Holy Orchid Institute, hunting grounds
Starting her day, the one thing Chen Linlin hadn't expected was to be visited by Xiao Ning'er and dragged to a secluded forest for a private talk, presumably about the blossoming relationship between Xiao Ning'er and Xue Hui.
Chen Linlin heard all the events that occurred during Xue Hui and Xiao Ning'er's trip, mostly concerning the discovery of the Soul Prison Labyrinth.
However, as Xue Hui's confidant, Chen Linlin was also made aware of the things going on between her fiancé and Xiao Ning'er.
And if Chen Linlin was being honest with herself, she wasn't surprised at all by this development.
Ever since the two met during that fateful night, and Xue Hui helped Xiao Ning'er heal her sickness and grow as a demon spiritualist.
Those things made Xiao Ning'er fall for Xue Hui, and she never hid her feelings for him.
The way Xiao Ning'er kept stealing glances at Xue Hui, those breakfasts she handmade for him that shocked everyone, or how Xiao Ning'er always seemed to want to stay attached to Xue Hui's hip every chance she got.
It was crystal clear to Chen Linlin that Xiao Ning'er had fallen hard for her man, and now that Xiao Ning'er had finally made up her mind and dragged her first thing in the morning all the way to the hunting grounds just to talk to her, it was obvious that this was Xiao Ning'er's way of settling things between the two of them.
Folding her arms across her chest, Chen Linlin lifted an eyebrow while tapping her foot on the ground in annoyance.
"What!? Are you gonna stare at me all day and waste my time? If you have something on your mind, then spit it out. I have things to do."
Although Chen Linlin was overbearing with her words, she only did this to test Xiao Ning'er's resolve.
While Chen Linlin was open-minded about the exclusivity of her relationship with Xue Hui, allowing him to take another wife, mistress, or even a concubine.
She was adamant about one thing, and that was the worthiness of those girls receiving Xue Hui's feelings.
If Xiao Ning'er showed any cowardice or hesitation regarding her feelings for Xue Hui in front of her, then she didn't deserve to stay by his side.
Xue Hui was someone who would brave the impossible just for the sake of the people he loved. If Xiao Ning'er couldn't do the same for him, then she should forget about him entirely. Chen Linlin wouldn't allow such a woman to become Xue Hui's companion.
But to her astonishment, not only did Xiao Ning'er not show any signs of backing down, she even unleashed her soul force, making the air around her spark. She planted her feet firmly on the grassy field, preparing herself for a fight.
"I wanna fight you, Chen Linlin. Xue Hui said you're strong, so let's fight, and if I win, you have to allow me to become Xue Hui's wife."
Hearing Xiao Ning'er's bold declaration, Chen Linlin's cold expression began to crack as her cheeks gradually turned pink.
While Chen Linlin was very fond of reading books filled with romance tropes, which made her somewhat desensitized to overly passionate lines thrown around for flavor.
Hearing someone say those kinds of lines in real life made Chen Linlin feel embarrassed for some reason.
"W-what? You want to fight me just to be with Xue Hui!?"
Xiao Ning'er nodded. Unfortunately for Chen Linlin, this was the only method Xiao Ning'er could think of to settle things between the two of them.
Chen Linlin wasn't expecting things to escalate to this extent. According to her understanding of Xiao Ning'er's personality, Xiao Ning'er wasn't someone who acted rashly.
What Chen Linlin didn't know was that Xiao Ning'er had spent all her time since returning from their trip trying to come up with ways to talk to her.
But with how complicated this matter was, and with her status as Shen Fei's fiancée still being a thing, Xiao Ning'er thought that Chen Linlin would outright forbid her relationship with Xue Hui. In the end, Xiao Ning'er decided to simply fight Chen Linlin and win her approval that way.
Sighing, Chen Linlin moved closer, putting Xiao Ning'er on guard while unleashing her Gold-rank soul force.
Sensing Xiao Ning'er's strength, Chen Linlin didn't waver even in the slightest and continued her approach.
"You've been hanging out with Hui-Hui quite a lot. No wonder your strength has soared to Gold rank. It's great, isn't it? Just being with him earns you so many benefits. Is that why you intend to keep clinging to him, so you can get more? How long are you going to keep using him? Until your engagement with the Sacred Family is cancelled? Or until you become Legend rank? What's gonna happen once you're done using Hui-Hui? Will you discard him?"
Every word was like a knife stabbing into Xiao Ning'er's heart, and Chen Linlin had no problem twisting them to probe her real intentions.
"SHUT UP!"
A furious roar echoed throughout the hunting grounds. Tears streamed down Xiao Ning'er's cheeks. As much as she wanted to deny Chen Linlin's words, those were exactly the reasons why she clung to Xue Hui.
She felt safe around Xue Hui, which was why she always wanted to stay by his side.
Xiao Ning'er was fully aware that she was using Xue Hui to escape her engagement, but that wasn't the only reason she wanted to be with him.
"I love Xue Hui."
It was simple, raw, and heartfelt. Once those words came out of Xiao Ning'er's lips, they were enough to make Chen Linlin stop in her tracks.
And they made her remember the past.
Chen Linlin's parents had once pulled her aside to ask if she was serious about wanting to marry Xue Hui after she accidentally blurted those words out in front of them.
When asked why she wanted that, the only reason Chen Linlin could provide at the time was that "I loves Hui-Hui." Simple as that.
Remembering the past made Chen Linlin's heart flutter.
Her lips curled upward, and Chen Linlin's hair began to sway, the only sign that she was about to release her soul force.
BOOOOOOM!
"KYAA!"
Dense spiritual energy pushed the air around the two girls, sending leaves and dirt flying everywhere. Chen Linlin's steps cracked the earth beneath her. Her spiritual pressure caused Xiao Ning'er's soul force to disperse instantly.
Shock appeared on Xiao Ning'er's face. She originally thought Chen Linlin's strength was around the same level as hers, a Gold-rank demon spiritualist, but this amount of aura far surpassed her expectations.
"You're too hasty, Xiao Ning'er. Challenging an opponent without understanding their true strength is the kind of mistake that could cost you everything."
Trees and plants continued to grow while flowers sprouted around their feet, and despite Chen Linlin's overwhelming spiritual pressure, the aura around them felt extremely pure and clean.
If Xiao Ning'er wasn't struggling to breathe under Chen Linlin's enormous soul power, she would've thought that Chen Linlin possessed the gentlest soul force she had ever encountered, and that included Xue Hui.
What Xiao Ning'er didn't know was that Chen Linlin possessed the Moon Glaze Eternal Lotus Physique, capable of purifying the spiritual energy within her soul realm.
On top of that, she practiced the cultivation technique Xue Hui had specially created just for her.
The Ancestral Mother Purification Cultivation Technique.
This cultivation technique not only focused on strengthening Chen Linlin's soul realm, but also on protecting her glaze blood from being taken from her. That had always been the greatest weakness of her physique.
But with Xue Hui's self-created cultivation technique, anyone who attempted to take it would only suffer a fate worse than death.
Trembling, Xiao Ning'er's body lost its strength and almost collapsed onto the ground. Sweat trailed down her forehead, and her legs shook violently, but she still forced herself to remain standing.
Chen Linlin continued her approach, but to her surprise, Xiao Ning'er refused to yield despite the overwhelming gap in their strength.
But just as fatigue began creeping into Xiao Ning'er's body and her vision started fading, she suddenly felt a tap on her shoulder, and the suppressive aura pressing down on her vanished completely.
Confused, Xiao Ning'er lifted her head and stared at Chen Linlin before her.
Then she felt a cloth brush against her cheeks, wiping away her tears.
Devoid of her earlier intimidating demeanor, Chen Linlin gently smiled at Xiao Ning'er while using her soul force to soothe her heart.
"So you like Xue Hui that much, huh?"
Dumbfounded, Xiao Ning'er could only nod in response. The two stood there in silence while sensing each other's aura.
"Xue Hui has done nothing but help me ever since we were little. The things he went through just to save me are something I wouldn't be able to repay even if I gave up my own life."
Chen Linlin had a nostalgic look on her face as she remembered the first time she saw Xue Hui's eyes shine with life. Everything had changed that night, and she would never forget that moment.
"So I'm not gonna stop him if he wants to be with you, Xiao Ning'er. Am I jealous? Yes. But I want him to be happy, so I'm fine with it."
"I-I'm sorry… for getting between you and Xue Hui. I just... I don't know what to do without him."
Xiao Ning'er confessed softly, her voice trembling now that the adrenaline had finally worn off.
"None of that. I already told you, I don't have a problem with it. You want to become hui-Hui's second wife? Then so be it."
Chen Linlin let out an amused snort upon seeing Xiao Ning'er's entire face turn crimson after hearing the word "wife."
'Cute,' Chen Linlin murmured inwardly, finding the girl in front of her rather endearing to tease.
Then Chen Linlin remembered what her mother said last time about "liking girls," and her expression turned aghast. She quickly shook her head to dismiss the thought from her mind.
"Now that that's settled, let's leave this place. Jing Ya and the rest are waiting for us."
"...Us?"
Chen Linlin nodded when Xiao Ning'er clarified what she meant about including her in their activities.
"Yep! You're part of the group now, and we really need to go. My three friends are waiting for us."
"Sorry, I shouldn't have dragged you all the way here in the first place," Xiao Ning'er apologized.
"Nah, it's fine. We're just going to Central Street to shop for new clothes. When you showed up, it was still early, so we could still head there. We need new dresses for the upcoming Fighter Apprentice class test. That's happening in two days, so we need to prepare for it."
Xiao Ning'er nodded. With everything she had gone through lately, she had almost forgotten about the test entirely.
While the two walked out of the hunting grounds, unnoticed by either of them, an origin sphere that had been watching the entire confrontation faded from existence.
Sacred Family mansion.
The sound of tables crashing into walls echoed throughout Shen Fei's residence, frightening the servants who heard the commotion.
"You bitch! You dared to make me look like a fool in front of the entire school! I'll make sure to teach you a thorough lesson about the consequences of angering me, Xiao Ning'er!"
Lately, rumors about Xiao Ning'er chasing another man had spread throughout the Holy Orchid Institute, humiliating Shen Fei to no end. Everyone knew that Xiao Ning'er was engaged to him, yet she was seen in another man's embrace.
Then Xiao Ning'er disappeared with that rumored man for weeks, and when they returned, it was said that Xiao Ning'er clung to him openly like they were a couple.
Shen Fei let out another furious roar.
Not only was Xiao Ning'er supposedly his woman, but what Shen Fei couldn't stomach the most were the rumors turning him into a laughingstock among the younger generation, branding him with insults and mocking his masculinity.
How could Shen Fei swallow this kind of humiliation?
"Me, Shen Fei, the future patriarch of the Sacred Family, was made to wear a green hat by that bitch Xiao Ning'er and that bastard! If I can't make those two cheating dogs suffer, then my name isn't Shen Fei!"
A vicious glint flashed through Shen Fei's eyes.
He was already planning to rush the wedding between him and Xiao Ning'er so he could make her suffer f1or humiliating him.
As for that man, Shen Fei intended to kill him and display his corpse before Xiao Ning'er.
End of Chapter 59
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