Outside Outrealm City stood a rather unique inn called Heaven on Earth. In the Heaven-grade guest room, the Thunder Sword Emperor soaked in a steaming bath while enjoying a massage from the delicate hands of a beauty behind him.
Just as he was preparing to indulge himself, a message talisman flew in through the window and hovered before him.
[The Bai Family remnant is in Outrealm City. Senior, please eliminate her. Reward: 1,000 black crystals.]
The Thunder Sword Emperor frowned. “So annoying. Even on my day off, I still have to work.”
The woman behind him asked reluctantly, “Senior~ Should I cancel your Supreme All-Night Deluxe Health Service Package?”
The Thunder Sword Emperor frowned slightly, then chuckled. “Forget it. Killing a little weakling doesn’t require me to act personally.”
With that, he took out a message talisman and sent a transmission. Then he turned around, grinning wickedly at Bai Lian. “Little temptress, tonight I’m going to fully develop your potential…”
…
Inside a teahouse in Outrealm City, a woman in green robes knelt on a cushion, brewing tea with a refined and serene demeanor. Before long, a message talisman flew in from afar.
[The Bai Family remnant is within the city. Help me find and eliminate her. Usual price: 100 black crystals.]
Attached to the message talisman was a portrait of Bai Xiaoxue!
“That old bastard gave me this kind of petty job again…”
She was, after all, the renowned Jade Sword Queen—the top assassin of Outrealm City. This reward was peanuts. Even ten times more would barely be acceptable.
Besides, she had her own target to find—a little girl.
Without even thinking, she took out a message talisman and sent her own transmission.
…
Elsewhere in the city, at a local gang’s hideout, the gang leader stared at a message talisman with a bitter expression.
[The Bai Family remnant is in the city. Help me kill her. Afterward, I’ll give you 10 black crystals.]
“This amount is way too stingy,” the gang leader muttered, lips twitching. But considering who had sent it, he didn’t dare refuse.
Suddenly, he had an idea. “Got it!”
…
Inside the orphanage, Bai Xiaoxue gripped a cheap iron sword, sweat pouring down as she practiced her sword techniques with precision and focus.
Since gaining the ability to cultivate, aside from chores and cooking, she had spent nearly all her time training diligently. With the 999-times amplification effect, her sword skills were now unrivaled among Qi Condensation cultivators!
“Alright, Xiaoxue, that’s enough for now,” Lin Yun walked over and handed her a dry towel. “You’re drenched. Sword practice is good, but don’t push yourself too hard.”
Bai Xiaoxue put away her sword and said firmly, “It’s fine. I want to get stronger faster, so I can protect myself and not burden you, Director.”
She didn’t mention her desire for revenge—she didn’t want the Director to get dragged into it.
“There you go again,” Lin Yun said gently, patting her head. “Once you’re here, you’re family. Don’t talk about being a burden.”
“Mm…” From Lin Yun, Bai Xiaoxue felt the warmth of a real family. Her resolve to grow stronger and repay him only deepened.
She wiped her sweat and smiled, “By the way, Director, we’ve run out of vegetables. I’ll go buy some later.”
Since joining, she had taken over all the housework and meals, nearly turning Lin Yun into a complete freeloader.
Lin Yun understood this was her way of repaying him, so he let her be.
“No problem, but remember to change clothes before going out.”
Bai Xiaoxue paused, confused. “Change clothes? Why?”
Lin Yun cleared his throat and pointed at her. “Look for yourself.”
“Ah?” Bai Xiaoxue looked down—and froze.
“Aaaaah!!!” she screamed, quickly covering herself. Her face turned bright red as she glared at Lin Yun. “Director! Why didn’t you say something earlier?!”
Lin Yun said helplessly, “I thought you already knew.”
“…” Bai Xiaoxue blushed furiously and ran off.
But after just a few steps, she suddenly turned back with a mix of embarrassment and frustration. “Director, you… you big meanie!”
After squeezing out that awkward line, she ran off at a jog, looking kind of adorable.
Lin Yun chuckled. What a proper young lady—her insults still needed some work.
But honestly, even though Bai Xiaoxue was still young, she had already grown quite a bit. “In a few days, I’ll have to take her to buy a couple of bras.”
After all, as she grew older, some things needed to be taken care of.
Still, Lin Yun had a more pressing and frustrating issue at hand—the second orphan.
He’d been wandering the city lately and seen many orphans, but most were too small and fragile—not ideal candidates. Taking one in might end up causing a lot of trouble for him.
“Sigh, can’t Heaven just drop one right into my lap?”
Lin Yun sighed, planning to look around a bit longer. If that didn’t work, he’d have to lower his standards slightly…
But no matter what, the person had to be kindhearted. He didn’t want someone who might cause him high blood pressure in the future…
After bathing and changing into a new dress, Bai Xiaoxue picked up her basket and headed out. When she reached a secluded area, she suddenly frowned—something felt off.
“Hmm? Am I being followed?”
She sensed several faint auras stealthily trailing her—not strong enough to pose any threat, but still suspicious.
Bai Xiaoxue immediately became alert.
Could the Zhao Family have found her?
But something felt wrong—the followers were too weak. It didn’t make sense for the Zhao Family to send such low-level pursuers.
“Could they be bait?”
After all, the Zhao Family wasn’t a superpower, but they were established. They wouldn’t send such weaklings to kill her.
At the same time, the three people tailing her were secretly delighted.
“The boss said it’s a little girl. That must be her!”
“Hehehe, we three trainee assassins can finally get promoted!”
“Perfect! And it’s just a girl with no cultivation base—so easy!”
But just as they were gloating, one of them suddenly froze, face turning pale. “Wait… she’s gone?!”
They had just realized—the girl who had been in their sights moments ago had vanished without a trace.
“How’s that possible?! She was right there!”
Before they could react, a cold and childish voice echoed behind them like a ghost.
“You three… are you looking for me?”