The Master and His Wealthy Fiancée

Their relationship was no secret in Dragon and Phoenix Valley. Wang Wan'er had even given her pit to Wang Xian'er, so Qian Hu found the situation perfectly believable. He tossed three leaves to Wang Xian'er, then turned to wrap his arm around Wang Wan'er.

Without a single glance at the tear-streaked face of Wang Wan'er, Wang Xian'er scrambled on the ground to pick up the leaves, her own face twisted in excitement.

An immense, stabbing pain shot through Wang Wan'er's heart. She felt completely numb as Qian Hu led her away in his embrace.

'People can change, can't they! Miss, I have now repaid your kindness!'

On the other side of the valley, Qian Hu had carved out his own cave residence into a cliff face. He had created it after Xu Sirong became his Dao Companion, for the convenience of their dual cultivation.

The conditions in the valley were what they were. Once an Array was laid down and a restriction activated, no one could possibly spy on them.

Holding the beauty in his arms, Qian Hu stepped into the cave residence, feeling extremely smug. Just as he was about to activate the restriction and the Array, Xu Sirong ran in.

Qian Hu frowned. "What are you doing here?"

Xu Sirong looked anxious. "Brother Hu, you can't touch this woman!"

"She's just a maid from the Wang Family. Why can't I touch her!"

Xu Sirong put on a look of concern for Qian Hu's sake. "Senior Sister Feng Wei has taken a liking to this woman. Even Senior Brother Chen Tianmo treats her with utmost courtesy. She's been given a pit and leaves out there. If you take her, wouldn't you be slapping Senior Sister Feng Wei in the face?"

Xu Sirong hadn't come to warn him out of the goodness of her heart. She was Qian Hu's Dao Companion now, and his strength was considerable. She still needed to rely on him for her cultivation. Besides, she had always been unnerved by Wang Wan'er and certainly didn't want to compete with her for favor.

Qian Hu thought about it. It seemed there was something to what she said. He recalled Chen Tianmo specifically mentioning it when they were assigning pits upon entering the valley.

"Fuck! I wasted three leaves for nothing. Sirong, take a few people and snatch those leaves back from that piece of trash!"

Hearing this, Wang Wan'er instinctively wanted to help Wang Xian'er. She hesitated for a moment, then gave up the idea. The Wang Family had nothing to do with her anymore. She'd been sold for three leaves. She decided she would no longer care what happened to Wang Xian'er in the future.

After saying this, Qian Hu quickly bowed to Wang Wan'er and tried to justify himself. "Junior Sister Wan'er, I only devised this plan because I saw how terribly that piece of trash was treating you. Please don't blame your Senior Brother for his rudeness!"

As Xu Sirong was leaving, she heard this and sneered inwardly. 'I've seen exactly what kind of person this Qian Hu is. If I hadn't interfered, this woman would have definitely been forced by him.'

Wang Wan'er gave a cold shake of her head. Seeing that Qian Hu didn't dare to touch her, she felt a slight sense of relief.

Seeing this, Qian Hu tried to make amends. He first took out a leaf as an apology, then said, "Junior Sister Wan'er, Senior Brother Chen has left, and you don't have a pit. I'll make the decision—his pit is now yours!"

"There's no need." Wang Wan'er replied faintly. She walked out of the cave residence, a lonely figure. She no longer had the mental energy to think about anything; she felt that none of it mattered anymore.

Meanwhile, Chen Dong had begun a new phase of enlightenment. Ever since achieving the minor completion of the Life-Stinging Technique a month ago, he felt that the Dragon and Phoenix Treasure Manual was truly profound. It was better to master one technique than to know ten thousand, but he could still gain insights from others for reference. His Phoenix True Fire had also hit a bottleneck, so he simply continued his meditation to gain more enlightenment.

Two more months passed, and another group of people was forced out of the valley, leaving only about one hundred and sixty remaining.

The empty pits by the towering, withered tree were filled once more. During this time, Wang Xian'er was also driven out of the valley.

However, Wang Xian'er's days before leaving the valley were truly miserable. Not only did the people Xu Sirong brought with her break her arms and legs and snatch back the leaves, but people also came to insult and mock her every day. This was all Xu Sirong's doing. The reason was her jealousy and resentment toward Wang Wan'er; since she couldn't act against Wang Wan'er, she took her anger out on her former Miss.

The Decree List in the sky had also changed quite a bit.

First Place was still Chen Dong. Comprehended three of the six complete techniques: True Dragon Heaven-Stealing Technique, Phoenix True Fire, Sun Burning True Skill. Minor techniques: Omitted.

Second Place: Wang Wan'er. Comprehended two of the six complete techniques: Phoenix True Fire, Flowing Xiayun Flame Transformation. Minor techniques: Omitted.

Third Place: Qian Hu. Comprehended one of the six complete techniques: Sun Burning True Skill. Minor techniques: Omitted.

Fourth Place: Feng An. Comprehended one of the six complete techniques: Sun Burning True Skill. Minor techniques: Omitted.

Fifth Place: Wang Kai. Comprehended one of the six complete techniques: Flowing Xiayun Flame Transformation. Minor techniques: Omitted.

Ever since the founder of the Qixia Sect began widely accepting disciples, those who comprehended even one complete technique in Dragon and Phoenix Valley were few and far between. Those who could comprehend two were as rare as a phoenix feather or a qilin horn. As for those who could comprehend three, they would be ranked among the True Disciples upon leaving the valley, a status even higher than that of a Core Disciple.

Anyone who comprehended four complete techniques would be chosen as the Daoist. Yet, the current Daoist of the Qixia Sect, Feng You, had only comprehended three complete techniques. The Senior Sister Feng Wei he feared had likewise comprehended three techniques.

As for comprehending five complete techniques, no one had ever appeared who could do so, aside from the founding ancestor of the Qixia Sect.

These days, whenever the disciples in the valley took a break from their meditation, they would check the Decree List. If Chen Dong comprehended a fourth complete technique, Feng You would be stripped of his Daoist title, and it would be given to Chen Dong.

This was also because they didn't know that Chen Dong was not a disciple of their Qixia Sect.

Qian Hu also found himself glancing at the Decree List from time to time. If Chen Dong comprehended a fourth complete technique, he would immediately search every inch of Dragon and Phoenix Valley to find him. He had no other motive than to be the first follower of this rising dragon.

But today, when he looked up at the sky, something seemed different.

Suddenly, a clear, high-pitched phoenix cry echoed out. Flames filled the entire sky as if the scorching sun itself were falling, and a majestic phoenix landed lightly upon the towering, withered tree.