"What?" Shen Yan blinked, genuinely confused.
Ye Chen sneered, his voice dripping with disdain."Junior Sister, apart from his face, what's so good about him?"
He stepped forward, spiritual pressure faintly radiating."He's a mortal—can't even cultivate. While I, Ye Chen, have already reached the upper stage of the Foundation Vein Tempering Realm!"
His lips curled into a scornful smirk."Tell me, can this pretty boy even protect you?"
Su Yanyu's gaze sharpened, her voice steady.
"It's only natural Lord Shen hasn't awakened his aptitude yet. Once he does, the world will know his legends."
Shen Yan blinked again.
'My legends? Are they insane or just overly optimistic?'
Ye Chen scoffed.
"And if he never awakens it? Right now, I could kill him with a flick of my finger."
"Junior Sister, you know me. You know the kind of man I am."
Su Yanyu didn't budge. Her eyes were unwavering.
"Do you even know who he is?"
Ye Chen chuckled darkly.
"Some relative of a sect elder, right?"
He stepped closer, pupils slightly dilated, breath uneven.
"Even if he were the Sect Master's own son, I'd still fight the heavens to have you."
His voice turned low, menacing.
"Come with me. Or I'll break that pretty face of his."
Su Yanyu turned to Shen Yan, her eyes pleading.
But Shen Yan didn't move.
Ye Chen burst into laughter.
"See? Look at him! Cowardly and useless. He won't even lift a finger for you."
Su Yanyu lowered her gaze.
'If I stay, Ye Chen might really hurt Lord Shen. He already risked much to help me get those rare scrolls from the Scripture Hall…'
'This place is isolated. Even if the Sect Master came, Ye Chen wouldn't listen.'
With a heavy heart, she took a step toward Ye Chen.
Shen Yan remained silent.
'Let her go. She's not my responsibility. She just guided me through the inner sect…''I'm a mortal. He's a cultivator. The gap between us is too large.''Back then… I couldn't even defend myself as a delivery boy.'
The memory of fists, pain, and humiliation flashed before him. His jaw clenched.
"You made the right choice, Junior Sister." Ye Chen's eyes glimmered with madness.
Su Yanyu's steps slowed.
'How foolish of me to dream of standing beside someone like Lord Shen Yan…'
But suddenly—her hand was caught.
"Lord Shen Yan…?" she gasped, tears brimming in her eyes.
Ye Chen's face twisted.
"You dare touch her in front of me?! You're courting death!"
Shen Yan tilted his head, voice calm.
"Touch her?" He smiled. "So what if I do?"
Beneath his robe, his hand searched frantically.
'Where is it… I need to find that damn thing, or I'm done for…'
"I'm the son of Sect Guardian Zhen Wuji," Shen Yan said evenly.
Ye Chen froze. His followers gasped.
"S-Sect Guardian's son?!"
Several disciples instinctively stepped back, fear flickering in their eyes.
'Found it.' Shen Yan's fingers wrapped around a small object.
Ye Chen growled.
"Even if you were the Sect Master's heir, it wouldn't change anything! She's mine!"
Shen Yan ignored him and pulled Su Yanyu close by the waist.
She gasped, her cheeks flushing.
'T-To think Lord Shen is this bold…'
"Do you mind it, Yanyu?" Shen Yan whispered.
She lowered her head slightly.
"To receive such affection… It is this maiden's greatest fortune."
She was like a fairy—rosy-lipped, jet-black hair flowing, pink lotus-embroidered robe fluttering in the breeze. Her fragrance was like early spring rain and roses.
Even Shen Yan was momentarily dazed.
Ye Chen trembled like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
"Yanyu, will you be my concubine?" Shen Yan asked softly.
"WHAT?!" Ye Chen's voice cracked, pure disbelief in his eyes.
Shen Yan smiled.
"If yes, then show them—show them who you belong to."
Ye Chen's eyes widened in horror.
"No… she wouldn't… she's not that kind of—"
Then—
Smooch.
Su Yanyu kissed Shen Yan.
Shen Yan blinked.
'I said prove it, not kiss me!''Still… not bad. Her lips are soft.'
Ye Chen's followers erupted.
"Boss! It must be a spell!"
"She's bewitched!"
But Ye Chen stood frozen.
Then, quietly, tears began to fall from his eyes.
"…Did I push him too far?" Shen Yan muttered.
Ye Chen looked up, his face hollow.
"I understand now."
Shen Yan relaxed.
"You do? Then will you let us go?"
Ye Chen nodded slowly.
"Yes. I'll let you go… from this world."
Spiritual energy burst forth. His fist rocketed forward like thunder.
"You both DIE here!"
Wind howled. Shen Yan's pupils shrank."I'm dead—!"
BOOM!
A brilliant light descended from the sky. Ye Chen was blasted backward.
"You dare raise your filthy hand toward my lord?" a cold voice rang.
A silver aura surged. A woman in gray-blue hanfu floated down gracefully.
"Yu Lian!"
Shen Yan exhaled in relief.
'If that punch landed… I'd be minced meat.'
Only the golden-embroidered protective runes on his robe had helped him stay standing under a cultivator's pressure. A normal mortal would've collapsed from the sheer weight of spiritual intent.
Yu Lian landed beside him, face stern.
"Young Master, I told you to rest. Why are you making trouble again?" Her tone was scolding, but her eyes were anxious.
She had soft-silver eyes, raven-black hair, pale skin. A silver bell on her waist chimed faintly.
"I'll explain later. Just… save me from this boar," Shen Yan whispered.
Yu Lian's gaze flicked to Su Yanyu. Her expression grew colder.
'Who is this woman clinging to him like that?'
Su Yanyu shivered under her gaze.
But Yu Lian quickly refocused, turning to face Ye Chen.
Meanwhile, Ye Chen's followers muttered in disbelief.
"Why do all the beautiful women flock to him?!"
"He already has a jade beauty. Why won't he leave us a single lotus?!"
Ye Chen's eyes burned with rage. His disheveled hair and bloodshot gaze made him look like a beast.
"Shen Yan… are you even a man?" he spat.
"All you do is hide behind women's skirts!"
Shen Yan raised an eyebrow.
'You think taunts will work on me? I know I'm a coward.'
'More importantly, I haven't even started cultivating. And you still want to fight me? How shameless can you be?'
Ye Chen snarled.
"Fine! Then I'll tear apart that vixen first—then I'll deal with you!"
Yu Lian's eyes turned to ice. Her aura surged.
"Come, then," she said, voice calm.