A Battle Beneath the Moonlit Sky

As they reached the two women, Lina Ashford and Liza Voss simultaneously used the Dragon’s Tempest Step, easily dodging their attacks and countering with a strike of the Mountain Flip Hand Strike!

The moon hung high above the quiet courtyard, its pale light washing over the stone ground as two graceful figures blurred through the darkness. Their movements were so swift that they seemed to merge with the night itself.

The Black Ghost and White Ghost had barely realized what was happening before their attacks sliced through empty air.

Their eyes widened.

The two women had vanished.

A heartbeat later, Lina and Liza reappeared at their flanks like silent phantoms.

Without hesitation, both women drove their fists forward.

Boom!

The force behind the strikes exploded through the air.

Their Mountain Flip Hand Strike was already approaching perfection. Although neither of them could unleash the complete eightfold explosive force, reaching nearly sixfold power was more than enough.

Hidden within each strike was the layered force of the Triple Petal Shelter.

The first impact struck like a hammer.

The second force erupted a split second later.

The third hidden shockwave crashed into their opponents before the previous impact had even faded.

The sudden, overwhelming combination sent the Black Ghost and White Ghost stumbling backward several steps.

Their feet scraped across the stone courtyard.

Blood surged inside their chests.

Both men’s faces instantly turned pale.

They stared at Lina and Liza as though they had seen ghosts.

Their confidence disappeared in an instant.

"Damn it..."

Cold sweat formed on Black Ghost’s forehead.

"What kind of place is Valemont?"

His voice carried disbelief more than fear.

That kid named Julian D’Aurelius being on par with Steffan was already shocking enough.

But how could these two seemingly delicate women also possess Gold Realm strength?

Even more unbelievable...

Their techniques were terrifyingly refined.

Neither woman looked physically imposing.

Yet every movement was clean, precise, and carried overwhelming destructive force.

The two brothers exchanged frightened glances.

For the first time since arriving, genuine panic crept into their hearts.

Escaping from Julian D’Aurelius alone already seemed nearly impossible.

Now...

These two women were clearly even stronger than they had expected.

Julian watched the scene calmly, showing no intention of joining the battle.

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"These two rookies are yours to handle. Practice well."

His relaxed tone almost made it sound as though he were commenting on an ordinary training session instead of a life-and-death battle.

After saying that, he gently guided Amara Ravenswood a few steps farther back.

"Stay here."

Amara nodded obediently.

Although she was nervous, she trusted Julian completely.

She quietly stood beside him, her hazel eyes fixed on the battlefield.

Inside Julian’s mind, another satisfied thought surfaced.

[Ahem, once again, I managed to show off.]

Amara bit her lip to keep herself from laughing.

Even in such a dangerous situation...

He was still thinking about showing off.

A second thought immediately followed.

[Life is a play, and it’s all about acting skills.]

Amara lowered her head slightly, pretending to remain serious while secretly smiling.

How could someone this powerful still think like that?

Under the silver moonlight, Lina Ashford and Liza Voss launched an even fiercer assault.

Their long hair danced behind them as they moved like streaks of wind.

Each step echoed with precision.

Each strike flowed naturally into the next.

Although they had only recently broken through to the Gold Realm, the battle itself rapidly sharpened their control over their newfound strength.

Every exchange allowed them to understand their power more deeply.

Every clash refined their instincts.

The Black Ghost and White Ghost found themselves pushed farther and farther onto the defensive.

Their breathing grew heavier.

Their arms became numb from blocking the relentless barrage.

The difference between them was no longer cultivation alone.

It was mastery.

Their strengths were relatively close.

But the gap in their understanding of martial techniques was enormous.

Every time the two brothers believed they had found an opening, Lina or Liza effortlessly closed it before launching another devastating counterattack.

The pressure became suffocating.

Minutes passed.

The battle intensified.

Then...

Something incredible happened.

As their combat instincts continued to evolve through real battle, Lina and Liza suddenly reached a new level of enlightenment.

A flash of understanding appeared in both women’s eyes almost simultaneously.

Their Mountain Flip Hand Strike...

Had broken through.

Perfect Stage.

Neither woman spoke.

There was no need.

They instinctively understood the transformation.

The next punches they unleashed carried a completely different aura.

Boom!

The sound of compressed air exploded across the courtyard.

Every punch seemed capable of shattering stone.

The Black Ghost and White Ghost’s expressions changed dramatically.

They could no longer withstand those terrifying strikes.

The battlefield completely shifted.

The two assassins were no longer opponents.

They had become nothing more than living punching bags.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Lina’s fist landed squarely against White Ghost’s shoulder, sending him staggering sideways.

Before he could recover, Liza’s punch struck Black Ghost’s ribs with frightening precision.

Crack!

The crisp sound of breaking bones echoed through the courtyard.

Black Ghost coughed out blood.

Three ribs had shattered instantly.

Pain spread throughout his body.

His knees nearly buckled.

His breathing became ragged.

His vision blurred for a moment.

At that instant, he understood the truth.

There was almost no chance of surviving tonight.

They didn’t even need Julian D’Aurelius to make a move.

These two women alone were already enough to crush them completely.

A bitter smile crossed Black Ghost’s face.

He slowly clenched his fists.

If one of them had to survive...

Then it would have to be his younger brother.

He suddenly roared,

"You run, I’ll hold them off."

White Ghost froze.

His eyes immediately turned red.

"No—"

"Go!"

Black Ghost barked again.

Without another moment of hesitation, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small capsule.

He swallowed it in one motion.

The medicine dissolved almost instantly.

The agonizing pain throughout his body disappeared.

His exhausted muscles filled with renewed strength.

His heartbeat accelerated violently.

This was the special stimulant Steffan had given them.

A newly developed enhancement drug obtained from Japan.

Its effects were astonishing.

His speed increased.

His strength surged.

His exhausted body felt alive once more.

With a furious roar, Black Ghost charged toward Lina Ashford and Liza Voss in a desperate attempt to hold them back.

White Ghost’s eyes filled with tears.

He knew exactly what his brother was doing.

This was a sacrifice.

His brother was giving up his own life to create even the smallest chance for him to escape.

His fists trembled.

His heart felt unbearably heavy.

But he also understood.

If he stayed...

Both of them would die.

He gritted his teeth, tears streaming from his eyes as he shouted,

"Big brother, don’t die. I’ll bring Steffan to save you."

The words echoed through the silent courtyard.

Without daring to look back again, White Ghost turned and fled with everything he had.

Julian quietly watched the scene unfold.

There was undeniable brotherhood between the two assassins.

One willingly risked his life.

The other refused to abandon hope.

For many people, it would have been moving.

Julian simply folded his arms.

Inside his mind, a calm thought surfaced.

He was the villain.

Heh, this is what I should do.