The fight concluded anticlimactically, so bizarrely that even the Qingye Sect disciples were clueless about what had happened. It was as if they had come specifically to deliver the Qingzhu Pills to Ning Beichen, not to exact revenge.
"Sect Master, that kid killed our disciples, why did you let him go? And you even gave him the Qingzhu Pills," a Qingye Sect disciple asked indignantly after they emerged.
"I'm not confident I can defeat him," Zhao Wenchong's single sentence silenced his disciples.
The disciples, along with the elders, stared with disbelief. They couldn't see or feel the Grandmaster realm. All they witnessed was Ning Beichen slapping their Sect Master, who, instead of showing anger, compensated him with Qingzhu Pills.
"Sect Master, you're saying he's also... a Grandmaster!" The Qingye Sect disciples were stunned into silence.
Although Zhao Wenchong was reluctant to admit it, he gritted his teeth and nodded forcefully. The Grandmaster's domain was undeniable.
"Hiss..." The Qingye Sect disciples collectively inhaled sharply. Ning Beichen was so young. Most of them were older than him. How could he possibly be a Grandmaster? Yet, their Sect Master wouldn't lie. This meant Ning Beichen truly was a Grandmaster. A wave of dejection washed over the disciples. With Ning Beichen being a Grandmaster, their Qingye Sect had no hope of avenging their fallen members.
"Even if he is a Grandmaster, with a willingness to sacrifice my life, I might not necessarily lose to him. However, I fear he has the backing of the Three Great Sects. I can afford to offend one Grandmaster, but I cannot afford to offend the Three Great Sects," Zhao Wenchong explained, though not entirely explicitly. His disciples understood his meaning.
"Alright, no need to be so disheartened. There's always someone better, and a higher heaven beyond the sky. Losing is losing, there's no shame in it. Remember to discipline your disciples from now on and refrain from such actions," Zhao Wenchong advised.
"Yes, Sect Master." Everyone nodded in agreement.
As the Qingye Sect departed, Ning Beichen did not leave. He entered the main hall, found a relatively clean room, and swallowed a Qingzhu Pill. Two hours later, a triumphant roar echoed from within the room. Ning Beichen emerged, his complexion radiant. The Qingzhu Pills truly lived up to their reputation as a treasure of the Qingye Sect. One pill significantly boosted his cultivation, leaving him extremely satisfied. It was a pity that the initial efficacy of the Qingzhu Pills was the strongest; they weakened with each subsequent use, typically losing their effect after the third pill. However, Ning Beichen was already content. It was no wonder the Qingye Sect Master had achieved Grandmaster status over a decade ago. Though only a half-step Grandmaster, a half-step Grandmaster was still a Grandmaster!
He had a total of twelve Qingzhu Pills. After consuming three, nine would remain. These remaining nine pills would be ineffective for him. However, they could be used for his own people. Ye Ya'er had been helping him, and as one of his confidantes, she deserved one. His senior sister should also receive one, as should his trusted generals. Ning Beichen calculated, and after allocating them, about three pills would be left. At this moment, Ning Beichen suddenly thought of Liu Yilin. He pondered whether to save a Qingzhu Pill for her. But then he felt their relationship was merely casual, and she wasn't his woman. Given the preciousness of Qingzhu Pills, giving one to her might be a waste. Ning Beichen thought for a while, unable to make a decision, and decided to keep these three pills for now, to be dealt with later. Soon after, Ning Beichen also left the area and headed back by high-speed train.
However, just as he stepped out of the high-speed train station, a woman suddenly embraced his arm from behind, startling Ning Beichen and nearly causing him to throw her away.
"Liu Yixin, what are you doing?" Fortunately, Ning Beichen's eyes were sharp enough to recognize her. Otherwise, she would have been sent flying like a little bird just now.
"Ning Beichen, I've been waiting for you to come back. You have no idea how worried I've been. Let me see if you're injured?" Liu Yixin, her usual petulance replaced by a rare gentleness, spoke to Ning Beichen.
Ning Beichen shivered involuntarily and quickly pulled his arm away. "I'm fine, Yixin. I'm not injured."
But Liu Yixin clung to him like a stubborn patch of plaster. After being shaken off by Ning Beichen, she immediately grabbed his arm again. "It's great that you're not injured. You have no idea how worried I was. By the way, did that sect leader trouble you? Should I find someone to deal with him?"
Ning Beichen's face immediately fell. He was an established Grandmaster. Who could she find to deal with him? Would she hire some thugs? Those thugs would likely be chopped into mincemeat before they even reached the Qingye Sect.
"No need. The matter is resolved. They won't bother you again, and you shouldn't provoke them anymore," Ning Beichen warned her solemnly, lest she foolishly try to confront the Qingye Sect. His successful retreat this time, and extorting twelve Qingzhu Pills, was due to Zhao Wenchong's fear of his background, not because he was genuinely afraid of Ning Beichen himself. If he had truly fought Zhao Wenchong, the outcome would have been uncertain.
"Okay, Ning Beichen, I'll listen to you. Let's go, I'll treat you to dinner." Liu Yixin's sudden obedience made Ning Beichen's eyelids twitch.
"No need, I'll eat at home." Ning Beichen quickly declined.
"Ning Beichen, you saved my life. Can't you even give me a chance to thank you?" Liu Yixin's teary eyes were about to make Ning Beichen's head explode.
"Fine, fine, just dinner, right? Let's go." Ning Beichen said, feeling a touch of helplessness. Liu Yixin instantly broke into a smile, her face beaming with joy. She drove her Maserati, taking Ning Beichen to a high-end restaurant.
The meal was exceedingly awkward for Ning Beichen. It wasn't that he disliked Liu Yixin, but rather that he didn't want to get entangled with her. After the meal, Ning Beichen, ignoring her attempts at coquettish behavior, was determined to go home. He even called a taxi instead of letting her drive him, which infuriated Liu Yixin, who stomped her foot in frustration behind him.
"This blockhead, can't this young lady even catch your eye?" Liu Yixin reluctantly drove away, but she wasn't going to give up.
Upon returning home, Ning Beichen found Liu Yilin waiting for him. Although she didn't voice any words of concern, her eyes clearly conveyed her relief at his safe return.
"Boss, the matter has been resolved. They shouldn't bother your sister again," Ning Beichen told her after some thought.