Chapter 1 – Assassinate
In the Tianxuan Continent, at the Xuan Yin Sect, on the Great Bamboo Peak.
As evening fell, Lin Hao returned to his cave dwelling only to find that the barrier he had set up had been breached!
He immediately drew two high-grade first-level talismans, spiritual power sparking from his fingertips, ready to activate them at any moment.
"Oh, Brother Lin, you're quite vigilant."
A female cultivator in a sky-blue dress gracefully stepped out, her long, snow-white legs generously exposed to the air.
Li Xunran... What is she doing here?
Seeing the female cultivator's appearance, a hint of surprise flashed in Lin Hao's eyes.
This woman, like him, was an outer disciple cultivating on the Great Bamboo Peak.
Because of her beautiful looks and graceful figure, she stood out among the outer disciples.
Speaking of which, Lin Hao had gone on missions with her before; she was a fifth-level Qi Refining cultivator, one level below him.
Although they were somewhat familiar, Lin Hao did not let down his guard and coldly asked, "What are you here for?"
"I heard you want to trade with Spirit Gathering Pills..." Li Xunran teased in her tone.
"Trade..." Hearing this word, a complex expression appeared on Lin Hao's face.
For some reason, ever since he participated in the physique awakening ceremony, he kept thinking of Emperor Wei Wen.
Moreover, after long periods of meditation and cultivation, his whole body would feel unbearably hot, and seductive images of women would involuntarily appear in his mind, preventing him from continuing his cultivation.
To solve this problem and continue his cultivation, he thought of trading Spirit Gathering Pills.
The first person he sought to trade with was a junior sister at the fifth level of Qi Refining.
A night of passion for ten Spirit Gathering Pills, a mutually beneficial exchange.
But the agreed-upon trade was suddenly called off by the junior sister, who then spread word of his trading methods, making him a laughingstock among the outer disciples of the Great Bamboo Peak.
"Still interested in trading? How about me?" Li Xunran continued, moving her legs and teasingly adjusting her neckline, boldly displaying her assets.
"Alright," Lin Hao replied.
To vent the fire within, of course, he needed to trade. He wasn't interested in romance; this was the only way to meet mutual needs.
He raised an eyebrow and said, "One time, ten pills, agreed?"
"Ten pills?" Li Xunran furrowed her white brow, hesitating, "Ten is too few; it's my first time, you know. You'll need to add a bit more."
"Twelve pills," Lin Hao said.
Twelve pills were what he could receive in a month, all given to her.
"Deal," Li Xunran agreed straightforwardly.
Boom!
A bolt of lightning tore through the thick clouds.
Pitter-patter, pitter-patter -!
"Oh dear, it's raining," Li Xunran threw a charming glance, feigning weakness.
"Let's go inside for a more in-depth exchange..."
With that, she turned and walked inside.
Lin Hao closed the door and entered, seeing the woman already lying sideways on his bed, propping her head up.
Her beautiful legs were elegantly crossed.
"Brother Lin..." Li Xunran drew out her voice.
Thump!
Lin Hao felt his heartbeat quicken.
He returned the talismans to the storage bag at his waist, then walked to the woman's side, reaching out to lift her snow-white, pointed chin.
Li Xunran looked at Lin Hao, her eyes dreamy, extending her small tongue to lick her lips.
"Brother Lin, you'll need to give me the pills first."
Lin Hao silently complained in his heart; this woman had a knack for business, not forgetting to ask for her fee even now.
Smack!
He took out a small jade bottle, placing it on the table, and said, "Twelve pills, not one less."
Li Xunran picked up the pills with delight, her snow-white legs quietly parting, her jade foot occasionally brushing against the man's calf.
Lin Hao's breathing grew heavier, and he leaned in to...
Swish!
Suddenly, a change occurred!
Li Xunran drew a short blade glinting with cold light from under her thigh, swiftly stabbing towards the man's chest!
But before she could succeed, she felt a chill at her throat.
"Don't move, or you'll die!"
A look of disbelief flashed in Li Xunran's beautiful eyes as she glanced down at the dagger glowing with green light, the stench of poison wafting to her nose. The dagger was laced with deadly venom!
She knew that any sudden movement would surely lead to a poisoned death.
So she had no choice but to drop the short blade in her hand.
She was extremely surprised; she had acted so convincingly, and Lin Hao was clearly already caught up in the moment, he should have let his guard down completely.
Moreover, to prevent the spiritual power fluctuations from using the storage bag from being detected, she had tied the short blade to her thigh.
But she never expected Lin Hao's vigilance to be so high, always on guard!
Lin Hao kicked the short blade away and removed the storage bag from her waist, placing a restriction on it.
The Immortal Path is ruthless, and cultivators are even more so. Since becoming a cultivator, Lin Hao had always been cautious, maintaining vigilance at all times and places, ensuring he wouldn't make a major mistake.
"Speak, why did you try to assassinate me?"
His tone was icy, filled with killing intent.
Li Xunran's eyes darted around, putting on a pitiful expression, coquettishly saying, "Oh, Brother Lin, you've misunderstood. How could I assassinate you? I just wanted to add some excitement."
Ding!
Lin Hao flicked the blade, the cold, poisonous edge pressed against the woman's skin, his palm surging with spiritual power, ready to pierce her throat at any moment.
His voice was cold, "Talking nonsense won't help, don't test my patience."
Feeling the threat of death, the woman was terrified, her face losing color, "Brother Lin, don't be impulsive, I'll talk... I'll talk."