The True Qi Realm was just the beginning for a Martial Artist, and Di Baitian naturally was not content to stay at the True Qi Realm. Every Martial Artist harbored the aspiration to become a Martial Saint.
However, advancing through the realms was extremely difficult. Di Baitian had practiced martial arts since childhood, and entering the True Qi Realm, becoming a true Martial Artist, had involved many setbacks.
Moving on to the Intermediate Stage of the True Qi Realm was even more riddled with hardships. He had now been stuck at the Intermediate Stage of the True Qi Realm for five years.
Di Baitian had always been unsure how to break through. He was not willing to merely mark time at the Intermediate Stage of the True Qi Realm. Stagnating , his pressure increased day by day.
The True Qi Realm was a beginning for a Martial Artist, but some might spend a lifetime just to achieve this level, making no further progress, marking time, unable to ascend to higher realms.
But Di Baitian was unwilling. If this was really his fate, he might as well die now for simplicity's sake.
And a conversation with Ning Fan had moved him. If following Ning Fan could indeed bring unexpected benefits and enhance his realm in the future, it wasn't impossible...
Di Baitian raised his head, looked at Ning Fan hesitantly, and began to struggle with his decision again.
Being dependent on others, serving someone else, wouldn't that contradict his original intentions? He had never thought about pledging allegiance to anyone, even though many large organizations had extended olive branches to him, all of which he had declined.
Now faced with Ning Fan, who had beaten him soundly, Di Baitian hesitated over whether to accept his invitation.
After some thought, Di Baitian finally gritted his teeth and nodded.
But Ning Fan's observational skills were terrifying. He saw a hint of reluctance in the depths of Di Baitian's eyes, hinting at an ambiguous attitude.
Given Di Baitian's current attitude, Ning Fan feared he wasn't truly subdued. If he didn't address this now, any issues that arose later would be too late to remedy.
Thinking this, Ning Fan looked into Di Baitian's eyes with a meaningful tone and said, "You follow me, and naturally, I won't treat you unfairly. But the thing I hate most in my life are traitors, those who betray and desert others. If you harbor any second thoughts, you can't blame me. Don't say I didn't warn you; the consequences of betraying me are beyond your imagination!"
Facing Ning Fan's cold gaze, Di Baitian shivered. After Ning Fan's reprimand, he dispelled any rebellious thoughts and knelt on one knee to pledge allegiance before Ning Fan.
"I, Di Baitian, accept you as my lord!"
His voice was clear and strong, not seeming insincere. Seeing this, Ning Fan finally nodded.
Having subdued a powerful follower, their purpose for coming to Death Prison was accomplished.
The trio disappeared within Death Prison. Shortly after they left, the prison alarms blared loudly, and countless guardians rushed into the deepest part of the prison.
Di Baitian had escaped from prison!
That night, the news spread swiftly. Death Prison had just been quiet for a while and now became the talk of the town once again.
However, this event was still overshadowed by the annihilation of the Fang Guild.
Ning Fan and Ouyang Feifei took Di Baitian back home on an overnight flight. After getting off the plane, Di Baitian wanted to stay with Ning Fan, but Ouyang Feifei stopped him with a hand.
"You're going the wrong way."
Ouyang Feifei pointed out, and Di Baitian looked puzzled. Wasn't he supposed to follow Ning Fan?
Ning Fan turned his head and pointed at Ouyang Feifei, chuckled, and said, "The person you need to follow is not me but her. From now on, she will be responsible for you. She is the leader of the Shadow Team, and you are the first member. Seeing her is just like seeing me!"
Di Baitian felt a sudden displeasure upon hearing this, the idea of working under a woman displeased him!
However, he did not dare to show his dissatisfaction. Ning Fan's imposing aura still lingered, and he dared not defy Ning Fan's wishes.
After handing Di Baitian over to Ouyang Feifei, Ning Fan also secretly reminded Ouyang Feifei to keep a close watch on him. Although he had subdued him, he still couldn't fully trust him just yet, and he would need to be further assessed over time.
Ouyang Feifei understood Ning Fan's concerns, so she gave him a reassuring look.
After parting with Ouyang Feifei and the others, Ning Fan went straight back home.
"The little girl is also not here, no one from the family is here, just me alone..."
When he got home, Ning Fan did not see Xu Xiaoqing or Xu Ruolan; neither sister was at home.
Ning Fan looked at the gift box in his hand, then shook his head helplessly. He walked to Xu Xiaoqing's room, placed the gift box at the door, and then went back to his room.
He had been on a round trip to Europe, and since returning from the Death Prison, he hadn't closed his eyes. He lay in bed and fell asleep right until dusk.
At this time, Xu Ruolan and the others hadn't returned. Standing in the living room, Ning Fan rubbed his somewhat groggy eyes and couldn't help but sneeze.
"Forget it, since there's no one at home, I might as well go out!"
Unable to bear the loneliness and feeling good about obtaining the fifth piece of Nine Souls Jade and enlisting a new subordinate, he decided to go out for a couple of drinks.
Once he had made up his mind, Ning Fan quickly got moving, went out, directly drove his car, and found a decent-looking bar.
It was getting dark, and the bar was a blaze of lights and a hive of activity with attractive men and women gathered around, making it quite lively.
Ning Fan sat at the bar and snapped his fingers at the bartender, "Whiskey on the rocks!"
Placing the money on the bar, Ning Fan looked around. Music thumped in his ears, and his cells also started to vibrate involuntarily.
A whiskey had just been pushed toward Ning Fan, but he had no interest in tasting it. Instead, his gaze was captured by a striking figure.
Two meters to Ning Fan's right, a lively, well-dressed woman with a bright appearance and a slender figure caught Ning Fan's attention.
Of course, it wasn't that Ning Fan couldn't move when he saw a beautiful woman; he knew her.
Ning Fan frowned, encountering an acquaintance here, and from the looks of it, Qian Xiaorou seemed to be drinking alone without friends.
This wealthy miss was drinking alone, which was indeed strange. Ning Fan wondered what could have brought Qian Nengde's precious daughter here alone.
Although Ning Fan had spotted Qian Xiaorou, she hadn't noticed him. After all, who would notice him in such a large bar?
"Beautiful lady, are you alone?"