The Sinful Hand Had Finally Reached for Me

[Ding! Current return multiplier: 300. Earth-tier High-grade Dou Technique, Wind Extremity: Annihilation]

[Ding! Current return multiplier: 300. Heaven-tier Low-grade Dou Technique, Wind Extremity: Judgment]

[Ding! Current return multiplier: 300. Earth-tier High-grade Dou Technique, Cloud-Stepping Shadowless]

Zhang Nian couldn't help clicking his tongue in amazement. What a boon this Return System was! Each of these techniques, taken alone, could cause a stir in any corner of the world. Unfortunately, of all the things he'd received, the only one he could cultivate himself was the movement technique Cloud-Stepping Shadowless. Still, didn't a strong disciple also reflect well on her master? If all else failed, he could just stick to one principle: when there was trouble, send the disciple; when there wasn't... ahem, he could think about that later.

Unlike Zhang Nian, Yun Yun seemed a little flustered. Personal guidance in a Dou Technique? Did that mean the hands-on kind of guidance?

Thinking of Ya Fei's behavior just now, the little bit of goodwill she still felt toward Zhang Nian began to fade. Could this Dou Sheng Expert really be the sort of lecherous scoundrel she feared?

But she was under his roof, so she had no choice but to draw her long sword from her Storage Ring. She had already practiced the Dou Techniques on the table; she had only accepted them out of respect for Zhang Nian. Now, she could only do as he'd asked and demonstrate them one by one.

"Swish, swish, swish!"

"Wind Extremity: Sunset Shine!"

"Wind Extremity: Meteor Kill!"

"Explosive Step!"

The air above them rang out now and then. Zhang Nian watched and nodded. A Dou Wang expert's techniques were already quite a sight, and Yun Yun was a stunning beauty on top of that. The strong wind wrapped around her figure, accentuating her graceful form, while clouds swirled around her, lending her an almost celestial air. To put it simply, she was a feast for the eyes, a sight of breathtaking beauty.

"Hmph!"

Yun Yun scoffed inwardly. Had she not been watching Zhang Nian below as well? But seeing the faintly lecherous look in his eyes, she couldn't help growing unhappy. She felt as though her pearl had been cast before a swine.

"All right."

When the time seemed right, Zhang Nian rose to his feet and called a halt. There was no need to keep watching; he'd already accomplished his goal. As for those Dou Techniques, it would be better to bring them out after some time had passed. Whether creating or improving a Dou Technique took time. He couldn't just glance at them once and immediately produce everything, could he?

"Master."

Holding her long sword, Yun Yun spoke with a cool, distant expression.

"All right. Use the rest of your time to cultivate properly. Don't take too many Soul Nourishing Pills; based on the timing, one a month is enough."

After giving her those instructions, Zhang Nian turned to leave, but Yun Yun suddenly called after him.

"Master, I just demonstrated my techniques for you. Didn't you say you would give me some pointers?" Yun Yun was naturally disdainful. She felt that Zhang Nian had only made her demonstrate them so he could tease her. Disgusted, she decided to put him on the spot.

"Overall, your attacks lack power, your use of Dou Qi is poor, and your understanding of the wind is inadequate. All show and no substance. I've already given it some thought, and I'll write up something new for you soon. For now, focus on your cultivation. I'm leaving."

Zhang Nian gave her a vague answer, brushing off her question. He didn't notice the resentment in her words, assuming only that his disciple was eager to improve her strength. He offered a few gentle words of reassurance, then left without another thought.

Hmph. Easy for you to say. Improving a Dou Technique isn't something you can do overnight. I refuse to believe you could do it after seeing it just once!

Zhang Nian couldn't hear her thoughts. Aside from flames passed down by clans or already claimed by someone, there were actually quite a few Heavenly Flames still out there. By comparison, Ya Fei's role was especially important. In any world, information was always the most valuable thing.

Now that he had the Fallen Heart Flame, if he set aside the Green Lotus Core Flame in the Jia Ma Empire, the known flames included the Three Thousand Burning Flame, ranked ninth, which was in the Pill Tower; the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame, which he could forget about for the time being; the Life Spirit Flame, which, if he remembered correctly, had been obtained by Elder Shennong; and the Eight Desolations Destruction Flame, a treasure passed down through the Yan Clan. The Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Flame, ranked seventh, was worth trying to seize. It had originally belonged to the Nine Nether Deep Underworld Clan before the Yan Clan took it. Judging by the current timeline, he still had a chance to compete for it.

Zhang Nian strolled toward Ya Fei's quarters. The two Ninth-Grade Treasure Pills in his hand were the key to helping her rise. He wondered whether she would be tempted after he showed her what he had. He still didn't understand why she seemed so wary of him, but the thought of Ye You, the organization dedicated to gathering intelligence, was enough to make his heart stir.

Inside the room.

Ya Fei was imagining the wonderful life that lay ahead.

"With Yun Yun here, the Saint probably won't have any ideas about me anymore. And Medusa's strength has broken through as well. But if the Saint wants that so badly, why doesn't he just get her a Seventh-grade Transformation Pill? Wouldn't that achieve his goal...?"

She shook her head and stopped worrying about such things. Whatever happened, none of it had anything to do with her anymore.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Ya Fei was still lost in thought when the door opened. Zhang Nian stepped inside, glanced at her, and said with a calm smile, "I was just passing by. Have you thought about what I brought up last time?"

Brought up what?

What did he mean?

Huh?

Ya Fei was in turmoil. Yun Yun had already entered the sect, and he had a whole feast waiting for him—yet he'd left it alone and come to see her!

"Lord Saint... you..."

Ya Fei started to speak, then stopped, unsure how to begin. Her heart was in a panic. Had the sinful hand finally reached for me?

I want to run, but I can't...