Chapter 8 - Nangong Batian

Chapter 8 - Nangong Batian

One of Xu Hong's younger brothers noticed Yang Xie and Nangong Ya sitting together at a table and pointed them out to Xu Hong.

Xu Hong's gaze darkened when he saw them. After a brief pause, his expression turned calm again.

If Yang Xie had still been an ordinary person, someone who had not yet awakened, Xu Hong might have needed to hire someone to handle the situation. But now that Yang Xie had awakened, Xu Hong could handle it himself. Xu Hong had already decided that the hunting exam would be where Yang Xie met his end.

"Yang Xie won't last much longer," Xu Hong thought, looking at him with a cold, detached gaze, as if watching a dead man. He then turned back to his meal, uninterested in Yang Xie's presence.

When Yang Xie returned to his dorm, he didn't sleep right away. Instead, he opened his personal warrior terminal and reviewed the Shadow Killing Secret Code and the first-level cultivation method of Futu Xuan Gong. After a moment's thought, he exchanged for them.

Yang Xie's suspicion had been correct. With his god-level talent, he was able to practice multiple techniques simultaneously. As he looked at his shadow soldiers—who had already started practicing the Shadow Killing Secret Code and the Buddha's Mystic Art—he felt a sense of satisfaction.

Content, he finally fell asleep.

The shadow soldiers did not rest. The cultivation process had now been going on for 72 days. The spiritual energy in their meridians was strengthening, and Yang Xie's body was growing stronger with each passing day.

The next morning, Yang Xie stretched and sighed. "What a beautiful day!"

He looked at himself and noticed, perhaps for the first time, that he felt more handsome than ever.

It was Saturday, a day off, and Yang Xie slept in until after 8 o'clock.

Around 7 o'clock, Nangong Ya sent him a message.

"I'm going to buy some supplements for grandma. After you wake up, let's grab a bite. I'll pick you up at the school gate."

Yang Xie smiled. "Yaya is so thoughtful!"

He glanced at the shadow soldiers tirelessly working in the martial spirit space. They, too, were remarkable.

After washing up and packing his things, Yang Xie sent Nangong Ya a message to let her know he was waiting by the school gate.

A red Ferrari sped into view, and Hong Yanjuan stopped in front of him.

Yang Xie opened the passenger door and climbed in, greeting her casually. "Good morning, Yaya!"

"Good morning!" Nangong Ya replied with a smile.

She was dressed casually, but her appearance was stunning. Despite the black sunglasses, her beauty was undeniable.

Yang Xie's gaze flickered to the back seat, which was filled with gifts. A closer look revealed they were all high-quality supplements for the elderly.

"What do you want to eat?"

"As usual, I'm in the mood for Rongji's dumplings!"

"Great!"

At the school gate, some of the boys watched in envy as Nangong Ya drove away in the Ferrari with Yang Xie. Their whispers filled the air.

"Yang Xie, a poor guy, sure is lucky to have Nangong Ya."

"Yeah, if I looked like him, I'd have ten rich women."

"Could you really handle it?"

"None of your business."

Nangong Ya looked at Yang Xie as he devoured ten bowls of dumplings. Her expression was a mixture of curiosity and surprise. He must really have quite an appetite.

Yang Xie, however, wasn't all that hungry by choice. The constant practice by the shadow soldiers was rapidly increasing his body's potential, making him hungry more often and with greater intensity.

"Yang Xie, have you successfully received the spirit? Why is your appetite so much bigger now?"

"Yes, I tried it again last night. I found that the Shadow Killing Secret Code works well for me. I've successfully felt and absorbed the spirit."

Yang Xie didn't mention that he had successfully practiced three techniques at the same time, only mentioning that he had absorbed the spirit from the Shadow Killing Codex.

"Seems like even though your talent is only D-level, your comprehension is extraordinary. Normally, it takes two days for someone with D-level talent to feel the spirit, and about a week to absorb it. Your cultivation speed is far beyond that of other D-level talents."

Yang Xie chuckled, "Well, don't forget who I am. I've been a top ten student in cultural classes for years. Even if my talent isn't as high as yours, my comprehension isn't bad either."

Yang Xie was flattering himself, but it was true that his cultural achievements in school were impressive.

Finishing his meal, Yang Xie turned to Nangong Ya, who had been waiting for him to finish. "Let's go now, Driver Nangong."

The red Ferrari sped off towards a distant, less developed area.

Nangong Family.

"Patriarch, Miss is taking Yang Xie to the slums," a tall figure reported to Nangong Batian over the phone.

Beside him stood a younger man.

"Brother, I don't understand. As the head of the Nangong family, Ya'er is like a princess. She's awakened her S-level talent, so why are you letting her be with that poor boy Yang Xie? How can someone from the slums possibly deserve to be with her? More importantly, you've let this go on for years."

Nangong Aochen's voice was filled with frustration.

"Ya'er's S-level talent means she could marry into any prestigious family. Why let her waste time with someone like him? Our family could become more powerful by making the right connections."

Nangong Batian's face darkened as he listened to his cousin's words. His tone was calm but firm.

"Children will have their own happiness, Aochen. Ya'er will find her own way, and as long as she is happy, that's all that matters."

His gaze hardened as he looked at Nangong Aochen.

"My daughter is not a tool for marriage or a stepping stone for our family's advancement."

Nangong Aochen flinched, feeling the pressure of his cousin's words. He hadn't expected Nangong Batian to react so strongly.

"I know you have connections with first-class families in Beijing and Magic City, but that doesn't mean you can treat my daughter as a business deal. If I ever found out you were trying to arrange things like that, even if you are my cousin, I'd show you how regret feels."

The weight of Nangong Batian's words made Nangong Aochen take a step back. His face went pale.

"Don't think too negatively. Going to the alien beast battlefield isn't a punishment, Aochen. You've been stuck at the military commander level for too long. It's time to break through," Nangong Batian said.

"A warrior can only make real progress in the trials of blood and fire."

Nangong Aochen nodded, understanding what his cousin was trying to say.

"I'll break through to the Martial King realm this time, for sure."

Nangong Aochen spoke with resolve.