Chapter 336: Chapter 336

Ding Fan's eyes brimmed with killing intent, even the assassin who was accustomed to life and death couldn't help but feel a chill creep up his back.

The killing aura of a Cultivator was not something this assassin could withstand.

"If I tell you, can you spare me?" the assassin said, his voice quivering.

Ding Fan spoke indifferently, yet his killing intent did not diminish. "You have no bargaining power."

After speaking, Ding Fan held Ye Ningbing in his left arm while casually waving his right hand.

A fierce gust suddenly arose, a Wind Blade chopping directly forward. The assassin hadn't even understood what happened when his right arm was completely severed by Ding Fan.

"Ah..." the assassin screamed miserably, falling to his knees, his whole body shaking violently from the pain.

"I'll say... I'll say everything I know, please don't kill me..." the assassin knelt on the ground, continuously kowtowing.

This assassin was accustomed to bloody and violent scenes; killing was his profession. He could be considered a ruthless man.

However, in front of Ding Fan, he was like a lamb ready for slaughter, without any power to resist.

At this moment, Ye Ningbing was also shocked.

Conjuring a blade from the wind. Decisive in execution.

It was Ye Ningbing's first time seeing the cold side of Ding Fan, whose chilling killing intent made her feel as if a blade was on her back even now.

Ye Ningbing looked up at Ding Fan's profile while she was in his arms.

No matter what, she could not associate the Ding Fan before her with the prodigal who squandered the Ding Family's fortune.

"Who sent you, why do you want to kill Ye Ningbing?" Ding Fan asked coldly.

"It was... Ye Chenliang... from the Ye Family... I'm just a minor character who takes others' money to do their bidding, please let me go," the assassin spoke, his voice now carrying a sobbing tone.

Ye Ningbing felt as if struck by Mysterious Thunder, her expression frozen.

Ye Chenliang was Ye Ningbing's own brother by the same parents. Originally when Ye Chenliang had sent someone to assassinate Ding Fan, Ye Ningbing had sought out Ding Fan, hoping to exchange her safety for her brother's.

The reason Ye Ningbing stayed by Ding Fan was all because of her brother...

But now, the person sent to assassinate her was none other than the relative she would sacrifice everything to save...

Ding Fan also paused in astonishment.

Ding Fan had never expected the person wanting to kill Ye Ningbing to be Ye Chenliang.

"Why..." Ye Ningbing's lips twitched twice, and tears fell straightforwardly.

"I don't know the exact reason, I'm just an assassin..." the assassin knelt on the ground, trembling violently. "Please, you have let me go. I've already told everything I know."

Another Wind Blade swept by and killed the assassin.

Ding Fan could tell, this assassin did not know more than this. The reason for ending his life... The assassin had a strong murderous aura, clearly having taken many lives. Such a person living in the world would only cause harm, better to simply kill him.

Ye Ningbing buried her head in Ding Fan's chest, her body trembling.

The betrayal of a family member was a massive hit to anyone.

Watching the fragile girl in his arms, tenderness surged in Ding Fan's heart against his will...

Ding Fan incinerated the assassin's corpse with the Fireball Technique before he and Ye Ningbing left the building.

Ye Ningbing no longer needed Ding Fan to carry her. Since Ding Fan had a gunshot wound on his shoulder, the two of them headed back towards the military residence complex.

Ye Ningbing was quite depressed, and she did not speak much along the way. It was only when they were close to the military residence complex that she finally spoke.

"Ding Fan, no matter what, please, I beg you, do not hurt Ye Chenliang."

Ye Ningbing's expression was grave as she earnestly pleaded.

Although Ding Fan and Ye Ningbing had not known each other for long, he knew that she was a very strong person. It was not easy for her to utter a plea.

Yet, such a stubborn person had pleaded with him countless times already, each time for matters that had nothing to do with her...

A woman clothed in a coat of strength yet fragile...

Ding Fan could not bear to refuse her plea.

Ye Ningbing deeply bowed to Ding Fan, then turned and walked towards the guesthouse without looking back.

Ding Fan watched Ye Ningbing's retreating figure, feeling a sense of sadness wash over him...

But why... why did Ye Chenliang want to kill Ye Ningbing?

Ding Fan was deep in thought…

After returning to the guesthouse, Ding Fan quickly bandaged himself and changed into clean clothes before heading out again.

Earlier, Ding Fan had already arranged to meet Cheng Bufan at Liuli Factory at eight, but his encounter with the assassin had delayed him, and he was just now starting to hurry to Liuli Factory.

Upon arriving at Liuli Factory, Cheng Bufan was already waiting for him.

"The invitation to the Longxi Auction this time was very difficult to obtain," said Cheng Bufan as soon as he seated Ding Fan, "Rumors are circulating that an Ancient Divine Artifact will be auctioned off, so many reclusive experts have also emerged."

As soon as Ding Fan settled down, Cheng Bufan shared the information he knew.

An Ancient Divine Artifact?

Ding Fan was slightly taken aback. Every world has its own powerhouse, and since it was worthy of being called a Divine Artifact, it must indeed be an impressive treasure.

"I happen to have an invitation here," Cheng Bufan said as he extended a Golden Card towards Ding Fan. "I've attended the Longxi Auction in past years. You should go this time, little brother."

On the Golden Card, there was a number, two hundred eleven.

Ding Fan's expression grew solemn, knowing the Longxi Auction was no ordinary event; the black market alone had hyped the price of an invitation to tens of millions.

And yet, it was priceless now. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾·𝗇𝖾𝗍

This valuable opportunity being offered to him by Cheng Bufan touched Ding Fan's heart deeply.

"Big brother, please keep the invitation for yourself. I've already managed to acquire one," Ding Fan said.

Last time, because Cheng Bufan's fellow disciples were around, Ding Fan did not mention that he had already obtained an invitation from Ruan Ze.

Now that Cheng Bufan was planning to give him his own invitation, Ding Fan didn't intend to reveal where he got his invitation from, but he still wanted Cheng Bufan to know he had one.

Cheng Bufan was startled, but then seemed to understand something. "Little brother, you don't need to be polite with me. Can a mere invitation compare to the brotherhood between us? Besides, I've been to the Longxi Auction before. So, you should go this time."

Upon hearing Cheng Bufan's words, Ding Fan realized there was a misunderstanding. He then took out the invitation he had obtained from Ruan Ze from his storage ring.

The number clearly engraved on Ding Fan's Golden Card was eight.

Cheng Bufan initially thought that Ding Fan was deceiving him, but upon seeing the Golden Card, he no longer doubted him.

"Little brother, it seems I was overly worried before; I didn't realize you had already secured an invitation."

Cheng Bufan truly admired Ding Fan; he himself had struggled to obtain the invitation before, even using the influence of his Sect to barely secure one.

Additionally, the number on that Golden Card was said to be ranked by status.

Using the Sect's influence, Cheng Bufan had barely managed to get a number of two hundred eleven, while Ding Fan impressively obtained number eight.

Securing a top ten position at the Longxi Auction was almost unthinkable.

"I got this purely by chance," Ding Fan said.

Ding Fan didn't wish to delve further into the origin of the card, especially since the affair in Myanmar was Ding Fan helping the country, and he had no intention of involving Cheng Bufan.

"Big brother, I plan to set out in a few days," Ding Fan stated bluntly.

Setting out in two days?

Cheng Bufan was surprised. "There's still some time until the auction. Isn't it a bit too hurried to go now?"

"I'm not going directly to Longxi; this time, I need to make a stop at Zhangjiajie first," explained Ding Fan.

He then shared with Cheng Bufan the request from Ma Xiaochuan to help locate his father's remains in the forbidden area of Zhangjiajie.

"Big brother, I wonder if you know anything about the forbidden area in Zhangjiajie..." Ding Fan's primary purpose was to gather information about the forbidden area from Cheng Bufan.

"Little brother, I think you better not go," Cheng Bufan hesitated, then advised Ding Fan.

Ding Fan didn't respond, silently listening to Cheng Bufan.

"I've heard of that forbidden area in Zhangjiajie. Thirty years ago, it was said that an Exotic Treasure appeared there, and many explorers and masters of Ancient Martial Arts went there. However, none who entered came out again. Even today, although many know there's a forbidden area beneath Zhangjiajie, no one dares to enter… So, you really mustn't go."

Ding Fan pondered for a moment before saying, "Big brother, I understand."

Cheng Bufan continued discussing various rumors about the dangers of the Zhangjiajie forbidden area, advising Ding Fan against going.

The two brothers chatted for a while, and Cheng Bufan prepared some drinks and dishes, chatting and eating with Ding Fan.

After sitting with Cheng Bufan for most of the day, Ding Fan finally stood up to leave.

Although Cheng Bufan had spoken of the grave dangers of the forbidden area, it did not diminish Ding Fan's intent to visit it.

Heavenly Materials and Earth Treasures are found in dangerous places; back in the Cultivation World, in search of resources for cultivation, Ding Fan had frequented perilous places.

The dangers mentioned by Cheng Bufan did not deter Ding Fan; instead, they further fueled his desire to explore the forbidden area…