Transforming the false into the true, I am the only one in the world who possesses the true Dharma.

The large ring blade was covered with a dense layer of true energy.

Those who reach the level of manager will be given many cultivation methods from above, from which they can choose one.

The weapon Wang Fu chose was the Ghost Head Soul-Severing Blade.

When used, the true energy transforms into a ghost head, emitting bursts of howls that can deceive the enemy's mind.

At this moment, the dense true energy turned black, and the ghost heads seemed to be alive, emitting silent howls.

Upon seeing the lifelike ghost head, one of the stewards exclaimed in admiration.

"Wang Fu's Ghost Head Soul-Severing Blade has been honed to the point of returning to simplicity; it is indeed formidable."

Another steward quipped, "Xu Yancai is only in the late stage of the Transcendent Realm. He only managed to kill Xu Tong by sheer luck. I'm afraid he couldn't even withstand a single blow."

The other managers nodded in agreement with what the manager had said.

As everyone was talking, the ghost-headed knife was less than a foot away from Xu Yan, and it looked like it was about to pierce his chest.

Xu Yan, unhurried and deliberate, flicked his right hand to wield his longsword, his true energy transforming into a gentle breeze that swirled around the blade as he thrust it towards the blade of the large ring saber.

The Qingfeng Sword Technique uses softness to overcome hardness, with sword energy layered like ocean waves.

A dense array of sword energies spread outwards from Xu Yan.

"Clang!"

The swords clashed, producing a crisp sound.

A tremendous force was transmitted from the large ring blade to the longsword.

At the same time, the ghost head on the large ring blade emitted bursts of howls, making Xu Yan's head feel slightly heavy.

But Xu Yan blocked the way, without even taking a step back.

Five streams of Zen energy emerged. With the Zen energy empowering their physical bodies and the perfected Qingfeng Sword Technique, Xu Yan and Wang Fu were evenly matched in their first move.

Xu Yan didn't linger; he could sense that Wang Fu's strength was even greater than Xu Tong's.

He raised his free left hand and slapped Wang Fu in the chest.

Wang Fu shouted and raised his knife to block Xu Yan's left hand.

"Poison, swordsmanship, and what else!" Wang Fu sneered. "When I examined Xu Tong's corpse, I knew you knew two martial arts techniques, so I was prepared."

After saying that, the ghost head on the large ringed sword howled again, even detaching from the blade and biting at Xu Yan's chest.

Xu Yan raised an eyebrow slightly, his longsword flashing, sword energy raining down like raindrops.

Each sword strike landed precisely on the ghost's head. After several consecutive strikes, his Zen aura transformed into a dense drizzle, becoming a massive defensive force that strengthened his physical body.

Seeing this, Wang Fu took advantage of the gap in Xu Yan's parry and slashed at Xu Yan's shoulder with his knife.

This strike carried the power of a demon's head, its momentum like thunder, even silencing the rainwater on the street.

Upon seeing this, Yu Yingyue raised an eyebrow and said, "He's going to die."

The one who is going to die is naturally referring to Xu Yan.

These managers were all insightful; they knew that Xu Yan was unable to defend himself and could only take the blow head-on.

The result of trying to force it was being cleaved in two by that one blow.

Wang Fu's grin widened, as if he could already see Xu Yan being cut in two by his own hand.

At this moment, Xu Yan took a step forward, actually closing the distance between himself and the large ring-blade.

"You're asking for it!"

Wang Fu sneered, "You think closing the distance will weaken the sword's momentum? Even if it does, you're still just a mortal."

As Wang Fu was thinking this, he felt a violent recoil force coming from his hand.

The broadsword struck Xu Yan's shoulder, preventing him from advancing any further.

It was as if there was an invisible barrier on Xu Yan's shoulder, blocking the large ring sword from the outside, and even the ghost head on it let out a wail.

"A method of self-protection? How is that possible!" Wang Fu exclaimed in astonishment.

Xu Yan didn't give Wang Fu time to react. He took a step forward and slapped Wang Fu's chest with his left hand.

He changed his palm into a claw, grabbed Wang Fu's shoulder with his backhand, and with a gust of wind, pierced Wang Fu's left chest with his long sword.

"laugh!"

A sound of flesh being pierced rang out, and a burst of blood erupted from Wang Fu's chest. He collapsed to the ground, his body stiff.

The sword energy surged wildly within his body, relentlessly devouring his internal organs.

Besides the sword energy, there were also layers of poison surrounding him, causing him unbearable pain.

"Examining the corpse is indeed a clever method." Xu Yan stepped forward slowly. "But examining the corpse can only reveal palm techniques and sword techniques, not a third type of martial art."

Wang Fu clutched his chest, trying to lift the large ringed sword, but as soon as he did, a sharp pain shot through his heart.

The remaining sword energy within his body was like a series of sharp blades; any slight movement would worsen his injuries.

"Specializing in one skill is indeed very powerful," Xu Yan said calmly. "But you're even more ruthless than Xu Tong. Let me think... the Rock-Solid Body Protection Technique bestowed upon you when you became the leader—perhaps it's useless now? Is it because you're afraid of the terror of life and death?"

If Wang Fu possessed the Rock-Solid Body Protection Technique today, he might still have a fighting chance.

But he didn't.

Perhaps it was fear of death or terror, or perhaps something else.

That's not important. What's important is that Xu Yan won.

Of course, if Xu Tong were here today, the outcome would be different.

Without Xu Yan's many methods, Xu Tong would have been cleaved in two by a single blow.

Wang Fu used all four limbs to retreat with difficulty, a look of fear flashing in his eyes.

"Spare me, you win, I admit defeat."

"From now on, I will not set my sights on Blackwater Street."

Xu Yan shook his head slightly, raised his longsword, and plunged it into Wang Fu's throat.

"I told you, if you don't back down, you will die, and your brother will die too."

Wang Fu covered his throat with his other hand, but couldn't make a sound.

Blood continued to flow, and within just a few breaths, he collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

Kill the fully-formed King Bat and obtain twenty-five taels of life-saving coins.

[Life money: Forty-two taels]

The total was forty-two taels of life money, which was Xu Yanfa's largest fortune since he obtained the golden finger.

Xu Yan sheathed his sword, kicked aside Wang Fu's corpse, and turned to look at the other stewards.

"Who's next?"

The room fell silent, and each steward sat frozen in his chair, his face filled with shock.

Yu Yingyue took a deep breath, her icy expression subtly shifting, her brows furrowing even deeper: "You cultivate so many different techniques, aren't you afraid of dying?"

Xu Yan shook his head and said, "Is it more worthwhile to die later than now?"

"A good deal?" Yu Yingyue's eyes darkened slightly. "He really is a strange person."

Xu Yan did not answer, but continued to scan the many managers with his gaze.

The incense in the burner had only burned a little.

The managers understood Xu Yan's meaning and all remained silent.

Wang Fu died a very quick and decisive death.

It was precisely because he died so decisively that no one reacted.

on?

Then a fierce battle ensues, ending in a fight to the death?

Nobody's that stupid. People who've reached this point value their lives.

Xu Yan's ruthlessness, ferocity, and strength are enough to make people hesitate to approach him.

The incense continued to burn, its wisps of smoke resembling the ashes rising in front of a Buddhist temple.

Even as the last speck of dust fell, not a single person stepped forward.

Xu Yan smiled slightly, looked at Yu Yingyue, and asked, "Did you pass?"

Yu Yingyue glanced at the many managers, slowly stood up, and clasped her hands in a fist salute to Xu Yan.

"Congratulations, Master Xu, on your promotion to manager of Blackwater Street."

Upon seeing this, the other managers also stood up and clasped their hands in greeting.

"Congratulations, Master Xu, on your promotion to manager of Blackwater Street."

A gentle breeze mixed with drizzle ruffled the corner of Xu Yan's clothes.

Xu Yan gently stroked his longsword, his eyes as vast as the sea.

From this day forward, he is the master of Blackwater Street.