Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Assassin

"This is not the place to talk. Let’s go back and discuss this," said Ling Yunmei, her crimson robe fluttering as she cast a glance at Yang Xiao before turning to walk away. Naturally, Yang Xiao followed her in quick, eager strides.

Ling Yunmei spoke as they walked, "Junior Brother Yang, you probably don’t know where our Giant Spirit Sect is staying in this market town, do you? Come, I’ll show you. Right now, I’m in charge here—every disciple of the Giant Spirit Sect has to obey my orders."

"Senior Sister, with your skill and capabilities, it’s no surprise you hold such a position," Yang Xiao replied, full of admiration.

So, Yang Xiao followed Ling Yunmei toward the residence of the Giant Spirit Sect.

Meanwhile, Xing Wutian and Li Xie had returned to their own quarters. Xing Wutian’s anger had not yet subsided.

Li Xie tried to console him, "Young Master, if Ling Yunmei hadn’t shown up, I could have easily captured that youth. But once the Giant Spirit Sect gets involved, it’s no longer wise to act rashly. You know the state of our sect—among the three, we are the weakest. Only our Sect Master has reached the Qi Condensation stage, while the Giant Spirit Sect has two experts at that level. If a fight breaks out, it will put us at a great disadvantage."

"I’m well aware of that, which is why I’ve held back until now. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have let this go so easily," Xing Wutian replied, still seething.

"I know your temperament, Young Master. Unfortunately, our sect hasn’t produced a second Qi Condensation expert in over a decade. I myself have reached the peak of the Spirit Sense stage, but breaking through to Qi Condensation is extremely unlikely, especially at my age. Under these circumstances, we can only hope that you and a few other promising young elites can break through. If that happens, our Black Tortoise Sect will finally flourish," Li Xie said.

"In fact, part of my purpose in coming to this market is to seek out alchemical recipes—my father’s idea, in part. With the aid of more pills, our disciples’ cultivation speed will increase. At that point, we may well dominate the entire Myriad Peaks Mountain Range," Xing Wutian explained.

"So that’s your plan, Young Master. Indeed, ancient alchemical recipes often have miraculous effects, but after so many upheavals in the cultivation world, very few authentic formulas have survived—most were lost in the chaos. If we could obtain some of those ancient recipes, it would greatly benefit our sect," Li Xie nodded.

"Exactly. Elder Li, keep an eye out in the market for any recipes for sale. If you spot any, do whatever it takes to acquire them," Xing Wutian instructed.

"Understood. I won’t let the Sect Master or Young Master down," Li Xie promised.

"Good. I trust your abilities. When I left the sect, my father told me he’s preparing a major plan. If it succeeds, it will wipe out both the Giant Spirit and Hundred Scroll Sects, leaving the Myriad Peaks under our control," Xing Wutian revealed a great secret.

"Is that so? But eliminating both rival sects won’t be easy. If the Sect Master can accomplish it, he’ll fulfill the dreams of several generations," Li Xie said, probing for more details.

"Just trust my father, Elder Li. Even I don’t know the specifics, but he’d never mention it unless he was ninety percent certain of success. Once it’s done, your status will soar as well—you might even become the head of a branch," Xing Wutian promised, offering incentives to ensure Li Xie’s loyalty.

"Thank you, Young Master. I will serve you with all my heart," Li Xie replied, bowing with delight.

"Let’s not discuss my father’s plan for now. That Giant Spirit brat we encountered really sticks in my craw. And I want his recipe. Do you have any way to get it from him?" Clearly, Xing Wutian had not given up on acquiring Yang Xiao’s alchemical formula.

"Well, taking it openly isn’t wise. But if we can’t do it in the open, we’ll do it in secret. I’ll find a few skilled men to subdue him and take the recipe," Li Xie said with a sly laugh.

"But that boy isn’t easy to deal with. Our ordinary disciples probably couldn’t handle him. And our disciples all carry our mark—if we fail and the Giant Spirit Sect finds out, it will be disastrous for us," Xing Wutian reminded him.

"That’s easily solved. I can hire professional assassins. With enough incentive, they’ll do anything for us," Li Xie considered.

"Can you find reliable assassins on short notice? They can’t be weaklings," Xing Wutian asked.

"Don’t worry, Young Master. I happen to know two professional killers here in the market. They were once independent cultivators, but out of necessity, they sometimes kill for profit."

"And how strong are they?"

"Both are at the eighth level of the Spirit Sense stage. Moreover, they’re brothers who work in perfect harmony and practice a unique art. Together, they can match a ninth-level expert. Even I’m not confident I could defeat them," Li Xie explained.

"Even you can’t best them? In that case, dealing with that youth should be no problem. Arrange a meeting with the assassins—I want to see them," Xing Wutian ordered.

"Very well, I’ll set it up immediately."

Not long after, Xing Wutian and Li Xie met the two assassin brothers. Both were about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, robust and powerful in appearance.

Xing Wutian tested them personally, and their combined strength was indeed formidable—he couldn’t gain any advantage over them. Their spiritual power was higher than his by far.

Highly satisfied, Xing Wutian handed them a sum of spirit stones as an advance. Once they captured Yang Xiao, the brothers would receive a generous additional payment.

The two assassins thanked him profusely, assuring, "We will carry out this task with utmost dedication."