“It actually blocked it… those four thousand five hundred Spirit Stones were well spent!”

Han Lie shook his slightly numb hand, secretly relieved. Without any hesitation, he immediately turned and fled.

Although he possessed a mid-grade spirit-tier magical treasure, the gap in cultivation between them was too vast. If the entanglement continued, he would die at Yun Fei’s hands within five moves.

Now, escaping to a crowded place might make Yun Fei hesitate due to the presence of the Law Enforcement Hall and give up the pursuit. Perhaps he was just a Servant Disciple, but the Heavenly Void Sect had explicit rules forbidding disciples from killing each other, even Servant Disciples. At least in full public view, everyone would have some reservations.

“Hahaha, where do you think you’re escaping to!”

Yun Fei lightly tapped her toes, transforming into a series of afterimages as she chased after Han Lie.

The disadvantage in physical constitution, coupled with the cultivation gap… Han Lie hadn’t run far before Yun Fei caught up to him like a persistent shadow.

“Fairy, This Senior has no enmity with you, why must you go to such lengths!” Han Lie’s eyes turned gloomy as he spoke through gritted teeth.

“Blame it on being nothing but an ant, a Servant Disciple whose death wouldn’t concern anyone, hahahaha!”

As her words fell, Yun Fei’s jade-like hands formed a seal.

Surging spiritual power exuding a sinister chill erupted from her body. It then transformed into chains of spiritual power that coiled around and bound Han Lie.

“Die in agony amidst the hellish cold!”

Yun Fei widened her eyes maniacally and then clenched her jade hand.

Sizzle!

The icy spiritual chains, cold as profound ice, began invading his body through his pores.

However!

Han Lie’s complexion did not gradually turn pale and cold as Yun Fei had anticipated, finally transforming into a cold corpse emitting frigid air.

The endless Yang energy continuously erupting from his Pure Yang Sacred Body completely neutralized all the Yin-cold spiritual power invading his body.

Yun Fei’s cultivation was indeed much stronger than Han Lie’s. But the Pure Yang Sacred Body was no pushover either!

And strictly speaking, Yun Fei’s cultivation was only strong relative to Han Lie. A mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation, among the many Inner Disciples of the Heavenly Void Sect… not necessarily at the very bottom, but not far from it either.

“What?!” Yun Fei’s laughter cut off abruptly.

This shouldn’t be happening. Han Lie clearly only had Qi Refining Stage perfection cultivation; how could he withstand her spiritual power attack?

“Heaven helps me!”

Seizing the fleeting moment of Yun Fei’s confusion, Han Lie grasped this brief opportunity and once again exerted his movement technique. Using all his strength, he sped toward the direction of the Violet Heaven Palace.

As long as… as long as he could return to the Violet Heaven Palace’s vicinity!

By the time Yun Fei regained her senses, Han Lie had already disappeared from her sight. But Yun Fei still did not give up; she could follow Han Lie’s aura all the way.

Sensing Yun Fei constantly catching up from behind, Han Lie gritted his teeth, not daring to slow his pace in the slightest.

Before long, Han Lie arrived at the Heavenly Void Sect’s martial arts training square, where many disciples were gathered. Moreover, the Violet Heaven Palace was not far ahead!

Seeing that she had missed the best opportunity, Yun Fei had no choice but to give up and did not recklessly continue the pursuit.

She could chase him down and kill him by force, but it wasn’t necessary. Killing someone in full public view would inevitably draw intervention from the Law Enforcement Hall, even if it was just a Servant Disciple.

Besides, she didn’t absolutely have to kill Han Lie either. As for Zhou Ze, the client who commissioned her—what did that matter? A mere manager of the Servant Disciple department? She truly didn’t take him seriously.

“Hmph, consider yourself lucky this time, old servant. This young lady will let you off for now.”

After one last glance at Han Lie, Yun Fei turned and left.

Only after confirming Yun Fei had retreated did Han Lie finally let out a long sigh of relief. But he could still clearly hear his own violently pounding heartbeat.

Calming himself down, Han Lie left the training square as if nothing had happened.

Returning to the small wooden hut in the Violet Heaven Palace.

Earlier, he had used the black blade to block Yun Fei’s fatal strike, but the recoil force still caused him significant injuries. If not for the black blade being a mid-grade spirit-tier magical treasure, his injuries would have been even more severe.

“What a fine Zhou Ze you are! Very good indeed!”

“Don’t sleep too soundly tonight!”

Clutching his chest, a cold killing intent flickered in Han Lie’s eyes, dark as deep water!

He knew that the opportunity to kill Zhou Ze was only tonight!

Once tonight passed and Zhou Ze learned he hadn’t been killed by Yun Fei, it would become much harder to kill Zhou Ze silently later.

Although injured, killing Zhou Ze at the Qi Refining seventh level was still easily within his grasp.

“Perfect chance to test this blade on you.”

Night fell.

Servant Disciple Department.

“Manager Zhou, I’ve been in the Servant Disciple department for quite some time now, and I’m familiar with many matters here. Regarding the deputy manager position… could you consider promoting me?”

A middle-aged Servant Disciple knelt on both knees before Zhou Ze, offering a storage ring with a fawning expression.

Zhou Ze casually took the storage ring, smoothly pocketing it without any obvious movement.

“Xiao Wang, I’ve observed you, and you do indeed have the qualifications and seniority for deputy manager, but… besides you, there are several others whose seniority and abilities are actually better…”

Zhou Ze trailed off, not spelling it out completely.

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged Servant Disciple called Xiao Wang immediately presented another storage ring.

Zhou Ze didn’t hesitate at all, pocketing this storage ring as well.

“But then again, although those others have better ability and seniority than you, they are after all older, their energy has declined significantly, and they aren’t really suited for the deputy manager position.”

“So… barring any unforeseen circumstances, the deputy manager position is undoubtedly yours.”

“Thank you Manager Zhou, thank you Manager Zhou!”

Xiao Wang patted his chest, pledging earnestly, “As long as I can become deputy manager, I will definitely repay your kindness in promoting me!”

Zhou Ze chuckled lightly, patting Xiao Wang’s shoulder. “Repayment isn’t necessary. Just fulfill your duties properly, and my position will be yours sooner or later.”

Hearing this, Xiao Wang was overjoyed, even his breathing becoming rapid.

“Alright.” Zhou Ze then stood up. “It’s getting late. I need to go rest now. You may leave.”

After having someone escort Xiao Wang out, Zhou Ze’s attitude completely changed, a mocking curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.

“I said ‘barring any unforeseen circumstances.’ If something unforeseen happens, then it’s not my fault anymore.”