What?!
As soon as those words were spoken, the air inside the tent froze.
Everyone's smiles stiffened on their faces.
Especially Tang San.
The tenderness and affection on his face receded like the tide, replaced by a dark expression.
A flash of undisguised disappointment and anger crossed those deep blue eyes.
But the emotion lasted only an instant.
He quickly composed himself, drew Xiao Wu back into his arms, and sighed.
"So that's how it is... It's all my fault. I was too impatient."
"I just want so badly to grow stronger, to protect you, Xiao Wu. You don't blame me, do you?"
Even as he said this, his arm around Xiao Wu loosened slightly without him realizing it.
The Shrek members around them also looked at Xiao Wu differently.
Their warmth and closeness had vanished, replaced by a measure of distance and an indescribable air.
If only Xiao Wu could use the Immortal Herb, then hadn't all their congratulations just now become a joke?
Xiao Wu saw it all, and the last trace of warmth in her heart slowly faded.
She forced a smile and leaned against Tang San, reassuring herself in a barely audible voice.
"It's okay, Third Brother. I understand you... I know you love me more than anyone in the world."
That's right.
Third Brother definitely loved her!
Otherwise, how could he have dared to stand against all of Spirit Hall for her back then?
It had to be that way.
Xiao Wu left the tent in a daze.
After she was gone, the atmosphere inside grew unbearably oppressive.
Tang San slammed a fist onto the table!
"Damn it!"
The sturdy wooden table shattered, scattering splinters across the floor.
"Why?! Why was it bound directly to her?"
Tang San's face was ashen, his eyes filled with resentment and unwillingness.
"If that divine Immortal Herb were bound to me, why would I fear Qian Renxue? The destruction of Spirit Hall would be just around the corner!"
Everyone fell silent, not daring to respond.
Tang San paced back and forth irritably, then suddenly remembered something.
"Have we still not heard anything from Bai Chenxiang?"
Ma Hongjun curled his lip and replied indifferently.
"She's probably dead."
"What kind of place is Jialing Pass? Qian Renxue and all those old monsters from Spirit Hall are there. She's only a Soul Saint—if they caught her, what chance did she have of surviving?"
There wasn't a trace of concern in his voice. Instead, he sounded almost pleased.
"Hmph, she deserved it! Who told her to act so high and mighty around me? If she'd given in to me back then, she wouldn't have ended up like this!"
Yu Xiaogang pushed up his glasses and said gravely.
"Xiao San, regardless, we still need to placate the Speed Clan."
"I know!"
Tang San waved his hand impatiently.
"So what if she's dead? Some necessary sacrifices are unavoidable if we're going to destroy Spirit Hall!"
Not the slightest ripple of concern for Bai Chenxiang's fate stirred in his heart.
At that moment, there was only one thing he cared about.
"I wonder what kind of treasure the eighth entry on the Rare Treasures List will be?"
At the same time.
In that quiet courtyard at Jialing Pass.
Qian Ye was studying the trembling woman before him with great interest.
She wore a fitted black outfit that showed off her curvaceous figure to the fullest.
Her long, shapely legs were especially striking, gleaming like ivory in the moonlight—enough to stir any man's heart.
It was Bai Chenxiang, who had infiltrated Jialing Pass to gather intelligence, only to be captured by him with casual ease.
All her usual pride had vanished from her face. Only despair remained.
She was utterly hopeless.
The man before her was terrifying.
The speed she had always been so proud of was like a child's first clumsy steps beside him. She couldn't even summon the thought of resisting.
She knew she was as good as dead.
Thinking of Ma Hongjun's repulsive face, and of how the Shrek members had used her, a fierce hatred surged through her.
So be it.
Perhaps death would be a kind of release.
She closed her eyes. Her voice trembled, yet rang with resolve.
"If you're going to kill me, then do it. There's no need to talk!"
At that, a faint smile played at the corners of Qian Ye's mouth.
"Who said I was going to kill you?"
Bai Chenxiang's eyes flew open, shock filling them.
He wasn't going to kill her?
Qian Ye calmly picked up the teacup on the stone table and took a small sip.
"You're still a virgin, and your constitution is fairly pure. You're just barely qualified."
He set down the teacup, looked at Bai Chenxiang, and declared evenly,
"From now on, you're my slave. You'll stay here and serve me."
Slave?
Bai Chenxiang shuddered violently. The color drained from her face, leaving her overwhelmed by shame and humiliation.
She instinctively looked up at Qian Ye, but when her gaze met his eyes, deep as the starry sky, her mind went hazy.
This man was so handsome he seemed otherworldly. The detached aura about him made her heart flutter with an inexplicable unease.
She thought of Ma Hongjun's lechery, Tang San's hypocrisy, and the Shrek members' coldness...
Her heart grew colder and colder.
Perhaps staying here as a servant was better than returning to that revolting place.
After an unknown length of time, she lowered her proud head, her voice faint as a mosquito's.
"...Yes."
Soon, daylight broke.
As usual, Qian Renxue came to the courtyard to seek Qian Ye's guidance in swordsmanship.
"Teacher, I..."
She had barely spoken when she noticed an unfamiliar figure.
Bai Chenxiang was carefully refilling Qian Ye's teacup with fresh tea. Her movements were awkward, but her manner was respectfully obedient, as if she didn't dare defy him.
Qian Renxue paused, then recognized her.
"Bai Chenxiang of the Speed Clan?"
Why was she here?
And dressed like that?
The instant Bai Chenxiang saw Qian Renxue, it was as if she'd been struck by lightning. Her whole body went rigid.
Angel God... Qian Renxue?!
The young mistress of Spirit Hall, now a god revered across the continent!
Why was she here?!
But the next sight shook her even more.
The lofty Angel God, Qian Renxue, actually bowed respectfully to the man.
"Master."
M-Master?!
Bai Chenxiang's mind went blank.
What kind of terrifying existence was this man, if even a god called him Master?!
Her gaze toward Qian Ye filled at once with awe and fear.
Qian Renxue, however, didn't notice Bai Chenxiang's shock. Her face was glowing with delight.
"Master, look!"
She brought two fingers together like a sword and casually swept them through the air. A razor-sharp sword qi shot forth, carving a deep gash into the ground.
"After your guidance yesterday, my swordsmanship has improved so much!"
"I feel stronger now than ever before! And I've gotten much better at handling the broken sword you gave me!"
She gazed at Qian Ye expectantly, like a child waiting to be praised.
She hoped to see a hint of surprise on the face of this unfathomable Master.
Before you continue