Top-tier Unruly Master

Ding Fan's display of might made Xiao Man dare not even let out a breath.

Holding the two pills in his hand, Ding Fan slightly furrowed his brows. From the composition of these pills, they were clearly not made for cultivation purposes. Then why would that short-statured middle-aged man named Chong Caozi refine these pills, and why did he need the Fragrant Mind-Consolidating Grass?

"What is he refining these for?" Ding Fan indeed voiced his doubts.

"Senior, these pills are what Chong Caozi used to train the King of Thousand Gu…"

At that moment, Xiao Man, in a bid to save her own life, was surprisingly obedient. She hurriedly retrieved a sandalwood box from a corner.

She then opened the box very respectfully in front of Ding Fan.

Upon opening the box, Ding Fan saw a Gu Insect about the size of a rice grain. From the aura of the insect, it indeed seemed similar to the one Zhou Ruoran had on her.

Ding Fan frowned, and directly used fire to burn the King of Thousand Gu to ashes.

As for the pills refined by Chong Caozi, Ding Fan kept them. He had his own uses for these pills.

"Senior, I was coerced by Chong Caozi, that's the only reason I had no choice but to stay by his side. Senior, I beg you, please let me go. If you wish, I'm willing to do anything for you…"

As Xiao Man spoke, she pretended to cry, inadvertently pulling her neckline down, revealing a large expanse of her fair neck.

"If you don't wish to die right now, then keep your mouth shut for me," Ding Fan said somewhat annoyed.

Although Xiao Man was fairly good-looking, the fact that she willingly followed around a middle-aged man who was much older than her and was intimate with him disgusted Ding Fan. Now, even more so with Xiao Man flaunting her seductive moves in front of him.

Xiao Man was stunned, as many men had fallen for her charm. Even if they didn't curry favor, it was unthinkable to be despised like this.

Nevertheless, seeing Ding Fan's stern expression, she dared not speak any nonsense. She genuinely feared saying something wrong and being killed by him on the spot.

Ding Fan glanced at Lu Fan beside him.

"There's an issue with how you practice your 'Martial Arts Tome.' The darkness in your dantian and the disarray in your meridians suggest you have problems. When you cultivate the 'Martial Arts Tome,' doesn't your family head give you guidance?"

Lu Fan was taken aback. He hadn't expected Ding Fan to talk about the 'Martial Arts Tome' with him.

However, even though Ding Fan was his lifesaver, when it came to the 'Martial Arts Tome,' Lu Fan fell into deep thought and stopped speaking.

The other party must think he was coveting their 'Martial Arts Tome.'

Seeing Lu Fan's reaction, Ding Fan knew what he was thinking and snorted lightly, "I don't even regard the 'Martial Arts Tome' highly. However, I am fulfilling a request and had to ask."

Back in Changan Ridge, inside the Hermit of the Horizon's cave dwelling, Ding Fan found the Invisibility Pearl and a longsword. Owing a favor, Ding Fan had no choice but to help the Hermit of the Horizon fulfill his wish.

Ding Fan asked, "In your ancestors, was there someone named Ren Susu?"

Asking this, Ding Fan was somewhat trying his luck; after all, since the Hermit of the Horizon left his message, countless years had passed, and who remembered their ancestors nowadays was hard to say.

Yet, as soon as Ding Fan finished his question, Lu Fan's complexion turned ugly.

"How do you know the name of my family's ancestor…" Lu Fan looked at Ding Fan in disbelief. The Lu Family's ancestor was always revered in the rear mountain, and while outsiders knew the Lu Family had an ancestor, no one knew her real name. Had it not been for Lu Fan being a standout among the Lu Family's third generation, he wouldn't have known the ancestor's name either.

From Lu Fan's expression, Ding Fan discerned that there indeed was someone named Ren Susu in the Lu Family.

Thinking it over, Ding Fan said, "In that case, go back and tell your family ancestor for me. Say that an old friend calling himself the Hermit of the Horizon has left something with me. Once I'm done with my current affairs, I will go find her."

Ding Fan had other matters to tend to. Zhou Ruoran had the King of Thousand Gu with her, and he had been out for too long; he must return before her Gu Insect went berserk again.

"May I ask the senior's name before leaving?" Although Lu Fan wasn't sure if what Ding Fan said was true, he knew that even if he demanded that item, Ding Fan wouldn't give it to him, especially since he still had his own troubles to deal with.

"Ding Fan," Ding Fan replied blandly.

"Then I'll return now and pass on this message to the senior. When the time comes, I hope you will honor the Dejiang Lu Family with a visit."

Ding Fan nodded. "There are many pitfalls in the 'Martial Arts Tome' you practice. If you continue cultivating it, your natural lifespan might not exceed sixty years. Remember this well..."

Upon hearing Ding Fan's words, Lu Fan's face was filled with astonishment.

Throughout the years, there has been a strange cycle in the Lu Family: any man who surpasses sixty years of age would meet his demise. At some point, someone had said that it was due to their ancestors' formidable karma cursing their descendants.

Having heard Ding Fan's words, Lu Fan couldn't help but feel that this matter might truly be related to the "Martial Arts Tome."

At this moment, however, Ding Fan paid no further attention to Lu Fan. He turned his head and looked at Xiao Man.

Although Ding Fan had never asked about Xiao Man and Lu Fan, he had overheard enough outside the door. It seemed that Xiao Man and Chong Caozi had used some trickery to deceive Lu Fan into giving away the secret of the "Martial Arts Tome." Later, when Lu Fan discovered Xiao Man's deceit, he ended up being controlled by her and Chong Caozi here.

Ding Fan didn't care to get involved in their affairs; however, the aura emanating from Xiao Man was undeniably tainted with Evil Charm. Such a person, if allowed to remain, would only bring trouble to this society.

"Senior, I am just a weak woman... I beg you, please spare me. The one who schemed against the Lu Family for the 'Martial Arts Tome' was Chong Caozi. Please, help me ask the senior to spare my life..."

Xiao Man was quick-witted. She knelt directly on the ground without lifting her head as she spoke.

"Senior, this woman devised a plot to trick me into stealing the 'Martial Arts Tome.' I beseech you to hand her over to me so that I can take her back to Dejiang to see the heads of the Lu Family..." Standing to the side, Lu Fan spoke out earnestly.

Ding Fan glanced at Lu Fan.

Lu Fan's plea for Xiao Man's life was most likely not to hand her over to the Lu Family. It seems that Xiao Man's pitiable appearance had stirred in him a romantic fancy...

Having mastered the Fox Charm Technique, Xiao Man's survival would undoubtedly lead Lu Fan into further suffering in the future...

Ding Fan cast a meaningful glance at Lu Fan, then turned and left without looking back.

To Ding Fan, Xiao Man was no more than an ant; her life or death was of no importance to him...

Having left the villa, Ding Fan didn't waste any time, found a car, and went straight back to his current residence.

Ding Fan had been concerned that the Gu Insect inside Zhou Ruoran might act up, but when he entered, he saw Zhou Ruoran busying herself in the kitchen cooking.

Today, Zhou Ruoran was dressed in a simple set of beige clothes, and since she was cooking, she also wore an apron.

Zhou Ruoran's hair was simply tied in a ponytail, which highlighted her lovely facial features even more—her fine eyebrows, beautiful eyes, and those delicate pink lips looked like tender cherries set in place, tempting one to take a deep, avaricious kiss.

At this moment, Zhou Ruoran's complexion had greatly improved; whether it was because Ding Fan had cured her of her stubborn illness, or because her spirits were lifted upon seeing Ding Fan was unclear.

Zhou Ruoran was bare-faced at this moment, yet her beauty lay in her naturalness...

"I've made some soup..." Seeing Ding Fan return, Zhou Ruoran greeted him with a smile.

Ding Fan approached. "You're frail; make sure to get plenty of rest..."

He couldn't help but gently tuck a stray lock of hair behind Zhou Ruoran's ear.

Zhou Ruoran inexplicably blushed. She had been close to Ding Fan for a long time, yet intimate gestures like this were rare. She bashfully lowered her head.

Seeing the shy appearance of the beauty in his arms, Ding Fan's heart was also swayed...

"Brother Fan..." At that moment, the door to the study opened, and Mei Li walked out. As soon as she emerged, she saw Ding Fan and Zhou Ruoran facing each other.

Even someone as naïve as Mei Li could tell she had become a third wheel. She awkwardly coughed and then turned to go back into the study.

By now, Zhou Ruoran's face was even hotter. She shot Ding Fan a reproachful look before turning to tend the soup.

Ding Fan knew he wasn't much help right now, and staying in the kitchen would only make Zhou Ruoran uncomfortable, especially since Mei Li was still there.

When Ding Fan had gone to pursue Chong Caozi, he had asked Mei Li to come take care of Zhou Ruoran. Judging by their expressions just now, the two seemed to have gotten along quite well.

With that in mind, Ding Fan left the kitchen and placed the Spirit-Focusing Herb he had obtained from Chong Caozi onto the table in the middle of the living room.

With nothing pressing at hand, Ding Fan found himself lost in thought for a moment.

He definitely had to take care of Zhou Ruoran in the future. He could roam the world without any attachments before, but that wouldn't do going forward. He couldn't keep Zhou Ruoran moving about aimlessly with him...

It seemed he needed to establish his own power...

Only with his own power could he protect the people close to him...