210: Chapter 209 Mu Ping'er, Tricked, and the Secret Brought by Fan Wujiu

"My Lady, you were even willing to lower your status like this, yet he actually dared to refuse!"

Lüer watched the retreating figures of Xia Jin and Mu Pinger, feeling some injustice for Xing Ruoliu.

She stamped her foot and said indignantly, "That Prince Xia... he really doesn't know what's good for him! My Lady is, at the very least, the fifth-ranked Heaven-Class Disciple. Furthermore, in terms of appearance, in the entire Second Heaven—no, the entire Divine Palace—which woman can compare to my Lady!!"

"My Lady, you took the initiative to propose becoming Dao Companions; that is a blessing he accumulated over several lifetimes! Please, do not be sad. He refused simply because he lacks the good fortune!!"

Upon hearing this, Xing Ruoliu did not have any disturbance in her Life Qi due to Xia Jin's refusal; instead, the corners of her lips curled up slightly, and a playful glint flashed in her eyes.

"Lüer, do you know?" She reached out to stroke the white fox in her arms and said with a smile, "Have you ever seen a man who could refuse me, given my beauty and such a proactive approach?"

Lüer was stunned. She thought carefully, then shook her head, "This... I have never seen one."

In this Second Heaven, which man doesn't want to step forward and get to know her when they see my Lady? Someone who refuses as cleanly and decisively as Xia Jin is truly the first.

"The more he acts like this, the more I like him." Xing Ruoliu chuckled softly and returned to sit on the soft couch, "There aren't many men like this left."

Lüer opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately swallowed it back. She found that she was increasingly unable to understand her Lady.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Xia Jin brought Mu Pinger back to the palace where he resided.

Having just sat down, Mu Pinger stood to the side, looking at him with a smile, her tone carrying a hint of jealousy: "My Lord, won't you regret refusing Xing Ruoliu like that?"

Xia Jin raised his teacup, his hand pausing in mid-air, and he glanced at her: "Regret what?"

"Of course, regret missing out on such a great beauty!" Mu Pinger leaned closer, her eyes flashing with a teasing light, "You must know that Xing Ruoliu is not only impressive in cultivation and strength, but her beauty is also rarely matched by anyone. Such a great beauty throwing herself into your arms is something countless people would envy but cannot attain."

Xia Jin looked speechlessly at the chattering woman before him, suddenly wondering if he had made a mistake in taking her in as his follower.

Suddenly, a wicked smile flashed across his face. He reached out and pulled Mu Pinger abruptly into his arms.

Before Mu Pinger could react, she realized Xia Jin's face was already inches from her own, so close that she could almost feel each other's breath.

The breath carrying the scent of grass sprayed onto her face, causing her body to go limp for a moment.

"My Lord, you... what are you doing?" Mu Pinger's voice instantly became stuttered, and two clouds of red flushed onto her face.

Her heartbeat accelerated suddenly, as if a little deer were bumping around in her chest.

Her eyelashes trembled gently, and she bit her lip, unexpectedly closing her eyes as if possessed.

However, Xia Jin's smiling voice came to her ears: "With you here, what need do I have for Xing Ruoliu? Or could it be that you think you are inferior to her?"

Mu Pinger's heart pounded wildly again, almost leaping out of her throat.

She could feel Xia Jin's breath getting closer and closer, so close that her entire body began to tremble slightly.

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

Huh? Why is there no movement?

Mu Pinger carefully opened a slit of her eyes, only to find the space in front of her empty.

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore!"

Xia Jin's voice came from the palace entrance, carrying a hint of teasing amusement.

Mu Pinger opened her eyes wide, realizing that Xia Jin had left the side hall at some point, leaving her standing there foolishly, still maintaining the posture of being held just a moment ago.

"My Lord! You are just too hateful!!"

Mu Pinger stamped her feet in anger, her face flushed red.

She grabbed the teacup Xia Jin had just drunk from, wanting to smash it, but ultimately couldn't bear to and carefully put it back down.

"Bastard! You only know how to bully people!"

She bit her lip, but a smile couldn't help appearing on her face.

Does this action by the Lord mean that she has a chance?

At noon the next day.

Mu Pinger heard footsteps outside the hall. She looked up and saw Fan Wujiu walking in with large, steady strides.

"Is Brother Xia here?" Fan Wujiu had changed into a cyan robe today, and he looked much more spirited.

"Hmm!? Fan Wujiu, the third-ranked, no, he should be the fourth-ranked now? Why is he here!?" Mu Pinger's expression changed suddenly.

"My Lord is in the inner hall." Mu Pinger hurried up to greet him, not daring to be negligent in the slightest, "Lord Fan, please wait a moment, I will go and announce you."

Soon, Xia Jin walked out from the inner hall. Seeing Fan Wujiu, he raised an eyebrow slightly: "I thought you were just joking yesterday; I didn't expect you to actually come!"

Fan Wujiu smiled and did not stand on ceremony, sitting directly in the guest seat: "Rest assured, I have never broken my word."

Mu Pinger poured two cups of hot tea for the two men, placed them respectfully in front of them, and then stood obediently behind Xia Jin.

However, her gaze kept drifting, intentionally or unintentionally, toward Xia Jin, her eyes filled with a hint of resentment.

Xia Jin noticed her gaze but just smiled and ignored it. He turned to look at Fan Wujiu opposite him, his eyes narrowing slightly: "What exactly is that secret you mentioned yesterday?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the hint of resentment in Mu Pinger vanished, replaced by her pricking up her ears, intending to listen carefully to the secret from Xia Jin's mouth.

Fan Wujiu did not answer immediately but glanced at Mu Pinger standing to the side.

Xia Jin understood and turned his head slightly to look at Mu Pinger: "Pinger, you go out first."

Mu Pinger was stunned and opened her mouth to say something, but ultimately did not dare to act presumptuously. She nodded obediently: "Yes, My Lord."

Before turning to leave, she couldn't help but look back, her eyes full of curiosity.

After the hall doors closed.

Xia Jin picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked directly at Fan Wujiu: "Can you say it now?"

Fan Wujiu was silent for a moment. After a long while, he slowly opened his mouth: "Brother Xia, do you know that now that you have defeated me and entered the top three of the Heaven-Class Disciples, you actually do not need to continue challenging the two ahead, Zhan Wuji and Jian Wuxin?"

Xia Jin's hand paused slightly. He raised his head, his gaze locked tightly onto Fan Wujiu.

"What do you mean by that?"

Fan Wujiu sighed and continued: "Actually, you might not know this, but as long as you can rank in the top three of the Heaven-Class Disciples and pass the trial of the Demon's Cave, you can directly ascend to the Third Heaven and become a Hun-class Disciple."

Xia Jin's brows couldn't help but furrow: "Hmm!? Why did I hear before that one must become the first to do so?"

"Those were just rumors heard by others." Fan Wujiu shook his head and smiled bitterly, "Only we, the top three Disciples, are qualified to know this secret."