Watching his granddaughter Yan Luo lean close to Chen Yuyang, she suddenly burst into a brilliant smile as if she had heard something, excitement written all over her face.
This left Yan Dangmo feeling stunned.
‘What did this kid whisper to Luobo to make her like this?’
Fingering his beard, Yan Dangmo began to get a headache.
What a headache—this kid was too outstanding, attracting too many women, and each one was no pushover.
Now, Yan Dangmo could only hope that his granddaughter would be more ambitious, get there first, and completely tie this kid to the Yan Family.
He had come this time for important business—to visit the Xuan Clan on behalf of the Yan Family and discuss matters related to the secret realm.
Without exchanging further pleasantries with Chen Yuyang, Yan Dangmo signaled to Yan Luo, and together with her—reluctant to leave—they stepped deeper into the Xuan Clan estate.
After a while, Cloud Lian’s battle also ended.
Relying on her decent strength and superior swordsmanship, she defeated her opponent without much difficulty, smoothly advancing into the top fifty and securing a spot in the secret realm.
With matters concluded, Chen Yuyang did not linger.
He took Cloud Lian and left the Xuan Clan territory.
Once the slot were confirmed, the Xuan Clan soon announced the specific rules for the secret realm trial.
After the realm opened, all entrants would be randomly teleported to various locations within it.
The realm was vast, rich in spiritual energy, and contained not only various treasures, ancient ruins, and other opportunities, but also countless powerful Fiend Beasts and dangers lurking within.
Furthermore, the Xuan Clan had already scattered vouchers with specific numbers throughout the realm.
Entrants needed to collect as many vouchers as possible, and their final ranking would be based on the number of vouchers they held.
The higher the rank, the richer the rewards they would receive.
At the same time, each entrant would receive a special teleportation talisman before departure.
This talisman required binding a soul imprint.
If a life-threatening danger occurred in the realm, the talisman would activate automatically, instantly transporting the person out.
However, being sent out by the talisman meant failure—no matter how many vouchers they carried, they would not count toward the final score.
The secret realm trial would last a full month.
When the time expired, the teleportation talismans would activate automatically, bringing everyone out.
The opening time for the Xuan Clan’s secret realm was ten days later, and the location was the forbidden area behind the Xuan Clan’s mountain.
During these ten days, participants had ample time to adjust their condition or make appropriate preparations.
As soon as they returned to the inn room, Cloud Lian naturally walked into Chen Yuyang’s room and eagerly asked, “Senior Brother, can you tell me now? What is your real plan in agreeing to Xuan Ke?”
Chen Yuyang did not answer immediately.
He leisurely poured himself a cup of tea, moistened his throat, then nodded and said to Cloud Lian: “First, Xuan Ke is a direct descendant of the Xuan Clan. Through her, I can indirectly learn the true attitudes of the Xuan Clan’s higher-ups toward us and the Hehuan Sect.”
“Second, after understanding the Xuan Clan’s attitude, if it’s suitable, I can use this as a reason to befriend them. The Xuan Clan is a major family in the North Domain after all. Getting along well with them is a good thing for you, me, and the Hehuan Sect.”
“Third, it’s about the archives. Relying solely on the rewards from the secret realm trial for rank is still a bit uncertain. Having this additional channel will make it much easier to investigate in the future.”
Cloud Lian nodded repeatedly, suddenly realizing, “Oh… so that’s it. I just thought…”
She stopped mid-sentence, embarrassed to continue.
Chen Yuyang shook his head, already guessing her thoughts.
“What did you think? That your Senior Brother was moved by her looks? Can’t you use your head, girl? Do you only think about men and women all day?”
Cloud Lian wasn’t angered by the scolding.
Instead, she giggled, showing two small dimples.
“Oh~ But who made Senior Brother so capable? You’ve already thought through everything for me, so I don’t need to worry. I think that’s a good thing, Senior Brother. It makes me relaxed, and I won’t make mistakes. I just need to do whatever you say.”
Chen Yuyang shook his head and didn’t dwell on the topic.
He waved his hand helplessly and said, “Go practice on your own, hone your sword skills. Your Senior Brother needs some quiet time to prepare.”
“Prepare for what?”
Cloud Lian immediately perked up, asking curiously.
“For entering the secret realm,” Chen Yuyang replied succinctly.
“And what specifically?” Cloud Lian pressed, looking at him expectantly.
Chen Yuyang shook his head again.
“You’ll know later. For now, give your Senior Brother some time alone.”
Seeing this, Cloud Lian knew he wouldn’t say more.
She nodded obediently, left the room, and closed the door behind her.
The room finally fell quiet.
Chen Yuyang walked to the window, spread his spiritual sense, and after confirming no one was spying, set up a barrier.
He then took out a set of items from his Sumeru consciousness sea—talisman paper, ink sticks, brushes, an inkstone, and some powders made from special materials infused with spiritual energy.
In this secret realm, entry would involve random teleportation.
He and his shimei Cloud Lian would be separated.
He didn’t care much about his shimei’s ranking; even if she left shortly after entering, it would be fine—just an experience.
But he was still worried that Cloud Lian might suffer a loss.
Especially since her strength was only average among the cultivators participating.
Apart from the selected rogue cultivators, there would also be many prodigies sent by various large and small families.
For the sake of vouchers, there would likely be no shortage of conflict inside.
Although the rules prohibited killing, such trials could never fully prevent accidents.
He had many treasures.
But those things were too powerful.
Using them merely for a secret realm trial would be overkill.
Moreover, those items had no sense of proportion.
If he accidentally injured or killed a disciple from some major family or sect, creating a blood feud, that would be inconvenient as well.
Therefore, Chen Yuyang decided to prepare something relatively weaker but enough for his shimei to protect herself at critical moments.
Taking a deep breath, his gaze became focused.
Then he began grinding the ink, ready to start writing.
Night.
Xuan Clan estate.
At that moment, Yan Luo lay on the guest room bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
She had kicked the covers aside, and was wearing only a thin undershirt.
Yet still, she felt an inexplicable restlessness in her body.
She was too excited.
Yan Luo had originally thought she would have to wait until next year’s Prodigy Ranking Competition to have another chance to meet Chen Yuyang.
But unexpectedly, today, here—at the Xuan Clan secret realm trial she had been forced into by her grandfather—she had met him so suddenly.
Was this the fated connection?
Yan Luo thought, the corners of her mouth curling up involuntarily, her heart filled with certainty.
Yes, it had to be this way.
She and he were bound by the red thread of fate!
And this time, no matter what, she wouldn’t miss the opportunity.
She had to seize the chance and hold on to him tightly.
As for teaching her flame condensation techniques or the secret realm trial, none of that mattered to her.
What mattered was the outcome with him.
She wanted him to be her man.
She wanted to become his woman.
Thinking this, Yan Luo’s heart surged with emotion, her mind filled entirely with Chen Yuyang’s figure.
‘But… why did Yuyang agree to that woman Xuan Ke?’
Suddenly, thinking of Xuan Ke, her brow furrowed.
‘Yuyang doesn’t like troublesome things, does he? Why would he agree to Xuan Ke’s request and even spar with her?’
‘Could it be… he likes that type?’
‘No, that’s not right…’
Just as she started to worry, she immediately denied it.
‘That guy is a blockhead. I was so forward before, and he was completely unmoved. There’s no way he would make the first move. He must have had other considerations when agreeing to Xuan Ke…’
Yan Luo analyzed to herself, searching for a reasonable excuse to comfort herself.
The next afternoon.
The sun was shining just right.
Holding the identity token Xuan Ke had given him, Chen Yuyang arrived at the Xuan Clan’s Martial Arena as promised.
The arena was paved with huge bluestone, spacious and clean, with several Xuan Clan banners standing at the edge, flapping loudly in the wind.
Xuan Ke was already waiting there.
Today, she wore a black fitted outfit, her long hair tied high, looking especially crisp and capable.
Seeing Chen Yuyang arrive, the girl quickly curled a faint smile and stepped forward to greet him, “Fellow Daoist Chen, you’re here.”
“Yuyang, Yuyang, over here!”
Before Chen Yuyang could respond to Xuan Ke, a voice broke in from outside the arena.
That slightly coquettish call could only be Yan Luo.
Seeing Yan Luo suddenly appear, Xuan Ke’s smile stiffened slightly.
Her tone carried a hint of displeasure: “Yan Luo, I’ve arranged a spar with Fellow Daoist Chen. What are you doing here?”
Yan Luo walked straight over to Chen Yuyang and stood beside him as if she had come with him.
She raised her chin slightly, wearing a look of natural entitlement.
“Aren’t you sparring with Yuyang? I was bored in my room, so I thought I’d come watch the fun and… observe a bit.”
As she spoke, Yan Luo provocatively raised an eyebrow at Xuan Ke.
Xuan Ke’s brow twitched. She cursed inwardly.
That woman wasn’t here to observe at all—she deliberately came to cause trouble, not wanting her to have time alone with Chen Yuyang.
Even though she had no intention of developing anything with Chen Yuyang and only wanted to befriend him.
But with that woman showing up, the situation suddenly felt off and unpleasant.
Xuan Ke took a deep breath, suppressed her irritation, and decided to ignore Yan Luo for now.
She turned back to Chen Yuyang with a proper smile.
“Fellow Daoist Chen, how did you rest last night?”
“Tolerably well.”
Chen Yuyang’s expression was calm as he gave a slight nod.
He didn’t pay much attention to Yan Luo’s sudden appearance.
Turning sideways, Chen Yuyang made a “please” gesture to Xuan Ke and continued, “Fellow Daoist Xuan, since this is a spar, let’s begin.”