A figure appeared like a ghost, attacking from mid-air, stirring up a gust of chilling wind that whistled.
In the blink of an eye, he reached Bai Zihe.
Swish!
The fist wind hit, directly aimed at Bai Zihe's forehead.
At that moment, it was too late to act.
Bai Zihe rolled off the bed, dodging with ease.
The attacker, having missed, swept past the bed, his toes touching the wall. His body moved as nimbly as a bird's, executing a swift counter-attack.
The assault was fierce!
Bai Zihe stood his ground in the center of the room, unhurried.
The next instant, his opponent was upon him, hands clawing, launching seven or eight rapid strikes.
Bai Zihe remained unmovable, easily deflecting all the attacks.
Unable to break through, the attacker retreated several meters and stopped.
Her face was covered by a pure white veil, and her black, form-fitting combat attire accentuated her curves. She was, surprisingly, a female assassin.
Bai Zihe's star-like eyes narrowed slightly.
Whoosh!
The female assassin attacked again.
This time, her hands moved with incredible speed, and in an instant, Bai Zihe was enveloped by countless palm shadows.
The rustling palm wind swept forward, like a surging tide, threatening to engulf him at any moment.
But Bai Zihe remained composed.
He continuously struck back, parrying every palm strike.
Bang!
Finally.
The two clashed palms.
The sensation transmitted through his palm... was cool and smooth.
The attacker was sent staggering back three or four steps before regaining her balance, clearly unyielding. After a moment to compose herself, she attacked again.
Relentless!
Bai Zihe said helplessly, "Seventh Senior Sister, are you done playing?"
Swish!
The attacker's palm stopped less than half a foot from Bai Zihe's chest. Her bright eyes were filled with astonishment.
"Junior Brother, how did you recognize me?"
She removed the veil, revealing a face of breathtaking beauty.
Her dark tresses were loosely tied with a butterfly tassel. Her delicate eyebrows were lightly drawn, and though her face bore no makeup, it couldn't conceal her exquisite features. Her eyes were clear and deep, tinged with surprise.
It was Bai Zihe's Seventh Senior Sister, Yan Zhiyun.
"Isn't it obvious?"
Bai Zihe smiled, a hint of joy appearing on his face.
"If you truly intended to kill me, you wouldn't have broadcast your killing intent from miles away, nor would your seemingly fierce attacks lack any true lethal intent."
"Not bad."
Yan Zhiyun nodded in admiration.
It was clear she wasn't there to kill Bai Zihe, but merely to test him.
"Junior Brother, you have indeed become more formidable."
"However..."
Yan Zhiyun's tone shifted, a hint of worry clouding her expression: "Junior Brother, the disturbance you've caused this time means you'll be facing no simple opponents."
Bai Zihe had killed the acclaimed Japanese physician, enraging the Land of the Rising Sun to issue an unprecedented bounty of ten billion, solely for Bai Zihe's head.
When Ji Xueyun and Yue Rushuang learned of this news, they contacted her immediately.
Yan Zhiyun was also shocked by Bai Zihe's strength, but she rushed over without hesitation.
After all, an open spear is easy to dodge, but a hidden arrow is hard to guard against.
Bai Zihe, however, was unconcerned.
A calm smile graced his face: "No matter how formidable they are, can they possibly be more formidable than you, Seventh Senior Sister, the number one assassin on the Netherworld Ranking?"
This time, Yan Zhiyun was truly taken aback.
Her small, red lips parted wide, and she asked with disbelief, "Junior Brother, how did you figure that out?"
Bai Zihe gave a mysterious smile but did not answer her question.
Seeing his silence, Yan Zhiyun didn't get angry. She simply sighed, "My position as number one assassin might seem impressive, but it pales in comparison to you, Junior Brother."
"You can even kill a high-level Grandmaster head-on."
"Junior Brother, you..."
Yan Zhiyun trailed off, looking at him with relief.
"Just a high-level Grandmaster."
Bai Zihe smiled faintly, not taking it to heart. "All of you Senior Sisters are growing stronger. If I were to remain stagnant, it would be inexcusable."
They exchanged pleasantries for a while.
Suddenly, Yan Zhiyun's expression turned serious: "Junior Brother, though you are powerful, you must not be careless when dealing with these assassins."
"From what I know..."
"Those ranked at the top of the Netherworld Ranking almost all have achievements of killing high-level Grandmasters."
This was also why Yan Zhiyun had rushed over so quickly.
As the number one on the Netherworld Ranking, she was far more aware of their methods, achievements, and strength than ordinary people, and she knew how to counter them.
"Don't I have you, Seventh Senior Sister?"
Seeing his nonchalant attitude, Yan Zhiyun grew anxious and said, "Junior Brother, you mustn't treat this lightly."
"These assassins..."
"Their direct combat strength might not match yours, but firstly, you are in the open, while they operate in the shadows. Secondly, they will stop at nothing to achieve their goals."
"You must be extremely cautious."
Seeing her earnest concern, Bai Zihe's smile lessened: "Seventh Senior Sister, I understand. You don't need to worry too much."
The worry in Yan Zhiyun's eyes lingered: "Currently, Qian Yuanshan has ordered the borders to be opened, and it's likely that all the assassins have already infiltrated. They could attempt to assassinate you at any moment."
Bai Zihe remained unfazed.
He spoke calmly, yet with a chilling murderous intent: "If they don't come, that's fine. If they dare to come..."
"If one comes, I'll kill one. If two come, I'll kill a pair."
"I will kill until they tremble, until they fear!"
Hearing him say this, Yan Zhiyun became even more worried.
It wasn't that she doubted Bai Zihe's strength.
It was just that the people on the Netherworld Ranking were unpredictable, and she feared Bai Zihe would suffer.
"Junior Brother, you don't need to do anything."
"Stay here in the villa for the next few days. I and the other Senior Sisters will handle things outside."
"We will manage everything."
"Remember!"
Yan Zhiyun solemnly finished speaking to Bai Zihe, then leaped out the window. Her agile figure quickly melted into the boundless night.
Bai Zihe watched her disappearing back and murmured to himself.
"Seventh Senior Sister."
"You all risk your lives to protect me. How can I, Bai Zihe, stand idly by!"
Not long after Yan Zhiyun left, she contacted all the assassins on the Netherworld Ranking through covert channels, instructing them to gather at a valley thirty kilometers outside Suhang City.
Her intention was simple.
Since these people were all going to kill Bai Zihe, she would gather them beforehand and capture them all in one go!
This way, Bai Zihe would be completely out of danger.
Yan Zhiyun's actions were quickly discovered by Xue'er, who immediately informed Bai Zihe.
"Young Master, Miss Yan has used covert channels to contact all the assassins on the Netherworld Ranking. They are gathering at a valley outside Suhang City, seemingly for a major operation."
"How should we respond?"
Upon hearing this, Bai Zihe instantly understood his Seventh Senior Sister's plan.
"Since Seventh Senior Sister has set a trap..."
If these people were all eliminated by Seventh Senior Sister, that would be excellent. But if not...
A cold killing intent curved Bai Zihe's lips: "Then we will play the part of the mantis stalking the cicada, with the oriole behind!"