Has the assassination attempt begun already?

But, with you jumping out so obviously, everyone has already noticed you. What kind of stealthy assassination is this?

The nerves of the group from Shudao Mountain instantly tightened at seeing the masked person, as most of the Shudao Mountain disciples had overheard the conversation between Shi Chun and Gu Lianni and knew what was about to happen.

Just when they thought the masked person would directly attack Wu Shanshan after leaping out, instead, that person lightly landed among the Four Sects' members and stood there close to Wu Shanshan.

What's going on? Gu Lianni's group suddenly had their hearts in their throats. Blending in with the crowd was one thing, but now you dare to stand out so openly? Do you not think you're conspicuous enough?

Are you afraid others won't notice your peculiarity?

This is called a stealthy assassination?

If you rushed in to strike, they would accept it, so what's with this?

Most of those sent by the Four Sects merely glanced at Shi Chun without much reaction. They didn't know which sect the masked person belonged to, only that they were from another faction. As for their clothing and whether or not to wear a mask, it was none of their concern.

More importantly, it was beyond their worries.

Of course, the three personnel from Shudao Mountain knew. When they saw Shi Chun boldly appear in front of them, they were almost stunned.

Exchanging surprised glances with Shi Chun, they quickly looked at Gu Lianni's side to see what was going on. Without receiving any response, the three exchanged looks again—what should we do?

Each sect had sent out two or three, or three or four people at most.

Wu Shanshan was also attracted by the masked disguise. She had seen it before, and after a look up and down, she glanced at the people from the Four Great Sects ahead and then at the people from the Four Great Sects on the larger side. She couldn't tell which faction he was from, but she was sure he wasn't from the Extreme Fire Sect.

Though uncertain about the intention behind the masked disguise, since the fellow didn't want to show their face, it wasn't her place to ask questions about other sects' matters. So after a few more glances, she began to lay out her rules, "You must stay behind me later, and when I'm casting spells, no one should stand in front of me or on either side to obstruct me..."

Everyone listened quietly, as did Shi Chun, while secretly sighing in relief. He couldn't quite understand what Wu Shanshan's tracking superpower entailed, and was worried he'd be exposed after jumping out.

Making this decision felt somewhat forced; he didn't anticipate such a situation occurring. If the target left the group, what should he do without following?

If they traced a route and discovered he had sneaked into this group, how would any assassination have merit?

He had no choice but to act decisively and jump out to follow.

While jumping out, he was constantly wary of Wu Shanshan's expressions, ready to escape immediately should anything seem amiss, disregarding assassination concerns for safety's sake.

He was well aware of the disparity in cultivation between himself and others, leaving almost no chance of success in a direct confrontation. In his experience stabbing from behind, ambushing was the best way to defeat an opponent by surprise.

He was only frustrated by his weaker cultivation; otherwise, why the need for such secrecy? He could act straightforwardly.

Now, seeing Wu Shanshan hadn't caught on to him, his attention shifted to Lin Yuefang and Jin Hao beside her, whom he recognized too.

The two were obviously protecting Wu Shanshan, making his assassination attempt even more difficult.

What he didn't know was that Lin and Jin's main duty was to keep watch when Wu Shanshan used the Demon Eye, preventing anyone from getting too close. Given the strong winds here, hearing was significantly impaired too.

Shi Chun swept his right-eye superpower over the Demon Essence within the trio's bodies, his Adam's apple twitching out of reflex as he glanced at the remaining four from Forget Love Valley in the crowd.

Two women among them also possessed Demon Essence; Forget Love Valley had the most people with Demon Essence out of the Three Sects that came in, counting five members. Four Cauldron Sect and Qianyan Sect combined had only five.

Through earlier close observation, he noticed that the other two women with Demon Essence barely strayed from the two without Demon Essence at all.

Correlating his observation with the information he had, he could basically confirm that the two with Demon Essence were closely guarding one of the women who had absorbed the Divine Fire, likely the one he had exchanged his Divine Fire for.

After a brief arrangement, Wu Shanshan called out, "Let's go."

With that, she turned and moved forward, walking a few steps ahead while covering her head with a scarf, her eyes again flashing dark red, like a demon scoping out the scene.

Jin Hao and Lin Yuefang dutifully fell back a little, keeping others at bay from her.

Seeing nothing had happened yet, Gu Lianni, whose heart had reached her throat, finally relaxed a little, facing a barely believable question—could this really work?

Besides thinking of Shi Chun's unbelievable audacity, she began to reflect on herself: Was her judgment and decision-making ability so inferior to his?

The habit of self-reflection was a result of her interactions with Shi Chun; she used to be pretty self-assured and slightly arrogant inwardly, though well-mannered enough to not show it overtly.

Especially after being surrounded by the Extreme Fire Sect and falling into other sects' hands, her self-reflection had become even more profound. She had to account for these problems to her Sect when she returned.

Shi Chun's current actions seemed utterly impossible to her, no doubt about it. If anyone had suggested doing things this way, she would have outright rejected it, there was no way she'd agree to such actions.

Yet, the reality before her suggested she might once again be mistaken. What harm had this masked assassin coming out done?

Why was it like this? Considering the on-site situation and various responses, she began to understand why things ended up like this, further realizing Shi Chun's audacity and meticulousness. Her view of Shi Chun took on a more complex dimension as she realized the gap between herself and him was significant.

Among the numerous outstanding disciples at Shudao Mountain, she'd never encountered someone quite like this.

At this moment, she even thought, it would be wonderful if this guy, Shi Chun, were a disciple of Shudao Mountain.

Mingshan Sect obviously seemed like a temporary patch-up sect, and with Divine Fire Secret Technique in Shi Chun's hands, recruiting him as a Shudao Mountain disciple wouldn't be too far-fetched for the Sect.

Most people from various sects weren't blind; they had noticed this masked man Shi Chun too, and indeed most paid him no mind.

But one person, who'd sensed something was off before, kept a special watch on this masked man—it was none other than Li Hongjiu.

Li Hongjiu felt surprise seeing the masked person step out, scrutinizing closely but also failing to determine which sect's crew he seemed closest to; he casually asked around, "Whose people is that masked one from? Why wear a mask, can't show his face?"

At these words, Gu Lianni's heart raced uncontrollably.

Yin Tianlu chimed in, "Right, with the few of us coming here, we know each other pretty well, don't we? No need to play mysterious, right?"

He spoke while cocking his head at Refining Heaven Sect lead Zuo Zisheng, clearly taking a jab.

Not missing a beat, Zuo Zisheng retorted, "Why are you looking at me?"

Yin Tianlu teased, "Your group is the one known for these ghostly antics. You've got one, right?"

He subtly indicated a hooded, head-covered figure with a jerk of his chin.

Gu Lianni's lips tightened. She had long since noticed that person, and although the face was unseen, she guessed it to be that traitor Yan Ketao. She pretended not to know because the time wasn't yet ripe for solving it, as conflict with Refining Heaven Sect was inadvisable for now, so she feigned ignorance.

What worried her more was the other masked individual mentioned next; she feared that Li Hongjiu's inquiry might spell trouble.

Sure enough, Zuo Zisheng, disinclined to chat much, flatly denied toward Shi Chun's side, "That's not my Refining Heaven Sect's disciple."

So it wasn't from Refining Heaven Sect, nor from Yanbao Sect or Extreme Fire Sect, either.

Thus, leaders of the three sects all turned around in unison to look at Gu Lianni.

Gu Lianni, expressionless, acted as though she hadn't heard them speak, inwardly a jumbled mess, not meeting the seeking eyes of the three sects.

Something sparked in Li Hongjiu's mind, and his expression changed swiftly as he suddenly turned back to fixate on Shi Chun.

Zuo Zisheng, realizing the previous collaboration with Shudao Mountain, immediately turned and pointed at the masked man, casting a spell and commanding, "You, the masked one, come here!"

Over among the dispatched groups, Wu Shanshan had barely finished her explanation and taken a few steps to lead the way forward.

The sudden shout stopped them in their tracks.

Most of the dispatched group turned their heads, but Shi Chun did not, realizing the call was for him.

Yet he understood there lay a slim chance; an open shout indicated uncertain identity, not willing to act rashly, fearing mistakes—otherwise, they would've already attacked.

Therefore, unfazed, he kept his eyes on Wu Shanshan's back, subtly moving his sleeve to grip the 'Immortal Strangling Silk' from Forget Love Valley.

Stealthy assassination was no longer possible; using the Magical Treasure was the only option.

He was keenly aware that once this treasure emerged, his identity would be exposed—the mask would be useless.

Crucially important, this treasure, while excellent, came with a flaw, requiring time to capture and strangle; deploying it left no chance to retrieve it afterward.

Others weren't mere bystanders; they'd react instantly once he took action, leaving no time to reclaim the treasure after the kill.

Such a significant treasure bore great weight for someone like him from the Land of Exile, accustomed to poverty—extremely valuable. Such loss would be unbearable.

Yet his readiness to wield it indicated his resolution; he'd rather sacrifice the treasure for Wu Shanshan's life!

With that shout, his murderous intent manifested.

Lin Yuefang and Jin Hao in front turned to look, but Wu Shanshan did not, as the dark red glow of her Demon Eye had not faded; she had to dispel it first.

Thus, what unfolded left the crowded rear masses horrified.

Lin Yuefang and Jin Hao, looking back, widened their eyes, about to exclaim.

The masked figure acted, flicking a silvery object from his sleeve. As it suddenly shot toward Wu Shanshan, a white radiance exploded, unfolding like a rapid cloud, casting a web of light over her.

Hooded Yan Ketao from the crowd raised his head just in time to see, involuntarily crying out, "Shi Chun!"

Earlier, when Shi Chun led the Shudao Mountain group to surround Forget Love Valley for the treasure exchange, he had been present, witnessing the Immortal Strangling Silk in action, thus recognizing it.

Alerted Yan Ketao and Youu Mu exchanged startled glances, turning sharply toward the cloaked figure—that was Shi Chun?

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