Chapter 40

"I understand!"

Chen Ze answered respectfully.

Lin Xuan said no more and turned to leave.

Bang!

But just then, the sound of something heavy hitting the ground came from behind him.

Lin Xuan turned around to see Chen Ze kneeling on the ground.

"What are you doing?"

Lin Xuan asked in confusion.

"Senior Brother, great kindness needs no words of thanks. If there is ever anything Chen Ze can do for you, just say the word."

"Even if it is a mountain of blades or a sea of fire, Chen Ze will not utter a single complaint."

Chen Ze spoke solemnly, his expression grave and his gaze exceptionally firm.

Lin Xuan raised a brow. In an instant, he understood what Chen Ze meant.

Chen Ze must have heard the news of Ling Yan's death as well. In Chen Ze's eyes, Ling Yan had likely died by his hand.

Lin Xuan shook his head. "You may have misunderstood. Ling Yan died at the hands of the Earth-Rending Bear."

"I know, Senior Brother!"

Chen Ze answered, then kowtowed deeply to Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan raised his brow but said nothing more, turning and leaving.

Only after a long while did Chen Ze rise to his feet. Looking up at the sky, two streams of tears spilled from his eyes.

"Father, Mother, your spirits in heaven can finally rest in peace."

Lin Xuan returned to the resting area and began considering the road ahead.

There was no longer any time or blood qi to be gained in the Servant District. He was now completely passive.

Yet leaving the sacred land to hunt demon beasts and improve himself was not feasible for the time being.

It was troublesome for servants to leave the sacred land. What was more, amid the dense forests where demon beasts ran rampant, Lin Xuan could not guarantee that he would find demon beasts suitable for him to kill.

If he encountered a demon beast in the Bone Tempering Realm—or even the second major realm—Lin Xuan would undoubtedly be left without even bones to bury.

"Information on the outer sect is extremely important, but only the outer sect's Mission Pavilion has it. And only outer sect disciples can enter and leave the Mission Pavilion."

Lin Xuan murmured, falling into a dead end for a time.

"If only Xiao Yu'er were still in the sacred land. Perhaps Peak Lord Liu would have a way to let me join the outer sect early."

Lin Xuan sighed helplessly, but then a flash of inspiration struck his mind.

"No, perhaps I can try Elder Luo's side as well."

No sooner said than done, Lin Xuan rose directly and opened his door.

But at that moment, an outer sect disciple clad in dark azure robes arrived outside his room.

"Greetings, Senior Brother!"

Lin Xuan gave a slight bow in salute.

"You are Lin Xuan?"

The newcomer asked indifferently.

"I am. May I ask who you are, Senior Brother?"

Lin Xuan felt puzzled, sensing that the visitor seemed to have some business with him.

"My name is Sun Liang. I'm at the initial stage of Body Forging, and I serve under Senior Brother Liu Yan."

Sun Liang's words made Lin Xuan's heart tighten, though he showed nothing of it.

Sun Liang continued, "You should know that Senior Sister Ling Yan also served under Senior Brother Liu Yan."

At this point, Sun Liang paused. Suddenly, his gaze turned sharp, and his voice rose several notches.

"Speak. Was Senior Sister Ling Yan's death connected to you? What despicable trick did you use?"

Just as expected. He has come with ill intent!

Lin Xuan sighed inwardly, but his expression did not change in the slightest. "Senior Brother Sun Liang, you may have misunderstood. Senior Sister Ling Yan died at the hands of the Earth-Rending Bear. It had nothing whatsoever to do with me."

"I am deeply grateful to Senior Sister Ling Yan. If she had not told me to wait two li away, I fear I would have fallen prey to the Earth-Rending Bear as well."

"Heh heh..."

Sun Liang grinned and laughed.

"You've got quite the composure, Lin Xuan. I'm afraid everyone has underestimated you."

"I don't understand what you mean, Senior Brother!" Lin Xuan asked in confusion...

"Heh heh..."

Sun Liang smiled faintly. "Chen Ze bore a grudge against Ling Yan. Before Ling Yan selected servants to accompany her to Yan Hui Mountain, Chen Ze came looking for you."

As he spoke, Sun Liang's gaze turned sharp.

"You and Chen Ze were as close as brothers, so you agreed to avenge him."

"But have you considered that Ling Yan is one of Senior Brother Liu Yan's people? That this would bring a calamity crashing down upon your own head?"

"Harming a fellow disciple is a capital offense!"

"Lin Xuan, do you admit your guilt?"

Sun Liang's voice suddenly rose, turning into a fierce interrogation.

Yet Lin Xuan's expression did not change in the slightest.

He looked calmly at Sun Liang. "Senior Brother, that is merely your speculation. I did not know that Chen Ze and Senior Sister Ling Yan had a grudge."