The man, seeing her, raised an eyebrow and smiled silently, his gaze landing on Xiao Man's waist. It was indeed slender, even more so than a woman's, so thin it could be held in one hand. A little more force, and he could likely snap it.
"My name is Wen Ting," Wen Ting whispered into Xiao Man's ear.
The wind was too strong, and Xiao Man didn't hear him clearly. "What did you say?"
Wen Ting's smile was wicked and ostentatious. He suddenly wrapped his arms around Xiao Man's waist, pulling her into his embrace. "I said, my name is Wen Ting. Wen, as in the 'Wen Rou Xiang' (abode of love) – 'gentle and tender' – and Ting, as in 'Lei Ting Wan Jun' (thunderous might) – 'resounding power'."
She'd boarded a pirate ship! That was Xiao Man's first thought.
Her second thought was that the name sounded familiar, as if she'd heard it somewhere before.
Her third thought was to look at the hand around her waist and consider whether to chop it off, or chop it off again.
A moment later, Xiao Man's body stiffened. She remembered where she'd heard the name. Wasn't the young sect master of the Imperial Beast Sect named this?
Wen Ting clearly felt the person in his arms stiffen, the smile in his eyes growing brighter. "It seems you know who I am."
Xiao Man flicked a point at Wen Ting's wrist. Wen Ting's wrist went numb, and he immediately released Xiao Man. Xiao Man twisted around, and a silver needle was already pressed against his throat.
"Last time, I received a fruit from Brother Wen. Brother Wen said that the next time we meet, you would share some of the things I like with me. I, for one, am very fond of small items like silver needles. I'll share one with Brother Wen. Does Brother Wen like it?"
Wen Ting's expression remained unchanged. "Are you truly going to give this to me?"
Xiao Man pushed the silver needle forward. It broke through Wen Ting's skin, piercing into the flesh. Yet, Wen Ting showed no anger. His peach blossom eyes were filled with amusement. He licked his lips and, instead of pulling back, pressed forward. He gripped Xiao Man's hand holding the needle with one hand, and the other arm circled her waist, forcing Xiao Man closer.
Xiao Man's brows furrowed. "Press any further, and you won't have a neck anymore."
Wen Ting burst into laughter. "In previous years, I always found this trial quite boring. This year's trial seems to be getting more interesting. Xiao Qin, have you remembered my name?"
"Why should I remember your name?"
Wen Ting tightened his grip on Xiao Man's arm. Xiao Man winced in pain, but the silver needle in her hand did not waver. A flicker of admiration flashed in Wen Ting's eyes. He was mere inches from Xiao Man's face, and she could feel his hot breath on her skin.
"Because I fancy you," Wen Ting said unhurriedly. Because the horse was moving too fast and the wind was strong, they couldn't hear each other clearly from a distance. Wen Ting leaned closer to Xiao Man's ear. "So, you must remember my name, because I will become your master."
"I'd be more like your master!" Xiao Man said calmly. Just as she was contemplating whether to throw him off, she heard gasps from the surroundings. She couldn't help but look. They had arrived at the entrance of the trial grounds just as it was opening!
That damned Wen Ting, riding the horse like this, in such an intimate pose, had carried her over everyone's heads and entered the trial grounds first!
As soon as they entered the trial grounds, Xiao Man immediately dropped the silver needle and kicked out.
Wen Ting, with an nonchalant smile, blocked Xiao Man's attack with his elbow. Xiao Man seized the opportunity to break free from his grasp, instantly creating distance between them.
Wen Ting indifferently brushed the dust off his sleeves and looked at Xiao Man. "Xiao Qin, I am very satisfied with you. Come with me."
"Sorry, I don't want to go with you." Xiao Man slowly retreated. There would be many chances to escape within the trial grounds. The key was how to get away from this man.
"Why?" Wen Ting leaned forward. "Be my companion reader. Will that do?"
"Not interested," Xiao Man said coldly. She had no interest in being a servant or a companion reader. Where she truly wanted to go was the Heavenly Sword Sect. The person who had captured her mother back then carried a precious sword. Among the Four Great Sects, only the Heavenly Sword Sect had a deep affinity for swords, and she might be able to glean some information from them.
"Then what are you interested in?" Wen Ting asked curiously. "Inner sect disciples?"
"No, I'm not interested in beasts," Xiao Man said, retreating more than ten meters. "Farewell."
Wen Ting watched Xiao Man flee rapidly, the amused smile on his lips growing more intense. "This time, you won't escape my grasp." Soudan Novel Network
When Bo Chen followed in, he didn't see Xiao Man or the person who had brought her in. His expression was quite comical. "Where did Senior Disciple Xiao go?"
When Xi Wen caught up, he only saw Bo Chen looking around. "Haven't found him?"
"No. Xi Wen, Xiao Qin is in danger," Bo Chen said anxiously. "We must find her as soon as possible."
Xi Wen nodded, his expression seemingly unconcerned.
"Xi Wen, why aren't you taking this seriously?"
"Because I know she'll be fine," Xi Wen said calmly. "Besides, the person restraining her doesn't seem to want to harm her."
"That person… that person was so shameless… holding… holding…" Bo Chen's face instantly turned red. He had always acted with propriety and had never witnessed such a scene. The sight of Xiao Man being held in someone's arms had truly shocked him!
"Holding our Senior Brother."
"Yes, simply shameless! That look in his eyes, it clearly meant…"
"Scoundrel!"
"Yes, a scoundrel! How dare he desecrate Senior Disciple Xiao! I'll beat him until he's spitting teeth!"
Xi Wen conceded, "You're probably no match for him."
"Junior Disciple Xi Wen, what do you mean?"
"Since Senior Brother was restrained, it means his cultivation is very high. At least, Senior Brother couldn't break free from his grasp in a short time, otherwise, how could she have allowed that person to hold her," Xi Wen analyzed. "However, it's also possible she didn't intend to resist."
"What do you mean?" Bo Chen was a little confused. "Are you saying Senior Disciple Xiao deliberately let herself be captured?"
"Mmm." Xi Wen chose a direction and followed. Bo Chen also followed, wanting to know what had happened to Xiao Man.
All the disciples entered the trial grounds and dispersed. Xiao Man released Nangong Yu, who had been inside the Sky-Piercing Tower.
Nangong Yu's expression was foul, his face dark the entire way.
Xiao Man glanced at him. "Why are you angry?"
"I dare not," Nangong Yu snorted, his tone sarcastic. "How would I dare to be angry with you?"
Xiao Man was a little helpless, not understanding why Nangong Yu was angry. However, since he was angry, it was best to provoke him less, otherwise, she would be the one to suffer.
Seeing Xiao Man fall silent, Nangong Yu became even more displeased. "Why did you let that person hold you?"
Xiao Man finally understood why Nangong Yu was angry and couldn't help but find it amusing. "What do you mean I let him hold me? At that moment, he moved too fast and I didn't react. Later, I was restrained and couldn't move."