Li Chen couldn’t believe it.
That was someone he had raised like his own daughter—he had cared for and protected her. He was an orphan himself, just like Yin Xiumei when she first came.
Li Chen only wanted her to feel warmth, to know the feeling of home. He never wanted her to suffer even the slightest grievance.
And yet, what he got in return was betrayal.
Yin Xiumei stared at Li Chen and shouted, “That was only because Master ordered you to take care of me! If it weren’t for him, would you have been so kind? Save your breath!”
“If you hadn’t taken care of us, Master would have punished you. We let you care for us to help you avoid that. You should thank us!”
Li Chen didn’t get angry. Instead, he laughed. “Good. Very good.”
He had no words left to say.
It felt like a father watching his own daughter rebel, leaving his heart hollow and dead.
So it was his duty?
His responsibility?
A mission?
Li Chen let out a breath. He swore—one day, when he had the strength, he would take back everything they owed him with his own hands.
Whatever kindness had existed was long gone.
Only hatred remained.
Zhao Xueyi took two steps back, staring at her Junior Sister in shock. Her words weighed down on her like a mountain, leaving her breathless.
“Junior Sister… how can you be so heartless? Senior Brother cared for you for so many years, and you treat him like this? Do you have any gratitude in your heart? You’re nothing but a beast.”
Yin Xiumei lowered her head, feeling a wave of guilt.
Yes.
He had cared for her so much, and she had broken his finger. That did seem a bit too much.
But…
Wasn’t that what he was supposed to do?
If Master hadn’t ordered him, would he have taken such good care of them?
Of course not.
He was just carrying out a task. Just like any other disciple assigned to gather herbs—his care was no different.
There was nothing to be grateful for.
Besides, back then, he was just an elite disciple. She was the Sect Master’s personal disciple. Her status and cultivation were far superior. And now he still remembered that broken finger? So petty.
Seeing Yin Xiumei lower her head, Zhao Xueyi assumed she was remorseful. “Senior Brother, Junior Sister already regrets what she did. Come home with me. If she dares to wrong you again, I’ll stand up for you.”
They had grown up together as childhood friends. She didn’t want to see him fall into darkness or join a demonic sect.
Zhao Xueyi was determined to bring him home.
Li Chen’s voice turned ice-cold. “Zhao Xueyi, it’s pointless. Leave. I will not go back. My ties with the Qilin Holy Land are severed. I am now a disciple of the Myriad Demons Sect.”
Zhao Xueyi shook her head. “No, Senior Brother, have you forgotten? We grew up together. We searched for spirit herbs together.”
“We fought demonic beasts side by side.”
“We used to lie on the grass, watching the sky like fools.”
“Have you forgotten all of that?”
“You once said you would stay by my side for life. Have you forgotten those words too?” Get faster updates on g.com.
“Please, Senior Brother, come home. I’ll take care of you.”
“Whatever you need, I’ll give it to you.” Her tears flowed endlessly, her eyes filled with regret.
She was wrong. She shouldn’t have gone into seclusion.
She should’ve stayed by his side and protected him. Maybe then none of this would have happened.
Now that he had changed so much, she knew she shared some of the blame.
Her heart was full of guilt and remorse.
Now all she wanted was to bring him back and take good care of him.
Li Chen said, “I’ll say it one last time. I will not return to Qilin Holy Land. If you truly care about me, then let me go, not drag me back.”
“No. I must bring you home. You are mine. No one can take you away!” Zhao Xueyi looked pitiful as she tried to pull Li Chen back.
Fu Yao couldn’t take it anymore.
What do you mean, “He’s yours”?
Brother is mine. Always has been. You all deserve to die.
Fu Yao shouted angrily, “Zhao Xueyi, get lost! This is Myriad Demons Sect territory. Brother is mine. Say one more word and I’ll rip your mouth off!”
Zhao Xueyi was stunned. She stared at Fu Yao in disbelief and pointed at her with a trembling finger. “What… what did you just call him?”
Fu Yao noticed her reaction and grinned mischievously. “Brother.”
“You… you shameless thing!” Zhao Xueyi cursed.
Fu Yao sneered, “Shameless? You’re the shameless ones! Brother treated you all so well, but you never appreciated it. And now that he can cultivate again, you come begging like dogs!”
“Hmph! I’ve seen shameless people, but never ones as shameless as you. If I were you, I’d smash my head into a rock out of shame!”
Li Chen looked at Fu Yao. Wasn’t this girl supposed to be sweet and innocent?
How did she turn into a wild tigress?
Zhao Xueyi snorted coldly. “Senior Brother will never acknowledge you.”
Fu Yao grinned proudly. “That’s not for you to say.”
She called softly, “Brother.”
Li Chen immediately responded. “Yes?”
“Brother.”
“Yes.”
“Brotheeer~” Fu Yao’s voice turned charming, sending tingles down Li Chen’s spine.
When she noticed he wasn’t replying, she turned and gave him a pitiful look—like a little girl abandoned. “I’m calling you, why won’t you answer?”
Li Chen sighed. “Yes…”
One time was enough—why call so many times?
So sweet it gave him goosebumps.
Zhao Xueyi was furious. Killing intent surged from her eyes. “You’re courting death.”
She raised her hand. A massive cyan palm appeared in the sky, blotting out the sun.
The sky filled with thunderclouds, lightning crackled in all directions.
Li Chen’s expression changed. That was the Hand of Heaven! Had Zhao Xueyi really cultivated to such a terrifying level?
Fu Yao looked up at the flashing sky and sneered. “Fine. Let me see what you’ve got.”
She raised her hand.
A massive Vajra Dharma Body appeared, enveloping both her and Li Chen. The golden figure stood three thousand feet tall, radiating divine Buddhist light that illuminated all things.
Li Chen froze. That was a Buddhist divine ability.
The Vajra raised its right hand to clash directly with the Hand of Heaven.
BOOM—
The heavens and earth trembled.
The shockwave spread out for hundreds of miles.
Then came a furious roar. “Who dares cause trouble in my Myriad Demons Sect?”
Sect Master Fu Tiancheng flew out from the sect.
He landed right in front of Li Chen.
Zhao Xueyi’s face turned pale. She grabbed the dazed Yin Xiumei and fled.
Fu Tiancheng was about to give chase.
Li Chen said, “Master, no need. That was Zhao Xueyi, Holy Maiden of Qilin Holy Land.”
Qilin Holy Land was far more powerful than the Myriad Demons Sect.
If they clashed head-on, the Myriad Demons Sect would not survive.
Fu Tiancheng nodded. “Why were they here?”
“To beg Brother to return,” Fu Yao pouted, clearly annoyed. Then she looked up at Li Chen. “Brother, will you go back?”
Li Chen shook his head. “Of course not. I left the Qilin Holy Land with no intention of ever returning.”
Fu Yao smiled and clung to his right arm.
Fu Tiancheng coughed. “And just where do you two think you’re going?”
This child! Your father is still right here!
Flirting like that in front of everyone—what kind of example are you setting?
“We’re heading to Central State, Master. I need to refine my divine ability.”
Fu Tiancheng was surprised. “You’ve already formed your Golden Core?”
That was incredibly fast.
In just a few days, he’d gone from the Qi Refining Realm to the Foundation Establishment Realm, and now he had reached the Golden Core Realm?
Fu Tiancheng scanned him with divine sense—sure enough, he had formed a Golden Core.
But the core was empty—no divine ability seeds had been planted.
He must be preparing for the Profound Heaven Secret Realm and wanted to refine his divine ability first.
Fu Tiancheng casually tossed Li Chen a storage pouch. “Go and return quickly. Qilin Holy Land won’t give up so easily. But don’t worry—”
“Even if it costs me my life, I’ll protect you.”
Li Chen nodded sincerely. “Thank you, Master.”