The crowd of assassins below, after witnessing Xiang Mantang successfully annex "Xiao", did not leave, and they had already surmised that he wanted to continue challenging.
But as he spoke,
the crowd couldn't help feeling stunned again.
They had not anticipated that Xiang Mantang would choose to challenge the world's number one ranked assassins guild instead of going after the second-ranked one.
This was, wasn't it, courting death...
The "Twilight of the Gods" was the assassins guild ranked number one in the world.
Their guild head, codenamed "Zeus," was the assassin ranked among the top five in the world.
While he only ranked fifth among individual assassins, that level of strength was already formidable.
Because the first in the individual assassin rankings is the Realm Master, the second is Nameless, the third is San Liu...
His being among the top five was an extremely terrifying matter, making him an outstanding member among the super elite assassins.
Even San Liu and Nameless wouldn't dare to easily provoke a conflict with him.
After all, they operated alone, while "Zeus" had "The Twilight of the Gods" behind him!
At this moment, the assassins of the "Twilight of the Gods" guild, seeing Xiang Mantang directing his gaze at them and calling them to step forward, were briefly stunned before they couldn't help but sneer.
They, who usually carried themselves high above the others and never deigned to look directly at other assassins, never thought that one day, they too would be challenged.
And this so-called "Six Disasters Canglong" guild, which they had never even heard of before today, had just barely climbed to third in the world rankings by annexing a few other assassin guilds and now dared to challenge them.
Truly, human greed knows no bounds!
"Guild head, let me do it!"
A blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty said to the middle-aged, handsome man standing in front.
That middle-aged gentleman was "Zeus."
"'Athena', are you sure?"
Zeus turned to look at "Athena," speaking with a calm tone.
Athena was also an Alliance Hierarch within their "Twilight of the Gods" guild and ranked among the top three in strength; in theory, Zeus had no reason to worry about her capability.
With her strength, dealing with "Xiao's" guild head "Ming" would normally be a breeze.
But Zeus did not underestimate Xiang Mantang; he perceived from Xiang Mantang's actions that his strength could likely be among the top five on the individual assassin rankings.
Thus, he felt that Athena might not necessarily be a match for Xiang Mantang.
"Don't worry, if he were at his peak, I probably wouldn't be his match, but he's been worn down by a series of battles. If I can't handle him now, I might as well retire."
Athena said with confidence.
"Alright, but if you sense anything unusual, and there is a danger of defeat, feel free to concede the match."
Seeing Athena's insistence, Zeus didn't persuade further but merely asked her to not overdo it in a critical moment.
"I understand."
Athena replied earnestly, but truthfully, she didn't really take Zeus's advice to heart.
Then, Athena took the broad sword that someone handed her, stepped on the ground with her jade feet, shot up into the sky instantaneously, and then landed lightly on the competition platform.
Without causing any ripples.
Her entrance onto the platform won quiet admiration from the crowd below.
After the Vice Alliance Hierarch declared the start of the match.
Athena swung her broad sword, instantly stirring a fierce sword wind, and with a crisp movement, she gestured towards Xiang Mantang and said in stiff Mandarin, "Please enlighten me!"
"Please!" Xiang Mantang raised his hand and flicked the blade of the Demon Sword Muramasa, producing a clear ringing sound, then spoke lightly.
As the voice faded.
"Ha!"
"Athena," Liu Mei furrowed her brow, suddenly letting out an angry shout, her golden hair flying wildly. From a distance, it looked like clusters of golden flames blazing. She swung the intricately patterned Broad Sword in her hands and leaped toward Xiang Mantang!
Xiang Mantang dared not clash with her directly and quickly retreated!
"Bang!"
The entire Competition platform of Slaughter Redemption, made of special metal, was fiercely slammed by Athena's Broad Sword. It instantly trembled violently, the spot she struck caving in somewhat.
What terrifying immense strength.
Previously when Xiang Mantang fought with so many people, back and forth clashes would have normally brought down a house, yet they did not leave a trace on the platform. But now, it had actually been dented by Athena.
If that had hit Xiang Mantang, he would likely have been smashed into a pulp!
Xiang Mantang, who had leaped into the air, looked down at Athena, his eyelids twitching violently, secretly frightened.
He could feel the tremendous force emanating from Athena's sword strike on the ground, radiating violently in all directions. Had he not jumped up, his legs would either have been shaken useless or numbed, rendering him unable to move.
In that case, facing a monstrously strong woman like Athena, he would have had no choice but to brace for execution.
"Hiss!"
As Xiang Mantang landed, although he could still feel a residual shaking, it was waning and did not affect him much. He swung his sword toward the still-rising Athena, aiming to subdue her!
Planning to take advantage of her compromised mobility to bring her down.
"Clang!"
"Clang!"
Athena, seeing Xiang Mantang's movement, smirked coldly, waving her Broad Sword, which now felt lighter than before, as if handling a twig. With a flick, she slashed horizontally at Xiang Mantang's head!
Xiang Mantang, startled, waved his sword to counter and hastily retreated several steps with the recoil.
"Clang, clang, clang!"
Afterward, Xiang Mantang looked for an opportunity to attack Athena again but was unsuccessful.
Athena truly brought the technique of overpowering strength to perfection. Although she swung the Broad Sword, hindered in mobility, she managed to create an impenetrable barrage of sword moves right where she stood. No matter how furiously Xiang Mantang slashed, he could not touch her.
As Xiang Mantang grew secretly anxious, preparing to use a Forbidden Secret Technique to decisively kill Athena...
"We surrender."
Mu Jinyu, below the platform, suddenly raised her hand and shouted to the Vice Alliance Hierarch.
"Huh?!"
Xiang Mantang on the platform heard Mu Jinyu's words, his expression stunned. He hurriedly sheathed his sword and retreated to avoid Athena's potential sneak attack.
But Athena wasn't the type to play dirty; seeing that the "Six Disasters Azure Dragon" conceded, she did not take the opportunity to attack Xiang Mantang while the Vice Alliance Hierarch had yet to announce the result.
After Xiang Mantang created distance from Athena, he looked down at Mu Jinyu with a puzzled expression. Though he didn't speak, Mu Jinyu understood his intent.
He believed he could still work through it, just needed a bit more time to defeat Athena.
Mu Jinyu shook her head slightly, also giving him a look.
Telling Xiang Mantang that he was already worn out and it was not advisable to continue fighting. It was better to leave the subsequent battles to him, and that he should rest. They still needed him to help in the upcoming siege against the Lord of the Killing Realm.
Xiang Mantang understood the meaning behind Mu Jinyu's eyes. His expression showed a struggle, but in the end, for the greater good, he sighed, let go of his fighting spirit, and stepped down from the competition platform.
Seeing this, the Vice Alliance Hierarch then announced, "So, the member 'Invincible' of 'Six Disasters Azure Dragon' concedes. 'Twilight of the Gods' wins, best three out of five, second round, begin."
The members of "Twilight of the Gods" heard the announcement and smirked coldly, as if they had expected it as a matter of course.
However, the Guild Master "Zeus" and another Vice Guild Master "Poseidon" secretly breathed a sigh of relief.