Unexpected

Seeing the boy's embarrassed, soul-searching expression, Zhang Lexuan laughed quite happily.

The lingering resentment in her heart from being outmaneuvered by the person before her dissipated in an instant.

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore."

"But really, you're so young, why are you so calculating?"

"Wouldn't it be better to put all that energy into your cultivation~"

As her voice trailed off, she saw Ning Huan roll his eyes in annoyance and snort with disdain:

"Heh~"

"You don't actually think being a sect disciple is easy, do you?"

"In terms of background alone, you are indeed more miserable than the vast majority of people."

"But at least in Shrek Academy, you don't have to worry about much else."

"As for me... hmph, if I didn't have a few tricks up my sleeve, I would have been chewed up until not even the Gu would be left!"

"The world has never been peaceful!"

As he spoke, he couldn't help but recall those rather unpleasant personal experiences.

He felt a sudden chill and instinctively shuddered.

In fact, during the six years he lived in Tianluo City, Ning Huan had been targeted more than once.

Of course, if he had been targeted because of his own carelessness, he wouldn't complain a single word.

That would be no one's fault but his own.

But more often than not, the reasons he was targeted could only be described as bizarre.

From plotting to steal his money to human trafficking...

Or even, out of sheer perversion, taking a liking to his body back when it hadn't fully grown yet!

It was safe to say the level of absurdity was completely beyond his expectations.

If not for the wealth of experience from his past life, his ability to adjust his mindset in time, and his decisive, ruthless methods.

The outcome likely wouldn't have been any better!

Conversely, Zhang Lexuan fell silent the moment she heard this mockery.

Her crimson lips parted and closed several times, but in the end, she couldn't say a single word.

Before opening that history book, she truly never had to worry about material needs or her own safety.

On the other side, seeing that the sky had brightened and sporadic chatter drifted in from outside the window.

Ning Huan lost the desire to continue the conversation.

"Today's chat, heaven knows, earth knows, you know, and I know; no third person will ever find out."

"I think you should understand the gravity of this."

Having said that, he stood up and headed toward the second floor without looking back.

He didn't care at all about the fatigue and complexity on Zhang Lexuan's pretty face.

Suddenly...

"Wait a moment!"

Her gentle voice, usually soothing to the heart, was uncharacteristically hurried.

Faced with this anomaly, a curious Ning Huan stopped in his tracks and turned halfway around.

He stood there on the stairs leading to the second floor, tilting his head to watch her quietly.

"The specific time Shrek Academy received the intelligence coincides perfectly with the time you manifested your talent, so be very careful!"

"However, the Elder are currently divided into two factions regarding your situation."

"Most hold the view of letting you develop naturally and will not respond actively."

"So even if the others have their own ideas, it is highly unlikely they will do anything."

"During this recent period, you must keep a low profile and not give them any opportunity to exploit."

After saying this, Zhang Lexuan looked visibly relieved, as if she had set down a heavy burden.

There was no doubt that proactively revealing internal information was a difficult betrayal for a girl who had been submissive for over a decade.

"Your..."

"Wait again!"

Ning Huan, who had just been about to respond, was interrupted once more, leaving him between laughter and tears.

But her next action caused that helplessness to be instantly replaced by sheer shock.

As for the reason...

What kind of sane person has nothing better to do than self-harm!

"Holy crap, what the hell are you doing? Trying to pull a scam?"

"Drawing some blood for use!"

"I'm not blind! I'm asking why you're drawing blood!"

"Hmm~ I think you might need it."

"I need... wait a minute! What do you mean by that!"

At this moment, Ning Huan could no longer maintain his previous indifference; his expression turned exceptionally gloomy, and killing intent permeated his eyes.

With a slight stir of his soul power, he prepared to summon Chen Xin at any moment, hoping to use it as an opportunity to attract attention from the outside.

He had never told anyone that he could form a Contract with living beings!

Not even Ning Hao and the others!

The most critical part was that if she were the only one who knew, it would be fine.

But if Shrek found out...

Hiss...

The consequences were unimaginable!

Just then, Zhang Lexuan, completely unguarded, walked quickly to Ning Huan with a small bottle full of blood.

Then, amidst his bewildered expression, she forcefully shoved it into his hand.

"Don't worry, I only just thought of this secret myself."

"And without your permission, I won't tell anyone."

"Aren't you afraid I'll forcibly control you?"

Feeling the residual warmth of the dark red blood in his hand, Ning Huan's thoughts became somewhat complicated.

His originally agitated expression became indescribable.

"If you could guess that I can [Contract] the living, you should understand that I have this ability."

Although the price is quite high, Ning Huan added to himself.

"[Contract], is it... it suits you very well."

Under his puzzled gaze, Zhang Lexuan commented in a low voice, then added solemnly:

"Since we are partners, there must always be some leverage held by each other, right?"

"Besides, we need an efficient way to communicate, don't we~"

"...You are certainly carefree."

The voice was very light, so light that one could not detect a hint of emotion in it.

But Zhang Lexuan smiled knowingly.

She knew that she had finally succeeded in adding her own portion to that layer of inexplicable trust the young man held, which had come from who knows where.

After all...

You want to use me to maneuver around Shrek, and how could I not want to borrow the power of you and the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect...

It's just that I feel like I've forgotten something... Ah! Ruoruo!

"No! I have to go! If Ruoruo doesn't see me, she'll definitely throw a tantrum!"

Having said that, Zhang Lexuan, realizing the urgency of time, hurriedly turned and ran toward the door.

Her light-footed posture no longer carried the heavy exhaustion of a few hours ago.

Watching her rapidly retreating back, Ning Huan seemed to suddenly think of something, his eyes narrowing slightly.

[A piece of advice: when you hunt for your eighth soul ring, try to bring a few more Titled Douluo.]

The voice suddenly ringing in her ears made Zhang Lexuan's footsteps pause, suspended in mid-air.

However, after only half a breath, she landed again and disappeared completely at the doorway in the blink of an eye.

No curiosity, no questions.

Even a moment's hesitation seemed superfluous.

Only the increasingly rich smile on her lips expressed the protagonist's happiness.

Thus, the library, which had been lively for half the night, finally returned to its usual silence.

Ning Huan stood in the middle of the stairs for a long time, unable to help but shake his head and chuckle.

"That really was... an unexpected gain."

"Time to go arrange Dai Huabin."

Three hours later...

"You mean to say that Xiao Huan, for some private agenda, arranged for a Hidden Guard to investigate the whereabouts of the Second Young Master of the White Tiger."

"But you didn't dare to make the call yourself, so you kept it from him and came to ask for this Sect Master's opinion?"

"...Yes!"

Ning Hao stared expressionlessly at the Spirit Emperor in black kneeling on one knee below, his eyes growing increasingly cold and sharp.

The pressure radiating from his superior caused cold sweat to pour down the subordinate, soaking through his clothes in just a few breaths.

"Do you remember my previous order?"

"This subordinate keeps it firmly in mind!"

"Repeat it!"

"If... if the Chief gives an order, the entire sect, including the Elders, must provide full support..."

"Then why are you kneeling here?! Do you take Ning's commands as a joke!"

The low, shouted reprimand echoed through the office, and the pure killing intent hidden within it terrified the black-clad Spirit Emperor into quickly dropping to both knees.

"This subordinate would not dare!"

"Then get going! If you delay the Chief's important affairs, Ning will hold you accountable!"

This time, the Spirit Emperor did not dare to hesitate any longer.

As he flashed out of the room and set off toward the Star Luo Empire, he made a firm resolution in his heart to obediently follow the Chief's orders from now on.

Otherwise, given the Sect Master's methods...

Being wiped out to the ninth generation would be getting off easy!