Glory City.
Xiao Tianhao left early and headed to the Guangmao Merchant Association he had visited last time, purchasing another batch of demon spirits.
After returning to his residence, he fused the demon spirits Nie Li had prepared for Du Ze, Lu Piao, and the others again to improve their growth potential.
For a time, brilliant light filled the room.
Noon.
The door to Xiao Tianhao's room opened again. He walked out and stretched.
"After a whole morning of work, I'm finally done."
A knock sounded at the residence's gate.
"Who's looking for me now?" Xiao Tianhao straightened his clothes and walked toward the gate.
The gate opened with a creak.
Xiao Ning'er stood gracefully outside.
Her outfit today was refreshingly different from her usual snug, practical clothing.
Xiao Ning'er wore an outfit with a distinctly classical charm. Predominantly white, it was embellished with exquisite red and gold patterns and lines that lent it an air of luxury. Her top was sleeveless with a standing collar, paired with long white sleeve cuffs adorned with gold.
A broad red sash decorated with golden flowers encircled her waist. Below it, she wore a short white skirt beneath a long white cloak covered in golden patterns and edged with gold trim. White over-the-knee boots, also adorned with gold, completed an ensemble that was both elegant and splendidly grand. Combined with her exquisite face, it seemed enough to make heaven and earth pale in comparison.
She was also carrying a food box.
"Ning'er!"
"What brings you here?"
Seeing Xiao Ning'er, Xiao Tianhao first greeted her in surprise, then noticed what she was wearing.
It was his first time seeing Xiao Ning'er dressed this way, and he froze.
With Xiao Tianhao gazing at her in such a daze, Xiao Ning'er felt a secret thrill of delight. She had dressed up especially for today and even picked out a new outfit. Naturally, she was delighted to leave the person who liked her so utterly entranced.
Xiao Tianhao stood stunned for over ten seconds before coming to his senses and hurriedly welcoming her inside.
The two walked along the bluestone path in the courtyard.
Peach trees, crabapple trees, pear trees, and others lined the path, their varying heights creating gentle rises and dips.
Sunlight spilled softly down, gilding everything with a golden edge. Pink and pure white blossoms bloomed on the trees. As a breeze passed, petals fluttered down like pink and white snowflakes dancing through the air.
Xiao Ning'er lifted her head slightly and gazed at the beautiful scene before her, drifting into a reverie as she recalled her past with Xiao Tianhao.
Petals settled in her hair and on her shoulders. Suddenly, a sweet smile blossomed across her face, making her look like an immortal maiden who had stepped out of a painting.
Sunlight filtered through gaps in the branches, scattering patches of light across the bluestone path.
"Ning'er, you're so beautiful today. You look like an immortal maiden." Xiao Tianhao was captivated by the sight as well and voiced his admiration.
A sweet smile filled Xiao Ning'er's face as she softly murmured, "Mm."
They reached a stone table in the courtyard and sat facing each other.
"Ning'er, did you come to see me about something today?"
Xiao Tianhao asked Xiao Ning'er.
"There wasn't much going on in the family today. I missed you, so I wanted to come see you." As she spoke, Xiao Ning'er gazed straight at Xiao Tianhao.
Is Ning'er really being this forward today? Xiao Tianhao wondered.
"I missed you too."
He answered with a smile.
Xiao Ning'er smiled, opened the food box she had brought, and said,
"I made this. Have a taste and see if it's to your liking."
Inside the box were plates of exquisite dishes that looked as though they had been made with plenty of precious demon beast meat and medicinal herbs.
A delicious aroma wafted toward him.
Xiao Tianhao picked up his chopsticks and took a bite.
Delicious!
It felt as though he were about to soar into the clouds.
Is this what it feels like to have a girlfriend care about you? This was the first time he, old Xiao, had ever eaten a meal made by his girlfriend-and she was a goddess others could only admire from afar.
Unable to help himself, he raised his thumb and praised her.
"It's delicious, Ning'er. You'll have to cook for me more often."
Xiao Ning'er smiled and nodded gently. "As long as you like it, I'll cook for you often."
Xiao Tianhao then asked, "By the way, Ning'er, have you eaten?"
Xiao Ning'er shook her head.
"Then let's eat together. Here, let me feed you."
They slowly ate their lunch, taking turns feeding each other. Beneath the sunlight, they formed a picture of exquisite beauty.
Elsewhere.
The Sacred Family.
In a dim basement, a corridor was packed with people as the stone door to a secluded chamber slowly opened.
It revealed an elderly man with graying hair and a long white robe. He was none other than Shen Hong, the patriarch of the Sacred Family.
Today was the day Shen Hong, the Sacred Family's patriarch, emerged from seclusion. The people outside had clearly come to welcome him.
The Sacred Family's reception hall.
The reception hall was empty except for Shen Hong and Shen Mo, and the atmosphere was frighteningly still.
Shen Hong sat in the seat of honor while Shen Ming stood below him.
Although Shen Hong's cultivation had advanced greatly during his seclusion, he had still failed to enter the realm of a Legendary Demon Spirit Master, leaving him in a foul mood already.
Then Shen Ming told him what had happened while he was in seclusion.
-Shen Fei's engagement had been broken off. Later, he had gone looking for trouble with Xiao Tianhao, the partner of Xiao Ning'er from the Winged Dragon Family, only to lose to him-and the boy was a student from a lower year.
-During the recent genius tournament, they had also offended Nie Li, a genius from the Heavenly Marks Family, and lost four hundred and fifty million Demon Spirit Coins.
-Both geniuses had ties to the Alchemist Association, which had left the Sacred Family's relationship with the association in a terrible state.
Hearing all this, Shen Hong was furious. He closed his eyes and spoke.
"Shen Ming!"
At those calmly spoken words, Shen Ming trembled uncontrollably in terror and hurriedly fell to his knees, kowtowing.
"Spare me, Patriarch! Please spare me!"
Shen Hong rose, walked down, and kicked him straight to the floor.
"Shut up!" He swept a cold glance over him.
Then he asked icily, "Have you investigated the background of that brat Xiao Tianhao?"
Shen Ming pressed his head tightly against the floor as he answered Shen Hong's question.
"No!"
"I sent many of our family's experts to investigate, but none of them could uncover his background. We even deployed Black Gold Demon Spirit Masters, yet we still found nothing."
Shen Hong nodded calmly, looking at Shen Ming trembling on the floor.
"At least you showed some sense and didn't act rashly."
"Get up!"
Shen Ming slowly rose from the floor, trembling with fear.
Shen Hong gave Shen Ming an order.
"That brat Nie Li from the Heavenly Marks Family is only thirteen, yet he already possesses gold-rank strength. If he's allowed to grow, he'll become a serious threat. Find a way to eliminate him."
Shen Ming hesitated to speak.
"If you have something to say, say it!" Shen Hong said impatiently.
"Patriarch, Nie Li has already moved into the City Lord's Mansion. We can't get our people inside." Shen Ming could only steel himself and explain.
Hearing Shen Ming's explanation, Shen Hong hurled the teacup in his hand at his head in fury and cursed.
"Idiot! Can't you wait until he comes out before acting? Do I really need to teach you something so simple?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Ignoring the blood flowing from his forehead, Shen Ming hastily bobbed his head like a pestle pounding garlic and agreed.
"Go. Handle it cleanly." Shen Hong closed his eyes again and paid him no further attention.
Shen Ming staggered out of the reception hall.
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