Chapter 3: The Proud and Aloof Woman, An Unexpected Delight

“Phoenix Tower?” Ling Mao tilted her head, her large eyes full of confusion. “Isn’t that the Feng family’s place? Why are we going there?”

“Just taking a chance,” Yu Mao smiled mysteriously and quickened his pace.

Phoenix Tower was a property owned by the Feng Yao family. He recalled that occasionally discarded scraps would be handled there; perhaps he could find some useful resources.

Outside Phoenix Tower, several workers were loading cargo onto trucks. Yu Mao’s sharp eyes caught a faint energy fluctuation emanating from certain crates—possibly the kind of resources he needed to enhance his abilities. He hurriedly pulled Ling Mao closer.

“Hey! What are you doing? No unauthorized personnel allowed near here!” a sharp female voice rang out.

A woman in professional attire, impeccably dressed, strode over with a few henchmen in tow. It was Sun Yao, Feng Yao’s follower, radiating an imposing presence.

Curious onlookers cast glances and whispered among themselves. Yu Mao felt a burning heat rise to his face. Suppressing his anger, he explained, “I just wanted to take a look…”

“What are you looking at! You think you’re allowed to see anything here?” Sun Yao interrupted arrogantly. “Get lost, don’t be a nuisance!”

At that moment, a cold voice sounded, “What’s going on here?” The crowd parted automatically as a woman in a flowing white dress approached gracefully. Feng Yao’s face was stunningly beautiful yet cold, exuding an aura that kept others at bay.

Yu Mao was momentarily stunned by her beauty. Yet Feng Yao merely shot him a disdainful glance, eyes filled with contempt. “Another reckless newcomer?” Her tone implied he was nothing but filth.

A surge of anger flared within Yu Mao. He wasn’t one to be bullied. Just as he was about to retort, Sun Yao fawned to Feng Yao, “Miss, these two are acting suspiciously. Who knows what they intend…”

Feng Yao nodded slightly, signaling Sun Yao to continue. Sun Yao’s face blossomed with a triumphant smile as she barked at Yu Mao, “Get lost now! Or else…”

Yu Mao cut her off sharply, “I’m just looking to see if there are any useful resources left. Miss, your tone is uncalled for.”

Sun Yao burst into a sharp laugh, “You? Deserve to use the Feng family’s resources? Look at yourself!” She gestured to her men. “Throw these two out!”

Several burly men closed in, rolling up their sleeves. Yu Mao’s eyes darkened, ready to fight, but Ling Mao gripped his sleeve nervously.

“Brother, let’s go. Don’t cause trouble…” she whispered, wide-eyed with worry.

Yu Mao’s heart softened. He patted Ling Mao’s head gently. “It’s okay, I’ll protect you.” Then he turned to Sun Yao with a fierce glare. “I’ll say this again: I only want to see if there are any leftover resources. I mean no harm. Your aggressive behavior is excessive.”

Feng Yao watched coldly from the side, a flicker of impatience in her eyes. “There’s nothing here for you. Leave immediately.” Her voice was icy.

Yu Mao’s anger surged, this woman was unreasonable. Taking a deep breath, he was about to argue when Ling Mao’s sweet voice interrupted, “Sister, my brother is a very powerful ability user! He’s not bad!”

The crowd fell silent. Both Sun Yao and Feng Yao froze, while others glanced at each other oddly, some even chuckling.

---

Warmth filled Yu Mao’s heart as he gratefully glanced at Ling Mao. Her words strengthened his resolve, and he straightened up, locking eyes with Feng Yao. “I’ll say it once more, I just want to…”

Suddenly, his gaze sharpened toward a dim corner behind the building where a faint glow flickered.

“Wait,” Yu Mao tugged Ling Mao’s arm and pointed. “What’s that over there?”

The crowd followed his gaze. Amidst a pile of discarded junk behind the building, a partially exposed crate revealed a pearl emitting an eerie, shimmering light.

“Just some trash, what’s the big deal?” Sun Yao sneered, about to shoo Yu Mao away. But before she could, his eyes gleamed sharply as he lunged toward the corner like a starving wolf.

“No way! What’s this?!” Yu Mao lifted the crate’s lid fully. The pearl inside was crystal clear, glowing softly and pulsating faintly, as if it were alive.

“Ding! Congratulations, host! Rare resource discovered—the ‘Essence Condensing Pearl’! Greatly enhances ability levels!” a system voice rang in Yu Mao’s mind. He nearly jumped with excitement.

“The Essence Condensing Pearl?! That’s a legendary treasure!” The crowd erupted, many eyes gleaming with greed.

Even Feng Yao and Sun Yao were stunned to find such a precious item among the rubbish.

Ignoring others’ thoughts, Yu Mao grabbed the pearl, feeling its immense power and joy swelling within him.

“Lucky streak! This is a huge win!” he exclaimed inwardly, envisioning himself reaching the pinnacle of ability users.

Feng Yao observed Yu Mao’s excitement, a strange feeling welling up inside her. Yet she quickly suppressed it, her face still as cold as frost.

Yu Mao noticed Feng Yao’s gaze, their eyes meeting in a subtle, charged moment.

Ling Mao looked between them, her small head full of questions.

“Let’s go!” Yu Mao pulled Ling Mao and turned to leave.

“Stop!” Feng Yao’s voice cut through the air, icy and commanding. “You cannot take that.”

Yu Mao smiled playfully over his shoulder, “Oh? Why not? Is this heap of junk another Feng family treasure?”

Sun Yao jumped forward, pointing at Yu Mao’s nose, “Kid, don’t be shameless! That pearl belongs to our young lady now!”

“What a joke!” Yu Mao scoffed coldly. “I found it, so why should it be yours?” He weighed the Essence Condensing Pearl in his hand. “This is mine now. No one’s taking it from me!”

Fueled by fury, Yu Mao recalled the hardships he and his sister faced searching for resources, all because powerful clans like the Feng family monopolized most of them. Today, he refused to back down. He wanted Feng Yao to know that not all ability users bowed to the Feng family.

---

Feng Yao’s eyes darkened, radiating immense pressure that seemed to freeze the very air.

“I’ll say it again. Put it down.”

Yu Mao met her challenge without fear, “You want me to put it down? That’d be a humiliation.” Then he looked gently at Ling Mao. “Ling’er, let’s go.”

He took Ling Mao’s hand and left Phoenix Tower without looking back.

Feng Yao watched their departing figures, emotions tangled within her. Her family had taught her to reclaim the Essence Condensing Pearl, yet this man’s rebellious spirit stirred unfamiliar thoughts. Her heart wavered between family duty and an inexplicable curiosity.

Sun Yao made a throat-slitting gesture beside her. “Miss, shall we—”

Feng Yao shook her head. “Not yet. I want to see just who he really is.”

---

After leaving Phoenix Tower, Yu Mao was in high spirits, humming as he walked home.

“Brother, you’re amazing!” Ling Mao clung to his arm, eyes full of admiration. “What’s that pearl? It’s so beautiful!”

“Heh, it’s something good!” Yu Mao smiled mysteriously. “With this, I’ll become even stronger!”

Clutching the Essence Condensing Pearl, his heart brimmed with hope, fully aware the Feng family might not let this go easily.

Back at their place, Yu Mao eagerly began studying the pearl. The system notified him that this Essence Condensing Pearl contained immense energy, enough to break through to an intermediate-level ability user.

He sat cross-legged, placing the pearl in his palm, closing his eyes slowly to absorb its power.

As time passed, the pearl’s glow dimmed gradually, while Yu Mao’s aura grew stronger and stronger.

Just as he was about to break through, a chilling presence loomed outside the door…

“Kid, hand over the Essence Condensing Pearl, and I might spare your life!” a hoarse voice growled from outside.