Zhang Lie smiled in relief. "It looks like it was a success."

Hong Xi nodded. "It should have been."

Zhang Hanxiang continued to emanate an aura of frost. "Kneel to me, my retainers!"

Zhang Lie darted to her side and rapped her hard on the head.

"Kneel? I think not—I'm your brother! If you want to make me kneel, you'd better grow far stronger than this."

Zhang Hanxiang clutched her head in mock pain, then beamed at him. "Brother, I succeeded."

Zhang Lie nodded. "I saw it."

Zhang Hanxiang asked, "How strong am I now?"

"Roughly at the level of a new superior king—like the draconian sage. However, you're...