Chapter 58: The Shadow
The next morning, after an entire night of intense work, Ning Bei was abruptly awoken from his sleep by a pinch from the woman beside him.
The force was unlike anything he had ever experienced before, and in his dazed state, Ning Bei was instantly awake.
Looking at the slightly angry and embarrassed face beside him, Ning Bei gave an awkward smile.
"Nice night-light soul bone? You've been planning this for a long time, haven't you?"
The biting voice that reached his ears made Ning Bei's smile even more awkward.
"Yan Zi, it's not like I was trying to set the mood and couldn't control myself. Besides, this was bound to happen sooner or later."
"Hmph!"
Dugu Yan snorted softly but didn't continue berating him and began putting on her clothes.
"Take me back. I haven't had time to consolidate my cultivation after getting the soul ring."
Seeing that the woman had decided to let it go, Ning Bei sighed in relief. He quickly dressed and took Dugu Yan for breakfast.
As they stepped outside, they saw Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu rubbing their eyes as they walked out of the room, their dark circles resembling those of pandas.
"Did you two go robbing last night?"
The two little ones shivered at the sound of Ning Bei's voice, turning back to look at him with trembling eyes.
"No, no, we slept really well last night."
After saying this, Ning Rongrong nudged the little rabbit beside her with her elbow and flashed her a grin.
"Yes, yes, we slept really well, we didn't sneak around and listen in!"
Understanding Ning Rongrong's intent, the little rabbit's ears perked up, and she quickly joined in.
Ning Rongrong looked at her little friend, confused, then covered her face. "Are you a clown sent by the monkeys?"
One couldn't help but think that indeed, this one had been sent out of the forest by a monkey.
Ning Bei looked at the two little ones in confusion.
"Listen in? Listen to what?"
Before Ning Bei could figure it out, Dugu Yan, with a red face, pinched him hard on the waist and gave him an angry glare.
Ning Bei immediately understood the hidden meaning in Xiao Wu's words.
In a fit of embarrassment and anger, he gave each of the two little ones a light smack on the head.
"Ouch!"
"Ah! That hurts!"
Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong rubbed their heads, tears welling up in their eyes.
"You children need to go to bed early and wake up early if you want to stay healthy, understand?"
Not wanting to linger on the awkward topic, Ning Bei took the three girls to breakfast and then personally escorted Dugu Yan back to the Sunset Forest.
He only sent her to the edge of the town. With a look of disdain on Dugu Yan's face, he was ready to head back.
Her expression seemed to say, "Little trash, daring to do something and not own up to it, go face my grandfather if you're so brave!"
Ning Bei wasn't fooled by this attitude. At least he would wait for Dugu Bo's first wave of anger to pass before he dealt with him. For the next few months, he wasn't planning to meet the old poison master.
After a round of verbal sparring, he said goodbye to the woman.
On his way back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Bei decided to visit Qian Renxue.
It was time to replenish her medicine supplies.
He arrived at the Crown Prince's mansion in Heaven Dou City, where a servant led him to the study. Ning Bei couldn't help but find it strange that with the disguise, Qian Renxue still seemed odd to him. He couldn't help but glance curiously at her unremarkable chest.
Sensing Ning Bei's gaze, Qian Renxue shot him an annoyed look.
"I thought you were too busy to remember me. Hand it over."
Seeing that she wasn't embarrassed at all as she stretched out her hand, Ning Bei felt speechless.
"You really don't treat yourself as an outsider."
He then handed her the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid and Awakening Pills he had prepared.
"By the way, where did you buy that chest binder? It's really high quality. Last time, it couldn't even hide the Demon Eye Magic Tree's branches."
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's face flushed, and she immediately glared at him fiercely.
"If you mention last time again, I won't let you off. Do you believe me?"
"Alright, alright, I won't mention it again."
Seeing that Xiao Tian's soul power was starting to get restless, Ning Bei quickly chose to back down.
Qian Renxue finally calmed down, then asked, "How's the plan going?"
Ning Bei knew she was asking about the arrangement for the Shura God's pawn, which was Tang San.
"Don't worry, it's already arranged. Just wait and see."
Thinking about the Illusion Dream Butterfly he had adopted two years ago, Ning Bei flashed a confident smile.
In the time since, Ning Bei had cultivated it to the 5,000-year level, and the intensity of the illusion had greatly improved. Even Ning Bei, if not careful, could easily fall for its trap.
With just a thousand years of cultivation, it had this effect. Once it reached the ten-thousand-year level, the illusions would be even more real.
Ning Bei already had a plan for when to strike at Tang San.
Seeing his confidence, Qian Renxue felt a bit relieved. After all, this was a matter concerning the fate of her Angel clan, so she couldn't afford to be careless.
"Bibi Dong seems to be planning to attack the lower four sects. You all should be careful and try to avoid conflict with her."
After understanding that Ning Bei had a backup plan, the little angel spoke to him.
"Mm? The Elephant Armored Sect?"
"It seems your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's intelligence network is quite strong if you've gathered that information?"
Ning Bei rolled his eyes. "What intelligence network? I've read the original work, that's how I know."
"Relax, I'm pretty sure we won't have any conflict with that woman, unless she's crazy and decides to trouble us."
"Mm, as long as you understand. By the way, when will you have another spar with me? I feel like I've made some progress recently."
Seeing the slightly provocative look in the little angel's eyes, Ning Bei shrugged indifferently.
"You want to spar, anytime is fine. But I suggest you practice more. My beast pets aren't limited to just that Dark Golden Fearsome Bear. You won't be able to handle an entire soul beast team without any weaknesses."
Qian Renxue remained silent for a while after hearing Ning Bei's words, but from her clenched fists, it was clear she wasn't calm.
The experience of having no ability to resist last time in Ning Bei's hands had not faded with time. Instead, it was beginning to become a mental obstacle.
"Is there really no hope at all?"
With a look of hope in her eyes, Qian Renxue asked.
Ning Bei didn't hesitate and nodded.
"It would be meaningless to lie to you. Right now, you truly have no chance of winning, and you can't even hold on for long."
"Hmph."
A trace of unwillingness flashed in her eyes, but she didn't press further. "If I'm weak, I'll practice more. I won't give up."
Seeing that she understood, Ning Bei smiled and took out a jade bottle from his necklace, handing it to her.
"This is a Fighting Spirit Pill, it can increase a Soul King's soul power by one level. It's up to you whether you take it now or wait until you reach level 59."
Qian Renxue took the jade bottle, and after hearing Ning Bei's explanation, a trace of astonishment appeared in her eyes.
"Where do you find such incredible people in your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
"Just decide if you want it. Why do you need to know everything? Are you a curious baby?"
"Of course I want it. I have no qualms about taking something from a rich family."
"Tch, I thought you were more principled."
"What's 'principle'? Can I eat it?"
After replenishing Qian Renxue's medicine supplies, it was nearly evening. After having dinner at the Crown Prince's mansion, the sky outside had turned dark, and Ning Bei decided to head back.
"Next time, remember to deliver the medicine on time. The future flowers of the continent can't slack off."
Ning Bei rolled his eyes, didn't reply, and waved his hand as he left.
However, what he didn't notice was that as he turned to leave, a shadow on the roof of the Crown Prince's mansion was watching him.
When he left, the shadow quickly disappeared with a whoosh.
(END CHAPTER)
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