C64 He Killed a Human Rank

"Kid, you've already killed my eighth and ninth brothers. I won't let you off with an easy death," Hei Seven snarled menacingly.

"I'll peel your skin off layer by layer, making you endure the agony of a thousand cuts!"

The dagger was formed from Water Attribute Genuine Qi, making it even more lethal than an ordinary blade.

Given Hei Seven's strength and status, a Spiritual Tool was beyond his reach.

As Hei Seven closed in on Han Feng, Han Feng suddenly sprang into action, his body erupting in fierce flames.

The crimson fire transformed into a blaze of light, shooting straight at Hei Seven.

Hei Seven was taken aback. As a Human Rank expert, he couldn't believe that a mere Mortal-rank had emerged unscathed from his full-force strike!

Hei Seven realized that Han Feng's earlier inability to stand was a ruse, a ploy to draw him closer.

"Water Sword Slash!"

Despite being caught off guard, Hei Seven, as a Human Rank expert, quickly recovered and retreated, unleashing a Water Sword Slash in response.

The Water Sword met the mortal fire, and a white mist billowed up at the point of impact.

Han Feng's mortal fire was of Medium-class power, but the limited amount of Fire Attribute Genuine Qi he could muster reduced its potency significantly.

Hei Seven, merely a One-star Human Rank—not even at the peak—might have had a greater volume of Water Attribute Genuine Qi than Han Feng, but its quality paled in comparison to the mortal fire.

The clash ended in a stalemate, with neither combatant sustaining injury.

Han Feng breathed a sigh of relief, his excitement growing. His theory was proven right; his unleashed power now rivaled that of a Human Rank, even though such an attack was not sustainable for repeated use.

Hei Seven, however, was not so composed.

To be evenly matched with a mere Mortal-rank was a disgrace to Hei Seven.

"This means your death!" Hei Seven bellowed, fury igniting within him.

But before Hei Seven could act, Han Feng had already seized the initiative amidst the swirling white mist.

"Profound Flame Chain!"

With a low shout from Han Feng, a crimson chain materialized and streaked through the air.

Days of diligent cultivation had honed Han Feng's mastery over the Profound Flame Chain, enhancing his control significantly.

Though the Profound Flame Chain still lacked clarity, it had vastly improved from its initial state.

Hei Seven was caught off guard by Han Feng's ability. It was unheard of for a mere Mortal-rank Martial Cultivator to wield a Human-rank Martial Skill, let alone launch long-range attacks.

In an instant, Hei Seven found himself ensnared by the Profound Flame Chain.

With a sinister grin, Hei Seven taunted, "I certainly underestimated you. But the sad truth is, as a Mortal-rank Martial Cultivator, your True Qi lacks purity, and thus the Human-rank Martial Skill you've executed has limited power."

Hei Seven's True Qi burst forth in a powerful surge.

He expelled his True Qi outward.

Although as a One-star Human Rank expert he couldn't project his True Qi very far, he could still envelop his entire body with it.

Azure True Qi flared from Hei Seven, causing the chain to resonate ominously.

Parts of the chain began to fracture, threatening to shatter completely.

But in that critical moment, the tip of the chain lunged for Hei Seven's heart.

Hei Seven's face contorted as he fortified his chest with an additional surge of True Qi.

And so, the tip of the Profound Flame Chain was thwarted.

Hei Seven's laughter boomed, "Now you see the gap between us. Your chain can't penetrate my body. And those flames? They don't stand a chance against my water attribute Genuine Qi of the Human Rank."

"Not even my water attribute Genuine Qi can be scorched by it."

"I've concentrated most of my True Qi to shield my heart, yet your flames can't even scratch my True Qi."

Unperturbed, Han Feng's face remained stoic, though a trace of a cold smile flickered across his lips.

Abruptly, from the hand that wielded the Profound Flame Chain, Han Feng summoned a blazing red flame—Mortal Fire.

The Mortal Fire surged along the chain.

It was a rich, deep crimson, in stark contrast to the pale red of the Profound Flame Chain.

As the two elements merged, they swiftly transformed into a medium-grade crimson hue. The Profound Flame Chain's potency had already surpassed that of a basic upper-grade martial skill, though it hadn't yet reached the lower-grade human rank martial skill level. Now, the Profound Flame Chain's power had genuinely attained the lower-grade human rank, rivaling even the medium-grade human rank martial skills in strength.

"This is bad!"

Hei Seven's face contorted with alarm. No longer composed, his True Qi turned wildly tumultuous. He attempted to shatter the chains and flee, but Han Feng had anticipated this move, holding firm.

By then, the Mortal Fire had traveled up the Profound Flame Chain, reaching Hei Seven. The chain's power surged, swiftly incinerating the water attribute Genuine Qi that enveloped Hei Seven. The chain's tip even penetrated the True Qi guarding his heart, piercing into Hei Seven's chest.

Hei Seven's complexion blanched in an instant, and he coughed up blood. Han Feng yanked Hei Seven toward him with his left hand.

"Bone Crushing Hand!"

With Hei Seven's True Qi shattered, there was nothing left to fend off the Bone Crushing Hand. The technique, a basic upper-grade martial skill, usually couldn't inflict severe damage on a human-rank martial cultivator, whose True Qi was vastly superior to internal strength and could shield against the Bone Crushing Hand's assault. But stripped of True Qi, a human-rank martial cultivator's physical resilience was only marginally better than that of a mortal-rank cultivator, not yet a transformative leap.

Hei Seven's screams filled the air as his body emitted cracking sounds. Before long, he collapsed to the ground, lifeless, like a lump of clay.

Han Feng himself staggered, nearly toppling over. Having unleashed the Fire attribute Genuine Qi for two Mortal Fire attacks and one Profound Flame Chain, his reserves were nearly depleted, leaving only a scant amount of internal strength that had not yet solidified into Genuine Qi.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Han Feng realized, "The True Qi of a mortal-rank martial cultivator is far too scant, not even one-tenth that of the human rank. I must accelerate my training. Once I attain the human rank, I'll be able to wield more Mortal Fire and Profound Flame Chains."

Han Feng didn't bother with concealing his tracks or destroying the bodies; he simply made a quick exit. Truth be told, even if he had wanted to obliterate any evidence, his reserves of True Qi were insufficient.

Shortly after Han Feng's departure, several figures nimbly navigated through the mountains and reached the scene. Hei One felt a heavy weight in his chest upon discovering Hei Seven's body. With a somber tone, he said, "We've all underestimated him. With only Mortal-rank strength, he managed to take down Hei Eight and Hei Nine, and now Hei Seven as well. He's far from ordinary."

"Yet, this may very well be his peak. Still, to avoid any unforeseen events, we should pursue him together instead of risking separation."

"We can't predict what other methods he might have up his sleeve."

Upon hearing these words, Hei Two and the rest had their expressions shift subtly, yet no one spoke against the plan. The loss of their three brothers had taught them not to take Han Feng lightly anymore.

Regret gnawed at them; had they heeded the Family Head's advice from the start and taken Han Feng seriously, their three brothers might still be alive.

"Move out!" Hei One barked, prompting the group to swiftly continue the pursuit.

Meanwhile, Han Feng, in his frantic escape, had tumbled and staggered into a secluded valley.