North of Enlightenment Mountain, on a hillside.
Ling Xiao held Su Yan's jade-like hand, gazing at the chrysanthemums covering the hillsides and plains, his expression always calm.
Today's game of Go with Su Wenye had given the Yun Alliance Master plenty of shock and doubt.
Right now, the richest man in the Sacred Dynasty was probably still hesitating, trying to figure out how to ensure the Su family stood at the pinnacle of the world forever.
After all, for a wealthy clan like this, their so-called hidden strength was all in spirit stones and spirit treasures. The powerful experts under their command were also driven by profit.
If one day someone wanted them gone, it would take merely an instant.
"Yan'er, I plan to leave Enlightenment City today. Qingyun died by Xia Chen's hand. I will definitely make the Yuan Yue Holy Land pay the price. Otherwise, the hatred in my heart will never be settled."
Ling Xiao snorted coldly, killing intent overflowing in his eyes.
His anger right now wasn't fake. A Daughter of Fate with ten thousand Luck Points died right before his eyes. For Ling Xiao, this was a huge loss.
But…
For some reason, because of this "loss," Ling Xiao felt an impulse to stop at nothing.
"Oh! Then go do it, Young Master. I will always support you."
Su Yan stepped forward, crushing a brilliant golden wild chrysanthemum under her foot.
"And after you take revenge, Young Master? What are your plans?"
"That Ancient Puppet Sect young master bullied you. The Ancient Puppet Sect must also pay some price. After dealing with these two sects, I plan to travel to the Western Territories."
Ling Xiao smiled faintly. Traveling was just an excuse; his real goal was to find Sons of Fate.
Currently, in the Eastern Territories, the Sons of Fate were either dead or had submitted. For Ling Xiao, there was really no need to stay any longer.
The Western Territories were filled with warring dynasties, a land of constant conflict.
That kind of chaotic world was where truly peerless monsters would emerge!
"The Ancient Puppet Sect? Go to the Western Territories? Young Master… the Western Territories are chaotic, you…"
"Yan'er! We cultivators are dedicated to the Dao. The more trials we face, the faster we grow! Here in the Eastern Territories, everyone instinctively fears me upon hearing the name of the Ling Clan. No one dares to truly compete with me! That's not what I want!!"
Ling Xiao's voice carried a hint of helplessness and bitterness.
But to Su Yan's ears, it inexplicably filled the young woman with reverence.
This… this is a true man!
Aspiring to great heights, fearless of hardship.
Never greedy for comfort, solely focused on… reaching higher skies!
"Young Master… Yan'er… is willing to go with you!"
The gloom on Su Yan's face dissipated, her eyes bright and clear, seemingly filled with deep affection.
As expected, the Young Master loves me too.
He wants to deal with the Ancient Puppet Sect for me!
But this kind of domineering attitude…
Kill your heir, and you still have to give me an explanation!
Young Master, it's so like you!
Strong enough, protective enough of his woman, enough of a… man!
Hearing this, Ling Xiao, however, shook his head slightly. "Let me teach you the ancient method first. It's not too late to resolve the hidden ailment of your cold body."
"But Young Master… I want to be by your side!"
"Sigh! Yan'er, my trip to the Western Territories is dangerous. Moreover, in such a war-torn land, having strong protectors doesn't guarantee absolute safety. In the Eastern Territories, I've always been labeled a wastrel. So this time, I plan to go to the Western Territories and, relying solely on my own strength, without using a single person or thing from the Ling Clan, establish a dynasty and prove the name of Ling Xiao!!"
Ling Xiao's expression was impassioned, full of the drive to achieve great things.
"But… Ah, Yan'er, you know, establishing a new power is always fraught with difficulties at the start. How could I bear to let you suffer by my side? Once I gain a firm foothold in the Western Territories, I'll send for you."
"Establish a dynasty to prove your name?"
Su Yan covered her vermilion lips with her jade hand, her beautiful eyes already filled with shock.
Finally, she understood why her father's attitude towards Ling Xiao had changed so dramatically.
Her father valued young, ambitious talents like this the most!
Ambition is the driving force behind a person's efforts.
Those who seek comfort, no matter how talented, will ultimately become mere background characters of their era!
For some reason, tears seemed to well up in Su Yan's eyes.
He's afraid I'll suffer. He wants to establish a dynasty before bringing me over. Doesn't that mean I'll become… the mother of the land, the… Empress?!
It's… a bit embarrassing.
But, I'm really so touched.
"Young Master… since you have such aspirations, Yan'er naturally supports you. I will notify all the Ling Bao Pavilions and auction houses in the Western Territories to provide full support for anything you need. And also…"
Su Yan suddenly reached into her bosom, pulled out a Qiankun Bag, and handed it to Ling Xiao.
"I don't carry much in spirit stones. There's about a hundred million in here. Take it for now. After I return to the Central Region of the Sacred Dynasty, I'll send someone to deliver more to you."
"Yan'er!! What are you doing?! I won't even take the Ling Clan's spirit stones. How can I take yours…"
"Young Master!!"
Su Yan suddenly looked at Ling Xiao with a serious expression, slowly leaning into his embrace.
"You and I… are one. Why say such things? You gave me a Spirit Flame; what is a mere hundred million spirit stones? You seek to prove your name, and I… just don't want you to struggle so much. Whether you're building a dynasty, winning over experts, or training an army, you need spirit stones. Don't make Yan'er… wait too long, alright?"
"But! I!"
"If you don't agree, then I'll go to the Western Territories with you. Would you bear that?"
Su Yan looked up, her gaze deep and affectionate as she stared at Ling Xiao.
She would go, but on the condition that… her Cold Body ailment was resolved.
Otherwise, she would just be a burden, hindering the Young Master's grand plans.
"You… really infuriate me. I shouldn't have told you all this."
Ling Xiao reluctantly put the Qiankun Bag into his storage ring, glaring fiercely at Su Yan. "If others find out about this, they'll inevitably say I'm… a kept man!"
"What are you saying, Young Master! Who dares to gossip, I'll tear their mouth shut! Besides, this is a private matter between us. Why tell others?"
Su Yan pouted, shaking Ling Xiao's arm. "I want a kiss."
The latter smiled helplessly and lowered his head for a gentle kiss.
"Mmm~ Young Master, I want to… practice cultivation…"
"Yan'er, If love between both sides can last for aye, why need they stay together night and day?!!"
Ling Xiao declared righteously, and Su Yan's expression froze once again.
If love between both sides can last for aye, why need they stay together night and day?!
This is…
What divine verse?!
And this was just something the Young Master said casually!
A casual phrase made Yan'er envision countless days and nights, countless moons setting and stars fading…
Perhaps… this is the so-called… chosen by fate.
Righteous, principled, devoted, talented, handsome, terrifyingly powerful cultivation,heaven-defying talent, powerful background!
Suddenly, Su Yan felt that… she seemed unworthy of Young Master Ling Xiao.
What did she have besides a few stinky spirit stones?
Even her life was saved by the Young Master now!
Thrice blessed probably refers to someone like me, right?
"Young Master… Yan'er was being narrow-minded."
Su Yan bit her red lip tightly, her eyes glistening with tears.
She was very afraid, terribly afraid that a peerless person like Ling Xiao would one day leave her.
How could she keep his heart?
Spirit stones?
Vulgar!
Why not… give him the status of heir to the Yun Lai Merchant Alliance?
"No, Yan'er, the current me isn't outstanding enough. I just want to work harder, to shield you and the Su family from all storms."
Ling Xiao smiled tenderly, but Su Yan had already taken out a golden ancient token from her bosom and handed it to him.
"Young Master, from now on, the Yun Lai Merchant Alliance obeys your commands! This token represents my personal presence! You can mobilize all the Alliance's resources."
Pfft!
"Young… Young Master, what are you laughing at?!"
Su Yan was stunned.
"Yan'er, I'm laughing… at how simple you are. If… if Uncle Su found out about this…"
Ling Xiao coughed lightly, his face returning to a look of deep affection. "Silly! Stop joking. If you do this, I'll be too moved."
"Young Master! Father said he would support any decision I make."
Su Yan handed the token to Ling Xiao, the surprise in her eyes already replaced by determination—the kind that wouldn't regret even life or death.
"But…"
"If the Young Master doesn't love Yan'er, you can just discard this token."
"What are you saying, Yan'er! How could I not love you!!"
So, very reluctantly, Ling Xiao resolutely accepted the ancient token.
Actually, I really don't want to be a kept man!
Chomp chomp.