Chapter 194: What Are You Thinking?

In the canyon, gale winds howled, and Lightning Radiance intertwined with flames.

Lian Ye and the Cloud Hidden Elite Jonin's figures darted at high speed between the rock walls, their blade lights flashing and sparks scattering.

Both moved at astonishing speed, each clash accompanied by the clang of metal.

Clang—!

The Tachi "Wuku" slammed hard against the opponent's Ninja Sword; Lian Ye used the force to flip backward, landing steadily on a protruding rock.

His breathing was slightly rapid, and his Sharingan locked onto the opponent.

This Cloud Hidden Elite Jonin was no ordinary foe, possessing decades of combat experience, his speed nearly matching Lian Ye's instant body technique.

More troublesome, his swordsmanship was fierce and precise, nearly breaching Lian Ye's defense several times.

"Uchiha's little brat, is that all your skill?" the Cloud Hidden Jonin sneered, Lightning Radiance flickering on his blade, "Killed the Jinyin Jiaoyin Brothers? Seems it was just better luck!"

In his view, Lian Ye could slay the Jinyin Jiaoyin Brothers only because they were unaware his blade was poisoned, and a momentary carelessness led them to be hit.

Having known the intel, he would never make such a low‑level mistake.

Also a veteran Elite Jonin of Cloud Hidden Village, he boasted that he was not inferior to the Jinyin Jiaoyin Brothers, only slightly behind them due to lacking Six Paths Ninja Tools.

If he could kill Lian Ye, he could prove his own strength.

Lian Ye gave no reply.

His gaze swept over the Battlefield—Qianshou Feijian was locked in fierce combat with the leading hulking man, and Ri Zhan and others were each embroiled in hard fights.

He must quickly deal with this opponent to aid his comrades.

Especially Xiaochun Zhuanqin and Mito Clan's flame, who were visibly struggling against the Cloud Hidden Elite Jonin's assault, barely holding on.

If it dragged on further, the two might end up in danger.

The Cloud Hidden Jonin noticed Lian Ye's mind wandering in battle, his eyes flickering, and thought it a perfect chance to slay him!

Swoosh!

He suddenly launched an attack, the Ninja Sword in his hand tracing a sharp arc aimed at Lian Ye's throat.

Clang!

Lian Ye hurriedly blocked sideways with his blade, the deafening metallic clash echoing off the cliffs.

Both exerted force simultaneously, blade edges pressing together, eyes locked, murderous intent boiling.

"Your swordsmanship is indeed superb," Lian Ye said calmly, his Three Tomoe Sharingan rotating slightly, "but this level cannot kill me."

"Little brat, don't get cocky," the Cloud Hidden Jonin sneered, suddenly unleashing chakra as Lightning Radiance burst along his blade!

"Lightning Release: Thunder Fang Rush!"

Blinding Lightning Radiance exploded, sending Lian Ye staggering back several meters, his feet carving two deep gouges into the ground.

Yet a cold smile curled at his mouth, his Sharingan crimson as blood.

"Is that so?"

The next instant, he employed his instant body technique, and his form vanished abruptly.

Lian Ye instantly appeared beside him, blade light flashing like lightning, striking straight for the throat!

The Cloud Hidden Jonin's pupils contracted sharply, hurriedly blocking with his blade, but Lian Ye's assault came like a raging storm.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

Blade light flashed repeatedly, sparks scattering.

Their silhouettes darted at high speed through the canyon, each blade collision erupting sparks.

"Little brat, I've already seen through your moves!" the Cloud Hidden Jonin roared, suddenly changing technique, his Ninja Sword tracing a bizarre arc aimed at Lian Ye's waist.

"Cloud Flow: Reverse Lightning Slash!"

Lian Ye's gaze hardened; at the critical moment he sidestepped, yet the blade still sliced his garment's edge.

The Cloud Hidden Jonin pressed the advantage, Lightning Radiance flickering on his Ninja Sword, the blade speed increasing another third.

"Die, little brat!"

"Swoosh—!"

The Lightning Blade slashed through Lian Ye's afterimage, while the real Lian Ye vaulted into the air, both hands gripping his sword, striking down from above.

"When?!" the Cloud Hidden Jonin instantly realized he had fallen prey to a Sharingan illusion.

He hastily raised his blade to block, but the force of this strike far exceeded his expectations.

"Boom—!"

The ground cracked, and dust rose everywhere.

The Cloud Hidden Jonin's feet sank into the earth, his palm split, blood dripping down the sword hilt.

A flash of astonishment finally crossed his eyes; this Uchiha little brat was unbelievably strong!

"Damn..."

He immediately sheathed his blade and retreated, quickly forming a hand seal with his blood‑stained hand.

"Lightning Release: Furious Thunder Wave!"

Furious lightning erupted centered on him, forcing Lian Ye's follow‑up attack to halt, yet the Sharingan remained locked on the opponent's movements.

—Now!

In the instant the lightning vanished, Lian Ye's figure surged forward like a phantom!

The Cloud Hidden Jonin was about to swing his blade when Lian Ye's left hand suddenly formed a seal.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

A scorching fireball roared out, forcing the Cloud Hidden Jonin to dodge.

And in that split second of his dodge, Lian Ye's Tachi lunged like a poisonous snake.

"Pfft!"

The sharp blade came with a flesh‑like sound, the blade pierced the chest.

The Cloud Hidden Jonin widened his eyes, staring in disbelief at the Tachi lodged in his own chest.

Fresh blood dripped down the blade, his life draining rapidly.

"You…"

He hadn't expected that Uchiha Xiao Gui could form a seal with one hand; the intel hadn't mentioned it…

"It's over."

Lian Ye coldly drew his sword, the blood tracing an arc in the air.

The Cloud Hidden Jonin fell to his knees, then collapsed heavily, silent forever.

Lian Ye flicked off the blood droplets clinging to the blade, sheathing the sword.

In the distance, the battle among the others continued, the booming sounds shaking the valley.

"Bang!"

Xiaochun Zhuanqin was blasted away by a heavy punch from the Cloud Hidden Jonin, her body smashing against rock, the Red Gourd slipping from her grasp.

The Cloud Hidden Jonin sneered, seized the Red Gourd, and gathered Lightning Radiance in his palm.

"Lightning Release: Thunderstorm Impact!"

The dazzling Lightning Radiance struck the fallen Xiaochun Zhuanqin. Lian Ye, muscles tensed, immediately employed the Flash Body Technique.

His form almost became an afterimage; at the instant the lightning was about to engulf Xiaochun, he seized her collar and yanked it back forcefully.

"Boom—!"

The Lightning Radiance exploded, the ground blasted into a charred deep pit.

Had Lian Ye been a moment later, Xiaochun's fate would have been like shattered rock.

"Cough… thanks, Lian Yejun." Xiaochun Zhuanqin's mouth corner bled, her face pallid. Her right hand was unnaturally twisted, clearly broken.

"You bastard, you actually killed the captain!" Shock flashed across the Cloud Hidden Jonin's face.

Lian Ye's opponent was the captain of their Cloud Hidden Squad, a veteran Elite Jonin of the Village, unexpectedly slain like this.

"Damn guy…"

Before the words finished, a dark silhouette flashed in front.

"Clang!"

The Tachi collided with the Kunai; the massive impact forced the Cloud Hidden Jonin to stagger back, his hand gripping the Kunai trembling.

He flicked his numb wrist, his complexion very grim, eyes watching Lian Ye warily.

This little brat can kill a captain; his strength far exceeds his own, he must be handled cautiously!

"What are you thinking?"

While the Cloud Hidden Jonin contemplated a counter, a cold voice sounded behind him.

"What?!"

His thoughts abruptly halted.

The world suddenly tilted.

The Cloud Hidden Jonin saw his headless body still holding a combat stance, and then there was nothing further.

From Xiaochun's perspective, the Cloud Hidden Jonin, at the instant he locked eyes with Lian Ye, stood dumbfounded in place.

Clearly, from the start he had fallen victim to a Sharingan Genjutsu…