Han Wenxuan thought Xiao Chen was being rebellious again and asked in a deep voice, “What is it?”
Xiao Chen turned to look at the others. “Listen up, everyone. We have already entered an illusion created by a demonic beast. Anything that appears in here is either an illusion or a trap, and under no circumstances should it be touched.”
However, Xiao Chen’s warning came a step too late, as one of the accompanying cultivators had already plucked an eighth-grade immortal spirit fruit.
Immediately, the immortal spirit fruit transformed into a ball of black Qi and lunged at the man. Fortunately, Xiao Chen pulled him away in time to dodge it, and the black Qi instantly vanished without a trace.
Xiao Chen narrowed his eyes. It hadn’t dissipated they needed to find the exit as quickly as possible, or everyone here would be in danger.
By this time, the cultivator had finally recovered his wits and hurriedly cupped his fists, saying, “Many thanks to Young Master Xiao for saving my life.”
Xiao Chen gave a slight nod and carefully observed the surrounding environment, but after scanning the entire area, he found no signs of anything unusual. He couldn’t help frowning, thinking that no matter how flawless an illusionary realm was, there would always be flaws. Could it be that the beast’s cultivation is too high? No, if it were truly a powerful demonic beast, it wouldn’t bother using such spells.
Xiao Chen surveyed his surroundings even more meticulously, finally spotting an anomaly: while the arrangement of the trees and flowers was indeed completely seamless, a single cloud in the sky had been crudely and abruptly split in half. Xiao Chen raised his hand to summon his immortal sword and slashed forward. With a crisp sound, the illusion shattered.
It was only then that Han Wenxuan realized his own negligence had allowed everyone to fall into such a dangerous situation.
“Since Young Master Han is leading the team, you should pay more attention. Our cultivation levels cannot compare to yours, and an illusion like this could easily cost us our lives. If Young Master Xiao hadn’t noticed it in time, our fates would likely be grim,” Xie Yuanjia stated with a cool, detached tone. Ever since entering the secret realm, Han Wenxuan had constantly pestered Xiao Chen, and Xie Yuanjia had long since grown sick of it.
Han Wenxuan reproached himself, saying, “It was my oversight. I apologize.”
Xie Yuanjia continued, “Aside from an apology, shouldn’t Young Master Han also thank Young Master Xiao?”
Han Wenxuan looked at Xiao Chen. “Thank you.”
Xiao Chen gave a faint response. There was no need to thank him, as long as the man stopped bothering him, that would be enough.
Just as the few of them were speaking, a dark shadow suddenly grabbed Xiao Chen’s arm, and he was instantly dragged into a barrier illusion.
Xie Yuanjia and Han Wenxuan both flashed forward simultaneously, but Xie Yuanjia’s cultivation was too low, making him a step too slow, whereas Han Wenxuan entered the illusion right at the moment it closed.
Xie Yuanjia quietly clenched his fists. Although he disliked Han Wenxuan, having him inside meant he could feel slightly more at ease, and given his current cultivation level, entering would only make him a burden to Xiao Chen.
Over the years, to avoid catching the attention of the people from the Jiutian Sect, he had deliberately slowed down his cultivation progress; otherwise, he feared he would have already broken through to the Nascent Soul stage.
Inside the illusion, although Han Wenxuan was only separated from Xiao Chen by a split second, he did not see Xiao Chen’s figure upon entering. Just as he was preparing to investigate Xiao Chen’s location, a deafening explosion suddenly rang out, followed by Xiao Chen flying backward out of the blast. Han Wenxuan hurriedly flashed forward to catch Xiao Chen in his arms, but before he could speak, Xiao Chen reversed his grip on Han Wenxuan’s wrist and forcefully pulled him out of the illusion.
The moment the two of them emerged, the entire illusion exploded amidst a miserable shriek.
Seeing Xiao Chen come out safely, Xie Yuanjia felt a wave of relief wash over him. However, upon seeing Han Wenxuan holding Xiao Chen in his arms, his gaze turned dark and cold. Almost instinctively, he pulled Xiao Chen into his own embrace and asked softly, “Are you injured?”
Xie Yuanjia’s actions gave Xiao Chen a start, prompting him to hurriedly push the man away and feign composure as he said, “I’m fine.”
Only then did Xie Yuanjia realize his own loss of composure. “Apologies. I was merely worried just now; after all, the two of us are betrothed, so I momentarily lacked proper etiquette. I hope you can forgive me.”
Xiao Chen felt even more alarmed. No matter how he listened to those words, something felt off when Xie Yuanjia took in harem members in the book, he seemed to frequently use this exact line of reasoning.
Seeing that Xiao Chen remained silent for a long time, Xie Yuanjia asked cautiously, “You… are you blaming me?”
“No… not at all,” Xiao Chen hastily replied.
[Host, remember your persona, your persona!]
Xiao Chen coughed awkwardly twice, having no idea how to salvage the situation on the spot. On an impulse, he took out the demonic core he had just obtained from slaying the beast: “That was a hundred-year illusion beast just now. This demonic core is of no real use for cultivation; I’ll bestow it upon you to toss around for fun.”
The system slapped its palm to its forehead, unable to watch any longer. In a certain sense, Xiao Chen’s behavior still fit the original host’s persona. Of course, a century-old demonic core was not completely useless; for cultivators below the Core Formation stage, its efficacy was comparable to a sixth-grade pill for breaking through realms.
Using Xiao Chen’s persona to hand this item to Xie Yuanjia from a position of superiority was not a problem, because Xiao Chen’s choice of the word “bestow” fit his character, but his tone was just a bit too friendly.
Xie Yuanjia was stunned for a moment before snapping back to reality, taking the core and offering his thanks.
After this series of events, Han Wenxuan began to wonder if he had some misunderstandings about Xiao Chen. After Xiao Chen’s remarks the other day, he had sent people to investigate, and upon doing so, he grew furious, feeling that Xiao Chen was simply too willful, cold-blooded, and cruel, beyond saving through education.
Yet, was that really the case? If Xiao Chen were truly such a person, how could he possibly go out of his way to save others? Furthermore, there was no need for him to mind Han Wenxuan when leaving just now, nor was there any need to risk himself over the Qian family affair. As for Zhang Liusi, given such a golden opportunity, she ought to have been directly eradicated, yet Xiao Chen had only given her a scare.
Han Wenxuan rubbed the space between his brows. He understood Xiao Chen less and less, eventually coming up with a reasonable explanation: Xiao Chen was actually kind-hearted at his core, but because his mother had passed away too early without anyone to guide him, he had become somewhat extreme and indifferent. As long as he received proper guidance, he would inevitably return to the right path.
And to guide someone, one must be clear-cut with rewards and punishments. Han Wenxuan looked at Xiao Chen and praised, “Xiao Chen, you did very well. I have an eighth-grade Spirit-Gathering Pill here for you as a reward.”
Xiao Chen: …
Is this guy sick in the head? He really treats me like an elementary school student. Xiao Chen straight-up ignored Han Wenxuan.
Han Wenxuan didn’t take offense either, sheepishly putting the medicinal pill away.
After this brief interlude, the group continued on their way. With the previous incident behind them, Han Wenxuan devoted most of his energy to scouting the path ahead. Xiao Chen’s ears instantly grew much quieter, and even his mood improved.
There were plenty of opportunities for cultivation within the Xuanyun Secret Realm. Although he held advance knowledge, he certainly couldn’t snatch resources away from the protagonist, but picking up some leftovers was still fair game.
According to the book, further ahead was the first monster Xie Yuanjia fought and leveled up against: a five-hundred-year-old flame python. Its cultivation was equivalent to the peak of the late Core Formation stage for a human cultivator, and its demonic core could directly assist a cultivator in leaping from the early Foundation Establishment stage straight to the Core Formation stage. Naturally, he wouldn’t get a share of the core itself, but if he assisted from the sidelines, securing a piece of beast bone shouldn’t be considered excessive.
Just as he was thinking about it, the surrounding area suddenly shook violently. Xiao Chen narrowed his eyes—it’s here.
Following the tremor, a crimson giant python as thick as a water vat coiled itself in front of the crowd, its coiled bulk giving a sense of its immense length of several dozen zhang. Its entire body was covered in crimson scales the size of roof tiles, with the one right between its brows being particularly eye-catching.
The flame python swept its cold gaze across the crowd, finally letting its blood-red, greedy gaze fixate on Xie Yuanjia.
Han Wenxuan stepped forward to shield everyone behind him.
A cold glint flickered in the python’s eyes, and in the span of a breath, hundreds of larger and smaller flame pythons slithered in to encircle them. Xiao Chen’s gaze darkened slightly. A protagonist’s growth was written as just a simple chapter in the book for readers to enjoy the thrill of, but only when truly experiencing it firsthand did one realize how perilous it was everything was fought for with lives on the line.
It was true that Han Wenxuan was at the early Nascent Soul stage; dealing with these creatures alone would be effortless for him, but protecting so many people at the same time was no easy task.
The flame python stared coldly at Han Wenxuan. “With merely early Nascent Soul cultivation, this seat may not be your match, but if you want all of them to die here, feel free to fight this seat to the death.”
Han Wenxuan clenched his fists in silence. Indeed, he had no confidence in keeping everyone safe amidst so many demonic beasts.
The flame python shifted its gaze to Xie Yuanjia. “Leave him behind, and this seat can let the others leave alive.”
Han Wenxuan said in a deep voice, “Impossible.”
The other cultivators, however, chimed in, “Young Master Han, Xie Yuanjia was sent here by the Jiutian Sect to be punished in the first place because he committed wrongdoing. His life or death has nothing to do with us.”
“Young Master Han, if a real fight breaks out, not only will you fail to save Xie Yuanjia, but everyone else will die here as well. Please consider the bigger picture.”
A trace of mockery flashed across Xiao Chen’s eyes.
Xie Yuanjia spoke up. “Young Master Han, the demonic beast has its eyes on me; others shouldn’t be implicated. You should lead everyone away first.”
Han Wenxuan’s gaze turned dark. “What nonsense are you talking about? Since I agreed to be your team leader, I will not abandon any single one of you.”
“Young Master Han, your cultivation is extremely high; whether you stay or leave, you will be fine, but we are different. You cannot risk our lives just for Xie Yuanjia’s sake.”
“Exactly! Compared to our five lives, which one is heavier, Xie Yuanjia’s single life? Can’t you tell?”
Xiao Chen crossed his arms. “Young Master Han, given the current situation, if you stay, the ultimate outcome will be you slaying these demonic beasts, but everyone else will surely be torn to shreds by them as well. It will end in mutual destruction and is truly unnecessary. Therefore, you should just take the people and leave.”
Han Wenxuan frowned.
Xie Yuanjia silently clenched his fists. He didn’t care about what others thought, but hearing Xiao Chen utter those words made him feel inexplicably choked up with frustration.
Xiao Chen continued, “As the saying goes, a hundred days of grace after sharing a bed. No matter what, on the road to the netherworld, I simply must give Xie Yuanjia a companion, right? Hey, big snake, if I stay to keep him company, will that do?”
The flame python looked at Han Wenxuan. “As long as he leaves, this seat doesn’t care whether the others stay or go.”
Xie Yuanjia gazed blankly at Xiao Chen, realizing he intended to live and die alongside him.
“Young Master Han, let’s go.”
“Let’s go, Young Master Han.”
The other cultivators urged him anxiously.
Xiao Chen’s fingertips made an imperceptible movement, and his voice echoed directly in Han Wenxuan’s ear: Having these people here will only make them a burden. Take them away; I have my own way to get Xie Yuanjia out safely. Go.
Han Wenxuan looked at Xiao Chen, who gave him a slight nod. Han Wenxuan silently clenched his fists. “Go.”
“Wait. Xiao Chen, go with Han Wenxuan. Trust me, I am confident I can make it back alive,” Xie Yuanjia said solemnly.
Xiao Chen ignored him completely. “Young Master Han, you guys go.”
Han Wenxuan departed on his flying sword, and the rest of the group finally let out a breath of relief, following closely behind him.
Before leaving, Han Wenxuan murmured inwardly: Xiao Chen, wait for me.
Once he could no longer sense Han Wenxuan’s aura, the flame python looked at Xiao Chen. “This seat truly didn’t expect that humans could be so foolishly devoted.”
“You’re wrong.”
“Wrong?”
A murderous intent flashed across Xiao Chen’s eyes. “I let them leave because staying here would only be a deadweight, and I stayed because I have absolute confidence in slaying you.”
The flame python’s eyes were filled with utter contempt. “Oh?”
Xiao Chen raised his hand to summon his immortal sword and took the initiative to attack the flame python. According to the book, although this flame python possessed five hundred years of cultivation, it had just gone through a major battle and sustained injuries, which was what gave Xie Yuanjia the opening to slay it.
Even so, Xie Yuanjia had suffered quite a bit in the early stages. Unfortunately, the book did not describe how Xie Yuanjia actually killed the flame python; it only stated that Xie Yuanjia had suffered heavy injuries and was on the verge of being killed by the python when the scene abruptly cut to Han Wenxuan and the others. By the time Xie Yuanjia appeared again, he had already reached the Core Formation stage, and the later details were left unmentioned.
Xiao Chen surmised that he must have discovered the python’s blind spot or weak point during the fight, so he would play the role of the test subject and help Xie Yuanjia find that spot.
Since Xie Yuanjia was the prey targeted by the flame python, the other demonic beasts dared not make a move.
After a quarter of an hour of combat, Xie Yuanjia joined the fight wielding his sword, and the flame python instantly fell into a disadvantage. Five moves later, the flame python was pierced through by Xiao Chen’s sword.
With an angry roar from the flame python, the rest of the demonic beast pack swarmed forward to attack. The corners of Xiao Chen’s lips twitched upward into a smile: “Open the array.”
In an instant, a golden radiance flashed, blocking the other demonic beasts outside the barrier.