Volume 4 Chapter 67

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Volume 4 Chapter 67: The Human Heart

Number 5 harbored great resentment towards Xu Qingfan.

If there’s no such thing as hatred without reason, then Number 5’s hatred for Xu Qingfan stemmed from being embarrassed by Xu Qingfan in front of Number 4.

Although Number 5 always appeared arrogant, and even though Number 4’s abilities far surpassed his own, he never showed any courtesy. But, deep down, he knew he was merely a failure. Among Zhang’s five subordinates, he was the lowest ranked and the only one who hadn’t mastered Zhang’s ultimate skill, the "Art of Annihilation."

Because of this, despite his arrogant appearance and having learned two other magical abilities of Zhang’s, Number 5 always carried an underlying sense of inferiority in his heart.

To prove himself, Number 5 eagerly volunteered whenever Zhang had a task. He consistently used his formidable strength and mysterious powers to complete each task, and only when he heard Zhang’s few words of faint praise did he manage to diminish his feeling of inadequacy.

Even though he was the most accomplished among Zhang’s five subordinates, Number 5 could clearly sense that the other four still looked down on him in their hearts, because he was the only one who hadn’t mastered the "Art of Annihilation."

This realization made Number 5 even more arrogant and bloodthirsty in his actions, especially when working with others. He wouldn’t let anyone else intervene and always handled matters efficiently on his own, earning himself a shred of dignity in front of the other four.

However, this time, the rogue cultivator before him named Xu Fan shattered the dignity he had struggled to maintain over the years. It wasn’t just that Xu Fan thwarted his attacks repeatedly, but also because Xu Fan seemed like his nemesis. The ancient bell-like artifact Xu Fan possessed was like a turtle shell, rendering Number 5’s two magical abilities completely ineffective.

In the end, with the help of Number 4, he managed to get close to Xu Qingfan. This was something Number 5 found completely unacceptable.

However, Number 5 had no choice. Although his pride mattered, his master’s orders were more important. So, even with reluctance in his heart, when Number 4 used the "Art of Annihilation" to wound Xu Qingfan, Number 5 quickly used the "Art of Stepping" to suddenly appear beside Xu Qingfan and fiercely thrust his ten "Sword Claws" at Xu Qingfan’s vital points.

Even if he killed Xu Qingfan, the credit would entirely belong to Number 4. Number 5 could already imagine Number 4’s smug face after the mission ended.

This thought only increased Number 5’s hatred, making his "Sword Claws" strike at Xu Qingfan with even more ferocity.

But because of this intense hatred, Number 5’s Divine Sense was overwhelmed and he failed to notice that, though Xu Qingfan’s face was pale from Number 4’s "Art of Annihilation," a faint gray whirlwind began to swirl around him, rapidly growing stronger.

When Number 5’s "Sword Claws" reached Xu Qingfan, they left a long scar and drew a trail of blood. But before they could pierce deeper, Xu Qingfan’s body transformed into a roaring gray hurricane, engulfing him completely.

After battling the man in green last time, Xu Qingfan learned that his "Transform into the Wind" ability wasn’t immune to all attacks. For instance, the purple light shot by the man called "Lie Three" could harm him. This time, the ten claws with a faint green glow on the hands of the man known as "Number 5" could likely also damage his body after transforming into the wind.

Indeed, even though Xu Qingfan transformed into the wind, the ten green claws of Number 5 missed him but he still felt a sharp pain. Xu Qingfan couldn’t afford any distractions; the previous attack from Number 4 had caused him severe harm. He needed to deal with the much weaker Number 5 before Number 4 could defeat Little Black.

So, Xu Qingfan endured the excruciating pain in his body and Original Soul, pushing his "Wind of Desolation" ability to its limit, continuously attacking Number 5 who was trapped within it.

The reason Xu Qingfan didn’t use the "Wind of Desolation" earlier was that he was unsure about the powers and abilities of the two people in purple robes. So he hid his own strength. But now, after understanding their abilities, he no longer held back. Transformed into the "Wind of Desolation," he mercilessly attacked Number 5, trapping him within.

Knowing Number 5’s teleportation skill, Xu Qingfan realized he only had one chance, and he used all his strength to succeed in one strike.

Trapped in the "Wind of Desolation," all Number 5 felt was the howling gray winds around him. These winds contained a strange and powerful energy. As soon as the winds touched his exposed skin, the life force within him rapidly drained away. In a blink, his body felt shriveled, and when he looked down, his hands were wrinkled.

Even more terrifying, the gray winds not only drained his life force but also seeped through his pores, corroding his inner Spirit Qi and even his organs. This left Number 5 unable to use his "Blink Technique" to escape the attack range of Xu Qingfan’s "Wind of Desolation."

"Number 4, help me! Number 4, hurry and help me!"

Finally, faced with the horror of the "Wind of Desolation," Number 5 could no longer maintain his dignity and cried out to Number 4 for help.

But after shouting, Number 5 realized his voice sounded so old and weak.

Through the surrounding gray winds, Number 5 saw that Number 4 was calmly using the "Art of Annihilation" to block Xu Qingfan’s Little Black’s attacks. Even though he could defeat Little Black with a little more effort, he still seemed unhurried. As long as Little Black did not attack him, he didn’t trouble Little Black either.

As Little Black circled around Number 4, Number 4 leisurely watched the battle between Number 5 and Xu Qingfan. Number 5 could clearly see the hint of mockery in Number 4’s eyes as he looked at him.

At the moment Number 5 saw the look in Number 4’s eyes, he knew that Number 4 would not save him. Although he had been arrogant before Number 4, Number 4, despite maintaining a lazy smile, had already harbored deep resentment inside.

But Number 5 had still misjudged the situation. Just when his life force was nearing exhaustion from the "Wind of Desolation," transformed by Xu Qingfan, Number 4 suddenly made a move. Number 4 tapped three times towards the gray whirlwind that Xu Qingfan had become. Even though Xu Qingfan was in this Wind form, his original soul still existed. Under the consecutive attacks of the "Art of Annihilation" by Number 4, Xu Qingfan felt unbearable pain in his mind, which involuntarily weakened his control over the "Wind of Desolation."

At that instant, Number 5, using all his remaining strength, finally broke free from the control of the "Wind of Desolation." He relaxed his mind, realizing that he had narrowly escaped danger.

Just as he escaped the "Wind of Desolation," Number 5 suddenly noticed something was wrong.

In his effort to break free from the "Wind of Desolation," he had exhausted almost all his remaining energy and Spirit Qi, leaving him without enough to keep floating in the air.

And he was currently hundreds of meters high in the sky!

In that moment, Number 5 felt the scenery before his eyes change rapidly, as he was quickly falling from the sky.

Watching as Number 4’s figure shrank quickly from his view, Number 5 reached out both hands in despair, as if hoping to grab hold of him.

But just then, Number 5 heard Number 4’s lazy and mocking voice suddenly ring in his ears.

"Do you know, you’re too arrogant, I’ve always disliked you."

…

Watching Number 5 suddenly slip out of his control, Xu Qingfan felt a jolt in his heart, thinking that despite all his efforts, he still couldn’t kill Number 5. Unexpectedly, after breaking free from his control, Number 5 didn’t even have enough Spirit Qi to stay afloat and began to plummet quickly towards the ground. What was more surprising was that his companion, Number 4, didn’t care at all and simply watched as Number 5 fell from the sky with a look of obvious admiration in his eyes.

"Bang…"

Finally, as Number 5’s body met the earth with a splatter of blood and flesh, Number 4 sighed contentedly and shifted his gaze to Xu Qingfan. Xu Qingfan quickly returned to his original form, standing in mid-air, facing Number 4 coldly.

At the same time, following Xu Qingfan’s command, Little Black, who was severely injured by Number 4’s attacks, wobbled into Xu Qingfan’s arms and immediately fell unconscious. It was clear that Little Black had been forcefully holding on to obey Xu Qingfan’s order to stall Number 4.

Yet, Number 4 stared at Xu Qingfan for a long time, suddenly smiled slightly, and slowly said, "Thank you, Xu Fan."