Before Luo Qingyao could flare up, she realized the yawns were contagious—everyone around her followed one after another, even she herself couldn’t stop and yawned wide.
Alarm bells rang instantly. She forced herself alert and shouted:“Everyone! We might be poisoned! Quick, circulate your spiritual power to protect yourselves!”
The others reacted, some fast, some slow, but the drug’s force was vicious and overwhelming. Within moments, they were dropping unconscious one by one.
Outside the circle, Nan Sining and Zhou Lixing—already dosed with antidote and wrapped in spiritual energy—watched the group fall like dominos. They slapped palms in triumph.
Zhou praised from the heart: “Brother Luo’s medicine is as fierce and effective as ever.”
Nan Sining didn’t bother with false modesty: “Of course, of course!”
Years of chemical work on waste had made her an expert—crafting knockout powder was child’s play.
They waited a little longer, making sure all ten-plus cultivators were out cold, before slipping in. Zhou crouched first, checking pulses. “All down.”
Nan Sining waved her hand grandly: “Get to work!”
The pair split off, quietly “looting bodies.” Their silence was punctuated by the bright cheer of discovery—proof that the harvest was bountiful.
But Luo Qingyao… wasn’t entirely out. She had inhaled the powder, yes, but reacted fast and downed an antidote. She was sluggish, senses muffled like behind water glass, yet not completely helpless. Fury burned in her chest at the audacity and strength of the concoction.
Such a powerful drug… even I can’t resist? Whoever made this—what a talent! If only I could recruit them…
Her thoughts cut short when the thieves drew closer. She gripped the dagger hidden at her waist, forcing her leaden body into readiness.
Nan Sining, meanwhile, had just finished stripping one man and turned toward the next—her eyes glinted. A flash of cold light. Luo Qingyao! Still conscious. As expected of the “female lead” villainess.
A wicked idea sparked. Smiling nastily, she stepped right up and reached down:“Well, well, look at this fat sheep—your robes alone scream money. Heh heh…”
To Luo Qingyao’s ears, the rough voice and greasy laugh were revolting. In her haze she registered only a hulking, vulgar man looming over her. Rage surged—she thrust her dagger hard.
Nan Sining had been ready. She twisted aside at the last instant, letting the blade graze air, then “tripped” and toppled full weight onto Luo Qingyao.“Oi! What bad luck—you’re cursed!”
Her flailing “fall” landed heavy blows. Two hundred pounds of muscle slammed her chest, making her vision blacken. She couldn’t breathe; disgust nearly choked her.
Enraged beyond reason, Luo Qingyao abandoned her act of unconsciousness. Too weak to summon much spiritual power, she resorted to clawing and grappling.
But Nan Sining had downed a Strength Pill ahead of time. Within moments she wrenched both arms behind Luo Qingyao’s back and tied them fast. The proud beauty was no stronger than a chick in her grasp.
Zhou, noticing the scuffle, called over: “Brother Luo! Do you need me to help?”
Nan Sining growled in a hoarse man’s tone: “No need! This woman’s scrawny—lighter than a holiday chicken. You handle the others, Brother Zhang!”
“Got it!” Zhou replied cheerfully.
Luo Qingyao’s heart plummeted. My chastity… is this where it ends? Am I doomed just because I’m the ‘female supporting role’? Why must fate toy with me so?!
But Nan Sining only bound her tight, then deftly relieved her of storage rings and pouches. To her surprise, Luo Qingyao had not one but several—each inscribed with fine arrays far superior to the shabby gear her own sect siblings carried. Clearly these were high-grade, stable, spacious artifacts.
Same sect, same master… yet why are we paupers while she flaunts luxury?The unfairness stung. Childhood memories surfaced—others had snacks, comics, games, while she had nothing. She’d learned early: this was just the cruelty of wealth gaps.
Well then. Rob the rich, help my peak. Justice is justice!
She stripped Luo Qingyao bare of jewelry—hairpins, combs, dangling beads, bracelets, anklets, every piece humming with artifact power. Attack, defense, movement—all high-quality. A fortune hanging from one woman’s body.
As expected—she’s the fattest sheep of all.
Her rough breathing quickened with excitement. Luo Qingyao, half-dazed, blinked in disbelief. He ignores my beauty? Only interested in my treasures? My charm… useless? Is he even a man?!
Soon Nan Sining had even removed her shoes, bundling them with other clothes—no shame in recycling a speed-boosting artifact. When she finally tore away the main robe, Luo Qingyao squeezed her eyes shut in humiliation, praying it would end quickly.
By then Zhou had finished with the other captives. Nan Sining glanced at the stripped men—barely covered at vital points—and flashed him a thumbs up. “Good work, my apprentice. Clean and thorough on the second job already.”
Zhou grinned sheepishly. “Brother Luo, why are you staring at her like that?”
Nan Sining stroked her fake stubble. “I heard she has a Sword Bone. Thinking about how to dig it out—it should fetch the highest price.”
Zhou’s face remained blank. But Luo Qingyao’s mind exploded. They know?! The Sword Bone only detaches after death—forcefully removing it would cripple me completely!
Terror surged; she thrashed desperately.
Nan Sining ignored her, pulling out the same dagger Luo Qingyao had used earlier. She remembered from the system’s data how delicate and dangerous implanting a Sword Bone was. That Luo Qingyao had risked it here in the secret realm only proved how much she valued it.
The more she treasures it… the more I want to ruin it.
She flipped Luo Qingyao like a salted fish, tugged up her garment, and found the faint scar near her tailbone.
Raising the dagger, she smirked at Luo Qingyao’s tear-filled eyes—then plunged it down.