With many people around and the standoff proving fruitless, Lin Yuhao whispered a malicious remark in Qingyun's ear as he left: "Today, I've prepared a gift for you."

That very evening, Qingyun received what Lin Yuhao called a gift.

The list of participants for the Ancient Martial Arts Tournament has been released, and Qingyun's name is not on it.

It was obvious that the Ancient Martial Arts Association had planned this all along. The release of the list at this particular time, with the Ancient Martial Arts Tournament less than a month away, left them with no other options. Upon hearing this news, Qingyun wasn't surprised. The entire Ancient Martial Arts Association was on Lin Yuhao's side; losing a spot for the sake of his reputation was nothing.

However, Nie Chenyuan's expression was unexpectedly gloomy, not because he hadn't gotten the spot, but because the news was like a thunderbolt, reminding him of something.

Qingyun is leaving soon.

Three years passed in the blink of an eye, and Nie Chenyuan had completely gotten used to Qingyun's presence.

Qingyun is a germaphobe and can be temperamental. Although she is so powerful that she fascinates him, she can also reveal a captivating vulnerability at times.

All of this caused Nie Chenyuan to slowly sink into despair. He never considered or wanted to consider that one day Qingyun would leave.

However, the deal between the Nie family and him will eventually come to an end. With Qingyun's abilities, he will definitely secure a spot in the Ancient Martial Arts Tournament and shine brightly at the tournament.

When Lin Yuhao's conspiracy is exposed, everyone will see Qingyun's goodness. What about that fiancée who suddenly appeared today? Will she be captivated by Qingyun? Will Qingyun, remembering their past relationship, accept her again?

The thought of this made Nie Chenyuan feel as if his heart was being roasted on fire.

"Let's begin today's medicinal bath."

Nie Chenyuan sighed, and as instructed, took off his clothes and entered the prepared bathtub. His meridians were already completely unblocked, and Qingyun no longer needed to use her energy to open them up, but to consolidate the effect, the daily medicinal baths still needed to continue.

Qingyun tossed medicinal herbs into the bathtub, glancing at Nie Chenyuan, who sat silently in the bath, his face gloomy and his muscles tense. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself. He knew what Nie Chenyuan was thinking, and felt even more comforted by his concern.

"You will attend the Ancient Martial Arts Tournament in my place." Direct descendants of ancient martial arts families can directly participate in the Ancient Martial Arts Tournament.

If the Qing family hadn't lost its status as a noble family because of Qing Haolin's affair, Qing Yun wouldn't have bothered to apply, and wouldn't have been rejected.

"Hmm?" Nie Chenyuan looked at Qingyun with slight surprise. His mood had not yet calmed down, and he forced a smile, "Aren't you afraid that I will lose to Lin Yuhao? He has already reached the ninth level of the Acquired Realm."

"Didn't you already reach the Perfection of the Acquired Realm?" Qingyun said casually. Nie Chenyuan probably had a habit of playing dumb to deceive others. In the past few years, his meridians had recovered and his cultivation had increased, but he had kept it all under wraps. If it weren't for Qingyun treating him every day, he would have been kept in the dark.

"So you knew all along." Nie Chenyuan leaned back in the bathtub, his laughter low and pleasant, his eyes overflowing with infatuation and sighs. He had been good at disguising himself since childhood, and even his grandfather Nie Songping hadn't been able to see through his true cultivation level, but he couldn't hide it from Qingyun.

He looked at Qingyun, his eyes filled with an unprecedented intensity of emotion.

"So what do I have to worry about?" After adding the last ingredient, Qingyun turned and left.

The sound of water breaking suddenly rang out behind him, and then a hot body, still smelling of medicine, pressed tightly against his back, while a pair of strong arms held him tightly like iron hoops.

"But I won't agree!"

Nie Chenyuan lowered his head and whispered in Qingyun's ear, his brows furrowed with barely suppressed possessiveness: "You will leave after the Ancient Martial Arts Tournament, so I won't agree."

He would rather Qingyun never participate in the Ancient Martial Arts Tournament and stay in the Nie family forever, by his side!

That's right, they even threatened him.

Qingyun smiled slightly, but her voice remained calm and even: "Oh, so what do you want?"

The force on his body suddenly tightened.

Before Nie Chenyuan could react, Qingyun nimbly broke free from the restraints, forcefully pressed Nie Chenyuan back into the bathtub, and lowered her head to kiss him.

Nie Chenyuan was stunned for a moment, then like a drowning man grasping at a straw, he sucked on Qingyun's lips, conquering his mouth to express his love and joy.

Their kiss was like a fierce battle, with the initiative constantly shifting between their lips and tongues, only to be broken up by touches of tenderness during the sucking.

After the kiss ended, the water in the bathtub had spilled everywhere.

Qingyun raised her head, her eyes gleaming with crimson, and asked, "How about these as payment? Is it enough?"

Nie Chenyuan chuckled and pecked him twice on the lips: "Not enough, far from enough. I'm greedy, I want more."

"Hmph, want more? That depends on your ability..." Qingyun's provocative words were gradually replaced by rapid breathing.

Xiao Chengzhe had also figured out his father's temperament, knowing that his father couldn't stand men who couldn't control their lower bodies, so he kicked Xiao Chengnuo out of the Xiao family in one fell swoop.

"Aren't you going to ask me anything? You're just going to condemn me based on what outsiders say?" Qingyun looked up and met Xiao's father's gaze without flinching. It was because of Xiao's father's attitude that Xiao Chengnuo was being pushed step by step into the abyss by Xiao Chengzhe.

"The facts are right in front of me, I can see for myself, do you still want to make excuses?" Mr. Xiao's fingers trembled with anger.

"Solve your grievances? Why should I admit to something I didn't do?" Qingyun sneered angrily. No wonder Xiao Chengnuo preferred to believe his two-faced brother, given how much of a father he was.

When Xiao Chengzhe had a spare moment, he ran over to comfort her: "Xiao Nuo, say less."

Upon hearing this, Qingyun gave him a deep look. Xiao Chengzhe had often offered similar words of comfort when Xiao Chengnuo was falsely accused before. The obedient Xiao Chengnuo then stopped arguing and tacitly accepted the blame being placed on him.

But Qingyun could not tolerate it.

“Listen carefully, I didn’t touch that woman at all. If she wants to prove I raped her, I’m ready to fight her anytime.” Saying this, Qingyun turned to look at Xiao Chengzhe, “It’s a good opportunity to find out who drugged me.”

Xiao Chengzhe and Secretary Miao in the restroom were both stunned. Why was the Second Young Master Xiao, who was usually not very clear-headed, so alert at this moment?