Whatever you say.”
Guo Shier asked, “What’s that guy’s name? Why is there a professional from a fifth-level altar guarding Mi Xia City?”
Chen Tianyao replied, “That man’s name is Mi Zhengfeng. He’s the ancestor of the Gu Mi family. That place is their family’s home and the most famous trading hub on the Gu Mi Continent. The Gu Mi family’s warehouses are also there…”
Guo Shier couldn’t help but let out a strange cackling sound, scaring Chen Tianyao into shrinking back. He wondered, “What’s that sound?” But soon he realized it was Guo Shier’s laughter, though it sounded a bit eerie.
Not only did Guo Shier laugh strangely, but the others also showed excited expressions. Luo Jie said, “Good!”
Qi Nanshan said, “Very good!”
Eagle Demon said simply, “It came easily without any effort. I like it…”
Chen Tianyao was confused. “What… does that mean?” He really didn’t understand what these madmen were thinking.
Guo Shier laughed and slapped the altar, saying, “Not bad. Chen Tianyao, you’ve earned merit. Don’t worry. If we benefit from this, I’ll ask my master to remove the soul talismans from your altar when we leave the Gu Mi Continent.”
Chen Tianyao immediately understood that these madmen were planning to rob someone. He started sweating profusely, but then he became excited again and said, “Heh, you’re going to rob Mi Xia City? Um… can I get a share too? Heh.”
Guo Shier said, “It depends on your performance!”

Chen Tianyao immediately perked up. He said, “Don’t worry, watch me… I know the place!” He quickly shifted roles and became the most energetic member of the team. Everyone couldn’t help but admire him. Luo Jie and Guo Shier, the master and disciple, managed to turn a fifth-level Altar professional into a full-time bandit with just a few words. This profession was excellent and powerful, attractive enough to make it much easier to be a villain than a hero. Chen Tianyao rapidly degenerated from a mercenary to a robber.

The six-person team was now a seven-person team, with greatly enhanced strength. With the addition of a fifth-level Altar professional, they now had professionals at the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh levels of Altar, along with three first-level Altar professionals—this strength was absolutely terrifying.

Luo Jie ordered, “Head to Mixia City!” The seven of them transformed into seven beams of light and headed toward Mixia City.

…

Mixia City was very famous in the Ancient Mi Continent. It was the most important supply distribution center for the Ancient Mi family, a city directly governed by them, and also the location of their key supply warehouses. It was guarded by an ancient master of the Ancient Mi family—Mi Zhengfeng, a fifth-level Altar user—who had over a dozen Altar-level experts under him, as well as tens of thousands of Saint Masters and Grand Saint Masters. There were countless lower and mid-level professionals as well.

Mixia City had a population of millions. Aside from slaves, over 90% of its inhabitants were professionals. There were more than seventy inheritance altars alone, including three high-level ones.

The city was located by the famous Yongheng River on the Ancient Mi Continent. It was also a major transportation hub, with air transport via flying vehicles, water transport, and teleportation arrays. Teleportation arrays were used for transporting valuable items and materials; ordinary professionals wouldn’t use them.

Guo Shier also learned that Mixia City had strict security and inspections. Any external professional, even those from a branch of the Ancient Mi family, had to go through rigorous checks before entering the city. So this time, they didn’t plan to sneak in—they intended to storm in right from the start.

The first target was Mi Zhengfeng. Only by killing him first could they throw Mixia City into chaos.

The seven of them flew straight above Mixia City. Along the way, they divided up their tasks: Luo Jie would go after Mi Zhengfeng, Qi Nanshan would take care of the other Altar-level experts, and Chen Tianyao, along with Guo Shier and the others, would raid the Ancient Mi family’s warehouses.

Once they reached above Mixia City, they immediately dispersed and took action, targeting the numerous flying vehicles in the sky first.

The place where Mi Zhengfeng lived was already known to Luo Jie from Chen Tianyao, so he didn’t stay in the air but teleported straight to the designated location, with Qi Nanshan following closely behind. Guo Shier and the others remained in the air, attacking the flying vehicles.

Chen Tianyao attacked with extreme ferocity, cutting down more than a dozen flying vehicles in an instant, much to Guo Shier’s surprise.

Eagle Demon didn’t like to attack from atop the altar. He held the altar above his head and used his life sacred treasure to launch attacks. With a single slash, he shattered a magnificent flying vehicle. More than a dozen Grand Saints emerged from that vehicle and attacked Eagle Demon.

In just a few moments, the air was in complete chaos.

Guo Shier sat on the altar. This time, he didn’t attack but released the tentacles of Gu Xi Bi, as he needed a large number of souls. In other places, he was very restrained and reluctant to kill too many, but on the core continent where the Gu Mi family lived, he held no back. He never considered himself a merciful person, but he had his limits. However, against enemies who destroyed his hometown and family, his limits became limitless.

It was like poking a wasp nest—countless talismans flew around in the air, leaving dense red trails. A large number of professionals rose from the ground. The professionals in Mi Xia City were almost all direct disciples, so none of them fled. Even facing advanced professionals, they were willing to fight to the death.

Soon, advanced Grand Saints organized themselves. Organized resistance was completely different from unorganized one. Guo Shier immediately identified the organizers and drove the altar at them, determined not to let them organize. From his past life, he understood one thing: once people organized themselves, their strength would increase significantly.

Guo Shier shouted, “Chen Tianyao! Scatter them… No group of professionals larger than a hundred is allowed to form!”

How could Chen Tianyao dare disobey Guo Shier’s orders? He shouted, “Okay!”

Guo Shier steered the altar toward the group of professionals.

Kill!