Yellow-grade cultivation techniques were still quite appealing to Zhang Yu, and he was even more interested in the so-called Heavenly Heart Sect Saintess.
Zhang Yu guessed that once he became a True Qi Realm martial artist, the number of disciples he took in would increase further.
Since she could become the Heavenly Heart Sect's Saintess, she must have something special about her.
"Since Senior Brother Zhang is joining us, we have a much better chance of capturing the Heavenly Heart Sect Saintess this time." Sima Rui was overjoyed.
"Senior Brother, I want to join too." Li Feifei gently tugged at Zhang Yu's sleeve.
Zhang Yu glanced at her. Remembering that she was applying to her Lineage for permission to copy a first-rate cultivation technique for him, he nodded. "Fine."
"Thank you, Senior Brother." Li Feifei revealed a sweet smile.
Sima Rui actually did not want to bring along Li Feifei, a disciple of the Bedrock Outer Institute, but since Zhang Yu had agreed, he could only accept it.
"Senior Brother Zhang, my Lineage received word that the Heavenly Heart Sect Saintess is most likely at the Misty Rain Pavilion in the imperial capital. She may very well be one of the eight great courtesans," Sima Rui said.
In truth, this was not much of a secret. Any martial Lineage already knew of this rumor.
Third-rate martial Lineage: the Lineage had one True Qi Realm martial artist.
Second-rate martial Lineage: the Lineage had one Qi-Nourishing Realm martial artist.
First-rate martial Lineage: the Lineage had one Aura Force Realm martial artist.
The highest realm on the Western Desolate Continent was the Aura Force Realm. As for martial artists of the Upper Three Realms, no one knew why, but there had never been any.
"Hmph, this news has been circulating for ages. If the Heavenly Heart Sect Saintess truly were one of the Misty Rain Pavilion's eight great courtesans, she would have been found long ago." Li Feifei rolled her eyes. "You want Senior Brother Zhang to team up with you based on information everyone already knows?"
"Senior Brother, my Lineage is in the imperial capital, so I know this information too. If this Senior Brother Sima knows only this much, I don't think there is any need to bring him along at all," Li Feifei said to Zhang Yu.
Sima Rui glared at Li Feifei, then hurriedly said, "I also know that the Heavenly Heart Sect's supreme art is the Heavenly Heart Illusory Star Melody. When practiced normally, it can draw down the power of the stars to temper the body. In battle, it can make people fall into an illusion in an instant."
Zhang Yu's eyes lit up. "We leave for the imperial capital at once."
The Heavenly Heart Illusory Star Melody could draw down the power of the stars to temper the body, and it could also use melody to pull people into illusions in an instant.
If he did not take her under his wing, he would be letting down his Saint Teacher System.
Early the next morning, Zhang Yu and the other two rode three Scarlet Flame Steeds out of Spirit Hidden City, heading all the way toward the imperial capital.
Just as Zhang Yu left the city, a beggar-like man by the gate immediately turned around and entered the shantytown. After winding through several turns, he arrived at a low house and cupped his fists. "Boss, Zhang Yu of Hidden Spirit Academy just left the city."
"Understood. Inform the Ye Family at once, and send Jia Jiu to carry out the commission." An old man's hoarse voice emerged from the shadows.
"Yes!"
News of Zhang Yu leaving the city quickly reached the Ye Family.
After Ye Ditian's death, Shi Cangyue had overwhelmed the Ye Family head and left behind harsh words. In the end, the Ye Family could only swallow their anger.
Lowering their banners and silencing their drums on the surface did not mean they would not make moves in secret. They had hired people from the Withered Soul Hall, offering one Spirit Crystal for Zhang Yu's head.
After Zhang Yu won first place in the Azure Eagle Tournament, the price had risen to three Spirit Crystals. This time, the Ye Family had bled heavily.
The Withered Soul Hall was an ancient assassin organization. Rumor had it that its headquarters was in the Central Continent.
Jia Jiu glanced at the visitor. "A mere martial artist who just entered Force Transformation, and you want me to make a move? Is Old Tooth getting more muddleheaded the older he gets?"
Jia Jiu was half a step into the True Qi Realm. Two years ago, he had failed to break through, though not completely. True qi had already formed within his body, but only half his dantian had opened, and his true qi was exceedingly impure.
Even so, he was still not someone a Force Transformation martial artist could compare with.
"This is Old Tooth's order. Besides, the target defeated Gu Zhibei of the Gu Family during Hidden Spirit Academy's Azure Eagle Tournament."
"Fine, I'll make the trip." Jia Jiu stretched lazily.
After leaving the city, Zhang Yu and the other two traveled at a leisurely pace, taking in the mountains and waters. Sima Rui wanted to hurry onward, but Zhang Yu did not. He had never properly admired the beautiful scenery of the Western Wilderness.
"Senior Brother Zhang, are you tired? I brought fruit wine. Shall we rest for a while? There is a small stream ahead, a perfect place to cool off," Li Feifei said when she saw beads of sweat on Zhang Yu's forehead.
She was sharp-tongued and cutting toward Sima Rui, but toward Zhang Yu, she gave everything she had and attended to him with meticulous care.
At first, Zhang Yu was not used to it, but as time passed, he gradually adapted.
He remained wary inside, but it was simply too pleasant. There was no resisting it, all right?
When he needed clothes, someone held them out for him; when he ate, someone brought food to his mouth. When he was thirsty, someone immediately asked whether he was thirsty. When he wanted fruit, someone peeled it for him. This sort of meticulous concern and care made Zhang Yu enjoy himself immensely.
Especially since Li Feifei was so beautiful and so skilled at providing emotional comfort.
She took care of his daily life, gave him emotional comfort, and did so with genuine devotion—the kind where she shoved all her chips into the pot. It was impossible to withstand.
Looks like I can't give her to Niu Mancang as a wife. I should keep her by my side as a maid. Zhang Yu realized that his life was becoming a little inseparable from Li Feifei. She took such good care of him that she saved him a great deal of effort.
If she played petty tricks, Zhang Yu would turn around and give Li Feifei to Niu Mancang as his wife, seeing as she had the destiny of guarding the Gu Family's legacy.
But Li Feifei openly let him know that she had an ulterior motive in currying favor with him, while at the same time giving herself to him without regard for cost. She was even willing to stake her own life on it.
That made things difficult.
In the end, Zhang Yu stopped agonizing over it, followed his heart, and decided to keep Li Feifei at his side as a maid.
Li Feifei made him feel more comfortable and at ease than Chu Qingwen did.
Whenever Chu Qingwen was around Zhang Yu, she would deliberately or inadvertently stir up ambiguous tension, making Zhang Yu uncomfortable.
Li Feifei, however, could always have food brought to his lips when he wanted to eat, and water presented at precisely the right moment when he wanted to drink.
Just like now, Zhang Yu had only just begun to feel tired and thought it would be nice to rest beneath the shade by the stream ahead when Li Feifei made the suggestion.
No one could refuse that.
Zhang Yu did not know that this decision of his would one day create an overbearing female demon lord.
Before Zhang Yu, she was obedient and adorable. Before everyone else, she was a female demon lord.
By the stream, beneath the shade of the trees, Zhang Yu drank chilled fruit wine while Li Feifei peeled fruit for him at his side.
When Sima Rui asked for a cup of fruit wine, stingy Li Feifei rolled her eyes. "No!"
Sima Rui was so angry that he wanted to curse. At the same time, he envied Zhang Yu deeply. It would be wonderful to have a woman like Li Feifei by my side.
Zhang Yu suddenly sensed a cold, sinister aura drawing near. His heart skipped a beat, but he calmly glanced toward the depths of the woods behind them.
Someone?
They intend to kill me?
They came for me?
True Qi Realm?
Probably not. If it were a True Qi Realm martial artist, they would not hide their head and show their tail.
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Zhang Yu's mind.
A moment later, an icy voice rang out behind them.
"You sure know how to enjoy yourselves. Just watching makes me furious. Woman, once I kill him, follow me instead. I'm far stronger than he is. Serve me well then, and there'll be benefits for you." Jia Jiu emerged from the woods.
Before you continue