Chapter 34: Yan Chen Offers a Woman, Xu Yao Suffers Humiliation

“Tianling, let’s see who has the last laugh…”

Ling Tian emerged, greeted by someone waiting to receive him. He curled his lips, knowing without asking that Xiao Ding had arranged this. Such unease about his daughter—or perhaps, such distrust of himself. As for why Xiao Ding wasn’t here to greet him personally? He’d gone to see his daughter, surely.

Ling Tian was led by his escort to a residence, quite decent and well-equipped. The night was quiet; Chu Xuan believed his words and didn’t come seeking him. He took out the pill formulas he had obtained, and his eyes shone. His mother was well-versed in alchemy, a sovereign at the craft, and their collection of formulas was vast. Ling Tian had grown up by her side, picking up much by ear. Yet the formulas recorded here were ones he had never even heard of!

This was indeed a treasure.

But that only gave Ling Tian another headache: he possessed imperial-level alchemy talent, but lacked a suitable flame to wield it. Turning this over in his mind, Ling Tian’s thoughts drifted to Yan Chen; his dual pupils could see that the flame on Yan Chen was no ordinary fire.

Ha, is it his? Then he would take it.

When the time came, he’d call to it. If it didn’t answer, it would belong to him.

Ling Tian narrowed his eyes; he never considered himself a good man…

…

“The young master’s aura…”

A woman clad in black arcane robes, her face veiled, her cultivation impossible to discern, gazed from afar toward the Divine Flame Sect, stowing away a finger bone.

Though her body was wrapped tightly, it wasn’t hard to see her figure was strikingly alluring.

“Well, well, little sister, your attire is quite odd; how about you join your brother for a drink?”

A rogue cultivator who had been sizing her up from afar approached, his eyes lewd, trying to strike up a conversation.

He couldn’t discern her cultivation and assumed it was low—after all, what distinguished guests would come to such a small town?

The woman only cast him a cold glance and withdrew her gaze, about to leave, unwilling to waste words on such scum.

“Hey, miss, don’t go—I’ve got money…” The man, seeing her intent to leave, reached out to block her way.

“You court death!” The woman frowned, blue flames erupted from her, and the man was instantly reduced to ashes.

She vanished in an instant.

The remaining rogue cultivators, witnessing such a scene, were terrified, cold sweat beading on their foreheads. Thankfully, they hadn’t approached her first; otherwise…

…

“This is the pill I promised to refine for you.”

Yan Chen, looking pale, took out a pill and handed it to Xu Yun.

These past days, besides crafting the teleportation array, he had been refining the pill promised to Xu Yun—a truly exhausting task.

“Haha, excellent, excellent! My investment in you has proven worthwhile. The opening of the Flame Domain Secret Realm is near—get ready.”

Xu Yun received the pill, barely able to conceal his excitement, and handed Yan Chen a storage ring in return.

Yan Chen had helped him greatly; it was only right to be generous in return.

Exchanging pleasantries, Xu Yun hurried off. Should the pill’s efficacy be lacking, he could still return it and have Yan Chen refine another. But once Yan Chen entered the secret realm, that would no longer be possible.

“Hmph, what a face…”

Yan Chen watched Xu Yun leave, eyes narrowed, murmuring quietly.

“So, it’s time to meet him.”

Yan Chen glanced at the message from his communication jade—the Flame Domain Secret Realm was about to open, and everything must proceed steadily.

Just as he was about to leave, a voice called out.

“Yan Chen, where are you going?”

Xu Yao came before him, eyes full of longing.

Since that day, Yan Chen had secluded himself in alchemy, and she hadn’t seen him. Now, he was out again, apparently about to leave the sect, and naturally, she wanted to accompany him.

“I’m meeting an old friend. If you wish to follow, just stay by my side.”

Yan Chen looked at Xu Yao, somewhat helpless. He’d meant to refuse, but remembering the events of that day, he relented.

“Mm, I won’t disturb you while you discuss business.”

Xu Yao nodded earnestly, joy lighting her face.

Soon, the two arrived at an inn in the small town outside the Divine Flame Sect.

“Tsk tsk, I must say, Brother Yan is quite the lucky man—coming to discuss business, yet always accompanied by beautiful women.”

Lin Chu Chen stared openly at Xu Yao. His wit, talent, and cultivation were beyond reproach, but he had one vice: a fondness for women.

Throughout the Heavenly Revelation Sect, he had ruined many female disciples. Since arriving in this town, he’d sampled every female cultivator in the brothels. But his favorite type? Pure maidens—like Xu Yao.

Xu Yao felt Lin Chu Chen’s scorching gaze, frowned in discomfort, and hid behind Yan Chen.

Ordinarily, had Yan Chen not been present and Lin Chu dared look at her like that, she would have gouged his eyes out.

“Hah, as you said, let’s get to the matter at hand.”

Yan Chen patted Xu Yao’s shoulder, signaling her to leave for a while; some matters were best kept from her.

Xu Yao had long wanted to leave, and exited the inn.

Yan Chen carefully set up a barrier.

“To my knowledge, his cultivation is around the Void Piercing Realm. But I believe Brother Lin, with your Kingly Realm strength, could easily kill him.”

Yan Chen didn’t beat around the bush, going straight to the point. Here, he played a trick, never revealing Ling Tian’s true identity or trump cards.

Ling Tian had vanished for three years; without Yan Chen’s word, few could recognize him as the Tianling who had shocked the Dao Domain three years prior!

Yan Chen also knew that if Lin Chu Chen learned Ling Tian’s identity, he’d never act against him.

“You mean to have me deal with him alone? Hah, don’t forget, he’s our mutual enemy!”

Lin Chu Chen frowned; Yan Chen’s words all pointed to him acting alone against Ling Tian.

He wanted Ling Tian dead, but resented bearing the sole blame.

“Brother Lin, that’s not fair. Saintess Chu Xuan originally intended to choose you. If he dies, perhaps she’ll change her mind! The one to benefit would be you.”

Yan Chen looked at Lin Chu Chen, surprised at his shrewdness.

If he were witless, Yan Chen wouldn’t have used him.

“That's true, but you were the one who contacted me about killing him. Should I understand that you want him dead even more than I do?

I don’t know what grudge exists between you two, but I don’t wish to be your knife for nothing…”

Lin Chu Chen smiled lazily, leaning back in his chair, intrigued.

“Hah, so what does Brother Lin want?”

Yan Chen forced a laugh, clearly hearing the implication.

“I find the girl you brought today quite to my liking. Just have her spend a night with me…”

Lin Chu Chen, seeing his aim achieved, licked his lips and stated his demand.

Yan Chen frowned, cursing inwardly.

He regretted bringing Xu Yao.

Earlier, he’d anticipated something like this, and even prepared pills, but hadn’t expected Lin Chu Chen to set his sights on a person.

“This…”

Yan Chen was torn; honestly, Xu Yao had always been good to him, but—

“We’ll discuss this after the Flame Domain Secret Realm opens.”

Yan Chen tried to stall; he wouldn’t give Lin Chu Chen the opportunity.

“One incense stick. If you don’t agree, I’ll leave now. I’ve thought it over—even if he dies, Saintess Chu Xuan might not choose me.”

Lin Chu Chen spread his hands, opportunistic as ever.

Then Yan Chen was sent out by Lin Chu Chen’s guardian.

Yan Chen clenched his fists, cursing the scoundrel’s audacity.

He dared threaten him!

Yan Chen’s face twisted, nearly growling as he spoke to Shen Yan:

“Master, I want to control him!”

“That’s not easy. His guardian would take considerable effort to handle…”

Shen Yan shook his head. At his peak, it would have been nothing. But now, with only half his strength restored, he could win, but it would take time.

“Tell me honestly—what do you feel for that girl?”

Shen Yan was silent for a while, then asked seriously.

Yan Chen’s heart skipped a beat, sensing what Shen Yan intended, yet stubbornly replied:

“I don’t like her. Not at all!”

“Then let it be—this is the best solution.”

Shen Yan nodded, offering the most practical advice.

“Remember: a true man accepts both gains and losses.”

Yan Chen steeled himself, drew a deep breath to quell his agitation, and swiftly left the inn.

He easily found Xu Yao, knocked her out from behind, carried her to the inn.

“Haha, you did well! Once we enter the Flame Domain Secret Realm, his head is yours!”

Minutes later, Lin Chu Chen emerged, satisfied, laughing heartily and slapping Yan Chen on the shoulder.

Yan Chen grunted, ignoring him and entering the inn.

“How could you be so foolish!”

Yan Chen entered the room to find Xu Yao, face numb, with her wrist slashed.

He hurried to stuff a recovery pill in her mouth.

“Yan Chen, let me die, just let me die!”

Xu Yao was grief-stricken. When she awoke, Lin Chu Chen was on top of her. She raged, then despaired—she no longer deserved Yan Chen. Only death remained!

But she hadn’t expected Yan Chen to arrive, to witness her in such a state, making her even more ashamed to face him.

He must think her a disgraceful woman now…

“It’s not your fault—none of this is your fault. That beast said he was taking me to another room to discuss business. I never expected…”

Yan Chen looked at the abused Xu Yao, feeling suffocated, his hands trembling.

“I’ll kill him. I swear to kill him!”

Held in Yan Chen’s arms for comfort, Xu Yao was shocked by his affection and, after a long silence, whispered tremulously.

Yan Chen held her tightly, cold murder in his eyes.

“Kill him. I’ll kill him with my own hands…”