Junior sister, keep forbear for a while, I almost become invincible as soon!

How could there not be?

My greatest aspiration is to simply idle my life away, Chen Pingping mused. If it weren't for the System's constraints, and later Guang Xiaoyu and Junior Sister Zi Ji, I'd probably still be sunbathing at Qingfeng. Enjoying the "special care" from the three Peak Masters every day, with Baili Jiansan chattering constantly, "You should cultivate." And those admiring glances from the young faces, "This senior brother really is lazy!" Lao Huang would be lazily stretching beside me, while Hei ran around... Hmm! What a wonderful life that was!

Chen Pingping sighed, "Gone and never to return!"

He was seated in a room on the third floor of an inn. From this vantage point, he could just see that mansion, the residence of the young man.

I think he's called... Mr. Xia?

Two young women were leading Lao Huang over. The dog instinctively looked up, already sensing Chen Pingping's presence.

Chen Pingping secretly transmitted his voice, "Don't look!"

Hei barked loudly, extremely excited.

At this moment, a young man entered. Just like Chen Pingping, he looked down from the windowsill, his interest piqued as he eyed the two women. "Interesting!"

Chen Pingping raised his head. "???"

After a long moment, the man looked at him. "And you are, Fellow Daoist?"

Because Mr. Xia's mansion was directly opposite, and this was the only inn, and indeed the only room, that offered a clear view, the man had simply pushed the door open and walked in. Although he had noticed Chen Pingping, he paid him no mind.

"You seem very interested in them," Chen Pingping asked with a smile.

"Of course!" the man replied.

"Why is that?"

"I'm from Chong Tower."

So direct, Chen Pingping thought. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.

The man's smile was brilliant, revealing a row of pearly white teeth. "Have you heard of Meteor Sword Dao?"

He's very confident. Is this Meteor Sword Dao really that impressive?

Chen Pingping shook his head. "No!"

Hearing this, the man looked somewhat displeased. "I am Mr. Liu Xing of the Meteor Sword Dao, one of Chong Tower's young geniuses. That's me, acclaimed as a peerless talent seen only once in a millennium."

Oh my, Chen Pingping clicked his tongue in wonder. "I couldn't tell! So you're a peerless genius. Then may I ask, how many people have you assassinated? What were their cultivation levels?"

Mr. Liu Xing glanced at him sideways. "A high-level individual such as myself wouldn't make a move casually. If not for that fool Murong Hua's failure, I wouldn't have had to take action personally."

"So, you've come to assassinate Guang Xiaoyu and Princess Zi Ji?" Chen Pingping asked, curious.

"Allow me to correct you. I'm not here to assassinate them, but to challenge her," Mr. Liu Xing said, tilting his head proudly. "As my first mission since making my debut, it must be carried out spectacularly. I intend to crush Guang Xiaoyu with utmost power, defeat her, and then kill her."

"What realm are you at right now?" Chen Pingping suddenly became interested.

"Fifth Heaven of the Divine King realm," he stated. "My realm might not compare to those other peerless geniuses, but... I have my own advantages."

"Assassination Skill, or your Meteor Sword Dao?"

"Both!" he declared, brimming with confidence.

Hmm! Chen Pingping propped his chin, considering. Should I just get rid of him? But on second thought, he decided against it. Such an idiot might be useful to keep around. So he said, "Oh? Why don't you challenge her directly then?"

At the mention of this, Mr. Liu Xing's face fell. "I don't have an invitation."

It wasn't that he wasn't strong enough; it was his first time out in the world. He had been hidden away by Chong Tower until now, this being his first mission. So far, only Chen Pingping knew his identity.

Chen Pingping had a sudden realization. "So? You didn't go down to challenge her just now?"

Mr. Liu Xing was startled, then became furious. "Damn it!"

Although he didn't have an invitation, Guang Xiaoyu hadn't entered the mansion yet either! He could have challenged her directly. Why did he need to enter the residence first? He had been rash.

He abruptly stood up, annoyed at having missed an opportunity. "If I could defeat Guang Xiaoyu, I, Liu Xing, would surely become the focus of the younger generation! Ah... I missed it."

Chen Pingping's lips curved upwards. "Do you want Guang Xiaoyu to come out?"

"Of course!" Mr. Liu Xing exclaimed solemnly. "If she appears again, I will definitely challenge her. Hmph, to defeat her in front of everyone—that feeling would certainly be exhilarating."

"I can make her come out!" Chen Pingping blinked.

"Oh?"

"Want me to?"

"Yes!"

"Well, I have a condition."

"What condition?"

Chen Pingping asked, "Does Chong Tower currently have any Fossil Level experts?"

If any other assassin had been there, they would have certainly become wary. But Liu Xing, the fool, had no such complicated thoughts. He only wanted to defeat Guang Xiaoyu and make his name known throughout the Central Continent.

He answered immediately, "Of course! There are three of them!"

Mr. Liu Xing's face was full of pride. "In the Central Continent, apart from the Martial God Academy and the Sacred Lands, our Chong Tower is the most powerful. However... if it really came to a fight, those two might not necessarily be able to defeat Chong Tower."

Three Fossil Level experts are just what's on the surface. Hidden underneath are many powerful trump cards, including one ancient expert at the Fossil Level who has been slumbering in a coffin. It's said he has slept for several thousand years. A true Heavenly-level killer.

Chen Pingping grew solemn.

This kind of mysterious organization is indeed fearsome. Three Fossil Level experts! Probably very few people in the entire Central Continent know about them. If Liu Xing hadn't said anything... It's fortunate I didn't try to barge into Chong Tower right away; otherwise, I'd likely be the one dead by now…

"Are they powerful?" Chen Pingping feigned curiosity.

"Of course, they're powerful! Each one has lived for hundreds of years and they are the true pillars of Chong Tower," Mr. Liu Xing said. "As for their specific realms, I don't know either, because they've never made a move."

Chen Pingping fell into contemplation.

With my current strength, plus Sword Mountain, Lao Huang, and Hei, at best I could face two early-stage Fossil Level experts. This is assuming the opponents don't unleash their full power, and even then, it would require my side to burn through all our resources. If the Fossil Level expert I faced was at a late-stage realm, there would be no need to fight; death would be certain. The gap between us is too great for external forces to compensate. Unless! Unless the Chong Tower side is overconfident and underestimates their enemy, giving me time to defeat them one by one. Or perhaps, I could use Xiaoyu to draw out one Fossil Level expert and then lay a trap to slay him. That would be the best method.

Chen Pingping returned to his senses and smiled. "Even an expert like Murong Hua was defeated by Guang Xiaoyu. Do you really think you can defeat her?"

Mr. Liu Xing stated proudly, "Of course! This young master has been cultivating for over twenty years. My debut means I'm peerless!"

Heh. Chen Pingping had thought he might have some incredible trump card. Instead, all he brought was a mountain of blind confidence. He suspected this fellow had snuck out, and the higher-ups at Chong Tower had no idea. Since that's the case, then as you wish.

"Please wait a moment!" He leaped up and left the room.

Once out of Mr. Liu Xing's line of sight, he sent Sound to Guang Xiaoyu, asking her to come out.

When Guang Xiaoyu heard her senior brother's voice, her heart pounded, and her face lit up with excitement. "Senior Brother, you're still alive? Where are you?"