From Sword to Slaughter: Evolution

Chapter 28: Chapter 28: The Ruthless Zhang Xiaoming



"Zhao Si?!"

Zhang Xiaoming turned and saw Zhao Si standing there.

"What are you doing here?"

"Senior Brother said you haven't shown up to sweep the grounds for a few days, so he sent me to find you," Zhao Si replied. "You know that hiding a weapon is punishable. You should return the sword before you get into trouble."

Zhao Si paused, then continued, "It's for your own good."

"This has nothing to do with you," Zhang Xiaoming said coldly.

Damn it! He had been so focused on practicing that he hadn't even noticed someone approaching.

"You'd better not tell anyone about this," Zhang Xiaoming warned, his eyes locking onto Zhao Si's.

Whether it was the ominous aura of the Shadowblood Sword or something else, Zhang Xiaoming felt a shift within himself. He was becoming more ruthless.

Zhao Si noticed this change too.

"I... I won't say anything," Zhao Si stammered, his body trembling slightly. For some reason, he felt that Zhang Xiaoming had become much more menacing.

"Good. Now go back. I'll explain everything to Senior Brother later," Zhang Xiaoming said flatly.

"Alright," Zhao Si nodded and quickly left. He felt that coming here was a mistake. He had noticed that Zhang Xiaoming hadn't handed the sword over to the armory and was using it himself. And there was something off about the way he looked, as if he were... possessed.

"No, I have to tell Senior Brother. Zhang Xiaoming isn't acting right. That sword is dangerous. I just hope Zhang Xiaoming doesn't fall under its influence..."

As Zhao Si walked away, muttering to himself, Zhang Xiaoming's figure suddenly appeared in front of him.

"You were going to report the sword, weren't you?" Zhang Xiaoming's voice was icy.

Zhao Si jumped, startled that Zhang Xiaoming had followed him without his noticing.

"Xiaoming, something is wrong with you..." Zhao Si's voice trembled as he spoke. Zhang Xiaoming's behavior was too strange, too different from before.

"You're the one who needs to die!"

Zhang Xiaoming roared, his body moving in a blur as he charged at Zhao Si with the Shadowblood Sword. Zhao Si, merely a first-rank warrior, felt a sharp pain in his neck. He clutched at his throat, his eyes wide with shock.

"Xiao... Xiaoming..."

Zhao Si's body slumped to the ground, lifeless. The blood that splattered on the sword was quickly absorbed, disappearing without a trace.

"I... I killed Zhao Si?!"

Zhang Xiaoming finally came to his senses, panic flashing across his face.

"No, no, it's his fault. He deserved to die!" Zhang Xiaoming quickly rationalized. "He was going to report me for hiding the sword. I'd be executed for sure!"

"Yes, that's right. I had no choice."

[Killed a first-rank warrior. Gained 100 evolution points.]

"Only a hundred points left. I just need 140 more to evolve," Ye Fan thought, feeling a surge of anticipation. Zhang Xiaoming's ruthlessness in killing Zhao Si had caught him off guard.

"This sword... it can absorb blood," Zhang Xiaoming murmured, staring at the Shadowblood Sword. The blood that had splattered on it was completely gone. He hesitated for a moment, then drove the sword into Zhao Si's body. In no time, the sword absorbed all the blood from Zhao Si's corpse.

"Incredible, it even does this!" Zhang Xiaoming's eyes widened with shock.

[Absorbed first-rank warrior's blood. Gained 0.1 energy points.]

[Absorbed first-rank warrior's blood. Gained 0.1 energy points.]

...

Ye Fan received a series of notifications. "This Zhang Xiaoming is more ruthless than I expected. He's already adapted to the sword's power."

"The sword has completely drained the blood..."

Zhang Xiaoming's eyes were wide as he realized the full extent of the sword's power.

"Right, that's how Ma Honghu must have killed everyone in the City Lord's mansion. It wasn't some dark art; it was this sword that drained them dry!"

With this realization, Zhang Xiaoming felt both excitement and fear. "Ma Honghu was just a first-rank warrior, yet he was able to kill Zhao Gao. This sword's power must be immense."

"And after absorbing blood, it becomes even sharper..."

"Nurturing the sword with blood," he thought, a chill running down his spine. This felt like a dark path.

"No, I can't worry about that now."

Zhang Xiaoming looked around. They were in the bamboo forest, with no one else around. Without further hesitation, he buried Zhao Si's body in a secluded spot.

...

The next day.

"The assessment starts today!"

"Anyone who fails will be expelled from the Heavenly Sky Sect!"

"We don't keep dead weight!"

The senior disciple in charge, Qian Haowen, addressed the group of disciples assembled in a spacious area. Zhang Xiaoming and the others paled at his words. The Heavenly Sky Sect offered excellent benefits, and the energy here was far superior for cultivation compared to the surrounding cities.

"Before we begin, I want to ask—where is Zhao Si?"

Qian Haowen's gaze swept over the disciples, his voice cold.

"Zhao Si...?"

"It's the assessment day. Why isn't Zhao Si here?"

"It doesn't make sense. He's always punctual."

The disciples whispered among themselves. Zhang Xiaoming's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Zhang Xiaoming, you were closest to Zhao Si. Do you know where he is?" Qian Haowen asked, his eyes narrowing.

"I don't know," Zhang Xiaoming replied calmly. "Maybe something came up at home, and he had to leave."

He paused, then added, "Yes, that must be it."

"Something at home?" Qian Haowen frowned.

"Yes, Zhao Si mentioned several times that he wanted to go home," Zhang Xiaoming continued. Qian Haowen sensed that something was off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"And you've skipped your sweeping duties multiple times. Do it again, and you're out of the Heavenly Sky Sect!" Qian Haowen warned, glaring at Zhang Xiaoming.

"I understand," Zhang Xiaoming said coolly.

"Hmph!"

Qian Haowen wasn't pleased with his attitude but decided to let it go for now.

"Alright, the assessment begins!"

The assessment consisted of basic physical tests and ended with a sparring match. Zhang Xiaoming had brought the Shadowblood Sword with him.

With Zhao Si dead, no one else knew the true power of this sword.


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