LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 148: If This Is A Lie, You’ll Pay For It With Your Body
After dispatching the demon beast, Feng Fan wasted no time grabbing the blue orb it had been guarding. He knew all too well that if he had been even a second slower, Qian Xiaoli would have found some righteous excuse to claim the orb for herself.
As he used his wristband to store the orb away, a mischievous thought crossed his mind.
'When we face the top sects, I'll make sure this girl works twice as hard. That way, all these little payments will finally feel worth it,' he mused with a sly grin.
"What's with that ridiculous smile? Are you thinking something you shouldn't?" A voice came from right beside Feng Fan. It was Qian Xiaoli, staring directly at his face with sharp eyes.
Feng Fan quickly wiped away his grin and replaced it with a warm, innocent smile. "Xiao'er, how could I ever have improper thoughts about you?"
Qian Xiaoli narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Oh? So you were thinking about me. Care to share what it was about?"
'Hmph, this naughty little dog… Just wait until I get him home. I'll make sure to discipline him properly,' she thought, a glint flashing in her eyes.
Feng Fan, who had picked up on her thoughts, felt a cold shiver run down his spine. Still, he managed to maintain his composure, keeping his expression calm and betraying nothing.
With his warm smile unwavering, he replied smoothly, "I was just thinking about how beautiful you are, Xiao'er. When all of this is over, I'll take you to my home and show you where I live."
Inwardly, however, his thoughts told a different story. 'Like hell, I'd do that! If Qinqin finds out, she'll kill me for sure!'
Qian Xiaoli's cheeks flushed faintly. She glanced down and brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Really? I'll be looking forward to it, then. You'd better not be lying!"
'If this is a lie, you'll pay for it with your body… And if it's not, I'll be happy to go to your house. Either way, I win,' she mused, a mischievous grin forming on her lips.
Feng Fan stared at her, utterly dumbfounded. 'Did I just escape a wolf's den only to walk straight into a tiger's lair?' He thought, despair creeping into his heart.
"Feng Fan?" A cold voice called out from a few meters behind, cutting through the air and breaking the moment.
Feng Fan turned toward the source of the voice, and his expression lit up. "Ah, Huang Xue!"
Huang Xue's eyes quickly darted to Qian Xiaoli. She stepped between them, raising her sword defensively toward Qian Xiaoli.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her gaze sharp and protective.
Feng Fan watched Huang Xue protect him, and a warm feeling spread through his chest. 'Ah, being protected by a beauty… Life doesn't get better than this!' He thought, thoroughly enjoying the moment.
But he quickly stepped forward, placing his hand gently on Huang Xue's arm. "Stop, Huang Xue. She's with me," he said, his tone calm yet firm.
Huang Xue hesitated for a moment, glancing back at him, her grip on the sword loosening slightly.
"With you?" She echoed, her eyes narrowing suspiciously as she studied Qian Xiaoli again.
Qian Xiaoli crossed her arms and smirked. "I don't need your permission to stay with him, but it's cute how protective you are." Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire
Huang Xue's expression stiffened, but before she could respond, Feng Fan sighed and stepped between them, raising his hands as if to mediate. "Alright, alright, let's not start a fight over nothing. We're all on the same side here."
Huang Xue reluctantly lowered her sword, but her wary eyes never left Qian Xiaoli. Meanwhile, Qian Xiaoli simply smiled triumphantly, clearly enjoying the attention.
"Why are you working with her? Isn't she from another sect?" Huang Xue asked, her tone sharp and filled with suspicion.
"I made a deal with her," Feng Fan explained. "She'll help us aim for first place, and in return, we'll help her secure a spot in the top three."
Huang Xue's brows knitted together as she shifted her attention to Qian Xiaoli. "What are you plotting? Why would you agree to something like that?"
Qian Xiaoli smirked, tilting her head slightly. "Why should I explain myself to you? It's none of your concern. This deal is between me and Fan'er."
The casual way Qian Xiaoli addressed him made Huang Xue's eye twitch with irritation.
Noticing the tension rising, Feng Fan cleared his throat and stepped forward, raising his hands to mediate. "Alright ladies. We're all aiming for the same objective, right? Let's focus on that."
Huang Xue didn't respond immediately but gave Qian Xiaoli one last suspicious glare before nodding.
Qian Xiaoli, on the other hand, smiled as if she had won a battle. "Good idea, Fan'er. Let's get moving. After all, we wouldn't want to waste any time."
Feng Fan sighed inwardly, sensing that the road ahead might be even more challenging with these two at his side.
'Great. This is going to be fun,' he thought sarcastically as they began their journey together.
Huang Xue, Feng Fan, and Qian Xiaoli continued advancing toward the center of the pocket dimension, collecting orbs along the way. For the first time since arriving, Feng Fan spotted an violet orb in the distance.
His face lit up. "Hey, there's an violet orb over there!" he exclaimed, pointing toward the orb's location at about eleven o'clock.
"Let's go!" Huang Xue was the first to move, dashing forward instantly. Ever since she started traveling with Qian Xiaoli, they'd been silently competing.
Feng Fan hadn't managed to claim an orb since they teamed up.
Qian Xiaoli didn't say a word, simply following right after Huang Xue.
Feng Fan sighed as he watched them. 'They didn't even let me finish… There are a couple of demon beasts and cultivators near the orb. Even if they're strong, they should at least think things through before charging in.'
Shaking his head, he trailed behind them, readying himself for the inevitable chaos that would follow.