Chapter 35 - Everything Under Control!

This hour felt like an eternity. Leng Yan pondered within the immortal land, and every conclusion pointed to a dead end.

It was the first time Leng Yan felt flustered, the first time he lost his calm demeanor, and the first time he made promises he couldn’t keep.

Yuan Hong initially tried to persuade Leng Yan tirelessly, but ultimately he sat in meditation, saying nothing. Leng Yan knew he was waiting for him to act.

Looking at the meditating Yuan Hong, Leng Yan couldn’t help but express his frustration. He had just claimed no one could stop him, yet now he was trapped! Walking too many dark paths, you’re bound to encounter ghosts. Speaking boastfully, you’ll eventually get caught.

The reason for this predicament was clear: he was simply too weak.

In the last few minutes, Leng Yan was prepared to destroy the netherworld ghost banner to save his own life.

Just then!

“Bang! Bang!”

Two loud crashes! The water curtain barrier shattered, and Yuan Hong sprang to his feet, staring ahead in fear.

Before them stood a man and a woman. The man, dressed in silk and looking suave, had an honest face, embodying the dream prince charming for countless young women.

The woman wore a white gauze dress. Her beauty was enchanting, like a lotus emerging from water, making one fall deeply in love at first sight. Together, they looked exceptionally well-matched.

Seeing this scene, Leng Yan felt a surge of jealousy. The woman was none other than Shui Yunyao! And the man was Zhang Tao from Zhang’s Blacksmith Shop! Although Leng Yan still viewed him as possessing Innate Realm strength, his aura matched Shui Yunyao’s, indicating that his strength was indeed considerable.

“I suggest you don’t move! You should know that with the two of us together, you stand no chance of resisting, so be obedient and live a little longer!” Zhang Tao said coldly, staring at Yuan Hong expressionlessly.

Yuan Hong’s face turned ashen, and he said tremblingly, “We’ve had no grievances in the past nor recent conflicts! Why do you do this?”

“Who said we have no recent conflicts? Leng Yan, you can come out now! It’s safe!” Shui Yunyao’s words were filled with anger, as if she was ready to finish off Yuan Hong immediately.

Leng Yan quickly jumped out of the immortal land, his face full of gratitude, “Yunyao, Zhang-Ge! You came to save me, that’s wonderful. I have so much to tell you. But first, let’s take down this water ape, he knows too much!”

“Consider it done!” Shui Yunyao’s face showed a hint of a smile once she saw Leng Yan was unharmed. With a lift of her delicate hand, a hundred-foot-long ice sword descended, and before Yuan Hong could react, he was already decapitated.

Effortlessly killing a master of the unification realm demonstrated how much Shui Yunyao’s strength had recently increased!

Leng Yan ran over to Yuan Hong’s corpse, cut off his unicorn horn, and collected the water curtain barrier before returning to stand in front of Shui Yunyao, saying softly, “Every time I’m in danger, you come to save me! I adore you!”

“I’m still here, aren’t you going to be a little more discreet?” Zhang Tao said awkwardly.

“Hehe! Sorry about that! By the way, is Long Qing alright?” Leng Yan asked.

“She’s fine, just kept crying! Seemed really worried about you!” Zhang Tao emphasized the word “worried,” then stood aside, looking as if he was waiting for a show.

“Zhang-Ge! Are you trying to sow discord?” Leng Yan said, feeling frustrated.

“Leng Yan, don’t worry, I won’t get jealous! Zhang Tao has been after me for over ten years. Now that I’m with you, of course, he’s trying to break us up!” Shui Yunyao said, linking her arm with Leng Yan’s.

“So, a rival in love! No wonder! Fortunately, our love as a couple is strong!” Leng Yan chuckled.

“Yunyao, no wonder I couldn’t win you over! Turns out you like smooth talkers!” Zhang Tao said, suddenly realizing.

“Now you know, but it’s too late!” Leng Yan held Shui Yunyao close, displaying a “She’s mine now, don’t even think about it” attitude.

“By the way, Yunyao, how did you know I was in danger?” Leng Yan asked, looking at Shui Yunyao in his arms.

“It was Elder Xuan Yi who told me!” Shui Yunyao replied.

“Elder Xuan Yi again! Is he spying on me? How does he always know when I’m in trouble?” Leng Yan asked, shocked.

“With their level of cultivation, the entire Longmu Star is within their divine sense range; they don’t need to deliberately monitor, they can just sense it.” Zhang Tao chimed in.

Upon hearing Zhang Tao’s words, Leng Yan felt as if everything he did was under Xuan Yi’s control. It seemed that everything that happened along the way might have already been predicted by Xuan Yi.

If that’s the case, what was Xuan Yi’s purpose? What mysteries surrounded Long Qing and Bai Ling?

Thinking about it made Leng Yan’s mind swirl, and he gazed up at the sky, as if he could see Xuan Yi’s cunning eyes staring back at him. Leng Yan couldn’t help but stick up a middle finger at the sky!

“Don’t overthink it. Why don’t you just go back and ask him?” Shui Yunyao suggested softly.

Leng Yan nodded, “You’re right!” Then he turned to Zhang Tao and said, “Zhang-Ge! Shouldn’t you formally introduce yourself?”

With a chuckle, Zhang Tao responded, “The name is correct. I am a true disciple of the weapon refining sect. When we met last time, I was breaking through to the golden core realm, but I ran out of refining materials at the critical moment. So, I borrowed the materials from you to enter the great tribulation of wind and fire. I should thank you for that!”

“Do you need refining materials to break through realms?” Leng Yan asked, puzzled.

“The weapon refining sect has a different cultivation method than ours!” Shui Yunyao replied calmly.

“I see. In that case, let’s head back! There are two people waiting for me in Yong’an Town!” Leng Yan said with a smile.

…

Back in Yong’an Town, Leng Yan first met with Long Qing to let her know he was safe, and then he went to Yong’an Inn and handed Yuan Shao’s unicorn horn to Sun Qian and his companion.

Afterward, they returned to Zhang Tao’s blacksmith shop, where everyone rested for the night.

…

The next day, Leng Yan, along with Shui Yunyao and Long Qing, returned to the Water Sect of the Five Elements Sect. Zhang Tao, on the other hand, returned to Wugang Star.

In the outer attendant pavilion of the Five Elements Sect, Leng Yan and Long Qing remained silent, staring intently at Xuan Yi, making him so uncomfortable that he couldn’t sit still. The two disciples by his side had already found excuses to leave.

“Why are you both looking at me like that?” Xuan Yi asked, puzzled.

Long Qing extended her small hand and, pouting, said, “Old man, don’t play dumb! Hand over the high-grade treasure tool!”

Xuan Yi smiled awkwardly and handed over a pair of bracelets to Long Qing, saying, “How could I dare keep your things? Here is a pair of high-grade treasure tools, keep them safe!”

Long Qing admired the design of the bracelets, quickly putting them on, her face lighting up with a smile.

Leng Yan watched Xuan Yi, feeling something was off. Why did Xuan Yi seem like a junior in front of Long Qing?

“Elder Xuan Yi, shouldn’t we discuss my matters?” Leng Yan said coldly, suppressing his frustration.

“Long Qing, why don’t you go play with Shui Yunyao for a bit? I need to talk with Leng Yan,” Xuan Yi coaxed.

Having just received her treasure, Long Qing happily agreed and skipped off to find Shui Yunyao.

“Give me back my middle-grade treasure!” Leng Yan demanded, extending his hand coldly.

“Losing a middle-grade treasure will bring benefits far greater than any magical treasure!” Xuan Yi retorted.

“Really? How so? But I am curious about Long Qing’s identity,” Leng Yan replied with a smile.

“I’m not at liberty to disclose her identity. Tomorrow, you should take her and Shui Yunyao to the fire element mountain gate to find an elder named Yanyan in the outer attendant pavilion. There will be benefits waiting for you there,” Xuan Yi explained with a smile.

“Alright, I’ll trust you this time! You know I have a sacred beast from the White Tiger Sect with me, right?” Leng Yan asked.

“Of course I know! That’s another benefit!” Xuan Yi said with a mysterious grin.

“Is that so? It seems like all my experiences on this journey were arranged by you for my benefit!” Leng Yan said with a subtle, intriguing smile.

“As long as you understand! I’ve put in a lot of effort,” Xuan Yi replied, comforted by Leng Yan’s words.

“But do you know how many times I almost died along the way? You knew so much and didn’t tell me earlier!” Leng Yan shouted.

“Stay calm! Stay calm! As they say, divine secrets cannot be revealed. The only thing that surprised me was when you fell into Long Tian’s clutches,” Xuan Yi said with a nervous chuckle.