"The Unexpected Encounter and Mysterious Connection"

Huang Xiaolong was being drawn to the courtyard by Li Lu, his brow furrowed as he said, "I told you, little girl, don't pull me like this. It might give people the wrong idea."

Li Lu was startled but then smiled tenderly, revealing two small dimples on her face. "What kind of misunderstanding? I am your wife, and it's normal for a wife to hold her husband's hand. I'm not afraid of any misunderstandings! And also, don't call me little girl. I'm all grown up!" She puffed out her chest, trying to appear more mature.

Huang Xiaolong couldn't help but sigh at Li Lu's attempt to seem older. Her chest hadn't even started developing yet, but she insisted on acting like a grown woman. He smiled wryly in his heart but didn't comment on it. Li Lu noticed Huang Xiaolong staring at her chest and blushed, speaking softly, "If you keep thinking about that, it'll make others uncomfortable, especially with so many people around."

Huang Xiaolong was speechless and chose to remain silent. He took a step forward and started walking towards the avenue. It was his first time in Canglan County City, and he wanted to take a good stroll.

"Xiaolong, wait for me," Li Lu called out to Huang Xiaolong as she hurriedly followed him. However, this time she didn't hold his hand but instead hooked her arm around his, acting like a caring wife. As she walked beside him, her feminine fragrance entered Huang Xiaolong's nostrils.

Huang Xiaolong discreetly moved away, trying to avoid the scent, and said, "You should go back. I can stroll around by myself."

Li Lu pouted and threatened, "Fine, I'll go back and tell my grandfather that you're bullying me!"

Huang Xiaolong raised his hand to stop her, feeling a headache coming on. "Alright, let's go. But promise me you won't use flattery and affection."

Seeing Li Lu nod, Huang Xiaolong felt relieved and turned to continue his stroll. Li Lu cleverly stayed by his side, frequently casting glances at Huang Xiaolong's face.

Unaware of Li Lu's lingering gaze, Huang Xiaolong continued walking without speaking. As they walked, they suddenly noticed a crowd gathered on the street ahead, engrossed in a discussion. Intrigued, Huang Xiaolong and Li Lu approached to see what was happening.

In the middle of the crowd lay a disheveled middle-aged man with dirt on his face and torn clothes. It was evident that he had passed out, and there were a few small bloodstains on the ground beside him, indicating that he had been injured.

Huang Xiaolong stared at the middle-aged man for a moment, hesitated, and then stepped forward to lift him up. Being at the Rank 4 level now, it wasn't difficult for him to carry an adult.

Li Lu was surprised to see Huang Xiaolong lifting the injured man. "Where are you taking this person, Xiaolong?!"

"You wouldn't understand," Huang Xiaolong replied without turning back.

Unsatisfied with his answer, Li Lu huffed but didn't ask again.

On their way, Huang Xiaolong asked Li Lu to show him the back entrance of Li Mansion. They carried the injured man through the back door and placed him in a secluded room within the mansion.

Looking at the man lying on the bed, Huang Xiaolong circulated his internal energy and pointed his finger at various acupuncture points on the man's chest and downwards. After making the selections, Huang Xiaolong began panting, his forehead covered in sweat.

Li Lu stood behind Huang Xiaolong, watching his chaotic movements on the man's body with a puzzled look.

"Go and bring someone to change his clothes and clean him up," Huang Xiaolong said after resting for a while.

"Okay," Li Lu regained her composure and nodded.

After some time, servants from Li Mansion arrived with fresh clothes and cleaned up the middle-aged man. However, he still hadn't regained consciousness.

"You can go back now," Huang Xiaolong told Li Lu when he saw that the man hadn't woken up.

Li Lu was about to say that she would stay to keep Huang Xiaolong company, but seeing the determined look on his face, she nodded. "Alright."

Not long after Li Lu left, the man on the wooden bed, Fei Hou, slowly opened his eyes and looked around. His gaze finally fell on Huang Xiaolong, his expression filled with confusion. "Did you save me, little brother?"

"Yes," Huang Xiaolong nodded.

"Where am I?"

"You're in Li Mansion, Canglan County City."

Fei Hou tried to get up from the bed but furrowed his brows. "Canglan County?" He couldn't recall any memories of this place.

"Young brother, thank you for saving me. I have some matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave," Fei Hou said as he was about to leave the room. However, he suddenly experienced intense pain in his body and spat out blood, collapsing to the ground.

Huang Xiaolong swiftly supported him, helping him sit back on the bed. "Your injuries are severe. Your meridians are damaged. I used the Soul-Returning Fingering technique to temporarily stabilize your condition. If you move carelessly..." Huang Xiaolong paused, the implication clear.

"Soul-Returning Fingering? Acupuncture?" Fei Hou looked at Huang Xiaolong in astonishment.

Huang Xiaolong didn't explain, but he lifted his left hand, revealing a black ring on his ring finger.

"The Asura Ring?!" Fei Hou couldn't believe his eyes as he stared at the dark ring. Then, his shock turned into excitement. "Repair, cultivate, Asura Ring!"

Huang Xiaolong paid attention to Fei Hou's reaction. According to the manual, the Asura Ring was the symbol of the Asura Sect's Sect Master. Any disciple who saw it should bow respectfully.

After Fei Hou went through his initial shock and excitement, he regained his composure and immediately knelt down, kowtowing to Huang Xiaolong. "Disciple Fei Hou of the Asura Sect greets Sect Master. Sect Master is unrivaled!"

Seeing Fei Hou's display of respect, Huang Xiaolong felt relieved. If Fei Hou had reacted differently, he wouldn't have hesitated to use his Asura Blade to slit Fei Hou's throat. After all, Fei Hou's meridians were damaged, and he was seriously injured. He would definitely not be able to dodge Huang Xiaolong's Asura Blade.

"Fei Hou, please rise," Huang Xiaolong nodded and said.

"Yes, thank you, Sect Master!" Fei Hou stood up, his expression showing genuine respect. This respectful attitude was not just an act; it came from the heart.

"How did you get injured?" Huang Xiaolong asked, contemplating the situation.

"Reporting to Sect Master, I entered Silvermoon Forest to hunt and kill a Rank 10 Ghost Eyes Monster Spider, intending to refine its Monster Core into a pill. However, unexpectedly, there were both male and female spiders. So..." Fei Hou's voice trailed off, somewhat embarrassed.

So he ended up being outnumbered and defeated? Huang Xiaolong thought to himself. However, Fei Hou's ability to escape from two Rank 10 Monster Beasts showed that his strength was formidable. At the very least, he was stronger than his grandfather, Huang Qide.