"Alright, be careful on your end. The Assassin's Alliance is quite troublesome. If you want to improve your strength, just tell me, and I'll give you plenty of breakthrough pills," Su Fan instructed Dongfang Tingyin.
The Assassin's Alliance was currently the Martial Alliance's biggest enemy, and Dongfang Tingyin must be under immense pressure. If she wanted to increase her strength, Su Fan wouldn't be stingy.
"No need. Just take care of yourself," Dongfang Tingyin replied indifferently.
Her focus wasn't on strength but on managing the Martial Alliance wholeheartedly. As long as the Martial Alliance was powerful enough, no one would care about her personal strength. Even if she were an ordinary person then, no one would dare to harm her.
"Don't worry about me. The Martial Alliance still needs you to manage it. Be careful, I'm heading back now," Su Fan said with a smile.
Dongfang Tingyin waved him away dismissively.
"Hurry up and go. Don't delay my work."
Su Fan shook his head helplessly.
Dongfang Tingyin was truly a workaholic. Ever since the Martial Alliance began operating, he hadn't seen her rest.
"Take a break when you have time. Don't wear yourself out," Su Fan said softly to Dongfang Tingyin.
"Oh, really? The boss actually cares about his employee? Then take me out for a walk," Dongfang Tingyin's heart stirred. She put down her work and said to Su Fan.
"Uh..."
Su Fan was instantly speechless.
"If you want to rest, rest. Why drag me along?"
"If you don't have time, don't bother me," Dongfang Tingyin glared at Su Fan.
Su Fan was speechless. Why was Dongfang Tingyin always staring at him?
Su Fan had reason to suspect Dongfang Tingyin was lusting after him.
"I'm not wasting any more time with you. I'm leaving."
Su Fan couldn't be bothered to argue with her. He bid farewell and left.
In the evening, Su Fan entered the game world as usual.
After a few days, Su Fan's level had reached 38, one step closer to level 40.
Today, Su Fan didn't have time to level up because he had received an invitation from the Second Prince.
The Second Prince had sent someone to invite him to his residence for a gathering.
Su Fan knew that Xiao Zhiyi had indeed fallen into Xiao Zhihong's trap, just as Xiao Zhihong had predicted. Xiao Zhiyi would proactively extend an olive branch to Su Fan.
Su Fan had been trying to find a way to eliminate both of them but hadn't had the opportunity. They were always accompanied by guards, and acting within the city was virtually impossible.
Su Fan put his thoughts aside and headed directly to Xiao Zhiyi's residence in the city.
They rarely lived in such residences; they primarily resided in the imperial palace, only using these estates for receiving guests.
Su Fan arrived at the magnificent prince's mansion and felt a sense of awe. Royal things were indeed different.
"Your Highness, the Second Prince."
Led by a maid, Su Fan was brought to a pavilion in the center of the prince's mansion's garden. Xiao Zhiyi was already seated there, admiring the lotus flowers in the pond.
"Young Master Su, please sit."
Seeing Su Fan, Xiao Zhiyi was overjoyed and invited him to sit opposite him.
Su Fan sat down without ceremony.
"May I ask why Your Highness summoned me?"
Su Fan asked Xiao Zhiyi, feigning ignorance.
"It's nothing. The lotus flowers in the residence have bloomed, so I invited Young Master Su to admire them together," Xiao Zhiyi said with a light smile.
Su Fan fell silent.
The difference between Xiao Zhiyi and Xiao Zhihong became apparent. Xiao Zhiyi preferred to beat around the bush, while Xiao Zhihong was direct.
Su Fan still felt the Third Prince was better; conversing with him wasn't so strenuous.
Seeing Su Fan's silence, Xiao Zhiyi understood.
"My third brother seems to value you greatly, Young Master Su. I'm curious, what great talent do you possess that makes my third brother regard you so highly?"
Xiao Zhiyi, realizing Su Fan wasn't one for indirectness, got straight to the point.
"Your Highness, I'm not sure why the Third Prince values me. But he once said that he was impressed by my strength," Su Fan replied truthfully.
Just as Xiao Zhihong had said, only conceal the purpose of killing Xiao Zhiyi; answer everything else truthfully.
"Strength? Indeed, I heard that Young Master Su defeated the previous champion at the Martial Arts Tournament. Your strength is not to be underestimated."
However, Xiao Zhiyi didn't entirely believe Su Fan.
Was it solely through martial prowess that he gained the Third Prince's favor? Impossible. The Third Prince wasn't a martial enthusiast. If the Crown Prince had done this, he might have believed it.
"I wonder what benefits my third brother offered you? Would you be willing to abandon the darkness and join me? I assure you, I will not treat you poorly."
Xiao Zhiyi believed Su Fan was reluctant to reveal his abilities because he feared the consequences of betraying the Third Prince. Therefore, he proactively tried to recruit Su Fan, promising him benefits and asking him to join his side.
Su Fan's eyebrows twitched. He had an idea.
"The Third Prince has treated me well. Would it be inappropriate for me to do this?" Su Fan said with some hesitation.
Xiao Zhiyi chuckled.
Su Fan's current demeanor, though appearing to refuse, was already showing signs of wavering.
"It's nothing. We are all brothers. It's the same here as it is with my third brother. To compensate for any losses, whatever benefits my third brother gives you, I will offer three times that amount," Xiao Zhiyi said with a smile, holding up three fingers.
"Thank you for your appreciation, Second Prince!" Su Fan seized the opportunity and bowed his thanks.
"You're welcome."
Xiao Zhiyi smiled and made a slight gesture.
"Now, can you tell me about your abilities?"
Xiao Zhiyi was convinced that Su Fan must possess extraordinary skills to have earned the Third Prince's high regard.
Su Fan put on a troubled expression.
"Actually, I wasn't lying earlier. The Third Prince values my strength, simply because he wants me to kill Your Highness. And he did indeed threaten my friends. If I don't kill you, my friends will be in danger."
Su Fan's words made everyone present stiffen.
Especially Xiao Zhiyi's guards, who immediately placed their hands on the hilts of their swords, ready to strike down Su Fan at any moment.