Dragon Blood

"Come in."

A little while later, Luo Feng appeared at the door. He had probably just taken a shower and was wearing a bathrobe, with water droplets still clinging to his hair.

Guan Ning sat on the sofa and looked at Luo Feng across from him. After gathering his thoughts, he said in a low voice, "I heard a story. When a boy was eight, his younger brother was in a car accident. The boy passed out from a splitting headache. The hospital couldn't find the cause, but somehow, he came out of it stronger than ever. After he woke up, his physical abilities had improved by leaps and bounds..."

Luo Feng's face had been calm at first, but the more Guan Ning said, the uglier it became. Surprise, shock, and fear flickered across his expression.

Guan Ning seemed not to notice Luo Feng's reaction and continued, "When the boy was twelve, his mother was hospitalized with a serious illness. He lost consciousness from another headache, but the hospital still couldn't find anything wrong. Yet again, his physical abilities improved by leaps and bounds..."

Luo Feng's expression grew darker and darker, as if it were about to drip with water. A thick killing intent rolled off him. He had never imagined that someone would investigate him specifically and uncover his secret.

Guan Ning sensed the killing intent and shuddered. But although he wasn't Luo Feng's match now, he firmly believed Luo Feng wouldn't attack him here.

"When the boy was eighteen, he passed out from a headache during the college entrance exam. He failed the exam, but his physical abilities reached the Quasi-Warrior level. A blessing in disguise."

"And that wasn't all. After a later altercation, he was taken to a detention center, where he ran into danger again. A hidden weapon that should have crippled his right arm inexplicably missed, and he passed out once more. When he woke up, his physical abilities had reached the Warrior level. He was an undisputed genius, too."

By now, Luo Feng had calmed down. He asked with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, "Junior Brother Guan Ning, if you have something to say, just say it. No need to beat around the bush."

Guan Ning breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "Senior Brother Luo Feng, don't rush me. The story isn't over yet."

"The boy became a Warrior and joined a Warrior squad, entering the Wilderness Area to hunt monsters. But he clashed with another Warrior and killed that entire squad in the Wilderness Area. One of them was Li Wei, the son of two high-level War Gods. His parents even offered a Hundred Billion Bounty. That's an astronomical sum, wouldn't you say, Senior Brother Luo Feng?"

Luo Feng had figured it out by now. If Guan Ning had wanted to expose him, he would have done so long ago. He wouldn't have waited until today. It was obvious Guan Ning wanted something from him. Calmly, he said, "That boy was me. Tell me what you want, Junior Brother Guan Ning."

Looking at Luo Feng's composure, Guan Ning was secretly astonished. What incredible mental fortitude. He calmed down so quickly.

"Senior Brother Luo Feng, I admire your composure." But he wasn't about to let himself be intimidated. Guan Ning clapped his hands. "I didn't want to do this. If Chief Instructor Hong weren't coming to the Training Camp, I'd never have revealed your secret. Do you believe me?"

"I do." Luo Feng nodded firmly. After all, Guan Ning had kept the secret for so long, so he was willing to believe him. But a hint of confusion remained in his eyes. "What does this have to do with Chief Instructor Hong?"

"Thanks for trusting me." Guan Ning seemed to see Luo Feng's confusion and explained, "A figure like Chief Instructor Hong would surely see that you're a Psychic Master. And with your progress being so rapid, you must have terrifying talent as a Psychic Master. He might reveal it on a whim. Would you dare bet against that?"

Guan Ning's words made Luo Feng understand at once. His expression changed dramatically, then quickly returned to normal. It didn't matter who revealed the secret; the result would be the same. Luo Feng answered honestly, "No, I wouldn't."

"Neither would I." Guan Ning smiled. "That's why I came to you. The 100 billion might as well go to me instead of the Vulture and Poison Scorpion couple. Don't you agree, Senior Brother?"

Luo Feng said nothing. He felt the same way, but it still left a bad taste in his mouth.

"I'm not asking for the money for nothing. I can tell you a secret." Guan Ning spoke unhurriedly. "My force generation level barely reaches two, but I was able to pass the second level of the Trial Tower. This secret was crucial."

"What secret?" Luo Feng couldn't keep his composure this time. He had a contract, after all, and the Trial Tower level mattered to him. How could he remain indifferent?

"I have a way to strengthen the body's defenses." Guan Ning asked rhetorically, then continued, "It was precisely because my defense was multiplied that I passed the second level of the Trial Tower."

Guan Ning's words hit Luo Feng like a depth charge. He was stunned.

A boost to his defense?

He had never even considered it. There was no information about it in the Limit Mall, either.

He looked at Guan Ning with admiration and excitement.

In fact, every force-generation technique relied on muscle, even the Nine-Layered Thunder Blade. Hong and Thor simply hadn't found the frequency for making muscles resonate, so they hadn't discovered a way to boost defense. Guan Ning was different. The Dugu Sword Art unified offense, speed, and defense, allowing him to grasp the key.

Seeing Luo Feng's reaction, Guan Ning knew he'd succeeded. "From now on, I'll teach you for an hour every evening. How soon you learn it depends on your comprehension."

Guan Ning had paid a steep price to help Luo Feng understand how to boost his defense.

"Thank you." Luo Feng nodded. Guan Ning could have kept quiet, but instead he'd told him the truth and taught him such a valuable method. Luo Feng was naturally grateful.

"All right, that's settled. I should get going." Guan Ning waved a hand, then reminded him, "Once word gets out that you're a Psychic Master, Li Yao will definitely come after you. But you're at the Training Camp, so their reach isn't that long. Their best chance to make a move will be during the trip to Australia in August. If you want to stay alive, improve your strength as quickly as possible!"

"Also, you should tell your family to stay home as much as possible for a while. You can reveal to Inspector Wang that you're a Psychic Master, too. The higher-ups will certainly take you seriously. They might not interfere in your feud with Li Yao, but they'll definitely protect your family."

Guan Ning stood up. "Come find me tomorrow night. I'm leaving. No need to see me out."

Luo Feng watched Guan Ning leave, gratitude filling his eyes. He hadn't expected Guan Ning to consider both him and his family so thoroughly. His gratitude surged.

"Whew! It worked at last."

After returning to his villa, Guan Ning let out a long breath.

Luo Feng's past had been mentioned in the original story, but who could remember all those minor details? Guan Ning had spent a fortune investigating them. At least it hadn't been for nothing.

He picked up his Communication Watch and called the number posted online with the "Hundred Billion Bounty."

"Who is this?" A man in a brown suit appeared on the screen. He looked like a butler.

"I have a lead on the person who killed Li Wei. Put me through to Li Yao or Venina."

The man's expression changed immediately. Ever since the incident with young master Li Wei, Li Wei's parents had grown even more volatile. Everyone around them had been on edge.

He didn't dare delay and immediately contacted Li Yao and Venina.

"You have a lead on the murderer?" A middle-aged man with long, loose hair appeared on the screen. Guan Ning could sense the man's coldness and viciousness even through it.

"As long as what you say is true, I can give you whatever you want." Beside him sat a beautiful white woman. She should have been a noble, dignified lady, but now her face was twisted with malice. No wonder she was known as the Poison Scorpion War God.

"Luo Feng killed your son. He's a Psychic Master. You can investigate it yourselves if you don't believe me: when he was eight, when he was twelve, during the college entrance exam... All of it is enough to prove he's a Psychic Master." Guan Ning delivered the explanation he had prepared in advance.

"So it really was him. Yao, I want him dead!" Venina cried, her face contorted.

"You're Guan Ning?" Li Yao was furious too. But when he looked at Guan Ning's somewhat familiar face, he immediately guessed who he was.

After all, the Black Dragon Ranking incident was still causing a stir, and they were quite familiar with Guan Ning.

"That's right." Guan Ning nodded. He had never planned to hide his identity, and there was no way he could. He was about to buy Dragon Blood and Jade Marrow, and anyone could guess where his money had come from. There was no point hiding it; he might as well be open about it.

"Aren't you and Luo Feng both—" Li Yao started to ask, then stopped. Even if he asked, Guan Ning wouldn't tell him. Besides, Li Yao guessed that Guan Ning had revealed this information because he was unhappy that Luo Feng had outshone him.

And none of that mattered to Li Yao. What mattered was whether Guan Ning was telling the truth.

"I'll verify this immediately," Li Yao said cautiously. He didn't think Guan Ning would lie to them, but they still needed to investigate. Venina immediately left the room.

"No problem," Guan Ning said without hesitation.

They didn't end the call. With the HR Alliance's influence, Venina returned in less than three minutes.

She whispered in Li Yao's ear. Her expression shifted between viciousness and fury, while Li Yao remained expressionless, nodding from time to time.

But Guan Ning could tell Li Yao wasn't free of anger. He was suppressing it, like a volcano about to erupt. Once it did, the fury would be overwhelming.

But that had nothing to do with him. Luo Feng was the one in trouble, not him.

"Mr. Guan Ning, we've confirmed that what you said is true. The money will be transferred to your account shortly," Li Yao said gravely.

As soon as he finished speaking, Guan Ning received a message. A smile appeared on his face.

Seeing Guan Ning smile, Venina hurriedly said, "The HR Alliance would be very pleased to welcome you, Mr. Guan Ning. I wonder if..."

She still wanted to recruit Guan Ning. If she could bring him into the HR Alliance, they wouldn't just avoid losses this time; they'd earn considerable credit as well.

"Not interested." Guan Ning ended the call. In his mind, Li Yao and Venina were already dead. If it weren't for the 100 billion, he never would have gotten involved with them!