The coordinates he had set with his teleportation array was right in the middle of the city. He did not know that the capital had protection against warp-ins to prevent hostile forces from invading, but it didn’t stop his runic formation anyway.

In the heavenly language, Kairos wrote: Bring us into Saint City. It was simple and direct. Although he used much more spirit stones than the usual ward, the additional energy helped bypass the city’s barrier.

In terms of runic arts that the Mortal Realm had to offer, it was rough even at their best. It was no surprise that the protection runes could do nothing to against his star runes.

The location they appeared at was plenty close to the castle but not near enough to attract the wrong attention.

In spite of his haste, he knew that if someone were to pop out suddenly next to the castle while there was an assassination going on, it probably would cause the royal guards to attack.

However, taking a look at Galahad fending off his assailants, Kairos sprinted towards the Gilded Snow without a second thought.

“Relestia!”

Of course, the others in the Gilded Snow are all as important as family members to him, but instinctively, he felt that the princess was the one in danger.

It wasn’t because the princess was beautiful, or someone born of such high station that nearly no one could match. Not even her ability to heal souls and ease his burdens attracted him.

Somehow, Kairos felt attracted to her the moment he met her. Love at first sight? No, it was more than that. He could feel his soul resonate with hers like they were meant to be there for each other.

It was a strange emotion, one that he couldn’t understand.

After all, he is only 13 while she is 10, and they are both unfamiliar in the differences between romance and friendship. But, knows one thing for certain, if anything happened to her, he would regret.

Kairos rushed as though his soul will scatter if he tarried a moment.

It was a mad dash without holding back. Origin Infusion, mana infusion, movement techniques, he used anything and everything that could boost his speed.

His spirit contract also helped to amplify his Lightning Flicker Body movement skill.

The combination was a terrifying sight. A low rumbling roar of thunder as a blaze of light mowed down every obstacle between the palace and the Gilded Snow.

It was as though a cannon of pure lightning blasted across half the length of the city, and before the second passed, he stood before the door. Furious.

Smoke and ashes swirled around him as slightly crackling electric snakes dissipated slowly.

Fortunately, the shop had not yet been damaged. All higher priced buildings like this come with a protective barrier that could easily withstand the attacks of an S rank, and even sustain a few minutes from a Double S cultivator.

Even a Triple S cultivator requires a few dozen strikes to break through.

The surprising thing about such a powerful shield is that its cost wasn’t too expensive.

The city itself is fortified with a barrier grid to defend against Triple S rankers during a siege. As long as the buildings within are connected to this grid, they would be able to leech on the same system as their power supply.

In peaceful times, any buildings in the city that have barriers to deter thieves and rogues will reversely feed the barrier grid with their excess energy. This power is collected and stored for times of need. Because of how effective the system is, the empire, in fact, made it a regulation for all mid-tier and above shopfronts to come equipped with it.

However, the next moment, the transparent shield protecting the building cracked, revealing a greyish white force field that shattered like glass.

Before Kairos could react, another impact came, and the top of the building exploded with a blast that shook the entire area.

It was as if the roof was struck by a meteorite and was burnt to a crisp with glowing red embers still at the top.

At the same time, a young but wicked laughter rang out in the sky, as though a little boy were having fun plucking the wings of an insect he found.

“For a mortal realm building, this isn’t too bad. It can even take two of my hits.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but Kairos heard everything clearly. His eyes turned coldly towards the source of the sound and saw a Triple S ranker that looked no older than twenty.

As the guy flew into the building through the hole he made, Kairos dashed in right after.

At this moment, Vouno and the others that were chasing after him finally arrived and they saw the back view of Kairos disappearing through the front door. But, just as they took a step forward to follow, the assassin flew back out with great speed while destroying at the side of the building in the process.

Vouno was googly-eyed, and he mumbled with disbelief, “He just stepped into the building, and he managed to blow away a Triple S ranker?”

No matter how he thought about it, it’s impossible. Vouno quickly runs towards the Gilded Snow with the fifteen disciples hot on his tail.

When they entered the half-destroyed building, they saw Kairos immediately but noticed that he was just as wide-eyed and shell-shocked as they were.

Before the group of them were a familiar figure, standing there nonchalantly.

The person turned with a smile that seemed like the sun, and said, “Ho Kairos, and Uncle Vouno, you guys are late. I’ve already gone ahead and started the party.”

“Jones?!” the father and son duo said at the same time. Their jaws dropped on the floor.

Not only was his appearance shocking, but they could also clearly feel that his presence has changed. It became more emphasised, yet restrained like a nocked bow.

Their Soul Perception would not make a mistake. This friend who parted with them at B rank just a few months ago has already reached S rank, and that wasn’t including his travel time to reach the Immortal Blue Sect and back.

Not only that, despite being two major stage lower, he managed to protect everyone from a full-powered attack of the Triple S assassin; even blasting the assaulter out afterwards.

But, more importantly, thanks to Jones there wasn’t anyone wounded in the attack. Kairos looked at Relestia, Ling’er, Xuan Xian, Lyla, and the three masters, and he heaved a sigh of relief. He gestured for them to get away, out of the building, and they hurriedly turned and moved.

A relaxed laughter interrupted them, as a figure slowly descended through the hole in the roof.

Floating down unfettered by the laws of gravity, the assassin clapped his hands as he looked at his would-be victims.

“I was just complaining how dull this mission would be. I thought the elders were being ridiculous to send core seeds like us down to the mortal realm and carry out an assassination on the royalties of a backwater country.

It looks like I’ve underestimated you. Even mice could be dangerous if they are filthy enough.”

“I don’t get his analogy,” Jones turned and asked Kairos.

The assassin turned ghastly when he heard his prey slight him, but the reply from the other boy was even more maddening.

“Don’t look at me. I can’t decipher stupid.”

Kairos who was still running on seething fury did not mince his words.

However, he was not completely devoid of reason either. There was a reason why he made himself the target with his words.

The Gilded Snow is a place with people precious to him. Though Jones had shown impressive strength, this enemy felt more dangerous than even Syriong, the Guardian of the Silent Lambs Empire.

Much, much, stronger.

If they fought here, most probably, even if they teamed up, they couldn’t protect anyone.

If he could gather hate, then the moment the fight begins, he can rapidly retreat and lure the enemy to a proper battlefield.

But, as though the enemy could read his mind, the hatred-filled face of the assassin suddenly calmed and turned into a smirk.

“Ah, I forgot how backwards this place is. How could I expect mere mortals to understand the power of a god without seeing it for themselves?”

“God? With your strength? Don’t insult the word. Such limited intelligence, you’d be complimented to be called human. In my eyes you’re barely more than a well-groomed ape,” Vouno laughed. As usual, he wouldn’t lose to anyone when it comes to a fiery tongue.

Being looked down upon by mere mortals, the assassin’s face turned bright red with anger. Granted, he had not yet reached into immortality, but it is just half a step away, and with his talent, it is a guaranteed thing. Besides, he is a core seed! The future hope of his sect, and a gifted individual that enjoys the best cultivation resources. Even his martial technique and cultivation method are from one of his sect’s grand elder.

No matter what, he is in essence, a different class of existence compared to these insects.

“You think that because I am not yet an immortal, you do not need to fear me? I will show you how wrong you are!”

An explosion of pure force pressed down on the group. Even standing upright became difficult in his presence.

Where he came from, the treasures, resources, combat skills, and cultivation methods are different from Gaia. Comparing him with the normal Triple S rankers in the mortal realm will be a fatal mistake.

“Crescent moon spear!”

The assassin unleashed a fearsome attack. An immaterial projectile, made of condensed Ki, and shaped into the form of a spear-tip, suddenly appeared above their heads, and without warning, it raced downwards upon them.

The simple action caused the wind the screech like the howl of a spectre. It brought about a great gust that followed behind like an air blade. What should be a piercing thrust, came at them like a horizontal slash, all because of the overwhelming force creating such a phenomenon.

Although it was the standard size of a blade, all of them felt as though they would be sliced apart the next moment.

But at the last moment, the attack reversed in directions, and Vouno suddenly spurted out a mouthful of blood.

How could the assassin have guessed that his own combat art would return?

The intruder looked aghast, as he felt the terrifying might of his own attack smashed into his face.

Once again, the enemy flew out the way he came in. This time, even faster than before.