65: Chapter 65 Your sister's identity is quite extraordinary.

The Capital City, a small courtyard in the east of the city, as the morning light breaks.

Tang Liu stood in the center of the courtyard, eyes bloodshot, staring intently at the tightly closed door.

An entire night.

Dew clung to his hair and shoulders.

But he was completely oblivious.

Because that familiar figure had not appeared all night.

Tang Liu's chest heaved violently, feeling as if his heart was being ruthlessly squeezed by an invisible hand, the pain making it hard to breathe.

A few nights ago, in this same courtyard.

Xiaowu, thinking he was under the influence of the Sleep-Inducing Gu, had leaned by the bed and poured out her heart to him; those sincere words now echoed frantically in his mind like a curse, over and over again.

Tang Liu gritted his teeth hard, a trace of blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

He didn't believe it, not even if he were beaten to death!

In just a few short days, how could she, whose heart and eyes were once filled only with him...

...the Xiaowu who felt disgusted even looking at Chen Shanzhi, suddenly become like she was yesterday—cold and distant toward him?

Yet she was obedient to Chen Shanzhi, even allowing him to hold her!

Impossible, this is absolutely impossible!

"Xiaowu..."

The anger in Tang Liu's eyes gradually turned into immense heartache.

He didn't know what the "clansmen" and "mission" Xiaowu spoke of were.

But Tang Liu was no fool; when things are abnormal, there must be a reason!

Xiaowu's current humiliated state was definitely because of the secrets behind her.

That despicable, shameless bastard Chen Shanzhi must have found out!

Chen Shanzhi must be using these leverage points to ruthlessly threaten and manipulate Xiaowu!

"What a Marquis of Zhenguo's Heir Apparent, what a capital city bully..."

Tang Liu's fists clenched suddenly, his knuckles making a series of "cracking" sounds.

"Bullying others with power, forcing a decent person into a shameful position."

"Chen Shanzhi, if I do not tear you into ten thousand pieces, I am not a man!"

Tang Liu suddenly looked up; in those eyes that were originally bloodshot...

...they were now completely filled with endless Killing Intent and cold madness.

He took a deep breath, and the True Essence of his Xuanguan Seven Apertures surged within his body.

In an instant, the dew on his body was evaporated completely.

Then, he strode over, pushed open the courtyard gate, and walked out.

...

In the early morning Capital City, the signs of daily life had already begun to emerge.

Passing through the noisy market where stalls were just being set up.

Tang Liu deliberately lowered his bamboo hat, weaving through various turns, and arrived once again in front of an extremely remote and inconspicuous residence.

He glanced left and right, ensuring no one was watching.

He raised his hand and knocked on the door in a specific pattern.

After a moment, there was a soft "creak."

The side door was pulled open from the inside, leaving a gap just wide enough for one person to pass through.

Behind the door, a dark figure leaned out.

Seeing Tang Liu standing outside, the dark figure was clearly stunned for a moment, as if not expecting him to come today.

But the dark figure wasted no words, grabbed Tang Liu's arm, pulled him inside, and then quickly locked the door.

"What? Why have you come to my place so early in the morning?"

The dark figure crossed his arms, his voice tinged with a bit of playfulness: "What do you want from me this time?"

Tang Liu stared straight at the dark figure and got straight to the point: "I want to confirm something again."

"For the upcoming Sihai Academy Martial Arts Tournament, can you really pull some strings to make sure I face Chen Shanzhi?"

Hearing this, the dark figure let out a cold laugh: "Naturally."

He took a step forward, a faint pressure emanating from him: "In this Capital City, there is nothing my master cannot accomplish."

The dark figure extended a finger and tapped Tang Liu's chest: "That is not something you need to worry about."

"The only thing you need to worry about now is how to 'accidentally' kill that Heir Apparent on the tournament stage!"

Tang Liu nodded expressionlessly.

"As long as I face him, I naturally have the confidence to make him die a miserable death."

After a moment of silence, Tang Liu spoke again: "I want to Breakthrough to the Xuanguan Eight Apertures before the tournament begins."

"Do you have any way?"

After hearing this, the dark figure's eyes behind the mask narrowed slightly.

He sized Tang Liu up and down, then said unhurriedly:

"Heaven And Earth Treasures, Spirit Pills and medicines—as long as they exist in this world, my master naturally lacks none of them."

"Never mind letting you Breakthrough to the Xuanguan Eight Apertures; even letting you directly ignite your Life Fire is not impossible."

The dark figure's tone suddenly shifted, becoming extremely realistic and cold:

"However, Young Master Tang."

"As of now, you haven't even accomplished a single thing my master assigned you."

"Without a shred of merit, you want to get something for nothing?"

"There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. If you want resources, you need to exchange something of equal value."

Tang Liu's brow furrowed tightly.

He said in a deep voice: "If my strength improves, the certainty of killing Chen Shanzhi on the tournament stage will be even greater."

"Isn't this the outcome you most want to see?

This is a win-win situation for both me and you!"

"Win-win? Young Master Tang's words indeed make sense. If you were an ordinary Xuanguan Seven Apertures Martial Artist, I could decide to give you the resources to Breakthrough, but..."

The dark figure paused deliberately, suddenly leaned in close to Tang Liu's ear, and lowered his voice, his tone extremely playful:

"But, Young Master Tang, you are different..."

"You are a Martial Artist who Cultivates the Divine Turtle Art."

The words Divine Turtle Art were like a sudden thunderclap, exploding directly in Tang Liu's mind!

His pupils shrank suddenly, and every hair on his body stood on end at that moment!

Tang Liu stomped his foot down.

"Bang!"

The bluestone ground instantly cracked under the pressure.

His body was like an arrow released from a bow, retreating several steps backward in an instant, creating a safe distance.

At the same time, the True Essence of his Xuanguan Seven Apertures erupted without reservation.

The light blue Protective Astral Qi directly enveloped his entire body!

He stared intently at the dark figure before him, eyes narrowed, his Killing Intent surging out like something tangible as he coldly spat out a few words:

"You've been investigating me in secret?"

At this moment, Tang Liu's brain began to race, and cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

How on earth was he exposed?

Only he himself and Xiaowu knew that he Cultivated this Cultivation Technique.

Could Xiaowu have leaked it?

As soon as this thought surfaced, Tang Liu ruthlessly snuffed it out in his heart without hesitation.

Absolutely impossible!

Xiaowu was simple and kind; in the past, she was either at the Four Seas Academy or staying in the courtyard every day.

How could she have come into contact with this power hidden in the shadows of the Capital City?

Moreover, during this time, she would rather suffer herself and be bullied by Chen Shanzhi than betray him.

It seemed he himself hadn't been cautious enough and had been exposed at some point.

However, this also showed from another perspective that the power behind this person was indeed unfathomable.

Seeing Tang Liu's state of facing a great enemy and his fluctuating expressions, the dark figure was not flustered at all.

He waved his hand casually and consoled: "Young Master Tang, calm down."

"Restrain your Killing Intent; if we really start fighting, you won't be able to leave this courtyard today."

"Since we are partners, my master naturally had to investigate your background thoroughly."

"Otherwise, how would we dare to approach you for this matter?"

The dark figure paused, his tone softening slightly: "And rest assured, we are only interested in Chen Shanzhi's life."

"We naturally won't spread word of your affairs.

Everyone wants Chen Shanzhi dead; our goals are aligned."

"It's just that..."

Hearing this "It's just that," Tang Liu naturally knew what the dark figure's unfinished words meant.

He and the other party were only in a cooperative relationship of mutual exploitation.

And his Breakthrough required a large amount of resources.

So even if the other party had them, they would never just give them away for free as charity!

"Damn it!" Tang Liu cursed inwardly.

He had originally thought the other party didn't know his background and that he could rely on the gimmick of killing Chen Shanzhi...

...to take the opportunity to fleece a bunch of resources from these people to force a Breakthrough.

Now that his secrets were laid bare, this plan of getting something for nothing was clearly not going to work.

But...

Tang Liu closed his eyes, and the scene of seeing Chen Shanzhi at the courtyard entrance yesterday reappeared in his mind.

Although there were only a few brief exchanges then...

...for some reason, when he faced Chen Shanzhi directly...

...an uncontrollable sense of faint palpitation actually rose in his heart!

He didn't know where this feeling came from.

After all, Chen Shanzhi was just a waste of a playboy who had barely reached the Xuanguan Five Apertures by popping pills.

But over the years, crawling his way up from the bottom to where he was now...

...this almost beast-like intuition had saved him countless times!

So Tang Liu guessed that perhaps Chen Shanzhi had a high-Rank Treasure Artifact given by the Zhenguo Marquis Mansion.

That was why he thought that if he could Breakthrough to the Xuanguan Eight Apertures...

...it would be more secure.

"Then what do you want me to exchange for it?"

Tang Liu dissipated his Protective Aura and stared at the dark figure, asking: "If you want money, I have none. If you want a life, I only have this one."

"Actually, there is another way," the dark figure suddenly smiled.

"What way?" Tang Liu suddenly looked up.

"I told you the first time we met."

The dark figure spread his hands, his tone carrying a strong sense of seduction: "Join us."

" Serve my master wholeheartedly."

"As long as you take the Sacred Medicine and swear your loyalty, you will no longer be an outsider, but one of our own."

"My master has always been extremely generous to his own people."

The dark figure pulled a delicate black porcelain bottle from his sleeve and weighed it in his hand: "You can take all the resources to help you Breakthrough today. How about it? Quite a bargain, isn't it?"

Tang Liu fell silent.

He looked at that black porcelain bottle; once he swallowed it...

...then he, Tang Liu, would completely become a dog in someone else's hands for the rest of his life!

At that time, being controlled by others, he would no longer be his own master.

After a long while, Tang Liu cupped his hands and said: "I thank Your Excellency and your master for your high regard."

"It's just that I am used to being wild and am still accustomed to being alone."

"As for the matter of the Breakthrough, you don't need to trouble yourselves; I, Tang Liu, will find a way myself!"

"Farewell!"

After saying that, Tang Liu turned around without hesitation and strode toward the courtyard gate.

Seeing Tang Liu's determined back, the dark figure didn't even move to stop him, merely tucking the porcelain bottle back into his sleeve.

Just as Tang Liu's hand was about to touch the courtyard gate latch...

...the dark figure's voice, carrying a hint of a weird smile, suddenly rang out in the empty courtyard.

"It's fine."

"My master is thirsty for talent and welcomes Young Master Tang to change his mind at any time."

"Oh, by the way..."

As if he had just remembered some insignificant trifle, the dark figure said casually:

"My master also specifically asked me to bring a message to Young Master Tang."

"That sister of yours is named Tang Xiaowu, right?"

"Her identity... is not ordinary."

Hearing these words, Tang Liu's hand pushing the door suddenly froze!

His whole body was like he had been hit with an immobilization technique, rooted to the spot.

"If Young Master Tang is truly in a hurry to Breakthrough, there's actually no need to come and beg us."

The dark figure's tone carried a bit of confusion:

"You could actually just go find her."

"Whoosh!"

Tang Liu's figure spun around suddenly.

He turned his head, his gaze sinister, staring fixedly at the dark figure not far away.

"Your Excellency's words..."

"What do they mean?"

Xiaowu's identity? Find her to Breakthrough?

What does this mean?

Facing Tang Liu's gaze that seemed ready to devour him...

...the dark figure just shrugged indifferently, not saying another word, nor showing any sign of explaining.

He merely made a "suit yourself" gesture, indicating he had said all he was going to say.

Tang Liu clenched his fists tightly, let out a cold snort, pulled open the courtyard gate, and strode out.

The cold wind outside instantly blew onto his face, but it could not disperse the gloom in Tang Liu's heart.

"Xiaowu's identity is not ordinary..."

"Find her to Breakthrough..."

Tang Liu walked along the noisy street, the last words left by the dark figure echoing continuously in his mind.

He lowered his head.

His steps as he left were now countless times heavier than when he had arrived.