Xiang Nai looked at Lin Xiao, her expression a mixture of confusion and the fear that already filled her eyes. She gazed at him suspiciously, as if asking where, exactly, she had been acting.

Lin Xiao sneered. "What, still want to continue the act?"

"M-me? When was I acting?" Xiang Nai asked, her face a mask of grievance so profound that tears welled up in her beautiful eyes.

Lin Xiao sneered again. "Fine. It seems you won't be convinced until you're faced with the undeniable truth. Let me ask you, what is your cultivation level?"

BOOM!!!

Xiang Nai's face instantly turned deathly pale, and her eyes once again filled with terror.

Lin Xiao continued in a chilling tone, "Your cultivation is clearly stronger than your opponent's, yet you allowed yourself to be wounded. What was the point? To put on this little play to gain my pity and get closer to me? A dog is a dog. Truly brainless!"

His words struck her with such force that she staggered. She stared at Lin Xiao, her expression one of shock. No, it wasn't shock. It was terror—unparalleled terror.

She had never dreamed Lin Xiao would see through her little trick so easily. The truth was, Xiang Nai had done it on purpose. Her cultivation was far superior to that of the flirtatious woman; with her power, ten such women couldn't even touch her. She had only pretended to be outmatched to evoke Lin Xiao's sympathy. Xiang Nai had been confident in her performance, never expecting him to see through it at a glance.

Frankly, Xiang Nai panicked. She had witnessed Lin Xiao's methods before and knew the consequences of angering him. A deep, profound fear appeared in her eyes.

She stammered with great difficulty, "Master, I... I was wrong. I truly know I was wrong. I... I'll never dare to do it again! Please, I beg you, spare me just this once!"

Lin Xiao snorted coldly, shoving her away and throwing her to the ground.

Xiang Nai greedily gulped in the fresh air like a fish on the brink of death, her mouth opening and closing as she gasped for breath.

"Remember, this is your last chance. If you dare to court death again, I won't hesitate to send you on your way. Do you hear me?" Lin Xiao snapped.

Xiang Nai nodded vigorously.

She felt she should hate Lin Xiao. After all, she was a princess of the Cherry Blossom Country's royal family, yet here she was, being treated like a dog and utterly humiliated by some man who looked like a beggar.

Yet for some reason, as she faced his humiliation, a perverse thrill once again sprouted in her heart. Yes, a secret thrill. The feeling was especially potent when he had nearly strangled her moments ago. That suffocating sensation brought fear, but it was accompanied by an uncontrollable exhilaration. A part of her secretly hoped Lin Xiao would be even more vicious, that he would regard her as less than human... or perhaps, treat her completely like a dog. The thought shocked even her as it surfaced.

"Deal with these two pieces of trash. Also, speed up your efforts to lure out the others involved in the Dragon Slaying Plan. Understood?"

Xiang Nai nodded.

Lin Xiao rose and vanished, leaving Xiang Nai to collapse completely on the ground.

Inside the elevator, Lin Xiao received a call from Su Qingning.

"Where did you go?" he heard her ask, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"I was meeting an old friend. Why, did you miss me?"

"Not at all! When are you coming back?"

"Right away."

"Oh. Well, come to my office when you get back."

Lin Xiao sensed something was wrong. Something was definitely wrong with Su Qingning.

"Qingning, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing. I'll talk to you later. Bye."

Without giving Lin Xiao a chance to respond, she hung up.

Lin Xiao grew more certain that something was amiss. While their relationship wasn't exactly passionate, it was certainly harmonious. Su Qingning wouldn't speak to him like that unless something was wrong. Besides, her tone clearly implied there was a problem.

Not wanting to waste any more time, Lin Xiao put his phone away. He decided to head back to the bar as quickly as possible to find out what was going on with Su Qingning.

Just as he stepped out of the hotel, a surprised voice called out his name. "Lin Xiao!"

It was Shao Mei'er.

Lin Xiao looked toward the sound of the voice and, sure enough, saw Shao Mei'er. Her outfit today was exceptionally captivating. A creamy-white silk dress hugged her voluptuous figure, elevating her aura by several degrees. Her bare calves were a fatal temptation, and the Valentino heels she wore were dangerously alluring.

As Lin Xiao's eyes quickly swept over Shao Mei'er, he felt an extremely hostile gaze lock onto him. He glanced over and noticed a young man with an extraordinary bearing standing beside her. The man was handsome; despite his simple attire, he exuded a transcendent air that immediately marked him as someone far from ordinary.

Seeing him, Lin Xiao smiled to himself. Liu Chengfeng. Ninth on the Human Emperor List, making him a bit more formidable than Guo Dingtian. He could even be considered my student. Despite not having an impressive family background, his talent is immense. He's only twenty-two and already on the Human Emperor List.

Lin Xiao smiled at Shao Mei'er. "What a coincidence. What are you doing here?"

"It is, isn't it? I was just having dinner with a friend. What about you? Why are you just standing here?"

"Oh, I was meeting a friend, too," Lin Xiao replied with a smile.

Shao Mei'er smiled coquettishly. "Let me introduce you. This is Liu Chengfeng, a friend of mine."

Lin Xiao nodded and took the initiative. "Hello."

After all, the young man was his student—and a promising one at that. So naturally, Lin Xiao couldn't be cold toward him.

But Liu Chengfeng's reply was a flat, "Hello."

Lin Xiao sensed the hostility radiating from him and immediately understood. The kid likes Shao Mei'er.

Shao Mei'er also seemed to sense Liu Chengfeng's unfriendly attitude, and her brows furrowed slightly. Just as she was about to speak, Lin Xiao smiled. "Well, you two enjoy yourselves. I have to go."

"We've already finished. Are you heading to Qing Ning's bar?" Shao Mei'er asked with a charming smile.

Lin Xiao nodded.

"Then let's go together! I was just thinking of heading to her bar for a drink."

"Sure," Lin Xiao said. "But you should take your own car. I'm leaving now."

With that, he turned and walked away. His mind was completely preoccupied with what might have happened to Su Qingning. He couldn't care less about Shao Mei'er or Liu Chengfeng.

But Shao Mei'er wasn't about to let him go so easily. The moment Lin Xiao turned, she hurried forward and latched onto his arm.

Instantly, a startling, sharp light flared in Liu Chengfeng's eyes.

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