Qian Ling'er's heart was in turmoil, her emotions growing more and more intense.
"Hey, little girl, what exactly do you want..."
Qian Ling'er was also caught up in the memories of the days she had spent with Lin Chen.
"Cooperation?"
Lin Chen's expression turned cold. He withdrew the spiritual power he had been scattering around them, and his whole person seemed especially profound.
"Little demon girl, you want me to help you? You want me to take away the power that could change your fate. Do you think you can afford to pay me?"
"My diary is in your hands. Today I might spare you, but tomorrow I could write in the diary that I've taken everything you have."
Qian Ling'er's expression shifted.
She knew Lin Chen truly possessed the ability to take whatever he wanted. Even if she was furious with him, there was nothing she could do.
And she couldn't possibly entertain the thought of fighting Lin Chen!
After all, she dreaded the person behind Lin Chen—"the Emperor of Heaven"!
She didn't know whether that terrifying powerhouse was following close behind. If he made a move, it would surely mean certain death.
Lin Chen, don't do anything rash!
The threat Lin Chen had just made left not only Qian Ling'er but even Dou Luo trembling with fear.
"Go ahead and make your offer."
Qian Ling'er took a deep breath. Beneath the moonlight, her pale, jade-like legs stood steady, and her face showed a hint of resolve.
"The diary is an opportunity for the soul masters of the continent. As long as you agree, I can offer you the power of the Spirit Hall. I can even give you the power of the Demon King's Royal Family, sealed beasts, and Dou Luo's divine weapons—whatever you want."
"Only if... you can help me avoid that fatal outcome, when the divine throne is shattered."
Lin Chen rubbed his chin, a thoughtful gleam in his eyes.
The power he could currently obtain...
Could he perhaps get a little stronger by taking advantage of someone?
If he could get Qian Ling'er to offer the power of the Demon King's Royal Family, sealed beasts, and Dou Luo, that would certainly give him more bargaining chips.
"Don't worry... I'm not really an agent of the Emperor of Heaven."
Lin Chen's lips curled into a smile.
"You're lucky. As it happens, there might be a place where the power of sealed beasts and Dou Luo could be useful. For this cooperation, you'll have to pay a lot."
Qian Ling'er gave a bitter smile.
She was already afraid of her future fate, wasn't she?!
"Fine. I agree..."
The stone weighing on Qian Ling'er's heart finally fell. She would have to pay a great price by offering him the power of sealed beasts and Dou Luo, but as long as she could change her fate, it was worth it.
"Happy to work with you."
She looked deeply at the young man, then spread her wings and transformed once more into golden light, vanishing into the night over Heaven Dou City.
Half an hour later, at the Demon King's Royal Family's academy, in Lin Chen's dormitory.
Lin Chen pushed open the room door, stretched his stiff back, and prepared to take off his clothes and have a good, hot bath.
"First Qian Ling'er, and now, for the sake of the diary, someone else..."
"Having the diary really is costing me my life."
He shut his eyes and breathed in the cool air.
"Tomorrow I should also go to Sunset Forest. As for whether the Ice Emperor and Snow Emperor really exist, they've both been mentioned in the diary..."
"With the strength I have now, if I reveal even a bit too much, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep them safe. After all, there's a hidden comparison in the shadows..."
Lin Chen muttered to himself.
He pushed open the door and entered the bathroom, then prepared to take off his clothes and enjoy a hot-water bath.
But as soon as he shut the bathroom door and turned around, a presence that didn't belong there suddenly appeared.
"Who?"
Lin Chen's eyes turned cold as Zhuxian Sword Intent gathered.
The moonlight slanted in through the window, outlining a beautiful yet curvaceous figure.
The black robe she wore seemed to blend into the darkness. It was Zhu Zhuqing.
"Is that you?"
But what made Lin Chen's gaze flicker was that this cold, proud woman had actually donned a black nightdress, even more alluring than the night itself.
"You broke into my dorm in the middle of the night. What special hobby do you have?"
Lin Chen was startled, but his words came out teasing rather than harsh.
"..."
The woman who had always been cold and aloof had long since blushed. Lin Chen could even clearly make out the red tint on her earlobes.
She kept biting her lip. Her clear, cold eyes held a touch of reluctance, but even more than that, there was a hint of stubborn determination.
"Lin Chen..."
Her voice was soft, but each word was clear.
"I want to know what's going to happen. I want to know... how far that man, Dai Mubai, will go in betraying me. I want to know what kind of future I'll have if I don't ask you."
Her gaze was deep and solemn.
She had already learned a few things about the future. She wanted to know more—why?
Because she wanted to know what awaited her.
She had betrayed her own fate.
And had become his lifelong enemy.
She watched Lin Chen intently.
"For the sake of getting stronger, and for the fate that has me treated like a pawn, I'm willing to do anything. If you want the truth, I'll tell you! If you want a deal... whatever I have, you can take it."
Lin Chen looked at her. The playful expression he had started with slowly faded.
He could sense the sincere desperation in Zhu Zhuqing.
In the imperial family of the Star Luo Empire, a place as cold and ruthless as a wolf's den...
"It's rare to meet someone who's awake."
He slowly walked toward Zhu Zhuqing, his measured steps making the empty room seem especially quiet.
Zhu Zhuqing instinctively wanted to retreat, but she forced her body to stay still. She let Lin Chen's domineering presence envelop her.
"What do you mean, anything?"
Lin Chen stopped in front of her, the corner of his mouth curling into a faint smile.
He only looked at Zhu Zhuqing, making her breathing grow quick and uneven. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly.
"Enough. You don't have to look so worried."
Lin Chen suddenly raised his hand, then sprawled out on the enormous bed, resting his head on his arm as he smiled.
"Everything you want to know, I'll tell you in the diary. Besides that, I won't tell you anything else, even if I know it."
"Nor will I tell you in any way other than through the diary."
He gave her a warning look.
Lin Chen's gaze turned icy, his tone firm and cold. "Also, no matter what you've heard..."
"Don't expose me. If the existence of the diary is exposed, I'll take your life right here and now."
Zhu Zhuqing fell silent. She understood some of it.
But she had never planned to expose him.
"I... I promise."
Lin Chen glanced at her. His gaze paused for a moment on the black nightdress that suited her far better than white.
"You look better in black than in white. Go on. I need to sleep."
Zhu Zhuqing first looked as if she'd been struck by lightning; then all the humiliation she'd been suppressing surged into her heart.
That man had nearly made her die of embarrassment.
And he'd only done it to tease her?
"I... I definitely won't expose you."
Zhu Zhuqing awkwardly climbed out through the window and vanished into the night.
Lin Chen watched her retreating back, his expression unreadable.
The dormitory returned to its former quiet. Only the faint, lingering fragrance of a young woman remained in the air.
"First Qian Ling'er, and now Zhu Zhuqing..."
"One after another, all for the sake of seeing what's in the diary. This really is costing me my life."
He closed his eyes, breathing evenly.
"Tomorrow I'll also go to Sunset Forest. As for whether the Ice Emperor and Snow Emperor really exist, they've both been mentioned in the diary..."
"With the strength I have now, if I reveal even a bit too much, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep them safe. After all, there's someone hidden in the shadows, just like Bi Bi Dong..."
Lin Chen muttered to himself.
Before you continue