Volume One, Chapter 43: Not Well Acquainted

"Elder, this is the one who injured Junior Brother Liu and took Junior Brother Liu’s storage pouch!"
Ye Si crossed his arms, and when Ji Die’s gaze landed on him, a cold sneer tugged at the corner of his lips.
The news exploded among the crowd like a thunderclap, leaving the stable disciples who’d gathered to watch utterly astonished.
"Does Nephew Jiang know this person?!" The old man’s attention was drawn to the conspicuous red garments, and seeing her stand at Ji Die’s side, he silently guessed at the nature of their relationship.
Jiang Moli and Su Luo were known to share a cordial relationship—this was no secret. Among all the disciples on the Pill Peak, Su Luo was the one he valued most.
"We’re not familiar, Elder Tian, there’s no need to take me into account—just handle the matter according to the rules." Jiang Moli offered a cool salute, and—
"Yoyo, does it hurt?" Chu Yu edged up beside Qu You, his large hand quietly brushing against her ankle. Truly, it hadn’t been intentional; he’d merely felt something soft beneath his foot, never thinking it was her fair foot.
"What did you expect?" Gao Yan retorted. This side wing had always housed only him and Old Lu’s family. The allowance that came from the main house was never docked, but never a penny more either. The charcoal was just enough for their use, and there were only so many rooms fit for people. Since Jiao Jiao wouldn’t sleep in the servants’ quarters, of course she could only share his room.
"It’s all your fault—" Madam Lou, unable to vent her anger on Gao Wei, turned to scold Cheng Shi, but Gao Hui, all grins, pushed her back to their room. "Mother, let’s just go back." After all, they’d already become the laughingstock once—was there any need to be ridiculed a second time?
As a result, the tax revenue from the Yunnan office was abysmally low, ranking among the very lowest in the entire country. If the taxes could be submitted on time each year, that was already considered a job well done. Gu Qingyun felt no grievance about being assigned to this department; as a newcomer with the least seniority, who else should be given the toughest job, if not him?
Chen Baiqi hadn’t expected the old man to take offense at her over the issue with guarding Le Yi, giving her a poor evaluation before they’d even interacted.
After Xia Luo left, An Ze tidied up the bowls and chopsticks, gave the house a quick cleaning, then toured his home, checking the cellar and the fridge. Hmm, the vegetables and fruit were almost gone, the desserts in the fridge nearly finished—it was time to prepare something fresh.

6 Yan hurried to pull Hou Ying, only to find her hands icy cold. She wanted to call out for her elder sister, but didn’t dare raise her voice. Hou Ying stood dazed for a long moment, gazing at her younger sister’s tear-streaked, anxious face; she tried to smile at Awu, but couldn't even lift the corners of her mouth. Suddenly, she pushed aside the wet nurse and staggered out.
Consort Lian stumbled, falling heavily to the ground. It was her fault, all her fault; she shouldn’t have been so severe. Had she not vied so relentlessly for favor, and instead spent more time with Xian’er, he wouldn’t have been so unable to bear the blow, nor fallen into despair and madness.
Shenchu was left sorely agitated, but was nevertheless delighted by the warm attitude before her, her smile blooming like a flower. She leaned over to offer a fragrant kiss, once more tormenting Shenchu to the core.
Jiang Yi was also observing the five patients present. He could see at a glance what ailed them, yet could not tell Zhao Mengdie.
Later, Mo Qi, unable to overcome the boundary, became the abbot who led the mountain-moving ritual. Yet, the Wheel of Fate collapsed, and the imperial mausoleum crumbled into a heap of rubble.
Qin Zhao spoke, inviting Yan Yan to touch his arm. But after she did, she felt even more distressed.
Jiang Huairen initially chose the Thunder Dragon Shakes the Heavens technique and the Overlord Dragon Lifts the Sky technique, because in his previous life he had practiced thunder-based methods and body-forging arts, making these two easier than the other seven. Now, however, Jiang Huairen had no intention of choosing the Thunder Dragon—he would pick the Flame Dragon Burns the Heavens technique.
Seeing such changes, Zhang Tian also stopped. For now, in this academy, it was best not to draw too much attention, since he wasn’t a native of this world—a single misstep could spell trouble. With that thought, he sheathed his sword and returned to his room.
Unfortunately, in this law-abiding society, it wasn’t easy for him to take action; any move would lead to a host of troublesome consequences.
Just thinking about what he was about to experience soon made the person inside feel sweat bead in his palms, unable to suppress a thread of nervousness.
This punch was entirely based on Xu Yang’s signature technique, the Netherfire Fist, and clever as he was, Xu Yang now infused it with the power of Violet Lightning.
"Now’s our chance, everyone—give it your all, cast the forbidden spell!" The senior archmages outside the city called out. Clearly, the sudden appearance of the ice wall had bought them precious casting time, and at once they began preparing their most powerful spells.

Zhao Qibai spoke only a few words, but to the two listening, it was as if thunder struck on a clear day—a detector that could measure starlight? If only the Wildlands stronghold had possessed such a device, their losses would never have been so great.
When the two arrived at the venue for the charity gala, the Haixiang Hotel, the entrance was already crowded with cars, each worth several million at the very least.
The Sage of Heaven and his companions gasped, deeply shaken by Wu’er Daoist’s shamelessness. To utter such crude and brazen words in public—none could compare.
Zhou Nan was the finance director at Shengshi International, wielding significant financial authority. Thus, whichever department manager it was, all would show him some deference.
"Ah, so long as you don’t resist! Here, take it!" Hearing this, Taishi Ci, still mounted, immediately tossed his left-hand halberd toward Gan Ning.
In an instant, nearly every member of the demon clan felt a tremor in their hearts—a vast sense of crisis descended.
Then let it bloom! Life was already beyond redemption. Scarface Monkey could only laugh and cry—he knew collapse was imminent, a world-ending energy about to be unleashed. That kind of power might just allow Scarface Monkey to ascend in a single leap.
At dawn, far from the battlefield, Cao Cao slept soundly for the first time in his life. Upon waking, he discovered he was alone in the room.
Elsewhere, the Blade Demon’s figure clashed again and again with Ling Tian’s, the shrill sound of rending air echoing as rocks flew skyward. The two fought with all their might, neither able to gain the upper hand, each unleashing every last ounce of strength.