Li Lan, who was serving rice, wore a peculiar expression. At this hour, who would come here?

"Xiao Mi, who was knocking at the door just now?"

Qiao Xiao Mi's eyes darted around, and her fingers fiddled together. Then, she lowered her head and said, "No one, just a garbage collector. I already told her we don't have any garbage, so I closed the door."

"A garbage collector? How could there be a garbage collector in the Church district? I always leave our trash at the entrance of the yard. Aren't special Believers supposed to come and clear the garbage every morning?"

Li Lan's expression was strange and skeptical as she walked to the door.

"Qiao Xiao Mi! Who was it really just now?"

Qiao Xiao Mi, looking miserable, hung her head and stuck to her story. "She was just a junk collector!"

Li Lan was about to open the door when, coincidentally, there was another knock!

Seeing Li Lan about to open the door, Qiao Xiao Mi quickly leaned against it, pushing her mother away forcefully.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I lied to you just now. The person outside wasn't a junk collector, but a beggar. I didn't want her to disturb our dinner, so I sent her away."

Li Lan felt Qiao Xiao Mi's excuses were becoming increasingly preposterous. How could there possibly be beggars in the Church district?

But before Li Lan could say more, Qiao Xiao Mi continued, "You'd better go and serve them dinner. We have a guest at home, and a very terrifying one at that—Noah, the Mechanical King! If we don't serve him well, Dad might get beaten to death. If Dad dies, you'll become a widow!"

Li Lan's face immediately darkened. It's always you, this girl, cursing your father! You just tried to blame me, and now you're even worse, she fumed internally.

"If your Dad dies, you'll become an orphan."

"Don't I still have you?"

"You insolent girl!"

Despite this, Li Lan didn't go to open the door. What Qiao Xiao Mi said wasn't entirely unreasonable.

She knew her husband was a very formidable man, extremely formidable. In the past, even experts from the Inner Ring were submissive before him. They had to endure her husband's strange temper, as well as his various impolite demands.

But the robot before her was different. Li Lan didn't know if he was truly as terrifying as the legends said about the Mechanical King. His behavior had already been quite extraordinary. Politeness, equality—traits Qiao Xing wouldn't tolerate—were all present in this robot. Her husband didn't even seem to want to deal with him, simply allowing the outsider to be a guest in their home.

This situation could only mean one thing. If Qiao Xing could actually defeat him, his temper would have made him speak up long ago.

Xiao Mi is right. We must take good care of Mr. Noah. Otherwise, our whole family will be in danger!

With such thoughts, Li Lan left the entrance.

Seeing Li Lan leave, Qiao Xiao Mi also let out a deep sigh of relief. She irritably opened the door, only to see Lu Xiaotian still standing on the threshold.

"Why haven't you left yet?"

Lu Xiaotian crossed her arms, one eyebrow already raised. "Why should I leave? Were you the one who closed the door just now?"

Seeing Lu Xiaotian's attitude, Qiao Xiao Mi felt indignant. We're both kids, so what gives you the right to be so arrogant? Just because you're prettier? I, Qiao Xiao Mi, refuse to accept this today!

"What about it? Can't I close the door to my own home? We're not selling any garbage right now, and we don't have any food for you. Please leave."

BANG! The door was slammed shut once again.

This time, even with Lu Xiaotian's generally patient demeanor, she was starting to feel irritated. The formidable Nightmare Demon, an Eighth Order Calamity, had just killed a Seventh Tier expert from the Inner Ring while in human form. With such power and accomplishments, how dare someone in the Fourth Ring treat her this way? Could she tolerate it?

"Sell garbage? No food?" What does that mean? For a moment, Lu Xiaotian didn't quite understand Qiao Xiao Mi's words.

Her purpose in coming here was simple. After she killed Ji Shaoran, she had sensed two powerful auras enter her perception range. She was well acquainted with both auras; one belonged to Noah, and the other to Qiao Xing.

Previously, during the Wu En incident, she and Qiao Xing had locked eyes from afar atop the high wall. This man, who could withstand Nightmare Power with a mere Sixth Tier body, had left a profound impression on her.

She originally thought Qiao Xing and Noah had shown up to cause trouble after she killed Ji Shaoran. But unexpectedly, after entering the Fourth Ring, the two of them went straight to the Fourth Ring's Church, having no interaction with her. After finishing a day's work at the Church, Qiao Xing returned home with Noah, still showing no intention of interacting with her.

This situation was rather interesting!

By now, the Nightmare Demon had effectively taken complete control of the East Fourth Ring. The Hunter Group, led by Yang Liya, had essentially become her private faction. In this situation, it was somewhat abnormal for Qiao Xing and Noah to have no intention whatsoever of communicating with her.

So, after some consideration, Lu Xiaotian decided to pay a visit to Qiao Xing's home herself. Such a visit should be considered a significant show of respect. After all, one was the Archbishop of the East Ring, comparable to her own father, and the other was old Noah!

But what was this now? What was this little girl up to? Does she really think the Nightmare Demon has no temper?

Just as the Nightmare Demon standing at the door was about to erupt, Qiao Xing had already come over and opened it.

"I'm sorry, Lord Nightmare Demon. The little girl is ignorant. Please don't take it to heart." Qiao Xing said this while lifting Qiao Xiao Mi into his arms. But upon hearing her father call the little girl 'Lord Nightmare Demon,' Qiao Xiao Mi's eyes immediately widened in shock. Why is it another monster?

The name 'Nightmare Demon,' in recent times, was even more renowned than Noah's. But why was she a little girl?

Suddenly, Qiao Xiao Mi seemed to realize something. "Daddy? You can't beat her either, can you?"

Qiao Xing's face darkened, and then he nodded in admission. "Aren't you going to apologize to her?"

Qiao Xiao Mi looked miserable. Why is my dad so useless?

"I won't!"

Qiao Xing frowned slightly. At that moment, he was also under great pressure. It wasn't that the presence of two Calamities here, not fighting, meant he was without pressure. Rather, the very existence of the Nightmare Demon and Noah was a pressure in itself.

"Hurry up and apologize!"

Qiao Xing rarely showed such a stern demeanor to his daughter, and Qiao Xiao Mi immediately felt extremely wronged. She squirmed in Qiao Xing's arms and soon burst into tears. "You're gone for months, and the moment you come back, you scold me!"

And the Nightmare Demon standing there, looking at Qiao Xing and his daughter, suddenly felt a sense of tedium. The anger that had been rising just moments ago dissipated completely.

"Let it go. It's just a child throwing a tantrum," the Nightmare Demon said, an inexplicable unease stirring within her.

Qiao Xiao Mi is a child—what about me? Am I to skip the process of growing up just because I'm an Exotic Species? If Ludie hadn't died, perhaps I too could be like Qiao Xiao Mi, snuggling in Ludie's arms and acting spoiled! On reflection, what a beautiful and happy thought. Regrettably, not everyone can be so fortunate. Ludie had his own will, as do I, so we were destined not to indulge in family bliss like Qiao Xing and Qiao Xiao Mi.

Qiao Xiao Mi, nestled in Qiao Xing's arms, snuck a glance at Lu Xiaotian's indifferent face. Perceptive as she was, she quickly noticed that the Nightmare Demon seemed to be in a bad mood! She had intended to say something conciliatory, but the words that came out were in a completely different tone. Perhaps this is just innate animosity!

"You're just a child, too!"

"Xiao Mi!" Qiao Xing said sharply again, but Qiao Xiao Mi had already buried her head in his chest.

"Alright, I get it, I'm sorry!"

Seeing Qiao Xiao Mi finally apologize, Qiao Xing then looked at the Nightmare Demon with a hint of apology. "I'm sorry, Lord Nightmare Demon. I've been too busy and have neglected my daughter's discipline."

"No worries, Lord Qiao Xing. I hope my presumptuous visit won't disrupt your lives?"

Although Lu Xiaotian was also a child, she was, after all, the Monarch of the Exotic Species. A true Calamity, and the inheritor of Ludie's will, she could never act spoiled towards others like Qiao Xiao Mi.

Qiao Xing felt a flicker of emotion at Lu Xiaotian's maturity, then nodded. "Of course not. Please come in, Nightmare Demon. We're just having dinner."

"Then I'll trouble you."

The Nightmare Demon followed Qiao Xing to the dining table and sat opposite Noah, watching him with interest.

"It's been a long time, Lord Noah."

"Same here, Miss Nightmare!"

Although the Nightmare Demon usually didn't show much respect to an old Exotic Species Monarch like Noah, even frequently calling him an 'old thing' behind his back, when they actually met, the bare minimum of courtesy was still necessary.

Noah observed Lu Xiaotian's condition from top to bottom, his eyes filled with disbelief and shock. "Miss Nightmare's progress... is truly astounding! In such a short time, you've already reached this state? You truly deserve the title of a genius seen only once in hundreds of years in the Exotic Species world!"

Hearing Noah say this, Qiao Xing looked at Lu Xiaotian with some confusion. He had been in contact with Noah for a while and had come to understand him to a certain extent. For example, Noah never paid meaningless compliments. If Noah genuinely complimented someone, that compliment was always well-founded.

Given that, what exactly did Noah mean by what he just said? What progress was he referring to?

"Lord Noah, your progress isn't slow either. Aren't you already able to move freely within the walls?"

The dialogue between Noah and the Nightmare Demon seemed like an exchange of riddles. However, Qiao Xing clearly sensed from Noah's tone his wariness of the Nightmare Demon.

"An incredible individual. Perhaps your path is the correct one!"

After speaking, Noah fell silent, simply picking up the not-so-delicious meal Li Lan had made and began eating earnestly.

The Nightmare Demon's mood seemed quite natural. She accepted the bowl Li Lan handed her and laughed, "Until a path is walked to its very end, no one can say whether it's right or wrong!"

Qiao Xing had already picked up his bowl and chopsticks and was about to eat when the door unexpectedly knocked again.

"It's quite lively tonight!"

"Daddy, I'll go open the door."

Just as Qiao Xiao Mi was about to go, Qiao Xing caught her and pressed her back into her seat. "You just stay and eat. I'll get the door."

Qiao Xing ignored Qiao Xiao Mi's protests and walked straight to the door. In fact, as he approached it, he had already guessed who the visitor was.

CLICK!

The door opened, and Lu Luo and Qiao Xing found themselves staring at each other.

Lu Luo stared at Qiao Xing, blinking repeatedly, as if trying to confirm if the man before him was real. After a long pause, he finally managed to blurt out, "Why are you here?"

Qiao Xing was exasperated. There's something wrong with how this kid talks. If I can't be here, then who can? "This is my house. Why can't I be here?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Luo felt there was some sense in Qiao Xing's words. After mulling it over, he realized it made perfect sense.

[Qiao Xing appearing in Qiao Xing's house—that's very reasonable! Too reasonable.]

"But weren't you missing? I thought you were dead! I was just about to come and check on Madam Li Lan."

Qiao Xing's face was livid. Today, my daughter, my wife, and now my disciple, they all thought I was dead! What's gotten into them? "What are you here for?"

Lu Luo was taken aback by Qiao Xing's tone; something was off. "Aren't you going to invite me in for dinner? I've been busy all day and haven't even had my evening meal."

"I don't want to invite you for dinner. Is that okay?"

Seriously? The esteemed Archbishop of the East Ring, being this stingy? Lu Luo thought.

"Uh... I've been helping take care of Qiao Xiao Mi and Madam Li Lan during this time."

[Taking care of them? Bullshit! They're in the Church district; they don't need your care.]

Hearing Lu Luo say this, Qiao Xing, though knowing he was spouting nonsense, still softened a little. "Fine, come on in!"

"Great!"

Lu Luo followed Qiao Xing into the house. But as he confidently made his way to the dining area, the air fell silent once again.

"How come you're here?" Lu Luo repeated, his words directed at Lu Xiaotian.

Lu Xiaotian pouted. This Lu Luo guy is such a sneak. He was peeping when I fought Ji Shaoran, and didn't dare make a sound after it was over. So spineless. How could someone like him ever be her companion?

"If you can be here, why can't I?"

"I am..." Before Lu Luo could say he was Qiao Xing's disciple, his gaze froze again, this time on Noah. "Why are you here too?"

It was the third time he had asked a similar question that day.

Noah waved to Lu Luo from across the table. "Mr. Lu Luo, it's been a long time! I'm here as a guest at Mr. Qiao Xing's home." Noah was still so polite.

Looking at Qiao Xing's home, crowded with these powerful figures, Lu Luo suddenly felt he would have been better off not coming at all. "Uh, guests are good. You all enjoy your meal..."

Lu Luo wanted to leave, but Qiao Xiao Mi didn't give him the chance, grabbing his hand firmly! "Big Brother, come sit down and eat with us!"

"Alright, alright, let's eat together!"

As soon as Lu Luo sat down, Noah looked at him with a smile and asked, "Mr. Lu Luo, how has the ring I gave you been working out?"

[It's incredibly useful! Noah is Noah, absolutely brilliant, I can't praise it enough!]

Lu Luo was somewhat speechless, but the Observer wasn't wrong. The ring Noah had given him was indeed exceptionally useful. A single ring could completely integrate his combat system; it was truly a Divine Artifact.

"The ring has been very useful. Thank you, Lord Noah."

"No need to thank me, Mr. Lu Luo. It is something you deserve."

After their conversation, the room once again fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the sounds of eating. This was because the individuals at the dinner table were simply too formidable. Lu Luo could only clutch his bowl and sit in a corner of the table, not daring to speak, looking as aggrieved as a child.

The meal proceeded uneventfully. Until Li Lan started clearing the dishes, no one brought up any significant topics.

...

However, after the meal was over, Lu Xiaotian voluntarily stood up. "Let's go sit in the yard!"

Her words weren't directed at anyone in particular, but after she spoke, both Noah and Qiao Xing stood up.

"Okay!"

"Okay!"

As the three of them started to walk out together, the Nightmare Demon suddenly turned to look at Lu Luo. "What are you still sitting there daydreaming for? Come on over!"

The Nightmare Demon's sudden invitation left Lu Luo quite astonished. What surprised him even more was that neither Qiao Xing nor Noah seemed to object to the Nightmare Demon inviting him to join.

Could I really participate in such an important meeting with these top figures? Condition one: This meeting is full of top figures. Condition two: I've been invited to such a meeting of top figures. Therefore, based on conditions one and two, I can conclude: I am also a top figure! Makes sense.

[Are you sure the big shots don't just need someone to pour tea and fetch water?]

"Scram!"

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