High Martial: I Grind Professions

Chapter 273: Chapter 167: King-level Assassination

”KILL—!!” Li Wen’s fierce roar was like a battle horn, snapping Lin Yue and the other two from their daze.

Their momentary shock was replaced by a surging will to fight! The relief of having survived, coupled with their absolute awe for Li Wen, transformed into their greatest source of strength.

Ignoring their wounds, they unleashed their remaining potential. Following closely behind Li Wen, they were like hungry tigers pouncing on a flock of sheep, launching a vicious pursuit against the demons who had already lost their nerve and were desperate to flee.

The Demon Race finally collapsed completely.

The psychological impact of their Great Sun Realm leader being instantly killed was too immense. Combined with the fierce counterattack from the Human Race, they could no longer mount any effective resistance. Their only thought was to escape—back through the Stargate.

It was a one-sided slaughter.

Led by Li Wen’s overwhelming power and supported by the desperate efforts of Lin Yue and the others, the remaining pockets of demon resistance were swiftly eliminated. Those who fled were hunted down and slain one by one.

In just a few moments, the once-deafening, brutal battlefield fell silent, leaving only the heavy panting of the human warriors and the sporadic sounds of finishing blows being dealt to confirm their kills.

The Stargate fortress of Nanzha County had been defended once more.

Leaning on his blood-stained weapon and gasping for breath, Lin Yue gazed at the mountains of demon corpses surrounding them. His eyes then fell upon the young figure slowly descending from the sky to land before the ruined city wall, and they filled with an unprecedented sense of awe and gratitude.

The three warriors instinctively moved toward Li Wen, and the other surviving soldiers began to converge from all directions.

Their gazes focused on Li Wen like spotlights, filled with the relief of having escaped death, an unparalleled respect for the strong, and lingering shock from that unbelievable strike.

Lin Yue stepped forward and gave Li Wen a solemn military salute—the highest sign of respect between comrades-in-arms.

Li Wen looked at their emotional faces, many streaked with tears and blood. He could feel the thick stench of blood in the air and the exhilaration of their survival. He gave a slight nod, his expression as serene as ever.

...

Demon Realm.

Deep within the Red Rock Mountain Range, inside the Demon King Hall.

The Marquis Level Demon King, the Evil-eyed Demon King, was pacing anxiously.

He tightly clutched a small, white jade life tablet in his massive palm. It was covered in cracks and represented the soul imprint of Chi Ling.

The moment that pink mist had enveloped the battlefield, the life tablet in his hand had begun to vibrate violently, its glow flickering erratically.

His knuckles turned white as he unconsciously tightened his grip, his heart caught in his throat.

He had dispatched his best infiltrator, used a precious Demon Core, and even sacrificed the entire assault team as bait. It was all for a single, decisive strike to eliminate that prodigy with the Human Race’s Nine Heavens Divine Body. ’As long as I succeed, any price will be worth it!’

’Succeed... It has to succeed...’ the Evil-eyed Demon King roared in his heart, his eyes filled with greedy anticipation for his great accomplishment. It was as if he could already see the glorious scene of himself trading Li Wen’s corpse for priceless treasures and ascending to the rank of a King-level.

However, the light only flickered for a fleeting moment.

CRACK!

An almost imperceptible cracking sound echoed in his mind like a clap of thunder.

The Evil-eyed Demon King shuddered and jerked his head down. He watched as cracks spread like a spiderweb across Chi Ling’s life tablet, instantly covering its entire surface.

Then, before his horrified eyes, with a soft shattering sound, the entire tablet disintegrated. It turned into a pile of dull, white dust that trickled through his fingers.

”No... Impossible!!!” The ecstasy on the Evil-eyed Demon King’s face froze, instantly replaced by a twisted mask of pure rage as he let out a beastly growl.

He stared in disbelief at his now-empty palm. The scattered dust seemed to be the ashes of his ambition.

An ominous premonition coiled around his heart like a cold snake.

He stood in the vast, opulent Demon King Hall, staring intently in the direction of the Nanzha County Stargate, though it was impossible to see across the infinite distance.

Time trickled by in the dead silence, each second an agony like being cut with a dull knife.

Any hope for a fluke had been shattered along with the life tablet, but a sliver of delusion kept him rooted to the spot.

He ordered all his confidants to watch the gate, praying that even one or two stragglers might make it back to deliver a report...

An hour... Two hours...

The sky outside the hall began to show the first light of dawn.

The other end of the Stargate remained deathly silent. There was no sign of any returning demon soldiers, not even the faintest ripple of energy.

With each passing moment, the last embers of hope in the Evil-eyed Demon King’s heart died out.

The frantic hope in his eyes was replaced by cold fury.

He had failed. Utterly and completely.

...

Deep night enveloped Emberlight University.

On a rear mountain of Enlightenment Peak, a quaint gazebo stood in silence.

The Headmaster sat within the gazebo, a deep blue screen of light hovering before him. Countless streams of information scrolled silently across it, displaying real-time updates from the various battlefronts.

His gaze was perfectly calm, as if he were reading nothing more than an ordinary report.

As the screen scrolled and the report of Li Wen once again annihilating the invading Demon Race forces at Nanzha County came into view, a barely perceptible flicker finally crossed the depths of the Headmaster’s eyes—eyes that seemed to hold ancient stars. It was a gleam of profound understanding.

He did not look up. He simply spoke into the seemingly empty night, his voice clear and deep:

”Number 2, inform the Cloud Dragon King. Have him depart for Bluestone County at once.” He paused briefly, then added, ”Tell him the fish we’ve been waiting for so long is about to bite.”

A barely perceptible ripple stirred the air, and a synthesized, emotionless voice replied:

”Directive received. Relaying to the Cloud Dragon King immediately.”