The experts outside the Dark List clearly caught the strange tone of the informed individual. The statement was made with absolute certainty, without using uncertain terms like "should" or "probably".

It's worth noting that not even Thunder King Salon enjoyed such treatment before, leading to questions about who that entirely black-clad person really is.

"He is the twelfth-ranked top assassin—Hidden Needle!"

Once someone revealed this individual's identity, various bits of scattered information began to spread, quickly piecing together a detailed dossier.

Saying Hidden Needle is the top assassin on the Dark List might spark some debate, but if you were to claim he is the number one assassin, no one would disagree, as he seems born to do this job.

Like Satan, Hidden Needle possesses abilities that are naturally different from ordinary people, though the latter's talents lean more toward showmanship, with little practical use in real combat.

However, Hidden Needle is genuinely powerful. His shadow ability emerges with his thoughts, allowing him to deploy or withdraw it freely, making it well-suited for assassinating targets in the night.

Another factor contributing to his great fame is his own mystery. Although from his voice, he sounds like a bona fide male, no one has truly seen what he looks like.

No one has even seen his bare skin, so some idlers can't help but propose that he is not actually a man but rather a woman with a sweet appearance.

However, due to a lack of evidence, this notion remains merely a topic of casual conversation, as no one has seen Hidden Needle's face. Any speculation is welcome.

For a time, rumors flew everywhere, with some saying Hidden Needle was transgender, a female, or even a robot.

Hidden Needle's attitude towards these was to ignore them. Those spreading rumors received no response, and they didn't dare to confront him directly, so the rumors quickly faded away over time.

Although there are many legends about Hidden Needle, even those who wishfully believe that beneath his mask lies a cute and beautiful woman cannot help but fear his strength.

In some sense, from his debut to ranking twelfth on the Dark List, Hidden Needle has consistently maintained his mystery, with his background being the least known, making him the top contender!

Since the establishment of the Dark List, there have been countless talents. They might not rank highly, but their unique characteristics made them famous, with many like Satan benefiting from such uniqueness.

Moreover, instances of impersonation or being framed are rare. Even the top disguise masters find imitating Hidden Needle impossible when excluding his innate charisma.

Just the shadow-related abilities he possesses are enough to cause headaches. Hidden Needle indeed sits comfortably at the top for practical combat applications.

With a basic understanding of Hidden Needle, people couldn't help but speculate on his intentions toward Xiao Tian. One obvious suspicion occupying a large part was that he might want to take the opportunity to improve his rank.

However, until Hidden Needle acted further, it remained just a highly likely guess. More precise speculations could only be made after he took more actions.

...

Behind the mask of Hidden Needle, his gaze was fixed unwaveringly on the pendant on Xiao Tian's chest, finding it hard to believe as a crack appeared and it lost its luster.

In his understanding, this item should not be so fragile. Though he is as conceited as Thunder King Salon, he doesn't believe he truly has such power.

When Xiao Tian's blood soaked through his clothes and touched the pendant on his chest, it suddenly turned blood-red. Then, from the cracked surface, there came a crisp shattering sound. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

The pendant's sudden shattering made Hidden Needle's hand freeze mid-air, immobile like an expert's acupuncture point had been struck, watching as the broken pendant's powder turned into a sky full of glowing particles that infused into Xiao Tian's body.

This scene left the observing experts confused, quickly turning their gaze to Hidden Needle, only to find no answers. What expression was hidden beneath his mask was anyone's guess.

"A cunning Hunter indeed, it seems I've underestimated you!"

Hidden Needle spoke, a faint trace of anger in his voice, making the enraptured audiences feel baffled.

Xiao Tian, who was also utterly perplexed, did not know the origin of these words, and could only secretly gather his energy. No matter how dire the situation seemed, he would not give up resistance!

Especially after the pendant shattered and merged into his body with no sensation, it made it impossible for him to remain optimistic. Whether this was good or bad for him, he had no way of knowing yet.

But for now, the priority was to overcome the immediate hurdle. Considering too many things would only lead to self-destruction.

Seeing the solemn Xiao Tian in front of him, Hidden Needle chuckled: "How about a deal? Give me the energy from that pendant just now, and I might let you go!"

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Xiao Tian said with utter calm, surprised, thinking this Hidden Needle must mean that his pendant was extraordinary?

However, Hidden Needle did not behave as if he were deceived as Xiao Tian expected, so the plan to extract information from him fell through.

"Don't want to hand it over?!" While playing with the Five Elements crystal in his hand, Hidden Needle gently nodded: "Do you think this means I can't deal with you? How naive!"

With those words, Hidden Needle reached for Xiao Tian again, and the latter's heavy expression suddenly changed in utter surprise.

"How about it, Hunter, it's not too late to regret now!"

Feeling the energy inside uncontrollably flowing toward the opponent's hand, Xiao Tian couldn't help but experience a moment of helplessness. He had never encountered a situation like this where someone could siphon another's True Qi.

On the other hand, Xiao Tian indeed did not know what the other party was talking about. Even after the pendant's energy fragments merged into his body, he couldn't find any trace, let alone give it up.

Listening to Hidden Needle's tone, which seemed sure he was pretending to be ignorant, Xiao Tian realized there was no convincing him otherwise. Moreover, even if he could control the pendant's energy freely, he would not hand it over.

Silently, Xiao Tian fought with all his might for control over his True Qi, blocking out Hidden Needle's incessant taunts, as if nothing could make him relent.

At this moment, Melinda, who clearly saw something wrong, suddenly launched a fierce attack. A vicious whip strike furiously lashed at Hidden Needle, showing considerable power.

The long whip made a cracking sound in the air, as if even the air was struck. If an ordinary person were hit, their skin would likely be torn at the very least.