Chen Nan was utterly bewildered!
He had never in his wildest dreams imagined that the so-called Fifth Lord would be Du Yuan!
Not only was Chen Nan stunned, but Du Yuan herself paused, a knowing smile gracing her lips. "Quite a surprise, isn't it? I'm rather surprised myself!"
Chen Nan managed a wry smile.
Now, he finally understood why the Dragon Clan had a black market. It was easy to surmise that the entire black market was likely Ao Xiaoyu's private enterprise. She treated the dwellers of the Dragon Clan as mere leeks, harvesting them season after season. No, it was more than just leeks; the outsiders living in the Dragon Clan were akin to sheep, whose wool was periodically shorn. What was even more infuriating was that these sheep weren't even provided with grass to eat.
"Don't worry, we don't inquire about the origin of our guests' immortal stones here," Du Yuan said with that knowing smile, casually tossing a storage bag to Chen Nan. "This contains six hundred thousand spirit stones. You can count them."
Chen Nan forced a smile. "No need, I trust Fifth Lord."
Du Yuan: "Safe travels!"
"Farewell!"
Chen Nan turned and left.
If he hadn't needed the Dragon Soaring Grass to detoxify himself, he would have left this place immediately. The Dragon Clan was the least secure place he had ever been. However, now that his possession of high-grade immortal stones had been exposed, he had no choice but to take it one step at a time. Leaving now would likely lead to more trouble. It was better to stay, calm down, and make some money.
Du Yuan returned to Ao Xiaoyu's mansion immediately. "My lady, Chen Nan just visited the black market and exchanged for a high-grade immortal stone."
Ao Xiaoyu, who was cultivating, slowly opened her eyes upon hearing this. "It is just as I suspected."
Du Yuan couldn't help but ask, "My lady, did you guess his origins?"
Ao Xiaoyu: "Do you recall him saying he felt like he had seen me somewhere before?"
Du Yuan nodded.
Ao Xiaoyu: "I have never stepped foot outside the Dragon Clan, so it's impossible for me to have met him. His feeling of familiarity towards me is likely because he is the killer of my mother." A cold glint flashed in her eyes as she spoke.
Du Yuan felt the murderous aura radiating from Ao Xiaoyu, as if she had fallen into an ice cellar, her breathing almost ceasing. Enduring her nervousness, she asked, "What should we do? Should we kill him directly?"
Ao Xiaoyu suppressed her inner rage. "If I'm not mistaken, he has a purpose for coming to the Dragon Clan, likely related to the Dragon Mausoleum. We'll see what his intentions are after a year. If he truly came for the Dragon Mausoleum, it won't be too late to kill him after he enters. This way, we can eliminate Chen Nan and also have him earn five thousand high-grade immortal stones for us. It's truly killing two birds with one stone!"
Returning to the second floor of the barbecue shop, Chen Nan noticed that Meiniang was absent. This was unusual. While this woman could be flirtatious when entertaining guests, it was only through words. If anyone tried to take liberties with her, they would surely be scolded and kicked out of the barbecue shop. At this moment, he couldn't help but wonder if Meiniang had gone out to meet a lover.
Just then, a letter on the table caught his attention. Unfolding it, a line of text greeted his eyes: "I reckon Ao Ding will be back soon. I plan to conquer his father tonight. Good night, and have sweet dreams. Don't feel jealous!"
Chen Nan almost gagged. "Me, jealous of you? That's a joke! I only feel pity for brother Ao Ding's father!"
Meanwhile, Meiniang, dressed in a light pink dress, with a touch of makeup and a jade hairpin adorned with a green jade, arrived at Ao Ding's home. She had previously inquired about Ao Ding's address and knew he lived with his father, Ao Han. Standing at the doorstep, Meiniang took a deep breath, trying to calm her nervousness and unease, then knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" a slightly displeased voice called from inside. It seemed Meiniang's knock had disturbed his cultivation. Footsteps approached.
Creak!
The door opened, revealing Ao Han, nearly two meters tall, muscular, and shirtless. He entered Meiniang's sight. "Whoa! How is he so burly? I… I'm a little scared!" Meiniang felt a pang of fear. She had a feeling that if she were to actually get involved with Ao Han, he might employ the same "mid-air refueling" maneuver that Chen Nan had described.
Ao Han was initially displeased, as being disturbed during cultivation truly affected his mood. But upon seeing Meiniang, his eyes lit up, and his long-dormant heart began to beat rapidly. Her face was not the oval shape favored by the Dragon Clan, but she possessed captivating eyes that sparkled with an agile light, making them seem as if they could speak. Especially her slightly nervous and uneasy expression, which deeply stirred Ao Han's protective instincts. Even his voice became much gentler. "Who are you looking for? Have you nowhere to go? Come in, come in. Are you hungry?"
Meiniang felt speechless. "As expected, like father, like son. You two really aren't good people." Without further thought, Meiniang quickly said, "Uncle, hello, my name is Meiniang. I'm a friend of brother Ao Ding! May I ask if he has returned yet?"
"You're Ao Ding's friend?" Ao Han frowned, appearing hesitant. Meiniang nodded repeatedly. "Yes, we are friends." Ao Han pressed further. "Just friends?" Meiniang blushed. "Yes!" Ao Han relaxed, grinning. "Then would you like to change your relationship with him?"
"Ah? Uncle, what do you mean by that?" Meiniang's agile eyes were filled with confusion. Ao Han stroked his chin and chuckled. "How about you become his stepmother?"
"Uncle, I don't understand..." Before she could finish, Ao Ding swept her into a princess carry. "Ah, Uncle, what are you doing? Put me down!" She struggled and even pounded Ao Han's chest with her little fists. However, this meager force was insufficient to affect a super-expert at the Spirit Immortal realm. Thus, the Lightning Leopard ushered in a moment of happiness.
The Lightning Leopard did not return all night. Chen Nan felt a little worried. He feared that the creature might lose control and reveal its true form. If that happened, it would likely scare Ao Ding's father to death. Based on his understanding of the Lightning Leopard, it would probably say something like, "Finished having your fun? Now it's my turn!"
Just after breakfast, as Chen Nan was preparing to sign contracts with the owners of those houses, a dust-covered figure burst in excitedly. It was Ao Ding, who had been out collecting spiritual herbs. Ao Ding was ecstatic. "Brother Chen Nan, I've collected a ten-thousand-year-old spiritual herb!" He presented it. "Here, take a look. This is a fresh spiritual herb, its medicinal properties are full, and not a trace of potency has been lost! This herb will guarantee your entry into the Earth Immortal realm! Where is Meiniang? Quickly, let her come out and see me!"