"Why can't I propose terms?" Ye Yuqiao retorted, "Our strengths are evenly matched, and we both rely on each other to contend with the Ghost King. Since you, Qian Feng, can set conditions, why can't I?"

"Don't forget, you're getting more out of this than I am. You'll be the Nether King again!"

"I am the Nether King!" Ye Yuqiao countered. "I'm merely reclaiming what rightfully belongs to me. It's different for you, Clan Leader Qian. Your Qian Family will replace the Zhao Family as the leading great clan, second only to the Nether King in status. It's clear you stand to gain the most!"

Qian Feng sighed helplessly, lost for words. He paused and then said in a solemn tone, "Well then, Nether King, state your terms."

"I want to eliminate the Ghost King as soon as possible!" Ye Yuqiao declared in an icy tone, her eyes blazing with an intimidating ferocity.

Qian Feng's eyes suddenly narrowed, and he shook his head, "Impossible! Given the current situation, it would be wise to conserve energy and build strength. After a thousand or a hundred years when we are fully prepared, we can then crusade against the Ghost King. By then, victory should be easily within our grasp!"

"A thousand or a hundred years! Are you joking, Clan Leader Qian?" Ye Yuqiao scornfully laughed, her gaze turning even more vicious. "Let alone a hundred years, I can't even wait six months. As long as the Ghost King lives, I will never be at peace!"

Qian Feng sighed in resignation, "From what I see, Nether King, you're not in a hurry to kill the Ghost King; you have other motives, haven't you?"

On hearing Qian Feng's words, Ye Yuqiao was startled and asked, "Do you know something you shouldn't?"

As she spoke, a fierce blaze ignited around her.

"What now, Nether King? Do you plan to kill me?" Qian Feng asked with composed countenance, his eyes clouded with more confusion, making it harder to read his thoughts.

"Indeed, that's what I am contemplating!"

"But you certainly won't do it!" Qian Feng chuckled, "If I die, you won't even have the chance to kill the Ghost King! You wouldn't put feelings before the well-being of the Netherworld."

"You're wrong! I actually would!"

Qian Feng's expression darkened, shaking his head while sighing, "It seems our negotiation has failed today!"

"I'll give you three days to consider!"

"Perhaps I should've accepted the deal the Ghost King offered me last night."

"But you won't accept it!"

...

...

The mortal world.

Night falls.

After being unconscious for half a day, Chen Hao finally woke up.

The moment his consciousness returned, he felt cold. Although he had absorbed most of King Nanlin's Yin Qi Spiritual Power, there were still remnants lingering inside him.

"Chen Hao, you're awake," Ye Yuqiao's gentle voice sounded in his mind, "Are you feeling cold?"

Seeing Chen Hao shivering badly during his unconscious state today, she had scavenged two thick cotton quilts and a wool blanket from the closet at home to cover him, but he still couldn't stop shivering.

"Why have you wrapped me up like a ball?" Chen Hao suddenly laughed at himself. Then, he unexpectedly noticed tear stains at the corner of Ye Yuqiao's eyes.

"Yuqiao, have you been crying?"

Ye Yuqiao shook her head, her face gradually turning grim, looking as though she might cry again.

"What's wrong?" Chen Hao inquired, then struggled to extend his hand from under the blankets to hold Ye Yuqiao's hand, "Did you get frightened when you fainted today?"

After hesitating for a moment with her gaze, Ye Yuqiao nodded, and then two lines of crystal-clear tears fell from her face. She was very grateful to Chen Hao for giving her a good reason to cry, because she had been crying all day long due to other reasons.

A reason she couldn't speak of. The reason she couldn't speak was that she hadn't figured out how to broach the subject with Chen Hao, nor did she dare to broach it.

"Get up and adjust the breath within your body," Ye Yuqiao said hoarsely, "Most of King Nanlin's Spiritual Power has been absorbed by you, there's still some residue in your body. Once you absorb that residual Spiritual Power, you won't feel cold anymore."

Chen Hao nodded in agreement, then sat up. He didn't hurry to close his eyes and regulate his breathing but instead looked into Ye Yuqiao's eyes with guilt and said, "Yuqiao, I'm sorry, I've made you worry and feel sad for me again. I promise, from now on I will take better care of myself and won't cause you worry."

Ye Yuqiao pursed her lips, holding back tears. After a while, she spoke softly, "Chen Hao, you are really too kind. It's my fortune to have met you in this life."

"Meeting you is also a fortune for me," Chen Hao said with a naive smile.

Ye Yuqiao threw herself into Chen Hao's arms, her voice growing hoarser, "Then it's settled—you must take good care of yourself from now on, so I won't have to worry about you."

Half an hour passed.

Chen Hao's regulation of breathing was complete.

The moment he opened his eyes, he felt refreshed, with no more coldness inside him.

"Yuqiao, have you noticed? A fruit has grown on the Nether King Orchid Heart!" Chen Hao exclaimed excitedly toward the door, "Does that mean I am about to master the Nether King's Power?"

"Yes! Once that fruit ripens, you'll have mastered the Nether King's Power!" Ye Yuqiao's voice drifted out from inside the room.

Not long afterward, just as Chen Hao had risen from the sofa, Ye Yuqiao came out of the room just in time.

"Wow!" Chen Hao immediately let out an exclamation, for Ye Yuqiao in front of him was incredibly beautiful. She had changed into an elegant black lace long dress. With lightly applied makeup and a touch of pale lip color, she perfectly embodied the essence of a "goddess."

"Yuqiao, you look so beautiful. Are you dressing up for a date with someone?" Chen Hao asked.

Ye Yuqiao walked up to Chen Hao and said with pursed lips, "What do you think?"

"Me?" Chen Hao was taken aback, for he had not discussed going on a date or strolling around with Ye Yuqiao.

"It's early now, why don't you accompany me for a stroll?" Ye Yuqiao said in a coquettish tone, "We might be returning to the Netherworld soon, and I don't know when we'll be able to come back."

Chen Hao looked at Ye Yuqiao with a puzzled expression.

"What, you don't want to?" Ye Yuqiao became displeased.

"Of course, I do!" Chen Hao quickly said, "Who wouldn't want to go strolling with such a beautiful girlfriend."

"Then hurry up and change clothes, you need to look sharp! Right, first seal the Nether King's Heart; I don't want her to disturb our date!"

...

...

Half an hour later, Chen Hao, wearing a stylish jacket, was holding hands with Ye Yuqiao and walking on the street. Since it was winter, the streets were not as crowded as in summer, but the cold season made lovers cling to each other more tightly.

Just as Chen Hao had anticipated, because of Ye Yuqiao's presence, they encountered many envious and jealous gazes along the way.

"Tang Jing told me that a good boyfriend would be willing to go shopping with his girlfriend often," Ye Yuqiao said.

"I'm willing!" Chen Hao quickly responded.

With a dreamy smile, Ye Yuqiao murmured a complaint, "I never hear you offer to go shopping with me."

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