Shadow Ninja Squad

But Ge Ye knew perfectly well that, under normal circumstances, only a Dou Ling expert could condense Dou Qi into actual fire.

Thus, Xiao Xun'er was very likely a Dou Ling expert concealing her true cultivation. Coupled with what she had just said, she probably had some powerful force behind her as well.

Until he figured out Xiao Xun'er's background, it would be best not to clash with her, lest he stir up trouble far beyond his ability to bear.

After following Ge Ye out through the Xiao Clan's gates, Nalan Sheng suddenly said, "Elder Ge, Yanran, I won't be going back with you. I plan to stay in Wutan City for a while before returning."

"Huh?"

At those words, Nalan Yanran couldn't help asking in confusion, "Brother, what are you staying in Wutan City for?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

Nalan Sheng rolled his eyes at Nalan Yanran in exasperation. "I came with you to the Xiao Clan to break off your engagement behind Grandpa's and the old man's backs.

"If Grandpa and the others find out, they'll skin me alive. Wouldn't going home now be walking straight into their net?

"I'd better travel around for a while and only go back once their anger has mostly cooled!"

"Hehe~"

Nalan Yanran gave a rather sheepish laugh. "Brother, thanks for going through all that trouble."

In fact, the very reason Nalan Yanran had coaxed Nalan Sheng into accompanying her to the Xiao Clan to break off the engagement was that she wanted him to draw some of the fire for her.

"What can I do when I'm stuck with a little sister like you?"

Nalan Sheng waved a hand helplessly. "All right, get going!"

Seeing this, Ge Ye and Nalan Yanran wasted no more words and left Wutan City in a luxurious four-horse carriage.

After parting ways with Nalan Yanran and Ge Ye, Nalan Sheng checked into the largest inn in Wutan City.

Once inside his luxurious room on the inn's third floor, Nalan Sheng first locked the door, then brought up the system shop.

Since the system shop had been unlocked for over half a month, Nalan Sheng was already familiar with its merchandise.

Nalan Sheng quickly scanned the items before finally settling his gaze on the [Shadow Ninja Squad Summoning Card]. Its item details read:

[Name: Shadow Ninja Squad Summoning Card]

[Effect: Summons a combat squad consisting of ten Shadow Ninjas who are one hundred percent loyal to the summoner.]

[Price: 1,000 villain points]

With a thought from Nalan Sheng, one thousand villain points were instantly deducted from his character status panel, and a silver-white card appeared out of thin air in his hand.

The card was only palm-sized. Its front bore an image of ten ninjas dressed in ninja garb with scarlet eyes, while its back was as smooth as a mirror.

Bang!!!

Nalan Sheng flicked his hand, sending the card shooting out. It landed on the floor and burst into a cloud of white smoke.

As the white smoke slowly dispersed, ten Shadow Ninjas with gray-blue skin and black ninja garb appeared out of thin air before Nalan Sheng.

Looking at the Shadow Ninjas, who were almost identical to their animated counterparts, Nalan Sheng couldn't help curling his lips into a slight smile. He then gave their abilities a quick test.

After some simple testing, Nalan Sheng gained a fairly detailed understanding of the Shadow Ninjas' abilities.

The Shadow Ninjas had a broad range of skills. Not only could they expertly wield all sorts of melee weapons, but they were also proficient at chores such as laundry and cooking.

Unfortunately, the Shadow Ninjas were rather weak, only a little stronger than ordinary people. They couldn't even beat a One-Star Dou Zhe like Nalan Sheng.

Moreover, the Shadow Kingdom didn't exist on the Dou Qi Continent. Thus, although the Shadow Ninjas could turn into shadows to move around, they couldn't take Nalan Sheng along through the shadows as they did in the animation.

Still, Nalan Sheng hadn't expected the Shadow Ninjas to be particularly powerful. He merely wanted ten servants who would be utterly loyal to him!

With these tireless Shadow Ninjas at his disposal, things would be much easier for Nalan Sheng from now on.

For example, he could have the Shadow Ninjas stand watch while he slept, or help him search for treasures when he went treasure hunting, without having to worry about word getting out.

"All right, stay in my shadow for now!"

After testing the Shadow Ninjas' abilities, Nalan Sheng pointed at his own shadow. "I'll summon you whenever I need you."

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...

At Nalan Sheng's words, the Shadow Ninjas immediately turned into masses of black shadow and merged into his shadow.

These villain points really don't last.

Seeing that he had only a pitiful thirty-three villain points left, Nalan Sheng shook his head helplessly. Then he turned toward the Xiao Clan and grumbled inwardly, That fellow Xiao Yan should have become Yao Lao's final disciple by now, right? Looks like I should be able to squeeze out plenty more villain points tomorrow. Kekeke...

A wicked grin curled Nalan Sheng's lips. Then he slowly closed his eyes and began cultivating the Jinglei Formula.

Early the next morning.

Wutan City, Xiao Family Market.

Led by Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er followed him to the entrance of the Xiao Family Market in a long pale-blue dress, her steps rather light.

Xiao Xun'er was in such a good mood not because Nalan Yanran had come to break off the engagement and vacated the position of Xiao Yan's rightful wife, but because Xiao Yan had regained his confidence.

Xiao Xun'er had initially worried that the incident would deal Xiao Yan a blow from which he would never recover. She hadn't expected him to instead rise anew from the flames.

Ever since Xiao Yan had contracted that strange condition that caused his cultivation to regress for no reason, he had never accompanied Xiao Xun'er on another shopping trip. That was why she was in such high spirits now.

"Third Young Master, Miss Xun'er, have you come to the Market District to buy something?"

When the guards responsible for watching over the Market District saw Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er arrive, they hurried forward to greet them with respectful expressions.

The guard at their head was a burly young man who looked to be in his thirties. A badge bearing six golden stars was pinned to his chest, marking him as a Six-Star Dou Zhe.

"Third Young Master, my name is Payne. I'm the guard captain personally appointed by the clan leader, tasked specifically with keeping the Market District safe."

Before Xiao Yan could ask, the young man took the initiative to introduce himself. "I even offered you a toast at your birthday celebration last year, Young Master!"

"Oh, so it's Uncle Payne. Long time no see."

At those words, realization dawned on Xiao Yan's face.

Xiao Yan had been feeling rather puzzled just now. Although his cultivation talent had recovered, outsiders shouldn't have learned about it so quickly.

Only a trusted confidant of the clan leader like Payne would remain respectful toward Xiao Yan despite knowing him to be a good-for-nothing.