So It Was All My Fault?

Upon hearing this, Lin Jing took the jade pendant with a curious look and examined it carefully. Somewhat surprised, she said, "It's real!"

"How do you have this kind of jade pendant? My father really met you?"

Lu Chen nodded. "We met not long ago. I was fortunate enough to earn Senior's favor, and he gifted me this Amulet Spiritual Jade."

Lin Jing clapped her hands together, looking rather delighted. "What a coincidence! My dad really does know how to judge people. You're such a good fighter, just like my dad was when he was young. Why don't you come with me to the Martial Realm?"

"I'll have my father take you as his disciple. Then no one will dare bully you!"

Lu Chen paused for a moment, then pondered briefly and shook his head. "Thank you for your kind offer, Miss Lin, but while the Martial Realm is good, it isn't suited to me."

"Why not?"

Lin Jing widened her eyes and asked in surprise.

"Because I have cheats..."

Lu Chen did not dare voice his thoughts. Instead, he said solemnly, "I have heard that only those most valiant and fearless can strive for Saint Grade Heavenly Supreme. While the Martial Realm is good, if I join it and lose my own edge, I will never reach that realm again."

"I, Lu, seek the Saint Grade. I can only decline Miss Lin's kind offer."

"Saint Grade Heavenly Supreme? Your ambitions are way too high, aren't they? Even in the Martial Realm, only my dad has reached that level!"

Lin Jing pouted, just about to say something more.

But then she suddenly thought of Uncle Diao, Aunt Bing, and the others. Was it because of her father's protection that they had been unable to break through to the Saint Grade for so long?

"If that's the case..."

"Then do whatever you want..."

With that thought, Lin Jing lowered her head dejectedly and spoke unhappily.

She had never expected that one day, someone would actually reject an invitation from the Martial Realm.

In her eyes, her father was the greatest existence in this world. The Martial Realm he had founded was naturally the strongest force in the world as well.

Others should have been desperate to join the Martial Realm...

"Now that the crisis has been resolved, does Miss Lin have any other business to take care of on Shang Continent?"

"If not, we should leave this place as soon as possible. We shouldn't linger, lest that Liu Ming from Profound Heaven Hall return with men and catch us off guard."

Lu Chen drank a bottle of Sovereign Spiritual Liquid to restore some of his spiritual energy and spoke gravely.

"Then let's hurry and go. We can't let that guy find us again."

Hearing this, Lin Jing took out two azure talismans, slapped one onto herself and the other onto Lu Chen, and said, "These are Wind Spirit Talismans. They can increase our flying speed. You've used up too much spiritual energy, so you definitely can't use Space Divine Ability anymore. Let's travel by flying."

Lu Chen nodded. With a tap of his foot against the ground, he shot swiftly into the distance. Seeing this, Lin Jing immediately followed after him.

Not long afterward,

Tianluo Continent, Da Luo Territory.

Da Luo Territory Headquarters.

Two streaks of light cut across the sky before finally stopping outside the vast and magnificent spirit array, revealing a man and a woman.

"This is the headquarters of my Da Luo Territory. Not only is it guarded by an Earthly Supreme Domain Lord, but it also has a super spirit array laid down by a Spirit Array Ancestor. Even Profound Heaven Hall would not dare offend it lightly."

Lu Chen pointed at the floating continent ahead and said with a smile.

Lin Jing curiously studied the suspended Da Luo Territory, but she could not see its end. All she could see were countless streaks of light flying through it.

High in the sky, an enormous spirit array had formed into a light barrier that enveloped the entire continent, protecting all of Da Luo Territory within it. Terrifying spiritual energy fluctuations gently rippled through the air, continuously twisting even space itself.

"Great! This is my first time visiting another faction's headquarters. Let's go!"

Lin Jing looked at the floating continent in the distance, anticipation flashing in her eyes as she spoke excitedly.

Lu Chen sighed. "Little miss, this isn't the Martial Realm. Not everyone here knows who you are, so don't go causing trouble for me."

"Who caused trouble? Those two guys clearly provoked me for no reason before!"

Lin Jing immediately pouted, sounding aggrieved.

Lu Chen nodded slightly. "That's good, then. As long as you don't provoke anyone first, the people of Da Luo Territory won't deliberately make things difficult for you."

"Come with me."

With that, Lu Chen headed toward the Light Gate at the entrance of the array, and Lin Jing hurried after him.

There were no surprises. Lu Chen displayed the commander's token of the Nine Nether Palace, and the guarding Black Armor Soldiers immediately let them through.

The two passed through the Light Gate and walked along a broad road paved with white jade.

"By the way, Lin Jing, how did you sneak out? Did your family really not arrange a guard for you?"

"No, definitely not! I snuck out while my dad was away!"

"Your father was away? Doesn't Senior Martial Ancestor guard the Martial Realm year-round? What urgent matter made him leave so suddenly?"

"My mother said he went to settle an old grudge. When my mother mentioned it, she seemed pretty happy about it."

"Oh, I see. Senior Martial Ancestor is quite busy, then. Where did he go to settle it?"

"I heard it was a medium-sized continent called Northern Azure Continent."

"Where did you say?"

Lu Chen abruptly stopped and turned to look at Lin Jing, his face full of disbelief.

"Northern Azure Continent?"

"What's wrong?"

Lin Jing raised her head and looked at Lu Chen in confusion.

The corner of Lu Chen's mouth twitched. This was simply absurd.

So you were able to sneak out?

It was all my fault?

I asked the Martial Ancestor to make a move, triggering the butterfly effect and letting you sneak out?

Then you ran into danger, and I happened to save you. The ways of the world really are strange.

Thinking this, Lu Chen could not help sighing. He muttered softly, "So that's how it is. It's all karma. I suppose I'm destined to protect you for a while."

"Lu Chen, what are you muttering to yourself about?"

"Nothing. Let's go. I'll take you to meet my superior in Da Luo Territory, and also the person who saved my life—Nine Nether."

"Then I'll have her take you to meet Sky Vulture Emperor. As for whether you stay or leave, we'll see what he says..."

"Ah? Don't do this, Lu Chen. Aren't we friends? I finally managed to sneak out. Please have some pity on me and let me stay outside a little longer."

As she spoke, Lin Jing hurriedly pressed her hands together, looking pitiful and endearing. Yet her bright, watery eyes were filled with cunning and liveliness, like a little fox.

Lu Chen was not fooled by her act. He said irritably, "There's no room for discussion. I can't bear the responsibility for the safety of a little princess from the Martial Realm. Give up on that idea."

"Meeting is fate. You're far too heartless."

Lin Jing said angrily.

Lu Chen rolled his eyes. "We're already in Da Luo Territory, so it's too late for you to change your mind. Besides, I saved your life. Didn't you say on the way that you could do anything for me?"

"I'm asking you to return home safely now. Can you do that, my little ancestor?"