As soon as he closed the door, he heard the sickeningly sweet words from inside: "Sigh~ my beauty, where are you? When will you come to my side and bring back my heart~"
The two guards outside goosebumped and exchanged glances.
"Damn, when did the Young Master get so flirtatious?"
"Don't you know the Young Master? He's always been like this; when he can't get the woman he likes, he acts like he's having a fit."
"Sigh~ I wonder how long the Young Master's condition will last?"
...
Chaotian True Realm, Youdu.
Within this capital city, majestic and grand architectural complexes stood tall, encircling a colossal, jet-black tree that pierced the clouds in the center, like stars around a moon.
Due to the dense foliage, which resembled a dark cloud that blotted out the sky, covering two-thirds of the city's area, Youdu was perpetually dim and eerie, whether by day or night. It was a city that sent chills down one's spine, like a phantom.
Xin Ci, clad in black, walked along the side of a Youdu street. Unlike other bustling cities, this one was oppressively quiet. This was true for the pedestrians on the streets, the vendors in the shops, even the drunkards by the walls and the beggars.
Their expressions were uniformly a half-smile, their gazes cold and strange, as if they had spotted prey. Xin Ci felt very uncomfortable.
"Elder Han, is the Killing Heart Sacred Court, one of the Five Great Sacred Lands, really located in this place called Youdu?" Xin Ci asked.
Elder Han transmitted his voice back: "The Killing Heart Sacred Court is the most secretive of the Five Great Sacred Lands. As far as I know, they primarily handle assassination missions and information gathering. Except for appearances during the Five Great Sacred Lands martial competition, their disciples and elders rarely show themselves. Even my knowledge of the Killing Heart Sacred Court is limited; I only know that Youdu is one of their strongholds."
They had two reasons for coming to Youdu: first, to escape the pursuit of the Xin family and seek refuge by joining a Sacred Land.
The second reason was to pass the Killing Heart Sacred Court's assessment and learn their methods of refining bodies within the Sacred Land.
After all, he had already gathered the Purple Crystal Jade Bone, the Five Elements Spirit Elixir, and the Immortal Golden Dragon Blood, the three necessary materials. All that was missing was the refining technique of the Killing Heart Sacred Court.
However, the most troublesome thing for Xin Ci at the moment was that his body had once again transformed into the appearance of the woman he had been at the Xin family.
"Qing'er, do I really have to participate in the Killing Heart Sacred Court's assessment looking like this?" Xin Ci asked reluctantly.
Mu Qing'er, who was in his consciousness space, giggled: "Of course. Do you know that because of the Xin family's influence, most people in the Chaotian True Realm are aware of your appearance? To avoid being discovered by the Xin family and others, you can only be a woman for a while."
Sigh...
Xin Ci sighed, filled with frustration. He truly couldn't get used to this female body.
Especially after Changyang Gu Shuo had taken an interest in him last time, he felt a wave of revulsion.
But there was no other way. The Xin family's spiritual blood tracking was too troublesome. Only by becoming a woman could he avoid being detected by the spiritual blood jade token.
Resigned, Xin Ci glanced at the quiet capital city and transmitted his voice to Elder Han again: "Elder Han, where is the Killing Heart Sacred Court's stronghold in Youdu? How should I find it?"
Elder Han was not very clear about Xin Ci's question.
After all, the Killing Heart Sacred Court's strongholds changed periodically. The only thing he could be sure of was that they were within Youdu.
"Don't you want to find the Killing Heart Sacred Court's stronghold? I know where it is," Mu Qing'er suddenly appeared in Xin Ci and Elder Han's sight, blinking her bright eyes and smiling charmingly.
"Where?"
"Fengyu Tower!"
Upon hearing Mu Qing'er's introduction, Elder Han couldn't help but frown. Mu Qing'er always provided information that he didn't know.
Although he had grown accustomed to the young girl's performance, he couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder.
This Fengyu Tower was indeed likely a stronghold of the Killing Heart Sacred Court.
Fengyu Tower was located in the east district of Youdu, an inn that resembled a restaurant.
As soon as he entered Fengyu Tower, a pungent smell of smoke hit him, along with the strong aroma of alcohol.
The main hall was filled with cultivators accustomed to living on the edge, dressed in various attire.
Upon seeing a short figure, entirely concealed in a black robe, walk in, most people merely glanced indifferently at Xin Ci before continuing to drink at their tables.
One burly man, however, sneered with disdain: "Wrapped up like a dumpling, looks like another scoundrel who can't show his face."
Xin Ci ignored their gazes and walked directly to the counter.
Behind the counter stood a seductive woman in a blood-red silk dress, her fair, jade-like fingers holding a long-stemmed pipe, releasing wisps of smoke from her lips with an elegant and alluring posture.
Having read the original plot, Mu Qing'er knew the woman's identity: she was the assessment leader of this stronghold, a You-rank assassin of the Killing Heart Sacred Court, Xue He (Blood Crane)!
"Excuse me..."
The moment Xin Ci spoke, he regretted it. He had only intended to lower his voice, but the resulting sound was a soft, girlish tone, making Xin Ci feel awkward and embarrassed.
Elder Han and Mu Qing'er almost burst out laughing upon hearing Xin Ci's voice.
"Stop laughing, it was just a momentary slip," Xin Ci defended himself.
Behind the counter, Xue He heard a soft, feminine voice and looked up, but only saw the lower half of a head.
"Esteemed guest... could you please stand up to speak?" Xue He asked with a smile.
"Uh... I am standing."
Xin Ci was speechless. Ever since he had taken on this female appearance, his body had shrunk considerably.
The counter was nearly a meter and a half high, making it so that when he stood there, only half his head was visible.
Xue He looked down at the small figure shrouded in a black robe before her, a playful smile appearing on her cold, beautiful face: "Little sister, what can I do for you?"
Little sister!
Upon hearing this address, Xin Ci's heart took ten thousand critical hits.
This was the first time anyone had called him that, and he was completely flustered.
Mu Qing'er and Elder Han were on the verge of tears from laughter.
Xin Ci could only steel himself, force himself to calm down, and ask: "Please give me a shadow room for twelve hours."
Upon hearing "shadow room" and "twelve hours," Xue He's smile noticeably subsided.
Her gaze towards Xin Ci became more profound. This small figure actually knew the Killing Heart Sacred Court's assessment location and even the code phrase for the assessment.
However, Xue He didn't think too much about it. She was only responsible for reception.
So, she calmly stepped out from behind the counter and led Xin Ci to the so-called shadow room.
"Since that's the case, follow me."
Xue He's change in attitude surprised Xin Ci. The phrase he had used was taught to him by Mu Qing'er, and it seemed to be the key to the assessment.