“Why isn’t this as effective as last time?”
“I guess this type of practice emphasizes quality over quantity. That’s the essence of Joyful Cultivation. It’s not about cultivating for the sake of cultivation but about genuinely enjoying it.”
“Oh, I see.” Su Menghan nodded, half understanding.
“Yeah, but it’s getting late now. You shouldn’t go back tonight.”
Chen Anlin lay down directly, preparing to sleep. “After all, it’s late, and I’d be worried about a young girl like you heading home now.”
“Are you concerned about me?”
Su Menghan was deeply moved.
“By the way, where do you think Xiao Chen is right now?”
---
At the same time, deep within a dense forest, a young man covered in injuries was making his way toward the capital. This young man was none other than the protagonist, Xiao Chen.
After escaping Zhao Yao’s residence, he was transported to an unknown location by his otherworldly master. Following her guidance, he found some rare herbs and managed to heal most of his wounds.
“Chen Anlin, I won’t let you off!”
A cold glint flashed across Xiao Chen’s face. “But you’d never have expected me to turn this misfortune into a blessing.”
By chance, Xiao Chen discovered a miraculous herb in the secluded forest. After consuming it, his cultivation advanced significantly. He had now reached the mid-stage of the eighth rank.
By dawn, Xiao Chen, wearing a pale yellow mask, finally arrived in the city. His first move was to find Zhao Yao.
---
In the Zhao family woodshed, Zhao Yao frowned at the haggard Xiao Chen.
“Yao’er, don’t worry about me. My injuries are almost healed.”
Xiao Chen forced a grin, confident that Zhao Yao cared deeply for him.
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“But it’s too dangerous here. Why would you come back? And… are you really harboring an evil demon?”
Zhao Yao’s tone was stern. After all, any association with an evil demon could bring ruin to her entire family if discovered.
“Alright, Yao’er, you don’t need to worry about this.”
For reasons unknown, Xiao Chen didn’t want to mention his master.
“Then where will you hide for now?”
Xiao Chen hesitated before saying, “I’ll stay here, of course. The outside is too dangerous.”
“What?!” Zhao Yao became more distressed. “It’s not that I don’t want to help, but if someone finds you here, my family could be destroyed…”
Hearing the unease in her voice, Xiao Chen frowned, feeling she was being ungrateful.
Did she think he wanted to hide here? He couldn’t believe her cowardice.
All the times he’d been good to her—carefully picking unique stones as tokens of his affection—felt wasted.
Still, he forgave Zhao Yao and said calmly, “Yao’er, I know you’re afraid of Chen Anlin. Don’t worry. I’ll only stay a couple of days. In the meantime, help me find Chen Anlin’s whereabouts so I can deal with him.”
Just as he finished, footsteps suddenly approached outside the woodshed.
“Xiao Chen, people from the Eastern Bureau are coming!”
The voice of his otherworldly master rang out.
“What?!”
Xiao Chen froze, instinctively looking at Zhao Yao.
He had only told Zhao Yao about his hiding place. Could she have betrayed him?
As soon as the thought arose, he pushed it away.
He knew Zhao Yao too well. She would never betray him, not even under threat of death. There had to be another explanation.
---
“Boom!”
An Eastern Bureau commander kicked the door open with a sinister laugh.
“Chen Anlin was right. Xiao Chen is indeed hiding here.”
Without hesitation, the commander struck again, forcing Xiao Chen to roll to the side and leap through a window.
“Boom!”
The woodshed wall shattered completely, demonstrating the commander’s overwhelming strength.
Outside, Chen Anlin led a large group of Eastern Bureau enforcers, surrounding the woodshed.
Zhao Yao, who had just stepped out, looked at Chen Anlin in disbelief.
Chen Anlin smirked. “Zhao Yao, you’ve done well, turning your back on the darkness and reporting Xiao Chen. You’ll be rewarded.”
Xiao Chen, battered and bruised, heard this and felt a surge of anger. He nearly spat blood.
“Zhao Yao, you betrayed me!” he roared, his voice filled with bitterness.
Zhao Yao was stunned. By the time she realized what was happening, Xiao Chen had been surrounded again. His gaze was filled with hatred.
Ding! Successfully created a rift between Zhao Yao and Xiao Chen. 2,000 luck points plundered.
---
Back in the mountains, Xiao Chen lay on the ground, staring blankly at the sky. His teeth clenched so hard they nearly drew blood.
The emotional pain was far worse than any physical wound.
He couldn’t believe Zhao Yao had betrayed him.
“Zhao Yao, you’d better watch out.”
“Xiao Chen,” his master interjected, “there might be more to this than meets the eye. Maybe it wasn’t Zhao Yao’s fault.”
“Enough, Master! Didn’t you see what just happened? If it wasn’t her, then who?”
His tone was sharp, filled with frustration.
“Fine, Master, can you find any more treasures nearby? I’m too weak right now!”
“I already told you, my spiritual energy is completely drained. Even speaking to you takes effort.”
“What?! Useless…”
Xiao Chen muttered curses under his breath, frustrated that even his master was failing him in his time of need.
---
Meanwhile, back at the Zhao residence, Chen Anlin received another system notification.
Ding! A rift has formed between Xiao Chen and his master. 100 luck points plundered.
“Huh?”
Chen Anlin frowned at the message in his Luck Bottle. What kind of conflict had arisen between Xiao Chen and his master?
He shook his head, choosing not to dwell on it. Instead, he turned to Zhao Yao.
Zhao Yao glared at him furiously. “You did this on purpose! You wanted Xiao Chen to misunderstand me, didn’t you? You’re still holding a grudge and trying to use me to break him down!”
“To use you?” Chen Anlin chuckled. “You harbored a fugitive. By Da Zhou law, your entire family could be executed.”
He gestured to the Eastern Bureau commander, ready to give the order to arrest the Zhao family.
At that moment, a stunning woman with flowing hair and an elegant figure appeared.
“I can testify that Zhao Yao didn’t harbor Xiao Chen. She was with me the entire time. Xiao Chen came here of his own accord; it had nothing to do with her.”
Everyone turned to look at
her, stunned by her beauty and poise.
Even Chen Anlin narrowed his eyes.
It seemed the female protagonist had arrived at just the right moment to turn the tide.