Returning to the bedroom, Zhao Li Xin watches Lory sleeping peacefully. Because Lory looks tired today so he decided to give her some time to recuperate before he gave her the sweet torment. He stroked her smooth cheek with his thumb and a faint smile appeared on his face. He finally withdrew his hand as Lory moves slightly, the corner of his eyes crinkles.

Zhao Li Xin took a deep breath, he knew he couldn't stay for too long because other urgent matters have to wait for him, the warmth in his face wash away and his cold expression returned. He saw Lory one more time before he left the room quietly and returned to Sanguan Manor right before dawn, just when he arrived Mong Liu knocked on the door.

​​

"Enter" Zhao Li Xin give permission.

Mong Liu carefully open the door then he bowed his head "Milord, Sanguan Jin sheng wanted you to come to the main hall"

"Why?" he asks shortly while walking behind the divider screen to change his robes.

"Since the sect leader celestial immortal Zi Quan Mei is coming in the next two days, everyone has gathered at the main hall to talk about the grand welcoming for Zi Quan Mei," said Mong Liu.

"Oh dear, that sounds important…" he replied sarcastically.

"According to Master Bei, Sanguan Jin Sheng wants to use the celestial Immortal authority to dispel the bad rumor surrounding his family, also Zi Yi Ru was seeking his sister help to deal with Sanguan Li Ye matter ….but I think everyone is overestimated Zi Quan Mei power" Mong Liu sneer, after thorough investigation he realizes that Zi Quan Mei didn't as good as the rumor said, she used to be a little talented before only recently her cultivation suddenly raised without apparent reason.

Master Wu San Bo was sure that Zi Quan Mei might find a sacred treasure that could accelerate her cultivation, and that's still not enough she also used hundreds of high-level pills and elixir to boost her cultivation and after five years he finally reached Saint-level at the perfection stage, but everyone in Hei Shen sect knew that abusing pills and elixir to raised their cultivation would only ruin their foundation.

Unless it was necessary, no one used pill or elixir to boost their cultivation, they rather used the cultivation chamber provided by the Hei Shen sect to raise their cultivation. It's the same room that was planted with a gathering qi array to help their cultivation, although the result was not as fast as pills or elixir, but their foundation are more stable and solid. That's why Hei Shen sect members are very strong and they could kill their opponent even though they have a higher level.

Zhao Li Xin came out of the screen divider with light green robes and yellow bamboo embroidery on his chest and sleeves, he ties his topknot with 'guan' just like a refined nobleman "Let's amused them, shall we…"

Mong Liu's eyes twitched, he could never use seeing Zhao Li Xin wearing a normal robe like this. It doesn't mean Zhao Li Xin looks bad on it because the man can pull off any styles and he would still look amazing, it just make him uncomfortable, is like watching a bird wearing a scarf, even though it might not look bad but you can't stop the urged to take off the scarf away, because it feels wrong!

"What's wrong?" he narrowed his eyes toward Mong Liu.

"No….nothing, Milord!" he quickly shook his head profusely then he grinned awkwardly "You…you look great!" he cupped his fist firmly.

Zhao Li Xin stares at Mong Liu with a blank look and he says: "My wife said, I look weird…"

"....."

___________________

In another place Sanguan Wu Ci jerked from his sleep, he stares blankly to the canopy.

"Master, what happened, are you having a bad dream? A sultry voice came from beside him.

His consciousness finally returned, he remembers he had drunk too much last night and spent his wild night with one of his concubines, the woman is only eighteen, she has fair skin like jade, delicate face and plump red lips like cherry, she is very beautiful and used to be one of his favorited but recently his heart was not stirred anymore when he looking at her, as if something was not right.

Another face flashed in his mind and her heart thumped wildly, Sanguan Wu Ci pinched the space between his eyebrows "I'm fine, tell the servants to prepare my bath"

The concubine stunned by his unusual cold demeanor, but she had no right to question him because she's only a concubine, the beautiful girl lower her head in gloom and answer softly "Right away master…" she quietly got up from the bed, she covers herself with more layer of robes then she got out of the room to order the servants as she was told.

Sanguan Wu Ci didn't notice the changed on his concubine's face not like he care anyway, for him woman position is below him, they only purposed is followed his order and fulfilled his needs, as returned for their obedience he will treat them fairly, and that should be enough, he thought he already generous with all his woman and he didn't think he did anything wrong, his concubines should be grateful for his magnanimity.

And they had, all his woman was gentle, sensible and obedient, none of them dare to question him, they follow his order without question, they're always happy and smile in front him, he thought he liked that type of woman until he met Lory

Usually, women like Lory would never gain his attention, her appearance is too ordinary, she had no good background, moreover, she is wasted, nothing good came from her. She was only an ordinary woman who lucky enough to lives under Long Ming's protection, but after he met her Sanguan Wu Ci couldn't find a way to forget her.

She was stubborn, bold, and mischievous. She didn't afraid of him nor she like him. In fact, she treated him as if she was an ordinary man, Sanguan Wu Ci was not that stupid to think she might be interested in him on contrary, she was quite indifferent to him.

Sanguan Wu Ci immediately attracted to her at first because he never been treated this way before, at least princess Youya was warry with him, that means once a while Princess Youya might think about him for whatever reason but Luo Ri Yi was not the same, she doesn't care about him, she might even forget about him a minute after they met.

He hated how indifferent she was toward him, he envied Long Ming because he found Lory first and married her in haste. But long Ming never held a wedding banquet for her so he wonders if Luo Ri Yi ever has a second thought about Long Ming, was she never feel disappointed to that man at all, Luo Ri Yi and Long Ming are so different, That man was so cold Luo Ri Yi might not completely satisfied with his marriage, perhaps she marries him because she can't refuse him, maybe she had no other option, so what if she had another option?

A crazy thought crept into his mind, he summoned a green jade bottle from his spatial ring, he takes out one pill then he swallowed the pill in one gulp, the pill melted before it reaches his throat, and immediately his body overflowing with immense Qi, just like a broken dam the wild Qi hits his heart violently and suffocated his lungs, Sanguan Wu Ci grimaces in pain, his face cover with a thin layer of sweat.

He squeezes the sheet tightly while trying to hold his scream so no one could hear him, Sanguan Wu Ci groaned as he gritted his teeth, after ten minutes of excruciating pain he finally able to breathe again. His body trembles and his robes soaked with sweat, even though he feel terrible but the Qin inside him condensed and run to all his viscera, and suddenly he feel stronger than before.

Sanguan Wu Ci let out a long sigh, the corners of his lips lifted he could feel the next breakthrough is getting closer, soon he would able to take down Long Ming, once he eradicated Hei Shen sect and Long Ming, all the glory, power and wealth will be within his grasp, he doesn't even need his father support anymore, just a little more than everything will be his and so will she.

The imagination was so beautiful he let out an eerie cackle, but he doesn't realize dark scales appear on his nape for a few seconds, and it absorbed within his skin.

___________________________________

"What is this?" Lory lifted a long danger and examined it carefully.

"It's a prototype of my new weapon, it made from spirit stone," Said Wu San Bo.

Lory twists and turns the danger to test the balance "It's good, lighter than normal steel" then she throws the dagger to the wall. Hal of the dagger pierce to the wall, at the same time Yang Xi Ying open the door but she's not even flinched.

"I guess you already see the new weapon?" she smiles sweetly.

"Yup, stronger than normal steel too" Lory nodded.

"Madam Li, do you find the hybrid beast?" Wu San Bo asked her with expectant.

"Oh, we confirm to called hybrid beast right now?" Lory chuckles lightly.

Yang Xi Ying points her finger at Wu San Bo and Lory consecutively "Yes and yes!" she grinned.

"Awesome!" Wu San Bo cheer as he rubbed his hands excitedly, he moves promptly to the door, not forget to pull out the dagger from the wall and turn around "Let's do something exciting!" he beckoned the two girls to follow him.

"Ooo, I like excitement!" Lory said mischievously.

"Me too!" Yang Xi Ying grabs Lory's arms then they sauntered in the same direction as Wu San Bo.

Girsha suddenly perches on the top of her head [Little girl, I could feel dark miasma coming to our way] he whispers using telepathy.

[Oh, what do you think is that?] Lory asks calmly.

[Is the same pungent smelled like in the cave, I think they caught the same beast as in the cave] Girsha sniffed.

[Oh, this will be interesting…] Lory let out a soft giggle.