After Lin Ancestor left, Nalan Jie burst into laughter. Seeing an "old friend" come up empty-handed made him happy.
Yang Hui stood to one side, not daring to show anger or speak her mind.
Nalan Jie was too powerful. Any dissatisfaction she showed would surely be noticed. She did not want to be targeted again.
Before long, Lin Ancestor returned with Jiang Ruoyao.
When Jiang Ruoyao saw Nalan Jie and Tianming Wuji, her face remained cold, and she said nothing.
"I've brought her," Lin Ancestor said.
"Many thanks, Senior." Tianming Wuji clasped his fists.
"You're welcome. It was only right."
Lin Ancestor was unwilling beyond measure, but there was nothing she could show. When one's backing was inferior, there was no helping it.
"Then this junior will take her away," Tianming Wuji said, leading Jiang Ruoyao away.
Nalan Jie took two steps, then suddenly turned back. Looking at Lin Ancestor's gradually livid face, he said with a smile, "This Seat still prefers the way you look when you're untamed and unyielding."
With that, he strode away.
"Damn it!"
Lin Ancestor shattered the entire courtyard, furious beyond restraint.
She had been just one step away!
Just one step away from freeing herself of the Heavenly Retribution Dao Injury!
The perfect body she had waited so long for had flown away right before her eyes. Who knew how long she would have to wait for another opportunity?
"Lin Ancestor, was that person really an expert secretly groomed by the Black Dragon Clan?" Yang Hui asked.
"Not necessarily." Lin Ancestor's voice was low. "But Tianming Wuji said he was. Can you still say he isn't? The moment he opened his mouth and acknowledged it, the truth no longer mattered."
"But Lin Ancestor, your condition..." Yang Hui looked worried. She had also thought Lin