81: Chapter 81: A stunningly beautiful woman in a gorgeous cheongsam! (Zhou Ye~)

Chen Youya sensed Zhou Liangan's gaze lingering on her. The curve of her lips arched perfectly, her eyes rippling with a tenderness like spring water, and her voice was so soft it could practically drip water. "I specifically changed into this outfit just for Young Master Zhou."

Hearing this, Zhou Liangan's Adam's apple bobbed slightly; he couldn't help but inwardly call her a temptress.

This woman was born to be seductive; every move she made carried just the right amount of charm—any more would be vulgar, any less would be bland.

Without a word, Zhou Liangan reached out and pulled her into an embrace.

The sensation against his palm was delicate and warm, carrying the smoothness of velvet fabric along with the unique fragrance of a young maiden. Zhou Liangan chuckled, his tone tinged with playfulness, "Young Miss Chen, your figure is truly exquisite."

Zhou Liangan's grip was firm yet gentle, conveying a sense of control. Chen Youya's body stiffened slightly before instantly softening.

Chen Youya could clearly feel the heat of the hand on her waist; it burned her as if she had been set aflame. A faint, rosy blush instantly bloomed across her delicate, jade-white cheeks, like smudged rouge.

Chen Youya raised her slender, jade-like fingers and gently tapped Zhou Liangan's chest, her voice filled with coquettish reproach, "Young Master Zhou~ You are truly wicked~"

Chen Youya's attempt to push him away felt like nothing more than a tickle.

Zhou Liangan felt his heart soften. He lowered his head, his warm breath brushing against Chen Youya's ear, carrying a faint scent of tobacco that wasn't overpowering, but instead held the charm of a mature man.

He pressed close to Chen Youya's ear, lowering his voice with a touch of seduction, "Then tell me, just how wicked am I?"

As his warm breath tickled her ear, Chen Youya's earlobes turned bright red. She turned her head, avoiding Zhou Liangan's gaze, though her eyes held a hidden smile and her lips curved into a sly arc. Her voice was soft and sweet, tinged with feigned annoyance, "You're hateful~"

While Chen Youya said he was hateful, her body was honest; not only did she not break free from Zhou Liangan's embrace, she instead snuggled into his arms like a docile kitten. She rested her head gently on his shoulder, her nose filled with his pleasant scent, her heart racing.

Feeling the softness of the girl in his arms, Zhou Liangan brushed his nose against the fragrance in Chen Youya's hair, the smile at the corner of his mouth deepening.

His fingertips gently stroked the side of her waist, and he asked in a casual tone, "Now, can you tell me the real reason you sought me out and invited me to visit the Chen Family?"

Chen Youya's body stiffened slightly before she raised her head. Her large, watery eyes blinked, her long lashes fluttering like two small fans as she gazed fixedly at Zhou Liangan.

Her eyes held a touch of innocence as she said in a soft, sweet voice, "It was Grandfather's idea. If I manage to invite Young Master Zhou to the Chen Family, I will receive a Profound-grade realm-breaking pill."

Chen Youya was certainly honest.

She naturally understood that when dealing with someone like Zhou Liangan, it was best not to lie; otherwise, she would very likely provoke his disgust.

A Profound-grade realm-breaking pill? Zhou Liangan raised an eyebrow; such a Medicinal Pill was quite precious.

After all, this Profound-grade realm-breaking pill could allow an Ancient Martial Artist in the Spirit Guiding Realm to break through a stage at will.

Of course, that excluded Heaven-Defying existences like Zhou Liangan.

Zhou Liangan smiled and gently flicked the tip of Chen Youya's nose, his tone teasing, "Your grandfather is truly generous."

Chen Youya chuckled, her beautiful eyes curving into crescent moons. She stood on her tiptoes, leaned close to Zhou Liangan's ear, and said with a hint of admiration, "Of course, but besides that, I also admire Young Master Zhou very much~"

Zhou Liangan knew full well that these words were only half-true.

This so-called admiration was not worth mentioning compared to a Breakthrough and her Family.

Zhou Liangan gazed steadily at Chen Youya, his eyes deep, "The news of my trip to the provincial city must be kept under wraps."

Seeing Zhou Liangan's serious expression, Chen Youya set aside her playful demeanor and nodded emphatically, her tone earnest, "Rest assured, Young Master Zhou. The Zhou Family member going to the provincial city this time is not you, but a member of a collateral branch. The official explanation is that Young Master Zhou is in closed-door Cultivation, so no one will suspect a thing."

Chen Youya was truly meticulous in her actions; she was indeed someone worth cultivating further.

Zhou Liangan nodded with satisfaction, his fingertips giving a gentle pinch to Chen Youya's waist, which made her tremble and shoot him a glare.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom drove smoothly along the highway, its black body sleek like a cheetah—low-key yet luxurious.

Chen Youya leaned against Zhou Liangan's shoulder, watching the scenery fly by outside the window, occasionally turning her head to secretly observe the man beside her.

Zhou Liangan leaned back in his seat, eyes closed in rest. His brows held a hint of languor, yet he radiated an aura of aloofness that kept others at a distance.

His profile was smooth, his jawline sharp and distinct, his nose high and straight, and his thin lips slightly pursed. Even in his relaxed posture, he exuded an imposing aura.

Chen Youya watched him, somewhat entranced, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. No wonder Grandfather said this man was no simple person; his very bearing was something ordinary people could not compare to.

Nearly two hours later, the car slowly exited the highway and finally came to a stop in front of a luxurious manor.

The manor spanned a vast area. Two majestic stone lions stood at the entrance, and the vermilion gate was carved with exquisite Dragon and Phoenix patterns. A plaque with gold characters on a black background hung above the lintel.

Once the car came to a complete stop, the driver respectfully opened the door.

Chen Youya stepped out first. She smoothed her skirt, her cheeks flushed—perhaps from the bumpy ride, or perhaps for some other reason...

Chen Youya's beautiful eyes held a hint of dreaminess as she turned around. "Young Master Zhou, please."

Zhou Liangan stepped out of the car, his arm naturally wrapping around her waist, and the two walked side by side into the Chen Family Manor.

The interior of the manor was a world of its own, featuring pavilions, pagodas, small bridges, flowing water, and lush, shaded trees. The air was filled with the faint fragrance of plants and trees, and a lingering sense of Spiritual Qi that was far denser than outside.

Clearly, a Spirit Gathering Array had been set up within the manor, and it was of a high grade.

Chen Youya linked her arm with Zhou Liangan's, and they walked through the garden until they reached a villa at the very center of the estate.

The villa was in a traditional Chinese style, with sweeping eaves, upturned corners, and carved beams and painted pillars, exuding an antique charm. Chen Youya stopped and gestured toward the villa's entrance, her voice soft, "This is Grandfather's villa."

Zhou Liangan nodded, his gaze sweeping over the villa's surroundings, a flash of vigilance in his eyes. There were several hidden auras around the villa—all of them were Martial Artists in the Meridian Opening Realm.

The two walked into the villa side by side. The entryway was covered with a thick carpet that felt soft underfoot.

The living room's decor was luxurious yet tasteful, featuring mahogany furniture, famous calligraphy and paintings on the walls, and antique vases in the corners—every detail exuded the heritage of a wealthy Family.

On the sofa in the center of the living room sat an elderly man with graying hair. He was dressed in a Tang suit, appeared vigorous and spirited, and had eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

It was none other than the head of the Chen Family, Chen Changfeng.

Upon seeing Zhou Liangan walk in, Chen Changfeng immediately stood up, his Face beaming with a smile. He stepped forward quickly to greet him and reached out his hand enthusiastically, "Young Master Zhou, we meet again."

Zhou Liangan chuckled, his gaze sweeping casually over Chen Changfeng. "Indeed. Back at the Nangong Family ruins, Fellow Daoist Chen's peerless bearing left an impression I still find hard to forget."

The words sounded like praise, but in reality, they were tinged with mockery.

Back at the Nangong Family ruins, Chen Changfeng had been eyeing his Legacy more than once. If not for the Eastern Heavenly King stepping in to deter him, Chen Changfeng would likely have made a move against him.

Zhou Liangan's gaze was sharp; with one glance, he discerned Chen Changfeng's current cultivation level.

It was merely the first stage of the Meridian Opening Realm.

His own cultivation, however, had already reached the third stage of the Meridian Opening Realm—a full two minor Realms higher than Chen Changfeng.

In the world of Ancient Martial Artists, the Realm is paramount. A difference of one minor Realm is like the difference between heaven and earth, let alone two.

Especially for a powerhouse like Zhou Liangan who could fight across ranks, dealing with someone of a lower Realm was as easy as flipping his hand.

Chen Changfeng's expression stiffened slightly, and his outstretched hand froze in mid-air. However, being an old fox, he quickly recovered his smile, withdrew his hand as if nothing had happened, and stroked his beard.

His tone carried a hint of self-deprecation, "Young Master Zhou's progress is rapid; truly, the younger generation is to be feared. How could an old man like me, with one foot already in the grave, dare to speak of 'bearing' in front of you?"

Zhou Liangan couldn't be bothered with empty pleasantries. His gaze swept idly across the living room as he said in an indifferent tone, "Fellow Daoist Chen, let's skip the pleasantries. I only came here today for Youya's sake."

The expression on Chen Changfeng's Face instantly became complex—a mixture of awkwardness, helplessness, and calculation.

He glanced at Chen Youya, signaling her with his eyes to withdraw.

Chen Youya was sensible; she knew her grandfather and Zhou Liangan had serious business to discuss, and it wouldn't be appropriate for her to remain.

Chen Youya lowered her head, her voice filled with respect and a hint of imperceptible shyness, "Young Master Zhou... Master Zhou... you are too kind."

Chen Youya had voluntarily lowered her status, changing her address from "Young Master Zhou" to "Master Zhou"; this was naturally to save her grandfather's Face.

Hearing Chen Youya address him this way, Chen Changfeng's expression finally softened slightly.

With a thought, he took a white jade porcelain bottle from the storage ring on his finger. The bottle was small and exquisite, white as snow, and exuded a warm luster.

He handed the porcelain bottle to Chen Youya and said in a kind tone, "Youya, go on and Cultivate in peace."

This was the Profound-grade realm-breaking pill. Chen Youya's eyes lit up. She carefully took the porcelain bottle as if she were holding a rare treasure, nodded respectfully, and turned to tiptoe out of the room.

Only Zhou Liangan and Chen Changfeng remained in the living room.

Chen Changfeng then made a gesture of invitation, pointing to a chair nearby, "Young Master Zhou, please sit."

Zhou Liangan didn't stand on ceremony; he walked straight to the chair, sat down, crossed his legs, and assumed a languid posture.

Chen Changfeng sat opposite him and personally poured Zhou Liangan a cup of tea before speaking, his tone carrying a note of seriousness, "I invited you here this time to offer you a great Opportunity, Young Master Zhou."

A great Opportunity? Zhou Liangan picked up the teacup and took a gentle sip; the tea was fragrant and mellow—it was top-quality Longjing.

He certainly wouldn't believe this old ghost's empty pleasantries. If there were really some great Opportunity, this old ghost would likely be the first to rush for it, and it wouldn't be his turn.

He set down the teacup and looked at Chen Changfeng with a faint, inscrutable smile, his tone casual, "Oh? And what exactly is this great Opportunity that Fellow Daoist Chen speaks of?"

[part:gemini-3.5-flash]

Chen Changfeng did not beat around the bush. He leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice, speaking with a hint of mystery. "Right now, people from all walks of life are gathering in the provincial capital because the revival of Spiritual Qi is imminent, and some ancient ruins have already begun to gradually awaken. It is said that this particular ruin is the Immortal Cave of a Marquis."

"A Marquis?"

Zhou Liangan's pupils contracted slightly, and a storm of shock surged in his heart.

In the Era of the Human Emperor, there were Nine Kings, Thirty-Six Marquises, and Seventy-Two Generals. Each of them was a powerhouse who shook their respective regions, and their strength was unfathomable.

The treasures inside the Immortal Cave of a Marquis could easily be imagined.

The plot of the original novel flashed rapidly through Zhou Liangan's mind.

The original protagonist, Liang Zichen, was only at the Peak of the Bone Forging Realm at this point in time. He was not qualified to even hear about the ruins, so he had no idea this place existed.

However, back then, after Liang Zichen met Chen Youya, Chen Changfeng had actually gifted him a mysterious remnant page.

When Liang Zichen first received the remnant page, he naturally did not know its purpose. It was only later on that he discovered it was actually a part of the ancient Human Emperor Scripture.

After the ancient Human Emperor attained the Dao, he used the Human Emperor Scripture to confer titles upon the Nine Kings, Thirty-Six Marquises, and Seventy-Two Generals. The Human Emperor Scripture was not only a supreme cultivation manual but also a symbol of the Human Emperor's orthodoxy.

This book of conferral represented orthodoxy. Within a certain range, it could mobilize a portion of the Qi of Humanity, possessing boundless power.

Once Liang Zichen learned it was the Human Emperor Scripture, he began to secretly collect the remnant pages. Eventually, he gathered the complete Human Emperor Scripture, became the new Human Emperor, and unified the Ancient Martial World.

At this thought, a sharp glint appeared in Zhou Liangan's eyes, and a look of absolute determination flashed deep within them.

He had to obtain this remnant page at all costs!

Seeing that Zhou Liangan had fallen into deep thought with a flickering gaze, Chen Changfeng did not disturb him. He simply watched him with a smile, as if waiting for something.

Only when Zhou Liangan snapped back to reality, the sharp glint in his eyes fading into calm, did Chen Changfeng speak again, his tone carrying a hint of probing. "Young Master Zhou, did you think of something?"

Zhou Liangan chuckled softly, picked up his teacup, took another sip, and casually swept his gaze over Chen Changfeng. He replied unhurriedly, "I just thought of some trivial matters, that's all."

Of course he would not reveal what he knew; the more one speaks, the more mistakes one makes.

Chen Changfeng did not pry further. He knew that Zhou Liangan was deep and calculating, and would not easily reveal his inner thoughts.

He looked at Zhou Liangan seriously, his tone carrying a touch of sincerity. "This Secret Realm has attracted a lot of attention. Those who can enter are all powerhouses of the Tongmai Realm. I have also contacted a few old friends to form a small team. I wonder if Young Master Zhou would be interested in entering the ruins to explore with us?"

Zhou Liangan looked up at Chen Changfeng, a trace of mockery flashing in his eyes.

Form a team?

This old ghost is probably just looking for a hired thug.

Zhou Liangan set down his teacup and said flatly, yet hitting the nail on the head, "Fellow Daoist Chen, there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Surely, you have your conditions."

The smile on Chen Changfeng's Face stiffened for a moment before he laughed again.

He nodded and said candidly, "The ruins are fraught with danger, filled with traps and mechanisms, as well as powerful guardian beasts. I only hope that if I encounter a crisis, Young Master Zhou can lend a hand to save my life. As for the treasures obtained within the ruins, that will depend on luck and ability. Treasures belong to those who are capable; I will never force anything."

Those were indeed beautiful words.

Zhou Liangan looked at Chen Changfeng intently, trying to spot a flaw on his Face, but he found that the old fox's acting was absolutely flawless, and his expression was incredibly sincere.

He pondered for a moment, rapidly calculating in his mind.

Teaming up with Chen Changfeng had its pros and cons. The benefit was that he could leverage the Chen Family's influence to avoid unnecessary trouble.

The drawback was that Chen Changfeng was deep and scheming; there was no telling when he might stab him in the back.

However, his current cultivation was at the third stage of the Meridian Opening Realm. Even if Chen Changfeng played any tricks, he was confident he could handle it.

At this thought, Zhou Liangan smiled and said readily, "Since Fellow Daoist Chen is so sincere, I naturally have no reason to refuse."

"Excellent!" Chen Changfeng slapped his thigh, a gratified smile appearing on his Face. "In one week, the ruins will open. At that time, Young Master Zhou can come find me here, and we will head out to explore the ruins together."

Zhou Liangan pondered for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly as he raised his concern. "Although the revival of Spiritual Qi is imminent, it has not fully recovered yet, and the Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth is still thin. If we go to explore the ancient ruins, won't there be any complications?"

Most ancient ruins had unstable spaces. If the Spiritual Qi was insufficient and one forced their way in, they could easily be torn apart by spatial turbulence, leaving no corpse behind.

This was no laughing matter.

Chen Changfeng burst into laughter, as if he had long expected this question. He waved his hand and said confidently, "Young Master Zhou, you worry too much. This ruin is actually located at a Spiritual Qi node. The Spiritual Qi inside is more than ten times denser than outside, and the space is extremely stable. There won't be any issues when we enter."

"A Spiritual Qi node?"

Zhou Liangan's eyes lit up. This was an unexpected pleasant surprise.

A Spiritual Qi node was a sacred ground for cultivation. If he could Cultivate inside for a while, it would be of great benefit to his progress.

Zhou Liangan nodded, putting his doubts to rest, and said with a touch of gratitude, "Then thank you, Fellow Daoist Chen."

"There's no need to be so polite, Young Master Zhou," Chen Changfeng said with a smile, pouring another cup of tea for Zhou Liangan.

Afterward, the two chatted casually for a bit longer, mostly about some trivial matters in the Ancient Martial World. Zhou Liangan responded half-heartedly, his mind having already drifted far away, filled only with thoughts of the remnant page of the Human Emperor Scripture.

After chatting for about half an hour, Zhou Liangan felt it was time and stood up to take his leave. "Fellow Daoist Chen, it's getting late. I shall take my leave now."

"Alright, let me see you out, Young Master Zhou." Chen Changfeng also stood up and said warmly.

Zhou Liangan waved his hand. "No need. Please, stay, Fellow Daoist Chen."

With that, Zhou Liangan turned and left, without the slightest hesitation.

Once Zhou Liangan's figure disappeared from the villa's entrance, the smile on Chen Changfeng's Face vanished instantly. A strange look flashed in his eyes, carrying a trace of sinister coldness and calculation.

He stood in place, silent for a moment, before turning and walking up to the second floor.

In the study on the second floor, a woman dressed in a purple qipao was sitting on a grand armchair by the window, playing with a blue-and-white porcelain teacup in her hand.

The sunlight spilled through the window onto her, outlining her hot figure. The high slit of the qipao revealed two long, snowy-white legs, and the black high heels on her feet made her posture appear even more slender and tall.

She was stunningly beautiful, with delicate facial features that looked as if they were drawn. Her peach blossom eyes curved slightly upward, exuding a touch of coquettish charm, yet they also carried an icy coldness that warned others to keep their distance.

Hearing the footsteps, the woman raised her head, her gaze landing on Chen Changfeng. Her voice was cold and carried a hint of laziness. "This man is very strong."

Chen Changfeng looked up at the woman before him, his eyes showing a trace of respect, and even a hint of fear.

He bowed in salutation and said humbly, "Then, do you think he is the one we are looking for?"

The woman picked up her teacup, took a gentle sip, and looked out the window, her deep gaze suggesting she was lost in thought.

After pondering for a moment, she nodded slightly and said with certainty, "Most likely."

A calm smile appeared on Chen Changfeng's Face, his tone carrying a touch of pride. "As long as we haven't found the wrong person, then all is well."

The woman set down her teacup, her gaze landing on Chen Changfeng, sharp as a knife. "Everything I instructed you to do before, you have done it all, right?"

Chen Changfeng smiled, his expression carrying a hint of fawning. "Rest assured. The trap has been set; we are just waiting for him to take the bait."

The woman nodded in satisfaction. With a gentle wave of her fair hand, a flash of white light occurred, and a small white jade porcelain bottle floated into Chen Changfeng's hand.

Once Chen Changfeng received the small white jade porcelain bottle, his eyes went wide. He hurriedly opened the stopper, and a rich medicinal fragrance assailed his nostrils.

Without hesitation, he drank the liquid inside the bottle in one gulp. A look of sheer enjoyment appeared on his Face, and he even narrowed his eyes in comfort.

After finishing it, he licked his lips, still wanting more. He felt a warm stream of air flowing through his body, causing all the pores on his body to open up in relaxation.

The woman swept a contemptuous gaze over Chen Changfeng's pathetic display, her lips curling into a disdainful arc, but she did not say anything more.

She stood up, moving with graceful steps, her skirt swaying and carrying a fragrant breeze as she strolled away, leaving behind only an enchanting silhouette.

Looking at the woman's retreating figure, a flash of greed appeared in Chen Changfeng's eyes, but it was quickly reined in, replaced by deep dread.

After leaving Chen Changfeng's villa, Zhou Liangan did not immediately depart from the Chen Family Manor. Instead, he walked straight toward Chen Youya's villa.

He was half-skeptical of the old fox Chen Changfeng's words, so he needed to extract some information from Chen Youya.

Chen Youya's villa was located on the western side of the manor. It was an exquisite small Western-style building with pinkish-white outer walls and a red roof, looking like a castle from a fairy tale.

Before Zhou Liangan could even knock on the door, it opened.

Chen Youya was standing at the doorway, wearing a set of pink pajamas, her hair draped loosely, and her Face still flushed from a fresh bath. Seeing Zhou Liangan, a trace of resentment floated in her beautiful eyes, and she said with a hint of grievance, "Lord Zhou has arrived!"

Zhou Liangan could naturally hear the slight resentment in Chen Youya's words.

Zhou Liangan stepped forward and, without a word, pulled Chen Youya's slender yet voluptuous, graceful waist into his arms. He said with a soothing tone, "How is it? The Profound-grade realm-breaking pill your grandfather got for you isn't bad, is it?"

Chen Youya's body stiffened slightly before softening. She raised her head and gave Zhou Liangan a coquettish glare, her eyes full of seductive charm and a hint of playfulness. "You're terrible~"

Although Chen Youya said she hated it, her hands actively wrapped around Zhou Liangan's neck, and her body pressed tightly against his chest...