Chapter Ninety-Seven: The Complete Annihilation of the Assassins

Chen Yiyan understood Ye Zihan’s intentions, so he refrained from competing for the assassin. Having already slain an enemy of the Star Realm—a feat truly remarkable given that he was only at the peak of the Five Elements Realm—he was content. Despite the significant gap in cultivation, Chen Yiyan had managed to secure the kill.

Nameless City was packed with onlookers, including many formidable cultivators who had arrived to witness the spectacle. None of them could have imagined that Chen Yiyan’s desperate, all-out fighting style would result in the death of a Star Realm expert. It was, without a doubt, the most shocking event to occur in Nameless City.

The appearance of two assassins within Nameless City was an extremely rare occurrence; such things were statistically improbable, yet they had happened, and tonight, one of those assassins had already been struck down.

"Consider yourselves lucky," the assassin battling Ye Zihan shouted, preparing to flee. He realized he could not kill Ye Zihan, who was on the verge of reaching the Star Realm—a level of power comparable to Chen Yiyan’s.

"Do you think you can still run?" Ye Zihan retorted. "Unfortunately, your chance has passed. You are surrounded." Ye Zihan lunged forward, refusing to let the tiger return to the mountains, knowing this assassin would remain a threat to his life in the future.

"Hmph, even if I can't kill you today, I have the means to escape, so stop wasting your time," the assassin sneered. He attempted to flee, but a powerful cultivator from Nameless City intercepted him.

Ye Zihan looked at the assassin and said, "Well? Do you still have a chance to escape? If so, go ahead; we certainly won't stop you." Ye Zihan’s killing intent was palpable, but they were in no hurry.

The assassin was now trapped, blocked by Ye Zihan in front and the Nameless City guards behind. He was doomed; neither Ye Zihan nor the city’s defenders intended to let him go, as his presence was an insult to the city's dignity.

If it were merely a personal insult, the city guard might have ignored it, but attempting an assassination within Nameless City was a blatant disregard for its authority—a sign that the assassin viewed the city as weak. How could the city’s defenders remain calm? If these assassins dared to come, they had to be prepared for the consequences.

"Ha! If you have the ability, then chase me!" the assassin laughed, attempting to flee again, only to be blocked once more by the guards. He was caught in a stalemate, with no path forward or backward. A desperate, suicidal struggle seemed to be his only remaining option.

Ye Zihan chuckled. "Run, then. Let’s see if I can finish you off. Even if I can't, I trust the brothers of Nameless City won't let you assassins go." He glanced at the powerful Nameless City cultivator nearby. The man seemed incredibly strong, though Ye Zihan could not discern the true extent of his power.

"Indeed," the Nameless City expert declared, stepping forward to condemn the assassin. "These assassins have offended Nameless City, and they must die."

If Ye Zihan hadn't wanted to handle it himself, these Nameless City experts would have dealt with the assassins long ago. There were many such cultivators in the city, some far more powerful than the one currently present—this was the true strength of Nameless City.

Having endured for so long in the Beast Domain, Nameless City possessed formidable power. If Ye Zihan’s Heaven-Defying Pavilion were to bring Nameless City into its fold, no force on the Illusion God Continent would dare underestimate them.

"Ha! I'm leaving now. Try and catch me if you can!" The assassin bolted, but he could not shake the pursuit, nor could he kill those tracking him.

*Whoosh.* Ye Zihan brandished his Red Lotus Dagger, launching a fierce assault while beginning to circulate the "Illusion God Art" within his body—the very foundation of his dominance on the Illusion God Continent.

If Ye Zihan could fully master the "Illusion God Art," it would be a blessing for the world, for a new powerhouse would emerge. For now, he was only familiar with the basics and had yet to absorb its true essence.

Suddenly, the Five Elements elements of the entire city began to churn violently, gathering around Ye Zihan. It was the result of the "Illusion God Art," a phenomenon so incredible that most would refuse to believe it, yet it was happening right before their eyes.

"What is this? Is the sky collapsing? How can we be so unlucky?"
"Nonsense, the elements are just too concentrated. But why now? Let's wait and see."

The cultivators of Nameless City whispered among themselves, speculating about Ye Zihan’s identity, though none truly understood him.

"What is that kid doing? An elemental eruption?" Even the seasoned Nameless City cultivators were astonished by this elemental feast.

Yan Chen smiled. "We don't know why this is happening. You'll have to ask Ye Zihan; it's his secret." He bowed to the nearby cultivator, admitting his ignorance of such matters.

"Hmm. It seems you are fortunate this time. I hope you do not disappoint us," the Nameless City cultivator replied, falling silent. He would not divulge secrets.

Watching the assassin’s retreating figure, Ye Zihan shouted, "You won't escape our grasp today!" He surged forward in pursuit.

"Young Master Ye Zihan, no need to chase him. He will be back soon," the Nameless City cultivator said calmly, appearing completely confident.

*Ah!*

At that tense moment, a scream pierced the air. A human-shaped object was sent flying back from the distance toward Ye Zihan’s group. It was the fleeing assassin, now dead—the price for disregarding Nameless City.

Ye Zihan watched from afar, stunned by how quickly the city’s defenders had resolved the situation. Nameless City was a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, possessing far more Star Realm experts than the Xuanwu City of the Xuanwu Marsh.

"Well, Brother Ye Zihan, we have dealt with the assassin for you. Rest assured, those who cause trouble in Nameless City never meet a good end," the cultivator said, raising his voice so everyone could hear the city's rules.

Ye Zihan nodded, truly satisfied. "With the ringleaders dead, I believe they won't dare return. Now we can rest easy." With his imminent breakthrough to the Star Realm, few would be able to threaten him, which gave him immense confidence.

Yan Chen nodded as well. "Indeed, Nameless City handled this perfectly. It is your rule that anyone who breaks it must face punishment."

Thinking of tomorrow’s competition to decide the ruler of Nameless City, Yan Chen felt a surge of nerves. They would face countless challenges, and ultimately, it would depend on the city’s choice. If the powerful residents of Nameless City were unsatisfied with the winner of the competition, they would not accept them as their lord.

Nameless City was a major power, whether in the Beast Domain or the Illusion God Continent. Though they did not claim jurisdiction over the outside world, they had turned the Nameless Hills into a place of rare and vibrant prosperity.

"Since it’s settled, go and rest. You must participate in the competition tomorrow," the Nameless City cultivator said before leaving the small inn. The crowd slowly dispersed, everyone hoping for a satisfactory performance in the coming day.