A look of astonishment crossed Ning Yu'an's face.
The talent Ning Jiang had previously displayed within the Ning Family only placed him among the top five of the younger generation.
But now, with this Perfection Realm Big Splash Wind Sword, he had done more than enough to make everyone take him seriously.
Among the current younger generation of the Ning Family, even the most outstanding members had only mastered a few Martial Techniques to the Great Success level. Not a single one had managed to cultivate a Martial Technique to the Perfection Stage.
At this thought, Ning Yu'an couldn't help but let out a soft sigh, a trace of sorrow in her eyes.
If Ning Jiang hadn't been afflicted by the Black Jade Fire Poison Curse, if his Cultivation Realm was still intact, this Big Splash Wind Sword would have been enough to rank him in the top three of the Ning Family and earn him the family's full support and cultivation.
"Sister An, are you sad for me?"
Ning Jiang heard her sigh and stopped.
He had just been practicing the Big Splash Wind Sword to stretch the major tendons in his body. After all, he had just broken through to a new Realm not long ago, so his foundation was unstable. The Big Splash Wind Sword allowed him to fully exercise his tendons and further consolidate his Realm.
After performing a full set of the Big Splash Wind Sword, if he had been relying on the meager True Qi from his old Yuqing Qigong, he would have been completely exhausted by now. But as it was, his face wasn't flushed, he wasn't out of breath, and his aura was as calm and steady as a gentle breeze under a clear sky.
With the Heaven-Devouring Demon Skill, wasn't his True Qi more than ten times more profound than it was with the Yuqing Qigong?
"Little brother, don't overthink it. I was just thinking about something else." Ning Yu'an was afraid of bringing up a sore subject, as Ning Jiang was the one whose Cultivation Realm had plummeted.
But what kind of person was Ning Jiang? How could he not see through Ning Yu'an's simple attempt to spare his feelings?
However, the more she acted this way, the warmer he felt inside.
"Sister An, really, this is nothing. If my Realm is gone, I'll just cultivate it back. If I fall, I'll just get back up."
Ning Jiang's tone was leisurely, his words flowing slowly like water. "Fortune relies on misfortune; misfortune hides in fortune. Although I experienced a great catastrophe, it was a blessing in disguise. I received guidance from a master and came to understand many things. Besides, since ancient times, has there ever been anyone who achieved greatness without facing countless hardships and dangers?"
"The path to kingship is steep and difficult. Those words are the truth of the Cultivation Realm."
"The path to kingship is steep and difficult?" Ning Yu'an repeated the phrase several times, her heart trembling. She felt that within Ning Jiang's calm tone lay a transcendent pride that looked down on the world, as if nothing could faze him. "You're right, little brother. It's me who's being overly sentimental. With your talent, you'll definitely be able to return to your peak."
"Someone's here." Ning Jiang looked toward the door.
Sure enough, just as the words left his mouth, a knock came from the door.
"Is Miss Ning in? Young Master Zhou requests your presence."
"Young Master Zhou?" Ning Yu'an paused. 'Could it be Zhou Wenhao?'
The only person she knew with the surname Zhou was Zhou Wenhao. Ever since he first met her, he had sought her out time and time again, expressing his admiration, but she had clearly rejected him every time.
Although Zhou Wenhao was countless times stronger than Zhao Feng, after his repeated pestering, she no longer had any good feelings for him.
'This man really doesn't know when to back off. I've rejected him so many times, yet he's still pestering me.'
Ning Yu'an's delicate brows furrowed. She knew it was because of Zhou Wenhao that Wu Wen had schemed against her in the first place.
"We'll face whatever comes our way. What's meant to happen can't be avoided, nor does it need to be. Since he's here, Sister An, I'll go with you to meet him. Let's see what he's up to." Ning Jiang's voice was very calm, as if it could soothe one's soul.
"Okay."
For some reason, Ning Yu'an felt an inexplicable sense of trust in the current Ning Jiang.
...
They were still in the Drunken Moon Pavilion.
The Drunken Moon Pavilion was not just a place to stay; its delicacies were also renowned far and wide.
Inside a luxurious private room.
The table was laden with exotic delicacies, their rich aromas filling the air.
No one had touched their chopsticks.
Before Ning Jiang and Ning Yu'an sat a total of four people.
In the center was a young man of about twenty, dressed in a green robe. He had a tall, strong build, a face as handsome as jade, and eyes like cold stars. His eyebrows slanted upward toward his temples like a Flood Dragon soaring into the sky.
This was Zhou Wenhao, an Innate Realm expert, one of the Luoyang Ten Heroes, and a man of great fame.
To Zhou Wenhao's right was another man of a similar age. He was handsome, but his gaze carried a certain arrogance, as if he were long accustomed to a high position and saw everyone else as his inferior.
His aura was not as bold or profound as Zhou Wenhao's, but it wasn't far behind. He was likely on the verge of stepping into the Innate Realm.
However, what drew the attention of Ning Jiang and Ning Yu'an even more than these two were the two people standing behind Zhou Wenhao.
It was none other than Zhao Feng and Wu Wen!
"Miss Ning, you've arrived. I've already heard about the matter at Treasure Herb Hall. I had a talk with these two, and they are willing to give me some face and apologize to you."
The moment Zhou Wenhao spoke, his words were like a spring breeze, full of grace and charm.
"Miss Ning, I apologize for what happened at Treasure Herb Hall."
"Ning Yu'an, I also have to say I'm sorry."
Zhao Feng and Wu Wen spoke one after the other.
Ning Yu'an frowned. How could a simple apology erase her anger? Besides, what truly infuriated her was what they had done to Ning Jiang's arm.
They only apologized to her, completely ignoring Ning Jiang.
However, one doesn't strike a smiling face. Under the circumstances, it wasn't appropriate for Ning Yu'an to lose her temper.
"Alright, this whole affair was just a misunderstanding. This banquet today is also to make amends to Miss Ning. I'm sure a kind-hearted person like Miss Ning won't hold it against them."
Zhou Wenhao said this with a smile, brushing the matter aside with a single sentence.
But in Ning Jiang's eyes, beneath Zhou Wenhao's placid tone was an unyielding dominance.
'He's already put it that way. If Ning Yu'an refuses to let it go, won't she seem petty and ungracious?'
'This man is very calculating.'
This was Ning Jiang's first impression. But no matter how calculating someone was, they couldn't hide anything from his eyes.
"Let's not dwell on these unpleasantries. Miss Ning, let me introduce you. This gentleman beside me is Young Master Sun Yan, a dear friend of mine. He is also one of Luoyang City's top talents, and his master is none other than the great Alchemy Master of Luoyang City, Elder Du Wanqing." Zhou Wenhao said, gesturing to the man on his right.
"Du Wanqing?"
Although Ning Yu'an hadn't been in Luoyang City for long, she was still startled to hear this name.
This Du Wanqing was a famous Alchemy Master in Luoyang City. All those who could associate with him were Innate Realm experts. His status was extraordinary. Even the young prodigies of the Luoyang Ten Heroes had to respectfully address him as 'Elder' and wouldn't dare to offend him.
Even the Clan Leader of the Ning Family would have to show him the utmost respect if they were to meet.
The Energy Du Wanqing commanded alone was enough to match a second-tier family.
The reason was simple: he was an Alchemy Master!
The Elixirs he refined were coveted even by Innate Realm experts. Through these Elixirs, Du Wanqing had built a vast network of connections.
"It seems Miss Ning has heard of my master's name? Well, of course. My master's name shakes all of Luoyang; how could you not know it?"
The moment Sun Yan spoke, his words were tinged with an unconcealable arrogance, as if he were looking down on them from on high.
"Alright, the apology was actually secondary to why I invited Miss Ning here today. I heard that your younger brother has been afflicted with the Black Jade Fire Poison Curse?"
Zhou Wenhao's gaze shifted to Ning Jiang. Sensing his Alchemy Fourth Layer aura, a barely perceptible flicker of contempt crossed his eyes. "I invited Brother Sun here today precisely for the matter of the Black Jade Fire Poison Curse. Brother Sun has promised me that he can persuade his master to act and refine an Elixir for your brother to suppress the Black Jade Fire Poison Curse."
"What? Is that true?" In an instant, Ning Yu'an's pretty face lit up. What she cared about most was Ning Jiang's injury.
"That's right. Brother Zhou and I are close, like sworn brothers. I would naturally do my best for him." Sun Yan nodded, then paused. "However, to me, Miss Ning is ultimately an outsider. If Brother Zhou were injured, I would of course do everything in my power to ask my master for help. But as for Miss Ning..."
He left his words hanging with unspoken meaning.
"What does Young Master Sun mean? If you require compensation, the Ning Family will certainly provide it." Ning Yu'an knew it wouldn't be that simple.
"Hehe, let's forget about compensation. Let's not beat around the bush; I'll be direct." Sun Yan smiled faintly. "My Brother Zhou is a renowned hero of Luoyang City, one of the Ten Greats. What an influential figure he is! It just so happens that Brother Zhou is infatuated with Miss Ning, and it is for your sake that he came to ask for my help. Frankly, with Brother Zhou's status, you and he would make a perfect couple. I wonder how Miss Ning feels about Brother Zhou?"
In an instant, the color drained from Ning Yu'an's face.
She was silent for a moment, then glanced at Ning Jiang. Her delicate fists slowly clenched as she came to a decision. Just as she was about to speak—
"Zhou Wenhao, you can drop the act." Suddenly, Ning Jiang, who had been as silent as a block of wood, spoke. His first words were astonishing. "Zhao Feng and Wu Wen... they're your people, aren't they?"
"The eyes are the windows to the soul. Words and expressions can be faked, but the eyes cannot lie. The way Zhao Feng and Wu Wen look at you is not how one looks at a stranger. It's clear you've known each other for a long time."
"Yesterday, back at the Treasure Herb Hall, I noticed Zhao Feng and Wu Wen glance toward a private room on the second floor a total of seven times. I imagine you were in that room at the time, weren't you?"
"Your original plan was to use Zhao Feng and Wu Wen to push Sister An into a corner, then play the hero saving the damsel in distress to win her favor, correct? A pity that I ruined your entire plan, causing all your efforts to go to waste."
"And don't bother denying it. The fact that you know Zhao Feng and Wu Wen, and that you probably associate with them often, is something that could easily be found out by asking around in the social circles of Luoyang City."
Ning Jiang met Zhou Wenhao's gaze, his eyes as deep as a tranquil pool. He was like a Military Advisor devising strategies that would decide a battle a thousand miles away; nothing could escape his sight.
The color of Zhou Wenhao's face changed, the smile completely gone.
As for Zhao Feng and Wu Wen, their eyes had long since filled with deep astonishment.
"You despicable people!"
Ning Yu'an shot to her feet, her voice ice-cold. How could she not understand now? Everything Ning Jiang had said was true!
Zhou Wenhao was the mastermind behind it all.
What a sanctimonious hypocrite!
"Good. Very good. You are quite impressive, with a sharp mind." Now that he was exposed, Zhou Wenhao no longer bothered to hide it, his gaze fixing on Ning Jiang like a sword.
"Zhou Wenhao, you laid a trap within a trap for my sister, your intentions malicious and sinister." Ning Jiang's tone was cool, but beneath that coolness was a sharp edge ready to draw blood at any moment. "Today is November fifteenth. Two months from now, on January fifteenth, at Star Moon Lake... a battle to the death. Dare you?!"
Those last two words dripped with killing intent.
The entire room... fell silent!