Shi Hongda had known Xu Ke for less than two full days. But his desire to kill Xu Ke was constant, a feeling he had every minute of every second.

This "longing" was even more intense than Wong Qifu's yearning for Xu Ke.

Who could blame him? At the peak of his glory, Xu Ke had inflicted the greatest humiliation upon him, commanding him to maim himself in front of so many people. He had collaborated with the Yin and Yang Elders of the Qin Family, his arrogance soaring, only to be forcefully suppressed by Xu Ke.

He had already decided to ambush and kill Xu Ke once the Martial Alliance selection was over. However, Ki Qinyin's appearance made Shi Hongda think he would never get that chance. After all, he wasn't so foolish as to believe he could confront the Northern Dragon Guard with his own strength. Besides, with Xu Ke being recruited by them, could he really pursue him all the way to the northern border?

If I really went there, could I still kill him? I'd be burning incense just to make it back alive. After all, Xu Ke would most likely seize the opportunity to keep me in the northern border forever…

Who would have thought that Xu Ke hadn't gone to the northern border after all?

How could this not make Shi Hongda ecstatic?

But Huang Sheng was taken aback. "Elder Shi, don't you think it's a ruse by Ki Qinyin? She was in the gymnasium, vowing to recruit Xu Ke into the Northern Dragon Guard."

A smirk touched Shi Hongda's lips. "Do you think people from great powers are that trustworthy? Changing their minds on a whim is their specialty. They'd overturn a signed contract, so what are a few words spoken in a gymnasium?

"The way I see it, they must have tested him, found his talent didn't meet their standards, and just cast him aside. The Northern Dragon Guard is teeming with talent. It's not like before when their casualty rate was sky-high. Now, one more or one less Xu Ke makes no difference. What can Xu Ke do if they don't take him?"

Hearing Shi Hongda's ecstatic words, Huang Zhendong quickly understood and a look of delight spread across his face. "Elder Shi's words are most astute."

He had always thought Xu Ke's talent was so exceptional that joining the Northern Dragon Guard was a certainty. But he had forgotten that the Guard was now the undisputed king of the northern border. Countless powerhouses were eager to join, including long-famous Innate Late Stage and Great Perfection masters. They had more candidates than they could choose from. Rejecting one Xu Ke wouldn't be a problem at all.

Huang Sheng nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed!"

Shi Hongda stood up, a cold laugh escaping his lips. "Now, we can take our time and toy with that piece of trash, Xu Ke, until he's dead."

"Yes!"

***

「Meanwhile.」

「The Ye Family Estate.」

"Xu Ke hasn't left Tianhai?" Ye Yunfeng looked with surprise at the bowing Ye Liang.

Ye Liang nodded. "When Madame Yu and her group left, Xu Ke wasn't with them. There was no record of him on the flight manifest when it took off."

Ye Yunfeng was momentarily stunned.

Beside him, Ye Chong scoffed, "It seems that bitch Ki Qinyin tricked him!"

Ye Chong held a deep resentment for Ki Qinyin. He had been very pleased with his recent progress on the Martial Path, but she hadn't even given him the chance to be assessed, which had created a grudge. At the same time, he was extremely pleased that Xu Ke had failed to join the Northern Dragon Guard.

What I can't have, Xu Ke shouldn't get either.

Ye Chong gloated over his misfortune. "I bet that guy thought he was going to climb his way into the Northern Dragon Guard and reach the pinnacle of his life, eh? Who would've thought he'd actually be rejected! Hahaha."

Ye Yunfeng recovered and laughed as well. "Excellent. Him not going to the Northern Dragon Guard is better for everyone. He finally did something that pleases us all."

***

「In a brightly lit, high-end office building in the center of Tianhai City. Twenty-seventh floor.」

"Dad, did you hear? That guy didn't go to the northern border," a young man with a face twisted in anger complained to Zhou Qingyong, who was seated in a chair.

"I've told you before, you need to remain calm no matter what happens. Why do you look so upset?" Zhou Qingyong frowned. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

The young man was Zhou Fan, Zhou Qingyong's son and the current head of Yihe Pharmaceuticals.

"How could I not be upset?" Zhou Fan snorted coldly. "I was already furious that he won the Martial Alliance selection championship. Now Grandfather will probably feel even more pleased about his decision to give away Yihe Pharmaceuticals to get on good terms with Xu Ke. I was so happy when I thought Ki Qinyin was taking him to the northern border, but the good-for-nothing actually failed the Northern Dragon Guard's test! What a piece of trash!"

Zhou Fan cursed Xu Ke fiercely. When they found out Xu Ke had beaten Qian Jun, the father and son were already deeply unhappy. It meant Xu Ke's reputation would only grow stronger, and if Zhou Hongsheng got happy, he might give even more of their businesses to Xu Ke to deepen their alliance with the rising star. But when they heard Ki Qinyin was taking him away, Zhou Fan was delighted. He was likely the only one of Xu Ke's enemies in all of Tianhai who would be happy about him joining the Northern Dragon Guard. After all, once Xu Ke left Tianhai, Yihe Pharmaceuticals would once again be his to do with as he pleased. Even if Xu Ke held controlling shares, with the mountains high and the emperor far away, his reach wouldn't extend back to the city. No matter how much Xu Ke wanted to control the company, he wouldn't be able to manage it effectively from a distance.

But before Zhou Fan could celebrate for more than a few hours, the news of Xu Ke's failure arrived, making him feel as though he were in mourning.

To his surprise, however, Zhou Qingyong pondered for a moment and then sneered, "It's for the best that Xu Ke didn't get in."

Zhou Fan was startled. "Dad, what are you talking about?"

He had assumed his father would be on his side, condemning Xu Ke for failing the test.

"If he had gotten in, it would have only solved our immediate problem. When he returns from the Northern Dragon Guard, backed by their might, wouldn't we still have to hand over Yihe Pharmaceuticals?" Zhou Qingyong glanced at him and said coldly, "Now that he hasn't gone, we have room to maneuver, even though he might show up to take over the company at any moment.

"Xu Ke is definitely skilled at fighting, and he might have some healing abilities. But when it comes to business, do you really think he's a match for us? If he dares to take over Yihe Pharmaceuticals, we'll make him suffer such heavy losses that he'll be too scared to ever do business again."

Zhou Fan was stunned for a second, then became ecstatic. He knew what his father was planning.

Zhou Qingyong continued, "Moreover, after this competition, the number of his enemies has surely multiplied. Do you really think we can't find a few to join forces with us? Don't be so stupid!"

"Yes!" Zhou Fan replied hastily.

***

As Xu Ke drove away from the Wang family, still regretting his loose lips and not having a more affectionate time with Wong Qifu, a call came in from Duan Chongfeng.

"Brother Duan, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Xu Ke answered cheerfully.

He had to admit, aside from the whole "Sister Qifu" incident, he felt today's gains were quite significant, and his mood was much improved.

But Duan Chongfeng's voice was grim. "I heard you were eliminated by the Northern Dragon Guard?"