How dare you?

Chen Linjian approached him. "Nie Li, we may not have found this place without your help. So you can choose anything here before everyone." Some people grumbled, but they were a minority because most of them were grateful to Nie Li.

"No need, just a normal share is enough," Nie Li said glancing towards the stone platform in the middle of the chamber. Everyone began praising his humble attitude, while the girls looked at this cunning devil in amazement. He had already taken the best treasures from here, now he is getting a share from the rest as well.

"Okay, It's your decision anyway," said Chen Linjian. He thought Nie Li must have gotten a great haul from somewhere already to dismiss treasures here. He was also impressed by Nie Li's attitude. He was knowledgeable, capable, and humble. He will reach great heights in the future if he was given a chance. Because talented people not always were given a chance to grow.

"If you need any help in the future come to me. If it's in my power I will help. And call me Linjian," Chen Linjian said.

"Thank you, Linjian" replied Nie Li a bit awkwardly. They would have found this place even without his help so being thanked for it made him a little uncomfortable.

"Me too." Huyan Lanruo suddenly appeared, "Little brother Nie Li, if you need anything, just ask your big sister Yan Ruo," she said leaning towards him.

"Umm, thank you, sister Yan Ruo," replied Nie Li even more uncomfortable. When will this woman leave him alone? Does she know the meaning of personal space? Chen Linjian cowardly retreated leaving him alone with this man-eating viper.

"Nie Li, little brother, next time let's go treasure hunting with big sister Yan Ruo. Imagine you and me alone…", she got even closer and was almost on top of him now. "With your talents and your big sister taking care of you, we will be a great team."

"Thank you sister Yan Ruo but I'm not planning to go on any treasure hunting trips for a while," He said retreating a bit. "I'm planning to concentrate on my studies."

"Oh. Little brother shouldn't worry. Sister Yan Ruo will help in your studies as well." She said closing the distance again.

Huyan Lanruo was getting even more interested. This little guy was actually able to resist her charming technique. She could see that he was affected by it and then threw off the effects easily. What kind of secrets does this guy hold? She must learn them all.

Meanwhile, Nie Li was looking around for some kind of rescue. His eyes meet the eyes of Ye Ziuyun and Xiao Ning'er. He silently begged them for some rescue or at least a distraction.

Seeing his most likely pitiful expression Xiao Ning'er was ready to help him, but Ye Ziyun stopped her and whispered something to her ears. Xiao Ning'er looked around and then apologetically smiled. Ye Ziyun on the other hand smirked at him. 'So that's how it is,' thought Nie Li deciding on a little revenge scheme.

"You know what, sister Yan Ruo? Let's talk about the treasure hunting trips you were planning to invite me," he said wrapping his hand around Huyan Lanruo's waist and leading her to the side as if for a private talk. She slightly shivered from his touch but tried to hide it. He was a bit surprised by it. It looks like despite her very forward attitude she was rather timid about it. With the way she acted, he expected her to be more experienced.

But it looks like flirting was her limit. So it would serve to teach her a lesson as well. He could also feel two bundles of anger and jealousy behind them that were emanating a great amount of killing intent. Towards him or Huyan Lanruo, he didn't know.

"Oh little brother Nie Li, you are making your sister Yan Ruo blush," she fanned herself breathing heavily as if she was getting hot. She traced her fingers through his chest activating her charming technique and spoke breathily leaning closer to him, "What does little brother Nie Li want to know?"

The two bundles of killing intent intensified. Huyan Lanruo glanced towards the girls, then at him. Then as if she understood something, her eyes lit up. Turning again towards the Ye Ziyun and Xiao Ning'er she sweetly smiled. Then leaned to his ears and whispered, "Your sister Yan Ruo will bare her every single secret to little brother."

Nie Li, who had already let go of her waist, shivered. Even without her technique, she was still too alluring. He had to constrain himself so as not to show any more outward reaction. He had underestimated her. He also understood that this flirting game was not for him, especially against someone like her.

It wasn't that he disliked her. He could say that he had some misconceptions about her previously. Most of his impression of her came from Robert's memories. He considered her a promiscuous temptress who liked to exploit any man she could get her hands on. He could agree with the latter part because she liked to make those who had fallen for her charms submit to her will. But promiscuity was completely another matter. Dare he say, she hadn't even kissed anyone yet. Even though she was very good at flirting, it was all an act.

Still, she wasn't his type. He liked his women to be not so free even with their flirting.

"Thank you, sister Yan Ruo," Nie Li said retreating a bit from her "Have you ever been to the Dark Ruins?"

Huyan Lanruo stared at Nie Li. This kid was really impressive. He really could throw off the effects of her charming technique. And it wasn't because he wasn't interested in girls. She saw that she affected him. But he resisted her charms very valiantly. He had never seen anyone this young with such great self-control. That made her interest in him grow. And she wasn't the only one. Proof of that was the two girls who were heading towards them. She could clearly see the jealousy in their eyes even though they tried to hide it.

"Can we join your conversation?" Xiao Ning'er said glaring at Huyan Lanruo. Girls strategically placed themselves on either side of him.

"Yes," answered Nie Li for both of them. It looks like the girls couldn't bear it anymore. "I was just asking young mistress Yan Ruo if she had been to the Dark Ruins."

Huyan Lanruo looked at the girls and decided not to make problems. And began her tale.

"Oh. The Dark Ruins is a common training place for noble children like us. Of course, we don't enter the inner regions of the ruins but still, it's very dangerous. So I had Gold rank guards during the trip…" She told her about adventures interestingly, so Ye Ziyun and Xiao Ning'er quickly forgot about their displeasure and became involved in the discussion.

---------------------------

Ye Ziyun and Xiao Ning'er weren't the only ones who were annoyed with his close conversation with Huyan Lanruo. A guy on the other side of the chamber was very dissatisfied. His name was Chu Yuan and he was a member of the noble Chu family.

He had some designs for Huyan Lanruo. He intended to marry her thus improving his position in his family. Furthermore, Huyan Lanruo's beautiful body made his heart palpitate like nothing else. He tried to get close to her so many times and failed. And now that little boy was chatting her up.

He would have loved to approach them to put the kid in his place and in the process, attract Huyan Lanruo's attention. But he was hesitant. Since the start of the expedition, he saw this devil in action many times. He could kill demon beasts many times stronger than him easily. He also had the respect of the nobles in the expedition. So he was a bit apprehensive about facing Nie Li.

He looked around. He had an idea. 'Why not do the dirty deed with the hands of another?' he thought looking at Shen Yue. Strangely, he was looking at him too. It must be his lucky stars! He approached Shen Yue.

"Young master Shen, how's your day?"

"Thank you for asking. I am alright. How are you, yourself?" Shen Yue replied politely. That made Chu Yuan's mood even better. He wasn't even from the main line of the Chu family and Shen Yue, the second son of the Sacred family's patriarch, was talking to him respectfully.

"Thank you, young master Shen. Your family is one of the most respected families in the Glory City." He said making Shen Yue curious about where he was going with this.

"Some even say, equal to the Snow Wind family," he continued motioning towards Ye Ziyun who was now talking with Nie Li and others. "I have heard that there were talks about matching you two. Everyone thought that you would become a great couple."

He paused and looked at Shen Yue for his reaction but couldn't understand what his reaction meant.

So he continued his monologue, "But some people don't understand the difference between heaven and earth, coveting what doesn't belong to them." This time he motioned towards Nie Li. "He does not understand that he is disrespecting the entire Sacred family with his attitude."

Shen Yue looked at him incredulously. Is he serious? He was just planning to goad this Chu Yuan against Nie Li himself. Because he had seen how he was following Huyan Lanruo around like a puppy. So he thought to manipulate him to see what Nie Li was really capable of. He didn't think for a moment that this loser will succeed against Nie Li, but it was not his problem.

But this was unbelievable. This idiot wanted to manipulate him into attacking Nie Li. Him! A member of the Sacred family! Who does he think he is?

"Who do you think you are? You dare to manipulate a member of the Sacred family?" He growled.

"No master Shen Yue. You have misunderstood me," pleaded Chu Yuan losing his arrogance quickly.

"Oh did I?" asked Shen Yue darkly. "Boys, teach him a lesson." He was holding his anger since he saw Nie Li with Ye Ziyun. He is going to take it out on this idiot.

While Chu Yuan himself was a 3-star Bronze rank cultivator, Shen Yue had three subordinates of the same rank. Also, Chu Yuan had reached his rank with the help of elixirs so he was much weaker than ordinary cultivators of his rank. So it was no wonder he was beaten blue and black making him beg for mercy.