Chapter 2: The Heart is Black

The Iron Cloth of Elder Tianli, impervious to knives and guns, your divine power of the violent dragon cannot harm a single hair of the opponent. Yet, he was still pierced through the vital point by a fierce sword, resulting in instant death

At that moment, a bell rang, and four individuals entered. Leading them was Master Ciyun, the old abbot of Ciqing Temple. Following him were the plump innkeeper of Yunlai Inn, the fortune teller from the Taoist temple, and an old man with a limp, who was none other than the training instructor, Chen the Lame.

Then the red-haired man shouted, "What right does he have? Hmph, it is merely the favoritism of the master. Without the master's protection, how could he possibly take the spotlight and act on behalf of heaven?"

The second tier, known as the Shadow Assassin, undergoes training under the Chicks of the Eagle. By being immune to the Eternal Poison and comprehending one of the Seven Killings Eighteen Techniques, one can become a killer in the Heavenly Absolute Killing Hall. Many of the senior brothers and sisters that Luo Li encountered along the way, as well as the black-clad individuals here and most of the assassins in the town, are of this kind

Luo Li smiled and said: "Very good, very good. Recently, I have been practicing the Fierce Sword Technique..."

The Silver Continent, devoid of spiritual energy, is a land without spirit. There is not a trace of spiritual energy; every time a cultivator casts a spell, they can only deplete the spiritual energy within their body, unable to replenish it, let alone cultivate. It is entirely a prison and grave for cultivators.

The reason I gave him up is primarily because he lacks any extraordinary abilities; I can be certain that he possesses no such talents at all! He has no potential!

The dragon took a deep breath and looked at Xiao Qing. She was so resolute that all the countless words of persuasion he had prepared were in vain. Instead, he began to hesitate and slowly said

Painfully, Xiao Qing, both of our hearts are dark. Come on, let's embrace the darkness to the end. Let's go to the main hall, accept the task, and then send our senior brother down to be a good person!

Greetings, Senior Brother

Greetings, Hall Master! Greetings to all the Elders!

A single shout rang out, the voice not loud, yet a palpable killing intent surged forward, and instantly, three elders behind him echoed the shout together

Good, it is good that he has no supernatural powers, which puts my mind at ease! In fact, he is a good person and does not deserve such an end, but this world is cruel, and good people do not receive good rewards. Therefore, Senior Brother Luo Li, you might as well die along with the books

Then just kill him

Relying solely on his swift sword, fierce sword, and venomous sword! Can you decipher Ma Laohong's seventy-two styles of Tan Leg? Those seventy-two styles can deliver seventeen kicks in an instant, yet they were still pierced through the throat by his swift sword

Xingling Marquis, October 1st, Black Wind Pass, West of the Small River, kill

There, Luo Li entered the cave. The Heavenly Absolute Kill Hall has been operating in Longshou Mountain for several hundred years. The entire mountain's interior is hollow, with countless tunnels and over a hundred halls. The walls are embedded with peculiar gemstones that emit soft glows, incredibly bright.

Luo Tianyu's Soul-Chasing Hand, the Three Poisons of the World, yet none can compare to his Poison Sword! Therefore, you are mistaken; he relies on the sword in his hand, not the protection of his master

The fierce dragon looked at Luo Li and let out a cold snort. He had always treated Luo Li this way. Xiao Qing then walked over, gently sat beside Luo Li, and linked her arm with his, resembling a little bird nestled close, exuding warmth and affection, and said:

Beside him, a beautiful woman smiled at the red-haired giant. This woman had skin as smooth and delicate as that of a newborn, radiant and translucent, sparkling with brilliance. Her graceful figure was astonishing, with a slender waist that was not merely narrow but rather rounded and supple. As she gently swayed, her waist moved captivatingly like that of a siren. She was none other than the renowned courtesan, Little Qing, from the Cuihong Building

In the Tianjue Killing Hall, there are a total of four ranks. The first rank is the Chicks. Countless youths collected by the Tianjue Killing Hall undergo various training here, much like the little beggars outside, who are intentionally lured in. Over time, they are all brought here to undergo training

Xiao Qing suddenly shook her head and said: "Mighty Dragon, you are mistaken. He does not rely on the protection of his master; he relies on the sword in his hand"

At this point, he revealed a tender expression, then spoke with a somber determination: "But I do not wish to die! Therefore, we must kill him! If we kill him, there will be two spots available!"

I understand everything about him, which is why I have little hope for him. I have given up on him, so he is doomed

The two individuals stood up, opened the entrance to the underground library, and entered the subterranean space

However, the land contains strange blood energy and has unique blood ore used for refining weapons. Due to this blood energy, many individuals born on the continent possess extraordinary abilities. This is why the Seven Kills Sect established the Heavenly Absolute Branch here, to absorb the local populace into the outer sect of the sect.

As soon as it was squeezed, the bronze wine vessel felt as soft as tofu, lacking any sense of metallic hardness, and instantly shattered into countless fragments, scattering in all directions

Xiao Qing gazed at the fierce dragon, gently picked up the teacup, took a sip, her gaze still as tender as ever, as if she were speaking of something trivial

Luo Li smiled and nodded, taking two or three steps to arrive in a grand hall. This hall is located underground and serves as the core hall of this place

However, the Shadow Assassins are the lowest tier within the Heavenly Absolute Killing Hall. They are nameless and faceless, required to constantly fight for their lives, assassinate others, and accumulate merits in order to eventually advance.

In unison, the voices are loud

He said slowly

The dragon let out a long sigh and said

The porter let out an angry roar, his entire being resembling a furious beast, an indescribable aura of bloodlust emanating from him. The seven or eight parrots and mynas hanging in the room were all trembling in fear.

If it weren't for us blocking his escape route, could Ma Laohei have been caught? That day, if we hadn't killed his four great protectors, could Li Laoren have reached the opponent? As for Luo Tianyu, if we hadn't obstructed his seven close guards, would he have had the time to enumerate the charges?

The Raptors appear to be incredibly reckless, but that is merely an act. If they were truly reckless, they would not have survived until now

This is an intangible pressure, and all the disciples present are at the acquired realm, with only Master Ciyun having entered the innate stage, reaching the ninth level of the Qi Refinement period. An unparalleled majesty emerges in the hearts of everyone, leaving them all speechless as they await his command

Xiao Qing smiled and said, "We have all grown up; the past is behind us. For your sake, I will live, but I must kill him!"

Secretly giving silver to the little beggar, truly, is it that the books enjoy doing good deeds? Punishing evil and promoting good, hehe, acting on behalf of heaven? Bah!

Why do I feel such hatred and anger every time I see him

Kill, kill, kill

Master Ciyun slowly brought his hands together in prayer, lowering his eyelids, resembling a statue, motionless. The smile-like expression on his face gradually faded away. When he finally lifted his head again, it seemed as if he had made a resolute decision; a coldness akin to a blade appeared on his otherwise expressionless face, causing the temperature of the surrounding air to drop sharply.

However, in the previous two sessions, the assassins sent out by our Tianjue Killing Hall did not perform well, so this time our Tianjue Killing Hall has only two slots. Since the master favors him, he will undoubtedly be included.

Heaven's way to kill? Hmph, just like us, they are all assassins, hands stained with blood, pretending to be cold and noble!

There is still one spot available, and both you and I have a chance. If we do not kill him, we will have to turn against each other! But I do not want to fight you to the death; I truly do not want to!

The Heavenly Absolute Killing Hall is, to be precise, the assassin training camp of the Seven Kills Sect on this Silver State Continent. Every five years, through the Ascension Conference, several disciples are selected to join the outer sect of the Seven Kills Sect

One of the individuals, robust in physique, with solid muscles and long red hair cascading over his shoulders, exuded an endless wildness, resembling a fierce beast. This person was the porter who had vanished in the mountains, and he crushed the wine flask in his hand with great force.

At the moment Luo Li vanished, not far away in the brothel, beneath the slanted window, two individuals quietly observed Luo Li until he disappeared into the Lianyou Bookstore

After the Seven Kills, this person is destined to die

Moreover, this person is too fond of doing good deeds, almost performing one good act a day. This comes from the heart and is by no means pretentious! However, we are assassins; I have killed everyone from women and children to the elderly. My heart is dark, and I am not of the same kind as him! Those who do not share the same path do not conspire together!

Senior brother, I haven't seen you for several days! I miss you...

Without any supernatural abilities and lacking potential, yet fond of being a do-gooder, he will not survive long in the vast outside world, especially within the Seven Kills Sect and the Diagram Sect. Therefore, I have chosen you! Only with your cooperation can we live longer in the Seven Kills Sect

You are aware that the Ascension Conference, held once every five years by the sect, will take place in three months. To escape this soulless land and rid oneself of the poison of immortality, one must seize the opportunity presented at the Ascension Conference, then leave this silver state prison, join the Seven Kills Sect of the main hall, and enter that truly splendid world

Kill

Hello, Senior Brother Luo Li

You really will take action; you are his junior sister, having grown up together since childhood, sharing a deep bond. It is said that during the Shadow Trial, he saved you three times.

The four individuals entered the grand hall, and Luo Li and the others stood up together, bowing in greeting

Luo Li arrived here, sitting at the forefront among the many shadowy figures in black, silently waiting. Before long, Long and Xiao Qing arrived in succession.

Luo Li walked forward along the underground passage, and every disciple of the Tian Jue Sha Hall who saw him bowed respectfully

The sound of killing reverberates through the heavens, its energy piercing the sky

Kill

Third rank, Iron Plate Killer, Luo Li, Fierce Dragon, and Little Qing are just like this. The entire Tian Jue Killing Hall consists of twelve individuals, each with their own name and title, leading various factions of Shadow Killers

The gaze conveys emotions, gentle beyond measure, with a hint of the previous demeanor; indeed, the heart of a beautiful woman is the most ruthless

But why, why is he a world-renowned assassin, the Heavenly Path Killer, executing justice on behalf of heaven, while we are merely nameless pawns, without even a title to our name? Bah!

It is as if one were to strangle an ant

Master Ciyun, of short stature, possesses an imposing presence. He is never seen without a string of crystal-clear prayer beads in his hand, continuously reciting sutras in a soft voice. Amidst the constant sound of chanting, countless rays of light can be seen visibly circulating between him and the prayer beads.

In the grand hall, there were many people seated, at least thirty in total. All of them were assassins who had left the small town, dressed entirely in black, with only their eyes visible.

Upon seeing Luo Li arrive, they stood up together and greeted him, saying: "Greetings, Senior Brother!"

The fierce dragon laughed heartily and said, "Good! And *illustrated* books are good! Good! This world is cruel, and good people receive no rewards! We can only live better if we have a dark heart! By the way, are you really sure that he has no supernatural abilities?"

In addition to the three of them, there was a disheveled middle-aged man who arrived. This man was unkempt, holding a large wine gourd in his hand, taking a sip from it from time to time. He was known as the Prodigal Son and, like Luo Li the Fierce Dragon, was one of the twelve iron medal assassins of the Heavenly Absolute Kill Hall

The various branches of the Hall and the Hall of Seven Kills are spread across numerous small worlds, with a total of one thousand, continuously supplying fresh blood to their outer sects

A faint, ambiguous smile played on his face as he looked at the crowd; under his gaze, everyone, without exception, lowered their heads

The Fourth Rank, the Copper Medal Killer, Master Ciyun, the master of Luo Li from the Heavenly Absolute Killing Hall, the diviner who takes on tasks for the three great elders' Taoist temple, Chen Quezi, who trains disciples, and the plump innkeeper of Yunlai Inn, they are all like this

Xiao Qing said slowly: "Why? Because I am too familiar with him, my senior brother Luo Li! His sword, his foundation, his character, I know them all too well!"

In Xiaoqing's words, the fierce dragon narrowed its eyes, revealing a thin slit that made it appear even more sinister. It spoke in a low voice: "Xiaoqing, by saying this, who exactly are you siding with?"

Kill

This type of training is extremely arduous, with a very high mortality rate, and at times it even requires mutual slaughter, with only one person surviving out of ten

Sometimes the most terrifying thing is not your enemies, but your family and friends! Being too familiar is not necessarily a good thing

Xiao Qing said: "No, absolutely not. I have known him since childhood, and we have been together. I can assure you, he has no supernatural abilities whatsoever"

They are the masters of the Heavenly Absolute Killing Hall, the instructors and teachers of numerous disciples, all of whom have been trained by them. Above them are the silver and gold medalists, which represent the rankings within the outer sect of the Seven Killing Sect. Here, the iron medal killers represent the ultimate limit.

The dragon looked at her and said, "Why? I don't understand. Why did you choose me, this reckless brute, and give up that childhood friend, the heavenly killer? It makes no sense"

Then all the disciples below the stage shouted in unison: