Chapter 96: You Still Have Me

Watching as Tingxue left in a flurry of exasperation, Yan Xiao nonchalantly used Earth Escape to return to the sect.

The cold and heartless female assassin revealed a rare glimpse of a young girl's inner thoughts at this moment, truly feeling incredibly conflicted.

She was a very intelligent and realistic woman; otherwise, she could not have survived until now in the cruel world of assassins. But Yan Xiao gave her a different feeling. Since arriving at Luoxia Mountain, she had been observing Yan Xiao. If Yan Xiao ever had any designs on her, she would certainly leave or kill him before he could make a move.

She admitted her own selfishness. Having lost her family since childhood, she did not know the names of the parents who had given birth to and raised her. She had crawled out of a pile of corpses, living a life of precarious uncertainty, before being adopted by an assassin organization and trained into a top-tier assassin for Liuyun; the hardship and bitterness of that were beyond words.

She had assumed Yan Xiao would be like Yinmian, coveting her beauty, exploiting her strength, and treating her as a weapon—a tool for killing.

She had acted as she did before, playing along with Yan Xiao, letting him spend money and effort to cultivate her, waiting for a chance to kill him and take his place.

Previously, she had thought this was perfectly normal; this was the worldview she had always held.

Until now, Yan Xiao had never made any excessive demands, nor did he have any intention of coveting her beauty. He even trusted her completely, with no secrets regarding the sect's affairs. He even brought out his own cultivation techniques to share with everyone.

Was he not afraid that one day these people would have a higher cultivation base than him and turn against him?

Or was he extremely confident—confident to the point of believing that no one in the world was as formidable as him?

He didn't look stupid, did he?

What kind of person was he, exactly?

Wait, wait, wait, wait...

She was full of curiosity about him.

As the time spent together grew longer, she discovered that the people here were all very good, the scenery of Luoxia Mountain was beautiful, and even the members of Juesha were very respectful toward him; she had the illusion of having a home.

Until the appearance of Chen Jing, she felt a sense of crisis once again. This sense of crisis forced her to leave this place and go to a place where no one knew her to start over. She believed she could certainly create a wonderful future. But when it was truly time to leave, she hesitated; she could not bear to part with Yan Xiao, could not bear to part with Luo Ying, could not bear to part with Wang Dazhu, and could not bear to part with every member of Juesha.

"Owner, Tingxue has been secretly watching you. If you go up and persuade her, perhaps she won't leave. Her strength and aptitude are both very good; it would be a pity if she left."

Yan Xiao used the Five Elements Shield Technique to submerge underground; he was afraid Chen Jing might return, so he observed in secret for a while. Taking advantage of the gap, the system spoke to him about Tingxue.

"I have never experienced her world, so I dare not judge it rashly. If Feng Wanqing's world is one of coldness, then Tingxue's world is one of hatred. She loathes this world and trusts no one; her world contains only life and death, with no room for love or hate. If she cannot walk out of it herself, no one can help her," Yan Xiao sighed and shook his head.

Feng Wanqing and Tingxue were both pitiful women, and in this cruel world of cultivation, who knew how many others had equally tragic fates.

He was no savior, but he hoped that everyone around him could find happiness.

"Owner, this is the first time I've heard you speak like a human; I'm actually a little touched. I didn't expect you to be this kind of Owner," the system praised.

"What do you mean 'first time speaking like a human'? Can you even hold a conversation?" Yan Xiao rolled his eyes.

"Hee hee, so you aren't planning to go persuade her?" the system asked.

"Let her be," Yan Xiao shook his head, his mood quite heavy.

Although Chen Jing had left for the moment, he would certainly not give up easily. The Mountain Protection Array could protect them for a while, but not for a lifetime. The disciples of the Shengjian Sect could not stay on Luoxia Mountain forever without leaving.

"Owner, I estimate your delaying tactic won't last many days if your 'Master' doesn't show his face," Tingxue looked at Yan Xiao playfully, never missing an opportunity to strike a blow.

"Where am I supposed to find a Master at the Nascent Soul Realm? I'll drag it out as long as I can. Didn't you say Qingxue is about to recover her Divine Sense? Once she upgrades the system, upgrading myself will be like child's play, and I'll deal with that old curmudgeon of the Chen Family in a minute," Yan Xiao comforted himself.

The banquets on Luoxia Mountain had not stopped for three consecutive days, but the legendary old immortal had never been seen. This caused many people to feel deep regret, and even many disciples of the Shengjian Sect were heartbroken for a long time over missing the chance to see that enlightened master.

During this period, the Chen Family kept sending people to probe, and Yan Xiao acted as if he didn't see them, entertaining everyone as usual and telling a few lies: "My Master is busy and does not wish to come out.

My Master has returned to the Heavenly Court.

My Master enjoys tranquility; he appreciates your good intentions."

Everyone could hear that these were just perfunctory words, but the more he spouted such nonsense, the less the Chen Family dared to act rashly.

It was already the fourth day of the banquet; the number of people had clearly decreased, but there were still those who refused to give up and stayed on with thick skin, mostly wanting to curry favor with Yan Xiao and incidentally see if they could catch a glimpse of the old immortal.

Yan Xiao wore his Sunglasses, keeping his focus locked on the Chen Family ancestor, Chen Jing, and discovered that this old curmudgeon was actually staying in Luoyue City and not leaving. It seemed that although this old fellow was timid and cautious, he was not stupid and was not so easily fooled.

This made him feel agitated. He had no mood to deal with those who wanted to suck up to him, so he let Qian Youdao and Wang Dazhu entertain them on his behalf.

As for him, he moved a rocking chair and slept in the courtyard to bask in the sun, with Feng Jingting and Luo Ying by his side—one fanning him, the other peeling fruit. He lived a life of leisure.

"Husband, I haven't seen Tingxue for several days, and the members of Juesha also say they haven't seen her. Did you send her on some secret mission?" Seeing that Yan Xiao looked calm and indifferent but was actually troubled, Feng Jingting could not help but ask.

"I haven't seen Sister Tingxue for several days either," Luo Ying also nodded in agreement, staring at Yan Xiao curiously, waiting for his answer.

"She left," Yan Xiao ate a grape handed to him by Feng Jingting and said in a low voice.

"Ah... Sister Tingxue left?" Luo Ying said in disappointment.

Feng Jingting was not surprised, only saying calmly, "Tingxue was an assassin by trade; many of her thoughts are different from ours. If she left, then she left. Don't you still have me by your side, Husband?"

"Jing'er truly understands my heart. Come, a reward for my wife," Yan Xiao laughed heartily and *smack*, kissed Feng Jingting on her small face.

Feng Jingting did not dodge, only smiling as she wiped the grape juice from his mouth.

"Shameless! How embarrassing!" Luo Ying said indignantly, her face turning red. This bad man was actually being intimate with Feng Jingting right in front of her; he was truly the worst.

"What? Do you want a reward too?" Yan Xiao said playfully. He had been feeling incredibly depressed these past few days, and teasing the little girl was one of his few pleasures.

"I don't want one! Your mouth is stinky and dirty. Sister Feng just spoils you too much; she's spoiled you rotten!" Luo Ying pouted in dissatisfaction.

Hearing this, Feng Jingting only smiled and did not refute.

"I am her legitimate husband; it is only natural for her to spoil me, isn't it? As for you, little girl, why do you keep running over here instead of cultivating properly?" Yan Xiao laughed.

"Hmph, once I get Qingxue's permission and become your third wife, I won't spoil you like Sister Feng does," Luo Ying said, refusing to be outdone, her words as shocking as ever.

Hearing her say this, Yan Xiao did not dare to respond, only looking at Feng Jingting with an awkward expression.

Luoyue City.

In a side courtyard, Chen Jing summoned a Chen Family retainer and asked, "Has the Shengjian Sect made any moves?"