Xiao Ning coughed up blood and flew backward, the loud cracking of bones sending chills down everyone’s spines. A large amount of blood splattered from the air. Everyone couldn’t help but look at Ding Shuang again, wondering if his palm strike would kill Xiao Ning.

Ding Shuang pursed his lips. He had neglected to practice martial arts, and although his palm had landed solidly on Xiao Ning’s chest, he knew that he had not killed Xiao Ning.

Given Xiao Ning’s actions—the contest involving swallowing pills, the sneak attack, and his intent to kill—even if I killed Xiao Ning, I wouldn’t be punished by my family. What a pity, what a pity. I wonder if this will be enough to cripple Xiao Ning.

“You little beast! I’ll kill you today!” On the platform, the Grand Elder reached out to grab Ding Shuang, but was stopped by Xiao Zhan halfway.

“Elder, you’ve gone too far! I’ll let it slide this time because you’re so eager to have your grandson! But if you continue to cause trouble, I won’t hesitate to enforce the family rules!” Xiao Zhan stared intently at the Elder, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Below the stands, beside the dueling platform, Xiao Yu picked up the sword Xiao Ning had dropped and thrust it at Ding Shuang, shouting, “You little bastard! Give me back my brother’s life!”

Ding Shuang stared at Xiao Yu’s thrusting sword, preparing to retaliate, when a fragrant breeze wafted past him—it was Xun’er who had stepped in front of him. Xun’er flicked the spine of the sword with her finger, and Xiao Yu’s sword instantly broke into several pieces.

Seeing Xun’er lying dead in front of Ding Shuang, Xiao Yu shouted, “Xun’er, get out of my way! I’m going to kill that bastard! He’ll pay for my brother’s life!”

Ding Shuang pulled Xun’er behind her and said coldly, “Pay for your brother’s life? If your brother had succeeded in his sneak attack, I would be the one who died! Would you, Xiao Yu, kill Xiao Ning to avenge me? Is your brother’s life the same as mine? You unreasonable, idiotic woman!”

Xiao Yu was speechless, choked by Ding Shuang’s words, and also felt guilty. If Xiao Ning had actually stabbed him with his sword, Ding Shuang would have been dead without a doubt. But Xiao Yu was still unconvinced; after all, Xiao Ning was his own younger brother, and he couldn’t let him off so easily!

Xiao Xun’er stood in front of Ding Shuang again and said softly, “Sister Xiao Yu, if you don’t go and check on Xiao Ning, he might really die.”

Xiao Yu was shocked upon hearing this and quickly turned around to Xiao Ning’s side. Finding that Xiao Ning was still alive, she quickly fed him a pill. The Grand Elder also rushed to Xiao Ning’s side to heal him. The entire training ground was in chaos.

Ignoring the chaotic scene, Ding Shuang left with Xun’er and Xiao Mei. Walking along the road, Ding Shuang recalled Xun’er’s earlier actions and became curious about her current level. Xiao Yu was a three-star Dou Zhe, yet Xun’er had effortlessly stopped him. Ding Shuang used an appraisal spell on Xun’er, revealing her information.

Name: Xiao Xun’er (Gu Xun’er)

Gender: Female

Rank: Five-Star Fighter

Other: Golden Emperor’s Burning Heaven Flame (Intimacy), Desire Woman’s Heart Sutra (Second Level)

Good heavens! Xun’er is the real hidden master! A five-star warrior pretending to be a one-star newbie? You wouldn’t believe it until you see it! Xun’er’s act was absolutely brilliant!

Ding Shuang returned to his residence with Xun’er and Xiao Mei, and the three chatted inside. Ding Shuang knew that someone would definitely summon him for questioning soon; after putting on such a grand show, it was impossible for no one in the clan to care. After chatting for about half an hour, a member of the clan came to invite Ding Shuang to the council hall.

Ding Shuang and his companions arrived at the council hall and found the clan leader and three elders present, the eldest elder’s face particularly grim. To Ding Shuang’s surprise, Ya Fei was also there! Xun’er remained calm upon seeing Ya Fei, but Xiao Mei glared at her with hostility. Ya Fei sat composedly in the guest seat, sipping tea and ignoring Ding Shuang and his companions.

Upon seeing Ding Shuang and the other two arrive, Xiao Zhan gestured for them to find a seat. Once they were seated, Xiao Zhan asked, “Yan’er, when did your strength begin to recover?”

Ding Shuang replied, “A year ago, on the day Nalan Yanran came to annul the engagement.”

“Oh? It seems I should thank that girl from the Nalan family. Thanks to her provocation. Hahaha.” Xiao Zhan laughed loudly.

Ding Shuang and Xun’er both rolled their eyes upon hearing this. Ding Shuang thought to herself, “The plot is what it is; what does my recovery have to do with Nalan Yanran?” Xun’er thought, “If I hadn’t given myself to Brother Xiao Yan that night, who knows when he would have recovered. What does that have to do with that woman Nalan Yanran?”

Xiao Zhan noticed Ding Shuang’s eye roll and changed the subject, saying, “I called you here today for two reasons. First, I wanted to ask when you started recovering. Second, Miss Ya Fei wants to ask you for a favor. This past year, I’ve spent a lot buying Foundation Establishment Elixir for you from the Mittel Auction House. Could you help Miss Ya Fei promote it? You’ve also passed the coming-of-age ceremony assessment, and the family wants you to manage the market. You can cooperate more with the Mittel Auction House.”

Ding Shuang glanced at Ya Fei, wondering what Ya Fei meant. She knew that she had sold the Foundation Establishment Elixir to Ya Fei before, so why was Ya Fei asking her to promote it?

Ya Fei put down her teacup and glanced at Ding Shuang, saying, “Half a year ago, the supply of Foundation Establishment Elixir to the Mittel Auction House was cut off. I don’t know why, but the alchemist who refined the Foundation Establishment Elixir has never sent anyone to trade with us again.” As she said this, Ya Fei gave Ding Shuang another resentful look.

“We only have 5 bottles of Foundation Establishment Elixir left at the Mittel Auction House. We’d like to ask Young Master Xiao Yan to help promote it so we can get a good price. That way, when that alchemist comes again, we can have a better explanation.” Ya Fei took a sip of water and continued, “Of the remaining 5 bottles, the Mittel Auction House will only auction 4. If Young Master Xiao Yan is willing to cooperate with the promotion, the Mittel Auction House is willing to give the Xiao family one bottle.”

Upon hearing Ya Fei’s words, everyone from the Xiao family present had their eyes light up and turned to look at Ding Shuang, hoping that she would agree to cooperate with the publicity.

Ding Shuang scratched his head and said, “Actually, the main reason I advanced so quickly is because of my extremely high talent. It’s related to the Foundation Establishment Elixir, but not that much.”

*Pfft!* Ya Fei spat out a mouthful of water. Xun’er chuckled beside her. Xiao Mei stared at Ding Shuang in astonishment. The Grand Elder’s face darkened further. Veins bulged on Xiao Zhan’s forehead. Everyone thought to themselves, “This guy is utterly shameless!”

Xiao Zhan roared, “You brat, what nonsense are you spouting?”

Ding Shuang shrank back, immediately changing his tune, “No, I misspoke. It’s extremely related to the Foundation Establishment Elixir; my talent is secondary.” He knew he couldn’t beat Xiao Zhan right now, so it was better to be a little cowardly.

After Ding Shuang finished speaking, everyone present relaxed, it seemed that Ding Shuang had agreed to cooperate with the publicity.

Seeing Ding Shuang’s statement, Ya Fei stood up and said, “Since Young Master Xiao Yan is willing to cooperate with the publicity, then please come to the Mittel Auction House tomorrow morning. Ya Fei won’t stay any longer. Farewell, everyone!”

Everyone bid farewell to Ya Fei and saw her off. Xiao Zhan also waved for Ding Shuang and the other two to leave. After they left, Xiao Zhan said to the Grand Elder, “Grand Elder, Xiao Ning’s sneak attack came first, and Yan’er’s counterattack severely injured Xiao Ning, causing him to drop a level in cultivation. As the clan leader, I only gave this Foundation Establishment Elixir to Xiao Ning for the sake of the Xiao family’s unity, stability, and development. I urge the Grand Elder to restrain his descendants and prevent them from causing further trouble for Yan’er.” With that, Xiao Zhan turned and left.

Ding Shuang returned to her residence alone. Halfway there, she told Xun’er and Xiao Mei to go back to their own quarters, claiming she needed to stabilize her cultivation before the breakthrough. The real reason, however, was that she overheard Yao Lao whispering in her ear that he had something important to say that evening. It seemed Yao Lao had already woken up but hadn’t uttered a sound.

The old apothecary had awakened the day before Ding Shuang was to participate in her coming-of-age ceremony. He certainly wouldn’t miss such an important event. Upon waking, the old apothecary discovered that Ding Shuang’s strength was still only at the eighth level. To avoid putting pressure on her, he silently monitored her from within his ring, remaining silent. Little did he expect that Ding Shuang would give him such a big surprise today.

Back in the room, Yao Lao floated out of the ring, stroking his beard and nodding, “Not bad, not bad. Your talent is truly terrifying, rare even on the entire continent. But don’t be too proud. Being able to break through two levels in the heat of battle is also because you’ve reached the Dou Zhe realm before, plus your solid foundation. You still have a long way to go.”

Ding Shuang knew that Yao Lao was giving him a warning, so he nodded in agreement. He still respected Yao Lao quite a bit. Yao Lao had selflessly helped him refine medicine and improve his strength, and he himself had often tricked Yao Lao. Ding Shuang didn’t refute Yao Lao’s words. The important matter Yao Lao mentioned tonight must be the Burning Technique.

As Ding Shuang expected, what Yao Lao spoke of tonight was the Burning Flame Technique. Just like with Xiao Yan, he told Ding Shuang everything and offered him two cultivation techniques to choose from. Ding Shuang chose the Burning Flame Technique without hesitation. That night, Yao Lao didn’t immediately hand over the Burning Flame Technique to Ding Shuang, but instead told him to finish everything and find a secluded place to begin cultivating.

Ding Shuang wasn’t in a hurry, since the Burning Elixir wouldn’t run away with Yao Lao. However, she should try to avoid sex recently, lest Yao Lao fall into a deep sleep again. But considering she was going to see Ya Fei tomorrow, she might have to trouble Yao Lao a little more.

The next day, Ding Shuang arrived at the Mittel Auction House as promised, and Ya Fei greeted him alone. Ding Shuang was somewhat curious about Ya Fei’s abilities; the book hadn’t provided details. He unleashed an appraisal spell on Ya Fei.

Name: Mittel Yafi

Gender: Female

Rank: One-Star Fighter

Other: The Heart Sutra of Desire (Second Level)

Oh, Ya Fei’s current level is only one star, so can I take back the Primordial Desire Fire from Ya Fei’s body? That way, I can save a spot.

Just as Ding Shuang was pondering whether to withdraw her Primordial Desire, Ya Fei led her to a secret room. Ya Fei raised her chin and said, “Go in.” Ding Shuang felt this scene seemed very familiar, as if it had happened somewhere before.

Ding Shuang wasn’t worried about Ya Fei’s potential harm, since with soul control, a soul slave would never harm its master. Ding Shuang entered the secret chamber and saw its furnishings. The chamber wasn’t large, containing only a stone table and four stone stools, occupying half the space. Tea and snacks were laid out on the stone table.

Ding Shuang casually found a stone bench and sat down, and Ya Fei immediately sat opposite him. After sitting down, Ya Fei pointed to the teapot on the table, indicating that Ding Shuang should pour water for the two of them. Ding Shuang felt a sense of déjà vu again, and picked up the teapot to pour tea for them. Ya Fei pushed a plate of snacks towards Ding Shuang, saying, “Don’t just drink tea, have some snacks.”

Ding Shuang instantly recalled that this was exactly the scene from the teahouse earlier, only now it was reversed. Ding Shuang picked up a dim sum and started eating, saying as she ate, “Mmm, the dim sum here is definitely the best.”

Ya Fei glanced at Ding Shuang and said, “You tell me. What should we do?”

Upon hearing Ya Fei’s words, Ding Shuang’s head immediately started spinning. She dreaded these kinds of questions the most: “What to do?” “Big sister, can you just give me a solution?” How was she supposed to answer such a simple question?

Ding Shuang rinsed the pastry in her mouth with tea, casually rubbed her hands on her clothes, and said, “Hmm, how about we have the people from the Mittel Auction House do the publicity and promotion first, and then I’ll show up to give my opinion. I’ll personally attend the auction to show my support. What do you think of this?”

Upon hearing Ding Shuang’s reply, Ya Fei’s forehead veins bulged, and she said angrily, “That’s not it.”

Ding Shuang knew exactly what Ya Fei was referring to. After all, he had raped Ya Fei in the teahouse. How could he explain himself?

Ding Shuang was somewhat confused at this moment. Although she had never taken this world seriously, she had lived here for several years and increasingly felt that this world was real. She had repeatedly told herself to treat all these experiences as a dream, but this sense of reality plunged Ding Shuang into a state of confusion where she could not distinguish between illusion and reality.

Whether Ding Shuang can escape this chaos depends entirely on herself; no one can help her. On her way to the Mittel Auction House, Ding Shuang’s mind was filled with Ya Fei’s lewd appearance from last time, feeling like she was having a wet dream. But after witnessing Ya Fei’s series of acts, she felt that Ya Fei was a real person, and remembering that she had raped Ya Fei last time, she didn’t know how to face it.

Seeing that Ding Shuang remained silent for a while, Ya Fei continued to ask, “Why aren’t you saying anything? What should we do?”

Faced with Ya Fei’s relentless pressure, Ding Shuang steeled his resolve. So what if it’s an illusion? So what if it’s reality? Who says reality isn’t an illusion? Wherever he is, that’s the reality! He’d take responsibility for his actions; since he dared to rape Ya Fei once, he dared to rape her a second time! Ding Shuang chuckled, “How about I continue to subdue you today?”