The cold morning light was replaced by twilight, and another sunrise emerged.
Chen Chuan sat cross-legged in the courtyard, his fingertips caressing a Token made of neither gold nor wood.
The front of the Token was engraved with the words "Taichu."
The pressure that felt like a mountain crushing down yesterday seemed not to have completely dissipated yet.
That Elder from the Primordial Holy Land, Gu Xuan, who claimed to be from there, had sharp, hawk-like eyes filled with astonishment and burning intensity after sensing his Chaos Divine Body.
Chen Chuan still vividly remembered the astonishment and fervor that erupted in those eyes.
Gu Xuan did not force anything; he merely calmly explained the foundation and prestige of the Primordial Holy Land as the top power on the Sacred Martial Continent.
He stated that the Holy Land gathered the continent’s most outstanding Prodigies, housed countless coveted powerful Cultivation Techniques, and that all resources were obtained through strength.
"The Gate of the Holy Land is open to you, but the path must be walked by yourself, step by step."
Gu Xuan left these words and this recommendation Token before vanishing like a ghost, as if he had never appeared.
At that time, Chen Chuan observed with his Eye of Wisdom and confirmed that Gu Xuan held no ill will.
Combined with his original body’s memory regarding the immense status of the Primordial Holy Land, he understood this was an opportunity not to be missed.
Leaving this Black Rock City for a broader world was an inevitable choice.
But before leaving, there were still some matters that needed to be settled.
In the afternoon, the sunlight became gentle.
Chen Chuan packed simply, took a small bundle, and then arrived outside the gates of Qingyun Academy.
People came and went at the academy entrance, and an aura of youth permeated the air.
Not long after, he saw that familiar, aloof figure.
She was still wearing a simple white long dress, her figure graceful, like an orchid standing apart from the hustle and bustle.
Beside Ji Siyu was another young woman, Ji Qingyu.
Ji Qingyu clearly saw Chen Chuan as well. Her originally bright eyes instantly darkened with undisguised disgust, as if she had spotted something filthy.
She immediately turned her face away and tightened her grip on her sister’s arm.
Chen Chuan’s expression was calm as he walked straight toward them.
"Si Yu."
He spoke, his voice placid.
Ji Siyu looked up at him, her gaze as cool as ever, tinged with a hint of inquiry.
Ji Qingyu, standing nearby, let out a cold snort.
Chen Chuan took out a pre-prepared document and a small stack of gold tickets from his robe and handed them over:
"This is the divorce letter; just sign your name. Also, here are three thousand gold tickets, returned to you."
Ji Qingyu’s eyes instantly lit up, an uncontrollable look of ecstasy appearing on her face. She shouted internally with excitement:
"Sister is finally free! This bastard finally did one right thing."
Ji Siyu paused slightly, extended her fair hand, and accepted both the divorce letter and the gold tickets.
As her fingertips touched the slightly cool paper, a certain part of her heart seemed to be gently touched, and an indescribable sense of daze washed over her.
The expected feeling of complete liberation did not immediately fill her heart; instead, a ripple of emptiness emerged.
She had witnessed Chen Chuan’s changes in recent days; although he was still unfamiliar, he was no longer as detestable as before.
The meals he cooked seemed to still retain the warmth of everyday life.
As this thought arose, that inexplicable sense of loss seemed to weigh down even heavier.
Just as Ji Siyu’s feelings wavered, Chen Chuan took out an exquisitely crafted hairpin studded with tiny blue crystals and presented it before her, his tone gentle:
"Today is your birthday, right? This hairpin is a birthday gift. Happy Birthday."
Ji Siyu was completely stunned.
She hadn’t expected Chen Chuan to remember her birthday.
A faint, warm sting welled up near her nose. The sense of loss in her heart suddenly became clear and concrete, as if something that originally belonged to her was quietly slipping away.
Just then, a group of about ten Qingyun Academy students walked over, laughing and chatting.
They immediately noticed the outstandingly charismatic Ji Siyu, and beside her, the extraordinarily handsome and elegant Chen Chuan.
"Si Yu, who is this?"
Several female students looked Chen Chuan over with curiosity, their eyes showing admiration.
Before Ji Siyu could answer, her peripheral vision caught sight of the figure she disliked in the crowd: Zhang Yunfeng.
Seeing him glaring venomously at Chen Chuan, Ji Siyu almost subconsciously reached out and linked her arm with Chen Chuan’s.
She forced a smile onto her cold face—a smile that was slightly stiff but sweet enough—and said clearly, "He is my husband, Chen Chuan."
The moment these words were spoken, everyone was shocked.
Who didn’t know that Ji Siyu’s husband was a worthless, despicable piece of trash?
Yet the man before them stood tall, his features handsome, his eyes deep and calm—where was any trace of the lecherous rumors?
Zhang Yunfeng’s face instantly turned ashen.
After sending men to teach Chen Chuan a lesson last time only to have his subordinates injured, he already hated and feared Chen Chuan, daring not to act rashly again.
Seeing Ji Siyu declare their relationship so intimately now only made Zhang Yunfeng more displeased.
"So it’s Si Yu’s husband!" a lively female student laughed. "It’s Si Yu’s birthday today, how do you plan to celebrate it for her?"
"Yes, yes, as Si Yu’s husband, you can’t be stingy!" the others chimed in.
Chen Chuan immediately felt his scalp tingle.
He had spent a considerable amount buying medicinal herbs for the Green Spirit Pill, and just now he had returned three thousand gold tickets. Counting everything, he only had ten thousand gold tickets left.
This celebration...
He instinctively touched his nearly empty money pouch.
Ji Siyu felt the momentary stiffness in Chen Chuan’s arm through her arm, but she completely misinterpreted his meaning.
She had already intended to pay for everything herself.
However, at this moment, that inexplicable emotion in her heart made her especially hope that Chen Chuan could demonstrate some responsibility.
Even if it was just verbal.
She raised her cool eyes, with a hint of expectation that she herself didn’t notice, looking at Chen Chuan.
With everyone’s gaze focused on him, and Ji Siyu looking at him like that, Chen Chuan was trapped on a tiger he couldn’t dismount.
He could only grit his teeth and say, "Since that’s the case, I’ll treat everyone to a simple meal."
Zhang Yunfeng immediately seized the opportunity, shamelessly stepping forward and saying sarcastically:
"A simple meal won’t do, will it?"
"For Si Yu’s birthday, one must naturally go to the best place. I think Drunken Wind Tower is quite suitable; their cuisine is the best in Black Rock City."
"Drunken Wind Tower? Great, great!" Everyone immediately agreed.
Chen Chuan’s heart sank. Drunken Wind Tower?
That was the most expensive restaurant in Black Rock City!
If this large group went there...
He could already hear the sound of gold tickets flying away, feeling a sharp pang of loss.
However, Ji Siyu felt that Drunken Wind Tower truly matched the atmosphere of the day, so she nodded. "Then let’s go to Drunken Wind Tower."
She thought that she would settle the bill later and wouldn’t let Chen Chuan be embarrassed.
Seeing that Ji Siyu had spoken, Chen Chuan could only swallow his bitterness and force a smile. "Fine, we’ll go to Drunken Wind Tower."
The group proceeded grandly to the luxuriously decorated Drunken Wind Tower and requested an elegant private room.
After being seated, Ji Siyu took the menu and, almost without thinking, ordered more than ten signature dishes, specifically choosing those with high prices.
"Snow Lotus Stewed Spirit Sparrow,"
"Steamed Jade Scale Fish,"
"Braised Fire Rhino Palm,"
Listening to the dish names Ji Siyu recited, Chen Chuan’s smile became increasingly strained, and his heart was already bleeding.
This meal would likely bring him close to the end of his last ten thousand gold tickets.
But Ji Siyu was completely unaware.
She only wanted to leave a perfect memory on what might be her last birthday with Chen Chuan, and she didn’t intend to truly make Chen Chuan spend a fortune.
During the meal, everyone toasted Ji Siyu to offer congratulations, and the atmosphere was quite lively.
After three rounds of drinks and five courses of food, Zhang Yunfeng saw that the time was right, jumped up again, and said loudly:
"Just eating and drinking is a bit monotonous."
"I heard that Drunken Wind Tower has recently launched a ’Drunken Immortal Brew,’ which is brewed from a hundred types of spiritual flowers and exotic fruits. Its flavor is exquisite and it can nourish one’s spiritual power."
"Such fine wine should accompany Si Yu’s birthday."
"Brother Chen, why don’t we order a few bottles for everyone to taste?"
Upon hearing this, everyone’s eyes lit up, and their gazes refocused on Chen Chuan, filled with expectation.
Chen Chuan’s heart sank; he secretly thought this was bad.
He forced himself to remain calm and called the waiter over to inquire about the price.
"Sir, the Drunken Immortal Brew is a new product in our tower, priced at five thousand gold tickets per bottle," the waiter replied respectfully.
Five thousand gold tickets.
Chen Chuan’s eye twitched.
If he ordered this Drunken Immortal Brew, his ten thousand gold tickets would likely be completely depleted.
A look of difficulty involuntarily appeared on his face.
Zhang Yunfeng took in Chen Chuan’s expression completely. He sneered inwardly but feigned generosity on his face:
"Brother Chen, you’re not reluctant, are you? Today is Si Yu’s special day; everyone being happy is what matters most."
"If Brother Chen is inconvenient, I, Zhang Yunfeng, will treat everyone to the Drunken Immortal Brew."
While his words seemed to resolve the situation, they were actually putting Chen Chuan on the spot.
Indeed, as soon as he finished speaking, several low murmurs arose from the gathering.
"No way, he’s that stingy even for his own wife’s birthday?"
"It seems he doesn’t treat Si Yu very well either."
"Zhang Yunfeng is much more generous."
These words pierced Ji Siyu’s ears like fine needles.
She didn’t care who paid; she just hoped Chen Chuan could act decisively at this moment, even if it was just bluffing.
She once again cast her cool eyes toward Chen Chuan, hoping he would say something.
Faced with Ji Siyu’s expectant gaze and the faint scorn from those around him, Chen Chuan opened his mouth, wanting to speak but stopping.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to agree, but his current financial predicament made it difficult for him to speak easily.
These ten thousand gold tickets were all the fortune he currently possessed.
Just then, Ji Qingyu, who had been silently drinking with a slight blush, suddenly slammed her wine glass onto the table with a sharp bang.
The anger she had suppressed all day, along with her deep-seated hatred for Chen Chuan, was completely ignited by the alcohol and the scene before her, erupting violently.
"Chen Chuan! You scumbag! Beast!" Ji Qingyu suddenly stood up, pointing at Chen Chuan’s nose, her voice sharp with rage: "Take away that hypocritical face of yours, it disgusts me."
"Qingyu! Silence!" Ji Siyu’s expression changed, and she sharply stopped her.
Ji Qingyu’s eyes reddened, tears mixing with anger as they surged forth:
"Sister, why are you still protecting him..."
"Do you know why I appeared in your room that day with my clothes disheveled?"
"It was this scumbag; he drugged me and took me back, intending to do something improper to me."
"The first thing I saw when I woke up was him. I will never forget that disgusting face of his."
She choked, unable to finish the rest of her words.
Boom!
Ji Qingyu’s words exploded in the private room like a clap of thunder.
Everyone froze.
Immediately afterward, everyone looked at Chen Chuan with shock, contempt, and disgust.
He actually made a move against his own sister-in-law?
This was worse than being a beast.
The color instantly drained from Ji Siyu’s face, leaving it completely pale.
She suddenly recalled seeing her sister’s torn clothes and messy hair that day.
So this was the truth.
She felt like an idiot, completely fooled by Chen Chuan’s pretense all these days.
A piercing pain and immense disappointment seized her, making her feel cold all over.
The little bit of good impression she had built up for Chen Chuan was shattered into pieces by the cold reality in that instant.
Seeing that the time was ripe, Zhang Yunfeng suddenly slammed the table and roared righteously:
"You bastard..."
"Chen Chuan, you actually dared to do something so worse than a pig or a dog! Today I must teach you a lesson on behalf of Si Yu."
Saying this, he threw a punch and charged toward Chen Chuan.
Chen Chuan was also stunned at this moment.
He never expected that his act of saving someone that day would be interpreted by Ji Qingyu as an indecent attempt.
Seeing Zhang Yunfeng charge over, his frustration and anger intertwined, and he subconsciously raised his leg and kicked out.
"Bang!"
Zhang Yunfeng flew backward faster than he charged, slamming against the wall, sliding down in a sorry state, grimacing in pain.
"Chen Chuan! You dare to fight back!"
Seeing that Chen Chuan’s crime was exposed and he even committed violence in public, Ji Siyu’s accumulated anger and disappointment finally erupted.
She suddenly stood up, using all her strength, and slapped Chen Chuan hard across the face.
The crisp sound of the slap echoed throughout the private room.
A clear five-fingered mark instantly appeared on Chen Chuan’s cheek.
He stared blankly at Ji Siyu, whose chest was heaving violently due to extreme anger.
Her eyes were chillingly cold, filled with resolute hatred.
"Get out!" Ji Siyu squeezed out a word through clenched teeth, her voice trembling but carrying unquestionable coldness: "I don’t want to see you now, get out immediately."
Chen Chuan touched his burning cheek and looked at Ji Siyu’s cold face filled with hatred.
He glanced at Ji Qingyu, who was weeping beside her with resentful eyes, and the surrounding looks of contempt.
He suddenly felt that any explanation would become pale and superfluous.
Since she had already decided, and since they would be strangers after today, why say anything more?
Chen Chuan curved his lips, revealing a smile tinged with self-mockery and coldness.
He looked deeply at Ji Siyu one last time, as if trying to imprint her current appearance in his memory.
Then, he turned, and without hesitation, strode out of the private room, not saying another word.
Watching Chen Chuan’s resolute retreating back, the strength Ji Siyu had been maintaining seemed to instantly drain away, and she staggered back into her chair.
Her gaze swept over the hairpin Chen Chuan had given her on the table; it seemed incredibly glaring, as if mocking her foolishness and credulity.
She snatched up the hairpin and, without hesitation, threw it forcefully into a corner, as if discarding some filthy trash.
The private room fell into a dead silence, broken only by Ji Qingyu’s low sobs.
A birthday banquet that should have been a celebration ended in such a humiliating manner.
Chen Chuan, having left Drunken Wind Tower, faced the slightly cool evening breeze, touched the Token of the Primordial Holy Land in his embrace, and his eyes gradually became firm and profound.
It was time to say a final goodbye to everything in Black Rock City.
The road ahead lay in the Primordial Holy Land, in that broader world.