In times like this, maintaining a high level of mental tension undoubtedly tests one's willpower. The initiative is completely in the opponent's hands, and as long as they don't make a move, you can't relax for a moment.

By then, dragging it out would be enough for the opponent to drag you to death. Xiao Tian deeply understood that sometimes mental exhaustion brings more harm than physical pain.

Once mental energy is overly consumed and cannot direct the body, doomsday will surely come!

Therefore, he preferred to choose this kind of blind combat, placing all his bets on his instinctive reactions and the combat intuition honed over many years to win this battle.

"Hunter, are you giving up resistance?!" The elusive voice of Hidden Needle echoed in Xiao Tian's ears from all directions, making it impossible for him to pinpoint where the voice came from. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Xiao Tian did not answer Hidden Needle's question. Instead, he retorted, "I'm quite curious, what's there to fear in someone who hides from the light?!"

"If an assassin only lurks in the shadows to deliver fatal blows, then as an assassin, you're clearly unqualified!"

Xiao Tian's words instantly enraged Hidden Needle. Perhaps he wouldn't get so agitated over other matters, but in his professional field, he had an undisputed dominance, not tolerating any negative judgment against him!

"What qualification does an outsider like you have to question my professional level?!" Hidden Needle, who had endured numerous hardships to become a top assassin, angrily questioned.

"Have you seen any assassin that talks so much?" Xiao Tian calmly countered, "Based on just that point alone, do you think you're qualified?!"

"What do you know, in order to..."

"Don't start talking about how much effort and hardship you've put into this, or any achievements you have."

Anticipating what Hidden Needle was about to say, Xiao Tian interrupted, "Not to mention the innate advantages you have, who hasn't achieved fame through effort and struggle?!"

"You've worked hard enough, but does that mean others just sit and enjoy the benefits?!"

Hidden Needle retorted angrily, "Ha, how could those mediocrities compare to me? Is it my fault for having innate advantages?!"

At this moment, Xiao Tian's injuries had completely recovered in a short time. The mountain that originally stood before the recovery of his strength also started to loosen up and improved at a gratifying speed!

Unlike Lin Bingxuan's Endless Life, which emphasizes nurturing and vitality, the Five Elements Crystal was more targetedly effective for Xiao Tian, as if it was naturally made for him.

Of course, both have their benefits, each providing mysterious assistance, but in Xiao Tian's current state, the Five Elements Crystal was evidently more potent, unlike others who would be a different matter.

Xiao Tian's strategy to provoke a debate with Hidden Needle and delay time had been quite effective, allowing him to have a few more tactics when facing Hidden Needle at this moment.

Winning the battle might be a challenge, but self-preservation was not an issue. Furthermore, Xiao Tian considered it imperative to kill Hidden Needle, and naturally needed to accelerate the recovery of his strength, using more powerful killer moves.

In fact, if Hidden Needle had attacked Xiao Tian from the start, he hadn't unlocked the Genetic Lock Pill yet.

He could only rely on the power of the pendant that had previously melted into his body and the restorative abilities of the Five Elements Crystal, recovering while fighting.

While this was not entirely impossible, the efficiency was clearly not as strong as solely focusing on restoring his strength!

"Having innate advantages isn't inherently wrong, but your way of belittling others to elevate yourself, and using effort and struggle as a banner, is nothing but a naked joke to others!"

Xiao Tian stated, "It's like a rich young master born with millions starting a business with one million, earning ten million in a year; compared to an ordinary person who starts with a thousand, earning a hundred thousand in a year, who do you think is more impressive?!"

"Are you saying that an ordinary person earning a hundred thousand in a year is more impressive than a young master who earns ten million in the same period?!" Hidden Needle sneered, his expression behind the mask as if he was looking at a fool.

"Do such simple questions need to be asked?!" Xiao Tian exclaimed in surprise, "It seems like the young master who earns ten million is richer than the ordinary person who earns a hundred thousand, but haven't you learned math?"

"Going from one million to ten million is a tenfold increase, while a thousand to a hundred thousand is a hundredfold increase." Xiao Tian said plainly, "Now, do you still think the rich young master is superior to the ordinary person?"

"Based on this conclusion, your math must have been taught by your English teacher!"

Hidden Needle certainly understood that Xiao Tian was comparing him to a rich young master and comparing those mediocre peers to ordinary people, but he was unable to refute it on this matter, becoming even more resentful.

"You're just spouting nonsense and heresy." Hidden Needle seethed, "By this logic, if I start a nation with one other person, assuming I have one million, can I declare the per capita annual income as five hundred thousand?!"

"Does that mean I can immediately surpass all major countries and become the richest nation in the world?!"

Hidden Needle's series of questions fell into Xiao Tian's ears, who only smiled slightly and continued, "Sure, as long as the countries of the world acknowledge your claim, then why not?"

"The key is..." Xiao Tian chuckled lightly, "Do you have that capability?!"

"You!"

Hidden Needle was momentarily speechless, knowing well that he couldn't win this argument against Xiao Tian.

"In that case, let's show our true strength under the hand!" Hidden Needle said coldly, "You will pay the price for your ignorance!"

"Finally enraged, are we?" Xiao Tian mocked, all the while carefully tracking his sense of direction, putting himself in a relaxed state, ready at any time to counter incoming attacks from all directions.

A moment later, Xiao Tian's heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and he immediately reacted, pivoting backward on the tip of his right foot and swinging a kick. It was like striking an iron plate.

With a muffled sound, both stepped back to evaluate their own feedback. Though Xiao Tian had mocked Hidden Needle incessantly and displayed his clear disregard, the power from the leg strike still made him slightly serious.

Hidden Needle, on the other hand, was even more amazed. Having such a strong intuition and the ability to react quickly and accurately, it pointed to the extraordinary nature of Xiao Tian, far exceeding his previous assessment.

More perplexing to Hidden Needle was why Xiao Tian, whom he had grievously injured before, and personally witnessed battling with Thunder King Salon, could recover to this extent in such a short time?!

With intense astonishment, Hidden Needle slowly reached for his waist, drawing out a pure black short blade, and quickly changed his position.

This time, he chose to attack Xiao Tian's left side, intending to either slice through his neck or stab into his side towards the heart, while suppressing his own breath to the utmost extent to reduce his presence.