The sound of footsteps arose all around him, as though there were a thousand soldiers on horseback rushing toward him.

"What a strange footwork technique," Zhang Lie murmured, opening his eyes wide. The first thing he saw was blades of sword energy heading in his direction. 

He activated [Mirrored Refraction]. It felt as though a drop of water had landed in a still pool, casting out ripples in every direction. In the blink of an eye, Zhang Lie vanished from sight.

The youth's sword cut down the afterimages that Zhang Lie left behind, frowning as even more sword energy gathered around him. "[Ocean's Bounty: Rain of Blades]!"

A strange mark appeared on the youth's forehead as he was swallowed up by sword energy. The moment the mark appeared, Zhang Lie felt a sudden tinge of recognition,...