Assassin of the Crimson Molten Gold Python, Imperial Princess Bloodline

"???"

Jiang Che's interest was instantly piqued, to the point where even the three Xiao sisters by his side no longer held his attention.

He patted Xiao Wanwan's thigh, still resting in his lap, earning himself an eye-roll from her.

[Ugh, you disgusting playboy, I knew you were trash! If it weren’t for beating that shortstack Yu Wan'er, I’d never bother sucking up to a pervert like you...]

Xiao Wanwan had already begun mentally justifying her actions before dragging Xiao Sisi and Xiao An'an away.

"Heh... this little brat."

Jiang Che smirked. Xiao Wanwan thought no one could see through her little schemes, but he had long since figured her out.

His gaze shifted to Jia Yue, the mermaid standing before him. She wasn’t particularly old, and her figure was quite appealing—she’d make a fine addition to his underwater palace as a stewardess.

"Coming down to the mortal realm?"

Jia Yue bowed slightly. "Young Master Jiang, this time, the Southern Abyss has sent down sixteen different races. Our Jia Lan clan holds eleven of those spots."

"Since I’ve already reported your... preferences to the clan, we’ve arranged for six exceptionally beautiful mermaid maidens to descend. Rest assured, their beauty is unparalleled—far beyond the common rabble."

She was clearly angling for credit. After witnessing Jiang Che’s overwhelming power, she had chosen to pledge her loyalty without hesitation.

A prodigy blessed with a celestial physique, backed by the mighty Jiang Family of the Nine Heavens, and even personally taken as a disciple by an Emperor—this was the kind of genius worth her clan’s investment.

"Oh? Six stunning mermaid maidens???"

Now this was a topic that could keep Young Master Jiang wide awake.

He had yet to taste the real deal. Sure, Mo Lianxing, that professional cosplayer, often dressed up as a mermaid, but a fake was still a fake.

And the other mermaids from the mortal realm? Mediocre at best. Jiang Che’s standards were far too refined for them.

Jia Yue: "..."

As expected, the young master’s priorities remain unchanged.

"Young Master, the maidens of our Jia Lan clan are renowned for their peerless beauty. Among those descending this time, I’ve heard there are even a few celebrity mermaids from the Nine Heavens—equivalent to your mortal world’s starlets..."

"Tsk tsk tsk, with star power too? Now that’s what I call service!"

Jiang Che nodded in satisfaction.

"When do they arrive? Let’s head to the altar and prepare to welcome them."

He adjusted his collar, already growing impatient.

"At midnight."

Jia Yue replied respectfully. Her gamble had paid off—Jiang Che’s weakness for beautiful women wasn’t a flaw, but an opportunity. Investing in a supreme genius through allure? The simplest strategy.

After all, most celestial prodigies in the Nine Heavens were single-mindedly devoted to the Dao. Trying to shake their resolve with mere beauty was near impossible.

Jiang Che was the exception—a freak who cared more for pleasure than cultivation.

"Midnight, huh?" Jiang Che’s lips curled.

"Young Master, you must remain cautious. It’s not just our Jia Lan clan descending—the Dragon Palace and the Crimsonflame Goldscale Serpents are coming as well. You killed one of their kin, and now they seek vengeance. The strongest among them may have reached the Ninth Revolution Divine Transformation realm. You must be extremely careful."

"Hah... since when do I fear such trash?"

Jiang Che’s smile deepened. Did they really think he’d back down?

As long as he, Jiang Che, stood guard in the mortal realm, no upheaval would occur!

---

Meanwhile, in the Nine Heavens, within the Crimsonflame Goldscale Serpent clan...

"Chi Nai, you will conceal your name and lineage. Once you descend, locate that Jiang Family’s celestial prodigy and eliminate him immediately. Understood?"

Several massive elder serpents loomed over a slender, multicolored young snake.

"That boy is a celestial physique—news has already spread across the Nine Heavens. Other factions will assist you in killing him."

The truth of Jiang Che’s physique couldn’t stay hidden forever. Many great clans had already learned of the Jiang Family’s celestial descendant in the mortal realm.

Given the Jiang Family’s immense influence, they naturally had countless enemies—none of whom would allow their rival’s prodigy to flourish.

"Nai’er, this dagger was forged from the fang of a Nirvana-stage elder. It carries the power of a Martial God. A single scratch from it will ensure his soul disperses—even if he’s a legendary celestial physique with heaven-defying luck."

One of the elder serpents coiled its tail, presenting an ancient, serpentine blade to the young snake.

In the next moment, the snake transformed into a strikingly beautiful girl—though her expression remained cold, her slit-pupiled eyes gleaming with lethal intent.

She accepted the dagger with both hands. "Father, your daughter will not fail."

"Ah, one more thing. I’ve heard Jiang Che has a weakness for beautiful women. Use that to get close, then strike when his guard is down!"

"And above all, you must never reveal your Crimsonflame Goldscale heritage. If you do, our entire clan could face annihilation. Even if the mission proves impossible, your identity must remain secret."

The elder’s voice was icy, devoid of any paternal warmth.

Chi Nai’s expression didn’t flicker. "This daughter understands."

---

The Crimsonflame Goldscale Serpents weren’t the only ones plotting Jiang Che’s demise.

With the Southern Abyss being the first wave to descend, the Jiang Family’s reach was temporarily limited—creating the perfect opportunity to cut down their celestial heir and sever their future.

Of course, the Jia Lan mermaid clan had other plans.

"Jia Sha, Jia Mu, once you descend, your priority is protecting the Jiang Family’s celestial prodigy! This is the agreement between our clan and the Jiang Family!"

Several Jia Lan elders spoke with grave solemnity.

"As you command!" A group of black-robed mermaid warriors responded in unison.

All five were peak Ninth Revolution Divine Transformation experts—and all were deathsworn!

"Elder Thirteen, Princess Ling'er keeps demanding to descend. What do we do?"

Another elder immediately stiffened. "Absolutely not! Her status is far too exalted—she is the future queen! A direct descendant of the imperial bloodline! Tighten security. If anything happens to the princess... when Her Majesty emerges from seclusion, none of us will survive!"

The others tensed. Jokes aside, every elder of the Jia Lan clan knew—Princess Ling'er was the sole heir of their queen, conceived through parthenogenesis after three hundred years of gestation.

(Parthenogenesis: A form of reproduction where an egg develops into an offspring without fertilization, allowing females to reproduce independently.)

She was the hope of their entire clan’s future!