"Bastard! Let her go!"

Lin Chuan shouted and lunged forward, but drained of Spirit Energy, his body gave out after one step. He collapsed face-first onto the ground.

Struggling up, Lin Chuan’s face burned with rage. "Shadowblade, you’re a Grade B Awakened! Picking on a little girl? If you’ve got guts, face me one-on-one!"

Feng Ye frowned at Shadowblade, who’d suddenly grabbed Lin Tang.

Scum like this existed everywhere. Memories of teammates betraying him in mission worlds made Feng Ye’s stomach churn. After so many early betrayals, he’d learned to walk alone.

"Hmph. Do you think I care about honor now?" Shadowblade sneered. "Awakeneds live by the blade. Any means to profit are fair game. Hand over your Divine Artifact and Spirit Talismans if you want your sister back."

"Damn you, bastard! So you were after those things all along," Lin Tang whispered, her face paling. Of course—her brother had shown off too many treasures.

"Fine. I’ll give you everything. Just return Tangtang to me," Lin Chuan said without hesitation.

"No, big brother! Don’t give him anything!" Lin Tang cried. "He’ll kill us all once he has them!"

"Shut your mouth!" Shadowblade’s face darkened. He channeled Spirit Energy into Lin Tang’s body. The little girl coughed up blood instantly, her spirit wilting.

"Bastard!" Lin Chuan’s eyes turned red with fury.

Shadowblade’s voice turned icy. "Hand over the items. Or I kill this brat now."

Lin Chuan didn’t move. His eyes locked onto Shadowblade, filled with killing intent. Teeth ground together, fists clenched tight. Finally, he swallowed his rage. "Fine. I’ll give you the items. Swear my sister’s safety."

"I want the items, not blood," Shadowblade replied. "Hand them over, and I leave. You have powerful backers—I don’t want a fight to the death."

Lin Tang’s face was ghostly pale as she shook her head frantically. At this point, it was already a fight to the death. Shadowblade would strike after getting the items.

The Speedster Brothers realized this too. They dropped the unconscious Titan and bolted. Shadowblade just snorted coldly. From their shadows, two spear-wielding figures lunged—too fast to react. Both brothers collapsed instantly.

"You—"

The sudden turn shocked Lin Chuan. He hadn’t expected Shadowblade to have such a move. But after using that eerie technique, Shadowblade’s face paled slightly—it clearly drained him.

Seeing Lin Chuan’s shock, Shadowblade snorted. "Relax. I won’t use that on you. I want your stuff, not your life."

Truth was, his technique couldn’t target three people yet. He feared failing to kill Lin Chuan, who might escape with a teleportation talisman. That’d leave him vulnerable. So he threatened with Tangtang’s safety, careful not to push too hard.

As Lin Chuan moved forward with the Divine Artifact, Shadowblade called out, "Wait."

Lin Chuan glared, his face tight with suppressed rage. "What now?"

"Give the Divine Artifact and Spirit Talismans to that guy. Let him bring them to me." Shadowblade pointed his spear at Feng Ye.

Feng Ye had been considering whacking him with a brick. Startled, he looked up with a weird expression. "You sure you want me to bring it?"

"What, scared I’ll kill you?" Shadowblade scoffed. "Relax. I don’t waste time on trash like you."

"Bastard," Lin Chuan snapped. "How do I know you two aren’t in cahoots? Handing him the items walks me right into your trap." For once, his brain kicked in.

"He’s your guy. Don’t you know who he is?" Shadowblade sneered. "And do you really think I’d team up with trash?"

"If you’re so strong, why not let me bring it?" Lin Chuan retorted. "I’m drained of Spirit Energy. What threat am I?"

"You’re loaded with treasures. I don’t trust you near me," Shadowblade snorted.

Lin Chuan’s expression flickered. He did have something to subdue Shadowblade—but no guarantee. He needed to get closer. Shadowblade’s caution shattered that plan.

"What now..."

"Enough talk. Hand the items to that guy now," Shadowblade snapped. "One minute. If I don’t have them by then, I kill this girl."

His spear whooshed up, the tip pressing against Tangtang’s chin. It slightly pierced her tender skin. The cold, lethal touch carried death’s scent, freezing her mind blank. Tears streamed down her face as she froze.

No matter how precocious, she was still just a little girl.

Seeing his sister like this, Lin Chuan’s eyes burned. "I’ll give you the items. But if you hurt Tangtang, I’ll make you suffer a death worse than hell!"

Shadowblade stared blankly, ignoring the threat. "Thirty seconds left."

Lin Chuan clenched his fists, holding back boiling rage. He shoved everything into Feng Ye’s hands.

As he turned to hand over the Spirit Talismans, Feng Ye felt something cold beneath them.

Then Lin Chuan whispered low and fast, "Brother Feng Ye, the item I gave you activates with Spirit Energy. Our survival depends on you."

...