Chapter 116: A Bottleneck Appears

Xia Yurou's gaze was fixed tightly on Jiangnan, as if she wanted to see right through him.

Jiangnan ignored it; when he saw Ren Yang lingering motionless, his patience instantly ran out.

He pressed his palm lightly, and Ren Yang's knees slammed heavily onto the floor, producing a dull thud.

The hard marble floor bruised his knees with pain.

He clenched his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, like a venomous snake with its tail stepped on, ready to strike at any moment.

Bark.

Jiangnan coldly spat out a word; his voice was low, yet it rang like a thunderclap in Ren Yang's ears.

Ren Yang's body trembled, his eyes a mix of humiliation and anger.

He, the Ren Family Eldest Son, had never endured such humiliation.

"Woof… woof woof…"

A thin, mosquito‑like bark squeezed out of Ren Yang's throat, trembling slightly.

"Speak louder, I can't hear you."

Jiangnan looked down at him, his gaze icy.

"Woof! Woof woof woof!"

Ren Yang jerked his head up, eyes blood‑red, like a maddened beast, letting out a hysterical howl.

The sound echoed through the spacious exhibition hall, unbearably shrill.

The crowd was stunned by the sudden turn of events.

They widened their eyes and opened their mouths, looking at the scene in disbelief.

"Good heavens, is this… the Ren Family Eldest Son?"

"He actually knelt down to bark like a dog?"

"This… this is unbelievable."

"What on earth is that young man's background, that he could make the Ren Eldest Son submit like this?"

Murmurs spread through the crowd like a tide.

Shock and confusion were written on everyone's faces.

Their gazes toward Jiangnan also shifted subtly.

From initial contempt to present awe.

Even a hint of fear.

What exactly is this young man's background?

He actually made the Ren Family Eldest Son kneel in public humiliation?

Does he really not fear retaliation from the Ren Family?

In the center of the exhibition hall, Jiangnan stood silently, like a statue.

He looked down at the humbled Ren Yang beneath him, his eyes as still as an ancient well.

As if none of this concerned him.

"Now, you may leave."

Jiangnan said lightly, his voice devoid of any feeling.

Ren Yang, as if absolved, got up rolling and crawling, stumbling as he ran outward.

He didn't want to stay here even a moment longer.

This place was his lifelong disgrace.

"You wait for me; I will never let you go!"

Ren Yang turned back, uttered a harsh remark, and quickly vanished into the crowd.

…

"Let's go."

Jiangnan spoke, his voice low.

Murong Wan nodded lightly, followed Jiangnan, and left the exhibition hall.

After this ordeal, the two lost any desire to continue browsing.

Outside the jewelry store, Xia Yurou stood quietly.

She watched Jiangnan leave, her gaze complicated.

This young man left a deep impression on her.

She had never seen anyone so arrogant yet so mysterious.

Xia Yurou felt a strong interest in Jiangnan.

Her gaze locked tightly on Jiangnan's silhouette, as if to see right through him.

Only when Jiangnan's figure vanished at the edge of her sight did Xia Yurou withdraw her gaze.

She turned and returned to the jewelry store.

In her heart, she could not calm down for a long time.

…

Night fell, and the city lights first lit up.

In Qingzhou City, inside a luxurious villa.

The lights shone brightly, warm and tranquil.

Murong Wan's cheeks were rosy as she leaned in Jiangnan's arms.

Jiangnan lifted her, gently placing her on the bed.

It's getting late, rest.

Don't!

Murong Wan made a humming sound, and actively reached down with her jade hand.

The next morning,

After Murong Wan got up, she felt a faint soreness in her thighs,

Thinking back to last night's frenzy, an unconscious blush appeared on her cheeks.

But she quickly shook her head, dispelling this alluring thought from her heart.

The urgent matter is still the Xingchen Plaza Project; she cannot indulge in male beauty and neglect her work!

Morning light pierced the sheer curtains and fell into the training room.

In the center of the room, Jiangnan sat cross-legged, breathing slowly and steadily.

Sunlight gilded his body with a golden edge, outlining his resolute profile.

His eyes tightly closed, brows slightly furrowed, as if struggling against some invisible force.

Sweat beads seeped from his forehead, sliding down his cheeks to drop onto the ground.

Inside the house, it was so quiet that a falling pin could be heard.

Only Jiangnan's heavy breathing echoed in the air.

His inner true qi surged like a rushing river, wildly flowing through his meridians.

Again and again, it struck the barrier of his cultivation.

Each impact was accompanied by a tearing pain.

Jiangnan gritted his teeth, enduring this inhuman torment.

He could feel that he was only one step away from a breakthrough.

But this step was as difficult to cross as a Heavenly Rift.

He needed an opportunity, a breakthrough.

And this opportunity was the Five-colored Spirit Stone.

Such a precious gemstone containing innate spiritual energy could help him break through his cultivation bottleneck.

Jiangnan opened his eyes, a flash of determination crossing his gaze.

He took a deep breath, yet a surge of anxiety rose in his heart.

Five-colored Spirit Stone is exceedingly rare in the world.

Where should he go to find one?

Jiangnan pushed open the window and gazed into the distance.

At the end of his sight, skyscrapers stood in rows, carriages and horses bustled, a scene of prosperity.

His brows were tightly knotted, his thoughts tangled.

He had used all his connections, inquired everywhere, yet there was still no news.

Such a rare treasure can be encountered but not sought; it's like looking for a needle in the ocean, hope slim.

Jiangnan rubbed his brow, feeling a wave of fatigue.

Outside the window, birds chirped, clear and pleasant.

But he had no mind to appreciate it; his thoughts were full of the Five-colored Spirit Stone.

Breaking through the bottleneck is imminent.

He needs this stone to break his shackles and rise to a higher level.

Otherwise, he will remain stagnant forever, unable to reach a higher realm.

Jiangnan closed his eyes, and suddenly the image of the woman he had seen yesterday at the mall appeared in his mind.

Xia Yurou, General Manager of Blue Light Jewelry.

She is in the jewelry business and might be able to help.

Jiangnan opened his eyes, a flash of determination crossing his gaze.

He grabbed his coat, strode out of the room, and headed straight for Blue Light Jewelry.

Outside the car window, the scenery flew by.

Jiangnan's emotions surged,

He didn't know whether Xia Yurou knew the whereabouts of the Five-colored Spirit Stone.

But he had to try; this was his only hope.

Half an hour later, a Rolls-Royce stopped at the entrance of Blue Light Jewelry.

He took a deep breath and stepped into the store.

A female sales clerk in a professional suit came up to greet him.

Sir, how may I help you?

The sales clerk smiled, her voice sweet.

I'm looking for General Manager Xia.

Sorry, General Manager Xia is very busy; without an appointment, I'm afraid you can't see her.

The sales clerk gave a professional smile, yet remained aloof.

Jiangnan furrowed his brows, not expecting that he would need an appointment.

He was pressed for time; he had no leisure to waste here.

Just as he was pondering a countermeasure, a familiar voice sounded.

"Mr. Jiang, why are you here?"

It was the young female sales assistant from yesterday, now running toward him with a beaming, surprised face.

Her eyes sparkled, as excited as a fan seeing an idol.

"Xiao Liu, do you know this gentleman?"

The sales assistant earlier showed a look of surprise.

"Of course, this is the Mr. Jiang from yesterday!"

Xiao Liu spoke excitedly, his voice trembling a little.

"Mr. Jiang, please wait a moment; I'll contact our General Manager Xia right away!"