As the thought surfaced in Ding Nan's mind, her heart began to pound violently, as if it might leap right out of her throat in the next second.

Desire, like a demon, is hard to shake once it takes hold.

Especially as Ding Nan watched Zheng Yuan's weak back turned towards her, constantly coughing up sprays of blood, her jaw clenched tight and her fingers curled into fists.

Her hand crept slowly toward the Luo Mu Soul Separation Hairpin hidden at her waist, but just as she was about to touch it, she suddenly noticed that although Zheng Yuan had his back to her, one of his hands was still tightly gripping the Netherworld Five-Zhang Soul Hook Jade, refusing to let go.

A sharp realization struck Ding Nan: No, this old lecher has always been deeply calculating, constantly testing and guarding against me. Furthermore, he never acts without a contingency plan. What if I fail to kill him? It will mean my own demise! Moreover, even if I killed him now, I haven't reached the Foundation Establishment stage and cannot use these three magical artifacts. In the end, perhaps others from the Yin-Yang Sect will take advantage of the chaos!

No, now is not the time to kill this lecherous old ghost!

In an instant, Ding Nan's thoughts raced like lightning. In that brief moment of intense psychological turmoil, her hand quickly withdrew from the hairpin. She bent down, helped Zheng Yuan up, poured the medicine into her palm, and helped him swallow it.

After consuming the Nine Revolutions Spirit Restoration Pill, Zheng Yuan circulated his qi for a while, and a trace of normal color returned to his face. He let out a long breath, gave Ding Nan a meaningful glance, and said, "Ping'er, if you had harbored even the slightest ill intention just now, you likely wouldn't be alive to see this moment!"

Ding Nan's heart lurched violently. So close. This lecherous old ghost was indeed on guard!

Ding Nan, possessing deep reserves of composure, allowed no trace of panic to cross her features. Instead, she feigned anger and wept, "I can't believe you are still suspicious of me at a time like this. What is the point of being your disciple?" With that, she stood up, intending to leave.

Zheng Yuan quickly pulled her back with a fawning smile, saying gently, "Good disciple, ever since you possessed the body of that woman, your temperament has changed drastically. It’s understandable that your master harbors some concerns! You did very well this time; I am deeply moved. Rest assured, I will have no more doubts about you in the future!"

Ding Nan, an actress of the highest caliber, wept dramatically, "You said that last time too, but in the end, you still subjected me to endless suspicion!"

Zheng Yuan swiftly swore an oath, "If a single word of what I say is false, may I be struck down by heavenly lightning!"

Ding Nan wiped away a tear and asked tentatively, "Really?"

Zheng Yuan nodded forcefully, "Absolutely true! Ping'er, don't you trust your master?"

Only then did Ding Nan’s expression shift from anger to joy, forcing a smile through her tears, "Ping'er naturally trusts Master. Master displayed such divine might today by seizing the Immortal Pen—what a joyous occasion!"

However, Ding Nan quickly put on a worried look again. "But Master, aren't you afraid of offending every cultivation sect in the world because of this? What if these people come looking for us at Mount Wuhua?"

Zheng Yuan declared smugly, "With my Netherworld Five-Zhang Soul Hook Jade in hand, and the Immortal Pen now secured, who in this world is my match? Why should I fear them? Furthermore, the cultivation world is in utter disarray right now; they hardly have the time to bother me! After I enter closed-door cultivation for ten days and emerge, I will surely be unrivaled under heaven!"

Ding Nan smiled and offered flattery, "Then allow me to congratulate Master in advance on bringing glory to our Yin-Yang Sect!"

Zheng Yuan roared with laughter, while Ding Nan stood beside him, simpering sweetly, yet her eyes flickered incessantly, hiding a deep-seated chill.

Meanwhile, Wan Zhenyuan, after escaping the small building, immediately swallowed a spirit pill and rushed toward the backyard.

Wan Zhenyuan burst angrily into a room, lowering his voice to a furious whisper, "Liu Ye, what is the meaning of this? How did everything turn out like this? Didn't you say everything was under your control?"

Liu Ye, the former sect master of the Fox Charm Gate, stood by a carved wooden window, gazing out at the deep night sky. He smiled faintly, full of confidence, and replied, "Indeed, everything is under my control!"

Wan Zhenyuan roared, "Nonsense! Even I was struck by the First-Grade Immortal Fall, the Lotus Gathering Assembly has become a laughingstock, and now Zheng Yuan has snatched the Immortal Pen—and you call that being under your control?"

Liu Ye laughed heartily, "I know all of Yan Fang’s plans. She has always suspected I wasn't dead, so she has been trying every means possible to lure me out. Last time at the Gezao Sect, her attack on Li Yundong was precisely to draw me out. This time, at the Lotus Gathering Assembly, if you hadn't taken the First-Grade Immortal Fall, how would Yan Fang ever believe you were an uninformed outsider, and how would you ever escape the scrutiny of the various sects later on?"

Wan Zhenyuan gasped in shock and anger, "You even plotted against me?"

Liu Ye smiled lightly, "It was unavoidable!"

Wan Zhenyuan was about to erupt but forcefully suppressed his rage. He managed to say through gritted teeth, "Fine, even if what you say holds water, what about the Immortal Pen? How could you just stand by and watch Zheng Yuan seize it? Didn't you see he held the Netherworld Five-Zhang Soul Hook Jade? Now that he has the Immortal Pen as well, can you imagine how formidable he has become?"

Liu Ye scoffed dismissively, "How powerful can a cultivator be who relies entirely on magic artifacts to dominate the world? Once the Mysterious Fox is resurrected, he will be utterly insignificant!"

Wan Zhenyuan shouted, "Bullshit! By the time you resurrect the Heavenly Secret Mysterious Fox, he will have already wiped us all out and crowned himself king!"

Liu Ye laughed, "Relax, Sect Master Wan. Didn't you notice the strange lack of harmony between him and his disciple, and the ill-will she harbors?"

Wan Zhenyuan paused. "I did notice that. How did you observe it?"

Liu Ye chuckled coldly, "When Zheng Yuan let her escape earlier, there were two possibilities: either he intended to hold the enemy back himself so Ding Nan could flee, or he intended to make Ding Nan the target of everyone's suspicion, using her as a scapegoat. Given Zheng Yuan's nature, he would never do anything that benefits others at his own expense. Therefore, he must have intended for his disciple to sacrifice herself so he could reap the benefits."

Wan Zhenyuan said with a grim face, "But his disciple never ran; instead, she stayed behind, appearing perfectly loyal, which deeply moved Zheng Yuan!"

Liu Ye burst into laughter, brushing it off nonchalantly, "Sect Master Wan, you pride yourself on being cunning and resourceful, yet you failed to see this time. You were momentarily foolish! Did you not observe Ding Nan’s subconscious flinch—a movement to flee—the moment Zheng Yuan told her to run? Yet, she stopped almost immediately, indicating she quickly understood Zheng Yuan’s intent. If she were truly loyal to Zheng Yuan now, she should have fled immediately to draw the enemy away. Instead, she spoke words that sounded loyal. Heh, this disciple of Zheng Yuan has quite a deep mind!"

"If I’m correct, Zheng Yuan will certainly test his disciple again when he returns. If he discovers her intention to strike at him while he is gravely injured, he will surely kill her. But if his disciple can endure this test, then Zheng Yuan is certainly doomed!"

Wan Zhenyuan was deeply moved. He said, "Liu Ye, you truly live up to your reputation as the Old Fox. You are so meticulous and insightful, observing every detail as if you witnessed it firsthand! But why did you say that if Zheng Yuan’s disciple can endure it, Zheng Yuan is surely doomed?"

Liu Ye snorted, "The scheming in this woman’s eyes, and the gaze hiding a profound capacity for enduring humiliation, is exactly the same as that of Yan Fang when she took the form of Mo Ashi. Having lived with Yan Fang for nine years, how could I not recognize it? This disciple of Zheng Yuan is so capable of forbearance, her plans must be vast. Once she passes this hurdle, Zheng Yuan will surely drop all his defenses against her! And when a man completely lowers his guard around the beautiful woman closest to him, that is when he is most vulnerable!"

Wan Zhenyuan’s anger turned to joy, and he laughed heartily, "Impressive, truly impressive! I hope, as you say, that if the Immortal Pen and the Netherworld Five-Zhang Soul Hook Jade fall into this woman's hands, I can rest much easier!"

Liu Ye smiled faintly, "That is not certain. I observe that this woman’s aptitude is superb; she is excellent material for cultivation. If Zheng Yuan transfers his cultivation base to her, given her enduring nature, she might become far more terrifying than Zheng Yuan himself!"

Wan Zhenyuan snorted coldly, "Zheng Yuan, that smiling tiger with a dagger hidden in his smile, has always been selfish and self-serving. Would he do such a thing? He would sooner drain his disciple’s true essence!" He then added with some impatience, "Enough about them. Let’s talk about Yan Fang. This woman keeps ruining our plans—what should we do?"

Liu Ye smiled confidently, "Didn't Li Yundong pursue her? With his cultivation and power, even if Yan Fang fled to the ends of the earth, how could she escape his grasp?"

Wan Zhenyuan sighed, "It better be so. If this madwoman keeps bothering us, it truly will be a troublesome matter!"

Liu Ye's gaze became profound. He looked deeply toward the dark horizon and said slowly, "Don't worry. The weather is about to change!"

While Liu Ye and Wan Zhenyuan were having their private discussion, Claire, John, and Alba were enjoying the beautiful night view of Dongwu City aboard a yacht on the moat, listening to the Dongwu Pingtan performance provided on board.

Alba leaned against the antique bamboo railing and sighed softly, "What a gorgeous night view. After suffering such humiliation all day, taking a sightseeing cruise tonight makes the trip to China worthwhile, at least."

John was also fully engrossed in admiring the brightly lit nightscape of Dongwu City, which retained a strong flavor of ancient charm. He suddenly said with surprise, "Alba, are you thinking of going back?"

Alba looked at John curiously, "Do you still want to stay here? Haven't you been humiliated enough by that Chinese man?"

John's face immediately fell. He mumbled, "Maybe apprenticeship in China really is this strict. I think... I shouldn't give up so easily. Zhou Qin was right; we should be able to withstand the test! Besides, a master with such immense ability—it seems unrealistic and naive to expect him to pass it on so easily."

Alba laughed dismissively, shaking her head while pressing her forehead, "You’ve gone mad, John! Still not giving up!" Then, she turned to Claire across from her, "Hey, Claire, what do you think?"

Claire was sitting near the window, looking intently at the beautiful scenery passing by outside, watching the brilliant lights along the banks. A cool night breeze ruffled her golden, wavy hair, making her look exceptionally elegant; many people on the boat were stealing glances at her.

Hearing Alba, Claire turned her head and sighed softly, "I think John is right too. We came all this way, and we shouldn't give up so easily. Moreover... what Zhou Qin said makes sense. Is there anything in this world that can be achieved without tests and setbacks? I think... this is the tribulation sent by heaven!"

Alba immediately cried out in distress, "You two lunatics have both gone crazy! Forget it, you two go crazy; I don't want to join in. I need to go home! Besides, have you really decided to change your nationality? And do you have any last words you want me to take back to your families?"

As she was speaking, she suddenly saw Claire's eyes widen as she stared behind Alba.

Alba looked back in confusion, "What's behind me?"

Claire stammered, "Eleven o'clock behind you... that table clearly had no one at it a moment ago! How did a person suddenly appear there?!"

Alba was generally unobservant; she hadn't paid attention to whether the seat behind her was occupied. She turned around and, sure enough, saw a woman seated with her back to her, positioned at eleven o'clock. She laughed, "Maybe someone from the next table moved over."

John turned to look as well and exclaimed in surprise, "That’s not right. I remember there were only five people behind us; how are there suddenly six?"

Alba laughed heartily, "Could it be a magic trick, like pulling a person out of thin air?" But the moment the words left her mouth, her eyes bulged, and with an expression as if she had seen a ghost, she turned sharply to look in the direction behind her.

Claire and John stared, dumbfounded, realizing that an instant later, a man had also appeared opposite this suddenly materialized woman. And that man was none other than Li Yundong!