Chapter 131: Temptation

Chapter 131: Temptation

This was the second time a stone had appeared, with handwriting clearly from the same woman—delicate and graceful, piquing Ning Xiaochuan’s curiosity. He decided to see for himself who she was.

The meeting place she had chosen was the Spirit Water Lake.

As night fell, Emperor's City grew quiet, lacking the bustle and noise of the Imperial City, instead exuding an air of mystery and solemnity.

The Spirit Water Lake was a small lake within Emperor's City. Its surface was covered with emerald-green lotus leaves, emitting a faint, refreshing fragrance. Even at night, wisps of white mist could be seen rising from the lake, twisting into fantastical shapes, transforming the place into something akin to a fairyland.

Ning Xiaochuan carried a clay-sealed wine jar into the pavilion by the lake and sat beside the stone table, setting out two bowls.

Glug, glug.

He poured the wine to the brim.

This jar of mystic medicine wine had cost him 30,000 Small Coins. Though its potency wasn’t overwhelming, its rich aroma carried far and wide.

Ning Xiaochuan took a small sip. The wine’s energy seeped into his bloodstream, causing the Martial Arts Profound Qi within his veins to surge rapidly, as if boiling.

Splash.

A ripple appeared on the water’s surface.

Six strands of ink-black mist coalesced, forming a slender figure standing atop a lotus leaf in the lake. Though draped in a black robe, her alluring silhouette was impossible to conceal.

"Greetings, Manor Lord." Her face was half-covered by a golden mask, obscuring everything above her lips.

Ning Xiaochuan said, "So you’re the one who sent me those two messages?"

"Indeed, it was this subordinate." Her voice was soft and melodious, brimming with magnetism.

"Come to the pavilion for a drink?" Ning Xiaochuan offered.

"As you wish."

Black Martial Arts Profound Qi swirled around her as her robe fluttered. In an instant, she landed inside the pavilion—but instead of sitting, she knelt on one knee before Ning Xiaochuan.

The fluctuations of her Profound Qi were intense, clearly indicating her cultivation was no trifling matter—at least the Third Level of Divine Body Realm, an impressive feat among the new students.

Ning Xiaochuan inhaled lightly, catching the faint fragrance emanating from her. It was reminiscent of a woman’s natural scent, yet also carried the aroma of some unknown flower—identical to the fragrance on the stones.

"Should I call you Xie Mengyao? Or another name?"

This scent was identical to Xie Mengyao’s. Ning Xiaochuan had long harbored suspicions, and now, seeing her in person, he was certain—she was indeed Xie Mengyao.

"Please forgive this subordinate, Manor Lord. My identity is… complicated. I must remain hidden within Dark Emperor City while also concealing myself from those in Emperor's Martial Palace. If either side discovers me, death is inevitable. That’s why I’ve been so cautious—even hiding my identity from you."

Seeing that Ning Xiaochuan had already seen through her, Xie Mengyao no longer concealed herself. She removed the golden mask, revealing an exquisitely beautiful face.

Kneeling on one knee, her willow-leaf eyebrows arched delicately, her eyes brimming with charm. Her nose was delicate, her lips full and sensual—she looked like an innocent young maiden, yet her curvaceous, voluptuous figure made her an undeniable temptress.

Ning Xiaochuan said, "You’re Tianchenzi’s agent in Dark Emperor City, aren’t you?"

Xie Mengyao nodded and said, "Master said that Tianchenzi belongs to the past. His current title is 'Netherworld Envoy.' Xie Mengyao is also my real name, and I have not deceived the Manor Lord."

Ning Xiaochuan nodded and replied, "As expected of Tianchenzi's disciple, truly adept at schemes. Even Yu Qianqian was led around by you. Tianchenzi certainly chose the right person to infiltrate Dark Emperor City."

Xie Mengyao's lips curled slightly as she said softly, "Thank you for your praise, Manor Lord."

When Ning Xiaochuan arrived at Spirit Water Lake, Yu Qianqian had been leading people to deal with Xie Mengyao, yet Xie Mengyao appeared here instead. Clearly, she had deliberately lured Yu Qianqian away to meet Ning Xiaochuan alone.

This woman possessed extraordinary cunning, and Ning Xiaochuan did not fully trust her, maintaining a sense of vigilance in his heart.

"Get up. Do you drink?" Ning Xiaochuan lifted the wine bowl and took a small sip.

Xie Mengyao stood up, putting the golden mask back on her face before sitting opposite Ning Xiaochuan. Her posture was graceful and alluring as she said, "It is my honor to drink with the Manor Lord."

She cupped the wine bowl with both hands, her eyes fixed on Ning Xiaochuan. "Master said that within Emperor's Ruins, everything is to be arranged by the Manor Lord. Whatever the Manor Lord desires, Mengyao must unconditionally fulfill."

"Any desire?" Ning Xiaochuan asked.

"Of course."

Xie Mengyao, like a bewitching enchantress, circled halfway around the table as if dancing.

The next moment, she was already sitting in Ning Xiaochuan's lap, one slender wrist draped softly over his neck as she held the wine bowl. Her plump, crimson lips brushed the rim of the bowl as she took a delicate sip, her demeanor utterly mesmerizing.

Her lips were moist and glistening, exuding an indescribable sensuality that made one yearn to kiss them.

Her eyes locked onto Ning Xiaochuan's from close range, her five delicate fingers lightly tracing his chest. "No man in this world is as young and accomplished as the Manor Lord, nor as captivating."

Ning Xiaochuan gripped her wrist, stopping her from sliding her hand further into his robes. "Tell me, what is the purpose of summoning me here?"

Xie Mengyao's gaze remained clear as she sat directly on the stone table, her long skirt revealing a pair of snow-white legs—slender, straight, and flawlessly smooth. At the hem of her skirt, the faint outline of moon-white undergarments could be seen, exuding endless temptation.

Gazing at Ning Xiaochuan with tender affection, she removed her black robe and wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning in to kiss his lips.

Ning Xiaochuan glanced briefly at her legs beneath the skirt before raising two fingers to block her lips. "You are the Third Leader of Dark Emperor City's younger generation, aren't you?"

Hearing this, Xie Mengyao's expression shifted slightly as she immediately knelt on the ground. "Manor Lord, forgive me! When we were in the Fire Demon Mountain Range, I did not know your identity and had no intention of offending you."

Ning Xiaochuan adjusted his robes and said, "What's done is done. I won't pursue it further. Now, tell me the purpose of summoning me here."

Xie Mengyao let out a sigh of relief and said, "Master instructed me to relay a message to the Manor Lord: Ghost Manor's growth requires talent, and the place with the most talent is Emperor's Martial Palace."

Ning Xiaochuan nodded and replied, "I understand Tianchenzi's intention. I will develop a force within Emperor's Martial Palace that belongs to Ghost Manor. Your identity is special, so it's best for you to leave now. If someone discovers you with me, it won't do you any good."

Xie Mengyao shot Ning Xiaochuan a resentful glance and asked, "Is the Manor Lord truly the Greatest Love-Obsessed Fool in the World? Aside from Yu Ningsheng, is there really no room in your heart for any other woman?"

Ning Xiaochuan fixed his gaze on her and said, "You're overstepping."

Ning Xiaochuan admitted that Xie Mengyao was an incredibly enchanting and beautiful woman. In terms of beauty, she was no less than Yu Qianqian, and in terms of figure, she surpassed Yu Qianqian by a mile. Under her seduction, Ning Xiaochuan indeed felt tempted.

However, Ning Xiaochuan restrained his darker impulses because Xie Mengyao was too clever. A woman this intelligent wouldn't let a man obtain her body so easily.

Her active attempts to seduce him could only mean one thing—this was a mission assigned to her by Tianchenzi.

Ning Xiaochuan didn't fully trust Tianchenzi, so he wouldn't allow himself to be easily breached by Xie Mengyao's advances.

Ning Xiaochuan spoke up, "Can you fulfill any request of mine?"

"Manor Lord, what do you need?" Xie Mengyao's eyes brightened.

"Leave the Ice Muscle Grass behind, and then you may go," Ning Xiaochuan said.

Xie Mengyao's stunning face froze for a moment. Was her allure really that low? Could she not even compare to a single stalk of Ice Muscle Grass?

Xie Mengyao placed the Ice Muscle Grass on the table, then donned the black robe on the ground. Her body dissolved into wisps of black mist, vanishing from the pavilion.

The next moment, her figure reappeared on the opposite shore of Spirit Water Lake, her bright eyes fixed on Ning Xiaochuan in the pavilion. "Master said Ning Xiaochuan would be difficult to handle, and he truly is. Any other man would have his soul stolen with just a glance from me, yet despite my active efforts, Ning Xiaochuan didn't react at all. Is he even a normal man? Or is he really the Greatest Love-Obsessed Fool in the World?"

"Heh heh... Ning Xiaochuan, I will break through your defenses sooner or later and become the Mistress of Ghost Manor. Haha!"

"Whoosh!"

Xie Mengyao's figure soared into the air, transforming into a slender shadow before disappearing into the darkness.

That night, Ning Xiaochuan did not leave Spirit Water Lake. Instead, he remained in the pavilion, cultivating "Heaven and Earth Profound Qi."

The concentration of Profound Qi in Emperor's City was astonishingly dense—three times that of the outside world.

Ning Xiaochuan was still at the fourth layer of "Heaven and Earth Profound Qi," where his absorption rate was originally eightfold. However, within Emperor's City, his absorption speed reached tenfold.

After a night of cultivation, he felt refreshed and invigorated. Though his cultivation remained at the Fifth Level of the Divine Body Realm, all his internal injuries had healed, bringing him to peak condition.

At dawn, Ning Xiaochuan opened his eyes and retracted the lightning surrounding his body into himself.

"Boom!"

With a movement as swift as lightning, Ning Xiaochuan arrived outside the Heavenly Bridge in an instant.

"Brother, you really came!" Ning Xin'er immediately walked over upon seeing Ning Xiaochuan appear, looking quite delighted as she tightly gripped his arm with her small hand.

Ning Xiaochuan asked, "Xin'er, how did you know I would come to challenge the Heavenly Bridge today?"

"Brother Chuan, you’ve been so high-profile. Now everyone in Emperor's City knows you’re coming to challenge the Heavenly Bridge. There will probably be quite a crowd watching today," Murong Wushuang chimed in.

He had been waiting by the Heavenly Bridge for a long time and had finally seen Ning Xiaochuan arrive.

"High-profile?"

Ning Xiaochuan didn’t bother figuring out who had spread the news—it wasn’t a big deal to him anyway. He continued, "Among the new students, how many have passed the Heavenly Bridge?"

"Passing the Heavenly Bridge is too difficult. The results among the new students have been dismal. Aside from Ming Yang, who cleared the third level, only four others have passed the first level. Everyone else failed," Murong Wushuang said gloomily.

"Only four new students passed the first level?" Ning Xiaochuan frowned slightly.