Reading the information on the panel, Ning Chen raised an eyebrow.
Seemed like she had her own secrets.
His eyes flickered with interest.
So this was the legendary dual-cultivation physique?
His first time encountering such a woman.
Her daughter at least had an awakening process, but this mother’s beauty was maxed out from the start.
And that blue-grade talent was… intriguing.
His gaze inadvertently drifted downward.
After all these years, she hadn’t dried up yet?
Did the Great Xia Emperor eat this well?
The thought amused him, but then more questions arose.
If the Extreme Yin Body’s cultivation speed halved after losing Primordial Yin, how could she reach Nascent Soul (Peak) before fifty with only the Great Xia Dynasty’s resources? Their strongest was only at the Divine Transformation (Peak) realm.
And why would a noble consort take such a peculiar medicine if she wasn’t a wet nurse?
His thoughts raced, but only a second had passed.
Meeting her glare, he replied with deliberate ambiguity,
“If I recall correctly, Duanmu Yao is at least in her twenties. Young?”
Before she could retort, he continued, his voice low and mocking,
“Besides, if not for dual cultivation with me, how do you think she awakened her current physique? Or reached Nascent Soul, Third Layer?”
“What?!” Tantai Yuruo’s eyes widened in shock.
A’Yao’s physique… was awakened through dual cultivation?
And her cultivation wasn’t at Golden Core—but Nascent Soul?!
“How is this possible?!” she blurted out.
The essence of dual cultivation was one party exploiting the other.
How could her A’Yao be the one doing the exploiting?
Moreover, awakening a special physique only affected bloodline—what did it have to do with Yang energy?
Was this man just spinning lies to deceive her?
The thought only sharpened Tantai Yuruo’s killing intent.
Seeing Ning Chen standing barely half a step away, she hardened her heart. In an instant, she summoned a sword from her storage space and slashed at his neck.
Ning Chen arched an eyebrow.
He’d expected it, but damn—she’d really gone for the kill.
Too bad this was an era where data ruled supreme.
Every bit of damage he took just converted into EXP. How were you supposed to fight that?
“You, you’re unharmed?!”
Tantai Yuruo’s eyes widened, her shock now tenfold.
This time, her attack had landed directly on him!
Was it some kind of body-refining technique?
Refusing to believe it, she struck again, five more times in rapid succession.
Yet Ning Chen remained completely unfazed, his smile never wavering.
“Hah… hah…” Tantai Yuruo’s breaths came unevenly, her spiritual energy draining fast.
“What, finally cooling down?”
Ning Chen glanced at his EXP.
Hmm. About 50,000 EXP gone from the slashes.
If he didn’t recoup that loss from this woman today, he’d be at a net deficit.
She didn’t want to cool down, but the situation left her no choice.
Only one explanation fit:
This man’s cultivation far surpassed hers… and he simply couldn’t be bothered to retaliate.
He might even be a hidden ancestor propping up the Qinglian Sect from the shadows.
Otherwise, she’d have been reduced to ashes the moment she first offended him.
The realization sent cold sweat dripping down her back. Her aggressive aura crumbled instantly.
Then another thought struck her, what if everything he’d said was true?
What if this ancestor had simply taken a liking to A’Yao, and their union was mutual?
Then her actions today would be repaying kindness with betrayal.
For a moment, her entire worldview shook.
The only thread of doubt left was her refusal to believe dual cultivation could be this transformative.
Swallowing her pride, Tantai Yuruo hastily sheathed her sword and dropped to her knees.
“This junior acted recklessly! I beg forgiveness!”
Her attitude had done a full 180.
Ning Chen accepted it calmly.
At over a hundred years old, he was her senior.
But he scoffed at her apology.
“If apologies worked, there’d be no ‘an eye for an eye’ or ‘debts repaid in blood.’”
Tantai Yuruo’s face paled.
Was he… not letting her off?
Just as panic set in, “Relax. A guest is a guest. Besides, you’re now an elder of Qinglian Sect. I won’t harm you.”
“Th-thank you, Ancest—”
She started to kowtow in gratitude, only to freeze when his next words came, laced with dark amusement:
“But there’s an old saying—‘A father’s debts fall to his son.’ So by that logic…”
“A mother’s debts fall to her daughter.”
Tantai Yuruo’s voice shattered as she frantically grabbed his robe.
“Punish me instead! Whatever wrath you hold, vent it on me!”
Her mature, stunning face twisted with desperation, tears glistening.
“A’Yao knew nothing! I came here alone!”
Ning Chen remained unmoved. “And?”
“I—I’ll atone!” She trembled, her voice breaking. “However you demand! Just spare her!”
If her recklessness doomed A’Yao, she’d never forgive herself.
“Atone?” Ning Chen didn’t even lift his eyelids.
“Prove your sincerity.”
“This junior repents with all my heart! No resentment, no complaints!”
The sound of fabric tearing.
Ning Chen’s lips curved.
“Good. Then let’s see that heart of yours.”