82: Chapter 82 A cool and fiery intellectual older sister! Cosplaying Ayaka Kamisato…

Zhou Liangan smiled, his fingers gently pinching Chen Youya's cheek. His tone carried a hint of teasing, "Fellow Daoist Chen has already acknowledged our status as peers. You calling me Master Zhou is not undeserved."

Chen Youya's cheeks flushed even deeper. She gently bit her lips with her pearly teeth, cast a slightly resentful glance at Zhou Liangan with her beautiful eyes, and said in a soft, sweet voice tinged with coquetry, "If you keep teasing me like this~ I won't talk to you anymore~"

Chen Youya's tone carried a touch of charming artlessness that made Zhou Liangan's heart soften.

He lowered his head and gently pressed a kiss onto Chen Youya's forehead, "Do you mind if I visit your room?"

A faint blush instantly crept onto Chen Youya's face, making it look like a ripe apple.

Her heartbeat accelerated instantly, and she averted her gaze, not daring to look into Zhou Liangan's eyes. Yet, she still nodded gently, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum: "Hmm..."

After speaking, Chen Youya turned around and led Zhou Liangan into her room.

The room was decorated in a cozy style, with pink walls and pink bed sheets, exuding a youthful, maidenly aura everywhere.

The air was permeated with a faint scent of perfume, sweet yet not cloying.

A few books and an exquisite music box sat on the desk, while the floor was covered with a thick carpet that felt soft underfoot.

Zhou Liangan walked into the room and closed the door behind him. With a "click," the sound of the lock engaging was exceptionally clear in the quiet room.

Chen Youya's body trembled slightly. She turned around, looking at Zhou Liangan, her eyes filled with a hint of shyness.

Zhou Liangan walked toward Chen Youya step by step, his gaze deep, like a bottomless lake.

He reached out and wrapped his arms around Chen Youya's slender yet curvaceous waist, pulling her tightly into his embrace.

Chen Youya's cheek was pressed against Zhou Liangan's chest, and she could clearly hear his powerful heartbeat. The sound seemed to possess a certain magic, causing her own heart to race in tandem.

Chen Youya raised her head, her large, watery eyes gazing at Zhou Liangan, her lips slightly pouted.

Zhou Liangan lowered his head, his gaze falling on Chen Youya's soft lips, his Adam's apple rolling slightly.

He did not hesitate and lowered his head.

Chen Youya's body instantly went limp, and her arms wrapped tightly around Zhou Liangan's neck...

The passage of the underground base was deep and long, its cold metal walls gleaming with a blue-grey light.

The woman in the qipao walked in high heels, her footsteps echoing crisply through the empty corridor as she made her way toward the Cultivation room deep within the base.

She pushed open the heavy alloy door, and the hinges groaned with a low "creak."

The woman walked into the room, her beautiful eyes sweeping casually over the young man meditating not far away. Her gaze held a hint of inquiry and an imperceptible touch of concern.

The Cultivation room was small. In the center lay a pitch-black jade meditation cushion, and several night-luminescent pearls were embedded around the room, casting a soft, flickering glow that illuminated the space. Spiritual Qi flowed slowly within this radiance, forming a pale white mist visible to the naked eye.

Liang Zichen suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing through his pitch-black pupils before quickly fading away.

He looked at the woman in the qipao, his expression as indifferent as a frozen lake, devoid of any ripples. His thin lips parted slightly, and he spoke in a low, calm voice, "That person has already arrived in the provincial capital, hasn't he?"

The woman in the qipao walked over to the stone table and sat down. She picked up a celadon teacup and slowly poured a cup of warm water, her movements elegant and composed.

She nodded slightly, lifted her gaze to Liang Zichen, and said, "That's correct; he is currently at the Chen Family. He has been acting very low-key since arriving in the provincial capital, and he is most likely here for you."

Liang Zichen slowly raised his head, looking straight at the woman in front of him.

In the light, the woman's profile was soft, and her long eyelashes, like two small fans, trembled gently.

A flicker of heat unconsciously crossed his gaze—a long-suppressed emotion that, like a spark in the dark of night, was fleeting.

He quickly concealed the anomaly in his eyes and said in a firm tone, "The grievances from those years have dragged on for too long; it is time to settle them."

The woman in the qipao's hand, which held the teacup, paused. Her beautiful eyes swept casually over Liang Zichen. "He is already a master at the third stage of the Meridian Opening Realm, with deep Internal Energy and combat-honed Moves. You, however, are only at the second stage of the Spirit Guiding Realm. The two of you are separated by more than one major Realm. If you try to fight him head-on, it will be very difficult for you to kill him, and you might even end up throwing your own life away."

Liang Zichen frowned slightly upon hearing this. He raised his head and looked steadily at the woman in the qipao, a clear look of anger surfacing in his eyes. "The superiors ordered me to come to the provincial capital this time specifically to use my Luck to slay him and clear the path for the organization. I have no way out."

The woman in the qipao chuckled, her laughter as crisp as wind chimes. "Well said. Although that superior has been secretly helping you refine your Luck and increase your Cultivation speed, if you fail this time, not only will you be unable to exact your revenge, but there will be no way to report back to the organization. That superior's patience is not infinite."

"I understand." Liang Zichen's voice carried a hint of gritted teeth, and he clenched his fists tighter. "I will take responsibility for my own affairs; you don't need to worry about me."

The woman in the qipao swept her beautiful eyes over Liang Zichen once more. Seeing the determination in his eyes, she ultimately said nothing more.

"I hope so. However, to avoid any complications, you should stay within the base and Cultivate properly for now; try not to go out. As for the Chen Family, I will send people to keep watch, and I will notify you immediately if there is any movement."

With that, the woman in the qipao set down her teacup, rose, and walked slowly toward the door.

The sound of her high heels gradually faded into the distance, and the alloy door closed slowly behind her.

Liang Zichen closed his eyes and resumed his meditation and practice.

A faint white halo emerged around him as Spiritual Qi surged into his body like a tide, flowing slowly along his Meridians.

He knew that time was pressing; only by increasing his strength as quickly as possible would he have a glimmer of hope for survival.

Various past grievances flashed through his mind, the painful memories stinging his heart like needles, which only served to make his resolve to Cultivate even firmer.

The next morning.

The sky over the provincial capital turned a pale, fish-belly white as golden sunlight pierced through the mist.

Zhou Liangan left the Chen Family manor and drove back to the Su Family villa.

The car drove steadily through the gates of the Su Family villa, passed through the lush courtyard, and came to a stop in front of the villa entrance.

To Zhou Liangan's surprise, as soon as he walked into the villa's living room, he saw Su Wanyun and Su Yixue.

The Su Yixue of today no longer possessed the arrogance and ostentation she had displayed when they first met.

She was dressed in simple, elegant loungewear, kneeling on the living room carpet as she carefully massaged the legs of Su Wanyun, who was seated on the sofa. Her movements were gentle, and her submissive demeanor was a complete contrast to the haughty, cold female CEO she had been in the past.

Su Wanyun raised her head and spoke, "Finally decided to come back?"

Zhou Liangan chuckled, "I didn't expect Mom to have come to the provincial capital from Jiangcheng; otherwise, I definitely would have returned last night."

Su Wanyun's beautiful eyes swept casually over Zhou Liangan before she said nonchalantly, "You, you're still too young. Don't let yourself be deceived by the sugar-coated bullets from the Chen Family."

Zhou Liangan paused, raised his head, and looked at Su Wanyun seriously. "Mom, do you know something?" He knew Su Wanyun was meticulous, so if she said that, she must have sensed that something was amiss.

Su Wanyun shook her head gently, her fingertips tracing the armrest of the sofa. Her tone carried a hint of gravity. "Although I haven't uncovered any substantive issues, I know the people of the Chen Family. They never do anything without profit in mind; they are obsessed with climbing higher, and their ambitions are not small. Even if they are submitting to you now, they will never be willing to become your vassals. On the contrary, that old fox Chen Changfeng has even sent out his most precious granddaughter, Chen Youya, placing such a heavy bet on you. I always feel there is a major issue here, so you must not lower your guard."

Zhou Liangan coughed slightly and did not explain.

He knew clearly in his heart that Su Wanyun said this because she was already aware that he had stayed at Chen Youya's place last night.

After all, the Su Family was a prominent Family in the provincial capital; it wouldn't be difficult for them to gather such information.

Su Wanyun looked at Zhou Liangan with complex emotions in her beautiful eyes, her gaze filled with a mother's concern for her son. "I know that at your age, it's normal to like beautiful women. Chen Youya is indeed outstanding—she is beautiful and has a gentle temperament. But you must be careful; you can never know what's in another person's heart. Just because you've slept with her doesn't mean you can let your guard down completely. The waters in the Chen Family run deep, and Chen Youya grew up in that kind of environment; her mind may not be as simple as it appears on the surface."

Zhou Liangan smiled and nodded, his tone sincere. "Mom is right. I will definitely be careful and won't trust others so easily."

Su Wanyun nodded slightly, her expression softening a little. "It's good that you know what you're doing. People's hearts are too complex nowadays, especially in the circles of Ancient Martial Artist families and the business world, where deceit is commonplace. Many families have been able to pass down their legacy for hundreds of years precisely because they know how to hedge their bets and never put all their eggs in one basket. You must keep your eyes open and be careful not to end up being sold by someone and still helping them count the money."

"Don't worry, Mom. I understand the stakes and won't let myself suffer." Zhou Liangan nodded again, his tone firm.

Su Wanyun looked at Zhou Liangan earnestly, her tone shifting. "By the way, that mysterious organization you asked me to keep an eye on has indeed been making some minor Moves recently. Fortunately, you warned me in time, and we prepared sufficient funds in advance. When they were shorting the stock market, we took the opportunity to counter-operate and ended up making a significant profit."

Zhou Liangan smiled, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. "How much did we make this time?"

Su Wanyun's beautiful eyes swept over Zhou Liangan, seeing through his thoughts instantly. She couldn't help but chuckle. "We just made nine figures! Logically speaking, since you provided such important information, it's equivalent to a great contribution, and you certainly deserve a good reward."

Upon hearing this, a look of joy instantly appeared on Zhou Liangan's face. His eyes lit up, and he looked at Su Wanyun with anticipation, waiting for what she would say next.

A nine-figure bonus was no small sum; it was enough for him to splurge for quite a while.

Watching Zhou Liangan's money-grubbing expression, Su Wanyun couldn't help but burst into laughter, her smile bright and enchanting, like the warm sun in spring. "However, Mom has decided to save this money for you to use when you get married. If a young man has too much money, it's easy for him to go astray."

The smile on Zhou Liangan's face froze instantly, and he looked at Su Wanyun, speechless.

Sure enough, the universal tactic of parents around the world—no matter how old the child is or how much money they have earned—always ends up with the topic of "saving it for you to get married."

He sighed helplessly.

Su Wanyun watched Zhou Liangan's deflated expression and couldn't help but laugh again, her mood seemingly much improved. "I'm just teasing you. Look at you, so easily disheartened. I've already transferred twenty million in pocket money to your card; that should last you a while. However, with your current status and strength, you probably don't lack money anymore, right? I've heard that the hiring price for Ancient Martial Artist experts is quite high. Someone like you, a powerhouse in the Tongmai Realm, could easily earn quite a bit of money just by making a Move once."

Zhou Liangan chuckled, a cunning look appearing on his face. "Mom, you're wrong there. My biggest wish right now is to be a rich second-generation heir who just loafs around, eating, drinking, and having fun every day, living carefree. Working to earn money? Not possible. I'll never work in this lifetime!"

Su Wanyun looked at Zhou Liangan speechlessly and shook her head, though her eyes held a hint of doting affection. "You, you really never grow up. But that's fine. As long as you are safe and happy, that's better than anything else."

Zhou Liangan thought for a moment, then looked at Su Wanyun seriously, his tone solemn. "By the way, Mom. Do you want to Cultivate?"

Su Wanyun looked at Zhou Liangan with her beautiful eyes, a hint of playful reproach in her gaze. "Mom thought you had forgotten about me! You've become an Ancient Martial Artist expert, capable of summoning wind and rain, yet you threw your mother to the back of your mind. Only now do you think to ask if I want to Cultivate."

Zhou Liangan chuckled and scratched his head, saying somewhat embarrassedly, "Mom, I could never forget you, no matter who I forget! I have a Cultivation Technique here; its grade is very high, and it should be quite suitable for you. However, to become an Ancient Martial Artist, one must first sense the Spiritual Qi. Nowadays, the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi is too thin. Even with a top-tier Cultivation Technique, successfully sensing the existence of Spiritual Qi is a very difficult task. Many people can't do it in their entire lives."

Hearing this, Su Wanyun fixed her gaze on Zhou Liangan, her eyes filled with anticipation and urgency. "Don't tell me you have no way to help me?"

Although Su Wanyun was an ordinary person, she knew what becoming an Ancient Martial Artist meant. Not only could one possess powerful strength, but one could also retain eternal youth and live forever. For any woman, this was an irresistible temptation.

Zhou Liangan smiled, his tone confident. "There is a way, and only I can do it. I will use silver needles to inject my own Spiritual Qi, stimulating your Acupoints to facilitate the entry of Spiritual Qi into your body. This way, Mom, you can skip the step of sensing Spiritual Qi and directly begin practicing the Cultivation Technique."

Su Wanyun's face lit up with surprise, and she nodded quickly. "Okay! Then what do I need to do?"

"Just sit properly, relax your body, and don't be nervous," Zhou Liangan said.

After speaking, with a thought, Zhou Liangan took out an exquisite wooden box from his personal space and walked down.

The wooden box opened to reveal dozens of silver needles neatly arranged inside. The needles were long and thin, emitting a faint silver light; one look was enough to tell they were no ordinary items.

These were all treasures collected by the Ancestor of the Yu Family. Their value was naturally extraordinary.

Zhou Liangan handed a primitive, thread-bound book to Su Wanyun. "Mom, this is the Cultivation Technique I've prepared for you, named the Ice Phoenix Technique. It is a genuine Saint-tier Cultivation Technique with an extremely high grade. Once you Cultivate it to the Major Achievement Realm, your strength will definitely not be underestimated."

Su Wanyun took the Cultivation Technique and carefully opened it. She saw dense ancient characters written on the pages, along with some complex diagrams of Meridian flow.

Although she couldn't understand it, she could feel the extraordinary nature of this Cultivation Technique. The paper had already yellowed, exuding an ancient aura.

Zhou Liangan had Su Wanyun sit on the sofa and adjust her posture. Then, he took out a silver needle, with faint white Spiritual Qi swirling around his fingertips, carefully wrapping around the tip of the silver needle.

Referring to the Acupoint map required for the first level of the Ice Phoenix Technique, Zhou Liangan began to gently insert the silver needle into Su Wanyun's Acupoints bit by bit, while slowly injecting his own Spiritual Qi into her body through the silver needle.

Su Wanyun only felt a cool stream of air surging into her body along the silver needle, flowing slowly along her Meridians. Wherever it passed, her previously somewhat stiff body became incredibly comfortable, as if every cell was cheering.

She could clearly feel a strange power slowly condensing within her body; that was Spiritual Qi!

This feeling was very wonderful, making Su Wanyun unable to help but close her eyes and immerse herself in it.

While using the silver needle to activate her Acupoints, Zhou Liangan patiently explained the cultivation methods of the Ice Phoenix Technique to Su Wanyun, including the movement routes of Spiritual Qi, the rhythm of breathing, the chants of the Mind-Cultivation Technique, and so on. Every detail was explained very thoroughly.

His expression was focused and serious, fine beads of sweat gradually seeping out on his forehead, and his complexion also became somewhat pale.

Su Yixue knelt to the side, watching all this silently, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

She looked at Zhou Liangan's focused profile, and at the expression of enjoyment on Su Wanyun's face, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

She regretted it, truly regretted it. If she hadn't been so arrogant back then, hadn't looked down on Zhou Liangan, but instead chose to get along with him properly, would she now be able to be like Su Wanyun, gaining Zhou Liangan's favor and obtaining the opportunity to Cultivate?

But in this world, there is no medicine for regret.

Time passed bit by bit. The sky outside gradually darkened, then slowly brightened again.

Until the sky was bright and the first ray of sunlight shone through the floor-to-ceiling window onto Zhou Liangan, he let out a long sigh of relief and put away the last silver needle.

Su Wanyun slowly opened her eyes, a flash of brilliance in her beautiful eyes. A faint chill emanated from her body, yet it carried a noble and holy aura.

She could clearly feel the abundant Spiritual Qi flowing smoothly in her Meridians. Her body was full of strength, her skin had become tighter and smoother, and she looked several years younger, radiant and charming.

"I did it! I really became a Martial Artist of the first stage of the Bone Forging Realm!" Su Wanyun's face revealed an excited smile, her tone filled with unbelievable joy.

Su Wanyun could clearly feel the changes in her own body; this feeling was truly wonderful.

With a thought, Zhou Liangan took out a black ring with an ancient style from the System space and handed it to Su Wanyun. "Mom, this is a Storage Ring. Inside are many Heaven And Earth Treasure suitable for your current cultivation, as well as some Medicinal Pill and weapons. Take it and use it."

Su Wanyun gave Zhou Liangan a meaningful look, took the Storage Ring, and whether intentionally or unintentionally, deliberately wore the ring on the ring finger of her left hand.

Following the method Zhou Liangan taught her, Su Wanyun circulated the Spiritual Qi just condensed within her body and slowly injected it into the Storage Ring.

The next second, Su Wanyun's beautiful eyes widened, and a look of shock appeared on her face.

Su Wanyun could clearly feel the space inside the Storage Ring. It was a huge space of about a hundred cubic meters, inside which various things were neatly stacked: herbs exuding thick Spiritual Qi, weapons flashing with cold light, and some crystal-clear Medicinal Pill, making her dazzled.

"This… this is too magical!" Su Wanyun couldn't help but exclaim. She felt as if she had opened the door to a new world, filled with infinite curiosity and longing for the world of Ancient Martial Artist.

Su Wanyun looked up, her beautiful eyes looking at Zhou Liangan resentfully, with a hint of reproach. "You heartless little thing, becoming an Ancient Martial Artist has such great benefits, yet you didn't know to turn your mother into an Ancient Martial Artist sooner."

Zhou Liangan looked helpless. Looking at the radiant Su Wanyun, he sighed: "Mom, do you know how much effort it took for me to activate your Acupoints earlier? Now, looking at the entire Ancient Martial Artist world, besides me, a Tongmai Realm, I am afraid that only the top powerhouses of the Huagang Realm can do this, and they might not even be willing to do so."

Su Wanyun blinked, her beautiful eyes looking at Zhou Liangan tenderly, her tone soft. "Alright! Mom understands. My son has grown capable now, becoming more and more powerful, is that what you mean?"

Zhou Liangan chuckled, a proud look on his face. "Mom is right. Now your son is very popular!"

After Zhou Liangan said this, he didn't know if it was an illusion, but he suddenly noticed a trace of resentment flash in Su Wanyun's beautiful eyes, though it was fleeting.

Zhou Liangan exhaled a breath of turbid air, feeling a wave of exhaustion in his body. "I have to go back to meditate and adjust my breath."

Su Wanyun nodded slightly, her eyes filled with concern. "Okay, go ahead. Rest well, I won't disturb you."

Zhou Liangan turned and walked towards his room upstairs, his steps a bit unsteady.

Su Wanyun watched Zhou Liangan's back with her beautiful eyes, a complex look revealing itself in her gaze—there was relief, gratitude, and a hint of something indescribable…

Not far away, Su Yixue stared blankly at Zhou Liangan's back with her beautiful eyes, a thick sense of regret flashing in her gaze.

Su Wanyun swept a cold glance at Su Yixue, her tone icy and filled with a hint of mockery. "Regret it?"

Su Yixue's eyes were slightly red as she nodded gently, tears swirling in her eyes, her voice choked with sobs. "I… I know I was wrong before. I shouldn't have treated the Young Master like that."

Su Wanyun sneered, her tone filled with a hint of disdain. "There is no medicine for regret sold in this world. You were the one who looked down on him before. Now that he has risen to success, you want to get close to him again? How can there be such a good thing?"

Su Yixue raised her head and looked at Su Wanyun, her eyes filled with a hint of pleading. "I… can I pursue the Young Master? I truly want to make it up to him."

Su Yixue knew this might be her last chance. If she missed it, she would only be an ordinary person for the rest of her life, forever unable to reach that wonderful world where Zhou Liangan was.

Su Wanyun gave her a faint look, her tone indifferent. "Do as you see fit. What kind of status does Zhou Liangan have now? It's not something you can pursue just because you want to. Whether you succeed or not depends entirely on your own ability and fortune. I will not help you, nor will I stop you."

After saying this, Su Wanyun turned and walked towards the room on the second floor, preparing to study the Ice Phoenix Technique properly.

Zhou Liangan had just returned to his room when he collapsed onto the soft big bed.

After all, he was in his own home, so he naturally wouldn't lock the door.

He was exhausted all over now and just wanted to rest well to recover his strength as soon as possible.

Just at this moment, with a soft "creak," the door was gently pushed open.

A hot and tall figure walked in cautiously, her footsteps very light, for fear of disturbing Zhou Liangan.

The person who walked in was Su Yixue.

She was actually wearing a Kamizato Ayaka cosplay outfit, with a white main color scheme paired with light blue patterns. The skirt was layered, like a blooming flower.

The design of the clothes was extremely bold, outlining her hot and sexy figure. Her slender waist was so thin it could be held in one hand. Her long legs were faintly visible under the skirt. Her charming and beautiful face carried a hint of shyness and nervousness, but her eyes were full of anticipation…