A New Fated Chance

Zhao Yan'er pulled back, putting distance between herself and Ning Fan. She cast him a seductive smile before departing with the other Yin-Yang Peak disciples.

Ning Fan: "..."

He stood in place, staring into empty space. As for the disciples from Lingyue Peak, they had long since seized the opportunity to flee, and Ning Fan had no attention to spare for them.

Ah, this.

Ning Fan had been worrying day and night, constantly on guard against someone snatching his Dao companion, yet he never expected that one day, he would be the one getting snatched.

And by a member of the Zhao family, no less!?

It was too strange.

Far too strange!

If he truly became Zhao Yan'er's concubine, which peak would he belong to? Even if Ning Fan could remain at Changming Peak, would the dual cultivation rules then have to follow the customs of Yin-Yang Peak?

And what was the situation with the Zhao family?

Ah.

One complication after another, leaving Ning Fan with a splitting headache.

Naturally, the ideal outcome would be to refuse Zhao Yan'er, but the display of strength she had just shown weighed heavily on his mind.

Her prowess was formidable.

She was easily the strongest disciple Ning Fan had encountered, excluding Peak Masters and Chief Disciples. He had to proceed with caution.

"..."

Ning Fan decided to return to Changming Peak first to consult his senior brothers. They had experience and would certainly have a better way to handle such matters than he did.

And so, Ning Fan strolled back to Changming Peak. He went straight to his cave dwelling, planning to bring Yun Qingyao with him to see Lin Yu, Li Yunqi, and Miao Tian.

However, as soon as he entered, he saw a figure sitting opposite Yun Qingyao at the table. Yun Qingyao appeared noticeably restrained.

"Husband."

Seeing Ning Fan return, Yun Qingyao stood up as if granted a pardon, pulling him to her side as they faced the stranger together.

At this moment, Ning Fan was able to get a clear look at the person before him.

It was a woman clearly older than Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao-not even of the same generation. She exuded a gentle, graceful air, her black hair coiled into a cool, elegant bun. A smile tugged at her lips upon seeing Ning Fan.

She radiated a kind and amiable presence, much like a refreshing spring breeze.

"Might I ask, Senior, you are not here to make this disciple a concubine as well, are you?"

Ning Fan's mind was still preoccupied with Zhao Yan'er's proposal, and the question slipped out before he could stop it.

As the words fell, the gentle woman's expression flickered, though she quickly regained her composure and spoke in a calm voice.

"I have no interest in you. I am Yu Ji."

"You may address me as the Sixth Elder."

Ning Fan: "!!!"

Ning Fan's body jolted. He instinctively stood up, cupping his fists and bowing to the beautiful woman, his voice filled with reverence.

"Greetings, Senior Sixth Elder."

An Elder.

They were the absolute top tier of the Yin-Yang Divine Sect, the figures standing beneath only the Sect Leader and the Dao Masters. Those with specific rankings were, without exception, top-tier experts possessing immense authority.

Wait.

The surname Yu... why did it sound so familiar?

Ning Fan: "..."

Ning Fan suddenly considered a very unfavorable possibility.

Yet, as is often the way with this world, the things one fears most are exactly what come to pass-a lesson once imparted by a certain Senior Mo.

"That is correct."

"Yu Qingqing is my granddaughter. Thank you for looking after her during this time; she has caused you no small amount of trouble."

Sixth Elder smiled as she spoke. Both her tone and her words were indeed "gentle" and "warm," but to Ning Fan, they felt like sitting on pins and needles.

"Heh, hehe."

Ning Fan laughed dryly, his gaze unconsciously sweeping the cave dwelling for Yu Qingqing. After a full circle, he found nothing.

"Stop looking. Qingqing has already been taken back by me."

Ning Fan's face darkened, and his gaze toward the Sixth Elder grew sharper. Even a Sect Elder should not behave in such a manner.

This was using authority to oppress others!!

The Sect ought to uphold its own principles.

Seeing the hostility rising in Ning Fan's eyes, the Sixth Elder's lips curled into a conciliatory smile to appease him.

"Do not worry. I will not treat you unfairly."

"One week from now, a Fated Chance location in the back mountain will open. I have granted special permission for you two to enter that area for a final boost before the All-Peak Tournament."

"To exchange Qingqing for this opportunity, neither of you is at a loss."

"Oh..."

Hearing this, Ning Fan's expression eased slightly. Regardless of the quality of the location, at least it was an exchange.

It was barely enough to soothe his inner discontent.

"Hehe."

"The Fated Chance location opening in the back mountain is exceedingly rare. Many core disciples would fight to the death for a qualification to enter. Inside, there is no shortage of Earth-Grade top-tier treasures, and there is even one particularly rare opportunity..."

"Oh!?"

Ning Fan's eyes lit up at the mention of this.

It seemed that the location the Sixth Elder was offering in exchange for Yu Qingqing was actually quite substantial!

"Then this disciple thanks the Sixth Elder."

Ning Fan cupped his fists in a formal salute.

"No thanks are required. It is merely the compensation for taking Qingqing back. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

"As for what benefits the two of you can obtain within that location, that is entirely your own affair."

Yu Ji began to rise, but before she could, Ning Fan suddenly thought of something and spoke up.

"Sixth Elder."

"What exactly are the Sect's rules regarding concubines? Does being defeated by someone mean one must become their concubine?"

"I have a friend... who has some concerns regarding this matter."

"Naturally not."

"First, losing to someone merely implies a lower cultivation realm. The act of taking a concubine is primarily for dual cultivation. If one chooses a martial artist of a lower realm for that purpose, the benefits are negligible. Few people engage in such thankless labor."

Sixth Elder spoke slowly, but the next moment, a meaningful smile played at the corner of her mouth.

"However, there are exceptions. If one possesses a rare dual cultivation physique, or if their talent is simply high enough, then being forcibly taken is certainly possible."

"..."

Ning Fan's mouth twitched slightly. It was clear the Sixth Elder was referring to him.

"Though, I will add that snatching a Dao companion is actually a better outcome than betting on one."

"Better?!"

Ning Fan was bewildered. How could being snatched be better than being part of a wager?

"Those who bet on their Dao companions usually harbor life-and-death grudges, seeking to settle old scores. Even ignoring the loss of the companion, the intensity of the struggle alone far surpasses that of a simple snatching."

"Snatching a Dao companion is more about coveting the prize. Sometimes, no battle even occurs; there are many who, feeling they cannot win, simply yield."

"Of course, a Dao companion is a vital asset for any disciple in the Yin-Yang Divine Sect. Therefore, the act of snatching is not without its price..."

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