Late at night, Panshi District B3-07 residence.

Ling Chen was not asleep.

The Soul Jade Physique’s icy will constantly maintained a semi-dormant, vigilant state, like a predator lurking beneath the deep sea, silently perceiving all energy flows and mental fluctuations around it.

Suddenly—

An extremely subtle mental fluctuation, yet one that drilled into his brain like a cold, poisonous snake, precisely triggered the psionic alert mark Ling Chen had set up on the periphery!

This fluctuation was not an attack; it was more like… an enticement. A mental imprint filled with malice, provocation, and a hint of a familiar lightning aura, like bait, flashed across the edge of Ling Chen's perception, then quickly fled towards the outskirts of the Panshi District, in the direction of the abandoned pipe processing area.

He's here.

Ling Chen's tightly shut eyes snapped open! A cold, sharp glint flashed in his deep black eyes in the darkness!

Lei Hu!

He really couldn't resist making a move!

Was it because the humiliation on the arena stage had not been avenged?

Or because the Ashes Squad, though damaged recently, still existed with Associate Chairman Tieshan's support, making him an eyesore?

Or, was it simply that those people from the Security Department disliked him and wanted to use this opportunity to completely eliminate him, this 'potential risk'?

The reason didn't matter.

What mattered was that he chose to act.

And he chose the most foolish method—private assassination.

A cruel arc curved on Ling Chen's lips.

He was worried he couldn't find an opportunity to completely resolve this potential trouble, yet the other party actually delivered himself to his doorstep, even specifically choosing a 'perfect' place for murder and silencing.

He rose silently, sliding out of his residence like a shadow, without alarming anyone.

He deliberately restrained most of his aura, only revealing the slightly disordered and vigilant energy fluctuations expected of a Ningneng Stage Lv.1, following that provocative mental imprint, quickly sneaking towards the abandoned pipe area.

He was, of course, deliberate.

He wanted to give Lei Hu a 'perfect' opportunity to strike, an opportunity that would make him confident enough to expose his killing moves without reservation.

The abandoned pipe processing area was located on the edge of the Panshi District. It was piled with a large number of discarded energy pipes and purification equipment, intricate like a steel jungle, and year-round permeated with the faint smell of energy waste, enough to interfere with the normal operation of most detection equipment.

This was a shadowy corner beneath the Shengjing Underground City's bright facade, an ideal place for dirty dealings, and also… an excellent location for murder and disposal of bodies.

Ling Chen 'cautiously' delved into this steel ruin, the beam of his tactical spotlight sweeping across the twisted metal pipes, casting grotesque shadows.

The air was filled with the smell of rust and ozone.

“Whoosh—!”

An extremely subtle whooshing sound attacked from overhead!

Ling Chen seemed to be 'caught off guard' and rolled to the side to dodge!

Hiss!

A condensed energy arrow, flashing with dazzling lightning, grazed his shoulder and shot into the ground, melting a small pit in the solid alloy floor, making a sizzling sound!

“You react quite fast, little mudskipper.” A voice full of mockery and cold killing intent came from a thick pipe above.

Ling Chen looked up and saw Lei Hu standing on that pipe, looking down at him from above.

He was not wearing the Xuan Niao Guard uniform, but a black combat suit convenient for movement, with an undisguised sinister smile on his face and the cruel pleasure of a cat playing with a mouse.

Dangerous blue electric arcs danced at his fingertips.

“Captain Lei Hu?”

Ling Chen's face showed 'astonishment' and 'nervousness'.

“You… why are you here? That mental fluctuation just now…”

“Hmph! Of course, it was to lure out a troublesome little mudskipper like you!”

Lei Hu sneered, leaped down from the pipe, and landed not far in front of Ling Chen, the ground shaking slightly.

“The score from the arena, and the fact that an eyesore like you can still be a captain, makes me sick! Today, this will be your burial ground!”

He twisted his neck, making cracking sounds, and powerful lightning energy fluctuations began to emanate from his body. The Bone Eater Stage Peak's pressure was released without reservation, pressing down on Ling Chen as if substantial!

A burnt smell permeated the air.

“Captain Lei Hu! You are violating guild regulations! Does the Security Department know?!”

Ling Chen 'blustered' and 'involuntarily' took a step back, as if intimidated by the powerful pressure.

“Regulations? Hahaha!”

Lei Hu seemed to have heard the biggest joke, laughing wildly.

“Regulations are for the weak to follow! Who will know if I kill you here? Who will pursue me, Lei Hu, for a dead, potentially risky Energy Condensation Stage team captain? Don't forget, my uncle is the Deputy Director of the Security Department!”

The killing intent in his eyes almost solidified: “If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for your bad luck, for offending someone you shouldn't have! In your next life, open your eyes a little wider!”

Before he finished speaking, Lei Hu moved suddenly!

“Thunderous Might! Thunder Claw!”

He roared lowly! His right hand shot out fiercely! Five fingers formed a claw!

Instantly enveloped by dazzling blue lightning! It transformed into a giant, terrifying sharp claw composed of violent thunder! With a tearing boom that ripped through the air and a destructive aura, it clawed down towards Ling Chen's head! Its speed was astonishing!

This attack was far more powerful than during the arena match!

Clearly, Lei Hu held nothing back, intending to kill with one blow!

However, just as the Thunder Claw was about to touch Ling Chen's head—

All the panic, fear, and nervousness on Ling Chen's face vanished instantly without a trace! In its place was an extreme, cold indifference!

As if looking at a… dead man!

His lips moved slightly, uttering two chilling words:

“Blood Kasaya.”

Buzz—!!!

An incomparably viscous, heavy, dark-red energy, exuding a rich bloody smell and icy death will, instantly erupted from Ling Chen's body!

It didn't surge outwards, but rather, as if alive! It instantly wove, flowed, and covered the surface of his body!

In the blink of an eye! A strange and demonic energy kasaya, seemingly condensed from countless wriggling, flowing dark-red blood, enveloped Ling Chen's entire body!

On the kasaya, blood waves circulated, as if countless wronged souls were wailing and struggling, emitting a coldness and stillness that made one's soul tremble!

Blood Ripple's second derivative skill—Blood Kasaya! A defensive skill!

Having been in Shengjing for so long, how could he not have upgraded his abilities?