C9 Senior Sister Was Furious!

The chill in the mine was pervasive, and cracks spread like a spider web, threatening to collapse at any moment. Qiao Gao huddled in a corner, coughing up blood, his chest burning with pain that surged through his entire body like a raging tide, especially where his spine felt on the verge of snapping.

A blow from a master at the Soul Connecting Stage was no joke. Even a warrior at the Nine-vein Connection couldn't withstand it. The gap between the Vein Connecting Stage and the Soul Connecting Stage was like night and day. It was a miracle Qiao Gao wasn't killed outright.

Hwang Ningxue's energy was overwhelming, her presence commanding. All nine of her essence veins were open, and the empty mine echoed with a sound akin to a phoenix's call. Qiao Gao glanced up, utterly dumbfounded.

"Nine essence veins, all Heaven Rank!" He swallowed a mouthful of blood, his mind reeling. What kind of talent was this? Who exactly was this senior?

Having a Rank Five toad hidden within was one thing, but all nine veins being Heaven Rank? Where did this prodigy come from?

Outside, Bai Jutian, who had also opened nine veins, was waiting. In Great Flame City, he was among the top three talents, but he only had one Heaven Rank essence vein.

Qiao Gao was filled with questions and growing concern. He had angered this extraordinary woman, Hwang Ningxue, and needed to calm her fury quickly, or he might end up seriously hurt. The wrath of a master at the Soul Connecting Stage was no joke, and it would be tough for anyone to endure.

Before he could think further, Qiao Gao received another slap. Women often hold their bodies in high regard, especially someone like Ningxue, who hailed from a prestigious family.

"Am I really going to be beaten to death by a goddess?" Qiao Gao thought as he was flung against the mine shaft, the impact snapping three wooden beams. He was furious, "I used my soul power to save her, and now I'm being beaten to death..."

"Death isn't the scary part; it's the shame of being accused of insulting a goddess and bringing disgrace to my family. What a mess!"

Dazed from the beating, Qiao Gao instinctively activated the Thousand-hammer Vein Connecting Technique. The powerful energy was absorbed through his skin, guiding it to clear his blocked meridians.

"Who knew the Thousand-hammer Vein Connecting Technique could be used like this? Not only can it detoxify, but it can also clear my veins through a beating. It's incredible!" At that moment, Qiao Gao was fully alert, his inner turmoil vanished, and he looked at the furious Ningxue with a subtle smile.

"Well then, I'll just borrow your energy to clear my veins. Consider it interest for my depleted soul power," Qiao Gao thought to himself.

He had just used this method on Bai Tianyu, and now it was his turn to experience it. It was ironic how quickly the tables had turned. This technique was notoriously uncomfortable—just the thought of using pain to clear veins was enough to know it was going to be excruciating.

"You... you jerk!" Hwang Ningxue's face was icy cold. This guy had ruined her reputation and didn't even feel guilty. Instead, he had the nerve to smile with such ill intent. Her anger made her chest heave, revealing enticing curves. An icy torrent of energy poured out of her, unleashing its full force on Qiao Gao.

Qiao Gao endured the pain with a strange sense of pleasure, using the Thousand-hammer Vein Connecting Technique to absorb the energy. It hurt, but the sensation of clearing his veins was incredibly satisfying.

The relentless, icy energy was absorbed through his skin, clearing his capillary veins before finally reaching the essence vein hidden in his spine. It suddenly flared to life, like a dragon awakening after eons of slumber.

"Did I just clear the second essence vein?" Qiao Gao exclaimed with joy. "I feel so powerful. What level is this vein at?"

The sudden change startled Ningxue, as all nine of her Heaven Rank Essence Veins were suppressed. Her blood seemed frozen, and her energy was stagnant, like a lifeless pond without a ripple.

Qiao Gao stood up, his posture straight and his entire demeanor transformed dramatically. His eyes were profoundly deep, and Ningxue's gaze was fixed on his spine, utterly stunned.

His spine resembled a divine dragon, emitting a blinding, sacred light that was almost too dazzling to look at.

"This is... a Holy Rank Essence Vein!" Ningxue's flawless face was filled with shock. Most warriors only possess Earth, Human, or Heaven Rank veins, which are typical for ordinary people.

During her time with a secretive, influential family, she had read many hidden texts documenting that some truly exceptional individuals possessed veins beyond the Heaven Rank—Holy Rank Essence Veins!

These extraordinary individuals, born with such excellence, are destined to rise across the continent, becoming leaders among people.

"How could a remote place like Great Flame City have a genius with a Holy Rank Essence Vein?" Ningxue couldn't comprehend it, especially since Qiao Gao, with his mischievous mind, seemed to have no connection to those legendary figures.

The reality is just that harsh!

"Could he be a genius from a royal lineage left in some remote area?" Hwang Ningxue could only think of this possibility.

Just then!

Qiao Gao took the initiative, pushing the goddess down and firmly pinning Hwang Ningxue, a wave of fragrance washing over him as he felt her soft, delicate body.

Hwang Ningxue was pinned down, both embarrassed and angry. She couldn't move; her energy was completely suppressed by Qiao Gao's Holy Rank Essence Vein, unable to muster any strength.

"Get up!" Hwang Ningxue demanded sharply.

"Nope!" Qiao Gao replied.

"Get up!"

"No way, if I get up, you'll just beat me up again! I'm not that foolish!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Qiao Gao held Hwang Ningxue even tighter, savoring the warmth and softness. He had no desire to endure more abuse. He had used the Thousand-hammer Vein Connecting Technique on himself, which worked well but was excruciatingly painful.

Feeling powerless, Hwang Ningxue was both ashamed and furious, yet deeply aggrieved. She recalled her lifelong illness, feeling worse than death, coming to this remote place to await her end, with little time left. And now, to be humiliated by a local...

As these thoughts consumed her, Hwang Ningxue finally broke down, unable to hold back her tears, crying uncontrollably. Her tears, like a torrential downpour, soaked Qiao Gao's face.

Qiao Gao was flustered; he dreaded nothing more than a woman in tears.

"Stop!" Qiao Gao shouted. "Ningxue, there's a Three-eye Ice Toad sealed inside you. I was just helping to strengthen the seal, which drained my soul power."

"You didn't do anything bad to me?" Hwang Ningxue asked, her suspicion mixed with relief.

"I'm completely out of soul power. Do you really think I have the energy to do anything bad?" Qiao Gao replied, exasperated.

"You're lying. I took off my clothes, and you expect me to believe you didn't have a single improper thought?" Ningxue insisted confidently.

Qiao Gao rolled his eyes. What kind of person is this woman? Here he was, maintaining his composure, and she was worried about her own appeal.

"Ningxue, there's a Three-eye Ice Toad inside you. Not just any toad, but one with a significant background. It's sealed in there, probably due to some grudge against you," Qiao Gao said, standing up and changing the subject.

Ningxue was shocked. Coming from a secretive family, even their experts were at a loss, predicting she wouldn't live past twenty. That's why she ended up in this remote place, Great Flame City, abandoned by her family. It was like a ticking time bomb, and without a powerful Soul Master, there was no guarantee of defusing it.