On a shaded mountain path, Chen Xuan strode forward briskly. Though he had self-destructed his 9th Grade Golden Core and his cultivation had fallen to rock bottom, the strength of his Nine Yang Battle Body remained, still hundreds of times stronger than an ordinary person.
“Senior Brother Chen Xuan!” A voice called from afar, and soon, a young man descended riding a flying sword.
Chen Xuan paused for a moment, smiling as he asked, “Junior Brother Shi Lei, what brings you here?”
“Please, just call me Xiao Shitou (Little Stone) as you always did. Ever since your incident, I gathered over twenty disciples who had greatly benefited from your kindness. We wanted to jointly assist you.” Shi Lei lowered his head, explaining awkwardly. “But… at a crucial moment, the secret was somehow leaked. We were all reprimanded and warned by the Master. Even on your wedding day, we weren’t allowed to attend…”
“I does’t matter! The fact that you had the heart is enough.” Chen Xuan smiled brightly, patting Shi Lei’s shoulder.
At this moment, a faint warmth flowed through his heart. Not long ago, he had wallowed in self-pity, believing that, aside from Du Meng, he had already been abandoned by everyone in the sect. He never expected there would still be people grateful, admiring, and longing for him. Du Meng, Xiao Shitou, these were the people he should cherish and protect for a lifetime.
For some reason, Bai Bingyan’s stunning face surfaced in Chen Xuan’s mind. He hoped she could also become someone he would protect.
At this moment, Chen Xuan’s Dao heart cleared, his thoughts became bright and unobstructed.
“Senior Brother’s kindness, we will repay without fail! You can count on that!” Shi Lei spoke firmly, his expression solemn.
Then, he cautiously added, “Senior Brother Chen Xuan, as the saying goes, ‘A man without sin may still be envied for his treasures.’ You must learn to let go. This time, it was obvious to those with discerning eyes that you were framed. But what about next time? Beware of certain people… when the painting ends, the dagger appears.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan’s eyes flashed with cold light. He naturally understood Shi Lei’s worries. In the eyes of others, he was merely a cripple who couldn’t let go of his past glory, unwilling to relinquish the Holy Son title, and reluctant to hand over his former treasures. Who would know that in just three days, his dantian would be fully healed, and with the True Dragon Heart, he would soar to the heavens?
Honestly, if it weren’t for the hope brought by the True Dragon Heart, Chen Xuan felt he might have already given up, accepting his fate, and become a pig or dog wallowing in the mud.
“Xiao Shitou, thank you for the reminder.” Chen Xuan smiled faintly, turned around, leaving only a sentence lingering in the air. “Those who are kind to me, I will be kind; those who hate me, I will hate.”
“Sigh…” Shi Lei stamped his foot, his brows tightly furrowed. In his eyes, Chen Xuan was still as stubborn as ever… perhaps not far from his doom.
Inside the Saintess Hall, Ji Yaoyue’s beautiful face was ashen, her delicate body trembling uncontrollably. Furious! Burning with rage! Today, in the Law Enforcement Hall, she had completely lost face. What angered her even more was that Chen Xuan, who was usually silent and hardworking, had suddenly become eloquent, leaving her unable to counter him.
This rebellious disciple deserved to die! Ji Yaoyue recalled how she once felt guilty, now thinking she must have been insane! Such a traitorous, unfilial disciple deserved to be cut into a thousand pieces!
In the empty grand hall, only the cold killing intent swept through, suffocating the air.
At some point, a figure as graceful as jade entered—it was Ji Wushuang.
“Shua!” Ji Yaoyue formed a seal, activating a formation barrier to prevent anyone from spying.
“Mother, I suspect that Chen Xuan has something to rely on, which is why he’s so arrogant!” Ji Wushuang said in a deep voice.
Ji Yaoyue narrowed her long, beautiful eyes, coldly saying, “No need to suspect… before I made the bet with him, I secretly tried to kill that little beast! Unexpectedly, he has some extraordinary self-protecting treasure hidden on him.”
“What? No wonder…” Ji Wushuang’s eyes flashed with intense jealousy, his features contorting slightly. Then, he gritted his teeth and said, “He’s just a cripple with a destroyed dantian. No matter how many treasures he has, he can’t turn the tide. In the end, they’ll all belong to me!”
“On the day of the Disciple Selection Conference, I will be chosen by Immortal Mu Yun to inherit his legacy in the most dazzling fashion, while Chen Xuan will rot in the mud, witnessing everything as a useless cripple!”
“Exactly! Mother also looks forward to that day…” Ji Yaoyue was overjoyed, couldn’t help but pull Ji Wushuang into her embrace, her beautiful eyes filled with expectation.
That snow-white cleavage was right in front of him… Ji Wushuang’s eyes widened, nearly bursting with desire! He quietly took a deep breath, intoxicated in his fantasies…
At that moment, Ji Yaoyue’s question interrupted his delusions.
“Mother, I already have a brilliant plan! Tomorrow at my Holy Son Ceremony will be the moment when Chen Xuan is utterly disgraced! This time, I will definitely turn the tide and nail him to the pillar of shame!” Ji Wushuang smirked cunningly, brimming with confidence.
Then he left the Jade Maiden Peak Hall, riding a golden sword, soaring toward Bibo Cave like a blazing sun.
Inside the cave, Liu Ruyan was sitting at her dressing table, grooming herself, her figure curvy and her cold yet fragile beauty making her appear pitiful.
When she heard the commotion, she turned around and smiled sweetly, “Wushuang, did the sound-recording pearl achieve great merit?”
Ji Wushuang forced a smile, awkwardly saying, “There… were a few small issues! But I have a new plan now, which will definitely ruin Chen Xuan!”
“What exactly happened?” Liu Ruyan frowned, her peach blossom face turning cold.
When Ji Wushuang recounted the events… Liu Ruyan couldn’t hold back any longer! She clenched her delicate fists tightly, her prominent snowy peaks heaving violently, showing the turmoil in her heart.
“Idiot! Situ Yulong, that moron, must have eaten too much shit and muddied his brain! He… he wasn’t helping at all—he was trying to completely ruin my reputation!” It took a long while for Liu Ruyan to suppress her anger. She stared coldly at Ji Wushuang, saying, “The matter you promised me… cannot be delayed anymore! Though it’s risky, it’s the only way I can clear my name and regain my reputation for purity and chastity!”
“Fine! I will handle it as soon as possible!” Ji Wushuang hesitated, then reluctantly nodded.
He also asked Liu Ruyan for three drops of her essence blood, which would be useful in framing Chen Xuan tomorrow.
“Fine!” Liu Ruyan agreed readily, then forced out three drops of essence blood and handed them over.
“Sister Ruyan, these days you’ve endured much taking the fake death pill. Give me a kiss!” Ji Wushuang said as he moved in, trying to test the waters…
But Liu Ruyan replied coldly, “Kiss? You can’t even handle a cripple like Chen Xuan, and you still have the face to kiss me?”
“This…” Ji Wushuang’s mouth twitched, all his lust turning into anger. He was suffocating with frustration!
In his heart, he let out a furious roar, “Chen Xuan! Just you wait! Tomorrow, I, Ji Wushuang, will make you lose all honor and crawl like a dog!”