Volume One, Chapter 69: A Tree Without Bark Is Doomed to Die!

But...

Standing behind, Su Le shook his head after seeing Sun Qi’s reaction.

Although the copyright of this piece had already been completely sold to the other party,

Still!

Sun Qi had his disciple impersonate the composer—such deception could hardly be justified. On the surface, he wanted to promote his disciple, which was understandable. Yet he didn’t seem to consider that, if Chen Ming could not produce a work surpassing “Rippling Waters and Pure Jade” in the future, his reputation would plummet!

It was akin to being lifted straight to the summit,

Only to find oneself powerless to break through any further.

The inevitable blow would strike, and the idol would fall from his pedestal.

Brilliant for a moment, but never glorious for a lifetime.

But Su Le could not be bothered to concern himself with all that.

“Oh, so it was you who composed this piece...”

“Three hundred times? Is that even possible?” Having witnessed the terrifying power of that medical device with his own eyes, Dragon Thorn could not even begin to imagine what three hundred times its current strength would mean.

The other party had never ceased trying to probe between the two core leaders, but Liu Qiang remained unmoved. After this profound lesson, he had begun to shift from a hardliner to a pragmatist—precisely why Lin Zhong continued to value him.

Indeed, the one who sabotaged the alliance between the two families was terrifyingly powerful, so much so that even Tianjin martial artists like Mo Qihong and Wu Yan were no match.

“You’re wrong about that.” As soon as he finished speaking, a faint voice suddenly echoed through the hall.

“Brother Xuan, it’s not that Sister Tan Xiang doesn’t want to tell you; it’s just that she loves you too much. That’s why she’s been so hesitant. She’s afraid that if you learn this secret, you’ll leave her and never wish to see her again.”

The people present gradually regained their senses, and the room burst into a flurry of whispers. Fang stared at Chenfeng in astonishment, as though he could no longer see through this young man.

After crossing that dense forest, they came upon a mountain valley. In the nighttime jungle, apart from the occasional cries of wild beasts, it was exceedingly quiet. Thus, the sound of rushing water from the valley beyond was incredibly distinct.

“Mother...” Madam Li was utterly shocked, staring at the old matriarch in disbelief, unable to recover her wits for a long while.

“I wonder, Lord Lu, where did you find the Ninth Princess?” Xiao Xiwei asked Lu Haiyang with a gentle smile.

Helping Liang Nuannuan was secondary; the main reason was that he knew the Luo family disapproved of her opening a shop and feared troublemakers would come. By staying there, as a man, at least he could provide some protection.

She wanted to say something but completely forgot what it was; at this moment, all Qiao Xia could think about was escaping—what meaning was there in rolling in the sheets in broad daylight?

If he had met her earlier, before her husband, would that radiant smile have belonged solely to him?

At that moment, Xiao Yun realized his understanding of the Qianyang Sect was still too shallow. For the sect to have stood strong for a thousand years, its foundation must be far deeper than an outer disciple like himself could comprehend.

Their escape route had always been south from the capital. Shangguan Jinglan originally intended to wait until Lu Qingqing recovered before heading to Jiangnan, but now he could not wait. He left behind the injured Shangguan Yuxi and Xiahou Yuan, taking only Han Lü with him towards Jiangnan.

Ajiu’s heart skipped a beat, sensing an ill omen. Both Chief Lan and Lan He were crucial figures in her life, and now they seemed to be in danger—she could not possibly stand by and do nothing.

King Qiu’s legendary and inspirational experiences over more than twenty years were enough to fill a biography, inspiring generations of martial artists to come.

Even after everything was arranged, Ying Kang still felt uneasy—after all, legs belong to their owner, and where Jiang Yuan chose to go was his own business.

Ajiu sat in the carriage drawn by the gray crane, heading toward the Qian Palace, her thoughts tangled in the intricate web of connections within the entire affair. Yet, after much deliberation, she still could not unravel the truth.

Katerina’s eyelid twitched; she suppressed the urge to draw her blade, darted in front of Garen, and snatched the glass from his hand.

The curved blade the ranger had obtained from the White Dragon’s lair seemed to remember this demon as well. Lannister sensed it calling out to him, yearning to leap from its scabbard and pierce Ertu’s heart once more. The blade was designed to combat flame-born foes, and the searing flesh and blood of a devil was its favorite feast.

Soon, all the registration cards were exchanged, and the staff handed both the passes and the cards to Ran Yue.

Garen clenched his right fist, brought it to his mouth, and coughed, trying to cover up his embarrassment and distraction.

Hearing this, Wagner, Gore, and the other Apple board members all wore somber faces, each weighing their options in their hearts.

Because of a soul-searching martial art akin to a truth serum, the Red Sect’s followers could never live incognito.

Taking a deep breath, Youmeng tried to recall the surge of spiritual energy her life spirit had emitted during that meal at Luca’s house—the moment of “Salted Fish’s Comeback.” She gripped the panhandle with her left hand, extended, lifted, and shook it; and at the very moment she was about to complete the flip, she deliberately interrupted the flow of spiritual energy.

Mila’s astonishment and shock upon opening her eyes at that moment were enough to remind anyone of their first experience entering Prometheus.

Though only sixty thousand or so Dusk Steles remained, it took Su Qinian nearly twenty days—rarely anxious as he was—to complete the reinforcement.

When you’ve accepted favors, your hands are tied; when you’ve eaten someone’s food, your mouth is sealed. Ye Jiutian sipped the milk tea Shi Mu had bought him and offered insincere flattery.

“What are you thinking?” Yao Hua, at some point, had opened her eyes. She glanced at Rong Jin, whose brow was furrowed in deep thought, completely absorbed.

These words warmed Youyun’s heart, making him feel as though Meng Li really had prepared a home for him over there.

Xiao Zhi’s gaze was cool as he looked at him. “If you can’t hold your liquor, you’re not allowed to drink.” Last time, this fellow passed out after a single glass of vodka. Though vodka is strong, to be felled by just one drink showed just how poor his tolerance was.

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Ling made sure of the truth, let him go, and began another round of messaging with the Mingxin and Moke camps.