Many children, many blessings: Stealing the offspring of powerful figures to cultivate immortality.

The light in the alley was so dim that even the sound of breathing was exceptionally clear.

Xie Wuwang grabbed Jiang Yining's mischievous fingertips and pinned her wrist against the stone wall.

He lowered his head slightly, his nose almost brushing against her hair, and a dangerous smile appeared on his lips.

"You think you can just pretend nothing happened after you've teased me? Jiang Yining, your after-sales service is far too perfunctory."

Jiang Yining leaned against the stone wall, her expression showing no sign of panic. Instead, she raised her eyebrows and quietly looked at him.

"What kind of after-sales service do you want, Ferryman? Another bite, or another act of losing control with you?"

Xie Wuwang was speechless, gritted his teeth, but couldn't bear to loosen his grip on that warm, smooth wrist.

"I've changed my mind. The Boundless Sea is cold and boring, but I'll accompany you through this murky water of the Profound Heaven Realm."

"I don't keep people around who just want to freeload."

Jiang Yining withdrew her hand, smoothing out the creases on her sleeve, her tone flat.

"If you want to follow me, then follow the rules and pay the price clearly. A guard in the late stage of the Earth Immortal realm will receive three thousand top-grade spirit stones per month. If you encounter an opponent above the Golden Immortal realm, the reward will be calculated separately. If you dare to run away or disobey orders, I will cut off the divine wood suppression on you at any time."

Xie Wuwang was so angry at her businesslike manner that he laughed instead.

"Trying to use me as a bodyguard? In the entire Xuan Tian Realm, even a Celestial Venerable wouldn't dare to do that. You actually dare to say such a thing."

"If you don't want to, you can leave now. To the east is the Xuantian Divine Palace, and to the west is the desolate wilderness. Thank you, ferryman, for your convenience."

Jiang Yining turned to the side and stepped out of the alley.

Xie Wuwang stood in the shadows watching her slender yet straight back, and muttered a curse under his breath.

"I really owe you one."

He quickly caught up, took out an ancient jade slip with deep purple blood patterns from his pocket, and slapped it into Jiang Yining's hand.

"Here, this is my natal fuse. You can use it to activate the seal within your body at any time. Is that enough sincerity, Boss Jiang?"

Jiang Yining touched the cool jade slip with her fingertips, a barely perceptible smile flashing in her eyes, before casually putting it into her sleeve.

"Deal, Chief Protector Xie. Now go and buy back the most complete star map of Shattered Star Abyss."

The two walked through the black market stalls and stopped in front of a stall with a wooden counting rod sign hanging on it.

The stall owner was a middle-aged cultivator with a pointed mouth and monkey-like face. His cultivation level was only at the Nascent Soul stage, and his small eyes revealed a shrewd and mercenary nature.

Seeing Jiang Yining and the other person approach, the stall owner slowly took out a yellowed animal skin roll.

"The newly drawn star map of the entire Xuan Tian Realm, with the distribution of the strongholds of major forces, is available for a fixed price of 800 high-grade spirit stones. Not a penny less."

Just as Jiang Yining was about to speak, Xie Wuwang stepped forward first.

He braced his hands on the edge of the stall, his tall figure casting a large shadow as he looked down at the short stall owner.

A chilling sneer appeared on his handsome face, and a deep, destructive aura emanated from his fingertips.

Although only a faint wisp of pressure was released, the defensive micro-array set up around the stall made a soft sound and shattered on the spot.

"Eight hundred high-grade spirit stones?"

Xie Wuwang spoke in a very soft tone, tapping his knuckles twice on the wooden table.

"Shopkeeper, touch your own neck. Is it worth at least eighty low-grade spirit stones on the black market?"

The stall owner felt a chill run down his spine, as if he had fallen into an ice cave, and his legs went weak, causing him to slump onto the wooden chair.

He saw the dark glint in Xie Wuwang's eyes, his teeth chattered, and he shakily pushed the reel forward.

"Please spare us, seniors! This star map is yours for free!"

"Do I look like someone who buys something and doesn't pay?"

Xie Wuwang scoffed coldly, took out two dusty, low-grade spirit stones from his pocket, and threw them on the table.

"Two low-grade spirit stones, give me three pieces of silver in change. Hurry up, don't delay my boss from watching the road."

The stall owner dared not refute, and hastily handed over the star map and change, bowing repeatedly.

Xie Wuwang took the star map, casually stuffed three pieces of silver into his sleeve, and returned to Jiang Yining's side.

He shoved the star map into her arms, slightly raised his chin, and the world-weariness and decadence between his brows dissipated, revealing an undisguised smugness.

"See that? I saved a whole eight hundred high-grade spirit stones. Did I get a good deal hiring this guard?"

Jiang Yining looked at his expression, which seemed to be seeking praise, and her lips curved slightly, her eyes softening.

"Yes, Guardian Xie is quite capable; he can make such a fuss as if he were confiscating a property just by buying something worth two spirit stones."

"Of course, you won't suffer any losses by following me."

Xie Wuwang gave a light hum, tucked his hands into his sleeves, and walked briskly ahead to lead the way.

Night was falling.

The cold wind of Shattered Star Abyss howled outside the inn's window, stirring up gusts of fine sand and gravel.

Jiang Yining sat cross-legged on the wooden couch in the guest room, closing her eyes to rest, the divine wood life force within her body flowing slowly.

A slight creak came from the window, and a black figure silently slipped into the room.

Jiang Yining's breathing was steady and normal, but a wisp of purple-gold thunder vine had already gathered at her fingertips hidden in her sleeve.

The newcomer showed no sign of killing intent and moved very quietly.

Xie Wuwang, draped in a thin black robe, walked step by step to the bedside under the cold moonlight.

He sat down on the edge of the couch, his narrow eyes appearing especially deep in the moonlight.

He made no extra movements, simply gazing quietly at the woman's beautiful and serene face.

His long, slender fingers, calloused from the touch, slowly rose and hovered in mid-air. From a distance of only a few feet, he traced the outline of her eyebrows and eyes, finally stopping above her slightly pursed lips.

The moonlight fell on his slightly furrowed brows, revealing a rare gentleness and a barely perceptible hint of grievance in his expression.

"A heartless woman..."

He muttered something in a very low voice.

"They use it and then discard it, not even bothering to offer a smile..."

Just as the fingertips were about to touch down.

Jiang Yining, who had been keeping her eyes closed, suddenly opened them.

The clear vision showed no trace of the confusion of waking up in the darkness.

Jiang Yining's right hand shot out like lightning, firmly grasping his wrist that was suspended in mid-air. Lightning flashed in her palm, illuminating the room as bright as day.

She sat up abruptly, pinning Xie Wuwang's arm behind her back, looking down at him with a hint of mockery in her eyes.

"Xie Wuwang, sneaking into a room in the middle of the night instead of resting—is this the rule for top assassins?"