Chapter 27: Elimination List: No. 2

Jiang Xia nodded, warmth spreading in his heart, then turned to look at Wang Teng and Ye Lingxi, still stunned, and tilted his chin.

“Perfect, Itachi two come over too—this spirit core has enough energy; let’s absorb it together and see if we can break through as a group.”

Wang Teng snapped out of his shock instantly, rubbing his hands as he hurried over: “Really? Old Xia, Itachi’re the best!”

“I just broke through to Early Martial Master—maybe this spirit core will push me straight to Mid-Martial Master!”

Ye Lingxi also nodded, walking over to sit cross-legged beside Jiang Xia, her eyes filled with anticipation: “With the Dao scripture’s aid, the Spirit Gathering Array, and the spirit core, this is truly a rare opportunity.”

The three sat around the spirit core, Jiang Xia activating his cultivation first to absorb spiritual energy.

Wang Teng felt a scorching surge of energy flood his body and immediately activated the technique attuned to the character “Curse.”

The energy automatically flowed along his meridians toward his ability core, and his bottleneck instantly loosened.

Another day passed; Wang Teng couldn’t hold back and let out a low roar, his body glowing with rune patterns as his Mid-Martial Master realm shattered through.

On Ye Lingxi’s side, the ice flowers surrounding her were no longer illusory—they had solidified into tiny ice crystals encircling her body.

The essence of the character “Cold” grew clearer under the energy’s nourishment; her control over ice-based power rose another level, and her realm steadily advanced to Late-Martial Master.

Jiang Xia felt the surging energy within the spirit core; his left Mangekyo Sharingan turned silently, stripping away all impurities and leaving only pure energy to merge into his meridians.

He had been only one step away from Great Martial Master; now, with the dual boost of the spirit core and the Spirit Gathering Array, an aura far beyond Martial Master erupted from his body.

Jiang Xia slowly opened his eyes, a hint of satisfaction flashing within them.

“The effect of this Catastrophic-level spirit core is truly incredible—it not only enabled all three of us to break through, but also granted us 200,000 points!”

【Host】: Jiang Xia

【Realm】: Early Great Martial Master (3333/)

【Ability】: SSS-rank Mangekyo Sharingan, SSS-rank Rinnegan, SSS-rank Wood Release

【Skills】: Izanagi, Shinra Tensei, Wanxiangtianyin , Gedo: Chibaku Tensei, Tenchi Jinsei, Amaterasu, Kamui, Tsukuyomi, Ninjutsu: Shadow Clone Technique, Genjutsu: Chakra Suppression Technique…

【Physique】: 1500 Qi

【Items】: Exploding Tags, Kunai, 20,000 Huaxia Coins, Rations*4, Jiraiya’s Icha Icha Paradise, Shuriken*30

【Ninja Tools】: Kusanagi Sword, Juuken Sword, Yata Mirror

【Points】: (Remaining energy absorbed from spirit core)

【Draw Opportunities】: None

Outside the door, Liu Qingxuan watched the three inside break through simultaneously, his eyes filled with awe.

“All three broke two minor realms in half a month—this is terrifying!”

Jiang Xia clenched his fist, feeling the power of Great Martial Master; with this strength, even without using Tenchi Jinsei, he could stand invincible against Ling Zhantian!

Wang Teng also excitedly swung his fist at the air: “If I meet that dirt-bag king again, I’ll knock him flat!”

“Enough. Itachi three haven’t attended class in nearly a month—go wash up, rest well, and report to Elder Wu Qiong tomorrow.”

Liu Qingxuan waved them off and left the Yangxin Pavilion.

At the dormitory entrance, Jiang Xia waved to Ye Lingxi: “Lingxi, Itachi’ve expended a lot today—go rest well.”

Wang Teng, still buzzing with excitement, chimed in: “Yeah! When we meet Elder Wu tomorrow, he might test our cultivation—tonight we’ve got to recharge!”

Ye Lingxi nodded lightly, her lips curving slightly as she observed their weary expressions.

“Don’t be careless—your realms aren’t stable yet after breaking through; don’t go fooling around.” With that, she turned and walked toward the female dormitory area.

Back at Songfeng Garden, Wang Teng collapsed onto his bed, ready to sleep immediately, but Jiang Xia shoved him firmly toward the bathroom door.

As Jiang Xia plugged in his phone, he spotted a news alert: footage of him transforming into Susano’o in the secret realm had made the front page.

Before he could process it, an unknown number called in.

“Hey, Jiang Xia, listen to me!” As soon as he answered, Su Changfeng’s anxious voice blasted into his ear.

After Jiang Xia responded, Su Changfeng calmed slightly and spoke in a low, serious tone.

“Shen Wenru leaked your information from the secret realm. Now, all the monsters beyond Shanhai Pass—and even the remaining monsters inside human territory—”

“Have placed Itachi at number two on the Elimination List, just below the Military God. Even your two friends are on it.”

“I’m at the Literary Dao Academy,” Jiang Xia frowned, puzzled.

“Aren’t monsters supposed to kill humans on sight? What’s different about this Elimination List?”

“The difference is within human society!” Su Changfeng rushed to explain.

“Many people crave divine power; though not as extreme as the Evil God Cult, they’re bounty hunters.”

“Now that the list is out, they can’t touch others—so they’re targeting Itachi and your friends!”

Jiang Xia’s face darkened instantly; he murmured softly: “So my friends and I have become the target of everyone?”

“It’s worse than that,” Su Changfeng’s voice sank further. “The Evil God Cult has also posted a bounty on the black market.”

“Information leading to Itachi: 100 spirit stones. Injuring Itachi: 500 spirit stones plus ten million Huaxia Coins.”

“If Itachi’re killed: three Catastrophic-level monster spirit cores, plus one hundred million Huaxia Coins.”

He paused, then intensified his tone.

“Do Itachi understand? That means anyone—whether allied with forces beyond the pass or not—might attack Itachi, or even your friends!”

Seeing Jiang Xia silent, Su Changfeng added quickly, trying to ease the tension.

“But don’t panic—we’ve done our best to contain the fallout.”

Jiang Xia’s fingers tapped lightly on the table, his gaze shifting instantly from solemn to icy.

He picked up the Kusanagi Sword, holding it under the moonlight, its edge gleaming with chilling radiance: “The heavier the bounty, the more they fear me growing stronger.”

“Three Catastrophic-level spirit cores? They’re really willing to spend.”

“It’s good Itachi see it that way,” Su Changfeng exhaled, his voice tinged with relief.

“I’ve already assigned people to monitor the black market and the Bounty Hunter Guild—any movement, and Itachi’ll be notified immediately.”

“By the way, Commander Lu also heard about this—he told Itachi to avoid leaving the academy alone. If Itachi must go out, contact the Night Watch Headquarters; they’ll arrange covert escorts.”

Jiang Xia acknowledged, his gaze sweeping over the pitch-black night outside the window. The streetlamp below the dorm flickered dimly.

Once, the academy felt safe—now it felt like a forest hiding hunters.

“One more thing,” Su Changfeng suddenly lowered his voice.

“After leaking your information, Shen Wenru vanished. We raided several hideouts—no trace of him.”

“He’s likely lying in wait, planning to strike at Itachi.”

“Strike at me?” Jiang Xia raised an eyebrow, his left Mangekyo Sharingan opening.

“With my current strength, I might not beat him, but I can still run.”

After hanging up, Jiang Xia had just put away his phone when he heard a dull thud from the bathroom.

He pushed open the door to find Wang Teng crouched on the floor, wrapped in a towel, water dripping from his hair.

In his hand was a crumpled bounty poster—the top bore a large, bold character: “Evil.”

“What the hell is this? It flew in through the window while I was showering!” Wang Teng growled, crumpling the poster and hurling it to the floor.