Summoning the Gods: Start by creating the Eternal Night.

Everyone dripped their blood to pledge allegiance to the master, and the Holy Mark Mask was applied to their faces, its milky white halo reflecting the purifying crystal.

It exudes both majesty and a mysterious protective power.

"Good stuff!" Nie Zheng tried circulating his spiritual energy and felt a pure power flowing through his body.

The trace of malevolence left over from cultivating the Blood Slaughter Technique was quietly smoothed away, prompting a sigh of admiration.

"With this mask, I can easily deal with even cultivators skilled in illusions."

After everyone had put on their masks, Yuan Tiangang took out fifty blood-patterned ghost masks and handed them to Jing Ke:

"These are Blood-Patterned Ghost Masks, distributed to Xuan Yi to Xuan Wu, and Huang Yi to Huang Shi. They also require blood recognition and must be worn during missions."

Jing Ke immediately took the Blood-Patterned Ghost Mask, his gaze sweeping over the fifteen new assassins, and said in a deep voice:

"Come and receive your masks. After the blood oath is performed, you must not remove them without permission."

The fifteen people quickly stepped forward and each received a Blood-Patterned Ghost Mask.

The bronze mask fit snugly against the face, and the dark reddish-brown, vein-like patterns seemed to come alive.

Their murderous aura blended seamlessly with their menacing presence, adding to their ferocious and terrifying appearance.

"Your subordinates thank Your Majesty for your grace!"

The fourteen people shouted in unison, their voices coming through the ghost masks, carrying a metallic quality and a chilling aura that sent shivers down one's spine.

At the same time, he felt awe towards the monarch he had never met.

Yuan Tiangang looked at the scene before him—the Eight Guards and the Seven Stars wore masks bearing holy marks, looking sacred and solemn.

The new assassin wore a blood-patterned demon mask, looking eerie and fierce. He thought to himself:

"With this lineup, Fine Rain Pavilion will surely become the nightmare of all forces in the Eastern Region."

He turned to Jing Ke and said, "You have understood the monarch's intentions."

"Going forward, we must be more cautious and not betray this trust."

"We understand!" Jing Ke and the others responded in unison, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.

Two days later.

On the top floor of Langya Pavilion, candlelight flickered.

Di Yun and Linghu Chong stood side by side in front of a map of Qingzhou City, their fingertips pointing to the location of the City God Temple on the southern edge of the city.

On the map, this place is circled in red, and dozens of intelligence leads are marked around it.

"After seven consecutive days of investigation, all the information sent back by our undercover agents points to this place."

Di Yun said in a deep voice, "The incense at the City God Temple has long been extinguished, and it is usually deserted, making it an ideal place for filth to hide."

"The people we sent lay in wait nearby all night and detected spiritual energy fluctuations underground, which is definitely not ordinary."

Linghu Chong nodded, a cold glint flashing in his eyes:

"The Blood Killing Pavilion is ruthless and has been entrenched in Qingzhou City for many years. They actually hid their branch in a place like this. They are cunning."

The two exchanged a glance and then hesitated no longer.

Di Yun took out a communication token, infused it with spiritual power, and sent the message to the Xiyulou stronghold—or more precisely, to Yuan Tiangang in the Eternal Night Space.

Eternal Night Space, side hall of the Monarch's Pavilion.

On the chessboard, black and white pieces are intertwined, and the situation is deadlocked.

Ye Junlin played black, while Donghuang Taiyi played white. The two were engrossed in their game, their auras calm and serene, as if they were one with the surrounding spiritual energy.

Ye Junlin broke the deadlock with a move, and said with a smile, "Your Highness Donghuang's 'Seven Stars in a Row' move is giving me a bit of trouble."

Donghuang Taiyi's voice was flat and emotionless, even through the mask:

"The monarch's method of breaking the deadlock is far superior; I fear this move by my subordinate is doomed to failure."

Just then, footsteps were heard outside the hall.

Yuan Tiangang strode in and saw Ye Junlin and Donghuang Taiyi playing chess. He paused slightly, then bowed respectfully.

"Your subordinate greets Your Majesty, and Your Excellency the East."

Ye Junlin raised his hand to indicate, "What brings Gangzi here?"

Yuan Tiangang straightened up, his eyes filled with a mixture of solemnity and excitement:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, there is news from Di Yun and Linghu Chong—the trail of the Blood Slaughter Pavilion's Qingzhou branch has been found."

"Oh?" A glint flashed in Ye Junlin's eyes. "Where?"

"On the southern edge of Qingzhou City, beneath the abandoned City God Temple, lies an underground stronghold."

Yuan Tiangang reported, "According to the information sent back by our spies, that stronghold is equipped with a concealment formation that is difficult for ordinary cultivators to detect. It is undoubtedly a branch of the Blood Killing Pavilion."

Upon hearing this, Ye Junlin exchanged a glance with Donghuang Taiyi, casually brushed the chess pieces off the board, and stood up, saying:

"Well done. The Blood Slaughter Pavilion assassinated me and destroyed my dantian; it's time for them to settle accounts."

He walked to the window, looked at the swirling spiritual energy outside, and said in a deep voice, "Tonight, you will go and uproot this branch."

Yuan Tiangang's spirits lifted: "I'll arrange it right away!"

"Yes." Ye Junlin nodded, his tone solemn.

"You will lead Di Yun, Linghu Chong, and also call upon Jing Ke, Nie Zheng, Yao Li, Zhuan Zhu, as well as the newly joined Xuan and Huang assassins, to go together."

"Remember, do it quietly and thoroughly, and never expose the whereabouts of Xiyu Tower."

"Understood," Yuan Tiangang replied.

Ye Junlin added, "You can stay in the shadows and provide support; there's no need for you to take action yourself."

"A branch of the Blood Slaughter Pavilion may not have a Celestial Realm cultivator. If there is, it's not too late to make a move."

His tone carried a hint of certainty—according to the intelligence from Langya Pavilion, although the Blood Killing Pavilion headquarters had Celestial Realm experts, the branch could only have Nirvana Realm experts in charge, which was already the limit.

Yuan Tiangang's heart skipped a beat, and he bowed to accept the order: "Your subordinate obeys."

He knew that the monarch was testing everyone, especially the newly joined Xuan and Huang assassins, and this was a good opportunity to test their strength.

After Yuan Tiangang left, Donghuang Taiyi stood up and said indifferently, "Blood Slaughter Pavilion? It has some reputation in the Eastern Region. It acts domineeringly and has made many enemies."

Ye Junlin laughed and said, "He's just a clown jumping around."

"Destroying this branch will not only serve as a warning to others, but also allow the new recruits to practice their skills, and incidentally... see the effects of the Blood Slaughter Technique and the Shadow Technique."

Donghuang Taiyi nodded without saying anything more. For him, this level of struggle was not something he needed to worry about.

Fine Rain Tower Stronghold Martial Arts Ground

Jing Ke was watching the assassins with the characters "Xuan" and "Huang" practicing their combined attack technique.

The fourteen people's auras intertwined, and although they were still a bit raw, they were already beginning to show signs of discipline.

Upon seeing Yuan Tiangang arrive, everyone stopped what they were doing, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Lord Yuan!"

Yuan Tiangang nodded, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and said in a deep voice, "We have a mission."

He walked to the center of the field, took out a map, spread it out, and pointed with his finger to the location of the City God Temple in the south of the city:

"The Blood Slaughter Pavilion's Qingzhou branch is hidden underground here. Tonight, you will go and uproot it completely."

A fighting spirit instantly ignited in the eyes of Jing Ke and the others.

The Blood Slaughter Pavilion had previously assassinated the monarch, which meant they had a long-standing grudge against the Drizzle Pavilion, and now they finally had the opportunity to take action.

"Di Yun and Linghu Chong have already set up surveillance nearby and are awaiting instructions."

Yuan Tiangang looked around at everyone and began to appoint his men: "Jing Ke, Nie Zheng, Yao Li, and Zhuan Zhu are responsible for killing the enemy's Void Realm experts."

He looked at the five assassins with the character "Xuan" in their names: "Xuan Yi to Xuan Wu, you five are responsible for dealing with the Grandmaster of the Blood Slaughter Pavilion."

"Huang Yi to Huang Shi, the ten of you will deal with the Blood Slaughter Pavilion's Grandmaster realm cultivators."

Finally, Yuan Tiangang looked at everyone:

"Remember, kill without mercy on this mission, and be sure to conceal your whereabouts and not alert other forces."

"Understood!" the men replied in unison, their voices filled with murderous intent.