Ten Fingers Intertwined

Lin Che was not part of the Misty Cloud Sect. What he cared about was living freely and uninhibitedly. If not for the sect rules forbidding them from meddling in imperial affairs, the Jia Ma Empire would have long since become the Misty Cloud Sect's possession.

That was why Jia Xing Tian cared so much about which side Lin Che stood on. Although Lin Che was rather close to Misty Cloud Sect Master Yun Yun, Jia Xing Tian also knew that Lin Che would not become an enemy of the Jia Ma Empire over this matter.

Lin Che said, "So Old Jia came here today specifically to inform me?"

Jia Xing Tian nodded. "Yes. This matter came too suddenly, and I've had to study it every day."

"What is the situation with the Yan Luo Sect?" Lin Che took a sip of wine and spoke softly.

"Yan Luo Tian has not made any moves so far. However, it seems he clashed with Mulan Valley because of the Mulan Three Elders and suffered a minor injury."

Ever since the Mulan Three Elders had fallen, a battle had broken out in Mulan Valley. In order to obtain the three old fellows' granddaughters, Yan Luo Tian had launched an outright attack. Unfortunately, he had failed to defeat that old fellow from Mulan Valley. Otherwise, Mulan Valley would have long since been destroyed.

"So, Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate is the only threat left now?"

Jia Xing Tian said solemnly, "Strictly speaking, there are currently the Chu Yun Empire, Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate, and Mulan Valley of the Mulan Empire..."

"Especially the Chu Yun Empire. They can be said to hate you to the bone."

Back then, Lin Che had killed four Dou Huang experts of the Chu Yun Empire, causing the empire's strength to plummet to the bottom. This made Chu Yun Que grit his teeth in hatred, wishing he could strip Lin Che's bones and pull out his tendons!

That was also why the Chu Yun Empire had invited Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate to intervene.

When Yun Yun heard that several Dou Zong experts had set their sights on Lin Che, an unprecedented trace of urgency flashed across her serene, beautiful face. Her jade hand quietly clenched as turmoil churned within her heart.

Under the table, Lin Che gently took Yun Yun's hand in his right hand, signaling that he was fine.

However, he needed to raise his strength as quickly as possible during this time. Even with only peak Dou Emperor cultivation, Lin Che had the confidence to fight a Dou Zong expert.

Congratulations to the host for drinking continuously for three years. The host has been rewarded with two stars of strength. Current realm: Nine-star Dou Huang.

As the system's voice rang out, a blue panel abruptly appeared before Lin Che.

Naturally, only he could see this panel. Yun Yun and Jia Xing Tian merely watched as Lin Che seemed somewhat distracted.

Name: Lin Che

Age: Eighteen

Realm: Nine-star Dou Huang

Dou Skills: Thirteen Sword Slashes of the Spirit Sword (Earth-tier Mid-level), Green Lotus Sword Song (Earth-tier High-level)

Cultivation Method: Sword Control Art

Current Experience Points: 45/100

Looking at his current Experience Points, Lin Che nodded in satisfaction. It seemed that before long, he would be able to break through to the Dou Zong realm.

"Brother Lin Che, what is this?" Jia Xing Tian stroked his little mustache and asked in astonishment as he looked at Lin Che's strange expression.

This was the first time he had seen the Drunken Sword Immortal display so many unusual emotions at once.

"Hehe, it's nothing." Startled awake by Jia Xing Tian's voice, Lin Che swiftly reined in his expression. An instant later, he had returned to his usual calmness and smiled.

"This matter is nothing. As the saying goes, soldiers come, generals block; water comes, earth dams. If they come, I will deal with them personally."

Jia Xing Tian nodded. "If those fellows make any moves, I will notify you."

"Since there is nothing else, this old man shall take his leave." Jia Xing Tian slowly rose to his feet. After cupping his hands slightly toward Lin Che, he turned and vanished.

Their fingers intertwined, and Yun Yun worriedly tightened her left hand. Her sharp fingertips nearly pierced through the back of Lin Che's hand.

Lin Che turned his head and said gently, "If you squeeze any harder, my hand will be pierced through."

Only then did Yun Yun realize that her nails had left five marks on the back of Lin Che's hand. She hurriedly released him, her face reddening. "Sorry, I didn't mean to."

"It's fine."

Lin Che shrugged. He could feel the fragrant sweat seeping from Yun Yun's palm, enough to show that she was even more worried about this matter than he was.

Yet Lin Che did not care in the slightest. After breaking through to Nine-star Dou Huang, his strength had become even greater, and his comprehension of Sword Intent had deepened considerably. Challenging a Dou Zong expert across realms would not be difficult.

"Alright, don't overthink this. Just leave it to me."

"You only know how to show off. I'll see if I can use the Misty Cloud Sect's strength to pressure those people into giving up."

Yun Yun lightly bit her lip. This was her only option.

Only this method could resolve this trouble.

She just did not know whether those people would give the Misty Cloud Sect this respect.

If they would not, then as one of the Jia Ma Empire's ten strongest experts, she would have to give it her all and fight against the several great empires alongside them.

"Xie Bi Yan of Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate is quite strong. Do you need This Queen's help? If you die, how will This Queen break through to the Dou Zong realm?"

Medusa Queen had also heard Jia Xing Tian's account. She pushed open the door, swayed her snake tail, and came before them.

"Don't worry. Even if I die, you only need to drink two liang of wine every day, and you'll break through within half a month." Lin Che shrugged and said with a smile.

"Boring."

Medusa Queen glanced at Lin Che. Since this fellow did not care at all, she could not be bothered to say anything further. Whether he lived or died had nothing to do with her.

What she cared about most was whether she could break through to the Dou Zong realm. Everything else was trivial.

Time flew by, and seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

In order to help Lin Che ease his worries, Yun Yun prepared to return to the sect and see whether she could ask her teacher to come out and take charge of the situation.

The last time, Yun Yun had gone to seek her teacher because of this matter. Unfortunately, her teacher had not left the sect and had instead shown no concern over whether Lin Che had offended several great empires.

In a relatively quiet place within the Misty Cloud Sect.

Pill King Gu He sat in a chair, looking through the records in a book. He nodded slightly. "It seems that only by obtaining a Heavenly Flame will I have a chance to advance my alchemy."

"Teacher, you seem to have had something on your mind lately?"

Standing beside Gu He was a rather handsome young man. He was about the same age as Nalan Yanran, elegant and easygoing, with a folding fan in his right hand. His entire bearing appeared exceptionally gentle.

He was Pill King Gu He's disciple, Liu Ling, who had currently reached the level of a Third-grade Alchemist.

Gu He smiled. "Of course it is because of the Heavenly Flame. There has been no news from the Tagor Desert, and Sect Master Yun seems to have important business these past few days. No one is allowed to disturb her for now."

"Don't worry, Teacher. With Misty Cloud Sect experts investigating, it should not be long before we learn the location of the Heavenly Flame."