Xia Ningshang is blocked

The Nine Yin Condensation Dew is elusive, and the valley is quite large. If luck permits and I happen upon it, I'll collect it and put my mind at ease.

However, before coming here, Yang Kai had inquired several times, but neither Xia Ning Chang nor Old Meng had provided an answer, merely saying they would tell him when the time came. This left Yang Kai quite suspicious and puzzled.

It is time to investigate further.

Yang Kai clearly remembers where Xia Ning Chang is hiding. He cautiously runs in that direction while keeping an eye on the reaction of the Sun Source Seal on his chest, hoping to detect the presence of Yuan Lang.

Yet, the Sun Source Seal has shown no response throughout the journey, and Yuan Lang seems to have vanished, which is frustrating for him. His sensing range is only two hundred yards, and once Yuan Lang moves beyond this range, Yang Kai cannot search further.

After a short while, as he nears Xia Ning Chang's hiding spot, the Sun Source Seal finally reacts!

Yang Kai is filled with mixed emotions—surprised that Yuan Lang is now very close to Xia Ning Chang and relieved that he has finally located this Blood Battle Gang disciple.

Has he discovered Xia Ning Chang? With this thought, Yang Kai quickly approaches while holding his breath and remaining silent, attentive to any movements nearby.

After a moment, Yang Kai breathes a sigh of relief; it seems Yuan Lang has not discovered Xia Ning Chang's hiding place. Otherwise, a confrontation would be unavoidable by now.

Yang Kai is not particularly worried about Xia Ning Chang's safety, as she can still activate a heavenly-grade defensive treasure. However, her hiding spot is precarious, confined to a mountain crevice that accommodates only one person. If Yuan Lang blocks the entrance and sends a signal to Long Hui and the other expert, things could become troublesome.

With this in mind, Yang Kai becomes even more cautious.

Xia Ning Chang is extremely anxious at this moment. Since Yang Kai left, she has been recovering here. Having taken a palm strike from Wen Fei Chen, activated the heavenly-grade treasure, and set up the Nine Yin Eight Locks Formation, her consumption has been immense.

After such a long recovery, using up all her medicinal pills, her strength has only partially restored—roughly equivalent to the seventh or eighth level of the Opening Yuan Realm.

Just then, some noise suddenly comes from outside. Xia Ning Chang's heart races with fear; she dares not move in the crevice and cautiously peers outside with her bright eyes, hoping to see who has arrived nearby.

She hopes it is Yang Kai, but if it were truly him, he would have entered immediately.

The person outside has been lingering for quite a while without finding the entrance, clearly not the one she was waiting for.

It must be an enemy! But she wonders about the enemy's strength.

The intruder searches the vicinity meticulously for an entire incense stick's worth of time but finds nothing. As they prepare to leave in a hurry, Xia Ning Chang can't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

However, just at that moment, rustling sounds come from the bushes at the entrance of the crevice, and Xia Ning Chang's heart leaps once more.

Suddenly, a small black shadow darts out from the bushes and hops right in front of Xia Ning Chang.

She is startled and almost cries out but, upon closer inspection, cannot help but laugh.

It turns out to be a squirrel living in the valley, likely seeking refuge from the cold, and has found its way into the mountain crevice.

Xia Ning Chang carefully reaches out to catch it, but the squirrel is quite wary. Sensing someone, it immediately jumps away.

In mid-air, a large hand appears unexpectedly, seizing the squirrel firmly and crushing it with a violent squeeze, causing blood to splatter.

"Hehehehe!" An eerie laugh rings out as Yuan Lang's robust figure blocks the only entrance to the crevice. He looks at Xia Ning Chang inside with a delighted expression, saying, "So you were hiding here!"

Xia Ning Chang's face instantly turns cold, her beautiful eyes glaring angrily at Yuan Lang. Women generally have a fondness for small animals, especially those that appear harmless. Although the squirrel's presence exposed her hiding spot, Yuan Lang's brutal action has angered her.

"Finding me wasn't easy!" Yuan Lang, blocking the crevice entrance, leisurely examines Xia Ning Chang. "Losing something in the east but gaining something in the mulberry fields, finding you after failing to locate Yang Kai is still a significant achievement!"

These words immediately reassure Xia Ning Chang that her junior brother is safe and sound.

"If you dare to come near, I will make sure you have no place to be buried!" Xia Ning Chang coldly threatens. However, she is inherently innocent and blushes even when lying. Such threats might have some deterrent effect if spoken by someone else, but Yuan Lang detects the weakness in her voice and bursts into laughter. "Do you still have the strength to fight? After Wen Hall Master's palm strike, it's fortunate you didn't faint on the spot. Right now, you're merely hanging on by a thread."

Although Yuan Lang's strength is currently sealed, Xia Ning Chang is in no better shape. If a fight ensues, Yuan Lang is not afraid of her, as both are at the same realm—just with one being slightly stronger.

Now, with the only exit blocked, Yuan Lang holds all the advantages and is confident of victory.

"Obey me, and I promise not to make things difficult for you. If you resist, don't blame me for being ruthless," Yuan Lang threatens fiercely.

Xia Ning Chang remains silent, secretly gathering her energy, preparing to strike hard when he approaches. But Yuan Lang, clearly aware of her plan, stays out of reach, merely blocking the entrance and causing Xia Ning Chang to inwardly lament.

"I know you have a heavenly-grade defensive treasure. In my current state, I can't truly overcome it. But what if I summon others to come? Do you still have any hope of escape?" Yuan Lang remains patient, adopting a cat-and-mouse approach, using words to undermine Xia Ning Chang's psychological defenses.

"What do you want?" Xia Ning Chang asks coldly.

"What I want? Hehe, that's a question I should be asking you. If you want to live, agree to a few conditions. If you refuse, I'll call people over right now!" Yuan Lang, seizing the opportunity, finally reveals his true intentions.

"What conditions?" Xia Ning Chang is also willing to waste time with him, as every moment gained allows her energy to recover slightly.

"First, seal your own energy and surrender willingly. Second, hand over that defensive treasure to me. Third…" Yuan Lang reveals a lascivious grin. "Remove your veil so I can see your true face. Don't worry, I won't harm you. If you're truly a beauty, I'll let you go and won't make things difficult for you!"

Such words are hardly believable, even to a child. If Xia Ning Chang were to seal her energy, Yuan Lang would have free rein. In the dark of night, with a lone man and woman, no man could resist the temptation of beauty.

Although Xia Ning Chang is innocent, she is not easily deceived. She replies firmly, "Delusional!"