In the small grove in the western suburbs, Ian Song stood beneath the shade of a tree, seeming to blend into the darkness itself.
After a while, a shadow flashed over and knelt before him, speaking respectfully: "Victor Nangong greets Master."
Indeed, the newcomer was Victor Nangong, Third Elder of the Nangong Family, whom Ian had turned into a slave using Puppet Mastery. When leaving the Nangong estate, Ian had used telepathy to arrange this meeting here.
"Rise." Through the soul-link, Ian could feel Victor Nangong's heartfelt submission and respect. He couldn't help but marvel—Puppet Mastery was truly formidable, able to twist a person's mind to such a degree.
"Thank you, Master." Victor Nangong slowly rose, but in front of Ian, he didn't dare to fully straighten his body.
"Did anyone notice you leaving?" Ian asked.
"Please rest assured, Master. Grand Elder Evelyn Nangong has not yet returned to the clan, Second Elder Edward Nangong is in closed-door healing, and I am using the excuse of seclusion for recovery. No one will notice my absence from the Nangong estate," Victor Nangong explained honestly.
"You did well! Tell me, how many Innate experts does the Nangong Family have in total?"
"Three."
"So, besides you and Edward Nangong, there's also the Grand Elder?"
"Yes."
"What cultivation level is the Grand Elder at?" Ian asked again.
Victor Nangong replied in a low voice, "Innate Fourth Layer. Nathan Nangong has already ordered me to send word to Evelyn Nangong, telling her to return to the clan as soon as possible to deal with you."
"Is Evelyn Nangong out hunting Blood Rose?"
"Yes, Master!"
"Has she caught up to Blood Rose yet?"
"No."
"So, tell me, what will Nathan Nangong do to deal with me?"
Victor Nangong lowered his head and answered, "According to my investigation, Nathan Nangong has already called Nangong Feilong and Nangong Leiyan, and tomorrow they will return to the clan to discuss specific plans for dealing with you."
"Good, let them all come back!" Ian said calmly.
Having enslaved two Innate Masters at once, Ian felt especially pleased. If he could bring Evelyn Nangong under his control too, he'd have three Innate Masters as subordinates.
"I do, Master."
"Good, take me there!" Ian said coldly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. It was already past midnight, and Puppet Mastery could be used again. Now that he had control of Victor Nangong, if he could also enslave Edward Nangong, it would give him an unexpected advantage against the Nangong Family.
An Innate Master running at full speed was incredibly fast. In less than half an hour, they arrived outside the vast estate of the Nangong Family.
With Victor Nangong, who was extremely familiar with the estate's layout, Ian easily slipped inside.
"Master, that's where Edward Nangong is in seclusion." Victor Nangong pointed to a small wooden building.
During the previous fight with Ian Song, Second Elder Edward Nangong was severely injured. Even with the Ninefold Jade Elixir, it would take at least ten days of recovery to fully heal.
The sound of footsteps interrupted Edward Nangong as he was healing. A trace of doubt flashed in his eyes—who could it be at this hour?
Knock, knock. Someone rapped on the door.
"Second Elder, it's me. I have something important to discuss with you."
Hearing Victor Nangong's voice, Edward Nangong relaxed and walked forward, though he was still a bit puzzled—what could Victor want at this hour?
"Please wait a moment, Third Elder. I'll open the door for you right away."
The wooden door opened. Seeing Victor Nangong standing outside, Edward Nangong smiled, "Please come in, Third Elder."
But just then, Victor Nangong suddenly struck, pressing his palm against Edward Nangong's dantian.
"Third Elder... what are you doing?"
Edward Nangong stared at Victor Nangong in disbelief, eyes full of shock. He couldn't understand why Victor would attack him.
"Don't worry, Second Elder. Soon we'll be on the same side." Victor Nangong smiled as he supported the collapsing Edward Nangong.
A shadow flickered—Ian Song appeared in the room and pressed a finger to Edward Nangong's brow.
Edward Nangong's eyes went blank for a moment, then he struggled to stand and bowed to Ian Song, "Edward Nangong greets Master."
Ian Song nodded in satisfaction and sent a strand of Radiance of Life into Edward Nangong's body. In just a few seconds, all his injuries were healed.
"Thank you, Master."
Edward Nangong looked deeply grateful.
"Alright, that's enough for today. Wait for my orders at any time!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Ian Song's figure flickered and vanished.
Having enslaved two Innate Masters in one move, he was especially pleased. If he could enslave Evelyn Nangong as well, he'd have three Innate Masters under his command.
The next morning, Ian Song got up to exercise as usual, then headed to the cafeteria for breakfast.
After breakfast, he walked toward the classroom. With the college entrance exam approaching, students could be seen everywhere reciting vocabulary or formulas as he crossed the campus.
"If I hadn't gotten the ring system, I'd probably be just like them, grinding away at vocabulary and formulas every day. Fate really is strange!" Ian couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
As soon as the morning self-study bell rang, Hannah Han came in carrying a stack of test papers.
Sure enough, it was time for the monthly exam again.
After this period of study, Ian Song had already mastered all the high school material—and even glanced at some university-level content.
So when he got the test paper and scanned the questions, he had only one feeling—the whole thing was way too easy.
In previous exams, he had deliberately held back. This time, he was going to go all out and aim for the highest score, as a sort of answer to Hannah Han.
After the listening section, Ian buried his head in the answers. By the time he finished the essay, only thirty minutes had passed.
How should he spend the rest of the time?
"Forget it, I'll just hand in my paper early. I can swing by the library and pick up a few books on Eastern Medicine while I'm at it."
So, he raised his hand.
Hannah Han walked over and looked at him. "Do you need something?"
"I'd like to turn in my paper."
"What?" Hannah Han couldn't help but feel annoyed. Only thirty minutes had passed, and he wanted to hand in his paper already? Was he planning to submit a blank?
Seeing Hannah Han's expression, Ian Song instantly knew what she was thinking. "I'm already done!"
"So fast?" Hannah Han was skeptical. She picked up Ian Song's test paper, her eyes quickly scanning over it, and her expression grew more and more astonished. After reading his essay, she smiled with satisfaction. "Alright, get out of here!"
"Thank you, Miss Han!"
Although Hannah Han only skimmed Ian Song's test, she was sure his English score wouldn't be less than 140 this time.
Leaving school, Ian Song hailed a cab straight to the city library. Just then, his phone rang—Zoe Zhao was calling.
He hesitated, then answered, but didn't say anything.
"Hello, is this Ian Song? Is your tongue any better?"
Ian could hear the guilt and apology in Zoe Zhao's voice.
After Zoe Zhao bit him, Ian had held some resentment toward her, but hearing her sincere apology, his anger melted away. Besides, he was at fault first—if he hadn't lost control and done what he did to Zoe, she wouldn't have bitten him.
When Ian didn't respond for a long time, Zoe Zhao actually started crying. "Ian, I'm so sorry! I really didn't mean it. Which hospital are you at? Let me come see you, okay? I've checked several hospitals these past few days and couldn't find you. If you're still angry, you can hit me or yell at me, I won't fight back!"