Chapter 723: The Assassin

Yan Buji paused in thought and asked, "I recall… the Rabbit Tribe settlement shouldn't have a fertility crisis, right?"

If you claim those aphrodisiacs are used to guarantee the tribe's population stability, that could be justified.

But Xiong Ba Tian even used the term "partial favor," indicating the Rabbit Tribe's fondness for aphrodisiacs is extraordinary.

Xiong Ba Tian's expression turned sour as he said, "Among our demon races, the Rabbit Tribe is also notorious as a J basin; in your words, they're like tattered crotches."

Yan Buji inhaled deeply and said, "This thing is easy to handle."

"But the ordinary ones won't work for them; they'll need a premium grade."

"In that case…"

Yan Buji suddenly recalled he still had a few Yin‑Yang Reversal Pills he had once forged for Ye Lin, took them out and handed them to Xiong Ba Tian, saying, "When the time comes, show these pills to them."

"This is…"

"It's an aphrodisiac I once crafted for someone; I still have some left."

Xiong Ba Tian looked curious, opened one and sniffed.

"My heavens!!" Xiong Ba Tian's eyes widened, and he quickly clenched his legs.

"This should drive the Rabbit Tribe cultivators into a frenzy."

"If that's truly the case, that would be great," Yan Buji laughed.

After a brief discussion, Xiong Ba Tian and Yan Buji agreed that Yan Buji would bring down some goods from the Heavenly Spirit Realm, or prepare them himself, and then Xiong Ba Tian would visit them one by one to see whether the items could tempt them.

They're not worried about the tribe's many demands; they're only afraid the tribe won't even glance at the items.

Having completed all that, the two left a means of communication, and Yan Buji set off for the Sect Mining Area.

"Having taken so long, that stand‑in should have reached its designated spot by now," Yan Buji smiled.

Two days later, with ample preparation, Yan Buji left the city, drifting leisurely through the sky as if unafraid of any ambush.

When Yan Buji flew over a valley, a few people were watching him from the shadows.

"Here they come!"

"He's alone?"

"Could it be a trap? The intel from the employer said there's an elder of the He Dao Stage who hasn't returned; could he be nearby?"

Clearly, these people are assassins from the Misty Rain Tower hired earlier; after receiving the employer's intel, they conducted extensive investigations, which forced them to act with caution.

Although they knew Yan Buji hadn't left the capital, they prepared an ambush midway to capture him, but upon hearing that an elder of the He Dao Stage within his sect hadn't returned, the Transformation God Stage assassins hesitated, fearing a trap.

One can't say they're cowardly; assassins can't be cowardly. It's just that they worry that even if they die, the mission won't be completed, which would be a waste of effort.

Thinking that, the assassins hesitated, unwilling to move yet also reluctant to watch that guy swagger away!

"What do we do? Brother Liu, should we strike or not?!"

"First we follow him. This place is still several days' journey from the Great Sinful Sect Mining Area; he can't get there in an instant. If he notices us and tries to flee, we strike!"

The few prepared themselves; assassins may overthink, yet they are decisive.

The opportunity is right before them; they don't want to miss it!

Thus, the assassins quickly flew into the high sky and pursued.

After flying for a while, Yan Buji suddenly sensed someone trailing behind.

"Hmm? Such a powerful aura— a Transformation God cultivator?!"

Yan Buji's eyes lit up, but he stopped abruptly: "No, there are too many people; the newcomer doesn't seem friendly. However…"

At the same time, the assassins, seeing Yan Buji halt, asked in confusion, "What's going on?"

"No, go quickly!"

The assassins, still unaware of what happened, were suddenly struck by a massive, sky‑covering palm that slammed into the ground, immobilizing them.

From afar, Yan Buji smiled lightly, bowed, and said, "I have met Elder Yuan."

"Hmm." Yuan Zhen looked at Yan Buji, puzzled, "Do those people hold a grudge against you?"

"I don't know." Yan Buji shook his head, "I have no acquaintance with them at all."

"Then that's odd." Yuan Zhen, from a distance, captured them; the immobilized assassins instantly rose from the ground and were sucked to Yuan Zhen's front.

The assassins widened their eyes, muttering, "He Dao Stage old monster!"

"You are assassins from the Misty Rain Tower?" Yuan Zhen, having sensed something, asked.

Misty Rain Tower?

Yan Buji pressed his chin, puzzled, "What faction is this Misty Rain Tower?"

"Misty Rain Tower has a Great Vehicle Stage resident; do you intend to wage war against our Great Sinful Sect?" Yuan Zhen said calmly.

"Senior, we are merely acting on someone's request! It has nothing to do with your sect!"

Having said that, the assassins clenched their teeth and, seeing the point, ended their own lives.

Yan Buji wore a strange expression; Yuan Zhen evidently didn't intervene, perhaps the Misty Rain Tower truly couldn't be provoked?

It's not that the Misty Rain Tower can't be provoked; its tower master, a Great Vehicle Stage cultivator, is somewhat capricious, and… enough, who exactly wants to deal with you?

Yan Buji thought for a moment, shook his head, "I don't know, but since someone paid a high price for my life, it seems I've offended the wrong people."

Yuan Zhen raised an eyebrow.

Given that, there's nothing more to discuss.

Yuan Zhen naturally didn't want to get into a serious quarrel with the Misty Rain Tower; otherwise, he couldn't withstand those unrestrained Great Vehicle Stage cultivators.

And Yan Buji had his own plan, which Yuan Zhen could certainly see.

You don't even know who you hold a grudge against; who are you accusing?

Even if you don't know who the enemy is, there must be something about you, or something you did that earned resentment; there must be a clue.

But Yan Buji kept silent, and Yuan Zhen naturally didn't press further.

"I won't discuss that, Elder Yuan. Are you also planning to go to the Sect Mining Area now?"

Not bad, I've already sent back to the sect the things I investigated; I'm heading back now. You kid, it looks like you didn't go with them?" Yuan Zhen asked.

Yes.

Yan Buji recounted everything he had done these days in the garrisoned royal city, emphasizing his dealings with Wu Xuzi and his connections with Xiong Ba Tian; Yuan Zhen listened for a while, nodding occasionally.

Not bad, since we can now establish good relations with the demon tribe and also obtain trade rights, it's quite advantageous for the sect's upcoming moves.

That's right, but the Sect Master has asked me to tell you that the trade of Celestial Material from the Youming Realm requires you to negotiate with the demon tribe's royal court." Yan Buji said.

Yuan Zhen's eyes shifted, he nodded: "Okay, I understand."

It seems the sect needs to establish some kind of connection with the demon tribe here.

Yan Buji wasn't entirely clear, but the forces that have come to Luohuang Zhou aren't they also eyeing the demon tribe's vast market?

Yan Buji's tasks are merely mining and trade; the rest is just to make some extra pocket money for himself.