"It's you? How did you get in?" Madam Zhu was startled by the cloaked man who suddenly appeared in her bedroom.
"I come and go as I please. This little Orchid Residence can't stop me. As for the mountain protection barrier, didn't you give Yun He a token to exit the barrier? Heh, I just borrowed it!"
"You~ What exactly do you want? I did my best last time. Ye Ju's skills are incredibly high; I doubt you could defeat her." Madam Zhu desperately tried to steady her trembling hands. She had been wrong to deal with a tiger; it was herself she had ultimately endangered...
"You call that doing your best? When we cooperated before, I helped you seize control of this Heavenly Ascent Immortal Sect. Now you want to cross the river and demolish the bridge?" The cloaked man sat down leisurely and poured himself a cup of tea.
"I told you, that woman Ye Ju has high cultivation. Didn't she capture the three Nascent Soul cultivators you sent?" Madam Zhu flicked her sleeve and said coldly.
"According to the news I received, they are heading towards the Heavenly Star Continent. Have someone obstruct them. After this, we will be square. If you can't kill them, at least injure them. This is a colorless and odorless poison; it will help you escape!"
"Do you keep your word? Is this the last time? Fine, I agree. Then return the token to exit the barrier. From now on, we shall mind our own business! Otherwise, I'll risk exposure to keep you here!" Madam Zhu shouted sternly!
"Don't get agitated. I'll give you the token after I exit the barrier. It's a deal then!"
"No, give it to me now. I'll send someone to escort you out through the mountain gate," Madam Zhu stared at him assertively.
After a moment of thought, the cloaked man produced the token. He trusted this woman; while she was ruthless, she kept her promises!
Tian Ji heard up to this point, and the voices on the other end disappeared. Tian Ji performed a hand seal, and the eavesdropping talisman ignited, turning into ashes! A gust of wind scattered them without a trace.
Madam Zhu seemed to sense something, scanned the surroundings fruitlessly, and then made arrangements. "This time, someone else wants your life; you can't blame me!"
Tian Ji made a decisive move and immediately sent out a sound transmission talisman, intending to set off immediately to meet Ju Xin!
Half an hour later, the Double-Pupiled Elder returned. Tian Ji, anxious, saw him return and immediately pulled the elder towards the mountain gate. The gatekeepers, after examining their calling cards, let them pass.
Tian Ji owned a flying ship, but he had given it to a Cang Lan Sect disciple, informing them that he was going on a pilgrimage and would not return to the sect, asking them to deliver a message to his master. The sect disciples dared not object; after bidding farewell to their uncle-master, they departed.
When Tian Ji produced his flying boat, the Double-Pupiled Elder pouted dismissively. With a wave of his sleeve, he produced a walnut-sized, miniature boat. Tian Ji's eyes widened. This was the long-lost "nut boat." It was said that the great masters who could refine nut boats had ascended long ago, and fewer than five such boats remained. He never expected Elder Chong Tong to possess one; his foundation was truly deep! No wonder so many disciples with exceptional talent sought to become his disciples. Cultivation was a great drain on resources; anyone would choose a master with a national treasury over a meager sect!
The Double-Pupiled Elder performed a hand seal, and the nut boat suddenly enlarged. As it was only for two people, the nut boat transformed into a five-meter-long shuttle. Without further words, both were in a hurry to reach their destination. One was eager to taste his junior disciple's cooking, while the other worried about the safety of Ju Xin and her companions. Normally, when traveling for pleasure, the nut boat would transform into a domestic mode, adapting to the owner's needs. It was simply an excellent companion for traveling and excursions.
At this very moment, Ju Xin and her companions, whom they were thinking about, came under attack. The Purple Ship's speed was now vastly improved. After leaving Jiu Ye City, they headed east. They passed two cities, Wu Shui and Ji Shan, without stopping. The flying ship required no supplies, so they sped onward gracefully. This was torment for the assassins lying in wait in those two cities, who had waited for days without seeing a single person. Ju Xin and the others were unaware of all this; they never imagined anyone would intercept them.
Therefore, as they passed through this forest, a group of people in black suddenly appeared. Everyone thought they had encountered highway robbers. Little Purple's cloaking was still unstable; it could only remain invisible for a short period. After a long time, the ship's body would be revealed. Earlier, Little Purple, who lived in Ju Xin's divine consciousness, had been clamoring to devour the nut boat. Ju Xin had not yet made a decision because allowing Little Purple to devour it now still carried risks; its ship spirit was not yet powerful enough.
No one took this group of people seriously; the cultivators in black were not powerful. Feng Chu stood at the bow of the ship, observing these twenty-five individuals. The highest cultivation level was the Great Perfection of Nascent Soul. He admired their audacity. Had they not investigated the strength of the ship's owner before attempting to rob them? Feng Chu summoned Little Wang You and Ji Chen Mu, asking them to go and fight.
The leader of the black-clothed men swallowed nervously. The person standing at the bow of the ship was incredibly powerful. He could feel a strong oppressive aura just by standing there. Damn it, were the employers sending them to their deaths? Someone at the Soul Transformation stage or above could wipe them all out with a single wave of their hand. However, having accepted the payment, exchanging a few blows would at least be worthwhile for the spirit stones.
Little Wang You, with a grand Roc's flight, soared towards the black-clothed men, her movements graceful, stunning the assassins. Was this little girl here to perform a sword dance? What use was beauty? They looked down on them so much that they only sent a little girl. By the time they regained their senses, one assassin had fallen to the sword. Only then did they realize that they were the clowns! Instantly, they all charged towards Little Wang You.
When Ji Chen Mu descended, he saw that Little Wang You had already bested two of them with her sword. He too, without hesitation, charged in, his sword dancing with a hissing sound like a viper's tongue, exuding a chilling aura! Having received guidance from Sister Ji these past few days, his swordsmanship had improved considerably! He and Ji Wu Ye often lived on the edge of a blade. This group of assassins was by no means innocent. No matter who sent them, they deserved to die! The battle was earth-shattering. Soon, only fifteen assassins remained. The leader gave a signal, and the remaining men immediately dispersed and fled!
Feng Chu stopped the two who were about to give chase. These people's origins were unknown, and it was not advisable to pursue them.
Little Purple was still pestering Ju Xin to eat the nut boat, with the excuse that during the previous days of cloaking, they hadn't robbed anyone. If they could remain cloaked all the time, wouldn't this trouble be avoided?
Ju Xin, unable to get rid of her, agreed, as it was indeed a valid point. She took out the nut boat and gave it to Little Purple. Little Purple jumped for joy, and the Purple Ship swayed along. It was utterly carried away with itself!
Feng Chu could also see Little Purple, thinking that the ship becoming sentient was a great fortune. However, considering the sudden appearance of the black-clothed assassins, he found it very strange. The assassins' cultivation levels were not high. From their movements, it was clear they were not mere bandits. They were well-trained and, although their cultivation was not high, when combined with formations, they could fight evenly with cultivators at the early Soul Transformation stage, which was quite remarkable. After all, killing opponents with a higher cultivation level was rare. At later stages of cultivation, being a level higher was like crossing a vast mountain; one could only look up!
"Who do you think sent them?" Feng Chu asked Ju Xin, who was playing chess with Ji Wu Ye.
"I don't know. Could it be Madam Zhu?" Ju Xin replied distractedly.
"No, Madam Zhu knows your strength. Why would she send such weaklings to their deaths?" Feng Chu did not believe Madam Zhu was that foolish.
"I wish it were, but why do they know our whereabouts?" Ji Wu Ye added with a pointed remark.