Piaohua Palace: Saintess Palace Side Chamber
Lin Chen woke up three days after killing the Grand Elder. He tried circulating his spiritual power, but his dantian screamed in agony. The System's cold voice echoed in his mind:
[System: Host is in an overdraft weakened state. All stats -70%. Duration: 21 days remaining. WARNING: No Killing Intent Points can be obtained during this period.]
"Brother, you're awake!" Lin Ying threw herself onto the bed, eyes red. Behind her followed a third-stage Fiery Demon Wolf and five second-stage beasts—a luxurious lineup, yet all as docile as pets.
"Lin Ying, your brother just woke up. He needs rest." A cold voice came from outside.
Meng Qingcheng walked in slowly, white robes pristine, her aura unfathomable. Behind her trailed a young maid-like girl, around seventeen or eighteen, pretty and secretly sizing up Lin Chen.
[System: New character detected—Piaohua Palace Core Maid, Su Miaoyin. Cultivation: Early Foundation Building. Host favorability: +10 (Curious).]
Lin Chen's eyebrow twitched. He'd never heard this name in Piaohua Palace, but being by Meng Qingcheng's side meant she wasn't ordinary.
"Palace Lord." Lin Chen forced himself to sit up. His Thunder-Patterned Core was dim, but still instinctively protected him. "Thank you for saving my life."
"No need." Meng Qingcheng said flatly, "Your sister's Chaos Green Lotus Mark appears once in a century. Taking her as my disciple is both fate and investment." She paused, eyes like knives sizing him up, "As for you—making Ye Qingyan risk her life to steal manuals, killing a mid-stage Nascent Soul as a Core Formation cultivator... I'm very interested in the secret you carry."
Lin Chen's pupils contracted, killing intent surging. The System was his greatest taboo—no one could know!
[System: Detecting violent fluctuations in Host's killing intent. WARNING: In weakened state, fighting a Half-Step Deity Transformation results in 99.9% mortality.]
"Don't be nervous." Meng Qingcheng seemed to see through his wariness. "If I wanted you dead, you wouldn't have woken up." She casually set up a soundproof barrier. "Tell me, you kept calling 'Qingyao' in your coma... who is this person?"
Lin Chen's heart stopped.
He'd called out "Qingyao" in his coma? That was the name of the person he sought! But he'd never told anyone this name!
[System: Emergency Alert—Detecting extreme emotional volatility in Host. WARNING—Su Miaoyin is outside the hall and may overhear!]
"I don't know." Lin Chen forced himself to calm down. "Maybe sleep-talking."
"Sleep-talking?" Meng Qingcheng chuckled, waving her hand. A screen appeared showing the comatose Lin Chen talking in his sleep—
"Qingyao... Lotus... Don't go..."
"Su Qingyao..."
Meng Qingcheng studied him playfully: "I checked. No one named 'Qingyao' exists in Piaohua Palace. But the Emei Palace Saintess, Luo Jiayan, was originally named 'Su Qingyao.' She has a natural lotus-shaped birthmark on her right shoulder."
Lin Chen was struck by lightning.
No wonder he'd found the name Su Miaoyin both unfamiliar and familiar—the person he sought was the Emei Palace Saintess! And Meng Qingcheng had investigated everything thoroughly!
[System: Core quest "Finding Qingyao" triggered. Current clues: 1/1. System Alert: Target identity confirmed—Luo Jiayan = Su Qingyao. Chaos Green Lotus birthmark confirmation: 99%.]
"Why tell me this?" Lin Chen's voice was hoarse.
"Because Tianxuan Sect will demand answers in seven days." Meng Qingcheng's expression turned sharp. "The reason—you killed their outer court disciples and slaughtered their guardian beast at Tianmen Fortress. The Deity Transformation Sect Lord comes personally for your head."
She stood up, looking down at him: "I can protect you. But you must do something for me."
"What?"
"After seven days, kill another one of their elders right before the Tianxuan Sect Lord's eyes."
Lin Chen gasped: "I'm a weakened Core Formation cultivator..."
"Don't worry. I won't let him target you." Meng Qingcheng handed him a token. "For seven days, use this token to enter the 'Ten Thousand Beast Blood Pool' to heal. During this time, I'll teach you the 'Heaven-Stealing Life-Swapping Formation.' When the Tianxuan Sect Lord arrives, just follow the formation's guidance and borrow beast power to create an 'accident.'"
Lin Chen took the token, eyes flickering: "Not enough killing intent..."
"The blood pool contains ten frenzied fourth-stage demonic beasts. Killing them should restore your Thunder-Patterned Core to 70%." Meng Qingcheng smiled meaningfully. "As for killing the elder—the Heaven-Stealing Formation can disguise it as a beast tide rampage, with nothing to do with me."
[System: WARNING—Meng Qingcheng has detected that Host's power is tied to killing, but hasn't touched the System's core. Recommendation: Accept the deal but keep a trump card.]
Lin Chen was silent for three seconds, then took the token: "Deal. But I have one condition."
"Speak."
"After seven days, I leave Piaohua Palace alive." He locked eyes with her. "To find Luo Jiayan."
Meng Qingcheng smiled: "If you survive Tianxuan Sect's trial, I'll personally escort you to Emei Palace."
She dismissed the barrier and called outside: "Miaoyin, take him to the Ten Thousand Beast Blood Pool."
Outside the hall, Su Miaoyin responded: "Yes."
As Lin Chen rose with Lin Ying's support, about to leave, Meng Qingcheng sent a private telepathic message only he could hear:
"Remind you—the Emei Palace Saintess bathes in the 'Moonlight Pool' every fifteenth of the month. There's a natural illusion formation there that Nascent Soul divine sense can't penetrate. If you survive until the fifteenth, you might confirm her birthmark early—of course, at a price."
Lin Chen's steps faltered, his mind in turmoil—Meng Qingcheng not only knew who he sought, but anticipated his next moves!
Outside the main hall, Su Miaoyin whispered: "Young Master Lin, the Ten Thousand Beast Blood Pool is dangerous. Even at your peak, survival wasn't guaranteed..."
"Worried about me?" Lin Chen smiled weakly.
Su Miaoyin's face flushed slightly: "The Palace Lord said if you die in the pool, I should collect your corpse. And record your last words for someone named 'Qingyao.'"
Lin Chen shuddered, staring at Su Miaoyin: "She said that too?"
"Yes." Su Miaoyin lowered her head. "Young Master Lin, is the person you're seeking... very important to you?"
Lin Chen was silent for a long time, gazing at the distant horizon: "She's someone I'd spend my entire life searching for."
[System: Su Miaoyin favorability +20. Current: 30 (Sympathy + Curiosity). WARNING: Host's current state is not suitable for developing romantic subplot.]
[System: Hidden bond "Maid Miaoyin" triggered. This girl bears seven-tenths resemblance to Host's target Su Qingyao. Suspected blood relation. Recommendation: Investigate deeply.]
Lin Chen's heart pounded violently.
Su Miaoyin... Su Qingyao... Seven-tenths resemblance...
Could the person he sought have been by his side all along?!
[End of Chapter 18]