Zhuge Yucheng

"A Divine Intent Realm Demonic Beast actually had a terrifying lifespan of 2,000 years?"

Luo Chen stroked his chin and fell into deep thought.

"It seemed the panel could only plunder seventy or eighty percent of the target's remaining lifespan."

Coming back to his senses,

Luo Chen walked to Shangguan Changyue's side and gently hoisted her over his shoulder.

He casually cast an inspection.

[Shangguan Changyue (Divine Intent Realm): 29/580.]

"She entered the Divine Intent Realm at such a young age and gained five hundred years of life."

Luo Chen sighed. "Five hundred years—in my previous life, that would have been enough to look down upon the rise and fall of dynasties."

As though she had heard Luo Chen's muttering,

Shangguan Changyue, slung over his shoulder, gave a soft snort.

Feeling the violent fluctuations of power emanating from the Chief Director's body, Luo Chen's expression gradually turned grave.

"I hope you're not dead by the time I get back!"

He hesitated no longer and sped toward Qingyuan City.

Just as Luo Chen and the others were about to leave the depths of Heavenly Severance Mountain,

Shangguan Changyue, lying on his back, recovered a trace of mental clarity.

She said in a trembling voice,

"Find somewhere quiet. Do not let anyone disturb me."

Luo Chen halted at once.

He immediately changed direction and came to a cave set into a sheer cliff face.

He gently laid Shangguan Changyue on a slab of bluestone.

Shangguan Changyue had barely regained a little clarity when she raised her head and glanced at Luo Chen.

Understanding her meaning, Luo Chen walked outside the cave and sat down cross-legged.

"If you're about to die, make sure you let out a sound."

He spoke softly to Shangguan Changyue, who was healing inside the cave.

On the bluestone, Shangguan Changyue's beautiful eyes blinked.

She thought Luo Chen was worried about her.

Then she fell silent and began taking precious healing medicine from her Spatial Secret Treasure.

There was another sentence Luo Chen had not dared say aloud.

If I can't save you, I can still help.

A painless finishing blow—you'll be free, and I'll earn a little something too.

As time passed,

three days went by in the blink of an eye.

Outside the cave, all was peaceful. No blind Demonic Beast came to disturb them.

Sensing the increasingly steady aura within, Luo Chen felt a little regret.

What was with that?

During those three days, Luo Chen had sensed nothing amiss.

Yet the Demon Suppression Bureau members still outside Heavenly Severance Mountain were like ants on a hot pan.

Yue Wuchang stood together with the two Demon Suppression Captains he had rescued.

"There have been no battle fluctuations from the depths of the mountain range for three days."

"Do you think the Chief Director might have..."

"Impossible. If the Chief Director had been defeated, why would the White Bone Great Sage have vanished without a trace as well?"

Yue Wuchang immediately refuted it, though his heart sank.

Because that brat Luo Chen had also disappeared when Yue Wuchang returned.

He questioned Demon Suppression Envoy Wang Yue.

According to Wang Yue, Luo Chen had likely entered the depths of the mountain range together with him.

"That brat better not get himself killed."

Yue Wuchang exchanged looks with the two Demon Suppression Captains.

The three reached an agreement.

They gave orders to the more than four hundred remaining Demon Suppressing Guards below.

"The depths of Heavenly Severance Mountain have been silent for three days now."

"The Chief Director's whereabouts are unknown. Starting now, search your way in along the outskirts."

"Yes!"

The Demon Suppression Bureau members scattered and began searching throughout Heavenly Severance Mountain.

Just as Yue Wuchang and the others were about to enter the mountain range to search,

a loud voice rang out from the path behind them.

Its tone was full of hostility.

"Why are you only going in to look for Changyue now?"

"If anything happens to Changyue, you can wear those robes of yours until the end."

The newcomer spoke with wild arrogance.

Yet the three Demon Suppression Captains being berated paused slightly and cupped their fists toward him.

"Greetings, Deputy Chief Director!"

The newcomer was one of the two Deputy Chief Directors of Qingyuan City's Demon Suppression Bureau.

He wore magnificent brocade robes, with a jade pendant hanging at his waist. His long hair was tied up, and his appearance was fairly handsome.

Zhuge Yucheng looked at the three Demon Suppression Captains opposite him with dissatisfaction in his eyes.

"Deputy Chief Director, it is not that we were unwilling to search for the Chief Director."

"Rather, the Chief Director gave orders that no one was to enter Heavenly Severance Mountain within three days."

One of the Demon Suppression Captains explained.

"Hmph! If Changyue has been injured, I'll hold you accountable."

Having been contradicted, Zhuge Yucheng's face immediately darkened several shades.

The three Demon Suppression Captains had never been berated like this before.

Even the Chief Director had always treated them pleasantly.

Though they were dissatisfied, they thought of his background and swallowed their anger.

"If not for urgent matters delaying this Deputy Director some time ago, Changyue would never have come to harm."

With a sweep of his sleeve, Zhuge Yucheng took the lead toward Heavenly Severance Mountain.

The three behind him exchanged helpless looks and had no choice but to follow.

A day later.

Outside the cave atop the cliff.

Luo Chen sat beside a campfire, with Golden Scale run through a wild chicken and holding it over the flames to roast.

Golden Scale...

Looking at the golden, crispy Roast Chicken, Luo Chen smacked his lips and said regretfully,

"Too bad all the seasonings are with Wang Yue."

Behind him,

soft footsteps emerged from the cave.

Shangguan Changyue's long hair hung loose, and though her face was still somewhat pale, the aura around her had stabilized.

The violent Demonic Beast power within her body had already been purged.

She stretched out her jade-like hand, and several jars of seasoning appeared on the empty ground beside Luo Chen.

"I have some!"

Hearing this, Luo Chen turned around and rose to salute her.

He had only gotten halfway up when Shangguan Changyue waved a hand and said softly,

"You saved my life. Let's dispense with these empty formalities."

"Alright!"

Luo Chen answered and plopped back down.

Shangguan Changyue was startled, then a smile curled across her lips.

She did not mind it and sat on a bluestone opposite the campfire, quietly staring at the Roast Chicken over the flames in a daze.

Seeing that the atmosphere was off, Luo Chen hurriedly spoke to break the silence.

"Chief Director, was that a Storage Ring just now?"

Remembering the novels he had read in his previous life, he had always greatly yearned for Storage Rings.

They were simply perfect treasures for traveling the world, killing people, and robbing their goods.

He had never heard of them before, so he had not paid them any mind.

He had not expected to see Shangguan Changyue use such a method today.

Shangguan Changyue glanced at him, removed the White Jade Belt from her waist, and handed it over.

"Hey, hey? Chief Director, you mustn't!"

Luo Chen was startled by her action and hurriedly waved his hands, though his eyes widened enormously.

Unfortunately, he did not see anything he should not have seen.

Shangguan Changyue pointed at the White Jade Belt and said,

"This belt is a Spatial Secret Treasure. If you want it, I'll give it to you."

Luo Chen was a little disappointed, but his disappointment was instantly replaced by curiosity.

He reached out, accepted the White Jade Belt, and examined it carefully.

Only after a long while did he hand it back to her.

"Chief Director, this is a belt for women. It wouldn't suit me to wear it."

Shangguan Changyue thought for a moment, took back the White Jade Belt, and tied it around her waist.

"When we return to Qingyuan City, I'll give you another Spatial Secret Treasure!"

A smile immediately appeared on Luo Chen's face. "Then this subordinate won't refuse."

Seeing Luo Chen agree, Shangguan Changyue smiled as well.

Luo Chen chose some seasonings and sprinkled them over the Roast Chicken.

Looking at the cold and aloof woman across from him, he hesitated before tearing off half the Roast Chicken and offering it to her.

"Chief Director, please don't mind it."

Shangguan Changyue reached out and accepted it. Unafraid of the heat, she said softly,

"You may call me Changyue."

"Then in private, I'll call you Changyue..."

"Mm!..."