The next day.
Lin Fan got up early and immediately sent Sha Dulong and others to the market to purchase the necessary supplies. The journey ahead was long, and he certainly didn’t want to sleep out in the open or eat cold meals on the road.
While it was one thing to venture out for training, deliberately enduring hardship when he had the financial means to avoid it would just be sheer madness.
No matter what, the standard of living had to be improved.
Right now, Lin Fan had something significant to attend to—he needed to find Gong Bingye and have a serious talk, especially asking where he had obtained the fragment of Supreme Power.
Gong Family Estate.
After a night of unconsciousness, Gong Bingye awoke filled with anger and resentment as memories of the previous day flooded back.
Her pure body had been defiled, and not only that, the perpetrator had denied everything afterward, spouting ridiculous justifications with a straight face.
In the morning, Gong Bingye washed up and looked like a lotus rising from water. She tied her long black hair up and gazed at her mirror image—her exquisite beauty was breathtaking. She gently touched her pale, jade-like face with her delicate fingers.
The heavy burden of her family weighed heavily on her shoulders, making it hard to breathe. How she longed to find someone to rely on, but her wish remained unfulfilled.
“That detestable man,” Gong Bingye muttered, staring at her fragile reflection in the mirror. Finally, she took a deep breath, her expression hardening into one of determination. She pushed open the door and stepped forward to face the pressures of this new day.
Wang Hu was the captain of the Black Armored Guards of the Gong family and also the head steward of the estate. Though his status was high, he remained busy every day, working tirelessly for the rise of the Gong family.
Wang Hu’s ancestors had always served as the Gong family’s stewards, and now, in his generation, he carried the honor of his ancestors, dedicating his life to the family.
Now, the head of the Gong family had perished in the Death Desert, leaving the family without leadership. The other two families were taking this opportunity to rise in power, and Wang Hu knew the burden on his shoulders was immense.
The young lady, still so young in age, should have been enjoying the admiration and protection of countless young talents, yet now she was working tirelessly for the family, with no time left for herself.
The next day.
Lin Fan woke up early and sent Sha Dulong and the others to the market to purchase the necessary items. The journey was long, and he had no intention of roughing it in the wilderness.
While training and tempering oneself was one thing, having the financial means yet choosing to suffer was simply madness.
No matter what, the standard of living had to be improved.
Now, Lin Fan had a significant matter to attend to—he needed to have a serious talk with Gong Bingye and find out where she had obtained the Supreme Fragment.
The Gong Family.
Gong Bingye had been unconscious all night. When she woke up, she recalled the events that had transpired and was filled with anger and resentment.
Her pure body had been defiled, and not only that, but the perpetrator had also shamelessly denied any responsibility, spouting absurd and infuriating nonsense.
In the morning, Gong Bingye freshened up, her beauty like a lotus emerging from the water. She tied up her long hair and gazed at her stunning reflection in the bronze mirror, gently caressing her fair, jade-like face with her delicate hands.
The weight of her family’s responsibilities pressed heavily on Gong Bingye, making it hard for her to breathe. She longed to find someone to rely on, but fate had not been kind.
“That despicable man,” Gong Bingye muttered as she looked at her fragile reflection in the mirror. She took a deep breath, her expression hardening with resolve. She pushed open the door and stepped out to face the pressures of the new day.
Wang Hu was the captain of the Black Armor Guards of the Gong Family and also the steward of the Gong estate. Despite his high status, he was constantly busy with the family’s affairs, with no time for leisure.
Wang Hu’s ancestors had always served as stewards of the Gong Family, and now, in his generation, he carried on their legacy, dedicating his life to the family in silence.
With the head of the Gong Family having perished in the Desert of Death, the family was left leaderless. The other two major families had seized the opportunity to rise, and Wang Hu knew the burden on his shoulders was immense.
The young mistress, who should have been enjoying the admiration of many talented suitors, was now tirelessly managing the family’s affairs, with no time for herself.
“Mistress, something terrible has happened. Many disciples from various sects have arrived in Mo City and are now at our trading shop, demanding to buy the six innate beasts at a low price,” Wang Hu hurriedly reported, having just rushed back from the shop.
In Wang Hu’s eyes, this was a serious matter. Although some of these sect disciples might not be highly skilled, they represented powerful sects. Offending them could have unimaginable consequences.
“Are they from the Sacred Sect?” Gong Bingye’s expression shifted slightly. Mo City was a small town, not a major city, and it was rare for sect disciples to come here. Mo City usually attracted wandering cultivators instead.
These wandering cultivators were generally not very powerful and had a high demand for innate beasts.
“No, their robes bear flame patterns,” Wang Hu replied. Although he was the steward of the Gong Family, his knowledge was limited, especially since he had spent his entire life in Mo City and had little exposure to sect disciples.
“Let’s go take a look,” Gong Bingye said. What she feared most was sect disciples causing trouble at the Gong Family’s shops, as they were simply too powerful to offend.
In Gong Bingye’s eyes, sects were colossal, superpowered entities. Perhaps just one person from a sect could annihilate the entire Gong Family in an instant.
Therefore, whenever such incidents occurred, the Gong Family would often step back to avoid conflict. When her father was still alive, Gong Bingye hadn’t known how he handled these situations. But now, with the family’s burden on her shoulders, she had to face everything herself.
…
The Gong Family Trading Shop.
A crowd had gathered around the shop, and at the entrance stood a group of men dressed in white robes adorned with flame patterns, arrogantly making demands.
“It’s your family’s good fortune that we’ve taken an interest in these six beasts. Don’t be ungrateful. This amount of money is more than enough,” one of the men, with a flame mark on his forehead and narrow eyes, said with a sneer.
The shopkeeper, Liu, looked troubled. The amount of money offered was far too little for six beasts. How could he agree to such a deal?
Why hadn’t Master Wang returned with the mistress yet?
“Shopkeeper Liu, my senior brother has spoken. Don’t be foolish. After all, I’m also from Mo City, and I don’t want you to suffer for offending my senior brother,” said another man standing beside the one with the flame mark.
He was Wang Hao, the young master of the Wang Family in Mo City. Not long ago, he had participated in a sect’s recruitment test and, to his surprise, had been accepted as an outer disciple.
This was like a dream come true for him, and he was thrilled. He couldn’t understand why he, with his mediocre talent and low cultivation, had been chosen by the sect.
After much thought, he concluded that the sect must have seen something special in him.
“Senior Brother Liu, let me handle this. These common folk probably don’t understand your power,” Wang Hao said with a flattering smile.
Having just joined the sect, Wang Hao didn’t know any senior disciples yet. But to his surprise, this senior brother had sought him out and treated him kindly, even offering to accompany him back to Mo City. This was an opportunity Wang Hao couldn’t pass up, so he immediately agreed and set off for Mo City.
“Mm,” Liu Yiyuan nodded.
He wasn’t particularly interested in the six beasts, but the essence blood within the six red beasts would be very useful for a cultivation technique he was practicing.
“Shopkeeper Liu, this is my senior brother, an inner disciple of the Flame Path Sect. If you don’t want any trouble for the Gong Family, you’d better agree to this deal. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee the consequences,” Wang Hao threatened.
“Young Master Wang, I can’t make this decision. The mistress will be here soon, and she can discuss this with you,” Shopkeeper Liu replied.
“Gong Bingye?” Wang Hao’s eyes gleamed with a strange light. He had long harbored desires for Gong Bingye, but in the past, the Gong Family had been too powerful, especially when the family head was still alive. Even with ten times the courage, he wouldn’t have dared to act on his thoughts. But now, things were different. He was an outer disciple of a sect, and in comparison, Gong Bingye would be the one reaching above her station.
Just thinking about Gong Bingye’s beauty made Wang Hao’s heart race. But in that instant, he also felt a sense of unease. His senior brother was known for his fondness for women. If Gong Bingye arrived and caught his eye, what would happen?
As a newly joined outer disciple, how could he dare to compete with his senior brother for a woman?
But then, Wang Hao sighed. In the end, his own future was more important.
Liu Yiyuan stood there, a faint sneer on his lips.
These ants were of no concern to him. What he was doing now was merely a game.
“The Mistress is here!”
A voice rang out from the crowd. The people of Mo City were also feeling the pressure of the situation.
These sect disciples were not people they could afford to provoke.
To Wang Hu, this matter was extremely serious. Although some of these disciples might not have high cultivation levels, they represented powerful sects. Offending them could lead to unimaginable consequences.
“Are they disciples from the Holy Sect?” Gong Bingye’s expression slightly changed. Mo City was a small town, not a major city, so it was rare for sect disciples to come here. However, many wandering cultivators were often attracted to Mo City.
The next day.
Lin Fan woke up early and sent Sha Dulong and the others to the market to purchase the necessary items. The journey was long, and he had no intention of roughing it in the wilderness. While training and self-improvement were important, there was no need to torture oneself when one had the financial means to live comfortably. After all, one’s standard of living should always be elevated.
Now, Lin Fan had a significant matter to attend to—he needed to have a serious talk with Gong Bingye and find out where she had obtained the Supreme Fragment.
At the Gong family residence, Gong Bingye had been unconscious all night. When she woke up, she was filled with anger as she recalled the events that had transpired. Her purity had been tainted, and to make matters worse, the perpetrator had shamelessly justified his actions with twisted logic.
In the morning, Gong Bingye freshened up, her beauty akin to a lotus emerging from the water. She tied up her long, silky hair and gazed at her stunning reflection in the bronze mirror. Extending her delicate, jade-like hand, she gently caressed her flawless, porcelain skin.
The weight of her family’s responsibilities bore down on her, making it hard to breathe. She longed for someone to lean on, but fate had not been kind to her.
“That despicable man,” Gong Bingye muttered as she looked at her fragile reflection in the mirror. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself, her expression turning resolute. She pushed open the door, ready to face the pressures of the new day.
Wang Hu, the captain of the Gong family’s Black Armor Guards and the family’s steward, was a man of high status. Despite his position, he was constantly busy, with no time for leisure, as he worked tirelessly for the rise of the Gong family.
Wang Hu’s ancestors had always served as stewards for the Gong family, and now, in his generation, he carried on their legacy, dedicating his life to the family in silence.
With the head of the Gong family having perished in the Desert of Death, the family was left leaderless. The other two major families had seized the opportunity to rise, and Wang Hu knew the burden on his shoulders was immense.
The young lady, who should have been enjoying the admiration of many talented suitors, was now tirelessly working for the family, with no time for herself.
“Miss, something terrible has happened. Many disciples from various sects have arrived in Mo City and are now at our trading shop, demanding to buy the six innate beasts at a low price,” Wang Hu hurriedly reported, having just rushed back from the shop.
This situation was serious in Wang Hu’s eyes. Although some of these sect disciples might not have high cultivation levels, they represented their sects. Offending them could have unimaginable consequences.
“Are they disciples of the Sacred Sect?” Gong Bingye’s expression changed slightly. Mo City was just a small town, not a major city, and it was rare for sect disciples to come here. Mo City usually attracted wandering cultivators, whose cultivation levels were generally not very high, and who had a great demand for innate beasts.
“No, their robes bear flame patterns,” Wang Hu replied. Although he was the steward of the Gong family, his knowledge was limited, especially since he had spent his entire life in Mo City and had little exposure to sect disciples.
“Let’s go and see,” Gong Bingye said. What she feared most was sect disciples causing trouble at the Gong family’s shop, as they were simply too powerful to offend.
In Gong Bingye’s eyes, sects were colossal, superpowered entities. Perhaps just one person from a sect could annihilate the entire Gong family in an instant.
Therefore, whenever such incidents occurred, the Gong family would often step back to avoid conflict. When her father was still alive, Gong Bingye didn’t know how he handled such situations. But now, with the family’s burden on her shoulders, she had to face everything herself.
…
At the Gong family’s trading shop, a crowd had gathered. At the entrance, a group of men dressed in white robes adorned with flame patterns stood arrogantly, making demands.
“It’s your family’s fortune that we’ve taken an interest in these six beasts. Don’t be ungrateful. This amount of money is more than enough,” one of the men, with a flame mark on his forehead and narrow eyes, said arrogantly.
The shopkeeper, Liu, looked troubled. The amount of money offered was far too little for six innate beasts. Why hadn’t Master Wang returned with the young lady yet?
“Shopkeeper Liu, my senior brother has spoken. Don’t be foolish. After all, I’m also from Mo City, and I don’t want you to suffer because you’ve offended my senior brother,” another man standing beside the flame-marked man said.
He was the young master of the Wang family in Mo City. Recently, he had participated in a sect’s assessment and, to his surprise, had been accepted as an outer disciple. This was like a dream come true for him, and he was thrilled. He couldn’t understand why he, with his low cultivation and mediocre talent, had been chosen by the sect. After much thought, he concluded that the sect must have recognized his potential.
“Senior Brother Liu, let me handle this. These common folk probably don’t understand your power,” Wang Hao said with a flattering smile.
Having just joined the sect, Wang Hao didn’t know any senior brothers yet. However, to his surprise, this senior brother had sought him out and treated him very kindly, even offering to accompany him back to Mo City. This was an opportunity Wang Hao couldn’t pass up, so he immediately agreed and set off for Mo City.
“Mm,” Liu Yiyuan nodded.
He wasn’t particularly interested in the six beasts, but the essence blood within the six red beasts would be very useful for a cultivation technique he was practicing.
“Shopkeeper Liu, my senior brother is an inner disciple of the Flame Path Sect. If you don’t want anything bad to happen to the Gong family, you’d better comply. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee the consequences,” Wang Hao threatened.
“Young Master Wang, I can’t make this decision. The young lady will be here soon, and she can discuss this with you,” Shopkeeper Liu replied.
“Gong Bingye?” Wang Hao’s eyes flickered with a strange light. He had long harbored desires for Gong Bingye, but in the past, the Gong family had been too powerful, especially when the family head was still alive. Even with ten times the courage, he wouldn’t have dared to entertain such thoughts. But now, things were different. He was an outer disciple of a sect, and in comparison, Gong Bingye would be the one reaching above her station.
Thinking of Gong Bingye’s beauty, Wang Hao felt a surge of excitement. However, in that instant, he also felt a sense of unease. His senior brother was known for his fondness for women. If Gong Bingye arrived and caught his eye, what would happen?
As a newly joined outer disciple, Wang Hao didn’t dare to compete with his senior brother for a woman.
But then, Wang Hao sighed. After all, his own future was more important.
Liu Yiyuan stood there, a faint sneer on his lips.
These ants were of no concern to him. What he was doing now was merely for amusement.
“The young lady of the Gong family has arrived.”
At this moment, a voice rang out from the crowd. The situation the Gong family was facing was indeed tricky.
These sect disciples were not people they could afford to offend.
“No, their clothes have flame patterns on them,” Wang Hu replied. Although he was the head steward of the Gong family, his knowledge was limited, especially since he had only ever lived in Mo City and had little experience with sect disciples.
“Let’s go and see,” Gong Bingye said. What she feared most was that sect disciples would cause trouble at the Gong family’s shop, because they were simply untouchable.
In Gong Bingye’s eyes, sects were like titanic powers—superior forces. Perhaps a single sect disciple could destroy the Gong family in an instant.
Therefore, whenever such incidents occurred, the Gong family always chose to back down and avoid conflict. When her father was alive, Gong Bingye didn’t know how he had handled these situations. Now, with the heavy burden of the Gong family resting on her shoulders, she had to face everything herself.
…
The Gong family’s trading shop.
At the moment, a large crowd had gathered around. In front of the shop stood a group of men wearing white robes with flame patterns embroidered on them, their expressions filled with arrogance.
The next day.
Lin Fan got up early and sent Sha Dulong and the others to the market to buy the necessary supplies. The journey was long, and he didn’t want to sleep rough.
Going out to train was one thing, but having the financial means and still choosing to torture oneself was truly madness.
No matter what, the standard of living had to be improved.
Now, Lin Fan had an important task at hand—to have a serious talk with Gong Bingye and find out where she had obtained the Supreme Fragment.
Gong Family.
Gong Bingye had been unconscious all night. When she woke up, she recalled what had happened and was filled with anger and frustration.
Her pure body had been defiled, and not only that, but the person who had done it had shamelessly spouted nonsense afterward, refusing to take responsibility.
In the morning, Gong Bingye washed up, looking as fresh as a lotus emerging from water. She tied up her hair and gazed at her stunning reflection in the bronze mirror. She extended her delicate hand, gently touching her fair, jade-like face.
The burden of the family weighed heavily on Gong Bingye, making it hard for her to breathe. She longed to find someone to rely on, but it seemed fate was against her.
“That despicable man,” Gong Bingye muttered, looking at her fragile reflection in the mirror. She took a deep breath, her expression hardening as she pushed open the door to face the pressures of the new day.
Wang Hu was the captain of the Black Armor Guards of the Gong family and also the steward of the Gong residence. Despite his high status, he was constantly busy with the family’s affairs, with no time for leisure.
Wang Hu’s ancestors had always been stewards of the Gong family, and now, in his generation, he carried on their legacy, dedicating his life to the family in silence.
With the patriarch of the Gong family having perished in the Desert of Death, the family was left leaderless, and the other two families were seizing the opportunity to rise. Wang Hu knew the weight of his responsibilities.
The young lady, who should have been enjoying the admiration of many talented youths, was now tirelessly working for the family, with no time for herself.
“Miss, something terrible has happened. Many sect disciples have arrived in Mo City and are now at our trading shop, demanding to buy the six innate beasts at a low price,” Wang Hu hurriedly reported, having just rushed back from the shop.
This situation was serious in Wang Hu’s eyes. Although some of the sect disciples weren’t particularly strong, they represented their sects, and offending them could have unimaginable consequences.
“Are they from the Sacred Sect?” Gong Bingye’s expression changed slightly. Mo City was just a small town, not a major city, and it was rare for sect disciples to come here. Mo City usually attracted many rogue cultivators instead.
These rogue cultivators generally weren’t very strong, but they had a high demand for innate beasts.
“No, their clothing has flame patterns,” Wang Hu replied. Although he was the steward of the Gong family, his knowledge was limited, especially since he had spent his entire life in Mo City and had little exposure to sect disciples.
“Let’s go take a look,” Gong Bingye said. What she feared most was sect disciples causing trouble at the Gong family’s shop, as they were simply too powerful to offend.
In Gong Bingye’s eyes, sects were colossal, superpowered entities. Perhaps just one person from a sect could annihilate the Gong family in an instant.
Therefore, in such situations, the Gong family usually chose to back down to avoid conflict. When her father was still alive, Gong Bingye didn’t know how he handled these matters, but now that the burden of the family was on her shoulders, she had to face everything herself.
…
Gong Family Trading Shop.
A crowd had gathered around the shop, and at the entrance, a group of men dressed in white robes with flame patterns were arrogantly shouting.
“It’s your family’s good fortune that we’ve taken an interest in these six beasts. Don’t be ungrateful. This amount of money is more than enough,” one of the men, with a flame mark on his forehead and narrow eyes, said with a sneer.
The shopkeeper looked troubled. The amount of money they were offering for the six beasts was far too low. How could he agree to this?
Why hadn’t Master Wang returned with the young lady yet?
“Manager Liu, my senior brother has spoken. Don’t be foolish. After all, I’m also from Mo City, and I don’t want you to suffer for offending my senior brother,” said the man standing next to the one with the flame mark.
He was the young master of the Wang family in Mo City. Not long ago, he had participated in a sect assessment and, to his surprise, had been accepted as an outer disciple.
This was like a dream come true for him, and he was thrilled. He couldn’t understand why he, with his low cultivation and mediocre talent, had been chosen by the sect.
After much thought, he convinced himself that the sect had recognized his potential.
“Senior Brother Liu, let me handle this. These commoners probably don’t understand your power,” Wang Hao said with a flattering smile.
Having just joined the sect, Wang Hao didn’t know any senior brothers yet. But to his surprise, this senior brother had sought him out and was very friendly, even offering to accompany him back to Mo City. This was an opportunity Wang Hao couldn’t pass up, so he immediately agreed and set off for Mo City.
“Mm,” Liu Yiyuan nodded.
He wasn’t particularly interested in the six beasts, but the essence blood within them would be very useful for a cultivation technique he was practicing.
“Manager Liu, this is my senior brother, an inner disciple of the Flame Path Sect. If you don’t want anything bad to happen to the Gong family, you’d better agree to this. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee the consequences,” Wang Hao threatened.
“Young Master Wang, I can’t make this decision. The young lady will be here soon. Let her discuss this with you,” Manager Liu said.
“Gong Bingye?” Wang Hao’s eyes flickered with a strange light. He had long harbored desires for Gong Bingye, but in the past, the Gong family had been too powerful, especially when the patriarch was still alive. Even with ten times the courage, he wouldn’t have dared to act on his thoughts. But now, things were different. He was an outer disciple of a sect, and in comparison, Gong Bingye would be the one reaching up to him.
Just thinking about Gong Bingye’s beauty made Wang Hao’s heart race. But in that instant, he felt a pang of unease. His senior brother was known for his fondness for women. If Gong Bingye showed up and caught his eye, what would happen?
As a newly joined outer disciple, how could he dare to compete with his senior brother for a woman?
But after a moment, Wang Hao sighed. His future was more important.
Liu Yiyuan stood there, a faint sneer on his lips.
These ants were nothing to him. This was just a game.
“The young lady of the Gong family is here.”
A voice rose from the crowd. The situation the Gong family was facing was indeed tricky.
These sect disciples were not people they could afford to offend.
The next day.
Lin Fan woke up early and instructed Sha Dulong and the others to go to the market to purchase the necessary items. The journey was long, and he had no intention of roughing it outdoors.
While training and tempering oneself was one thing, having the financial means yet still choosing to suffer was simply madness.
No matter what, the standard of living had to be elevated.
Now, Lin Fan had a significant matter to attend to—he needed to have a serious talk with Gong Bingye and find out where she had obtained the Supreme Fragment.
The Gong Family.
Gong Bingye had been unconscious all night. When she woke up and recalled the events that had transpired, she was filled with anger and resentment.
Her pure body had been defiled, and not only that, but the perpetrator had also shamelessly denied any responsibility, spouting outrageous and infuriating nonsense.
In the morning, Gong Bingye freshened up, her beauty like a lotus emerging from the water. She tied up her long, dark hair and gazed at her stunning reflection in the bronze mirror. She gently touched her fair, jade-like face with her delicate hands.
The weight of her family’s responsibilities pressed heavily on Gong Bingye, making it hard for her to breathe. She longed to find someone to rely on, but it seemed fate was against her.
“That despicable man,” Gong Bingye muttered as she looked at her fragile reflection in the mirror. She took a deep breath, her expression hardening with resolve. She pushed open the door and stepped out to face the pressures of the new day.
Wang Hu was the captain of the Gong family’s Black Armor Guards and also the steward of the Gong family estate. Despite his high status, he was constantly busy with the family’s affairs, with no time for leisure.
Wang Hu’s ancestors had always been stewards of the Gong family, and now, in his generation, he carried on their legacy, dedicating his life to the family in silence.
With the Gong family’s patriarch having perished in the Desert of Death, the family was left leaderless. The other two families had seized the opportunity to rise, and Wang Hu knew the burden on his shoulders was immense.
The young mistress, who should have been enjoying the admiration of many talented suitors, was now tirelessly managing the family’s affairs, with no time for herself.
“Mistress, something terrible has happened. Many disciples from various sects have arrived in Mo City and are now at our trading shop, demanding to buy the six innate beasts at a low price,” Wang Hu hurriedly reported, having just rushed back from the shop.
This situation was serious in Wang Hu’s eyes. Although some of these sect disciples might not be highly skilled, they represented powerful sects. Offending them could have unimaginable consequences.
“Are they disciples of the Holy Sect?” Gong Bingye’s expression changed slightly. Mo City was just a small town, not one of the major cities, so it was rare for sect disciples to come here. Mo City usually attracted many rogue cultivators instead.
These rogue cultivators were generally not very powerful, but they had a high demand for innate beasts.
“No, their robes bear a flame pattern,” Wang Hu replied. Although he was the steward of the Gong family, his knowledge was limited, especially since he had spent his entire life in Mo City and had rarely encountered sect disciples.
“Let’s go and see,” Gong Bingye said. What she feared most was sect disciples causing trouble at the Gong family’s shops, as they simply couldn’t afford to offend them.
In Gong Bingye’s eyes, sects were colossal, superpowered entities. Perhaps just one person from a sect could annihilate the Gong family in an instant.
Therefore, whenever such incidents occurred, the Gong family would usually step back to avoid conflict. When her father was still alive, Gong Bingye hadn’t known how he handled these situations. But now, with the family’s burden on her shoulders, she had to face everything herself.
…
The Gong Family Trading Shop.
A crowd had gathered around the shop, and at the entrance, a group of men dressed in white robes with flame patterns were arrogantly making demands.
“It’s your family’s fortune that we’ve taken an interest in these six beasts. Don’t be ungrateful. This amount of money is more than enough,” one of the men, who had a flame mark on his forehead and narrow eyes, said with a sneer.
The shopkeeper, Liu, looked troubled. The amount of money they were offering was far too little for six beasts. How could he agree to such a deal?
Why hadn’t Master Wang returned with the mistress yet?
“Shopkeeper Liu, my senior brother has spoken. Don’t be ungrateful. After all, I’m also from Mo City, and I don’t want you to suffer because you’ve offended my senior brother,” another man, standing beside the one with the flame mark, said.
He was the young master of the Wang family in Mo City. Recently, he had participated in a sect’s recruitment test and, to his surprise, had been accepted as an outer disciple.
This was like a dream come true for him, and he was thrilled. He couldn’t understand why he, with his low cultivation and mediocre talent, had been chosen by the sect.
After much thought, he concluded that the sect must have seen something special in him.
“Senior Brother Liu, let me handle this. These common folk probably don’t understand your power,” Wang Hao said with a flattering smile.
Having just joined the sect, Wang Hao didn’t know any senior brothers yet. But to his surprise, this senior brother had sought him out and had been very friendly, even offering to accompany him back to Mo City. Wang Hao had eagerly agreed and they had set off immediately.
“Hmm,” Liu Yiyuan nodded.
He wasn’t particularly interested in the six beasts, but the essence blood within the six red beasts would be very useful for a cultivation technique he was practicing.
“Shopkeeper Liu, this is my senior brother, an inner disciple of the Flame Path Sect. If you don’t want anything bad to happen to the Gong family, you’d better agree to our terms. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee the consequences,” Wang Hao threatened.
“Young Master Wang, I can’t make this decision. Our mistress will be here soon, and she can discuss this with you,” Shopkeeper Liu replied.
“Gong Bingye?” Wang Hao’s eyes lit up with a strange glint. He had long harbored desires for Gong Bingye, but in the past, the Gong family had been too powerful, especially when the patriarch was still alive. Even with ten times the courage, he wouldn’t have dared to act on his desires. But now, things were different. He was an outer disciple of a sect, and in comparison, it was Gong Bingye who would be the one reaching up to him.
Just thinking about Gong Bingye’s beauty made Wang Hao’s heart race. But then, a sense of unease crept in. His senior brother was known for his fondness for women. If Gong Bingye arrived and caught his eye, what would happen?
As a newly joined outer disciple, Wang Hao didn’t dare to compete with his senior brother for a woman.
But after a moment, Wang Hao sighed. His future was more important.
Liu Yiyuan stood there, a faint sneer on his lips.
He didn’t care about these ants. This was just a game to him.
“The Mistress Gong has arrived.”
A voice rang out from the crowd. The situation the Gong family was facing was indeed tricky.
These sect disciples were not people they could afford to offend.
Where was Master Wang? Why hadn’t he returned with the young miss yet?
“Master Liu, my senior has already spoken. Don’t be unwise. After all, I am also from Mo City, and I wouldn’t want you to suffer for offending my senior,” said another man standing beside the one with the flame mark on his forehead.
He was the young master of the Wang family in Mo City. Not long ago, he had participated in a sect’s recruitment test. To his surprise, he had been accepted as an outer disciple.
To him, it felt like a piece of good fortune had fallen from the sky, making him ecstatic. He couldn’t understand how he, with such mediocre talent and low cultivation, had been chosen by the sect.
After thinking about it repeatedly and still not understanding, he finally convinced himself that the sect had seen something special in him.
“Brother Liu, leave this to me. These commoners probably don’t even know how powerful my senior is,” Wang Hao said with a flattering smile.
Just having joined the sect, he naturally didn’t know any seniors yet. However, what surprised Wang Hao was that a senior from the sect had approached him shortly after he joined, treating him with unusual kindness and offering to accompany him back to Mo City. This was something Wang Hao had eagerly accepted, and so he immediately agreed and set off for Mo City.
“Alright,” Liu Yi Yuan nodded.
The next day.
Lin Fan woke up early and sent Sha Dulong and the others to the market to purchase the necessary items. The journey was long, and he had no intention of roughing it. While training and tempering oneself was one thing, having the financial means yet still choosing to suffer was simply madness. No matter what, the standard of living had to be improved.
Now, Lin Fan had an important matter to attend to—he needed to have a serious talk with Gong Bingye and find out where she had obtained the Supreme Fragment.
At the Gong family residence.
Gong Bingye had been unconscious all night. When she woke up, she recalled the events of the previous day and was filled with anger and frustration. Her pure body had been defiled, and to make matters worse, the perpetrator had shamelessly spouted nonsense after the fact, refusing to take responsibility.
In the morning, Gong Bingye washed up, her beauty as radiant as a lotus emerging from the water. She tied up her long, silky hair and gazed at her stunning reflection in the bronze mirror. With her delicate, jade-like hand, she gently caressed her flawless face.
The weight of her family’s responsibilities bore down on her, making it hard to breathe. She longed to find someone to rely on, but fate had not been kind.
“That despicable man,” Gong Bingye muttered as she looked at her fragile reflection in the mirror. She took a deep breath, her expression hardening with resolve. Pushing open the door, she stepped out to face the pressures of the new day.
Wang Hu was the captain of the Gong family’s Black Armor Guards and also the steward of the Gong family estate. Though his status was high, he was constantly busy with the family’s affairs, leaving him no time for leisure.
Wang Hu’s ancestors had always served as stewards for the Gong family, and now, in his generation, he carried on their legacy, dedicating his life to the family in silence.
With the Gong family patriarch having perished in the Desert of Death, the family was left leaderless. The other two major families had seized the opportunity to rise, and Wang Hu knew the burden on his shoulders was immense.
The young mistress, Gong Bingye, should have been enjoying the admiration of many talented suitors at her age. Instead, she was tirelessly working for the family, with no time for herself.
“Mistress, something terrible has happened! Many disciples from various sects have arrived in Mo City. They’re at our trading shop, demanding to buy the six innate beasts at a low price,” Wang Hu rushed in from the shop, his face filled with urgency.
This situation was serious in Wang Hu’s eyes. Although some of these sect disciples might not have high cultivation levels, they represented their sects. Offending them could have unimaginable consequences.
“Are they disciples from the Sacred Sect?” Gong Bingye’s expression shifted slightly. Mo City was a small town, not one of the major cities, and it was rare for sect disciples to come here. The city usually attracted wandering cultivators instead.
These wandering cultivators generally didn’t have high cultivation levels and had a great demand for innate beasts.
“No, their robes bear a flame emblem,” Wang Hu replied. Though he was the Gong family steward, his knowledge was limited, especially since he had spent his entire life in Mo City and had little exposure to sect disciples.
“Let’s go take a look,” Gong Bingye said, her greatest fear being that sect disciples would cause trouble at the Gong family shop. After all, the family couldn’t afford to offend them.
In Gong Bingye’s eyes, sects were colossal, superpowered entities. Perhaps just one person from a sect could wipe out the entire Gong family in an instant.
Thus, whenever such incidents occurred, the Gong family would usually step back to avoid conflict. When her father was still alive, Gong Bingye hadn’t known how he handled such situations. But now, with the family’s burden on her shoulders, she had to face everything herself.
…
At the Gong family trading shop.
A crowd had gathered around the shop, and at the entrance stood a group of men dressed in white robes adorned with flame patterns. They were arrogantly shouting.
“It’s your family’s good fortune that we’ve taken an interest in these six beasts. Don’t be ungrateful. This amount of money is more than enough,” one of the men, with a flame emblem on his forehead and narrow eyes, said with a sneer.
The shopkeeper, Liu, looked extremely troubled. The amount of money they were offering for the six beasts was far too low. How could he agree to such a deal?
Where was Master Wang? He had gone to fetch the young mistress, but why hadn’t they arrived yet?
“Shopkeeper Liu, my senior brother has spoken. Don’t be foolish. After all, I’m also from Mo City, and I don’t want you to suffer for offending my senior brother,” another man, standing beside the one with the flame emblem, spoke up.
He was Wang Hao, the young master of the Wang family in Mo City. Not long ago, he had participated in a sect assessment and, to his surprise, had been accepted as an outer disciple.
For him, this was like a pie falling from the sky, and he was thrilled. He couldn’t understand why he, with his low cultivation and mediocre talent, had been chosen by the sect.
After much thought, he comforted himself with the idea that the sect had recognized his potential.
“Senior Brother Liu, let me handle this. These common folk probably don’t understand your power,” Wang Hao said with a flattering smile.
Having just joined the sect, Wang Hao naturally didn’t know any senior brothers. But to his surprise, this senior brother had sought him out and had been very friendly, even offering to accompany him back to Mo City. This was an opportunity Wang Hao couldn’t pass up, so he immediately agreed and set off for Mo City.
“Mm,” Liu Yiyuan nodded.
He wasn’t particularly interested in the six beasts, but the essence blood within the six red beasts was highly useful for a cultivation technique he was practicing.
“Shopkeeper Liu, this is my senior brother, an inner disciple of the Flame Path Sect. If you don’t want anything bad to happen to the Gong family, you’d better agree to this deal. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee the consequences,” Wang Hao threatened.
“Young Master Wang, I can’t make this decision. Our young mistress will be here soon. Let her discuss this with you,” Shopkeeper Liu replied.
“Gong Bingye?” Wang Hao’s eyes gleamed with a strange light. He had long harbored desires for Gong Bingye, but in the past, the Gong family had been too powerful, especially when the patriarch was still alive. Even with ten times the courage, he wouldn’t have dared to entertain such thoughts. But now, things were different. He was an outer disciple of a sect, and in comparison, it was Gong Bingye who would be the one reaching up to him.
Just thinking about Gong Bingye’s beauty made Wang Hao’s heart race. But in that instant, he also felt a sense of unease. His senior brother was known for his fondness for women. If Gong Bingye arrived and caught his eye, what would happen?
As a newly joined outer disciple, how could he dare to compete with his senior brother for a woman?
But after a moment, Wang Hao sighed. In the end, his own future was more important.
Liu Yiyuan stood there, a faint sneer playing on his lips.
These ants were of no concern to him. This was all just a game.
“The young mistress of the Gong family is here!”
A voice rang out from the crowd. The situation the Gong family was facing was indeed tricky.
These sect disciples were not people they could afford to provoke.
“Master Liu, this is my senior, a core disciple of the Fire Dao Sect. If you don’t want anything unfortunate to happen to the Gong family, it would be best to comply obediently. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee what might happen,” Wang Hao threatened.
“Master Wang, I can’t make this decision. Please wait a moment; our young miss will be here shortly. Let’s let her speak with you,” Master Liu replied.
“Gong Bingye?” Upon hearing her name, Wang Hao’s eyes gleamed with a strange light. He had long harbored lustful thoughts toward her, but in the past, the Gong family had been too powerful. Especially when the head of the family was still alive, even with ten times his courage, he wouldn’t have dared to have any improper thoughts. But now, everything was different—he was now an outer disciple of a sect. Comparatively speaking, it was Gong Bingye who would be lucky to associate with him.
Thinking of Gong Bingye’s beauty, Wang Hao felt a surge of excitement. However, in the same moment, a sense of unease crept into his heart. His senior had a notorious reputation for being obsessed with women. What if, when Gong Bingye arrived, his senior took a liking to her?
As a mere outer disciple, how could he dare to compete with his senior for a woman?
But then, Wang Hao sighed. No, his own future was more important.
Liu Yi Yuan stood there silently, a faint smirk curling his lips.
To him, these people were nothing but ants—completely unworthy of his attention. He was merely toying with them for now.
“Miss Gong has arrived!”
At that moment, someone in the crowd shouted. Everyone was aware of the current difficulties the Gong family was facing.
These sect disciples were certainly not someone they could afford to offend.
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