Lin Xun couldn't help but frown. The two assassination factions, Empty Hidden World and Between Water and Cloud, were famous in the Eternal True Realm for ‘assassination’ and ‘murder’ respectively. With history that could be traced all the way back to ancient times, it was impossible to know how many Emperors had fallen victim to them over the years. Who in their right mind wouldn’t fear such mysterious factions? Additionally, according to the green sparrow, the members of these two factions deeply immersed themselves in the art of killing and were freaks who grew up amidst a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. As such, their assassination techniques were simply unrivaled. It was basically a death sentence to be targeted by them! A long time ago, Between Water and Cloud became a target of public outrage due to assassinating a few too many influential figures from the Immortal Imperial Clans. As a result, the Immortal Imperial Clans banded together to take a stand against Between Water and Cloud. What followed was an extremely bloody war that spanned across many years, with the elusive assassins of Between Water and Cloud counterattacking as fiercely as possible. It was a dark and turbulent period where many mighty cultivator titans lost their lives. In the end, Between Water and Cloud was nearly eradicated and the last few survivors were rumored to have gone into hiding. After the event, news of Between Water and Cloud grew sparser and sparser, and memories of that dark and bloody period soon began to fade from the people’s minds. On the other hand, Empty Hidden World, which was said to be on par with Between Water and Cloud, rarely provoked the Immortal Imperial Clans, and thus didn’t stir any public outrage. However, there was no doubt that Empty Hidden World’s foundations weren’t the slightest bit inferior to Between Water and Cloud! Even Immortal Imperial Clans would not carelessly mess with them either. "Wen Shaoheng must have paid a great price to hire Crane. I have to admit that even I am surprised you survived the assassination," remarked the green sparrow as it cast a peculiar glance at Lin Xun. Crane was rather famous in the Eternal True Realm. After all, how could anyone overlook the sixth ranked Emperor-level assassin? Yet, that very same Crane had nearly died to Lin Xun tonight! "Surprised? An assassin is just an assassin. Their biggest advantage is their concealment abilities. Once that is gone, the other party is at best slightly stronger than a Ninth Realm Ancestor." Lin Xun casually continued, "However, I won’t let things end . It matters not whether Crane was merely paid to do the job or that he’s from Empty Hidden World. Since he dared to assassinate me, he'll have to pay the price!" Although the words were spoken in a casual manner, their implication made even the green sparrow give Lin Xun sideways glance. Soon after, it snorted and said, "Perhaps you won’t dare to say such things when you truly understand how terrifying Empty Hidden World is." Lin Xun merely smiled and didn’t argue. However, the incident did put him on guard. Crane’s appearance undoubtedly proved that it wasn’t completely safe in the Immortal Heavenly Pass. The green sparrow asked, "With Crane’s defeat, I doubt Wen Shaoheng will drop the matter either. Are you going to let him off for this?" Lin Xun answered without hesitation, "Of course not. It's not polite to come and go without any greeting. If I can't catch that assassin, I will at minimum make Wen Shaoheng pay for this!" His eyes flashed chillingly. Since the other party dared to strike in the city, Lin Xun naturally wouldn’t allow himself to be constrained by the city rules either. The green sparrow asked with interest, "What are you going to do?" "Wait for an opportunity," said Lin Xun as he re-summoned the Limitless Abyss Sword Cauldron and continued to feed Yellow Spring Beads to the nine netherworld runes. It was as if the events that had transpired hadn’t affected him in the slightest. The green sparrow couldn’t help but inwardly sigh in admiration. Lin Xun’s mental fortitude was simply too strong and tough. Anyone else would have been clouded with anger, worry, and unease after such an event. Yet, he could still calmly refine runes... After the eventful night, in Tianyu Building, Wen Shaoheng stood against the rail with a wine pot in his hand, appearing relaxed and content. He liked the feeling of looking over the city from high above and observing the people below. It made him feel as if he was the king of the world. Space suddenly rippled as Granny Xue emerged with a terrible-looking expression, "Young Master, Crane failed." The wine pot in Wen Shaoheng's hand crashed onto the ground and shattered to pieces. Taken aback, he couldn’t help but ask, thinking he had misheard, "Failed?" An ashen-faced Granny Xue replied in a whisper, "We just got word that Crane is severely injured and was almost killed..." Wen Shaoheng nearly fainted on the spot. He staggered slightly as his handsome face twisted into a hideous expression, veins bulging as his chest heaved in anger. "My three million first-grade cosmic origin crystals were wasted just like that? That damned Empty Hidden World! They can't even kill a single Ling Xuanzi, what utter trash!" He had clearly lost his composure and was storming about in a fit. "Young Master, Crane's strength is undeniable. The reason why he lost is perhaps because we still underestimated Ling Xuanzi." With a cloudy expression, Granny Xue continued, "Empty Hidden World's contact person has already said that since they’ve accepted our mission, they will naturally give us a satisfactory explanation, but..." "But what?" asked Wen Shaoheng. "They said that the previous payment isn’t sufficient. For Ling Xuanzi to die, we must fork out another two million first-grade cosmic origin crystals. The reason being the information we previously provided about Ling Xuanzi was lacking, which led to a slip-up during the assassination..." Granny Xue's voice became softer and softer towards the end. She felt as if there was a ball of fire in her chest that was about to erupt. Wen Shaoheng was stunned for a few moments before his lungs nearly exploded from rage as he laughed in anger, "What does Empty Hidden World take me for? A sucker to be extorted? This is simply too much!" It took a long time before he finally managed to calm down a little. Wen Shaoheng grimly said, "Tell Empty Hidden World that I won't spit out a single crystal. Either they kill Ling Xuanzi, or they return my three million cosmic origin crystals!" Towards the end, he couldn't help but angrily curse again, "Blasted bastards, how can they bargain with me after failing? They must all be sick in the head!" Granny Xue worriedly said, "Young Master, it will be better not to offend Empty Hidden World if we can. As a faction with a long history, their foundations are a little more terrifying than even our Wen Clan’s... Instead of arguing, it might be better to spend a little more to let them continue to deal with Ling Xuanzi." She briefly paused before she hesitantly said, "After all, even Crane failed to kill Ling Xuanzi. At the very least, it proves that in this city, unless an Ancestor of a Path, Heng Tianshuo, personally takes action, we won’t be able to do anything given our power." Wen Shaoheng was stunned again as an indescribable sensation of failure rose within him. As one of the Wen Clan's Five Absolute Emperors, it had been a long time since he last experienced this feeling. Some time later, he took a deep breath and said, "Tell Empty Hidden World that they will receive the two million cosmic origin crystals when they kill Ling Xuanzi." Only then did Granny Xue let out a secret sigh of relief and left to deliver the message. "The Empty Hidden World assassin...failed?" In the City Lord Mansion, Heng Tianshuo was startled from his meditation when he heard the news. A boy reported in a clear voice, "My Lord, the information has been verified. Fortunately, it hasn’t spread and everything still remains a secret." Heng Tianshou grunted in acknowledgement. "Wen Shaoheng might be coming later. If he does, bring him to me." The boy was briefly taken aback before he left to carry out the command. Sure enough, Wen Shaoheng hurriedly arrived not long after. He cupped his hands together and said, "Uncle, sorry to disturb you again." Heng Tianshou flashed a smile as he rose to his feet and replied, "No need to be so courteous, come have a seat." Wen Shaoheng shook his head and said, "I've only come to ask Uncle for a clear answer. What price should I pay for Uncle to personally get rid of Ling Xuanzi?" Heng Tianshuo's eyes narrowed. After a while, he finally said, "Why, is Empty Hidden World unable to do it?" The corners of Wen Shaoheng's lips twitched imperceptibly. He said, "Given Uncle's influence, I'm sure you already know the outcome of the assassination. To be honest, I'm very disappointed in Empty Hidden World." Heng Tianshou shook his head and said, "Nephew this might not be the case. I have some understanding of Crane's assassination methods and I’m afraid that even a supreme seventh realm Emperor like you won’t be his match. It isn’t that Empty Hidden World is incapable, but Ling Xuanzi...who is problematic!" Wen Shaoheng's heart shook as his expression changed slightly. However, Heng Tianshuo merely chuckled and continued, "I believe you have already surmised this as well. That’s why you came to this old man, right?" Wen Shaoheng's complexion fluctuated in uncertainty for a while. After some time, he finally said in a low voice, "Please, Uncle, help me this once." Heng Tianshou pondered for a moment and said, "In three months, the Secret Realm of Trial will open." Wen Shaoheng was taken aback. He soon realized something and said, "What does Uncle mean?" Heng Tianshuo’s smile grew increasingly friendly. "I’m suggesting that...we can perhaps make Ling Xuanzi disappear forever inside." Wen Shaoheng's eyes gleamed brightly. Feeling reinvigorated, he then asked, "Uncle, are you saying that you’ll send him to the ninth district of the Secret Realm of Trial?" Heng Tianshou merely smiled in answer. Wen Shaoheng seemed to understand the plan and said, "Ninth district...ninth district...why didn't I think of that? As long as Uncle wills it, won’t those participants obediently head to their deaths?" Heng Tianshou frowned and said, "Nephew, a trial is a trial. Only those who survive the Secret Realm of Trial will be permitted to continue their journey to the Eternal True Realm. How can you say that I’m sending people to their deaths? Of course, since it’s a trial, casualties...are inevitable..." Wen Shaoheng inwardly cursed at the hypocrisy. On the outside, however, he smiled and respectfully said, "I’ll be troubling Uncle for this matter. Nephew will repay this favor one day." Heng Tianshou beamed. "An old man like me isn’t petty about such small matters. You just have to remind your father to come visit his old friend whenever he’s free." Wen Shaoheng was stunned. With a forced smile, he nodded. It was clear as day that his repayment meant nothing to Heng Tianshuo. What Heng Tianshuo really wanted was repayment from his father, the current patriarch of the Wen Clan! Wen Shaoheng inwardly cursed after leaving the City Lord Mansion, "That old bastard is so devious and greedy!" However, he had no choice but to agree. Since the grudge had already taken root, there was no choice but to...see things to the end!