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Zhang Yiyi's intentions were straightforward—she simply wanted to test the strength of her Body Refinement Stage Five and see how powerful her physique had become.

"Boom!"

A deafening explosion rang out.

The golden leaf barrier trembled under the brutal assault. Though it wasn't shattered instantly, visible cracks spread across its surface.

"Boom!"

Zhang Yiyi threw another punch. Although it landed on the barrier, the black-clad leader's heart plummeted into an abyss.

"Boom!"

A third strike followed in quick succession.

With a resounding crash, the seemingly indestructible barrier shattered into oblivion. The leader of the black-clad men, the one who wielded the golden leaves, suffered severe backlash—coughing up blood, his face ashen.

"Five down!"

Zhang Yiyi moved without hesitation, each strike decisive, continuing to cut down her enemies.

To the black-clad assassins, she was the true harbinger of death.

"Six!"

"Seven!"

...

By the time the battle reached its climax, only the leader remained, struggling desperately to hold on.

Just as he thought he was doomed, Zhang Yiyi unexpectedly stopped.

She spared his life.

A breath of relief escaped the black-clad leader. He assumed she must have some instructions for him, which was why she had chosen to keep him alive.

But before he could even open his mouth—

Whoosh!

A flying fan came out of nowhere, decapitating him in an instant.

"Alright, now their little group is finally whole again."

A smooth, jade-like voice rang out, carrying an unmistakable note of amusement.

"Whether in life or death, they should all meet the same fate together, don't you think?"

Zhang Yiyi turned her gaze to the interfering young man who had suddenly appeared, her brows furrowing.

This man was no ordinary cultivator—his Golden Core Stage was already at its peak, half a step into Nascent Soul.

His previous strike alone proved that his combat strength was beyond most peak Golden Core cultivators.

"Little girl, you're quite formidable. But your heart is still too soft."

The young man twirled the very fan that had just taken a life, his smile light and easy.

"The Death Gate Sect are nothing but heartless fiends. You think sparing him would earn you gratitude? He would never have let you go."

Still smiling, he approached, greeting her casually, "But no worries, you were lucky enough to have me—Xia Luo—handle the last one for you. Otherwise, if he had escaped back to the Death Gate Sect, who knows how much more trouble you'd be in?"

Zhang Yiyi's expression remained blank as she stared at him.

Did she look like someone who was too soft-hearted to kill someone trying to murder her?

She had the urge to curse.

Why did she keep running into these self-righteous, meddling busybodies lately?

She had only spared the man to interrogate him first— Now, thanks to Xia Luo, she no longer had the chance.

"Oh? Was I wrong?"

Xia Luo's expression shifted slightly, realizing he might have made a mistake.

Still, he wasn't about to admit his fault.

"Aiya, but it's fine! Scum like the Death Gate Sect deserve to die anyway. No need to thank me—just consider it me upholding justice."

He grinned, completely unfazed. "By the way, little girl, what's your name? How did you end up tangled with the Death Gate Sect? But don't worry, with me, Xia Luo, by your side, even if the King of Hell himself wants you dead, he wouldn't dare take you!"

"Senior Xia, is your face really thicker than mine?"

Lu Qiao finally couldn't hold back anymore.

She had no idea where this guy got his confidence.

Messing up a situation, then acting like he did a good deed— Who was thanking him? If they didn't beat him up, that was already being merciful!

"......"

Xia Luo's charming smile faltered at her blunt words.

Annoyed, he retorted, "Whose family are you from, little girl? You've got no manners at all! I only speak the truth, and yet you're accusing me of having a thick face?"

"Not from your Xia family, that's for sure."

Lu Qiao rolled her eyes at him, completely fearless.

"Also, does your family live by the sea? Because you sure like to stick your nose into everything!"

She huffed, glancing at him disdainfully before casually stepping closer to Zhang Yiyi.

Her body language was clear—

She was fully prepared to let Zhang Yiyi deal with this thick-skinned Xia Luo.

So what if he was at the Peak Golden Core Stage?

She might not be able to beat him, but that didn't mean the people who supported her couldn't.

Half of those Death Gate Sect assassins earlier had been Golden Core cultivators, yet even their eight-person Death Formation had been useless against Zhang Yiyi. With that level of strength, what was there to be afraid of?

However, just as Lu Qiao scooted closer, Zhang Yiyi calmly took a step to the side—widening the distance between them.

Zhang Yiyi was well aware of Lu Qiao's little schemes and had no intention of letting her take advantage of her reputation.

If you don't have the strength, don't recklessly provoke people. What, was Lu Qiao relying on the fact that Zhang Yiyi would always clean up after her mess?

Ha. Zhang Yiyi had no intention of indulging her in that bad habit.

If you can't fight, then stop running your mouth. Even if Lu Qiao thought she was standing up for Zhang Yiyi, she didn't need this kind of help.

Otherwise, if this continued, life would become unbearable.

To this day, Zhang Yiyi still couldn't quite figure out how she had lost her mind enough to agree to let Lu Qiao follow her.

Maybe she should rethink who was truly benefiting here. Was she the one dragging Lu Qiao toward prosperity? Or was Lu Qiao the one siphoning all her fortune away?

Without changing expression, Zhang Yiyi silently mocked her own choices. Meanwhile, Lu Qiao, realizing the awkward gap between them, felt a bit embarrassed.

Xia Luo, however, immediately saw through the tension between the two women and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Don't be in such a rush to leave, little girl. Aren't you curious to know who hired the Death Gate Sect to take your life?"

His tone was casual, his smile relaxed and carefree.

Yet before he could even finish speaking, Zhang Yiyi had already turned to leave.

Seeing this, Xia Luo swiftly stepped forward to block her path.

"Senior, don't you think you're a little too enthusiastic?"

Zhang Yiyi tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable.

"Lu Qiao wasn't entirely wrong—your face really is quite thick."

That said, between Xia Luo and Lu Qiao, she still couldn't tell whose face was thicker.

"So, she's called Lu Qiao. Then what's your name?"

Xia Luo seemed completely unaffected by her less-than-friendly tone, his eyes glimmering with curiosity.

"Han Lin. What does Senior Xia wish to ask?"

She was already on the Death Gate Sect's kill list—what was the point in hiding her name?

Anyone with enough interest could find out with a little digging.

Besides, she didn't believe for a second that Xia Luo had arrived late. She also didn't believe he hadn't overheard her conversation with the Death Gate Sect members earlier.

"Han Lin? What a beautiful name!"

Xia Luo clapped his hands in admiration.

"A name this pleasant, a face this stunning, skills this impressive, and potential this astonishing—you're truly a once-in-a-millennium genius. Han Lin, are you willing—"

"No."

Zhang Yiyi cut him off immediately.

"I already have a master. Senior Xia should look for another disciple."