Which Senior is it?

Which Senior is it?...

Venturing forth on his own, Qin Wentian embarked on his quest to locate Hua Xiaoyun. The Thousand-Jue Alliance had divulged that Hua Xiaoyun was under the protection of a single Heavenly Dipper Sovereign. With this intelligence, Qin Wentian calculated that his pair of fourth-ranked Puppets should suffice to impede the Sovereign's movements.

As for Hua Xiaoyun himself, the Qin Wentian from their previous encounter was already formidable enough to vanquish him. The circumstances wouldn't be different now.

Unbeknownst to Qin Wentian, Hua Xiaoyun's arrival in the Eastern Region was motivated by an ambush orchestrated by the killers he had employed, targeting none other than Qin Wentian.

Conversely, Hua Xiaoyun remained ignorant of the fact that his arrival had been promptly detected and relayed to Qin Wentian.

Both were determined to end the other's life, yet neither realized the precarious position they were each stepping into.

Among the spectators was an observer who noticed Qin Wentian's departure from the White Deer Institute. Traversing the streets was a horse-drawn carriage, its driver an unassuming individual directing the horses onward at a leisurely pace.

Qin Wentian was unlikely to take note of such a commonplace sight. Amid the Moon Continent's opulence, horse carriages populated the thoroughfares in droves. They were an unexceptional sight and, naturally, excellent camouflage. The driver maintained an unremarkable speed, ensuring not to draw attention from the still-distant Qin Wentian.

However, simultaneous to these events, another figure strode in tandem with the carriage, mirroring its velocity. This figure bore an ancient sword at his side, his countenance veiled behind a silver mask, revealing only a pair of eyes gleaming with icy intensity.

As if the driver remained oblivious, he persisted in leading the horses ahead while the silver-masked individual pursued silently beside the carriage.

"This is my assignment," the driver hissed suddenly, directing a sharp look toward the silver-masked figure. Remarkably, the sound of his voice didn't echo in the air—it converged into a narrow stream, entering the ears of the silver-masked observer.

"I am aware," the figure replied with a nod.

"Then get lost and cease obstructing me," the driver retorted coldly. Both he and Silver Snake shared a common profession as external assassins for the Shadow Pavilion. Their designations were equivalent, both Five-Star ranked killers.

Silver Snake's cultivation level teetered on the peak of Yuanfu. Strictly speaking, he lacked the qualifications for his current rank. His elevation to Five-Star status was attributed solely to his solitary assassination of a tremendously influential figure—a feat that had propelled him to this distinction.

"I won't claim a portion of your reward," Silver Snake declared in an apathetic tone, his words devoid of emotion. "But you must adhere to my instructions. Avoid acting prematurely."

"He's becoming increasingly suspicious as time passes. It might be best to make our move now," the driver argued.

"Not yet. Wait a little longer. He's on a clear mission—to find the person aiding you," Silver Snake responded with a grin.

"The person aiding me?" The driver was perplexed; all his accomplices were already concealed within the carriage.

"Don't fret. My sources suggest that the individual who initiated this mission—the one who hired you—has arrived in the Eastern Region. Qin Wentian is undoubtedly seeking him out. The optimal moment for our intervention will arise when they're embroiled in combat. After all, what's the significance if the hirer dies? He holds no relevance to you."

Silver Snake's words resonated with a deadly coldness. Although the Shadow Pavilion would disclose the mission to potential assassins, the hirer's identity remained an absolute secret.

Yet, Silver Snake seemed privy to the hirer's identity. Moreover, he sought to exploit this knowledge for a more favorable chance at accomplishing the mission. This begged the question—did Silver Snake also bear enmity towards their target, Qin Wentian?

Who exactly was this Silver Snake?

Despite his inquiries, the driver harbored no concerns about potential deception. Exposed to the ninth-level of Yuanfu, Silver Snake could terminate him effortlessly if he detected any falsehood.

...

In a tavern nestled within the Moon Continent, Hua Xiaoyun savored his wine, an expression of profound contentment etched upon his face. His thirst for revenge over his maimed arm would soon be quenched—the Shadow Pavilion's killers were poised to deliver.

Raising his wine cup, Hua Xiaoyun unleashed a maniacal laugh, his eyes glinting with a frigid gleam. The moment was nigh.

However, his focus was hijacked by an alluring woman adorned in a fiery-red gown, radiating an air of unrivaled elegance. Catching Hua Xiaoyun's gaze, she inclined her head, acknowledging him in return.

Their gazes locked, and a surge of electric sensation shot through Hua Xiaoyun's heart, causing him to silently exclaim, 'What a beauty!'

Her complexion rivaled snow, its delicate texture appearing as though a gentle breeze could shatter it. A mere glance unveiled her alluring physique.

"I wonder which lineage she hails from," Hua Xiaoyun mused. Within the Moon Continent, a woman of such allure was assuredly no commoner. Her demeanor alone spoke of her affiliation with a prominent power.

Indeed, the judgment of a silk pants young master was astute when it came to evaluating the attractiveness of women.

The young woman's eyes involuntarily flashed with irritation upon noticing Hua Xiaoyun's persistent gaze. A flutter of her exquisite lashes proved enough to send his heart racing.

"Greetings, fair maiden. I am Hua Xiaoyun. May I have the pleasure of learning the name of such an enchanting lady?" Hua Xiaoyun extended a hand, only to recall his lost arm. The resentment surged once more, yet he swiftly suppressed it, exchanging the emotion for a smile directed at the woman.

Casting a displeased glance his way, the woman retorted coldly, "The second young master of the Hua Clan remains single-armed, and yet he seems oblivious to his own shortcomings."

Hua Xiaoyun visibly tensed, his expression darkening.

"I come with courtesy, and yet your words bear an impolite sting," he replied icily. "May I inquire about your background, miss, for you to sport such haughtiness?"

"Shu Ruanyu," the woman replied indifferently, causing Hua Xiaoyun to momentarily falter. Quick to recover, he grinned, "Ah, the esteemed Miss Shu. Rumor has it that you're soon to be betrothed to Brother Yang. Congratulations."

Shu Ruanyu hailed from the Shu Clan, a formidable force in the Eastern Region of the Moon Continent. Her name held prominence, attributed to both her beauty and talent.

Previously, the Star-Seizing Manor sought a partner for Yang Fan. Smitten, Yang Fan personally proposed to Shu Ruanyu, visiting her clan for the engagement. This alliance promised a plethora of advantages, and the Shu Clan readily accepted.

As a Heaven's Chosen from the Star-Seizing Manor, Yang Fan was unparalleled in status.

Shu Ruanyu dismissed Hua Xiaoyun's presence. His expression turned exceedingly awkward, his heart weighed down by a sense of inferiority before Yang Fan's fiancée. The experience was humiliating.

Seeing Shu Ruanyu's disdain, he longed to dominate her, reduce her to submission. Regrettably, such opportunities remained elusive—his fantasies confined to the depths of his heart.

Suddenly, a figure ambled down the nearby pathway, cloaked in an oversized robe. His eccentric appearance drew the attention of onlookers in the bustling crowd.

The colossal figure exuded an absence of life force, his golden face resembling a metallic sculpture. His eyes, elongated slits, lacked the humanity typically found in ocular features.

Was this a Puppet?

"Behold yonder," someone remarked, pointing at a distant figure also draped in oversized robes, evoking the same sensation emanating from the golden-faced giant. Oddly coincidental, as if someone deliberately released their Puppets for a leisurely stroll.

Simultaneously, another figure approached the scene, his large robes mirroring the strange aura that surrounded the golden-faced entity. A curious phenomenon—Puppets set free, it seemed.

Meanwhile, a figure donning a conical bamboo hat occupied a wine shack opposite to Hua Xiaoyun's tavern. Concealed within the shadows, his third eye-like mark between his brows radiated an incandescent light. This individual, none other than Qin Wentian, reached this location immediately upon acquiring information about Hua Xiaoyun's whereabouts. His third eye glowed, heightening his sensitivity, capturing every nuance in the vicinity.

In the distance, he observed a carriage driver and a silver-masked man with a sword on his back. A peculiar sensation emanated from them.

"Hmm?" Qin Wentian's unease heightened. The silver-masked man's ninth-level Yuanfu cultivation was evident, and the carriage driver's strength eluded his perception.

Presence so hidden implied Heavenly Dipper Sovereign status or higher. But why would such a figure impersonate a mere driver?

Compounding the suspicion, the carriage bore no cargo—only three individuals, their eyes gleaming with intent.

Alertness surged in Qin Wentian—a dangerous premonition engulfed him as the carriage advanced, its pace leisurely.

"Bzz!" Suddenly, Qing`er materialized before Qin Wentian. Gazes swiveled to her as reverence etched the crowd's expressions.

As though attuned to the impending threat, she arrived swiftly, her few words unspoken.

Qin Wentian sensed danger approaching. Hua Xiaoyun, accompanied by a Heavenly Dipper Sovereign, engaged in conversation with a striking woman, her indifference palpable.

Puzzlement wrinkled the protector's brow; an unfamiliar sensation gripped his heart. He sensed an elusive observer, yet pinpointing the source remained impossible.

Was a concealed master lurking in the shadows, scrutinizing his every move?

But Hua Xiaoyun remained oblivious. His focus remained fixed on Shu Ruanyu, eyes narrowed with a disturbing glint, as though concocting something unsavory.

Then, a deafening roar, akin to lightning striking his brain, erupted within him. Pain surged, reverberating through his skull. Recoiling, Hua Xiaoyun staggered back, his face drained of color, his expression a tableau of terror.

"Young Master!" the protector bellowed, sensing the impending danger. Explosions reverberated within Hua Xiaoyun's mind—each detonation a monstrous roar, relentlessly assaulting his consciousness.

"BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!" A ceaseless barrage, like a deluge of wild beasts tearing at his sanity. Hua Xiaoyun's body drenched in sweat, tremors racking him as he struggled to fend off this assault intent on shattering his mind.

"Forgive me, Senior, for any affronts I've caused! I apologize!" Hua Xiaoyun's cry resounded, his awareness of death's looming grasp palpable. This technique, capable of traversing space to assail the mind, was wielded by none other than a Heavenly Dipper Sovereign.