Chapter 28

Clad in a deep azure disciple's robe, her three thousand strands of black hair fell casually behind her back, her face as delicate and beautiful as a flower.

Beside her stood a young man of twenty-seven or twenty-eight, his expression filled with respect.

Lin Xuan recognized the young man. He was the chief steward, the one who managed the stewards in their area. He had now reached the Body Forging Peak and would soon be promoted to the outer sect.

As for the woman who could make even him treat her so respectfully, there was no need to say it—she was naturally Senior Sister Ling Yan from the outer sect.

On the path of cultivation, the accomplished were teachers. Ling Yan looked to be only eighteen or nineteen, but as an outer sect disciple, everyone in the Servant District had to address her as "Senior Sister."

More people gradually hurried over. Standing amid the crowd, Lin Xuan did not draw any attention.

"Senior Brother!"

Suddenly, a voice sounded beside him.

Lin Xuan turned his head. At some point, Chen Ze had arrived at the square.

"What are you doing here?"

Lin Xuan looked at him in confusion.

"I came specifically to find you, Senior Brother."

Chen Ze spoke in a low voice, his gaze flickering.

"Hm?" Lin Xuan frowned, instinctively sensing that something was wrong.

Chen Ze did not beat around the bush. In a low voice, he said, "Senior Brother, there's something wrong with this Ling Yan. I know her. She entered the sect at the same time as me, and we're from the same hometown."

Chen Ze's gaze turned hateful, and he lowered his voice even further. "Her family is a powerful household in the city, arrogant and overbearing. My parents both died indirectly at the hands of her family."

"Senior Brother may have noticed that I'm someone afraid of death. But I'm only afraid that if I die, I'll never have another chance to avenge my parents."

Lin Xuan nodded, unable to make out Chen Ze's intentions. Could he be asking him to avenge him?

How could that be possible? Lin Xuan was no fool.

But then Chen Ze said, "Senior Brother, I'm not saying this because I want you to help me take revenge. I only want to tell you that I would never harm you because of her."

Lin Xuan nodded, barely believing him.

Chen Ze seemed to let out a breath of relief, then continued, "This Ling Yan admires Liu Yan, the eighth-ranked outer sect disciple. She has a close relationship with Liu Yan. I don't know whether this time she is deliberately targeting you, Senior Brother, but I want to remind you to be careful of that vicious woman."

"Liu Yan? Niu Fang seemed to say that Liu Yan was his backer. Are they the same person?"

Lin Xuan voiced his confusion.

"That's right!"

Chen Ze's expression turned solemn.

"I understand."

Lin Xuan gave an almost imperceptible nod, raising his guard inwardly.

"Then I'll be leaving first. Take care of yourself, Senior Brother."

Chen Ze discreetly glanced at Ling Yan ahead of them, then took his leave.

Lin Xuan nodded. He had clearly seen that trace of hatred in Chen Ze's eyes; it was no act.

Without another word, Lin Xuan concealed his cultivation at the middle stage of Body Forging.

"Alright, the time is about right. Now all of you, go stand beside Senior Sister Ling Yan and report your cultivation. Whether you can accompany Senior Sister Ling Yan will depend on your own fortune."

At that moment, the chief steward's voice rang out, and the servant stewards all grew excited.

"Wang Lu, Body Forging Peak."

"Yang Tao, late-stage Body Forging..."

"Li Lei, Body Forging Peak..."

One servant steward after another passed before Ling Yan in the square, as though they were being selected in some grand contest.

Yet from beginning to end, Ling Yan did not say a single word, remaining utterly silent.

Clearly, none of these people had caught her eye.

The stewards were somewhat disappointed as well.

Opportunities like this were rare. Outer sect disciples earned Contribution Points far more easily, and when they returned to the holy land, they would at least give them some.

That was practically the equivalent of one month's, or even several months', worth of earnings.

What was more, in everyone's eyes, Ling Yan could be considered a goddess, and she was even at the middle stage of Blood Refining.

With safety guaranteed and Contribution Points to earn, who would not want such a wonderful arrangement?

Lin Xuan followed the crowd and soon arrived beside Ling Yan.

Ling Yan was just as before. She treated him no differently from the others and did not even glance at him.