As soon as Chen Yuyang left the banquet hall, Yan Dangmo could no longer sit still.
Once Chen Yuyang’s figure had completely vanished beyond the door, he immediately set down his wine cup and waved his hand at the clansmen before him.
“I have some business to attend to. All of you, continue drinking.”
Without waiting for a response, he hurriedly left his seat.
Yan Dangmo did not exit through the main entrance.
Instead, he quietly took to the air, using a secret technique to conceal his presence and overlook the entire area.
He began to scheme inwardly.
‘That boy drank a lot of spiritual wine just now. Although he looked sober, the aftereffects of that wine are potent. There’s no telling when he might pass out. If I can find a way to make him “accidentally” stumble into Radish’s bedroom and “coincidentally” see her while she’s bathing and changing…’
‘Which man could control himself?’
‘Hehe, once the rice is cooked, I’ll catch them red-handed. Will that boy still be able to deny it then?’
Thinking of this, a smug smile appeared on Yan Dangmo’s face.
In his current state, he lacked any of the dignity expected of a senior or a Great Completion cultivator.
However, before he could go far, Yan Dangmo spotted a red figure standing outside the courtyard.
Who else could it be but Yan Luo?
‘What is this girl doing out here?’
Yan Dangmo frowned secretly.
But when he heard what Yan Luo said to Chen Yuyang and saw her acting coy, his eyes instantly lit up.
‘Good girl! You’re doing great!’
‘This girl finally knows how to take the initiative.’
‘Exactly! You should invite him for a walk to strengthen your bond.’
The two figures moved into the distance.
Yan Dangmo continued to follow them stealthily, maintaining a specific distance while keeping them under observation.
Chen Yuyang and Yan Luo left the Yan family estate.
Then, they took to the sky and flew toward the Soul-Forging Volcano.
‘The Soul-Forging Volcano?’
Yan Dangmo frowned.
‘What’s the point of going there?’
‘Though, it is true that almost no one goes to that place.’
Thinking this, Yan Dangmo’s eyes narrowed, and a knowing smile suddenly curled his lips.
Chen Yuyang followed Yan Luo through the air until they reached the base of the Soul-Forging Volcano.
Below them was a dense forest.
After passing through the thick woods, a cliff wall appeared ahead.
Beneath the cliff sat a steaming hot spring.
The spring was not large, measuring about 3 to 5 zhang wide.
The water was crystal clear, and the air was filled with a faint scent of sulfur.
Looking at the scene, Chen Yuyang couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Is she asking me to soak in the hot spring with her?’
Watching from afar, Yan Dangmo was also a bit surprised.
‘This girl certainly knows how to pick a spot.’
However, Yan Luo did not land.
Instead, she increased her altitude and flew straight toward the top of the cliff.
Chen Yuyang arched an eyebrow and followed her without a word.
The edge of the cliff was quite flat and devoid of trees, offering an expansive view.
From here, one could see the towering silhouette of the Soul-Forging Volcano nearby, set against the backdrop of a bright, clear moon.
Yan Luo landed softly.
She walked briskly to the edge of the precipice, gathered her skirt, and sat down, letting her legs dangle over the void.
Chen Yuyang followed and stood behind her.
The young woman looked up at the sky and took a deep breath, her face filled with a relaxed expression.
The moonlight was exceptionally beautiful tonight, casting a cold, silver glow that made her skin appear translucent.
The mountain wind whistled past, carrying the characteristic fragrance of the mountain forest.
At this distance, Chen Yuyang could also smell the flowery scent of petals coming from her.
It seemed she had taken a bath specifically before coming out.
In the forest, the cicadas chirped noisily, blending naturally with the sound of the wind.
“Yuyang, look.”
Yan Luo suddenly turned her head, looking at him with excitement.
She pointed toward the sky with a cheerful voice.
“It’s a full moon tonight.”
Chen Yuyang followed her gaze to the heavens.
The round moon hung high, surrounded by sparse stars.
There were no clouds, making the moon appear exceptionally bright and pure.
Nodding, Chen Yuyang gave a simple response.
“Yes, the moonlight is beautiful.”
Yan Luo smiled brightly, revealing two small canines.
She then patted the space beside her.
“Yuyang, sit down.”
Chen Yuyang hesitated for a moment before walking over and sitting beside her, though he maintained a distance of about one fist between them.
The wind at the cliff’s edge was strong, making the boy’s robes flutter loudly and blowing a few strands of hair across the girl’s forehead.
Yan Luo suddenly turned her head. Instead of looking at the moon, she looked at the young man.
He sensed her gaze but did not look back, continuing to stare at the moon.
Yan Luo’s heart was filled with complex emotions.
Truthfully, she couldn’t tell if her feelings for him were truly love, or if she simply had a high level of favorable impression.
Perhaps it was just because he was the best choice she could make.
She wanted him, yet she instinctively resisted.
She looked forward to it, yet she couldn’t help but feel afraid.
Seeing her silence, Chen Yuyang thought for a moment and decided to break the ice.
“In 2 weeks, regardless of how much you’ve learned, I must leave.”
“I have important duties to attend to back at the sect.”
Chen Yuyang did not mention his worries, or perhaps he knew it was useless to speak of them.
He simply provided a definite date.
Yan Luo, who was still lost in her chaotic thoughts, was startled.
Her lips parted slightly.
“You’re leaving that soon? Didn’t you say you’d stay until I mastered the techniques?”
“There is only so much I can teach. It’s enough once you’ve grasped the concepts. As for whether you become proficient, that depends on your own hard work,” Chen Yuyang said indifferently.
Yan Luo bit her lip and lowered her head.
While his words made sense, the timeframe of 2 weeks…
She felt a powerful sense of urgency.
She had originally expected him to stay with the Yan family for at least 2 to 3 months.
But for him to be in such a hurry to leave…
‘Does this mean he actually… feels nothing at all for me?’
Thinking this, her lips tightened.
Only moments ago, she had been wondering if she liked him enough, but now she felt a strong sense of frustration and indignation.
Feeling somewhat resentful, she suddenly asked, “Yuyang… is there someone you like?”
Smack!
Observing from the shadows, Yan Dangmo immediately slapped his forehead.
‘Oh, my silly granddaughter.’
‘He said he’s leaving in 2 weeks, so shouldn’t you find a way to make him stay? Even if you just cling to his arm and act spoiled to show you can’t bear to let him go, it would be fine! Why would you ask if he has someone he likes?’
‘You’re really bringing up the one topic you shouldn’t.’
‘If he says “yes,” aren’t you completely out of the running?’
Chen Yuyang was also taken aback by the question.
He froze for a moment, looking at the stubborn girl.
Someone he liked?
In this life…
Almost instinctively, several figures flickered through his mind…
He was not a man who enjoyed lying, and he didn’t intend to deceive the young girl before him.
If he could make her give up…
Chen Yuyang looked into her eyes with a serious expression.
His gaze made Yan Luo feel guilty, realizing she had asked a very stupid question.
But at this point, there was no way to take it back.
Just as Chen Yuyang was about to answer, a sudden change occurred.
Boom — !
The ground beneath their feet shook violently.
Chen Yuyang reacted quickly.
He stepped into the air, grabbed the girl’s wrist, pulled her into his embrace, and retreated several steps.
The edge of the cliff where they had been sitting began to collapse.
Chen Yuyang’s expression shifted as his brow furrowed.
The girl, suddenly held in his arms, felt no sense of alarm.
Instead, she instinctively pressed closer to his chest, feeling the steady, powerful thumping of his heart.
After landing steadily, the boy’s gaze shot forward.
“What happened?” Yan Luo finally regained her senses, clutching his arm.
Without answering, Chen Yuyang scanned the area ahead with sharp eyes.
When that loud explosion had occurred, he had sensed a powerful fluctuation of spiritual energy.
What made him even more alert was that, alongside the spiritual energy, he clearly felt a trace of the Laws of Heaven and Earth leaking out.
What was that thing!
“Should we go see?” Yan Luo asked.
Chen Yuyang remained silent, but his spiritual sense crossed the distance of several miles to investigate.
Aside from the spiritual energy and the Laws, there didn’t seem to be any dangerous presence ahead.
Could a treasure have appeared?
“Let’s go see!” Chen Yuyang nodded in agreement and released the girl.
Yan Luo felt a slight pang of regret.
She had hoped he would carry her there.
However, she quickly responded and flew after him.
The two turned into streaks of light, racing toward the source of the eruption.
Within 15 seconds, they were hovering above the disturbance.
Looking down, the forest in this area had disappeared, replaced by splintered wood and remaining roots.
The explosion of spiritual energy had pulverized the trees, blasting a hemispherical crater about 3 zhang in diameter into the ground.
In the center of the crater sat something that looked like a spatial rift.
However, the rift was not healing naturally under the Laws of Heaven and Earth.
Instead, it continued to release the aura of the Laws into the surroundings.
Chen Yuyang landed first, his gaze piercing through the rift.
On the other side, he could see a blurred landscape.
This was…
‘A pocket world? Or perhaps a secret realm?’
His pupils constricted slightly.
Even he was a bit surprised.
Yan Luo was equally shocked, her eyes wide as she stared at the rift.
However, much of her shock came from a familiar voice that suddenly echoed in her mind.
[Radish, listen!]
Yan Dangmo’s voice sounded somewhat urgent as he spoke.
[This is a pocket world your grandfather created. I originally intended to leave it as a trial grounds for the core disciples of our Yan family after I passed away.]
[However, the situation is special now, and plans have changed!]
[Just treat this as a suddenly appearing ancient secret realm and find a way to get him to go inside and explore it with you, do you understand?]
[Remember, once you’re inside, head toward that tower… There is a perfect opportunity for you to take him down there. Anyway, this is as much as Grandpa can help you!]
After hearing her grandfather’s transmission, Yan Luo was stunned, standing dazed for a long moment.
‘He can do that?’
‘Grandpa is far too good at creating opportunities.’