Upon hearing this, Wu Bao’Er and Liu Ming exchanged a glance, both feeling a bit puzzled.
They did not doubt Ye Xunhuan’s words.
Because there was no need for him to lie about this matter.
If he wanted to kill them, he could have done so directly without going through all this trouble.
What puzzled them was that they couldn’t figure out what the tower wanted to do.
Did they really think that just a group of assassins could stand against the South Azure Dragon?
Even though the Azure Dragon Temple was no longer the top existence that dominated all sects beyond the world in its heyday, it still had its foundation and couldn’t be easily defeated.
Moreover, those in the tower should not have such courage, right?
What exactly was driving them to do this?
Facing their silence, Ye Xunhuan raised an eyebrow slightly and asked coldly.
"What? Disagree?"
With this question, the man who had been standing behind Ye Xunhuan, holding a Steel Claw, wearing a mask, suddenly had a red glow in his eyes, and his mouth even dripped with saliva.
He stared intently at Wu Bao’Er, his breathing becoming somewhat rapid, just waiting for Ye Xunhuan’s command to rush forward and slowly tear her apart.
Wu Bao’Er naturally felt the deep malice from this Steel Claw man.
The almost crazy violence made her feel a bit chilling.
"We agree!" Liu Ming made a decisive decision and quickly stated their position.
There was no room for thinking too much now.
This was their only chance of survival.
If they dared to refuse, they would probably die on the spot.
Ye Xunhuan then nodded in satisfaction.
"Very good, it seems you know the situation. Let’s go, return to the tower now."
The Steel Claw man behind him seemed very disappointed by this, glaring at Liu Ming resentfully, then leaving angrily.
Liu Ming and Wu Bao’Er had no luggage to pack.
An assassin’s habit was to carry important things with them for easy relocation.
And although Wu Bao’Er’s injuries were not completely healed, they did not hinder her daily movements.
On the way back, Ye Xunhuan carefully inquired about the events.
Especially the fight between Wu Bao’Er and Zhao Ya, which piqued his great interest.
Wu Bao’Er dared not conceal anything and recounted the entire process in detail.
Ye Xunhuan asked some details, finally nodded.
"According to your account, Zhao Ya’s schemes are quite profound, not only using poison but also carrying a top-tier Hand Crossbow produced by the Mechanical Sect."
"Exactly, so if the tower intends to deal with Zhao Ya, they must not take it lightly and must proceed with caution," Wu Bao’Er agreed.
Ye Xunhuan smiled and suddenly asked, "If you were to face Zhao Ya again, do you have the confidence to win?"
Wu Bao’Er was stunned, then understood Ye Xunhuan’s meaning.
But with her current state, facing Zhao Ya meant only one thing, and that was death.
Even if her injuries healed, and her strength returned to its peak, she still felt unsure.
Because who knew if Zhao Ya had more hidden cards?
If he did, she might not be as lucky next time.
But facing Ye Xunhuan’s question, she didn’t dare speak the truth and could only muster her courage.
"As long as my injuries heal, I will definitely redeem myself."
"Good." Ye Xunhuan nodded with a smile, seemingly very pleased with Wu Bao’Er’s answer.
The hideout where Wu Bao’Er was staying was far from the Separation Tower.
Even for them, it would take three to five days to get there.
Throughout this journey, Wu Bao’Er behaved properly without the slightest abnormal movement.
But soon, she noticed something unusual.
Because Ye Xunhuan seemed a bit overly enthusiastic towards Liu Ming.
Not only often talking with him but sometimes even proactively helping him.
At first glance, it didn’t look like a prisoner being escorted but rather long-time friends.
For example, at this moment, Wu Bao’Er was watching the carriage ahead with a puzzled look.
Sitting inside were Liu Ming and Ye Xunhuan.
Wu Bao’Er could even hear the sounds of laughter coming from the carriage.
But the more it was like this, the more uncomfortable Wu Bao’Er felt.
If possible, she wished she could block her ears right now.
At this moment, Wu Bao’Er suddenly felt every hair on her body stand on end, as if some unspeakable danger was lurking nearby.
Turning her head, it was the Steel Claw man.
He was watching Wu Bao’Er with an almost greedy gaze, as if he wanted to swallow her in one bite.
Wu Bao’Er’s heart skipped a beat, and she immediately stepped aside.
No way.
For this man who never spoke, always wearing a mask, and carrying a Steel Claw, Wu Bao’Er was extremely wary.
In fact, not only her, but almost everyone in the tower avoided this man like the plague.
Because he was the Executioner of the current term in the Separation Tower.
The Executioner belonged to the Execution Department, so aside from the Chief Executioner Ye Xunhuan, he took orders from no one else,
and his cruel, bloodthirsty nature terrified all the assassins.
Of course, Wu Bao’Er didn’t want to have any contact with such a dangerous character.
He approached several times, but Wu Bao’Er always found an opportunity to dodge away.
This time was no exception.
But today, this Steel Claw Executioner’s state was clearly unusual, his breathing was extremely heavy, and his bloodshot eyes were fixed intently on Wu Bao’Er.
No matter how she dodged, he showed no signs of giving up; instead, he got even closer.
When she smelled the overwhelming stench of blood emanating from him, Wu Bao’Er shuddered inwardly, then gritted her teeth and silently activated the Witch Snake True Power to prepare for combat.
Just then, a nonchalant voice was heard from inside the carriage, belonging to Ye Xunhuan.
"Steel Shadow, stand down! She’s still useful now, can’t let you ruin her. I’ll reward you with a few girls to vent on after we return, how about that?"
Only then did Steel Shadow, full of reluctance, slowly back down.
Wu Bao’Er felt a sense of relief.
At this moment, Liu Ming also stepped out of the carriage and came to her side.
"Are you okay?"
"I’m fine."
Wu Bao’Er said, then glanced at the now calm carriage ahead and silently mouthed a question.
"How about you?"
"I’m fine too," Liu Ming replied in the same way.
"I think Elder Ye quite likes you, why don’t you just go along with him, maybe it will solve our current predicament."
Without Steel Shadow’s threat, Wu Bao’Er felt much better and smiled while mouthing.
Unexpectedly, Liu Ming sneered at this.
"I like men, not this neither-male-nor-female freak."
Inside the carriage, Ye Xunhuan’s face flushed slightly, chuckling, "Interesting, though not very good looking, that flavor is truly addictive."
Meanwhile, Steel Shadow trudged along the roadside woods, steam lightly rising from his head, combined with his suit of armor, resembling a giant steel beast belching smoke.
Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed a python as thick as an arm from a nearby tree, efficiently twisted its head off, and began to suck voraciously on it.
After drinking the snake’s blood, he casually discarded the body and continued striding forward.
Wherever he went, be it birds or beasts, almost none could escape death.
Among these entirely villainous people, Wu Bao’Er seemed not as twisted.
Meanwhile, Zhao Ya was naturally unaware that a group of psychopaths was assembling.
He was in the outer sect teaching Jin Fu and others martial arts.
After this period of honing, these outer disciples finally lived up to expectations and all entered the path.
Next comes the gradual refinement.
Zhao Ya also knew this couldn’t be rushed, so every day besides teaching some Martial Dao experiences, he mostly let them cultivate on their own.
Today was no exception.
After Xia Jiye’s death, the operation to clean up the Separation Tower’s stronghold also concluded.
Of course, Shen Yunshen didn’t intend to spare the Separation Tower.
But after the battle at Jade Dragon City, the Separation Tower disappeared, with only suspicions of their connections to North Canglong remaining, leaving no other leads.
Helplessly, Shen Yunshen could only halt temporarily.
Zhao Ya thus gained a period of free time.
"Did you all see clearly?" Zhao Ya demonstrated the Great Vajra Fist once, then asked.
Jin Fu and the others watched with a vague understanding.
Even though Zhao Ya practiced a simplified version of the Great Vajra Fist, for these disciples from humble families with no martial background, it was still somewhat profound.
For this, Zhao Ya didn’t force it.
"It’s okay if you don’t understand, just remember the moves first, then practice slowly. When you can make them your instinctive reaction, it means you’ve truly grasped this Fist Technique."
"Yes, Senior Brother Zhao!" Jin Fu and the others shouted with heartfelt admiration.
Because compared to Qin Jianji, what Zhao Ya taught was more straightforward and easier to understand.
Zhao Ya gave a few more instructions, then turned and left the Martial Arts Training Ground.
Tian Yixin popped his head out, smiling, "Junior Brother, you’ve worked hard. Today I hunted two muntjacs in the back mountain, one offered to Master, and I kept the other. Want to try some wild game?"
"Sure, but it’ll have to be later. I haven’t finished practicing my skills today," Zhao Ya said.
Tian Yixin looked a bit helpless, "Junior Brother, you don’t have to push yourself so hard. Do you know how much pressure it puts on me when you’re working like this? Take a break when you need one."
Zhao Ya just chuckled at this.
If it were any other time, Zhao Ya might have taken the advice and rested for a day.
But today was different. Zhao Ya’s Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian had reached the most critical moment. Seeing he was just short of one acupoint to break through, Zhao Ya absolutely wouldn’t slack off at this crucial point.
After chatting a bit more and setting a time for the evening, Zhao Ya turned and headed to the back mountain.
Compared to the Martial Arts Training Ground, the spacious back mountain made Zhao Ya feel more relaxed and unfettered.
Now the back mountain of the Azure Dragon Temple had become Zhao Ya’s exclusive training spot.
He warmed up first, then Zhao Ya began to sit cross-legged and meditate.
Zhao Ya entered meditation extremely quickly, almost instantly getting into the state.
Then Zhao Ya began directing the Azure Dragon True Power toward the last acupoint of the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, the Dadun Acupoint.
The last acupoint of each meridian is the hardest to refine.
Having experienced it when opening the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, Zhao Ya knew this well.
Therefore, this time he wasn’t impatient, but instead used gradual persistence to overcome the acupoint.
Perseverance finally paid off. After accumulating strength for half an hour, the Azure Dragon True Power surged and directly breached the Dadun Acupoint.
Zhao Ya’s body trembled, and in an instant, he felt a warm current flood into his legs, leaving him with a floating sensation.
The Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian was successfully opened.