An Accusation

This was a deliberate arrangement.

However, Xie Mingli seemed completely unaware, merely saying calmly, "Steward Qin, the side courtyard has been vacant for a long time. Please have it cleaned tonight."

Qin Henian paused slightly, then lowered his head and replied respectfully, "Yes, Miss."

"The official competition at the Azure Cloud Arena is still ten days away," Xie Mingli's tone was casual, as if mentioning it in passing. "This place is quiet, perfect for practicing. But—" she paused, her gaze falling on him, "don't forget to register within these ten days, or you'll lose your chance to compete."

"Thank you for the reminder." Chu Ning turned his gaze slightly, his eyes sweeping over Xie Mingli's cool and aloof face. The smile on his lips was neither deep nor shallow, as if he were trying to fathom the deeper meaning of her words.

"If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to ask Steward Qin for help." Xie Mingli's voice was steady, betraying no emotion.

Chu Ning raised an eyebrow and looked at Qin Henian beside him. The latter still wore his respectful and restrained expression, with only a hint of complex emotion hidden in his eyes, which vanished in an instant.

"Miss Xie's kindness is appreciated, but I can manage." Chu Ning cupped his hands in a half-smile, "However, a small matter like registration isn't enough to trouble Steward Qin."

Xie Mingli offered no comment, her gaze like a mirror, reflecting her unhurried demeanor. After a moment, she nodded gently, her sleeves fluttering as she turned and left.

In the side courtyard of Marquis Wu's Estate, the seventy-two wind lanterns hanging from the eaves suddenly dimmed.

The candlelight flickered, casting a hazy and tranquil scene within the room.

Chu Ning sat cross-legged on the couch. The moment he turned his palms upward, the True Qi within his body circulated through his meridians, rising and falling with the rhythm of his breathing, like thunder hidden in the clouds, ready to erupt at any moment.

He was only one breakthrough away from becoming a Ninth Rank martial artist.

If he could kill a Ninth Rank martial artist to repay the price for the Sky-Rending Shadow Flight Technique, he would not only break through smoothly but also gain the ability to cultivate another technique in advance.

But how easy was that?

Even with the Chaos Divine Order, the techniques he had overdrafted could only allow him to fight Ninth Rank powerhouses to a standstill; killing them was as difficult as reaching the heavens.

Thinking of this, Chu Ning's eyes flickered slightly, and the burning desire for a breakthrough in his heart subsided a little. He slowly took out the jade box from his embrace and gently opened it.

Immediately, a hot and potent medicinal force surged out. The Nine Revolutions Profound Sun Fruit lay quietly within, surrounded by a faint golden-red halo, like a brilliant piece of glazed jade condensed with the essence of the scorching sun.

If he could refine it, breaking through to Ninth Rank would only be the beginning; even reaching Eighth Rank would not be impossible!

But the problem was, he hadn't found a way to refine it yet.

Chu Ning stared at the fruit, his brow furrowed, then slowly closed the jade box, putting the Nine Revolutions Profound Sun Fruit back into his embrace.

The medicinal power of this item was so potent that even a spirit beast like the Azure-Eyed Snow Fox could not easily withstand it.

He lowered his head and took out the little white fox curled up from within his clothes.

Ever since it ate the second Profound Sun Fruit, it had been in a deep sleep. Its snow-white fur shone with a lustrous sheen in the candlelight, and its breathing was long and steady.

It seemed to be in a critical stage of refining the medicinal power. Even though spirit beasts had far superior physiques to humans, it still needed to undergo a life-and-death transformation to completely refine the Nine Revolutions Profound Sun Fruit.

Thinking of this, Chu Ning withdrew his gaze, put away the jade box, and then reached out to gently stroke the little white fox's fur.

The soft and delicate touch made him pause slightly. In his mind, a strange illusion suddenly surfaced.

The enchanting woman, her robes like fire, her lips slightly parted, her eyes like water, as if she were about to steal his soul.

Chu Ning's expression stiffened, and he suddenly snapped back to reality, quickly withdrawing his hand as if that touch were a dangerous temptation.

However, at this very moment.

"Zing—!"

A sharp sword cry suddenly pierced the air, shattering the silence of the night.

Chu Ning's gaze sharpened, and he looked up instantly.

In the adjacent courtyard, True Qi surged, frost billowed, and sword energy raged wildly, even penetrating three layers of courtyard walls to carve three sharp frost marks on the sandalwood screen directly in front of him.

The Ice Soul True Qi seeped into it, freezing and cracking the patterns on the screen, turning them into fine ice shards that rained down.

Chu Ning raised an eyebrow slightly, surprised.

"Is Xie Mingli practicing so desperately?"

In this world, even people from the upper class cultivated so desperately for strength, yet he possessed a heaven-defying artifact like the Chaos Divine Order, which could overdraft his future in exchange for power beyond his current limits... but what was the price?

He unconsciously touched the two strands of white hair on his forehead.

At that moment, past memories surged like a tide—those overdrawn lifespans.

The price he paid was never easy.

"All beings overcome their own tribulations."

Xie Mingli's words were not only a depiction of her but also of everyone.

Just then, a streak of fire light slowly descended from the sky, trailing a blazing tail flame like a meteor, painting the night sky a bloody red.

Boom—!

The fiery light fell with a roar, shaking the entire side courtyard and stirring up violent air currents, kicking up dust.

"Which brat dares to climb high and move into Marquis Wu's Estate?"

An arrogant and chilling shout rolled in, the voice carrying the oppressive aura of a superior, as if a single word could decide someone's life or death.

Chu Ning quickly walked out of the room and looked up, his brow furrowed.

The newcomer was clad in a crimson robe adorned with fiery patterns, his entire being enveloped in a potent aura of flames. The bluestone tiles beneath his feet cracked inch by inch under his oppressive presence, while flames coiled around his long hair, making him appear like a demon god emerging from a blazing inferno.

Feng Li of Li Fire Palace, a Ninth Rank intermediate martial artist.

Upon receiving the news that Xie Mingli had not only returned to Marquis Wu's Estate but had also brought a strange man back with her, he was instantly consumed by rage and came charging directly over.

Feng Li's gaze was sharp as he coldly swept over Chu Ning, his eyes filled with disdain and killing intent.

"You, are you even worthy?"

These words were spoken with no attempt to conceal the murderous intent.

Chu Ning's expression remained unchanged, his gaze calm as he spoke indifferently:

"Who are you?"

His voice was neither hurried nor slow, devoid of fear or deference, and even carried a hint of impatience.

Feng Li's brow furrowed, a flicker of anger flashing in his eyes.

"You little brat, how dare you yell at me?"

Crimson flames surged, and the tiles beneath his feet cracked and scorched. A torrent of violent flame true qi instantly spread, the searing heat distorting the air, as if he were about to attack at any moment.

However, just as the atmosphere became tense and volatile, a clear and cold voice drifted from outside the courtyard gate, like a basin of cold spring water dousing the flames, instantly suppressing the violent aura.

"Feng Li, is Marquis Wu's Estate a place you can just barge into?"

Following the voice, Xie Mingli strode into the courtyard with a brisk pace.

She was still dressed in her light purple gown, her wide sleeves gently brushing against each other. Her skirt swept across the bluestone floor, and though she exuded no sharp aura, she possessed an inherent, unassailable dignity.

Her gaze slightly narrowed as it fell upon Feng Li, her tone remaining indifferent:

"Even the Palace Master of Li Fire Palace isn't as unreasonable as you are."

Seeing her appear, Feng Li's anger subsided somewhat. His expression softened, and he reined in some of his oppressive presence, though he still exuded a sense of aggression.

He stared at Xie Mingli, his tone laced with a semblance of "concern," yet unable to hide the probing and oppressive undertones in his words:

"Lier, I heard you were attacked on your way back and shared a carriage with this fellow to return to the estate, and even kept him here at Marquis Wu's Estate."

He shifted his tone, his gaze dismissively sweeping over Chu Ning, his voice low and tinged with dissatisfaction.

"I'm worried you've been deceived."

Chu Ning's eyebrows slightly rose, and just as he was about to speak, Xie Mingli had already spoken coldly.

"Please conduct yourself with propriety."

She frowned slightly, her tone impatient. Her words were sharp as a sword, directly cutting off Feng Li's train of thought.

"We don't seem to have any special relationship, so don't call me so familiarly."