The moment Ning Xuan took out the ores, the entire room was bathed in a dazzling light. The brilliant glow from the treasures made Ying Yaoshi’s eyes sparkle.

"Top-grade Lan Green Stone, Purple Marrow Star Pattern Stone, sand gold ore, top-grade Thunder Energy Crystals..." Ying Yaoshi stared in shock at the ores before him. Not only were they all precious and rare, but what made them truly exceptional was their top-tier quality.

"What do you think? Pretty, aren’t they? They’re all for you. I have plenty more where these came from," Ning Xuan said to Ying Yaoshi, pointing at the ores covering the floor.

She had received many gifts from Ying Yaoshi before, but this was the first time she had given him something in return. The thought made her surprisingly happy.

"Xuanyuan, you’re so powerful, so beautiful, and so generous. It’s getting harder and harder to imagine being apart from you." Ying Yaoshi moved in to hug Ning Xuan again, leaning in to kiss her cheek.

After becoming intimate, their interactions had grown much more affectionate.

Ning Xuan was used to being fawned over by those around her, used to their respect and obedience. If she ever felt slighted or treated dismissively, she was bound to lash out.

This Ning Xuan was undoubtedly proud to her core, even possessing a self-centered, domineering streak. She had a habit of looking down on people, her gaze carrying a noble, scrutinizing air that made her seem unapproachable.

Of course, her pride and imperious nature weren’t about being unreasonable; rather, they stemmed from a habituated need for comfort and control.

Ying Yaoshi had been observing her carefully during their time together and had gradually figured out some of her habits and preferences. However, they still hadn’t known each other long. When Ying Yaoshi felt her body stiffen, he knew his actions had made her uncomfortable.

Ning Xuan pushed his head away and shot him a look. "Where do you think you’re putting your paws? I’ve been indulging you these last two days. Have you already forgotten the beating you got a few days ago? And the house rules I made you copy? I see you haven’t taken them to heart at all."

Ying Yaoshi remembered that particular house rule: One must not touch the Contractor’s body without permission.

Ying Yaoshi quickly pulled back the hand he had placed on Ning Xuan’s chest. He offered an apologetic smile and said, "How could I dare forget my Contractor’s lessons? Uh, where were we? While these ores are precious and rare, in terms of value, the Prajna Fruits from before are still worth more."

Seeing Ying Yaoshi steer the conversation back to business, Ning Xuan didn’t press the issue of his wandering hands. "The value of the Prajna Fruit is mainly in its ability to unlock Genetic Locks and rapidly increase one’s strength, right? But Lan Xin’s successful breakthrough last time was largely thanks to me. Many of the subordinates Guo Jia brought along died after eating the Prajna Fruit, losing their minds and undergoing a complete aberrant transformation."

"Does Starry Sky Academy have a way to use Prajna Fruit safely?" Ning Xuan asked, puzzled.

"Yes. To be precise, it’s not a method for using it safely, but a Secret Realm where it can be used safely—the Heavenly Spirit Secret Realm. It’s a new Secret Realm that appeared ten years ago. Inside this Secret Realm, even if you consume Prajna Fruit, you won’t undergo an aberrant transformation. You can also rapidly increase your own strength and even break through to a new Spiritual Power Level."

"However, the rate of growth isn’t as exaggerated as Lan Xin’s, and it’s not without risks. There was once a case where someone was perfectly fine inside the Secret Realm, but suddenly started an aberrant transformation upon leaving. In the end, they lost their sanity and died from the complete transformation."

"A subsequent investigation concluded that the person had taken too large a dose," Ying Yaoshi explained. "The medicine wasn’t fully absorbed, which is what led to such a dangerous outcome."

"Oh. Then what’s the typical dosage? Does it vary based on a person’s strength Level?" Ning Xuan asked.

"Yes. But under normal circumstances, when the Prajna Fruit is refined into a pure medicine, one or two drops are sufficient. Any more would likely backfire." Ying Yaoshi answered her questions without any concealment.

"Xuanyuan, if you decide to go to the Heavenly Spirit Secret Realm, you must tell me. With so many Prajna Fruits, I was just about to send some people in to improve their strength," Ying Yaoshi urged.

"Fine. I have other things to take care of right now, so I won’t be going just yet. I’ll tell you when I’m ready." Ning Xuan was intrigued by any place that offered a chance to grow stronger.

"We’ve been talking for a while, but didn’t you first mention a military exercise? Does it have anything to do with these independent Space Secret Realms?" Ning Xuan asked.

"Of course they’re related. This upcoming military exercise will very likely use these independent Space Secret Realms as the competition grounds. The army that can successfully explore more of them will achieve a better score." The specific rules for the exercise were still under discussion, but using the independent Space Secret Realms for an exploration-based competition was all but confirmed.

Ning Xuan nodded thoughtfully. "Are you telling me about the military exercise because you’re afraid I’ll miss out on the excitement?"

Ying Yaoshi smiled faintly. Ning Xuan was truly perceptive. He was indeed worried she might try to avoid him by joining some small military unit, a Mercenary Corps, or hiding away in a small Secret Realm.

"As long as you all don’t interfere too much and let me experience life on the battlefield independently, I won’t go looking for trouble myself." Since they were on the topic, Ning Xuan decided to state her own terms.

"Fine, I won’t interfere. However, you must prepare everything you need and take all necessary precautions. It’s okay for you to experience life on the battlefield, but you absolutely cannot let yourself fall into a dangerous situation," Ying Yaoshi said.

"How can a battlefield not be dangerous? Don’t worry. I’ll bring everything you gave me. Do I look like the kind of person who doesn’t cherish her own life?" Ning Xuan retorted.

As the two were talking, Ying Yaoshi’s personal communicator rang. "Marshal, the person you asked me to pick up is here. He... he says he’s here to pick up his Contractor. Is he also Miss Ning’s Contractor?" Shen Shiye asked, his voice filled with a bit of excitement.

"Have him wait in the conference hall," Ying Yaoshi said, his heart sinking.

’I really don’t want Ning Xuan to leave this place.’

’But he couldn’t stop her.’

Ying Yaoshi was about to hang up, but then he heard Shen Shiye quickly ask, "Marshal, are you allowing Miss Ning to take on other Contractors? If Governor Yu can, do you think I could too?"

Shen Shiye’s question left Ying Yaoshi stunned. "What do you mean, ’if you could’?"

"I want to be Miss Ning’s Contractor, too, Marshal! Last time, I only survived thanks to her. If it weren’t for Miss Ning, I’d be dead. The fact that she could save me in that situation must mean our genetic compatibility is incredibly high. So, what do you think? Am I a candidate?" Shen Shiye asked excitedly.

Ying Yaoshi, and back in the conference hall, Yu Mingche, both fell silent at Shen Shiye’s words.