Chapter 745: Why Force Me? Instant Kill!

Inside the base building, seeing the two figures suddenly appear before her, Sakura Rin's delicate face subtly changed color.

She never imagined Sato Ken would show up here—and bring Deputy Director Kudo Shuichu with him!

Opposite them, Kudo Shuichu glanced at Xu Jingming, then at Sakura Rin, then narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice:

"Holy Maiden, give an explanation."

Kudo Shuichu was not tall—indeed, he was quite short, standing only about one meter sixty.

Yet the aura radiating from him was as cold and venomous as a serpent.

"Director Kudo, I don't know what Sato Ken is talking about—he's merely a friend of mine."

Sakura Rin quickly composed herself and bowed respectfully:

"My friend is only Seventh Stage Mid-Level. I have no idea who Sato Ken means by 'Eighth Stage Grand Master.'"

As she spoke, Xu Jingming, wishing to avoid further complications, cooperatively revealed his aura, simultaneously unveiling his fire-based ability transformed by Thunderfire Conversion.

"So he's truly only Seventh Stage Mid-Level?"

Sato Ken blinked in surprise, then immediately snapped:

"No—this is completely different from the aura I sensed just now! This is disguise! Absolutely a disguise!"

"Though methods to conceal one's aura are rare, they're not nonexistent."

Kudo Shuichu did not immediately believe him, but turned to Xu Jingming and said:

"There are few Seventh Stage Grand Masters in our country, and I know most of them.

Friend, just tell me your name.

Even if I don't recognize you, I can ask others—so long as your identity is confirmed.

Otherwise, the appearance of an unknown Seventh Stage Grand Master beside our Holy Maiden is hard not to suspect."

Hearing this, Xu Jingming frowned.

His appearance had been temporarily altered—he had no fake identity in Sakura Country.

"Director Kudo, this is Young Master Qingshan Yuanyang of the Qingshan Clan.

We met by chance at a banquet; he came here specifically to find me."

At that moment, Sakura Rin suddenly thought of a solution.

Qingshan Yuanyang, Seventh Stage Mid-Level, possesses a fire-based ability.

Perfectly matches Xu Jingming's displayed traits—and the Qingshan Clan resides deep in the mountains.

Rarely seen by the world; she had never met him, and Kudo Shuichu likely hadn't either.

"Qingshan Yuanyang."

Kudo Shuichu frowned, a faint cold smile curling at his lips:

"I've never met Qingshan Yuanyang, but Holy Maiden, don't you think you're mocking me?

By this year's reckoning, Qingshan Yuanyang should be over forty. Does he look forty?"

Damn it!

Sakura Rin's heart lurched.

She'd only heard the name—but never realized Qingshan Yuanyang was this old!

Then again—

In our country, a Seventh Stage at thirty is already called a genius!

Forty or fifty is the average age for a Seventh Stage Grand Master.

Otherwise, Sato Ken, who reached Sixth Stage Upper at twenty-seven, wouldn't be revered as Holy Son.

And Xu Jingming's current appearance? No more than thirty.

There is no Seventh Stage Mid-Level Grand Master in our country who matches him.

"Friend, if you cannot clearly explain your origins, this matter will become difficult."

Kudo Shuichu's eyes suddenly turned emerald green, staring at Xu Jingming with chilling frost.

Then, fine scales began growing across his exposed skin.

He was an adept with a beast-type snake ability, identical to the Heavenly Demons'.

The aura of an Eighth Stage Grand Master filled the entire space, heavy and oppressive.

Both Sato Ken and Sakura Rin instinctively held their breath.

One's expression was excitement; the other's, anxiety.

Sakura Rin wasn't anxious for Xu Jingming's safety—she feared Kudo Shuichu would be instantly killed.

If that happened, the aftermath would become extremely messy.

Amid the suffocating silence, Xu Jingming sighed and looked at Kudo Shuichu:

"I never intended to act. Why are you forcing me?"

"What?"

Kudo Shuichu frowned, preparing to speak again—

When he saw the man's eyes suddenly filled with wild golden lightning!

The lightning was magnificent, beautiful, radiating a sacred yet deadly peril.

The next instant—

A sharp crack! A brilliant golden bolt slammed forward!

Even with Kudo Shuichu's astonishing reflexes, he had no time to react.

Crackling—

Lightning flashed, but did not consume him; instead, it was blocked by a pale white membrane.

"Grade Eight Protection Talisman? Didn't expect you to have such a treasure."

Xu Jingming raised an eyebrow, surprised.

In his view, Sakura Country's territory was too small to possess such abundant resources.

"It's you! Xu Jingming!"

Seeing the signature golden lightning, Kudo Shuichu instantly recognized Xu Jingming's identity.

"It's Xu Jingming?"

Sato Ken froze—he never imagined Sakura Rin was entangled with Xu Jingming of Great Xia.

"Sakura Rin, you dare collude with Great Xia!"

After his shock, Kudo Shuichu's gaze toward Xu Jingming turned eager:

"Xu Jingming, you don't stay in Great Xia—you come to our Sakura Country?

Are you foolish or naive? Do you truly believe the Blood Sword's warning stops us from acting against you?"

Swish—

He drew a long sword from his space ring, his aura exploding upward, climbing to its peak!

The Blood Sword's threat was great—but if he killed Xu Jingming, he could flee to America and seek asylum!

Then resources, wealth—everything he desired!

Whether Sakura Country became Great Xia's target for vengeance? Not his concern.

By then, he'd be an American.

Sakura Country?

Irrelevant.

"Oh? You didn't run—instead, you want to attack me?"

Xu Jingming narrowed his eyes; the two-meter-one-long Melted Obsidian Spear was already in his grip.

Golden lightning coiled around its shaft, blending with its crimson hue, making it fierce and magnificent.

"Run? Why should I run?"

As if hearing a joke, Kudo Shuichu sneered:

"Killing an Eighth Stage Mid-Level boosted by secret arts—you really think you can match a true Eighth Stage Mid-Level?

Dreaming in broad daylight..."

Before he finished speaking, lightning flashed—Xu Jingming vanished from his spot and appeared before Kudo Shuichu.

Thunder Piercing Demon Killing Spear!

In an instant, the spear, radiating terrifying energy, shot out like a dragon, piercing straight through his skull!

Puch—

Kudo Shuichu's expression froze in contempt, then exploded into fragments!

Blood sprayed outward, drenching Sato Ken completely, soaking him in crimson.

Swish—

Xu Jingming expressionlessly retracted the spear, shaking it hard—blood flew off onto the floor.

Adding more bloodstained horror to the already gruesome scene.

"Just an Eighth Stage Mid-Level Grand Master. Where did you get the confidence to fight me?"

Xu Jingming's eyes, swirling with lightning, held disdain.

Before his breakthrough, he could defeat ordinary A-Rank Eighth Stage Mid-Level Grand Masters.

After his breakthrough—even in Thunder Extreme State—he could still execute instant kills.