Chen Yuyang looked at the man with a hint of suspicion.
Tai Lingxuan immediately moved behind Chen Yuyang, secretly on her guard.
If she remembered correctly, the last time Yan Dangmo sought out Yuyang, it was to have him marry into the Yan family… Was he still persistent?
Yan Dangmo noticed Tai Lingxuan’s wariness but paid it no mind.
He looked again at the unperturbed Chen Yuyang, and his heart filled with even more praise.
Facing him, even many of the relatives within his own family could not help but show looks of awe and fear.
This young boy, however, could maintain a normal expression throughout, as if a peak Mahayana expert like himself was nothing special.
This was the mark of a true powerhouse’s mindset.
“Senior, I do not know why you have sought me out?”
Chen Yuyang cupped his hands in a polite gesture, looking directly into Yan Dangmo’s scrutinizing eyes.
“I simply wish to ask, in my capacity as a judge, whether Little Friend Chen’s Haoyang True Fire comes from some spiritual treasure or dharma artifact?”
“This concerns your specific ranking.”
Hearing that it concerned his rank, Tai Lingxuan quickly replied, “This fire originates from Yuyang himself. He possesses the one-in-a-billion Haoyang Physique!”
Upon hearing this definitive answer, Yan Dangmo’s pupils dilated slightly.
Although he had long suspected this outcome, hearing it for the first time still left him unable to suppress his excitement and agitation.
The Haoyang Physique.
When was the last time the Northern Territory’s cultivation world had recorded a Haoyang Physique?
It was several hundred years ago.
“Little Friend Chen is truly a man of extraordinary talent.”
“I admire you greatly.”
As he spoke, Yan Dangmo’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“My Yan family possesses a Ground Fire Molten Pond in the depths of the Soul Casting Volcano. it can significantly condense and refine a person’s fire power, and it also has an excellent tempering effect on one’s constitution and physical body.”
“Oh? There is such a place?”
Chen Yuyang raised an eyebrow slightly.
Hearing this, Tai Lingxuan’s expression also became focused.
“Little Friend Chen’s constitution is special, and your talent is extraordinary. If you can cultivate there for a time, perhaps you can condense several wisps of Xuanyang Extreme Fire, or even take a step further,” Yan Dangmo said with a smile, leading him on.
“Little Friend Chen, are you willing to go?”
For a fire-attribute cultivator, this was indeed a difficult offer to refuse.
However, Chen Yuyang frowned.
Several wisps of Xuanyang Extreme Fire?
That was far too cheap.
He could easily separate a single wisp of his Fire of Beginning, dilute and evolve it, and produce a whole heap of Xuanyang Extreme Fire.
Shaking his head, Chen Yuyang wore a smile and cupped his hands, preparing to refuse.
“Thank you for your concern, Senior, but I…”
“Wait a moment, Yuyang!”
Before Chen Yuyang could finish, Tai Lingxuan immediately pressed down on his shoulder, interrupting him.
Chen Yuyang was secretly confused, but he stopped talking and looked toward Tai Lingxuan.
Tai Lingxuan took a deep breath.
Facing the esteemed and powerful senior before her, she did not have Chen Yuyang’s composure.
However, she still tried her best to appear neither humble nor arrogant as she spoke.
“Senior Yan, one should not receive rewards without merit. I wonder if there are any conditions or requirements for Senior to promise such benefits?”
Yan Dangmo laughed heartily, sounding very pleased.
“Sect Master Tai is a straightforward person. In that case, I will not beat around the bush.”
“Conditions—naturally, there are conditions.”
“I can promise, in the name of the Yan family ancestor, to allow Little Friend Chen to cultivate in that Ground Fire Molten Pond. But the condition is that Little Friend Chen must teach my granddaughter the art of fire control.”
“To be honest, my granddaughter possesses the Pure Yang Extreme Physique and can control Solar Fire. Although it is not as powerful as Little Friend Chen’s Haoyang True Fire, its might is still quite formidable. Unfortunately, my granddaughter’s comprehension is limited, and she cannot control it well.”
As he spoke, Yan Dangmo put on a sincere appearance.
“As long as Little Friend Chen can help my granddaughter master it proficiently, not only can he use the Ground Fire Molten Pond at will, but I will also prepare a generous gift for him.”
“This…”
Chen Yuyang’s mouth twitched slightly as he glanced up at Tai Lingxuan.
Tai Lingxuan was already completely tempted and immediately nodded in agreement.
“Very well! I accept on his behalf!”
Chen Yuyang: “…”
While Chen Yuyang was still speechless, Tai Lingxuan hurried to lean down, whispering into the boy’s ear.
“Yuyang, this is your fortuitous opportunity. Cultivating for one day in that Ground Fire Molten Pond is worth a month of cultivation elsewhere for your constitution.”
Chen Yuyang was even more speechless.
Why did he need to cultivate so fast?
Besides, no matter how fast it was, it couldn’t be faster than dual cultivation with his Master.
It was just that his Master felt this was a massive benefit for him, which was why she was so quick to agree.
Couldn’t Master see that this old man from the Yan family clearly wanted to use this to get him close to that girl Yan Luo so he would marry into the Yan family later?
The old man seemed to be asking for help, but in reality, he was after his body!
However, since Tai Lingxuan had already agreed, it was not good for Chen Yuyang to refuse.
Fine, since it was decided, he would go and give a few pointers.
No matter how stupid someone was, could they really not master the techniques for controlling Solar Fire?
Two or three months at most should settle it.
As for the Ground Fire Molten Pond, Chen Yuyang looked down on it.
But since this old man Yan was preparing a generous gift, he should be able to get thirty to fifty thousand top-grade spirit stones as “legal income.”
This trip could be seen as generating revenue for the Acacia Sect.
“In that case, I agree,” Chen Yuyang cupped his hands.
Yan Dangmo was secretly a bit puzzled.
No matter how one looked at it, the conditions he offered were generous.
Why did this kid look so reluctant?
Forget it, it didn’t matter.
As long as he could get him to interact with little Luo more.
Spending a long time together would hopefully allow feelings to develop naturally.
If not, then feelings could grow over time; it would be even more perfect if they could arrange a marriage.
Yan Dangmo plotted secretly and then said, “Good. Since it is settled, after the Pill Assembly ends, Little Friend Chen shall come with me to the Yan family as a guest.”
After agreeing to Yan Dangmo, Chen Yuyang did not linger.
He had no intention of watching the final rankings of this round and returned to the inn with Tai Lingxuan and Ling Xi.
At dusk, Tai Lingxuan went to the Pill Sect.
When she returned, she could not hide the joy on her face.
“What rank? What rank?”
Ling Xi pulled at Tai Lingxuan’s sleeve, asking curiously.
Tai Lingxuan did not answer but simply looked at Chen Yuyang’s indifferent face.
“You brat, don’t you care at all?”
“How could I not?”
Chen Yuyang laughed in spite of himself and pointed at his own face.
“Your disciple is merely unswayed by honor or disgrace.”
Tai Lingxuan thought for a moment and nodded.
“Fair enough.”
“Oh, Master, just say it! What rank is Senior Brother!”
Tai Lingxuan held up three fingers.
“Third place?”
Ling Xi asked, unsure.
Tai Lingxuan gave a slight nod, confirming it.
“He… Senior Brother is third again? That’s amazing!”
Ling Xi looked even more excited than Chen Yuyang.
She came forward to hug the boy’s arm, looking at him expectantly.
“So, should we go celebrate again? That wine… I want to taste it again… I got drunk too fast last time and didn’t savor the flavor enough. I promise to take small sips this time.”
Chen Yuyang gave the girl a small eye-roll.
This girl was actually planning this.
“Alcohol interferes with business. With your tolerance, don’t even think about it.”
Chen Yuyang rubbed the girl’s head and then heartlessly pushed her away.
“Oh, Senior Brother, don’t be so stingy…”
Chen Yuyang shook his head helplessly.
Seeing her acting spoiled, his heart finally softened a little, and his eyes carried a bit of doting.
“In short, celebrating once was enough; we’ll skip it this time.”
“If you like drinking that much, Junior Sister, then fine. I can give you half a cup, but…”
“But what?”
Chen Yuyang quickly leaned close to the girl’s ear and continued in a tiny voice that only the two of them could hear.
“This time, you aren’t allowed to complain that Senior Brother is bullying you again.”
Ling Xi’s face instantly flushed red.
She reached out and swatted Chen Yuyang’s shoulder as if venting her anger, but there was no force behind it.
“I… I know. Last time, I only…”
Stammering her reply, Ling Xi pulled away, though a look of joy was hidden in the depths of her eyes.
Watching this scene, Tai Lingxuan couldn’t help but feel a bit alert.
Although she had long known that Chen Yuyang and Ling Xi were close, these past few days… they seemed a bit too close.
Last time?
Were they talking about the time they got drunk?
Did something happen last time?
Could it be that Yuyang and Ling Xi… acted recklessly after drinking?
No, that’s not right!
Wasn’t Yuyang in my bed?
Thinking of this, Tai Lingxuan also blushed, feeling embarrassed.
But it was also at this moment that Tai Lingxuan suddenly realized a problem—a simple yet difficult problem to solve.
Yuyang probably didn’t know about those things between them yet.
She was also unwilling to use those things to bind him now that he had a vast future ahead of him.
Even if she were to explain, it shouldn’t be now.
She should wait until he was truly a grown man.
But if before then… what if Yuyang fell in love with Ling Xi?
Or rather, what if he fell in love with another woman?
What should she do then?
Admittedly, Tai Lingxuan was still very confident in her own charm, but she was, after all, Chen Yuyang’s Master.
Even if Yuyang had feelings for her, he might not dare to cross the threshold of their identities.
At that time, he might settle for the next best thing and find another woman.
What should she do then?
Should she give up on Yuyang and watch him be with another woman with a heart full of regret, growing old alone?
Or should she intervene, confess everything, and force him to take responsibility for her?
For a moment, Tai Lingxuan felt a strong sense of confusion.
She felt that regardless of which option she chose, she wouldn’t be able to accept it.
With the former, she would only be left with a heart full of regret and pain; failing to get what she desired, she wouldn’t even be able to die in peace.
With the latter, it would destroy Yuyang’s happiness and might even turn them into enemies.
In that case, even if she forced Yuyang to take responsibility and be with her, would she even be happy?
Was there a way to have the best of both worlds?
Thinking about this, Tai Lingxuan returned to her room feeling somewhat lost.
Ling Xi, on the other hand, followed Chen Yuyang to his room with a beaming smile, rubbing her hands together.
“Senior Brother, the wine…” Ling Xi looked at the boy expectantly.
Chen Yuyang was secretly speechless and couldn’t help but say, “Are you just going to drink? Aren’t you going to get a couple of dishes?”
“At least get some peanuts.”
“Oh, right, right! I’ll go have the shopkeeper prepare some right away.”
Upon hearing this, Ling Xi agreed repeatedly and immediately ran downstairs.
Watching the girl’s impatient back, Chen Yuyang couldn’t help but feel helpless again.
This girl wouldn’t become an alcoholic, would she?
Alcohol, after all, wasn’t a good thing.
Or was it that she was looking forward to what happened after drinking?