A wandering cultivator with nowhere to go, meeting a Young Master who thirsted for talent… this scene was like a Bole recognizing a thousand-li horse… no! It was a thousand-li horse running right up to Bole, begging to be recognized. At the thought of this, Chu Yunlan could hardly help humming a tune. He practically had the words “Name your price” written all over his face.
Chu Yuan, however, gently rubbed the rim of his wine cup with his fingers, in no hurry at all to get to the point: “Oh? Young Master Yunlan, do you really want me to be so blunt?”Chu Yunlan’s once-relaxed brow furrowed again. He didn’t like this passive feeling, nor did he enjoy having his appetite whetted. He took a moment to compose himself, steadying his tone with a hint of sincere frankness: “Brother Zhi, if you have something to say, just say it. Don’t beat around the bush! Although Yunlan is not talented, he can still withstand plain speaking.”
Chu Yuan looked up at him. That gaze was like examining an interesting collectible. Thinking back to his previous life, when he first met this person, due to their nominal brotherly relationship, he had had to deal with him insincerely. He never expected that after activating the system, Chu Yuan would instead be constrained by the script and let this person rise to power. In this life, Chu Yuan would make good use of his fatal weakness and toy with him: “Do you really want me to say it? I’m afraid you can’t handle it!”
The corners of Chu Yunlan’s eyes twitched. He could no longer maintain his surface politeness: “Brother Zhi, were you raised in the Immortal Dynasty? Why are you so indecisive?”
Chu Yuan also decided not to keep him in suspense any longer. He put down his wine cup, looked into Chu Yunlan’s eyes, and said one word at a time: “Young Master Yunlan, if I’m not mistaken, your Taixu Bloodline has not been activated yet, has it?”
These words plunged the room into instant silence. The displeased expression on Chu Yunlan’s face froze. His eyelashes trembled, and even his breathing paused for a beat.
As for Zhi Shengyuan, the fake young master’s previous composure vanished, replaced only by heart-stopping shock. Oh no! he cursed inwardly. How do so many people know my secret? The first was that Second Princess Ji Yumeng, and the second is this mysterious Zhi Shengyuan. And more importantly, how do they know?
In an instant, Chu Yunlan’s mind was a complete mess.
Chu Yuan, on the other hand, savored the subtle expression on the fake young master’s face, his heart overjoyed: That’s right! This is exactly the expression I wanted to see!!! Ah~! How delightful!
Chu Yuan made no effort to hide the curve of his lips. Before this, he had seen many expressions on Chu Yunlan’s face: warm as jade in public, sinister and scheming behind people’s backs, humble and measured in court, cold and ruthless in secret chambers. But this expression of being struck dumb by a single sentence was something he had never seen before. And this also pointed to one thing: from this moment on, it was his turn to run wild and ride roughshod over this fake young master!!!
Unfortunately, Chu Yunlan’s complex and delicious expression quickly adjusted itself, but that subtle depression was already impossible to hide. He looked at Chu Yuan, his gaze shifting from scrutiny to wariness, and from wariness to fear. His complicated state of mind was like a hunter deep in the mountains suddenly realizing that he himself was the prey.
Of course, what Chu Yunlan wanted most was to figure out what this person’s purpose was. Before Chu Yunlan could say anything more, Chu Yuan took the lead and transmitted his voice:
[Judging by Young Master Yunlan’s expression, you should have vaguely guessed that you are merely the Holy Domain’s fake young master.]
[Don’t you want to know why the Holy Lord did this?]
[And… who is the True Holy Son?]
Chu Yunlan’s eyes, which had darkened, instantly lit up. Why did the Holy Lord do this? To him, it was very easy to guess—it was undoubtedly to protect the True Holy Son. Who was the True Holy Son? That was the key question. As long as he could lock onto the True Holy Son’s identity, Chu Yunlan could find a way to kill him. That way, the position of Holy Son would still be held by him, the openly acknowledged only son of the Holy Lord.
The fact that the person in front of him knew this was undoubtedly good news for Chu Yunlan. He quickly asked, “You know who it is?” He stared at Chu Yuan, his voice pressed extremely low, carrying an urgency he didn’t even notice himself. It was an almost instinctive reaction, like a drowning man grabbing hold of the last floating log.
Seeing the fake young master’s reaction, Chu Yuan only smiled meaningfully. Excellent, he’s taken the bait!!! Since he’s taken the bait, then I’m the one who controls the pace. With that thought, Chu Yuan stood up and cupped his hands toward Chu Yunlan: “Hehehe! No rush! The Ten Thousand Immortals Combat Competition still has a few days. Young Master Yunlan, first consider your tone toward me, and then we’ll talk.”
Having said this, without waiting for the other party to reply, Chu Yuan activated the Phantom Ethereal Dharma Robe on his body. Without any fluctuation of spiritual power, Zhi Shengyuan simply vanished into thin air.
Chu Yunlan reached out to grab him, but just as he rushed forward, the other party had already stepped into the void. Rushing too hastily, Chu Yunlan directly knocked a chair flying. His entire body stumbled and was about to fall. Fortunately, he propped his hand on the edge of the table and barely managed to maintain his balance. He quickly looked around.
The Sound-Proofing Formation was intact. The doors and windows were tightly closed. How did that guy leave?
Standing in the empty room, he was silent for a long time: That kid just said, “First consider your tone toward me”? What exactly is he trying to do? Why doesn’t he just state his purpose directly? The more Chu Yunlan thought about it, the more confused he became. And he had no way to deal with it.
Thump! Just then, Liu Biqin, who had returned, heard the noise and pushed the door open. Seeing Chu Yunlan’s expression was off, she couldn’t help but become alert: “Young Master? Are you alright?”
Chu Yunlan did not turn around. His voice was as cold as ice: “Investigate! Dig three feet into the ground if you have to, but find me this person called ‘Zhi Shengyuan’!!!”
“Uh… yes.” Liu Biqin was confused, but she still accepted the order and left.
After a long time, Chu Yunlan finally calmed down. He walked to the window and pushed it open. The night wind rushed in, carrying the unique scent of fireworks from Xuanji City. The lights of the distant training grounds were still on, and faint sounds of commotion could be heard.
He admired the night view, lost in thought. Zhi Shengyuan… who is Zhi Shengyuan? Recalling the figure of this person, Chu Yunlan felt a vague sense of familiarity. Who did he resemble? But every single detail was something he couldn’t quite place where he had seen it before. He thought for a long time, but in the end, he could not find an answer.
Outside the building.
After leaving the fake young master, Chu Yuan did not return to the Chu Mansion. Instead, he checked into an inn near the training grounds. He would definitely be spending the next few days on this combat competition.
As for why he didn’t proceed to the next step of his plan just now, it was because Chu Yuan wanted to wear him down. The more Chu Yuan didn’t state his purpose, the more anxious Chu Yunlan would become, and the more anxious he became, the more flustered he would get. When they next made contact, Chu Yuan would gain more initiative. At the same time, he also wanted to use this to take revenge, making him live in unease and fear.
What Chu Yuan did not expect was that as soon as he returned to the inn and checked in, he felt a reaction from his Warm Sun Jade. He was inwardly annoyed: What does this Fox Venerable want now? Didn’t I say I’d be out for a few days? With my strength, is she afraid I’ll get kidnapped by some other woman?
Annoyed as he was, Chu Yuan, considering the other party’s pathological personality, still chose to answer the transmission: “Fox Venerable, it’s so late! What do you want?”
Su Xuanxuan, who was at the Chu Mansion, asked with concern: [Your Highness, what are you trying to do by disguising yourself and approaching that fake young master?]
Throughout the day, through the Warm Sun Jade, she could easily lock onto Chu Yuan’s location at the training grounds in Xuanji City. She was also quite amazed by the two magical artifacts Chu Yuan had taken out. But more importantly, he was actually going to contact that fake young master. She was very concerned about this, clearly wanting to set a trap for that fake young master: [If you need anything, your most loyal Guardian would be more than happy to help!]
Chu Yuan refused without a second thought: [Not necessary! I have my own plans. If there’s nothing else, I want to rest!]
At these words, Su Xuanxuan’s full heart suddenly stung with pain. Logically, she should be the most trusted confidant of the His Highness! Why had it come to this? Was it because she had schemed to kill his foster parents? But that was to make him independent as soon as possible! Was it because her educational approach was too strict? But that was to let him stand on the shoulders of giants and avoid detours. Su Xuanxuan simply could not understand why His Highness the Holy Son could not comprehend her good intentions.
Seeing that the Holy Son was about to cut off the connection, she quickly said: [No! There’s one more thing.]
Chu Yuan was impatient: [What?]
Su Xuanxuan replied: [Today, that bitch Crown Princess paced in front of our courtyard for a while. She seemed a bit off. Did something happen between you two? Your Highness, did you say some heartless things to the Crown Princess?] At the end, she was even somewhat hopeful. If possible, the Fox Venerable wished that Chu Yuan would treat that Crown Princess the same way he treated her—by shaking her off. Of course, considering that their relationship was maintained by a Soul Covenant, even if the Holy Son despised her, it would be difficult for them to completely sever ties.
Hearing the Fox Venerable say this, Chu Yuan was instead puzzled: [Huh? The Crown Princess seemed off?] He thought back. The last contact he had with the Crown Princess was that night’s spar under the moonlight. Could it be that I defeated her in front of so many people, bruising that woman’s pride? If that’s the case, she came to see me because she wants to challenge me again and regain her face?
Heh! Too bad! I’m still busy dealing with that fake young master. Otherwise, I’d really like to spar with her again. Oh well! There’s plenty of time. Let her stew for a while!
Thinking this, Chu Yuan replied: [No need to mind her! She’s not important!]
Su Xuanxuan parted her vermilion lips slightly. What? That bitch is not important? In an instant, Su Xuanxuan breathed a sigh of relief. She had originally thought that the Crown Princess’s beauty would cause the inexperienced Holy Son to fall for her. Now it seemed the Holy Son’s self-control far exceeded her imagination. This was… absolutely wonderful!
Su Xuanxuan’s gloomy mood of the past few days finally became joyful. After all, one of the most satisfying things in life was watching one’s love rival suffer! So satisfying!
Su Xuanxuan could hardly hide her smile: [Your Highness, if the Crown Princess comes again after this, how should I reply on your behalf?]
Chu Yuan said dismissively: [Just make up some excuse to brush her off! For example—say I’m doing some secret training at your place. Be careful! Don’t reveal my whereabouts!!!]
The Fox Venerable raised an eyebrow: [Yes, Your Highness!] Having said that, she was already looking forward to the next day, eager to deliver this “sad” news to that red-haired Crown Princess.