Chapter 42: Ambition Knows No Age

Hearing Shen Fei's words, Ye Hong's eyebrows shot up and a flash of barely suppressed anger flickered through his eyes. Shen Fei was being far too overbearing! He had crossed the line!

If Shen Fei made a move against Xiao Ning'er, Ye Hong would definitely intervene!

Ye Hong let out a cold snort and left without another word.

Shen Fei watched Ye Hong's retreating back, a sinister smile playing at the corner of his lips. Don't think our Sacred Family is afraid of your Wind Snow Family just because you have a Legendary Demon Spirit Master. The day will come when the Sacred Family replaces the Wind Snow Family!

On the street.

"Nie Li!" A clear, bright voice rang out.

Nie Li turned toward the voice and saw Xiao Ning'er standing gracefully in the distance, clad in an elegant silk dress. Her starry eyes held a hint of reproach, and with just a touch of powder, she was breathtakingly beautiful.

"Ha, Ning'er! Haven't seen you in a few days, and you've gotten even prettier!" Nie Li smiled faintly, feeling a bit awkward when he thought of Huyan Lanruo.

A glimmer of delight crossed Xiao Ning'er's eyes, and a faint blush colored her cheeks. She took out a Space Ring and held it out to Nie Li. "The Purple Mist Herb you asked me to sell — I've sold all of it. Here's the money."

Hearing this, Lu Piao and Du Ze exchanged bewildered glances, wondering what kind of potion Nie Li had fed Xiao Ning'er. From the look of things, she was completely devoted to him. She had just had a fight with Huyan Lanruo, yet instead of storming over to confront Nie Li, here she was, eagerly bringing him the money from selling the herbs.

Well, this was... Lu Piao and Du Ze really didn't know what to say. Was this really their Goddess Ning'er? But then again, to everyone else, Goddess Ning'er was still as cold, proud, and untouchable as ever. Only Nie Li was different.

"Thanks." Nie Li took the ring without the slightest hesitation. There was no need for formalities with Ning'er.

"Goddess Ning'er, did you really fight with Huyan Lanruo?" Lu Piao blinked, his face full of gossipy curiosity.

Xiao Ning'er glanced up at Nie Li, a slight blush of embarrassment on her face. "That's not what happened. I just exchanged a few words with her. Nie Li... do you really like that woman?"

"No way, that woman is annoying. Just ignore her from now on!" Nie Li waved his hand dismissively.

"Oh!" Xiao Ning'er responded, secretly letting out a small sigh of relief. After all, Huyan Lanruo was so voluptuous — she had felt genuinely threatened.

"I've been training so hard these past few days, I'm drenched in sweat and probably stinking up the place. We're heading to the bathhouse to wash up. Goddess Ning'er, you should come along too!" Lu Piao said with a grin.

"I — I'm not going!" Xiao Ning'er glared at Lu Piao.

"You could go with Nie Li. We won't tag along!" Lu Piao snickered.

Xiao Ning'er's face flushed scarlet at his words.

"This kid Lu Piao — nothing decent ever comes out of his mouth. Don't listen to him!" Nie Li smacked Lu Piao on the head and turned to Xiao Ning'er.

"Mm." Xiao Ning'er nodded, her shy expression indescribably endearing.

"Nie Li, you're so disloyal — calling me foul-mouthed right in front of Goddess Ning'er! You're choosing the fair sex over your friends! And it's not like I'd compete with you anyway!"

Watching Nie Li, Lu Piao, and the others banter back and forth, Xiao Ning'er couldn't help feeling a twinge of envy. She hadn't had friends like this around her in a very long time. A figure suddenly flashed through her mind — Ye Ziyun. When they were children, she and Ye Ziyun had been very close friends. It was a shame the distance between them had only grown over the years.

And besides, the one Nie Li liked was Ye Ziyun!

Xiao Ning'er silently resolved that she would not lose to Ye Ziyun!

In the distance, a group of more than a dozen people walked slowly past. They wore splendid robes, and their leader was a young man around thirty, tall and broad, with slightly yellowish hair that concealed most of his face. His hawk-like gaze held a touch of sinister cunning.

The young man's eyes swept over Nie Li, and a faint flicker of surprise crossed his gaze before quickly returning to calm. He spoke a few words to his companions and passed by Nie Li and his group.

Nie Li's eyebrows twitched slightly. He had caught that brief, unusual look in the man's gaze. He wondered to himself — had he met this person before?

As the young man passed by, Nie Li suddenly picked up on a familiar aura. This group was none other than the Dark Guild members they had encountered in the Ancient Lan City ruins.

Nie Li continued walking with a calm expression, betraying nothing. If he showed even the slightest hint of surprise and the young man noticed, they might decide to silence him on the spot.