"You already saw everything, and now you're even touching her?"
Xuan Wudao never expected Chen Chang'an to have such a scandalous past.
This was Changsun Xixue we were talking about—just a lustful glance from someone would be enough to get them killed, yet Chen Chang'an had actually touched her.
Probably only because he was Chen Chang'an. Anyone else would’ve been reduced to a pile of bones long ago.
Admiration, envy, even a hint of jealousy—these emotions filled Xuan Wudao to the brim.
"Da Huang, keep going, give me the details," Xuan Wudao asked eagerly.
"Didn’t you say you were going home?"
"Get lost already, why are you so nosy?" Chen Chang'an snapped irritably.
"Ah, no rush. Let’s hear the story first."
How could he leave without finishing such an amusing tale?
Gu Xian'er stood nearby, her face slightly flushed. Who would’ve thought that Chen Chang'an, who always seemed so proper, had such a romantic escapade?
Though a little embarrassed, she was equally curious—what exactly had happened, and what had he touched?
"Da Huang, you’d better shut up," Chen Chang'an said sternly.
"Why? You already did it, why can’t I talk about it?" Da Huang shot Chen Chang'an a disdainful look.
To be fair, it had all been a coincidence, a complete accident.
Back then, Chen Chang'an and Da Huang were roughhousing when Da Huang got carried away and swatted Chen Chang'an, sending him flying.
As luck would have it, Changsun Xixue—then just a girl under twenty—had just finished hunting a demon beast and was covered in blood. She’d found a small stream to wash up.
With a splash, Chen Chang'an plummeted from the sky and landed right in front of her.
When someone falls into water, their instinct is to flail around, grabbing at anything to steady themselves.
And wouldn’t you know it, Chen Chang'an flailed—and actually grabbed something.
When he finally steadied himself, he saw Changsun Xixue standing before him, her face crimson, her gaze icy.
He looked down. Well, damn. The spot he’d grabbed was… a little too sensitive.
Chen Chang'an tried to explain, but Changsun Xixue wasn’t having it.
For three whole months, she hunted him relentlessly, until Chen Chang'an finally vanished without a trace.
But even after all these years, Changsun Xixue never gave up on finding him.
What Chen Chang'an couldn’t figure out was why the story had morphed from "she wants to kill him" to "she wants to marry him."
Had the rumors twisted over time?
The story itself wasn’t particularly thrilling, but when it involved Chen Chang'an and Changsun Xixue, it became far more entertaining.
Xuan Wudao stared at Chen Chang'an with a look that said, You absolute pervert.
"Why are you looking at me like that? It was an accident, just an accident," Chen Chang'an said helplessly.
"Save it. I don’t buy it."
"Five thousand years ago, Changsun Xixue’s cultivation was weak, but yours wasn’t?"
"You couldn’t control your fall? And you just happened to land right in front of her?"
"Even if you did, with your skills, you could’ve stabilized yourself easily."
"Did you really need to grab something to steady yourself?"
"Admit it, you did it on purpose."
Xuan Wudao scoffed. This guy had the audacity to play innocent after taking advantage? Who did he think he was fooling?
"What if I had no cultivation at all five thousand years ago?"
No cultivation five thousand years ago?
Yeah, right.
"Chen Chang'an, do you take me for an idiot?"
"You’ve lived for ten thousand years. If you had no cultivation five thousand years ago, how’d you survive? Are you telling me you’re naturally immortal?"
At that, Chen Chang'an nodded repeatedly. Fine, fine, I admit it. Just stop ruining my reputation.
Seeing him nod, Xuan Wudao sneered. "If I believe that, I’m the biggest fool in the world."
"Nobody’s born immortal."
"You just saw how beautiful Changsun Xixue was and took your chance."
Chen Chang'an hadn’t expected Xuan Wudao to dismiss the truth so easily.
"Da Huang, stop laughing like an idiot and back me up here."
Da Huang was thoroughly enjoying this. Why would it help explain? This was way too entertaining.
"You can save your explanations for when you meet Changsun Xixue again."
"I’m leaving now. Don’t worry—as your friend, I won’t send word to Changsun Xixue that you’re in Langya."
"Absolutely not!"
After Xuan Wudao left, Chen Chang'an sighed. It seemed he’d better wrap things up in Langya quickly.
Knowing Xuan Wudao, he’d definitely send someone to tip off Changsun Xixue. After all, he wouldn’t forget the humiliation of three thousand years of begging anytime soon.
"Let’s go."
"Yes, Young Master."
Chen Chang'an, Gu Xian'er, and Da Huang set off to investigate families or sects in Yunchuan that had existed for over five hundred years.
Meanwhile, Chen Yunxuan had begun his journey to the Northern Region alone.
Northern Region, Blood Shadow Sect
"Halt! State your business!"
Chen Yunxuan glanced at the gatekeeper and replied calmly, "I heard your sect leader has reached the peak of the Divine Ability Realm’s first stage."
"I’ve come to test my skills against him."
The Blood Shadow Sect disciples paled.
This kid was only sixteen! And he dared challenge their sect leader?
"You’ve got some nerve. Do you even know where you are?"
"You know our leader is a Divine Ability Realm expert, yet you’re here to throw your life away?"
"Some brat who still smells of milk—you must have a death wish!"
As they moved to attack, Chen Yunxuan shook his head. "You’re no match for me. Don’t waste your energy."
No match? What a joke!
"Let’s see what you’re made of!"
One disciple lunged at him.
Chen Yunxuan flicked his wrist, sending the man flying.
"So strong!"
"How… how is a sixteen-year-old this powerful?"
"No matter how strong he is, he can’t beat our leader!"
"Right, don’t let him intimidate you!"
"Everyone, attack together! There’s no way we can’t take down one brat!"
"Charge!"
They rushed him. Chen Yunxuan sighed and unleashed his full strength. In an instant, over a dozen Blood Shadow Sect disciples lay sprawled on the ground.
"Who dares cause trouble at my Blood Shadow Sect?!"
A furious roar echoed as a crimson figure descended from the distance.
It was the Blood Shadow Sect leader himself.
When he saw Chen Yunxuan, he paused.
Such a young face… and such unfamiliar energy.
"Who are you?" The Blood Shadow Sect leader frowned and asked.
"Chen Yunxuan of the Chen Family. I've come to seek your guidance!"