“Yanran, your mind rivals Zhuge.”

Lin Chen’s figure gracefully landed in the courtyard, smiling at Murong Yan.

“Rivals Zhuge?”

Murong Yan raised her exquisite eyebrows, somewhat puzzled.

Seeing Murong Yan’s puzzled expression, Lin Chen recalled that there was no Zhuge Liang on Canglan Island, so Murong Yan didn’t understand the meaning of his words.

“In my hometown, there is an exceptionally intelligent person with the surname Zhuge. Anyone praised for their intelligence is called a rival of Zhuge or a little Zhuge.”

“Is there such a person in your hometown? How come I didn’t know?”

“It’s someone from my hometown; how would you know?”

Lin Chen answered instinctively, but upon seeing Murong Yan’s resentful gaze, he quickly realized that with Murong Yan’s character, not only had she investigated him, but she probably investigated Poyang County and even the entire Raozhou Prefecture thoroughly.

“I can confirm that there hasn’t been a person with the surname Zhuge known for their wisdom in the past three hundred years of Raozhou Prefecture’s history.”

Murong Yan spoke softly. When she investigated Lin Chen, she had specifically researched the entire Raozhou Prefecture, even looked into the formidable martial artists from the past three hundred years, and found none with the surname Zhuge.

“Ahem, that’s not important. Just know that it’s a compliment for you.”

Lin Chen chose to skip the topic directly, seeing Su Qin waiting for Murong Yan and himself to finish talking before she greeted them, “Greetings, Prince Consort.”

With Su Qin’s reference to him as Prince Consort, Lin Chen’s expression turned peculiar. Senior Sister Jiang was a Flower Clan Princess, and Murong Yan was also a Princess, so calling him Prince Consort wasn’t wrong.

But previously, Su Qin always addressed him as Young Master Lin, and this sudden change in title must have been provoked.

“The Prince Consort and Princess might want to discuss matters; I’ll take my leave.”

After addressing him as “Prince Consort,” Su Qin wisely exited the courtyard.

“Aunt Qin is worried for me, don’t take it to heart.”

Murong Yan stepped forward to hold Lin Chen’s hand, slightly raising her delicate face to look at him; Lin Chen smiled, “What do I have to take to heart? You’re a Princess of Yan Kingdom, calling me Prince Consort is perfectly normal.”

Upon hearing Lin Chen’s words, Murong Yan didn’t continue the topic. She and Lin Chen had already been intimate numerous times, no need for such courteousness.

Although Jiang Qing was a strong competitor, Murong Yan was confident in herself. Perhaps in Lin Chen’s heart, Jiang Qing held more importance than her, but it wasn’t because Jiang Qing was a Flower Clan Princess—just that Jiang Qing knew Lin Chen longer than Murong Yan did.

Yet she believed that when it came to understanding Lin Chen, Jiang Qing was no match for her. Like at this moment, seeing Lin Chen’s eyes, she knew exactly what he was thinking.

“Hold me.”

Murong Yan blinked her delicate eyes, snuggling into Lin Chen’s chest, her mesmerizing gaze exhibiting a unique allure of a little woman.

This man had just gone through a fierce battle at the Ten Thousand Flames Sect, needing comfort.

All was understood without words, only the sound of a breeze blowing through the treetops and the woman’s brows knitting in pain.

…

…

After an intimate reunion, Lin Chen did not rise immediately but lay there on the bed, gazing at Murong Yan who had fallen into a deep sleep beside him, her clothes slipped to reveal her snow-white skin, which he gently covered.

Murong Yan understood him well. Even though his encounter at Ten Thousand Flames Sect seemed to have no significant loss, it had certainly tightened his nerves, revealing for the first time he couldn’t control his fate.

Had Supreme Elder Yin not appeared, he feared he would have fallen at Ten Thousand Flames Sect.

Along the journey, despite facing Supreme Elder Yin, facing Supreme Elder Ye, facing his own master, he showed no sign of being affected. Only he knew how tightly strung his nerves were, loosening now.

Murong Yan clearly noticed this, which was why she took the initiative to offer solace in this manner.

“What’s wrong?”

The woman awoke suddenly, lifting her arm, causing the blanket to slip again, her voice carrying the laziness of just waking up, sleepily gazing at Lin Chen, her appearance mesmerizing him all over again…

“Mmm, uh~”

…

…

In the following days, Lin Chen resided at Clear Wind Residence, beginning to study the Fire Seal Seed left behind by the Grand Ancestor of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect.

This Fire Seal Seed wasn’t in the dantian, but existed between his eyebrows, yet whether he used his innate fire within to communicate or activated Canglan’s Eyes, this Fire Seal Seed remained unmoving.

“Lin Chen, what’s wrong?”

Murong Yan looked curiously at Lin Chen standing in the courtyard with a furrowed brow.

“The Fire Seal left by the Grand Ancestor of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect; I can’t move it at all.”

Lin Chen didn’t hide his acquisition of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect Grand Ancestor’s legacy from Murong Yan, even telling her about the Fire Seal.

“I can’t give you any advice on the Martial Path; perhaps you could ask your master.”

“Nothing from my master can help.”

Lin Chen shook his head, “On the way back, Supreme Elder Yin informed me that the path the Grand Ancestor of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect walked is unexplored by anyone before him; how the path proceeds must rely on my own exploration, even if the Grand Ancestor resurrects, he likely couldn’t provide the answer.”

Lin Chen acknowledged Supreme Elder Yin’s judgment; the path of condensing the Fire Seal taken by the Grand Ancestor of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect wasn’t completed, and the Grand Ancestor didn’t wish to impose his journey on Lin Chen. Thus, he only passed Lin Chen a Fire Seal Seed, leaving nothing else.

Condensing the Fire Seal’s most challenging step was resolved, but how to proceed depends on one’s fortune; Lin Chen couldn’t replicate the Grand Ancestor of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect’s martial path.

“If that’s the case, I think you might try entering the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda. Didn’t you say that the opportunities inside the pagoda are given based on your circumstances? Maybe this time, because you have the Fire Seal, the opportunity given to you will be related to the Fire Seal.”

Murong Yan’s reminder made Lin Chen’s eyes light up; he had indeed forgotten about the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda.

“That’s a good idea; I can enter the pagoda and give it a try.”

“If you raise your rank in the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda, I bet that Third Prince from the royal family would be quite vexed.”

Murong Yan had a mischievous smile on her face, and Lin Chen smiled along with her. This woman was quite cunning. Indeed… if his rank in the pagoda goes higher, Yan Hui would only get more frustrated.

“How has your cultivation been progressing?”

Lin Chen asked Murong Yan about her realm. Murong Yan had already reached the Peak of First Grade, just a step away from Innate, and her master had prepared the Five Elements Energy for Murong Yan, just waiting for her to adjust her state and then go into seclusion to break through to Innate.

“Three days later.”

“Alright, I’ll guard you, and once you’ve reached the Innate Realm, then go into the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda.”

“Hmm.”

Murong Yan didn’t act coy, saying she didn’t need it. The breakthrough to Innate comes with risks for martial artists; if failed, it’s easy to suffer a backlash. With Lin Chen guarding her, she can focus on her breakthrough comfortably.

…

One day later.

Du Xiaofeng appeared at Clear Wind Residence, taking Lin Chen to the sect.

“Master, why do you think the royal family has sent someone?”

“I can’t guess. At this level, it’s like seeing flowers in a mist, unclear of the full picture.”

Hearing his master’s words, Lin Chen squinted slightly. He understood the underlying meaning in his master’s words. With Dongfang Canglang’s presence revealed, some of the royal family’s fortune secrets have been uncovered. But his master is not the Sect Leader of the Canglan Sect nor a Myriad Phenomena Realm powerhouse, just a martial artist in the Innate Fifth Realm.

Being Innate Fifth Realm is considered a strong force in the Flame Dynasty, yet the powers involved now are the most elite in the entire dynasty. Confrontations between such forces make it difficult for him to deduce their intentions.

Because of insufficient information!

To deduce a person’s or a power’s thoughts, there must be adequate information to support it, otherwise… it would just be gossip-driven speculation.

Lin Chen followed his master straight to the sect’s main hall. Upon entering, he felt two scrutinizing gazes fall upon him.

The middle-aged man on the left had an authoritative gaze tinged with scrutiny, while the elder on the right looked on with a critical eye.

“Lin Chen is here. Let me introduce you: this is the Sixth Prince of the Flame Dynasty, and this is the Seventh Elder of the Flower Race.”

Ji Cangtian introduced both men in the hall with a smile, and only then did Lin Chen realize that besides the royal family, a Flower Race elder was also present.

“The junior greets the Sixth Prince and the Seventh Elder.”

Lin Chen paid respects to both men. Despite any grudges he holds against Yan Hui, the sect hasn’t yet fallen out with the royal family.

“Youthful and promising, your Canglan Sect has produced an exceptional talent.”

Yanran first looked at Ji Cangtian, then addressed Lin Chen: “Nephew Lin, I’m here representing the royal family to express our apology to you. Yan Hui plotted against you, but His Majesty has already penalized him severely.”

Lin Chen was a bit taken aback. He considered the possibility of the royal family sending someone to question the sect or even to alleviate the current tensions with the sect, but had not expected the prince to speak so bluntly.

Expressing apology implies the royal family acknowledges their fault.

“The junior is not worthy.”

Lin Chen glanced at his sect leader. Seeing the sect leader’s unchanged expression, he responded thoughtfully.

“Wrong is wrong; the royal status shouldn’t make exceptions. Our Grand Ancestor established the Flame Dynasty with a vow that the Martial Path would flourish, and peace would be sought for all. We, as descendants, dare not ignore the Grand Ancestor’s teachings.”

Upon Yanran mentioning the Grand Ancestor, Ji Cangtian and the Seventh Elder of the Flower Race also turned solemn. Regardless of the current state of the royal family, the Grand Ancestor remains revered by all martial artists in the Flame Dynasty.

“This is the royal family’s compensation; please accept it.”

With a flick of Yanran’s right hand, a Storage Box flew toward Lin Chen, hovering in front of him.

“Since it’s the Sixth Prince’s gesture, Lin Chen, you may accept it.”

Upon hearing his sect leader speak, Lin Chen accepted the Storage Box: “The junior thanks the Sixth Prince.”

“No need for that.”

Yanran waved his hand, then turned to Ji Cangtian: “Sect Leader Ji, I have other matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave.”

“Why doesn’t the Sixth Prince stay at our Canglan Sect for a few more days, so we may offer proper hospitality?”

“I would like to, but unfortunately, I’m tied up with mundane affairs.”

Yanran laughed heartily, then greeted the Seventh Elder of the Flower Race before leaving the hall directly.

It seems this Sixth Prince came to the Canglan Sect solely to deliver compensation to Lin Chen.

“Sect Leader Ji, might I have some private conversation with Lin Chen?”

The Seventh Elder of the Flower Race watched Yanran’s departing figure, his eyes revealing a contemplative look.

“Certainly, Lin Chen, accompany Elder Teng to enjoy the beautiful sights of our Canglan Sect.”

“Disciple abides.”

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