141. Ling Qingzhu's Inner Thoughts

"What did you say?! Say that again!"

Chen Xuan's figure moved like a ghost, suddenly appearing before Ling Qingzhu, his gaze burning with anger as he stared her down.

He could not believe it. Ying Huanhuan and Ying Xiaoxiao—those two—could never harm Yun Yun!

On the contrary, the person in front of him was far more suspicious—perhaps even the real culprit!

Ling Qingzhu met Chen Xuan's fiery gaze and timidly said, "It's absolutely true. A disciple from my sect witnessed it with their own eyes, entirely by accident!"

By accident?
What a laughable claim!

Could such coincidences truly exist in this world? Was she trying to fool him?

Chen Xuan did not believe her. So, he demanded, "Then tell me, where and when was it seen?"

Ling Qingzhu had clearly prepared for this question. Without hesitation, she replied, "Three days ago, at Heavenly Wind Mountain in the Dao Region."

Heavenly Wind Mountain, located in the southern part of the Dao Region, was an area more chaotic than even the Blood Rock Plain.

"Who can verify this?"

Chen Xuan wasn’t gullible. He wouldn’t believe her words without evidence.

No proof?
Who would believe it?

Even if she produced evidence, Chen Xuan wasn’t inclined to trust her easily.

"I have no witnesses, but… if you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do. Kill me or let me go—it’s up to you."

As she spoke, Ling Qingzhu tilted her snow-white neck upward in apparent surrender, as if inviting him to act.

In truth, her heart was uneasy. She had no idea if Chen Xuan would truly attack.

If he did…
She wouldn’t go down without a fight.

[Ding! Ling Qingzhu feels a mix of resolve and hesitation. Emotion Value +699.]

With a sharp "crack," Chen Xuan gripped the blade of his sword, its edges glinting menacingly. In a flash, he moved closer, slashing toward Ling Qingzhu.

"Swish!"

The sword, imbued with a terrifying aura, stopped just an inch from Ling Qingzhu's pale neck. However, the force of the attack still grazed her, leaving a thin, bloody line.

Scarlet blood dripped from the wound.

"Why didn’t you kill me?"

Ling Qingzhu opened her eyes slowly, letting out a soft sigh of relief. She then asked, feigning innocence, "Do you care about me after all?"

Chen Xuan hadn’t killed her, which rekindled a spark of hope in Ling Qingzhu. Deep down, she believed that she still held a place in his heart.

Especially after experiencing the outside world, she felt convinced—she was his ultimate destiny.

This trip had been worth it!

But Chen Xuan’s expression remained icy. He wanted nothing more than to cut her down right then and there.

Yet, a thought crossed his mind: if he killed her and she truly had Yun Yun, where would he go to find her?

He had made a promise to Yun Yun to take her back to the Dou Qi Continent.

The next moment, Chen Xuan sensed two familiar presences nearby—Huanhuan and Xiaoxiao.

They had come to the Chaotic Demon Sea!

This only confirmed his suspicions further.

"Ling Qingzhu," Chen Xuan said coldly, "I know you’re the one who took Yun Yun. I have more pressing matters to attend to now, but mark my words—if she’s harmed in any way, I will never forgive you."

"Accuse me all you want," Ling Qingzhu replied, feigning the demeanor of an innocent victim.

To outsiders unaware of the truth, her pitiful appearance might have drawn sympathy and anger toward Chen Xuan.

How could anyone think of harming such a beautiful woman?

Ling Qingzhu added, "Oh, one more thing. Ying Xiaoxiao and Ying Huanhuan fled to the Chaotic Demon Sea out of guilt."

"Guilt?"

Chen Xuan frowned.

Ling Qingzhu sighed, her voice tinged with sadness. "I suspect their plan is to shift all the blame onto me and make me the scapegoat."

"Enough! They aren’t like that!"

"Believe what you want. I’ve said my piece. If you’re not going to kill me, I’ll take my leave."

Ling Qingzhu waited a moment. When she saw that Chen Xuan didn’t strike, she realized she had won this gamble.

Her heart leaped with joy, though her outward expression remained calm. She soared into the air, glancing back several times before disappearing from sight.

Chen Xuan watched her retreating figure, gripping his sword tightly. Once she was gone, he turned his attention to the wounds of Gu Mengqi and the others, only to discover a strange, corrosive force within their bodies.

It wasn’t energy, nor spiritual power, nor demonic aura.

He suspected Ling Qingzhu.

After burying the other members of the Gu family, Chen Xuan sat in silence through the night, reflecting on past encounters and vowing to avenge them.

The next day, he resumed his journey.


---

Meanwhile, in the Flame Sea Region, at the Flame Divine Palace—the undisputed ruler of the Chaotic Demon Sea—Ying Huanhuan and Ying Xiaoxiao conferred with the Flame Master.

The Flame Divine Palace’s master, Mo Luo, wielded immense power and the ancient Flame Ancestral Symbol, ensuring no one dared challenge their authority.

"Will Chen Xuan really come here?" Ying Huanhuan asked uncertainly.

Turning to the red-haired Flame Master, she questioned, "Are you really one of the Ancient Masters?"

"Of course!" the Flame Master replied confidently.

"Then why can’t you locate him? Aren’t Ancient Masters supposed to be all-powerful?"

"Well… about that…"

The Flame Master scratched his head awkwardly, explaining that while he had given Chen Xuan an ancient Flame Divine token for tracking purposes, he could no longer sense its presence.

This unexpected development baffled him.

Ying Xiaoxiao interjected, suggesting that they leverage the palace's vast influence to locate Chen Xuan. With their plan set, the group approached the Flame Divine Palace, a towering city resembling an ancient fire dragon standing guard over the sea.

“Dream on!”

“Exactly. With my experience of countless women, those two seem to be sisters!”

“A treasure indeed!”

“Damn it, that red-haired guy beat us to it!”

...

Hearing this, the Flame Master was infuriated, flames blazing from his body, instantly reducing those people to ashes.

Upon arriving at the Flame Palace, they were stopped at the entrance by the guards, who refused to let them in.

The Flame Master, known for his fiery temper, immediately resorted to violence, drawing a lot of attention.

“Is this guy crazy? Causing trouble at the Flame Palace?”

“Hah, remember the drunkard who stirred up trouble here last time? His grave is overgrown by now!”

“Classic case of brain damage. He probably thinks he can flex his strength just because he brought two beautiful women along.”

“Wrong place to show off, buddy.”

“Haha, let him get thrown out first. Then I’ll play the hero to rescue the beauties!”

“Step in line, I called dibs!”

...

As these discussions unfolded, a melodious voice akin to a silver bell suddenly echoed.

“Causing trouble at my Flame Palace? Do you think we don’t exist?”

From within the temple, a large group of guards in crimson armor poured out, led by a striking figure.

She wore a fitted red armor that accentuated her voluptuous curves. Her slightly wavy red hair cascaded down her back, adding an alluring charm to her commanding aura.

Her beauty was on par with Ying Xiaoxiao, with arched brows like paintings and snow-white skin. Despite her seductive appearance, her demeanor carried a bold and heroic spirit, creating an irresistible combination.

This was Tang Xinlian, the famed Flame Fairy of the Flame Palace.

Upon her arrival, countless onlookers stared at her with admiration and infatuation, wishing to claim her for themselves.

But for the Flame Master, no matter how alluring she was, she couldn’t compare to his junior sister in charm.

The Flame Master coldly said, “Your master, Mo Luo, right? Tell him to come out. I have something to instruct him.”

What? Instruct my master?

Tang Xinlian chuckled sweetly. “And who might you be to give instructions to my master?”

“Someone he’s acquainted with.”

Tang Xinlian raised an eyebrow, taking a few graceful steps closer. “What’s your purpose in meeting my master?”

“It’s an urgent matter.”

“Fine, follow me,” she said, casting a quick glance over the trio before turning around, leaving behind a strikingly elegant and slender figure.

Inside the Flame Divine Palace, they were led to a grand hall where a figure cloaked in a crimson robe sat cross-legged.

After notifying Mo Luo, Tang Xinlian returned and ushered the Flame Master and his companions into the hall.

“Who are you?” Mo Luo asked, his fiery aura fluctuating. He felt an inexplicable agitation in the flame ancestral symbol within him, as if it were trying to escape.

“I am the first generation master of the Flame Ancestral Symbol. I’m here to request your assistance...”

...

Not long after, portraits of Chen Xuan and announcements of a search reward were disseminated from the Flame Divine Palace.

From Fire Flame City to the Flame Sea Region, the news quickly spread to other parts of the chaotic seas.

This caused a wave of speculation:

“Chen Xuan? Who’s that?”

“Never heard of him!”

“Weird. Why is the Flame Divine Palace looking for him?”

“Anyone important enough to make the Flame Divine Palace issue a reward must have an extraordinary identity.”

“But it’s not a wanted poster. Strange.”

“Yeah, it’s odd. Could it be they’re preparing to marry the Flame Fairy to him?”

“Hey, that’s possible!”

“No way! The Flame Fairy... she’s meant to be my wife! I refuse to accept this!!”

“You refuse? Dude, take a good look at yourself. Even if she were blind, she wouldn’t choose you.”

“What did you say?!”

...

Meanwhile, in the Heavenly Trade Domain, a major hub of rare treasures spread across a thousand islands, the news was also causing a stir.

In the private chambers of the Heavenly Commerce Pavilion:

“Ling,” said a middle-aged man, “starting today, tighten security. If anyone named Chen Xuan shows up, report immediately!”

“Father, who is this Chen Xuan?” came a soft, melodic voice.

The speaker was Tang Dongling, a woman in a red dress, her figure alluring and her face exquisite.

The middle-aged man handed her a stack of papers. “See for yourself.”

Tang Dongling reached out her slender hand to pick up the papers. As she read, her eyes widened in shock.

“One man destroyed an entire sect single-handedly?! How is that possible?”

The middle-aged man’s tone was serious. “If you meet him, regardless of the means, ensure you establish a good rapport with him!”

“Ah?” Tang Dongling’s red lips parted slightly in disbelief.

“Don’t just ‘ah’ at me! Some things are only secure when held in your own hands,” he admonished.

As Tang Dongling nodded reluctantly, the middle-aged man’s expression suddenly changed, his face drenched in sweat.

“Father, what’s wrong?”

“I... I sense an immensely terrifying presence,” he said, his voice trembling. His body refused to summon any energy.

Before Tang Dongling could react, the air in the room rippled, and a figure dressed in white appeared out of thin air.

The middle-aged man immediately bowed. “Tang Feng greets the esteemed one.”

Tang Dongling quickly followed suit, bowing deeply. “Tang Dongling greets the esteemed one.”

The white-robed figure spoke, “Help me find two people.”

“Who might they be?” Tang Feng asked cautiously.

The white-robed figure replied, “Two sisters, one named Ying Huanhuan and the other Ying Xiaoxiao. Their descriptions are as follows...”

“Understood. I will see to it at once.”