Ying Ping stood below Ashina Castle's main tower, behind him dozens of Shadow Soldiers shrouded in dark energy.
Gyoubu Oniwa, Lone Shadow ninjas, Tengu elite... All the strong enemies he or his shadows had slain were snowballing, now transformed into the most loyal warriors.
"Master, is this really okay?"
Kokkoro looked at the Shadow Soldiers with some unease, "They look like ghosts..."
"It's fine, don't worry."
Ying Ping smiled slightly, "What's wrong with ghosts? They are now an undead army that only obeys my commands."
Eileen excitedly waved her staff: "Anyway, it's great to have these guys around, this way we don't even need to lift a finger, we can just push through!"
As she said, Ying Ping didn't even need to personally act.
He just stood still, and with a gentle wave of his hand, gave the command—
"Kill."
Gyoubu Oniwa led the charge, and the Shadow Soldiers surged out like a tide, slaying all the Ashina soldiers they encountered along the way.
The elite Lone Shadow ninjas tried to resist, but their resistance was meaningless in front of the undying and unkillable Shadow Army.
[Killed Lone Shadow x 15, EXP +12000]
[Level increased to LV14]
As the last resistor fell and also turned into a Shadow Soldier, the path to the top floor of Ashina Castle was already clear.
"Let's go, there aren't many living people left in Ashina Castle, it's time to take down the boss."
Ying Ping led Eileen and Kokkoro up the stairs, the Shadow Soldiers following like shadows.
On the top floor of Ashina Castle, a cold wind howled.
A man in a blue-black samurai uniform, with a longbow on his back, stood with his back to them, gazing at the distant mountains.
[Genichiro Ashina]
[Level: LV13+]
[Traits: Ashina Style Swordsmanship Master, Dragon's Heritage Contractee]
"So you've finally arrived..."
"Intruders, state your names."
Genichiro slowly turned, his eyes beneath his helmet gleaming with a chilling light.
Ying Ping sneered, "Why do you all just say the same thing? Are you bots?"
"Presumptuous! I don't understand what you're saying, but I know you're seeking death!"
Genichiro roared, instantly drawing his sword!
"Ashina Style: Cross Slash!"
Two intersecting sword slashes tore through the air, heading straight for Ying Ping's face!
However—
"Swish!"
Gyobu's shadow suddenly appeared, his long spear sweeping across, shattering the sword slashes!
Immediately after, dozens of shadow soldiers swarmed forward, surrounding Genichiro!
"What?!"
"My subordinates have all turned into these monstrous beings..."
Genichiro's expression changed drastically, and he hastily parried with his sword.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Amidst the clash of swords, although Genichiro's swordsmanship was exquisite, he quickly fell into a disadvantage under the onslaught of the immortal shadow army.
"Pfft!"
Gyobu's long spear pierced through his shoulder!
"Urgh!"
Genichiro staggered back, his body already covered in wounds.
"Enough, stop."
Ying Ping glanced at the remaining magic power on his system panel, and the shadow soldiers immediately ceased their attack, retreating into the shadows beneath his feet.
"It would be too boring to let the shadow soldiers kill you like this. Let me play with you instead."
Ying Ping sneered at Genichiro, "If you can defeat me, you can continue to live!"
To ignite Genichiro Ashina's fighting spirit, he deliberately used a taunt.
Genichiro gasped for breath, his eyes indeed burning with renewed fighting spirit, "Is that so? Then come!"
"As you wish."
Ying Ping drew Hestia's Sword and instantly charged forward!
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Their blades clashed fiercely in the air, sparks flying.
Genichiro's swordsmanship was indeed superb, each strike carrying a fierce killing intent, but Ying Ping's speed was faster, and his strength greater!
"Killing Intent Lock!"
Ying Ping sneered.
With his overall stats reduced by fifty percent, Genichiro's movements instantly slowed. Ying Ping seized the opening and slashed at his neck with his sword!
"Pfft!"
Blood gushed, and Genichiro's head flew high into the air!
"This is a bit too easy, isn't it?"
Ying Ping stood with his sword, muttering to himself.
However—
Horrifyingly, Genichiro's headless body was not yet dead.
He staggered a few steps, picked up his head from the ground, and forcefully reattached it!
"It's not over yet! Damn intruder!"
A strange red glow emanated from the wound, healing it completely in an instant!
"The power of the Dragon's Heritage, huh..."
Ying Ping narrowed his eyes. "Interesting."
Genichiro wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with a sinister grin. "As long as the Dragon's Heritage remains, I will not die!"
"Is that so?"
Ying Ping suddenly smiled. "Then I'd like to see how many times you can revive."
"Inherent Time Control: Double Speed!"
"Shadow Step!"
"Crippling Strike!"
"Charged Strike!"
"Blade Storm!"
His figure vanished instantly. The next moment, countless sword lights, like a torrential rain, enveloped Genichiro!
Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!
Flesh and blood flew, and Genichiro's body was cut into countless pieces!
But the minced meat still writhed, attempting to reassemble—
"Ilena!"
"Ring of Frost!"
Extreme cold instantly covered all the flesh and blood, freezing it!
"Kokonoe!"
"Nature's Wrath!"
Countless vines burst from the ground, tightly coiling around the frozen pieces of meat!
"Let's see how you revive this time!"
Ying Ping raised Hestia's Sword high, and the power of lightning gathered on the blade—
"Boom!"
With a single slash, all the pieces of flesh, including the head, were completely annihilated!
[Killed Genichiro Ashina, Experience +35000]
[Acquired Skill: Dragon's Heritage]
[Effect: You will not die immediately from fatal injuries. You can revive once immediately after death. Cooldown: 24 hours]
[Soul Shard detected. Extract as Shadow Soldier?]
"Stand up."
After Ying Ping chose to extract, he said faintly.
"Whoosh!"
A purple-black light flashed, and Genichiro Ashina, who had been completely annihilated, 'revived' once more.
Genichiro Ashina, now transformed into a shadow soldier, bowed down to Ying Ping, kneeling in submission.
[Shadow Soldier: Genichiro Ashina]
[Level: LV13]
[Traits: Immortal, Absolute Obedience]
"Another master has joined us."
A smile appeared on Ying Ping's face.
At this moment, Ilena and Kokonoe stepped forward, congratulating Ying Ping on his victory.
Looking at Genichiro Ashina kneeling on the ground, Ilena pouted, "Honestly, this guy is worthy of being a boss. He's much stronger than the guys we encountered before."
"But our current master is even stronger!"
Kokonoe said happily.
Ying Ping patted both of their heads and smiled, "Next, it's time to meet the 'Sword Saint,' and then figure out how to deal with the Divine Dragon."
Just then, an old and authoritative voice came from behind them:
"Are you three rats from the gutters the intruders of Ashina?"