Jiang Xue stopped, a cold laugh echoing.
She turned her head and saw everyone staring at her, dumbfounded.
This woman was not only beautiful, but also breathtaking when she lost her temper. Some men even thought that if she hadn't been so ruthless, they would have wanted to take Xie Dong's place and get beaten.
"Spare me!" Xie Dong choked out.
He was utterly defeated.
He had thought that after half a year of seclusion, he would emerge like a fierce dragon from its lair. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect to run into such a formidable opponent the moment he reappeared.
If it had been an old man, it would have been understandable. For someone his age to possess such terrifying strength was normal.
But for a young and beautiful woman like Jiang Xue to defeat him so easily was simply unacceptable.
He even began to question his own existence.
"Spare you? Dream on!"
Jiang Xue sneered and said to Feng Nian and the others, "Carry him out. Deal with him according to the rules!"
"Yes!"
Feng Nian didn't hesitate. He immediately signaled his subordinates to carry Xie Dong away.
His fate was predictable.
"Xiao Yan, let's go find Chen Jie!"
Jiang Xue said softly to Wang Xiao Yan.
Wang Xiao Yan, with an "oh," finally snapped back to reality.
She then trotted eagerly after Jiang Xue.
"Jiang Xue, how are you so powerful!"
Wang Xiao Yan exclaimed excitedly, keeping pace with Jiang Xue.
Jiang Xue felt a pang of shame and couldn't explain her newfound strength.
She merely said, "It's nothing much, I'm not that powerful. It's just that old man was too weak."
"I don't believe you. Even Feng Nian and the others couldn't defeat that old man, yet you beat him so easily that he couldn't even retaliate!"
"Tell me quickly, did you cultivate the technique Chen Jie gave you to become so strong? I want to cultivate too!"
"Uh, go ask Chen Jie then!"
Jiang Xue felt a mixture of joy and shame. She certainly didn't dare to tell Wang Xiao Yan the real reason.
"You're keeping this from me? Are you still my good sister?"
"I know!"
Wang Xiao Yan suddenly understood.
Jiang Xue's heart tightened: "Know what?"
"You're actually cultivating a top-tier technique from Chen Jie, aren't you? When I asked you before, you just brushed me off, hoping to show off and slap my face today!"
"How could you! Little Xue, you're not learning anything good, but choosing to pretend to be a pig to eat a tiger, even slapping your best friend's face! You've hidden this from me for so long!"
Seeing that she hadn't truly misunderstood, Jiang Xue couldn't help but feel relieved.
She then explained, "It's not what you think. It's mainly because of Chen Jie..."
"Chen Jie?" Wang Xiao Yan asked, puzzled.
Jiang Xue's heart was pounding.
She suddenly recalled that she had once complained to Wang Xiao Yan that Chen Jie wanted to cultivate with her to help her improve.
Mentioning Chen Jie now was truly risky.
But she quickly forced herself to calm down and said, "Last time Chen Jie returned to Pingcheng, he unblocked some meridians in my body, which is why I became so strong."
Jiang Xue said with a hint of melancholy, "I'm sorry, I can't tell you the real reason..."
"I see. Then when I have time, I'll ask Chen Jie to unblock my meridians too. I want to become as strong as you!"
Wang Xiao Yan said excitedly.
"Let's go! We're going to find Chen Jie."
The two arrived at Villa Number One and found Xiao Ding leaving.
It turned out that the auction was scheduled to begin that night, and he had come to brief Chen Jie in advance.
He also informed Chen Jie of all the auction items.
After a brief greeting with Xiao Ding, they entered the villa and met Chen Jie.
They found Chen Jie in good spirits.
"Chen Jie, you're in such a good mood, did something good happen?" Wang Xiao Yan hopped over to Chen Jie.
"Heh heh, you're here! Xiao Ding just told me that there will be some things I need at the auction later. When the time comes, I'll give you a gift!"
Chen Jie chuckled.
Xiao Ding was indeed capable.
This time, he had managed to gather all the materials needed to craft storage rings.
Chen Jie intended to personally participate in the auction this time.
"Chen Jie, I just realized Little Xue is also a super expert!"
Wang Xiao Yan excitedly recounted the recent events to Chen Jie.
Then, she excitedly said to Chen Jie, "Little Xue said you unblocked some meridians for her when you last returned to Pingcheng, which is why she became so strong. Can you unblock mine too! I want to become as strong as Little Xue, so I can help you!"
"Uh..."
Chen Jie glanced at Jiang Xue.
Was this "unblocking" thing a legitimate procedure?
"We'll see in a few days. It's definitely not possible today," Chen Jie said vaguely.
"Okay!"
Wang Xiao Yan was a little disappointed, but she obediently didn't argue with Chen Jie.
Time passed unnoticed until seven o'clock in the evening.
The auction venue in Villa Number Eight was also ready.
Staff members were transporting the auction items to the site.
Chen Jie, along with Wang Xiao Yan and Jiang Xue, took seats in the front row.
"Mr. Chen, someone is looking for you!"
At this moment, Man Niu approached and respectfully said to Chen Jie.
"Looking for me? Who is it?"
Man Niu replied, "It's a woman who calls herself Lin Shuang. She wants to attend the auction but doesn't have an entrance ticket. She said she's a good friend of yours and asked us to check with you!"
Chen Jie was taken aback.
Wang Xiao Yan and Jiang Xue, who were nearby, overheard this.
Wang Xiao Yan didn't say anything, merely looking at the stage with anticipation.
Jiang Xue, however, frowned and said with some displeasure, "You have quite a lot of female confidantes, don't you!"
"What does that have to do with you?" Chen Jie replied sternly.
Jiang Xue immediately retorted, "It has nothing to do with me, but does it have nothing to do with Wang Xiao Yan either? I'm just speaking up for her!"
While saying this, she felt a secret joy, a feeling shared only between the two of them.
She found herself enjoying this state.
On one hand, she acted as if she and Chen Jie were at odds, yet on the other hand, their relationship was not as simple as it seemed.
Chen Jie ignored her and said to Man Niu, "Let her in. She is indeed my friend."
"Understood!"
A moment later, Lin Shuang walked in.
"Chen Jie, have you become so high and mighty now? I have to request an audience just to see you?" Lin Shuang said indignantly.
Jiang Xue merely glanced at Lin Shuang but immediately felt a strong sense of threat.
As a woman, her intuition was always accurate.
Seeing the way Lin Shuang looked at Chen Jie, she sensed that their relationship was extraordinary.
Her heart was filled with vigilance.
"Chen Jie, aren't you going to introduce us?" Wang Xiao Yan had not yet spoken when Jiang Xue took the initiative to ask.
Before Chen Jie could reply, Lin Shuang smiled and extended her hand to Jiang Xue, "Hello, I'm Lin Shuang, and I'm also Chen Jie's... friend! It's a pleasure to meet you."