The sky was gradually brightening with the pale glow of dawn when
She quietly dressed herself. Just as she was pulling her clothes on, Nie Li suddenly turned around and offered a faint smile. "You're awake?"
Ye Ziyun froze on the spot. Her clothes weren't fully on, and her hands couldn't begin to shield herself from Nie Li's heated gaze. "Nie Li, you pervert—"
She snatched a pillow and hurled it at him.
Her clothes were in disarray, the half-drawn fabric pressing against her ample curves and making her all the more alluring. Her flat, smooth stomach and fair, slender arms made for a breathtaking sight.
Nie Li caught the pillow in a hurry and said with exaggerated seriousness, "Who was it that climbed into my bed last night wearing absolutely nothing, and now calls me a pervert?" The corner of his mouth betrayed an irrepressible grin. It was rare to see Ye Ziyun so flustered.
"I—" Ye Ziyun felt she could never face anyone again. What had gotten into her last night, to do something like that? "Nie Li, if you dare bring up last night even once more, I'll never speak to you again!"
Seeing her shy, delicate demeanor, Nie Li couldn't help but smile warmly. He shrugged. "I won't mention it again, then!"
Ye Ziyun finished getting dressed, then hurried out of Nie Li's room with a flushed face, her mind still somewhat reeling. She had assumed that Nie Li, like other boys, would lose interest once he got what he wanted — and that way she would have repaid his kindness. But the outcome was beyond anything she had expected. Nie Li had simply slept beside her all night with nothing but a blanket between them.
Ye Ziyun was bewildered. Why did Nie Li like her so much — far more than Ning'er? Logically, he had spent more time with Ning'er and gone through more together.
The mystery troubled her. But regardless, Nie Li had saved her father. If one day he wanted her to repay that kindness, she would do so without hesitation.
Wing Dragon Family.
After
Every day, her Soul Sea frantically absorbed the surrounding Soul Power, and the speed of her advancement was staggering.
It was hard to fathom what kind of technique Nie Li had truly given her. Xiao Ning'er had a feeling that with the Wind Thunder Wing Dragon Art, breaking through to Black Gold would be a piece of cake — and even reaching Legendary rank didn't seem particularly difficult.
Xiao Ning'er gazed quietly out the window. Once again, Nie Li's bright, confident smile surfaced in her mind. She couldn't help but smile softly in response. What was Nie Li doing right now?
"Mm." Xiao Ning'er nodded and headed toward the meeting hall.
Wing Dragon Family Meeting Hall.
Xiao Ning'er recalled how these same six elders had once pressured her. Her expression was cold as ice, utterly devoid of emotion. She looked toward Xiao Yunfeng seated at the head and asked, "Father, what did you want to see me about?"
The six elders, seeing that Xiao Ning'er couldn't be bothered with them, laughed awkwardly. But now, even if they harbored any grievances, they had to swallow them. They had already received confirmed news — Xiao Ning'er had stepped into the Gold realm and was already at Gold Two Star. This speed was simply unprecedented in the entire history of the Wing Dragon Family. If she continued cultivating at this pace, the Legendary realm was surely within reach.
How could any of them dare show disrespect to a future Legendary powerhouse?
Xiao Yunfeng looked at the elders, then at Xiao Ning'er, and couldn't help but marvel at the turn of events. How haughty they had been before, and how humble now. The way they had treated Ning'er before — no wonder she couldn't be bothered with them now.
"Ning'er, we've discussed it among ourselves. We old folks have grown too old, and I'd like to pass the position of family head to you. What do you think?" Xiao Yunfeng said with a gentle smile. Although it was rare for women to hold power in the Wing Dragon Family, Ning'er was different now. With her talent, who would dare gossip?
"Father, I'm not interested in the position of family head. I just want to focus on my cultivation." Xiao Ning'er shook her head. She had no desire to become the family head — looking after so many clan members the way her father did, especially since these clan members all had their own agendas. All she wanted was to be with the person she loved and live a peaceful, free life.
"Since you're not interested, then forget it." Xiao Yunfeng nodded. He would naturally not force Ning'er. In this family now, no one had the right to make her do anything she didn't want to do.
"Niece Ning'er, we old folks had a discussion. Don't you know that Nie Li from the Tian Hen Family? I hear he's incredibly powerful now — even the Alchemist Association has to listen to him. We were hoping you could ask whether the Alchemist Association might give us some assistance,"
"Elder Xiao Yi, do you still remember how you once made me return all of Nie Li's Purple Mist Herbs? And now you want me to go ask him for favors." Xiao Ning'er cast a cold glance at Xiao Yi.
"Well—" Xiao Yi was thoroughly embarrassed. "I didn't know who that person was back then, did I? You helped him gather those Purple Mist Herbs, so he practically owes you a favor."
"A favor? He cured my illness, and I haven't even repaid him yet! I won't do this sort of thing. If you want to ask, ask him yourselves." Xiao Ning'er refused flatly.
Seeing that Xiao Ning'er left absolutely no room for negotiation, Xiao Yi felt somewhat annoyed inside, but didn't dare show it on his face. He could only keep apologizing. "Please don't be angry, Niece Ning'er. I was just throwing it out there. Since you're not willing, then forget it — pretend I never brought it up."
No sooner had Xiao Yi finished speaking than someone burst straight through the door.