Chapter 279: Topping the List

As for the Killer List, a somewhat unfamiliar term, Xiao Yufan found himself quite curious. Yet, without even thinking, he knew that anyone on the Killer List was no ordinary person…

Listening to Tianxuan’s account, Xiao Yufan gained a completely new understanding of Anying Longtian (Shadow Longtian). He never imagined that this seemingly ordinary middle-aged man beside his grandfather actually possessed such formidable strength.

“Shadow emerges, heaven and earth tremble; without Phoenix’s appearance, who can rival them? This was the most accurate evaluation of Asia’s second and third-ranked killers back then. ‘Shadow’ naturally refers to Longtian, while ‘Phoenix’ is the second-ranked killer in Asia, said to be a woman. However, no one has ever seen her face, because everyone who has seen Phoenix’s face is already dead…”

After narrating these old tales in one breath, Tianxuan finally exhaled in relief. Although he had never fought them personally, from Shadow Longtian’s strength alone, he could sense that even if he himself were to fight, the outcome would still be uncertain.

“Then who is Asia’s top-ranked killer?”

Xiao Yufan continued to ask, clearly more interested in this so-called number one. Undeniably, Longtian was very strong, but Xiao Yufan was confident that he absolutely had the power to defeat him.

“Who exactly the number one on the Killer List is, seems like nobody knows. If Shadow Longtian and the second-ranked Phoenix represent a legendary generation, then the first place feels somewhat ethereal. It’s said that this person’s strength ranks among the top five globally. Moreover, if I’m not mistaken, Longtian disappeared after assassinating the former number one on the Killer List…”

Tianxuan patiently explained, though his eyes held a hint of doubt. Logically, Shadow Longtian should have been chasing the number one on the Killer List, so why would he stay in Beijing? Could it be that the top-ranked killer was hiding in the capital?

“If possible, I’d really like to meet this number one. I wonder if he could match me in battle…”

Regarding the term “Killer Ranking,” which was somewhat unfamiliar to Xiao Yufan, he was quite curious. However, even without much thought, it was clear that anyone who made it onto the Killer Ranking was no ordinary person…

Listening to Tianxuan’s account, Xiao Yufan gained a completely new understanding of Shadow Longtian. He hadn’t expected that this seemingly ordinary middle-aged man by his grandfather’s side possessed such formidable strength.

“When Shadow emerges, the world trembles. Without the Phoenix, who dares to challenge him? This was the most accurate description of the second and third-ranked individuals on the Asian Killer Ranking back in the day. Shadow, of course, refers to Longtian, while the Phoenix is the second-ranked powerhouse on the Asian Killer Ranking. It’s said to be a woman, but no one has ever seen her face, because those who have are all dead…”

After recounting these past events in one breath, Tianxuan finally exhaled. Although she had never faced them in combat, she could sense from Shadow Longtian’s strength that even if she were to fight him, the outcome would still be uncertain.

“Then who is the first on the Asian Killer Ranking?” Xiao Yufan pressed on, clearly more interested in the so-called number one on the list. There was no denying that Longtian was strong, but Xiao Yufan believed he had the ability to surpass him.

“As for who the number one on the Killer Ranking is, it seems no one knows. If Shadow Longtian and the second-ranked Phoenix are considered legends of their generation, then the existence of the first-ranked seems almost ethereal. It’s said that this person’s strength ranks among the top five on the international Killer Ranking. And if I remember correctly, it was Shadow Longtian who assassinated the number one on the Killer Ranking, which led to his disappearance…”

Tianxuan explained patiently, though her eyes betrayed a hint of doubt. Logically, Shadow Longtian should have been pursuing the number one on the Killer Ranking, so why had he stayed in Beijing? Could it be that the number one was hiding in the capital?

“If possible, I’d really like to meet the number one on the list. I wonder if he could stand against me in a fight…”

A glint flashed in Xiao Yufan’s eyes as a sly smile curled at the corner of his mouth. The loneliness of being a master had returned after a year of training, and he had yet to encounter a worthy opponent in all of Beijing. The strongest he had seen so far was the man before him, codenamed Shadow, Longtian.

“Being a killer doesn’t necessarily require transcendent strength. So in terms of power, Brother Fan might not necessarily lose to the number one on the list…”

“Not relying on strength? Then how is the Killer Ranking determined?”

Xiao Yufan wasn’t familiar with the killer industry, but he was certain that the Killer Ranking had its own logic, and the number one on the list was undoubtedly incomparable to those below.

“It’s based on killing techniques… Take, for example, the eighth-ranked on the international Killer Ranking. His strength might not even match that of the Tian Group members, but every target he assassinates never survives. His marksmanship is so divine that he doesn’t even give his opponents a chance to get close, killing them from afar. Moreover, everyone on the Killer Ranking has taken thousands of lives!”

“It seems that no one on the Killer Ranking is a pushover…”

Murmuring to himself, Xiao Yufan once again shifted his gaze to the open field, a smile tugging at his lips. Shadow Longtian truly lived up to his reputation as the third on the list.

“Do you still want to fight? If so, I have plenty of time to play with you…”

Longtian looked at the members of the Tian Group, who had been so arrogant just minutes ago, now lying on the ground, and couldn’t help but smile. He was also slightly surprised; the Tian Group’s strength was much greater than he had imagined, and their potential was immense. With his training, they could achieve a qualitative leap in power.

“This is practically one-sided abuse. If you want to fight, go spar with the boss. We don’t want to be completely crushed!”

Strength commands respect. After witnessing Longtian’s power, the Tian Group members’ gazes turned to reverence. In their eyes, only Tianxuan and their young master could stand against this middle-aged man.

“Shadow Longtian, truly living up to your reputation. Even if I were to fight you, the outcome would likely be a toss-up. Of course, I’m only talking about a fair fight…”

Tianxuan walked over slowly, somewhat satisfied with the Tian Group’s performance. These guys always thought they were invincible, so giving them a lesson was good, lest they become too arrogant in the future.

“I didn’t expect someone who’s already dead to still be remembered. Now I’m just the old man’s bodyguard and driver. As for the so-called Shadow, he died several years ago…”

Longtian was somewhat surprised. He hadn’t expected the young beauty by Xiao Yufan’s side to know his identity. However, when Tianxuan mentioned Shadow Longtian, he felt a faint surge of excitement in his veins.

Having been out of the public eye for several years, Longtian had thought that his fiery spirit would gradually fade. But now he realized he was wrong. Deep in his bones, there was still a spark of passion, and this passion was slowly being reignited by the Tian Group members.

Hearing their conversation, those who knew of Shadow Longtian were momentarily stunned. They hadn’t expected this man, who had disappeared for nearly a decade, to reappear before them. Moreover, this legendary figure would be spending a long time with them.

“Now, does anyone still have any objections to Longtian training you?”

It seemed Longtian had already gained the recognition of the Tian Group members, saving Xiao Yufan the trouble of persuasion. As the saying goes, strength commands respect, and Longtian had already conquered everyone in the Tian Group with his power.

“None…”

The Tian Group members responded almost in unison. Longtian had earned their respect. As the third-ranked powerhouse on the Asian Killer Ranking, he could bring the Tian Group not just killing techniques, but even greater strength.

“Good. I’ll give you one month to gradually take over the underground forces in the capital. Can you do it?”

Xiao Yufan’s voice seemed to possess an endless magic, stirring the passion within the Tian Group members. They were willing to build a larger underground empire for this man, because in their eyes, Xiao Yufan was truly a figure standing on the altar of the gods.

“Yes!” The deafening response echoed across the open field, even stirring Longtian’s emotions. Since Old Master Situ and Xiao Yufan trusted him so much, how could he let them down?

In one month, he had the ability to bring about a significant leap in the Tian Group’s strength. The passion that had been buried for years was reignited, and he found himself longing for that life once more. But now, his goal was simple: to assist Xiao Yufan in becoming the master of the entire underground empire in the capital…

“A killer doesn’t necessarily need extraordinary strength. Therefore, in terms of pure power, Brother Fan might not necessarily lose to the number one…”

“Not by strength? Then how is the Killer List ranked?”

Xiao Yufan didn’t know much about the assassin profession, but he was certain the Killer List must have its reasons. The number one was definitely not someone the lower-ranked could rival.

“By killing techniques. Take the eighth-ranked international killer, for example. His strength might not even surpass that of a Tianzu member, but every assassination he carries out leaves no survivors. His marksmanship is unparalleled—he doesn’t even give opponents the chance to get close before killing them from afar. Moreover, each person on the Killer List has the blood of over a thousand lives on their hands!”

“It seems none of them on the Killer List are ordinary people…”

Muttering softly, Xiao Yufan shifted his gaze back to the open field, a slight smile forming on his lips. Truly worthy of Shadow Longtian—such strength lives up to the third place on the Killer List.

“Do you still want to fight? If you do, I have plenty of time to play with you all…”

Longtian looked at the Tianzu members, who minutes ago had been so arrogant, now lying on the ground, and couldn’t help but smile. Inwardly, he was slightly surprised—Tianzu’s strength was much greater than he had imagined. Moreover, their potential was immense, and under his training, their abilities would surely experience a qualitative leap.

“This is practically one-sided abuse. If you want to fight, go challenge the big sister. We don’t want to be beaten to a pulp!”

In a world ruled by strength, after witnessing Longtian’s power, the Tianzu members couldn’t help but look at him with reverence. In their eyes, perhaps only Tianxuan and the young master could stand a chance against this middle-aged man.

“Shadow Longtian, indeed lives up to his reputation. Even if I were to fight him, the result would likely be a fifty-fifty chance. Of course, I’m referring to a fair fight…”

Tianxuan slowly walked forward, somewhat satisfied with Tianzu’s performance. These guys always thought themselves invincible; giving them a lesson was good, so they’d know to be more cautious in the future.

“Never thought someone long considered dead would still be remembered. Now, I’m just the old man’s bodyguard and driver. As for ‘Shadow,’ he died years ago…”

Longtian was somewhat surprised that this young beauty beside Xiao Yufan actually knew his identity. However, when Tianxuan mentioned Shadow Longtian, he still felt a vague stirring in his blood.

After years away from everyone’s sight, Longtian had thought that passion would gradually fade, but now he realized he was wrong. Deep in his bones, he still carried some fire, and this fire was slowly being rekindled by the Tianzu members.

Upon hearing their conversation, those familiar with Shadow Longtian were instantly astonished. They hadn’t expected this person who had vanished nearly a decade ago to suddenly appear before them, and this legendary figure would now spend a significant period of time training them.

“Now, does anyone still have objections to Longtian training you all?”

It seemed Longtian had already earned the Tianzu members’ approval, sparing Xiao Yufan the need for further persuasion. As the saying goes, strength commands respect—Longtian had already conquered the hearts of all Tianzu members with his power.

“No!”

The Tianzu members responded in unison. Longtian had earned their respect. As Asia’s third-ranked killer, he could bring them not only killing techniques but also far greater strength.

“Good. I’ll give you one month to gradually take control of the underground forces in the capital. Can you accomplish this?”

Xiao Yufan’s voice seemed to possess an infinite charm, igniting the passion of every Tianzu member. They were willing to build a greater underground empire for this man, because in their eyes, Xiao Yufan was a true figure standing on the divine pedestal.

“Yes!” A deafening roar echoed repeatedly across the open field, even moving Longtian emotionally. Since both Master Situ and Xiao Yufan trusted him so much, how could he possibly disappoint them?

One month—he had the ability to elevate the Tianzu members’ strength to a new height. The long-buried passion had reignited, and he realized he still deeply yearned for that lifestyle. However, his current goal was simple: to assist Xiao Yufan in becoming the ruler of the entire underground empire of the capital.