"Big brother, this City Lord Yun... doesn’t have great taste."
"What do you mean?"
"He actually called you an upright man. Isn’t he blind?"
"Oh? Are you saying I’m not upright?"
"Are you?"
"Am I not?"
"Doesn’t look like it."
"Damn..."
Da Huang’s skepticism annoyed Chen Chang’an so much that he kicked the creature flying.
"See that, Xiao Yao? He’s throwing a tantrum," Da Huang huffed after trotting back indignantly.
"If it were me, I’d kick you too. So rude," Xiao Yao shot back, giving Da Huang a disdainful look.
Huh?
Rude?
Was he really that impolite?
---
Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect
"Young Lady Qingluan, this was prepared for you by the Ancestor."
"Tomorrow is the wedding day. Please cooperate."
"Otherwise... you know the consequences."
A female disciple of the Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect placed the wedding dress before Qingluan, her gaze a mix of envy and resentment.
Marrying the Ancestor of the Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect was a chance to rise from rags to riches—her status would soar, second only to the Ancestor himself.
Qingluan stared at the dress, her expression eerily calm. Her fair skin looked almost bloodless, her delicate features marred by the pallor of her Extreme Yin Saint Body, making her appear frail, as though she might collapse at any moment.
"Are you envious?"
Her voice was soft, barely audible. If not for the disciple’s sharp hearing, she might have missed it.
"Of course! To marry the Ancestor... He’s never taken a wife in all these years."
"Who wouldn’t want such an honor?"
Honor?
Qingluan smirked bitterly. She’d gladly refuse this so-called honor—she knew exactly what kind of man the Ancestor was.
"I’m tired. Leave me," she said flatly.
"Very well."
The disciple didn’t argue. Qingluan had been like this since arriving three days ago—always exhausted, always on the verge of collapse.
Once alone, Qingluan’s brow furrowed as she glared at the wedding dress, disgust flashing in her eyes.
"Is this... really my fate?"
She let out a hollow laugh. She wanted to die but didn’t dare—if she did, the Ancestor’s wrath would fall upon her parents.
Helpless. Resigned.
With a sigh, she dragged her weary body to the table and put on the dress, then applied a faint layer of makeup. The crimson fabric and subtle cosmetics lent her face a fleeting trace of color.
"I wish... tomorrow would never come."
She sat motionless on the bed, staring at the door. When it opened again, her descent into hell would begin.
From sunset to sunrise, she didn’t move. But no miracle came.
When the door finally creaked open, her heart lurched—was this it?
Yet the person who entered wasn’t who she expected. A stranger, dressed in unfamiliar robes.
"That’s—?"
"My father’s jade pendant?"
"How... how do you have it?"
The sight of City Lord Yun’s pendant sent panic coursing through her. Had the Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect broken their word? Had they harmed her parents?
"Good thing I sensed your aura back at the City Lord’s estate. Otherwise, I’d never have found you."
"I’m Chen Chang’an. I’m here to save you."
It was indeed Chen Chang’an. After pinpointing Qingluan’s location, he’d used spatial laws to appear directly outside her door.
Chen Chang’an?
Here to save her?
Qingluan eyed him warily. Was this a trick? A test by the Ancestor?
Noticing her hesitation, Chen Chang’an chuckled and sat down casually.
"Relax. Your father begged me to come. This pendant is proof—he said you’d understand once you saw it."
"Still don’t believe me?"
Qingluan studied him for a long moment before speaking.
"I believe you. And I’m grateful... but I won’t leave."
"I won’t risk my parents’ lives for my own."
"The Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect is too dangerous. Leave now, before you get yourself killed."
"Tell my parents... I’m fine. They shouldn’t worry."
Her resolve impressed Chen Chang’an. For a woman, she had the courage of a warrior.
"Don’t worry. No one’s dying today."
"Your father already paid me. If you stay, I’m just pocketing the reward for nothing."
"Xiao Yao, got everything?"
"Loud and clear."
Huh?
Xiao Yao?
Who else was here?
Before Qingluan could react, an exact replica of herself materialized beside Chen Chang’an.
"You... who are you?" she gasped.
"From now on, I’m you."
"No! You’ll lose your purity—your life! I can’t let you do this!" Qingluan shook her head frantically.
"You’re kinder than I expected," Chen Chang’an remarked.
"Relax. I’m not sacrificing my own to that old monster."
"This is just a diversion—to lure everyone into one place."
"Otherwise, it’d be too troublesome to hunt them down one by one."
Qingluan’s eyes widened. This was the Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect! How could he speak so casually of slaughtering them all?
"Trust me. You’ll be safe."
"Just follow our Elder Supreme and leave," Xiao Yao said with a reassuring smile.
Staring at her mirror image—identical in face and voice—Qingluan hesitated.
Could she... really escape?
Had a miracle truly arrived?
"But... how do we get out?"
"I can’t hide like she can. There are watchers everywhere—"
"Wait, have they already heard us?" she whispered urgently.
"Relax. I’ve set up a barrier here. No sound or aura escapes."
"But they’ll notice something’s wrong soon. We need to move now."
"...Alright. How?"
"Like this!"