Chapter 28: Protecting the Old Man.

The tension spiked as Wang Ling’er’s challenge hung in the air, ready to erupt into conflict. The black-robed elder, Wang Hong, suddenly coughed lightly, forcing a smile that could barely pass as “kindly” and raised a hand to calm the situation:

“Now, now, let’s all cool down! Meeting in this Nether Ancient Realm is a rare fate, isn’t it?” He turned to Xie Qiyang, his tone earnest. “Young Friend Jiang, traveling alone, you must know how dangerous this place is. Why not… join us? We can look out for each other.”

He maintained a friendly facade, but his three companions—two men and a woman—exchanged stunned glances. When had their clan uncle ever been so polite to a junior? Even if she was a Jiang, her identity wasn’t confirmed, and she was only in the Acquired Realm!

Their eyes met briefly, clearly communicating through secret transmissions. Moments later, they seemed to reach a consensus.

Wang Ling’er, who had mocked Xie Qiyang earlier, plastered on an almost fawning smile, bowing deeply to her:

“Friend Jiang, I was blind and spoke out of turn! Please, be magnanimous and don’t hold it against me. Ling’er apologizes sincerely!”

‘Tch, faster at flipping faces than flipping pages.’ Xie Qiyang sneered inwardly but kept her noble composure, nodding slightly to let it pass.

Yet, when her eyes met Wang Hong’s seemingly cloudy gaze, the sharp glint and unyielding hardness lurking within set off alarm bells in her head.

This damned old fox! All smiles on the surface, but who knows what he’s scheming inside!

Xie Qiyang cursed silently.

This old bastard’s a smiling tiger! If it comes to a fight, my frail body might win, but it’d attract a swarm of beasts. Then, exhausted, I’d be at their mercy.

The situation was against her. She suppressed her irritation and quickly weighed her options.

Fine, there’s nowhere else to go in this death-trap Nether Ancient Realm…

As long as they’re human, as long as they’ve heard that attacking an imperial clan’s prodigy means being hunted to the ends of the earth, her Jiang Ningshuang identity could keep them in check. They wouldn’t dare break ties openly.

Follow them for now and act when the chance comes!

Resolved, she showed just the right amount of grateful relief.

“Senior speaks too highly. Ningshuang stumbled into this place by mistake. To travel under Senior’s protection is truly appreciated.”

She lowered her stance, appearing frail yet sensible.

Thus, the four-person team became five.

On the road, the atmosphere was strange, tinged with a veneer of “harmony.” Wang Hong, clearly fishing for information, took the lead in conversation, his face full of “elderly” concern:

“This old man is Wang Hong. If you don’t mind, just call me Uncle Wang. ‘Senior’ is too much for these old bones.”

Seeing her lack the usual arrogance of a noble and give him face, Wang Hong warmed to her, trying to close the distance.

He clearly thought this worked on “naive” noble ladies.

The silver-haired girl acted “flattered,” timidly calling out, “Uncle… Uncle Wang.”

Uncle, my foot! Uncle? More like a scheming old creep.

Xie Qiyang inwardly raged, flashing back to her past life in the workplace, nearly scapegoated by such “kind seniors” and left with nothing. Trust him?

She’d sooner let Li Tianxing take advantage of her until she lost her mind than trust this guy.

Wang Hong probed deeper, from her background to her ordeal, subtly trying to uncover the truth.

Xie Qiyang stayed on high alert, keeping a “naive and innocent” facade. Her words were slippery, vague, dodging with “clan rules forbid me from saying more” or “the ordeal was too traumatic to recall,” deftly brushing him off.

Under Wang Hong’s lead, they trekked through mountains and rivers, weaving around dangers, narrowly avoiding flocks of ferocious birds overhead. They climbed a perilous hundred-meter cliff, its top dense with ancient trees and tangled vines, exuding an even wilder, primal air.

“We’re here!” Wang Hong stopped, pointing into the deep forest, his eyes glinting with greed and urgency. “Our target lies there—the Azure Dragon Fruit.”

Following his gesture, Xie Qiyang saw a strange ancient tree rising from the ground, its leaves like carved ice, crystal-clear and radiating faint chill.

At the canopy’s peak hung a fist-sized fruit, shimmering with seven-colored radiance, pulsing with enticing spiritual energy—the Azure Dragon Fruit.

Beneath the tree coiled a spine-chilling beast.

Its body was as thick as a palace pillar, covered in vibrant, metal-like scales, with menacing short horns on its head. Its cold snake eyes gleamed mercilessly, hissing with a scarlet tongue.

“This beast has been guarding the fruit until it ripens. We’ve come at the perfect time!”

Wang Hong rubbed his hands, his voice brimming with barely contained excitement. “Ling’er! Zongyao! Wang Rui! You three lure it away. Ningshuang and I will take the fruit. Remember, only distract, don’t fight!”

“Yes!” The three responded, charging out without hesitation. Wang Zongyao and Wang Rui used various tactics—throwing stones, shouting provocations—to draw the snake’s attention.

Wang Ling’er took a deep breath, her spiritual energy surging, releasing a piercing, eerie soundwave, clearly practicing a musical cultivation path.

The sound wasn’t mere noise; it seemed to pierce the soul, shaking leaves off nearby trees.

The snake, enraged, locked its icy pupils on the three “ants,” roaring furiously. Its massive body lunged, kicking up a foul wind.

The trio, perfectly coordinated, saw the snake fully provoked and bolted like arrows into the forest depths, fleeing for their lives.

The snake roared, crushing bushes in pursuit, vanishing from sight.

“Now’s our chance!” Wang Hong growled, his greed unmasked, turning to Xie Qiyang. “Ningshuang, follow me!”

Before his words faded, he shot forward like a specter, aiming straight for the icy tree!

Xie Qiyang’s heart raced.

The Azure Dragon Fruit—she wanted it too.

In her original body’s memories, this treasure was priceless, wilting the moment it left the tree, nearly extinct in markets.

Its rich spiritual energy could solidify foundations, greatly aiding her breakthrough to the Innate Realm.

She followed instantly but stayed wary—this old man moved too fast. Snatching it with him around wouldn’t be easy…

Her eyes flickered, and she “naturally” lagged half a step behind, respectfully letting the elder take the lead.

They moved swiftly, reaching the tree in a blink. Wang Hong’s eyes fixed on the radiant Azure Dragon Fruit, his gaunt hand shooting toward it with force.

“It’s mine!” Wang Hong’s face lit up with ecstasy.