Grandmaster answered the phone almost instantly.

"You little brat, what are you calling me for in the dead of night?"

Grandmaster's warm voice reached Lin Xiao's ears.

"Old man, I want to ask you a question!"

"What question?"

"Tell me, is there any other way to get my cultivation back?"

"What's wrong? No progress with Su Qingning?"

Lin Xiao nodded dejectedly.

"Yeah, no progress. And I feel like a lot of it is just wishful thinking on my part!"

Grandmaster could tell Lin Xiao was in a foul mood.

"Do you need me to step in?"

"No, that's not necessary. I just want to know if there's any other way for me to get my cultivation back!"

"You brat, there is no other way!" Grandmaster's voice sounded somewhat helpless.

Lin Xiao sighed in frustration.

Just as he was about to speak, Grandmaster suddenly interjected, "Oh, wait, there is one other way!"

Lin Xiao's spirits lifted. "What way?"

"The Mountain and River Diagram. Find the Mountain and River Diagram. It's said to contain the draconic ley lines that guard the nine provinces, as well as an invincible cultivation technique!"

"Huh? The draconic ley lines that guard the nine provinces? An invincible cultivation technique? But didn't you say the Mountain and River Diagram was connected to the mystery of my birth?" Lin Xiao asked suspiciously.

Grandmaster seemed to realize his slip of the tongue. After a brief silence, he said, "Of course, it's related to your birth!"

"But how could my birth be related to the draconic ley lines of the nine provinces?"

"That, I don't know. But once you find the Mountain and River Diagram, everything will come to light!" Grandmaster said reassuringly.

"Forget it. I'm not talking about this anymore. I'm going to get some rest!" Lin Xiao said helplessly.

"Alright. Don't get discouraged. If it really comes down to it, just let us step in!"

"No, no, absolutely not! You've all taught me for so many years. If I can't even handle something this small, wouldn't I be letting down all your efforts?" Lin Xiao said hurriedly.

Grandmaster's hearty laughter came through the phone.

"That's the spirit, kid. Buck up. We also investigated Su Qingning and found that she's no easy mark. Getting your cultivation back from her won't be easy!"

"I'll work hard!"

Grandmaster grunted in agreement, and they both hung up.

When he returned to the villa, the vast residence was deathly quiet. Su Qingning's room was pitch-black; she had probably fallen asleep. Lin Xiao didn't enter her room, instead going into the one next door. The one thing the 'King of the Hill' unit at Hidden Dragon Villa didn't lack was rooms.

Lying in bed, Lin Xiao didn't feel the least bit sleepy.

His mind flashed through all the moments he had spent with Su Qingning over the past few days. Honestly, when he first agreed to divorce Su Qingning in six months, he hadn't taken it seriously at all. He was confident that with his skills, she would inevitably fall in love with him and call off the divorce. Throughout their time together, he had thought her heart was slowly melting and truly believed it wouldn't be long before he could get his cultivation back.

But now, it seemed that was all just his own fantasy. The dream was shattered, and Lin Xiao had no idea what to do next. He didn't know if he should keep being good to Su Qingning, nor did he know what he would get in return if he did. For the first time in his life, Lin Xiao, a man who had always been brimming with confidence, felt utterly powerless.

After tossing and turning until three or four in the morning, Lin Xiao finally felt a wave of drowsiness.

「The night passed in silence.」

When Lin Xiao woke up the next day, it was already past eleven in the morning. The expansive villa was completely empty.

He had just finished washing up when he received a call from Xiao Shixiong.

"Young Master, the matter you tasked me with yesterday has been arranged. In three days, Su Qingfeng will marry that beggar," Xiao Shixiong said respectfully.

"They don't know he's a beggar yet, do they?"

"That's right, they still have no idea!"

"Good. I understand."

With that, Lin Xiao was about to hang up.

"Young Master, wait a moment!"

"What is it? Something else?"

"Yes. Su Daonong, the head of the Su Family, called me this morning. He wants to treat me, the matchmaker, to lunch. Young Master, after Su Qingfeng marries that beggar, should I swallow up the Su Corporation?"

Lin Xiao knew that for Xiao Shixiong, swallowing the Su Corporation was easier than drinking a glass of water. But then he thought of Su Qingning's obsession with it.

"Forget it. Let the Su Corporation survive a little longer."

"As you command!"

Lin Xiao hung up. He thought about calling Su Qingning but then remembered what she had said last night.

Forget it. I'd better not disturb her. She probably doesn't want to answer my call anyway.

At that thought, Lin Xiao got up and left the villa.

The Cullinan was gone. Su Qingning must have driven it away. Fortunately, Chu Xiangxue had given him a sports car yesterday. At least he wouldn't have to take a taxi.

By the time he reached the bar, it was lunchtime. Pei Donglai was dutifully guarding the entrance.

"Captain, President Su just left!"

Huh? Su Qingning just left? Why didn't I see her? Then again, there was more than one route to the bar, so it wasn't that strange.

"How is the bar renovation coming along?"

"It's almost done. I asked President Su, and she said we can reopen in a couple of days. She also told me to get in touch with the guys from the security team!"

Lin Xiao nodded. "Have you eaten yet?"

"Not yet."

"Go buy some food. We'll have a few drinks this afternoon," Lin Xiao said.

"Got it."

Pei Donglai quickly dashed off.

Lin Xiao turned and entered the security office.

To be honest, Lin Xiao wasn't one for heavy drinking, but he was in a truly awful mood today, so he felt like having a drink. The tea was perfectly brewed, and he took a simple sip.

His mind began to churn, trying to figure out how to handle his future relationship with Su Qingning. That one sentence from last night had made their relationship instantly fragile. If he didn't handle it well, things would get ugly. After all, his cultivation was still inside her body.

Truthfully, Lin Xiao really wanted to lay his cards on the table—offer her an early end to their marriage in exchange for his cultivation. But he suspected Su Qingning wouldn't believe him. It might even backfire and make their relationship worse. After thinking for a long time, Lin Xiao still couldn't come up with a good plan. He scratched his head in frustration. In his entire life, Lin Xiao had never been so frustrated.

Just as he was stewing in his annoyance, the door to the security office was pushed open. Lin Xiao thought it was Pei Donglai returning. Just as he was about to speak, a horrifyingly cold aura washed over him.

The man standing before him was in his thirties and exuded a terrifying, sinister energy. He was staring at Lin Xiao, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Lin Xiao asked nonchalantly, "Who are you looking for?"

"You!" the man replied coldly.

"What do you want?"

"To send you to hell!"

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