Zhou Jiuyu stole another glance at the graceful curve of Nan Mengling’s shapely thighs without missing a beat. Then he quietly opened the book that had appeared in his hands, pretending nothing had happened.

Nan Mengling munched on fries while sharpening her sword, her eyes slightly narrowed in a tipsy, adorable expression—completely unaware Zhou Jiuyu had glimpsed her little secret. When the fry dangling from his lips vanished, she’d sneak her hand out again, pinch a new one to feed him, deliberately “accidentally” brushing his lips before pulling back with a satisfied smile…

She thought her move was flawless!

But Zhou Jiuyu’s expression while chewing was slightly odd.

Though the strong fried aroma should’ve masked everything, he kept tasting a sauce beyond ketchup…

“Wait… this bug actually works?”

He glanced down at the book materializing in his palm:

*The Dream Manifestation Ability Guide*.

Flipping it open, he scanned the table of contents listing countless ability descriptions.

“Dream Manifestation is one of the world’s supreme abilities. By consuming Spirit Energy or life force, it manifests any fantasy conceived by the user’s mind… WTF?!”

He barely processed the rest before feeling inexplicably drained.

“So it *is* an ability! Consumes Spirit Energy or life force… I’ve got zero Spirit Energy. Which means…”

Zhou Jiuyu patted his money-filled pocket. His face stiffened. “Silly girl—check my head. Any white hairs?”

“None… wait, one, Young Master.”

Nan Mengling almost said “none,” then leaned in seriously, searching close.

Zhou Jiuyu stared at her exquisitely beautiful face inches away—the cherry lips, long lashes, the deep cleavage just below… *So white. So ample!*

“Must’ve misseen it, Young Master.” After her chest swayed before him a moment, she tried to sit back—

—but her soft fullness brushed his face. Even through fabric, it felt like jelly slipping from a plastic cup… *He was the cup.*

“Good thing there aren’t any,” he murmured, burying himself back in the book.

Small items like cash and umbrellas barely cost life force—not even a white hair.

“Is the life force drained from dreams… or real? Better not test lightly. But if this bug holds…”

His heartbeat hammered. He forced calm, silently chanting:

“Give me the top-tier method to increase Spirit Energy inside the body—usable by ordinary people!”

A sharp pang shot through his chest. A fleeting discomfort vanished instantly.

He ignored it. What now rested in his hands was worth it.

*The Primordial Spirit Energy Breathing Technique!*

“It actually exists…!”

His breath hitched.

Spirit Energy Breathing Techniques were the second path for ability users to grow power—besides natural accumulation. Yet they were fiercely guarded by major factions and ability academies. Ordinary ability users never saw them.

Worse: no technique worked for non-ability users. Common knowledge.

But *this* one? Possibly the strongest—and usable by normal people.

“Testing now.”

He flipped the manual open, regulated his breath, followed the rhythm…

“This is… Spirit Energy?”

After mere breaths, mysterious energy bloomed within him.

Plenty of it.

He greedily deepened the practice—until Nan Mengling stood abruptly, sword hilt gripped, delicate brows furrowed.

“Young Master. Killing intent.”

Zhou Jiuyu snapped toward the window. Both books vanished from his hands.

Outside, rain thickened. Sleek black sedans blocked the KFC entrance. Dozens of suited ability users formed two rows. From the lead car stepped a cold-faced man in a black trench coat.

An aide offered an umbrella—he waved it off. Raindrops parted around him. He raised a finger, tapped a single droplet—

—and the window before them shattered. That droplet shot like a flying sword straight at Zhou Jiuyu!

“Watch out!”

Nan Mengling’s blade flashed, slicing the droplet midair.

“Water-type ability…” Zhou Jiuyu didn’t retreat. Just arched a brow.

Bystanders scattered. The trench-coated man strode inside, gaze fixed on Nan Mengling.

“Though we’ve never met, I am Chen Ping—your senior brother. Master sent me to bring you home. What you saw today? A misunderstanding. A scheme to sever your bond with Master.”

Photos flashed in Nan Mengling’s mind. Her grip on the sword tightened.

Zhou Jiuyu sneered. “You attacked us on sight—and call it a misunderstanding?”

Chen Ping’s voice stayed flat. “Don’t confuse things. I only came to kill *you*.”

“Junior sister, this man beside you engineered everything. He defamed Master to win your trust… to possess you.”

Zhou Jiuyu chuckled. “Ah~ I get it. Did your Sword God master promise you… after delivering Nan Mengling to Sword God Mountain, you’d get to *play* with your junior sister too?”

Chen Ping’s composure flickered. “Her words are vulgar. See his true face. Kill him. Return with me to Sword God Mountain.”

“Upright folks are special. Pity—I’m not upright.”

Zhou Jiuyu yanked Nan Mengling close, gave the soft curve beneath her white robes a light pat. Her body trembled. She bit her lip, head bowed, silent—but her sword hand stayed firm.

“You—!!!"

Chen Ping’s mask cracked. *Master promised her maidenhood would be his reward…*

*Every first belonged to him. Only he could defile this Sword Fairy!*

Seeing *his* prize touched so casually ignited raw fury.

“Oho~ tilted?” Zhou Jiuyu smirked, eyebrow raised. “Someone’s losing their cool. Not saying who.”