Chapter 35 : Not Yours

At the summit of Ziyang Peak, by the entrance to the Ziyang Secret Realm.

Once again, Yan Luo arrived here.

At this moment, outside the secret realm, numerous defensive and offensive formations had been set up, with countless cultivators standing guard day and night through all twelve earthly branches to prevent any accidents.

Over these days, more than a hundred adventurers had withdrawn from the secret realm one after another.

Yan Luo herself did not know why she had come here.

Perhaps, she wanted to wait.

To wait for him to return from the secret realm.

Even though she knew the chances of him leaving from inside were slim to none.

But…

Even if there was only the slightest chance…

An hour passed.

As dusk approached, Yan Luo couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh.

She had clearly anticipated this outcome.

Yet why did her mood feel so desolate?

Over these days, she had completely lost the will to cultivate.

Chen Yuyang, that young boy…

They hadn’t known each other long, and their words together didn’t even reach ten sentences… but why…

Of all people, it was him who had left such a deep mark in her heart.

“小 Shimei, did those treasures get even half from your Shixiong?”

“Ah~ Shixiong, why are you in such a hurry? I never said I was going to take them all, just some that I need.”

“You little girl, don’t tell me you’ll say you need them all later.”

“Shixiong, do you really think I’m such a shameless person?”

“Exactly.”

“Ahhh, I’m going to tell Shizun. Say it, say it— you’re bullying me.”

“Just saying you’re bullying me is so boring. You might as well tell Shizun I insulted you and see who Shizun sides with.”

Teasing the little girl, Chen Yuyang stepped out of the spatial passage and onto the solid ground of the Ziyang Peak summit plaza.

That familiar voice made Yan Luo, who was about to leave, suddenly freeze in place.

Could it be…

An expression of disbelief appeared on Yan Luo’s face as she slowly turned her head.

At the entrance of the secret realm, a cute-looking girl was puffing out her cheeks in anger, her face flushed with embarrassment, looking both annoyed and helpless.

Nearby, a young boy stood with his hands behind his back, wearing a mischievous smile.

It was him!

Seeing that youth, Yan Luo’s pupils dilated sharply, a trace of joy flashing across her face.

As Yan Luo spotted Chen Yuyang, he also sensed an unusual gaze and lifted his eyes toward her.

Their eyes met.

Chen Yuyang suddenly remembered that he had promised to return the sword to her.

Although, he hadn’t really used the sword himself.

Still, under those circumstances, the fact that she lent him the sword made Chen Yuyang’s feelings toward her grow considerably.

After all, given the situation back then, the chance of him escaping was even slimmer in Yan Luo’s eyes.

Lending the sword to him meant she might never get it back.

Yan Luo stood where she was, watching the boy from a distance.

Chen Yuyang then strode straight toward her.

“You… you’re…”

As he got closer, Yan Luo finally reacted, moving her lips to ask.

Chen Yuyang smiled gently, flipping his hand, and the six-grade spirit artifact made of red jade appeared in his palm. He handed it to Yan Luo.

“Got lucky.”

The simple four-word reply sent waves crashing through Yan Luo’s heart.

He won!

He won!

He didn’t just escape, he won…

At that moment, Yan Luo felt an overwhelming sense of unreality.

That was at least a six-tailed demon fox at the Nascent Soul stage!

Even though their power was heavily suppressed inside the secret realm, their battle experience, techniques, and divine arts were all genuine.

Yet he was so young, even two years younger than her, and only at Foundation Establishment stage…

Chen Yuyang shouldn’t have won.

“Used a few tricks.”

Chen Yuyang didn’t elaborate.

The details could be left to her imagination.

Yan Luo blankly took the sword, still shocked deep inside.

Nearby, Ling Xi quickly caught up. Seeing Yan Luo immediately made her wary, and when she noticed Shixiong talking to this woman, she was even more surprised.

What was going on?

Wasn’t this person an enemy?

Why did Shixiong seem to have such a good relationship with her…

“Shixiong, what are you talking about?”

Ling Xi tugged on Chen Yuyang’s sleeve and asked right away.

Chen Yuyang pressed a finger to his lips, smiling slightly as he whispered one word: “Secret.”

That answer stirred even more feelings in Ling Xi.

Secret?

What kind of secret could he share with this woman but not with her?

Ling Xi bit her lip and didn’t ask further, but a tinge of jealousy surfaced, and she looked at Yan Luo with even more caution.

“Well then, Miss Yan Luo, it’s getting late. Until next time.” Chen Yuyang cupped his hands and, ignoring whatever Yan Luo was imagining or feeling, turned to leave with Ling Xi.

Lowering her head to look at the sword in her hand.

After a long while, Yan Luo came back to her senses and looked for the departing figure of the youth.

But he had already vanished from the place and could no longer be seen.

Yet, despite this, Yan Luo felt that the image belonging to him grew even more vivid in her heart.

On the way down the mountain, Ling Xi switched to her incessant interrogation mode.

“Shixiong, Shixiong, what exactly is your relationship with him?”

“Didn’t you just duel with that guy? How come your relationship suddenly seems so good? And she even lent you her spirit artifact.”

“Did something happen while I wasn’t around?”

“Did she lose and then, unwilling, challenge you again and finally got defeated by you?”

“Shixiong…”

Chen Yuyang rolled his eyes at Ling Xi.

Realizing she wouldn’t be silent no matter what, Chen Yuyang finally spoke.

“I kind of saved her life.”

“Saved her… Shixiong, why would you save her? Isn’t she…” Ling Xi blinked in surprise.

“It was nothing special, so I did it.” Chen Yuyang said casually, “Besides, it’s better to have friends than enemies.”

Ling Xi lowered her head, thinking seriously for a long moment before shaking it and sighing, “Shixiong, you’re just too soft-hearted~”

“Soft-hearted?”

Chen Yuyang couldn’t help but laugh.

Soft-hearted?

Had Ling Xi forgotten that he instantly killed three Dan Sect disciples, leaving their souls scattered?

His heart wasn’t soft at all.

He just adhered to a set of principles of his own.

Speaking of which…

Although he bore the soul-tracking marks left by those three, no one had come to trouble him yet…

Maybe the other side hadn’t thought much of it and simply assumed those disciples were killed by beasts…

In any case… not being found out was the best outcome.

After all, they might not believe his reason.

As long as he went back now and found Shizun to help, those soul-tracking marks could be erased.

Though his excuse was useless.

This meant he had effectively spent ten extra days inside the secret realm.

But Chen Yuyang didn’t regret it.

Such caution was absolutely necessary.

Just because it wasn’t used didn’t mean it wouldn’t be.

Thorough preparation and comprehensive consideration were always the best way to keep oneself safe.

Back at the inn, the room remained the same.

But when the two knocked on Tai Lingxuan’s door, there was no answer.

“Shizun is a Conjunction stage expert. I suppose she must be discussing how to deal with the beasts with other sect leaders or elders.”

After a moment’s thought, Chen Yuyang guessed a possibility and then said to Ling Xi:

“Shimei, first take out the rare materials we found from the secret realm. Let’s sort them.”

“Okay.”

Obediently responding, Chen Yuyang entered Ling Xi’s room and carefully locked the door behind him, then had her take out various rare materials from the storage ring to begin inventory and classification.

Night deepened.

Tai Lingxuan returned from the summit of Ziyang Peak.

But she didn’t go back to her room; instead, she directly opened the door to Chen Yuyang’s room.

During these days, Tai Lingxuan had not stepped into her own room even once, always coming here.

Though some time had passed, she could still feel the lingering aura that belonged to him.

Only this aura could bring Tai Lingxuan some comfort, allowing her to rest peacefully…

Yuyang…

Weakly collapsing onto the bed, the woman hugged the pillow that the youth had once rested on, tears welling again.

Why did fate have to torment her so cruelly?

Leaving her owing him, leaving her missing him.

And taking him away so young.

Damn it…

Damn it all!

“Beasts! Demon cult! Tai Lingxuan will never forgive you, never forgive you!”

Her grief and rage poured out from her heart as she closed her eyes.

The room was unlit.

Silence stretched long.

Then, the faint rustle of fabric was heard.

On the bed, the woman’s curvaceous body trembled slightly.

Her breathing grew rapid and erratic.

And her gasps gradually turned into…

Moans.

After some time…

Tai Lingxuan was drenched in a sheen of sweat.

She reached out and brushed back the strands of hair stuck to her temple by sweat.

The pillow in her arms was damp as well.

Staring blankly, the woman was overwhelmed with a fierce self-reproach.

Regret, confusion, bewilderment, pain…

A swirl of emotions tangled within.

Then, at that moment…

Clatter.

The door to the room was pushed open.

“Strange, it’s late at night and Shizun still hasn’t returned.”

Muttering to himself, Chen Yuyang, who had just knocked again on Tai Lingxuan’s door with no reply, stepped inside.

“Never mind, I’ll just rest first.”

“I’m all sweaty from sorting the stuff. Time for a good hot bath.”

In the darkness, the youth muttered to himself and walked toward the bathtub behind the screen.

Soon, the sound of splashing water and the rustling of clothes being removed echoed.

Meanwhile, on the bed, hugging the pillow, Tai Lingxuan’s eyes widened as she tensed up, not even daring to breathe heavily.