Xiao Fan knelt on the ground, his mind a blank.
He stared intently at the woman who walked out from behind Lu Cheng, a feeling of utter absurdity welling up in his heart.
This little one was practically his nemesis; every time she appeared, it was accompanied by his ultimate humiliation!
Bai Zhi ignored Xiao Fan's gaze, which was practically spitting fire.
She walked directly to Jiang Lian, and from her pocket, likewise took out a delicate white jade vial.
"Miss Jiang."
"Here, I have a pill that I refined myself."
Her voice was clear, every word distinctly reaching the ears of everyone present.
She uncorked the vial.
Boom!
A pill fragrance, a hundred times more potent, purer, and more refreshing than Xiao Fan's pill, instantly burst forth!
The scent seemed to have a life of its own, instantly dispelling, crushing, and devouring the faint aroma of the other pill in the air!
Everyone present, just by taking one whiff, felt their spirits lift, and their limbs and bones felt several times more comfortable.
Bai Zhi tilted the jade vial slightly.
A pill, crimson in color and as perfectly round as a precious pearl, slowly rolled into her palm.
The surface of the pill shimmered with a precious glow, as warm and smooth as jade.
Most astonishingly, on the crimson surface of the pill, a circle of intricate and profound golden patterns was clearly visible!
A first-turn pill pattern!
Jiang Lian's proud phoenix eyes instantly lit up the moment she saw that circle of golden pill patterns!
Her breathing even paused for a moment!
An expert's touch immediately reveals their skill!
Pill patterns!
This was a legendary phenomenon of pills, said to be only achievable by ancient Pill Dao Grandmasters!
The two pills didn't even need to be compared; the superiority was immediately obvious!
Xiao Fan's pill was dull and lackluster, like the difference between a roadside pebble and a luminous pearl!
This was all thanks to Lu Cheng's pill god domain and Bai Zhi's sachet, which enhanced the pill she held, making two pills from the same source appear completely different.
"You... what kind of thing are you! How dare you come and ruin my good deed!"
Xiao Fan was utterly enraged!
He felt humiliated once again!
And by a seemingly frail little girl who looked like she could be blown over by a gust of wind!
Bai Zhi looked at his exasperated expression and spoke again, her voice not loud, but every word piercing to the core.
"Sir, I am rather curious, where did you obtain this pill of yours?"
"For some reason, I always feel... its aura has a deep connection to me."
Xiao Fan's face instantly paled, then flushed red, he opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.
What could he say?
Was he supposed to admit, in front of Jiang Lian, that this pill was exchanged from Lu Cheng?!
Wouldn't that be tantamount to saying that all the credit belonged to Lu Cheng?!
Moreover, this little girl said... she refined it herself.
It's possible that the one he held was this little thing's defective product, which Lu Cheng used to trick him!
Once he admitted it, it would be equivalent to saying that Xiao Fan, from beginning to end, was nothing more than a clown being played by Lu Cheng!
No! Absolutely not!
How could he let this man steal all the glory that rightfully belonged to him!
[Warning! Your 'Hero's Gift of Medicine' plot has been forcibly intercepted!]
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for acquiring a new title: 'Foil'!]
[Title effect: When you are present, your rival's charm value will automatically receive a 200% boost!]
In his mind, the system's cold notification became the last straw that broke him!
His rationality was completely overwhelmed by overwhelming humiliation and anger at this moment!
"You ungrateful wretch, get lost!"
He suddenly stood up from the ground, extending his hand, trembling with anger, to push away Bai Zhi, who stood between him and Jiang Lian!
Little girl, if I can't outtalk you, can't I at least beat you?
I have a system!
However, just as his hand was about to touch Bai Zhi's shoulder.
A figure, swift as lightning, without warning, stood in front of Bai Zhi.
It was Lu Cheng.
He still wore that gentle smile on his face, but his deep eyes were as cold as ancient, unmelting profound ice.
"You dare to touch my person?"
Lu Cheng's voice was very soft, yet it carried an undeniable authority.
Xiao Fan's movements froze.
He looked at the smiling face before him, and a fear originating from the depths of his soul made him feel utterly cold.
However, it was already too late.
The next second, Lu Cheng, without warning, raised his leg.
The movement was even elegant, yet incredibly fast.
Bang!
A dull thud, like a heavy hammer striking a cowhide drum.
Lu Cheng's foot, with pinpoint accuracy, kicked Xiao Fan in the abdomen.
The entire movement was clean and sharp, with a violent aesthetic.
"Ugh ah—!"
Xiao Fan's body was like a kite with a broken string, his feet leaving the ground, as he flew backward in an extremely disheveled posture.
He rolled several times on the lawn, finally coming to a stop with a heavy crash against a tree.
"Pfft!"
He opened his mouth, and a mouthful of fresh blood uncontrollably gushed out.
[Ding! Received physical attack from the destined Great Villain!]
[Pain +100!]
[Mental Resilience +50!]
[Masochistic Attribute Awakening +10%!]
[Pleasure +20!]
After an intense pain, a twisted sense of pleasure actually surged in Xiao Fan's mind!
The entire scene was dead silent.
Everyone was stunned by this sudden turn of events.
The Jiang Family guards all looked solemn, their hands already on the weapons at their waists, yet they dared not make the slightest move.
Jiang Lian was also completely petrified; she stared blankly at the man who still looked calm and composed, her heart once again stirring with tumultuous waves.
Lu Cheng, however, acted as if he had only done a trivial thing; he withdrew his foot, even disdainfully patting his pant leg for non-existent dust.
He turned his head, looked at the completely petrified Bai Zhi, and smiled gently: "Alright, no one will disturb you now, continue."
Bai Zhi looked at Xiao Fan, lying like a dead dog in the distance, then looked at this villain who smiled harmlessly, her heart pounding.
Although... she had for the first time truly felt this man's terror and dominance, he had protected her just now, hadn't he?