All-Class Anti-Mage - Chapter 43 - The Devil's Smile

to the “Sean” team.

While Lauren was still pondering the meaning of Karl’s “uh”, he saw Mr. Yang Zhen vanish from where he stood. In the next moment, he appeared behind Steve, leaving an afterimage that circled around Steve’s body…

Lauren’s jaw almost dropped to the ground. What Yang Zhen performed was clearly two assassin’s ultimate skills-third-level Shadow Assault! Fifth-level Whirling Neck Slice!

“Do you think you can bully me because I can’t break the rules?” Under Yang Zhen’s indifferent gaze, Steve’s head rolled off his shoulders. Like his son, Steve died with his eyes wide open. Until the end, Kerry’s words “He has no weaknesses” echoed in his mind, and Steve ultimately confirmed that viewpoint with his life.

He has no weaknesses?

Lauren certainly thought otherwise. Assassin’s ultimate skills were known for their elegance and agility and were classified as the art of killing. The best assassins came from the Elves, using their slender physiques and intricate techniques to perfectly execute ultimate skills. But this young man before him, who only seemed to know how to use brute force, had actually executed a fifth-level ultimate skill Whirling Neck Slice with a jagged greatsword.

Nevertheless, Lauren had to admit that Yang Zhen’s combat awareness as an assassin was quite strong. If anyone were to run out and say that the ultimate skill “Whirling Neck Slice” could kill a sixth-tier sword master, it would definitely be met with ridicule. Because a fifth-level ultimate skill could never break the battle qi defense of a sixth-tier sword master!

Moreover, this was a skill filled with artistry, meant purely for display. Was there really a need to spin around to slit the target’s throat? Thus, “Whirling Neck Slice” was generally used for torturous killings when there was a significant power difference!

But Yang Zhen was still one tier below Steve. He had directly used Shadow Assault to break Steve’s battle qi defense, and before the opponent’s battle qi could regenerate, he easily executed the Whirling Neck Slice.

As a primary-class sword cultivator, Lauren saw only how poor Yang Zhen’s swordsmanship was and how the assassin’s ultimate skills lacked elegance. The only thing he could commend was the young anti-mage’s strength, which was capable of breaking scroll magic.

However, the execution of those two ultimate skills was viewed differently by Pascal. It was a blend of brutality and elegance. Regardless of the ultimate skills, it all depended on how you used them; as long as it could kill, that was all that mattered. The assassination techniques that Yang Zhen displayed were already reflective of a veteran assassin, despite being a blatant kill.

“Lucky for me that I didn’t provoke him any further; he has already acquired the ultimate inheritance of the shadow king!” Karl thought to himself with a mix of relief as he kicked the follower next to him. The ninth-tier grand sword master hurriedly stepped down from the viewing stand; this challenge had concluded, and as the referee, he had to say something.

“Steve first violated the duel rules by using a magic scroll without permission. Mr. Yang Zhen resolved the crisis with exceptional strength and killed his opponent using an assassin’s ultimate skill. The Mage Guild wins this duel, and Mr. Yang Zhen is not held accountable for breaking the rules, as he used a sword!”

The grand sword master announced loudly while secretly giving Mr. Yang Zhen a thumbs-up. To be able to wield a greatsword as if it were a dagger was something he would not claim to be capable of, even as a ninth-tier grand sword master.

The members of the Sword Cultivators Guild fell silent. The name of this challenge was “Sword Challenge.” Steve, who was supposed to use a sword, had thrown out magic scrolls instead, and now he had been killed. There was nothing to say; he had indeed used a sword.

“According to the challenge rules, Mr. Yang Zhen has independently challenged the Sword Cultivators Guild. Since Steve has lost, is there anyone else from the Sword Cultivators Guild who wishes to take the stage?” The grand sword master continued to fulfill his duties.

The crowd below whispered among themselves, as no one stepped forward. Under these circumstances, who would dare show themselves? It was already embarrassing enough. The Sword Cultivators Guild had first schemed against their opponent and ended up being the ones harmed, and now they had violated duel rules and suffered the consequences. This had completely turned into a personal feud between Yang Zhen and Steve; who would have the appetite to interfere?

One could say that anyone who dared to step forward would be inviting scorn. If word got out, the people of Bidel City would undoubtedly drown them in their disparaging remarks!

“Since no one is stepping forward, I will announce that the Mage Guild has won the challenge…”

“Wait!”

Just as the grand sword master was about to make the announcement, Mr. Lauren suddenly stood up to intervene. The members of the Sword Cultivators Guild perked up immediately; the vice president was not from Bidel City and had no reason to care about the insults from the townsfolk. It was most fitting for him to take the stage.

“What? Mr. Lauren, do you want to take the challenge yourself? So, it turns out that Sword Dance City sent you in to clean up this mess-what a clever tactic from the Sword Cultivators Guild Headquarters,” Karl sneered.

“Your Eminence, you misunderstand.” Lauren quickly bowed to Karl. In his heart, he thought it was foolish to stick up for the Bidel Sword Cultivators Guild; it was a complete disaster. Lauren then turned to Yang Zhen. “On behalf of Sword Dance City, I invite Mr. Yang Zhen to become the president of the Bidel Sword Cultivators Guild.”

This statement sent shockwaves through the crowd. The gazes of some Sword Cultivators Guild members toward Yang Zhen were filled with hope. Indeed, he was the best candidate to clean up this mess. Moreover, the young man’s tolerance toward Kerry had won everyone’s respect.

Roban’s face contorted with anger, thinking how shameless some people could be to steal an opportunity right in front of the Mage Guild. Just as he was about to rise and say something, he heard Roland next to him call out sharply.

“No!”

Lauren was taken aback, thinking how could Roland make a decision for Yang Zhen when he hadn’t even stated his position yet? Karl looked at Roland with mild surprise, knowing only that the two were in a relationship; the girl would undoubtedly not allow Yang Zhen to leave the Mage Guild. Little did he know Roland’s true thoughts.

Roland rushed down from the viewing stand and whispered something in Mr. Yang Zhen’s ear. He paused for a moment, then laughed heartily at Mr. Lauren, saying, “Ha ha… whoever wants to be president can go ahead and do it; I’m just not interested.”

People were confused. If he didn’t want to take on the role, why was he laughing? Even Karl and Mr. Lauren looked baffled as they watched Yang Zhen trying to stifle his laughter, leaving a crowd of people scratching their heads in puzzlement.

“Since Mr. Yang Zhen has rejected Mr. Lauren’s proposal, I declare that the Mage Guild has won this challenge. According to the challenge agreement, the signboard of the Sword Cultivators Guild will be changed to…” The grand sword master was about to announce it when he suddenly realized he didn’t know what the new signboard would say.

“Uncle Melon, please have someone put up the new sign outside,” Roland exclaimed excitedly.

“Sure thing!” the old man chuckled as he hurried outside.

When the people outside saw that the Mage Guild was starting to change the signboard, they immediately understood the result of the challenge. Nobody expected that a young man, who didn’t appear physically imposing, could single-handedly take down the entire Sword Cultivators Guild. But when the new signboard was finally hung up, people were left scratching their heads in confusion over its meaning.

In the middle of the sign were two strange symbols: “WC.” On the left was the character for “male,” and on the right was the character for “female.” Below them was a smaller line of text: “Four coins each time, but it costs five coins if you need tissues.”

While the people outside were debating the meaning of the sign, the events inside were far from over. To the onlookers, Roland embodied wisdom-gentle, capable, and kind. They never considered that she might also have a “ruthless” side.

After obtaining Yang Zhen’s consent, Roland stepped in front of Steve’s still-open eyes, took out a staff intricately carved with pure runes, and began to chant a spell loudly once more. The crowd gasped in shock as they realized the girl was chanting a light magic incantation!

Water, nature, and now light magic-this was the third elemental magic she was drawing upon! Just how many types of elemental magic could this girl wield?

If Roland were merely using light magic to purify Steve’s soul, people wouldn’t label her as “ruthless.” However, the light magic she invoked was actually transforming Steve’s soul into a ghost!

The main distinction between a soul and a ghost is reincarnation; ghosts fall into the embrace of the Fallen God, losing forever the right to be reborn. In the minds of ordinary people, ghosts represent brutality and bloodlust, often used by adults to frighten crying children into silence.

Therefore, when a dark mist poured from Steve’s head, forming a drifting ghost in the air, terrified shouts erupted from the crowd. Most people had never seen a ghost in their lifetimes, so how could they not be afraid?

The ghost was indeed brutal! It craved blood! Just as Steve’s ghost took form, it drew a greatsword from its side and, amid the terrified screams of the crowd, slashed toward Roland… Was this wise, elfin girl destined to meet her end so soon?

However… to everyone’s astonishment, the greatsword passed through the girl’s body without the expected spurt of blood, and Roland wore a calm smile on her face. The ghost continued to swing its sword, its expression one of furious rage.

“Once the fight is over, let’s go,” Miss Roland said with a sweet smile as she linked arms with Mr. Yang Zhen and headed outside. Steve’s ghost followed closely behind, but as soon as it stepped out of the shadow of the Temple of War God, it let out a silent scream and retreated. Moments later, it turned back and began attacking those still within the shadows.

Lauren felt a chill run through his body. This wasn’t simply because a ghost was swinging its sword in front of him; it was due to Roland’s methods-far too ruthless! The transformation into a ghost after death was terrifying in itself, but when a Sword Cultivator or an assassin became a ghost, it was undeniably a joke!

“If I could, I never want to see you again,” Lauren thought to himself as he watched Roland’s departing figure. Even the sweet smile of the girl had now morphed into that of a demon in his memory.

The signboard that the Sword Cultivators Guild had put up became a mystery; no one knew what “WC” truly meant. However, following the upheaval of this challenge, the Sword Cultivators Guild disbanded. Bidel City became the only city on the Firmament Continent without a branch of the Sword Cultivators Guild Headquarters, leaving the Mage Guild in a dominant position.

As time passed, after the Sword Cultivators Guild Headquarters demolished the Temple of War God, the now-abandoned, weed-choked area turned into a convenient spot for tourists. Upon closer inspection of the readable words on the signboard, people speculated that “WC” referred to a restroom. However, this was merely speculation and did not deter visitors from finding relief there.

Many tourists, before entering, would be warned by locals that there were interesting things inside, which was why no one lived there. Those who entered after receiving the warning were initially frightened but soon found that the ghost wielding a sword and attacking without harm was rather entertaining.

Rumor has it that one night, someone was using the facilities when they devised a sword technique while facing an attacking ghost. With this newfound technique, they managed to defeat several well-known Sword Cultivators. The individual then went on to create their own school of swordsmanship, proudly sewing the two special symbols “WC” onto their clothing.

Some people questioned why the ghosts inside weren’t purified, given that newcomers might indeed be frightened. To this, locals would look reverently at the distant Mage Guild and say, “This is a testament to the love between Mr. Yang Zhen and Miss Roland; who would dare to purify it?”