Upon hearing these words, Tai Lingxuan’s body froze slightly, her pupils dilating as she looked at the young man in disbelief.
Yuyang actually wanted to accept the investigation in her place.
To have one’s soul or divine soul forcibly probed, just to prove one’s innocence—what a humiliating thing this was.
Yet, he was willing to do it for her, to protect her dignity…
No, absolutely not!
If Long Zhizheng had ill intentions, with just a slight maneuver during the probing, at best it would injure the soul, at worst it could cause a total loss of consciousness.
Moreover, this act might leave a shadow and inner demons in Yuyang’s heart, becoming an obstacle to his future growth.
As for herself, it didn’t matter how much she was humiliated.
But… Yuyang—he was the sect’s hope and future.
Clenching her teeth, eyes reddened.
“No, Yuyang, let me do it.”
“Senior Long, if you insist on investigating my divine soul, then go ahead. I, Tai Lingxuan, have always acted uprightly and without shame. But, Senior Long—today’s matter, I, Tai Lingxuan, will remember it!”
“One day, I, Tai Lingxuan, will demand an explanation from Qiankun Sect!”
Tai Lingxuan declared harshly.
These words were not light.
They were as good as saying: from now on, it’s a fight to the death.
Such resoluteness from Tai Lingxuan stirred a wave of sympathy for her: “This is too much. Even if Hehuan Sect is a small sect, it’s part of our righteous path. How can they do this with no evidence?”
“Today it’s Hehuan Sect. Tomorrow, will it be one of our sects?”
“Exactly, as long as he feels suspicious, he can do as he pleases.”
“Don’t say too much, he’s a Mahayana cultivator.”
“Hmph, bullying with power—what’s so great about a Mahayana cultivator?”
Long Zhizheng gritted his teeth, his face turning red with fury as he listened to all the gossip.
Was he being threatened now?
“Well done, Hehuan Sect. Well done, Tai Lingxuan.”
Leaving those words behind, Long Zhizheng flung his sleeves and left in anger.
Yan Dangmo glanced at the departing Long Zhizheng, then looked back at Chen Yuyang and Tai Lingxuan, shook his head lightly, and turned to follow.
No matter what, things ended here.
If this continued, both sides would come out looking bad.
Feeling the oppressive pressure finally disappear into the distance, Tai Lingxuan let out a long breath, still shaken.
He’s gone…
Chen Yuyang, however, couldn’t help feeling a bit regretful.
He had originally planned to give Long Zhizheng a hard time during the soul probe, make him suffer a little.
After all, when someone sends their divine sense into his soul, in a sense, their own soul is exposed defenseless under his.
He hadn’t expected his Master would refuse to let him take the probe in her stead.
“Ai—Yuyang, this time I’ve really offended the Qiankun Sect,” Tai Lingxuan sighed after a long pause.
But despite the sigh, she didn’t regret it in the slightest.
“What’s so great about Qiankun Sect? They’re just bullying you because you’re young, Master. If you were as old as that old dog, would he dare act so arrogant? If not for his age, I’d beat the crap out of him!”
Chen Yuyang snorted.
Now that they’d fallen out, he had no reason to be polite.
A Mahayana cultivator?
Qiankun Sect?
Even if they want to let this slide, Chen Yuyang had no intention of letting it go.
Sooner or later, he would go demand an explanation himself.
If Master doesn’t, he will.
Did they really think he had reincarnated a hundred times because he was soft-tempered?
Chen Yuyang’s heart was surging with anger he hadn’t felt in a long while.
Perhaps it was because the one humiliated was his Master—or maybe it was his woman.
But…
He’d have to find a way to defend against that old dog in case he got desperate.
For now, he didn’t have the strength to kill a Mahayana cultivator.
So…
Chen Yuyang turned to look at Tai Lingxuan.
The key to advancing in the Integration Realm is enlightenment about the laws of heaven and earth…
This meant, if your talent for comprehension is high enough, you really could advance a realm a day.
If not, unless some great fortune falls into your lap, you’d make no progress in cultivation for life.
As for Master’s comprehension…
It was definitely top-tier.
In other words…
At this stage, if he wanted to help his Master break through faster, it really wouldn’t be that hard…
Thinking this, Chen Yuyang started making plans in his mind.
Still, improvement in the Integration Realm was relatively easy, but breaking through to the Mahayana Realm required one to begin comprehending and refining their own law.
At that stage, Chen Yuyang could help too—but that might expose some of his secrets to Tai Lingxuan.
Could he disguise it as a lucky encounter?
If he wanted to fake a fortuitous encounter… how about using the excuse of going out for training?
While Chen Yuyang was lost in thought, Yun Lian came over with a beaming smile.
“I never expected, Brother Chen, that you’d have such courage.”
“That was a Mahayana cultivator’s pressure, and you didn’t even bat an eye. Truly admirable.”
Yun Lian’s eyes flashed with light.
Regardless of anything else, this calm and unwavering heart convinced Yun Lian that Chen Yuyang would be extraordinary in the future.
“Pressure? What pressure?”
Chen Yuyang was taken aback, blurting out the question.
That guy released his pressure earlier?
Alright, he’d been so angry, he hadn’t even noticed.
He should have put on a bit more of a show.
“Ahem, my Master always says, cultivating the heart is more important than cultivating the body. We’re people who defy the heavens—if we’re afraid of this and that, how could we ever become immortals?”
Chen Yuyang said offhandedly.
Yun Lian’s eyes shone, admiration turning toward Tai Lingxuan.
“Though you say it bluntly, that’s the simplest truth of the Dao. As expected of a senior.”
Tai Lingxuan forced a dry laugh, not knowing how to respond.
When had she ever said such a thing?
In truth, she herself had felt that pressure earlier.
Clearly, Yuyang was just making things up.
“Ahem, alright, Master, I’ve seen enough. Let’s go back,” Chen Yuyang cleared his throat and changed the subject.
“Leaving already?”
Tai Lingxuan was taken aback.
“Don’t you want to look around some more?”
“There’s nothing worth seeing, and my mood’s already been ruined,” Chen Yuyang waved dismissively and snorted, then waved at Yun Lian as well.
“Big Sister Yun, I won’t keep you company. I’ll head back first.”
Yun Lian nodded gently.
“Go ahead, I’ll stay here and watch for a while.”
So, Tai Lingxuan left with Chen Yuyang, heading back to Spirit Medicine City.
Long after the two had gone, Yun Lian’s lips suddenly curled into a smile.
“That boy—he’s got potential.”
Watching his furious friend, Yan Dangmo didn’t say a word, but sincerely thought to himself: Give that boy a little time—with that temperament, and as long as his talent’s decent, he’ll become a great figure!
“I’m so angry! Just the Hehuan Sect…”
Long Zhizheng was still livid, muttering through gritted teeth, “If I’d known it would come to this, I should’ve wiped them out back then!”
Yan Dangmo frowned slightly, suddenly wondering if his friend hadn’t gone to extremes.
But…
Having known each other so long, Yan Dangmo didn’t say anything further, simply watching quietly from the side.
Just then, Yan Dangmo saw his granddaughter, Yan Luo, storming up, grabbing his sleeve and lifting her chin as she demanded: “Grandpa, what are you doing!”
“Why are you picking on Hehuan Sect!”
Yan Dangmo: “???”
He thought to himself, I haven’t picked on anyone—I was just standing by, neutral as ever, never taking sides.
No, no, wait!
That’s not the point—the real question is… “You little girl, why do you care so much about Hehuan Sect?”
Yan Luo, though storming off in anger, actually hadn’t gone far.
She’d noticed the commotion after, but before she could step forward, it was all over.
Yet even after it was resolved, she couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Grandpa, didn’t I tell you I was saved in the Ziyang Secret Realm?”
Clenching her teeth, not caring if she revealed too much, Yan Luo spoke up.
Yan Dangmo’s eyes widened slightly.
He’d heard about it before, but neither Yan Luo nor Nie Qi had ever revealed who her savior was.
“Don’t tell me—that person was from Hehuan Sect!?”
“Which one was it?”
Yan Dangmo pressed.
“It’s… it doesn’t matter who it was,” Yan Luo’s cheeks reddened as she bit her lip, but still didn’t reveal the person’s identity.
She continued indignantly, “What matters is, your granddaughter owes Hehuan Sect a life debt. If you do this, people will say I’m ungrateful—how am I supposed to live that down?”
Yan Dangmo suddenly understood, hurriedly patting his granddaughter on the shoulder.
“Ai, why didn’t you say so earlier? Grandpa was just… never mind. In that case, I’ll personally go to apologize!”
Yan Luo blinked in surprise, not expecting her grandfather to agree so quickly and straightforwardly—no hesitation or airs at all.
After a moment’s thought, Yan Luo suddenly worried about her grandfather running into Chen Yuyang, and quickly raised her head to say: “That’s… not so good, Grandpa. Let me handle the explanation.”
“Of course, I’ll definitely apologize, but you should prepare eighty to a hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones as a gesture.”
“What? Eighty to a hundred thousand—you think those grow on trees?”
At the number, Yan Dangmo’s eyes bulged.
That much spirit stones was equivalent to a mid-sized sect’s entire annual income.
The Yan family was wealthy, but taking out that much at once for an apology still hurt.
“Aiya~ So stingy! It’s a life-saving favor, and they didn’t even ask for a reward at the time. Or do you mean your granddaughter’s life isn’t even worth eighty thousand top-grade spirit stones?”
Yan Luo’s voice grew aggrieved, even taking on a hint of tears.
Yan Dangmo: “…”
Though speechless, Yan Dangmo sighed helplessly and took out a storage ring.
“Fine, there’s eighty-eight thousand spirit stones in here, along with some third- and fourth-grade heavenly materials and treasures. Use these for the apology.”
“As for today’s events…”
Yan Dangmo glanced at Long Zhizheng, “It was my fault. And since Hehuan Sect saved your life, if they ever face trouble, I won’t stand by and do nothing.”
In a way, this was a message to Long Zhizheng.
This matter ends here.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.