As soon as the blood-red sword light emerged, Zhou Lang sensed danger.
In a rush, he didn't have time to think. He immediately roused his Source Power while simultaneously activating the Thunder Eagle Ring on the ring finger of his left hand.
Once activated, the Thunder Eagle Ring can release Thunder Light, dramatically increasing speed in 1.5 seconds. The Thunder Light also forms a brief shield, effectively resisting external damage.
Although the Thunder Eagle Ring is merely a Black Iron Level Marvel, it's exceptionally useful.
Zhou Lang relied on the miraculous effects of the Thunder Eagle Ring to counterattack and kill enemies in critical moments many times.
This time, however, Zhou Lang failed to instantly activate the Thunder Eagle Ring.
As the blood-red sword light flashed, strange, low, and incomprehensible whispers entered Zhou Lang's ears simultaneously.
The whispers carried extreme negative emotions, as if countless demons were cursing him.
For an instant, Zhou Lang's mind sank, and he felt dazed. The Thunder Eagle Ring on his hand couldn't activate immediately either.
After a delay of only a fraction of a second, the Thunder Eagle Ring on Zhou Lang's hand suddenly erupted with a strong blue-white electric light, enveloping him.
Zhou Lang was accustomed to counterattacking with the Thunder Eagle Ring, but at this moment, his mind was hazy, and he only thought of retreating quickly to get away from danger.
A burst of blue-white electric light flared suddenly, leaving a light trail behind. It flew across to the opposite wall and abruptly stopped.
The transition from motion to stillness of the blue light took just 0.1 second, during which Zhou Lang moved twenty meters away, avoiding the blood-red sword's thrust.
Zhou Lang took a breath, his mind regaining some clarity. At this point, he noticed the blood-red sword light was actually a longsword in Gao Xuan's hand.
The blade of the longsword was entirely crimson like blood, as thin as paper. It indeed looked as if condensed light, appearing extraordinarily sharp, with an indescribable eeriness.
Just by glancing at it, Zhou Lang felt dizzy. He dared not look more; the Thunder Eagle Ring's activation only lasted 1.5 seconds, and he needed to resolve Gao Xuan quickly.
Though he didn't know what effect Gao Xuan's Sword Artifact had, drawing from years of experience, Zhou Lang felt it must be a Marvel, and very eerie. He must eliminate Gao Xuan swiftly.
Just as Zhou Lang was about to strike to kill Gao Xuan, a low "Zheng" sound of Sword Cry was heard.
The Sword Cry seemed composed of countless ferocious, deep voices, like countless demons murmuring.
Zhou Lang's mind plunged into confusion again, and everything blackened before him. By the time he adjusted, the strong electric light on him had faded, only a few sparks from the Thunder Eagle Ring remained flickering and wandering.
Zhou Lang's body felt somewhat weak; the Thunder Eagle Ring's explosive moment actually activates its potential with electric force, which is strenuous on the body.
Having suffered two psychic disruptions, Zhou Lang had blazed with the Thunder Eagle Ring for no reason, wasting much Power.
In a short time, Zhou Lang was too weak to activate the Thunder Eagle Ring again.
Zhou Lang stared darkly at Gao Xuan. This kid's sneak attack was so insidious and vicious; it truly resembled the organization's style.
But regardless of where the opponent came from, daring to attack him meant they must die.
Zhou Lang, with deep scheming, though filled with killing intent, showed no emotion on his face.
As for Gao Xuan, who had just launched a sneak attack, his face was all smiles, showing no guilt, nor any murderous aura. It seemed like he was joking with Zhou Lang just now.
"President Zhou, you're truly impressive; I admire how you calmly adapted, retreating twenty meters within 0.1 seconds amid a sudden assault."
Gao Xuan smirked, indifferent.
Standing behind Gao Xuan, Yun Qingshang was very tense. Previously, in the fight between Gao Xuan and Zhou Lang, she hadn't reacted at all, nor seen the battle's details clearly.
All she saw were the dazzling blood-red sword light and fierce flashing electric light.
Their battle was so swift that it far exceeded Yun Qingshang's reaction. Even equipped with the Crimson Heart, she wasn't qualified to engage in such level of battle.
Hence, Yun Qingshang realized how terrifying Zhou Lang was.
Zhou Lang paid no attention to Yun Qingshang, coldly saying, "Don't tell me that was just a joke."
"Not a joke, definitely not."
Gao Xuan hurriedly waved his hand: "I actually admire President Zhou's Martial Arts. I wanted to ask for advice. Surely, President Zhou's Martial Arts is unmatched; I'm far inferior. Bravo, bravo."
Gao Xuan, still sincere, said, "President Zhou is generous; don't take offense. Ah, look, I've even injured President Zhou, apologies, apologies."
He also concernedly asked, "Are you okay with the wound on your neck, President Zhou?"
Zhou Lang only then realized something was wrong. He touched his throat and found a trace of blood.
The Thunder Eagle Ring's electric light paralysis had numbed his body, causing him not to notice his injury until Gao Xuan reminded him.
The wound on his throat was small yet nearly severed his major artery.
Zhou Lang was both shocked and furious. Shocked by the opponent's sword's extreme speed and elusive nature, furious for nearly being killed.
His killing intent grew stronger. "Such superb skills, such Swordsmanship, managing to harm me."
Gao Xuan still humbly added, "It was just a lucky strike from my sneak attack. In a real fight, I wouldn't be President Zhou's match. Just acknowledging my defeat."
"Really damned!"
For someone as dark as Zhou Lang, he couldn't help cursing inside. This kid's mouth is too annoying.
Yet he disliked verbal sparring; he calmly said, "A learner like you, such a master, it's my oversight."
Zhou Lang drew a handgun from his rear waist, saying, "Now let's see if your sword is faster than my gun."
"Hey, hey, hey—"
Seeing Zhou Lang pull out a gun, Gao Xuan's face changed slightly, retreating while saying, "Joking doesn't warrant getting upset. President Zhou, you're such a big figure; you should be above petty feuds. Let's talk it out…"
Standing behind, Yun Qingshang understood; she stepped forward to stand in front of Gao Xuan, using her body to block Zhou Lang's gun.
Gao Xuan was deeply moved, loudly praising Yun Qingshang, "Good friend, good brother!"
Gao Xuan also whispered close to Yun Qingshang's ear, "Don't worry, you can definitely withstand a handgun bullet."
Zhou Lang finding Gao Xuan so sinisterly shameless, even slightly admired him. He coldly smiled, "This one in my hand is a high-end custom Black Tortoise Kun Gunir Type III, penetrating top-level Protective Armor."
"Hey, hey, hey, don't shoot; anything can be negotiated…"
Gao Xuan was hurriedly pleading, tone extremely humble.
Zhou Lang cared for none of this. He unusually said quite a bit of nonsense, primarily because the Thunder Eagle Ring's electric burst numbed his body, necessitating time to adjust.
Within a few words' time, Zhou Lang had regained control of his body. He had no interest in talking any more to Gao Xuan.
Zhou Lang was about to pull the trigger to shoot when another "Zheng" Sword Cry echoed suddenly in his head.
Zhou Lang's mind sank again, entering a dazed state where he even forgot where he was and what he was doing.
In his mind, only the long and eerie Sword Cry lingered, faintly seeing countless demons whispering around him.
"Join us…"
"Fight, fight, fight…"
"Believe in me, granting you eternal life…"
This time, Zhou Lang actually understood some whispers from the demons, terrifying him even more.
"Illusions! Psychic intimidation!"
Zhou Lang bit his tongue hard, the sharp pain restoring his clarity abruptly, only then noticing two fists headed towards him.
Alarmed, Zhou Lang hurriedly tried to shoot, but another "Zheng" Sword Cry delayed his actions again.
Yun Qingshang, charging over, slammed her fists onto Zhou Lang's temples.
Yun Qingshang knew the chance was rare; she exerted full strength. Augmented by Crimson Heart, her fists' power was terrifying.
Zhou Lang's head immediately deformed with a blow, simultaneously bleeding from every orifice, collapsing softly to the ground, seemingly done for.
Gao Xuan leisurely approached Zhou Lang, "See, mere output is useless. Without control immunity, unable to output, just continuously controlled to death…"
Gao Xuan could actively control Godslaying Sword's demon whispers. Though his Source Power was minimal, his Spiritual Power was exceedingly strong.
He could continuously stimulate demon whispers to assault Zhou Lang's spirit, with Zhou Lang rendering no opportunity to act, forcibly controlled by demon whispers until Yun Qingshang finished him with two punches.
Of course, Zhou Lang was first struck with Godslaying Sword, allowing demon whispers' power to keep intensifying.
Gao Xuan had already sheathed Godslaying Sword; he picked up Zhou Lang's handgun to play with it, "Indeed a fine gun."
He further asked Zhou Lang, "President Zhou, since you're doomed, transfer any valuable belongings to me. Also, shift your bank Credit Points to me. Otherwise, they'll benefit the bank. I'm not taking it for free; I'll owe you one…"