The sun sank in the west, and the stars began to emerge.
In the vast sky about fifty miles west of Wutan City.
Ning Chen rode on a pair of splendid crimson Dou Qi Wings, streaking through the sky like a burning meteor beneath the blood-red sunset, leaving behind a brilliant, swift arc of red light.
"Ya Fei really is something... For a moment there, even I nearly lost control..."
Remembering the alluring, ambiguous scene in the private room on the top floor of the Mittel Auction House, Ning Chen chuckled and shook his head slightly.
His tone held a hint of ruefulness and a hint of relief, but little regret.
He knew perfectly well that if he had shown even the slightest interest at the time—or simply hadn't turned her down and had gone along with it—
He would probably be in the most luxurious den of pleasure in Wutan City by now, lost in the intoxicating charm of her breathtakingly graceful figure.
But he still had more important things to do.
Besides... it seemed there was an unexpected, yet entirely understandable, "little problem" he needed to deal with.
With a thought, Ning Chen summoned the azure system panel before his eyes.
His gaze fell directly on the [Surprise Points] section.
A new entry had appeared in the log half a day ago, one that had immediately caught his attention.
[Surprise points from Gu Yuan +100...]
"Gu Yuan..." Ning Chen murmured the name, his eyes narrowing slightly.
A late-stage Nine-Star Dou Sheng, the Ancient Clan Chief, Xiao Xun'er's father, and one of the few people on the continent who truly stood at its pinnacle!
"So it seems that little Xiao Xun'er ultimately told the Gu Clan about what I've been up to in Wutan City—especially my 'unusual' remarks and behavior... Those first hundred surprise points from Gu Yuan were probably his initial reaction when he heard the news."
Ning Chen's thoughts raced as he quickly reached a conclusion.
He wasn't surprised by this. In fact, the moment he'd dared to tease Xiao Xun'er, he'd already prepared himself to face the Gu Clan—and Gu Yuan himself!
Collecting his thoughts, Ning Chen looked ahead. A vast mountain range stretched out before him: the Magic Beast Mountain Range, which played a considerable role in the original story.
Just as Ning Chen was about to speed up and enter the Magic Beast Mountain Range—
[Ding!]
Without warning, another new notification appeared on the system panel.
Its contents made Ning Chen's pupils contract sharply. His heart missed a beat, then began pounding as if struck by a heavy hammer!
[Surprise points from Gu Yuan +1000!]
A full thousand surprise points!
If it had only been a thousand surprise points, that wouldn't have been a big deal; he could easily earn that from Xiao Yan or Xiao Xun'er. The problem was that these surprise points came from Gu Yuan!
The man had lived for thousands of years and witnessed the continent's countless upheavals, eccentric people, and extraordinary events. His cultivation had reached the late stage of Nine-Star Dou Sheng, and his heart had long since grown as still as an ancient well.
Gu Yuan!
What could have made someone of his stature—who already knew of Ning Chen's existence and had contributed a hundred surprise points—experience such an intense emotional upheaval again after just half a day?
What could have made his "surprise points" soar by a thousand?!
This was definitely not normal!
Ning Chen abruptly controlled his Dou Qi Wings, forcing himself to stop and hover in the darkening sky.
He kept his expression calm, even deliberately making himself look more serene and detached, as if he were simply admiring the mountains beneath the setting sun.
But his mind was already racing.
If he mishandled this turn of events, which had strayed from the original story, he could be in serious trouble.
Ning Chen's thoughts flashed through countless possibilities like lightning, then discarded them one by one.
Suddenly, an extremely bold, almost terrifying idea struck him like a bolt of cold lightning in the dark!
When an expert of Gu Yuan's caliber experienced such intense emotions in such a short time, it usually wasn't because he had "heard" some shocking news.
After all, he was an old monster who had lived for thousands of years. What hadn't he heard?
No, it was because he had "witnessed firsthand" something beyond his understanding—perhaps even something that challenged the boundaries of his knowledge!
And for him to have "witnessed firsthand" something, he had to be there in person!
He was nearby...
A chill crept up Ning Chen's spine, but it was quickly overtaken by a stronger thrill and the urge to rise to the challenge.
A Nine-Star Dou Sheng watching him?
Perfect!
This windfall of "surprise points," and a chance to test the true limits of the "Wu Wu Kai" system, had both practically landed in his lap!
After steadying his excitement, Ning Chen beat his Dou Qi Wings and swooped down toward the forest below, landing smoothly on the ground.
The forest was silent. As far as he could see, there was no one but him.
Ning Chen quietly exhaled a long breath, then leisurely clasped his hands behind his back. He tilted his head slightly toward the treetops, where dusk was gathering, and a faint, knowing smile curved his lips.
"Friend, the forest is quiet and twilight is falling. Since you're already here, why not show yourself and enjoy the sunset with me?"
He paused. The playful look in his eyes faded, and his voice grew lower.
"Or is it that the dignified Ancient Clan Chief, the mighty Gu Yuan of the Central Plains, has taken to acting like those rats in the Soul Clan—hiding in the shadows and spying on people?"
Ning Chen was gambling that Gu Yuan was hiding nearby.
If he was right, he could not only draw Gu Yuan out, but also make himself look impressive.
If he was wrong, even the best performance wouldn't change the fact that a powerful expert wouldn't sit idle while someone secretly watched him.
Especially when that someone was a Nine-Star Dou Sheng.
And if he was wrong? All he'd done was talk tough to the empty air and embarrass himself a little. There was no one around to spread the story, anyway.
Yet the moment the words left his mouth, Ning Chen saw a new entry appear in the system.
[Surprise points from Gu Yuan +100000!]
One hundred thousand surprise points!
Ning Chen's heart jolted. Just as he'd thought! Gu Yuan was hiding nearby!
Heh, the old man certainly knew how to be "generous." More than a hundred thousand surprise points in total—enough to keep me spending for quite a while...
Ning Chen was secretly thrilled, but gave nothing away. He said no more, simply keeping his hands clasped behind his back and his head slightly raised.
His unfocused gaze rested on a spot in the air, as if he could truly see through space and find the hidden observer.
He waited for the other man to lose patience and make the first move.
After a long while, the space ahead of Ning Chen rippled gently like water.
There was no earth-shaking aura, no dazzling radiance.
A figure in a plain linen robe appeared silently, growing more distinct as if stepping out of an ink painting.
The man looked middle-aged, with refined features and warm, gentle eyes. He seemed untouched by worldly concerns, and a faint smile rested at the corners of his mouth, as soothing as a spring breeze.
He stood there as though he were one with the surrounding mountains and forest, blending in so naturally that, had Ning Chen not seen him with his own eyes, he might not have sensed his presence at all.
"Your perception is remarkably keen, and your eyes are sharp indeed. It seems I was rather presumptuous."
"I had no intention of spying on you. I was simply curious about what my daughter mentioned in her letter, so I came to meet you. If I've been too forward, I hope you'll forgive me."
Before you continue