Assassin Jia Jiu

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 as well.

Since she could become the Heavenly Heart Sect's Saintess, she must have something special about her.

"With Senior Brother Zhang joining us, we'll 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 clothes.

Zhang Yu glanced at her. Remembering that she was applying to her family to copy a first-rate cultivation technique for him, he nodded. "Fine!"

"Thank you, Senior Brother." Li Feifei revealed a sweet smile.

Sima Rui had not actually wanted to bring along Li Feifei, a disciple of the Rock Outer Academy, but since Zhang Yu had agreed, he could only go along with it.

"Senior Brother Zhang, I received word through my family 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. As long as one belonged to a martial arts family, one had already heard the rumor.

Third-rate martial arts family: the family possessed one True Qi realm martial artist.

Second-rate martial arts family: the family possessed one Nurturing Qi realm martial artist.

First-rate martial arts family: the family possessed one Astral Qi realm martial artist.

The highest realm on the Western Desolate Continent was the Astral Qi 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 spreading for ages. If the Heavenly Heart Sect Saintess really 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 news everyone already knows?"

"Senior Brother, my family is in the imperial capital, so I know this news too. If this Senior Brother Sima knows only this much, I don't think there's 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. When used in battle, it can instantly plunge people into an illusion."

Zhang Yu's eyes lit up. "We're leaving for the imperial capital immediately."

The Heavenly Heart Illusory Star Melody could draw upon starlight to temper the body and use melody to instantly draw people into illusions.

If he did not bring 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.

The moment Zhang Yu left the city, a beggar-like man by the gate immediately turned and entered the shantytown. After twisting and turning through the alleys, he arrived at a low house and cupped his fists. "Boss, Zhang Yu of Hidden Spirit Academy has just left the city."

"Understood. Inform the Ye Family at once, and send Jia Jiu to carry out the commission," an elderly man's hoarse voice came from the shadows.

"Yes!"

News of Zhang Yu's departure from the city quickly reached the Ye Family.

After Ye Ditian's death, Shi Cangyue had suppressed the Ye Family head and issued harsh threats. In the end, the Ye Family could only swallow their anger.

Lowering their banners on the surface did not mean they would not make secret moves behind the scenes. They had contacted people from the Withered Soul Hall and offered one spirit crystal for Zhang Yu's head.

After Zhang Yu took first place in the Azure Eagle Tournament, the price had risen to three spirit crystals. The Ye Family had truly paid through the nose this time.

The Withered Soul Hall was an ancient assassin organization, rumored to have its headquarters in the Central Continent.

Jia Jiu glanced at the visitor. "A puny martial artist who just entered the Transformative Force realm, and they want me to make a move? Has Old Tooth-head become more muddleheaded the older he gets?"

Jia Jiu was at the half-step 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 of his dantian had opened, and his True Qi was extremely impure.

Even so, he was not someone a Transformative Force martial artist could compare to.

"This is Tooth-head's order. Besides, that fellow 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's group traveled at a leisurely pace, taking in the mountains and rivers. Sima Rui had wanted to hurry onward, but Zhang Yu did not. He had never properly admired the scenery of the Western Desolate Continent.

"Senior Brother Zhang, are you tired? I brought fruit wine. Shall we rest for a while? There's a small stream ahead, a fine place to cool off in the shade," Li Feifei said when she saw sweat beading on Zhang Yu's forehead.

She was sharp-tongued and mean toward Sima Rui, but toward Zhang Yu, she gave her whole heart and took care of him in every possible way.

At first, Zhang Yu had not been used to it, but as time passed, he gradually grew accustomed to it.

He remained wary in his heart, but it was simply too sweet. He could not resist it at all.

Clothes were handed to him when he stretched out his arms; food was served when he opened his mouth. Whenever he was thirsty, someone immediately asked whether he wanted a drink. Whenever he wanted fruit, someone peeled it for him. In short, this meticulous concern and care made Zhang Yu enjoy himself immensely.

Especially since Li Feifei was beautiful and very good at providing emotional support.

She took care of your daily life, gave you emotional support, and put in genuine effort—going all in, the kind that shoved all her chips onto the table. It was impossible to withstand.

Looks like I can't give her to Niu Mancang as a wife. I'll keep her by my side as a maid instead. Zhang Yu realized that his life had become somewhat inseparable from Li Feifei. She took such good care of him that she saved him a great deal of effort.

If you played petty tricks, Zhang Yu would turn around and toss Li Feifei to Niu Mancang as a wife. After all, she had the fate of guarding the Gu Family's inheritance.

But Li Feifei openly let you know that she had a purpose in currying favor with you, while at the same time giving herself wholeheartedly regardless of the cost. She would even stake her own life on it.

That made things difficult.

In the end, Zhang Yu stopped agonizing over it and followed his heart, deciding to keep Li Feifei by 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 intentionally or unintentionally create ambiguous moments, which made Zhang Yu feel uncomfortable.

Li Feifei, however, always had a meal appear before his mouth whenever he wanted to eat, and water brought over at just the right moment whenever he wanted a drink.

Just like now, Zhang Yu had only begun to feel a little tired and thought resting beneath the trees by the stream ahead would be nice 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 arrogant and overbearing she-devil.

Before Zhang Yu, she was obedient and adorable, but before everyone else, she was a she-devil.

Beside the stream, beneath the shade of the trees, Zhang Yu was drinking chilled fruit wine while Li Feifei peeled fruit for him.

Sima Rui wanted to ask for a cup of fruit wine, but the stingy Li Feifei rolled her eyes. "No!"

Sima Rui was so angry he wanted to curse, while also feeling deeply envious of Zhang Yu. It would be wonderful to have a woman like Li Feifei by my side.

Zhang Yu suddenly sensed a cold, sinister aura approaching. His heart skipped a beat, but he calmly glanced toward the depths of the forest behind them.

Someone?

They have killing intent toward me?

They came to deal with me?

True Qi realm?

Probably not. If they were at the True Qi realm, they wouldn't be skulking around and hiding their head and tail.

In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Zhang Yu's mind.

A moment later, an icy voice sounded behind them.

"You really know how to enjoy yourselves. I'm getting angry just watching. Woman, once I kill him, follow me instead. I'm far stronger than him. Serve me well when the time comes, and there'll be benefits in it for you." Jia Jiu's figure emerged from the forest.