41: Deceiving Lingyanyun

Yang Lingchen stood rooted to the spot, motionless, his eyes fixed unwaveringly in the direction where Feng Xueqing had vanished.

At this moment, it was as if his Soul had been drained away; he had no desire to speak.

For the first time in his life, he felt so profoundly small and powerless. A single glance from the other party had been almost unbearable.

This incident would have an extremely profound impact on Yang Lingchen and also established a goal for his life: to find Feng Xueqing and bring her back, for this was a solemn promise a man made to the woman he loved.

"Chener, are you alright?"

At some unknown time, the graceful figure of Dongfang Yunbing had quietly appeared at the Green Cloud Pavilion.

Just moments ago, the sky had suddenly torn open, revealing two terrifying figures that struck fear into the heart. The overwhelming pressure that followed had almost suffocated her.

Although Dongfang Yunbing had been immobilized by that terrifying pressure, she had witnessed with her own eyes those two horrifying figures descending upon the Green Cloud Pavilion.

At that time, she was extremely worried about Yang Lingchen. So, the moment the pressure dissipated, she rushed to the Green Cloud Pavilion without hesitation.

"Revered Master, Xueqing is gone."

Yang Lingchen's voice was hoarse, each word seemingly laden with endless pain and sorrow.

"Feng Xueqing? Where did she go?"

Dongfang Yunbing was aware that Feng Xueqing had been staying at the Green Cloud Pavilion, and it had once made her quite furious.

However, her mood had eased slightly upon discovering that Feng Xueqing was still a virgin.

"That bone-chilling pressure just now was released by the people who came to take her away."

Yang Lingchen's voice was low and suppressed, as if filled with a deep sense of powerlessness.

"No wonder."

At this moment, Dongfang Yunbing finally understood why Feng Xueqing had been able to beat Dongfang Jie to a pulp so easily.

"Do you love her very much?"

Dongfang Yunbing's voice was as calm as a lake without ripples.

"Yes." Yang Lingchen nodded vigorously, his gaze filled with determination and resolve.

"Then pull yourself together! As long as you persistently Cultivate and work hard, you will be able to find her one day."

Dongfang Yunbing's voice was gentle and mild, carrying encouragement and expectation.

"Thank you, Revered Master. This Disciple will definitely pull myself together," Yang Lingchen said firmly.

"In two months, it will be the Sect Grand Competition of the Northern Profound Region. It's a stage for the younger generation of the entire Northern Profound Region to showcase their talents. This Palace Revered Master hopes you can represent the Heavenly Origin Palace and achieve an outstanding ranking in the competition," Dongfang Yunbing stated solemnly.

"Revered Master, rest assured. This Disciple will spare no effort."

"You need to adjust your mindset and focus on Cultivating. In this world, only the strong have the right to set the rules, while the weak can only be forced to obey them."

After speaking, Dongfang Yunbing turned and left, her figure gradually disappearing from Yang Lingchen's sight.

"Only the strong can set the rules."

A flash of unwavering determination suddenly appeared in Yang Lingchen's eyes.

"Revered Master is right. I must pull myself together. Only by becoming strong will I have the ability to find Xueqing again."

...

In the blink of an eye, a month had passed in a rush.

Throughout this entire month, Yang Lingchen had been in a state of frenzied Cultivation. During this time, his cultivation level successfully broke through to the second layer of the Void Seeking Realm.

During the day, Yang Lingchen diligently practiced various Martial Skills and secret techniques. At night, he would enhance his cultivation level within the haotian jade space.

After a month of arduous effort, Yang Lingchen finally began to gradually emerge from the shadow of Feng Xueqing's departure.

On this day, Ling Yanyun arrived at the Green Cloud Pavilion with light steps.

"Yang Lingchen, have you forgotten the promise you made to This Young Lady and tossed it to the winds?" Ling Yanyun's voice was as cold as frost, carrying a hint of chill.

"I forgot. So what? What can you do about it?"

Yang Lingchen shot an annoyed glance at Ling Yanyun.

His mood had been extremely low recently, and coupled with Ling Yanyun's icy tone, the anger in his heart instantly ignited, and he couldn't help but retort.

"Yang Lingchen, you... Today, This Young Lady is going to teach you a proper lesson!"

With a sharp cry, Ling Yanyun suddenly struck out with her jade-like palm towards Yang Lingchen.

"Ling Yanyun, have you gone mad?"

Yang Lingchen swiftly dodged to the side and, with lightning speed, grabbed and firmly seized her right hand.

Ling Yanyun was utterly shocked. Although she hadn't used her full strength in that palm strike, she was a powerhouse at the ninth layer of the Void Seeking Realm. How could she be so easily captured by this kid?

Without time for further thought, Ling Yanyun struck out with her left palm again, attacking Yang Lingchen.

At that moment, Yang Lingchen also executed an exquisite grappling technique, once again firmly seizing her left hand.

With both hands captured, Ling Yanyun exerted all her strength but still couldn't break free. Left with no choice, she raised her foot and viciously kicked towards Yang Lingchen's crotch.

Yang Lingchen hurriedly employed his newly Cultivated 'Turtling Technique,' instantly retracting his vital parts into his body while circulating his Profound Energy to form a protective barrier.

*Thud...*

"Ah... ah... ah..."

Yang Lingchen let out a series of heart-wrenching, miserable screams.

He then collapsed to the ground, rolling around and wailing incessantly, appearing to be in excruciating pain and utterly wretched.

"Yang... Lingchen... you... are you okay?"

Ling Yanyun was extremely nervous, her pretty face full of panic and helplessness, completely at a loss. She never expected Yang Lingchen wouldn't dodge her attack.

"What should I do? I didn't really cripple him, did I?!"

Ling Yanyun was now completely flustered, even starting to regret her impulsive action moments ago.

If she had been a bit more careful at this moment, she would have definitely noticed that Yang Lingchen was actually pretending.

After howling on the ground for a while, Yang Lingchen lay there, his eyes vacant and lifeless, looking utterly despondent and as if he had lost the will to live.

"Yang Lingchen, are you okay?" Ling Yanyun asked anxiously again.

"Ling Yanyun, your heart is so cruel. You've completely ruined my life," Yang Lingchen said, tears of utter despair streaming from the corners of his eyes.

Ling Yanyun quickly walked over to Yang Lingchen and said in a low voice, "I'm sorry, I really didn't mean it. I just acted on impulse in the heat of the moment and kicked out."

"Sigh! Xueqing is gone too, and now I'm in this state. What's the point of living? I might as well just die." After saying this, Yang Lingchen raised his palm and made as if to strike his own forehead hard.

"Yang Lingchen, calm down. You have such outstanding talent. Please don't do something so foolish," Ling Yanyun hurriedly reached out and stopped Yang Lingchen's hand.

"Don't stop me. Let me die and be done with it. What's the use of having good talent? Even if I become the world's number one powerhouse in the future, I'll still be mercilessly mocked as a eunuch who can't find a wife."

After speaking, Yang Lingchen raised his palm again to strike his forehead.

"Yang Lingchen, calm down. As long as you don't do anything foolish, This Young Lady... will marry you and be your wife," Ling Yanyun gritted her teeth and mustered immense courage to say.

"Sister Yanyun, are you really willing to be my wife?" A glimmer of hope seemed to rekindle in Yang Lingchen's eyes.

"Of course I'm willing. As long as you can pull yourself together, I will stay by your side from now on and be your wife," Ling Yanyun said with unwavering determination in her eyes.

"Don't comfort me. How could you possibly be willing to be the wife of a eunuch? I'd still rather die." Yang Lingchen again adopted the appearance of someone utterly hopeless and unwilling to live.

"Yang Lingchen, calm down. I mean every word. How about I swear an oath? Would that work?" Ling Yanyun hurriedly tried to persuade him.

"Then swear first that you will be my woman for all eternity," Yang Lingchen said with a sorrowful expression, his voice trembling.

"Fine. I, Ling Yanyun, swear that I will be Yang Lingchen's woman for all eternity. If I break this oath, may I never attain reincarnation," Ling Yanyun promptly swore solemnly.

"There's no need to swear such a vicious oath!"

At this moment, Yang Lingchen felt he might have gone a bit too far with his act.

"If I don't swear harshly, what if you do something drastic? Anyway, rest assured. I, Ling Yanyun, keep my word. I'll be your woman for this lifetime. But you have to help This Young Lady deal with Sikong Jie."

"Who is Sikong Jie?" Yang Lingchen raised an eyebrow slightly and asked in confusion.

"Sikong Jie is the number one Saint of the Heavenly Origin Palace, and he's also the grandson of the Heavenly Origin Palace's Grand Elder," Ling Yanyun explained slowly.

"What's your relationship with him?" Yang Lingchen continued to ask.

"I have no relationship with him. A very close sister of mine was once driven to suicide by him, and now he's set his sights on me. He's sinister and ruthless. Once he sets his mind on something, he'll stop at nothing to get it."

"Moreover, relying on being the Grand Elder's grandson, he acts recklessly and does as he pleases within the Heavenly Origin Palace. That's why I made a bet with him: if I can find a Disciple within the Heavenly Origin Palace who can defeat him, he will stop pestering me," Ling Yanyun explained in detail.

"A minor issue. Leave him to me. Come with me to the Exchange Hall. I need to exchange for some Void Seeking Realm medicinal herbs," Yang Lingchen declared confidently.

"How did you reach the Void Seeking Realm so quickly?"

Ling Yanyun was filled with curiosity. Yang Lingchen's Breakthrough speed was simply too fast. Moreover, having just broken through to the Void Seeking Realm, he could defeat her, who was at the ninth layer. It was truly unbelievable.

"Your man is a Genius, understand?" Yang Lingchen said with a smug and proud expression.

...

"Senior Brother Sikong, you've finally emerged from seclusion," Wang Yuan said respectfully, bowing.

"Wang Yuan, what business brings you to This Saint?" Sikong Jie's voice was icy, his eyes revealing a chilling coldness.

Sikong Jie's eyes sharpened. "What is it?"

"Someone dares to have designs on Saintess Yanyun," Wang Yuan quickly said, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

"Who has such audacity? Daring to compete with This Young Master for a woman?"

Sikong Jie's voice seemed to come from the depths of the Nine Hells, bone-chillingly cold. His face instantly darkened like the sky before a storm.