173: Chapter 173 The Tang Family Arrives, Tang Shiyun's Choice!

The morning sunlight filtered through the mist and spilled onto the Shelter.

Lin Yuan stood on the third-floor balcony of the villa, watching the goddesses training in the distance.

The addition of Chen Hanyue had elevated the Shelter's strength to a new level, and the merger of the two Shelters had also made resources more abundant.

"Brother Lin Yuan."

Chu Yanran walked onto the balcony carrying a cup of hot tea and gently handed it to Lin Yuan.

She was wearing a pale blue dress today. Although her appearance was ordinary, her virtuous and gentle temperament made people feel as comfortable as a spring breeze.

"Hmm."

Lin Yuan took the teacup and took a gentle sip.

Chu Yanran stood beside him, her eyes filled with admiration and infatuation.

She knew she wasn't worthy of Lin Yuan, but as long as she could stay by his side, she was content.

Just then, rumble! The roar of engines suddenly came from the distance!

Lin Yuan frowned, and his B-rank Crisis Insight Ability activated instantly.

Ten modified off-road vehicles were approaching rapidly!

There were over twenty powerful auras in the vehicles, and the leader was actually an A-rank peak Ability User!

"We have guests." Lin Yuan put down the teacup, a cold sneer tugging at the corner of his mouth.

It had been so long since the start of the Apocalypse, and yet there was such a large convoy... The visitors meant trouble.

A few minutes later, the convoy stopped outside the Shelter's gate. Su Yuyan had already led the guard team to stand ready.

The car door opened, and a middle-aged man in a black suit stepped out. He looked to be about fifty years old, with a square face and an imposing, dignified air, exuding the aura of a person in a high position.

"I am Tang Zhentian, the Third Elder of the Tang Family." The man's voice was loud and resonant: "I have come under the orders of our Family Head to find Lord Lin Yuan."

Su Yuyan's eyes narrowed. The Tang Family? One of the top noble families in China? What were they doing here looking for Lin Yuan?

"Please wait a moment." Su Yuyan had someone notify Lin Yuan.

A moment later, Lin Yuan walked out slowly. Seeing Lin Yuan, Tang Zhentian immediately stepped forward: "Lord Lin Yuan, our eldest young lady, Tang Shiyun, had a brief encounter with you some days ago."

"She is currently at our Tang Family outpost, but the Family Head has ordered that she be taken back to the capital for an arranged marriage."

"She is unwilling to leave and said... said that you once saved her, and she hopes you can put in a good word for her."

Lin Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly. Tang Shiyun? He remembered the woman who played the zither, the user of the Heavenly Sound Kill.

"Where is she?" Lin Yuan asked indifferently.

Tang Zhentian hesitated for a moment: "At the Tang Family's temporary outpost in the west of the city. The young lady said that if you are willing to see her, she... she has something important to tell you."

Lin Yuan was silent for a moment. His B-rank Crisis Insight Ability vaguely sensed that there seemed to be something hidden behind this matter.

"Lead the way." Lin Yuan said directly.

A look of joy flashed in Tang Zhentian's eyes: "Please follow me, Lord Lin Yuan."

In the west of the city, a luxurious villa. This was the Tang Family's temporary outpost in Jiangcheng.

Tang Shiyun stood in front of the window, looking at the scenery outside with melancholic eyes. She wore a white dress, like a fairy who did not eat the food of mortals.

"Young Lady, the Third Elder has returned." The maid whispered a reminder.

Tang Shiyun turned her head and saw Lin Yuan following behind Tang Zhentian, her eyes flashing with surprise and joy.

"Lin Yuan..." She walked over quickly but stopped two meters away, looking a bit reserved: "You... you really came."

Lin Yuan looked her over. Compared to when they last met, Tang Shiyun seemed a bit more haggard.

"Speak. What is it?" Lin Yuan got straight to the point.

Tang Shiyun bit her lip: "The family wants me to marry Zhao Wuji, the Young Master of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. The engagement banquet is in three days... But I don't want to marry someone I don't know."

Tang Zhentian said in a deep voice from the side: "Young Lady, this is the Family Head's order! The Heavenly Secret Pavilion is a top power in China, mastering the secret arts of Heavenly Mystery Deduction! Young Master Zhao Wuji awakened an S-rank Ability at a young age! His father, Zhao Tianji, is an even more terrifying SS-rank existence! This marriage is of great significance to the Tang Family!"

Tang Shiyun's face was pale, but her eyes were firm: "I will not marry him."

She looked at Lin Yuan, a trace of expectation in her eyes: "Lin Yuan, I know this request is too much... but... but can you help me? You saved me last time, and I have always kept that in my heart. If... if you can help me get through this crisis... I am willing to do anything for you."

Lin Yuan looked at her and was silent for a moment. His B-rank Crisis Insight Ability clearly perceived her emotions. This woman... seemed to have special feelings for him. Moreover, her loyalty had reached the highest level, blue!

"Tang Zhentian." Lin Yuan suddenly spoke. Tang Zhentian was stunned: "Yes, Lord?"

"Go back and tell your Family Head." Lin Yuan's voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable dominance: "Tang Shiyun, I will protect her. Whoever wants to take her away must first get past me."

Tang Zhentian's expression changed drastically: "Lord, what do you mean by this? Do you know that this is a major marriage alliance between the Tang Family and the Heavenly Secret Pavilion! Have you thought about the consequences of offending two major powers?"

Lin Yuan sneered: "Consequences? When I, Lin Yuan, do things, I never consider the consequences."

Boom! A terrifying pressure erupted instantly! The aura of an SS-Rank Lightning Ability swept across the entire area! The whole villa was trembling!

Tang Zhentian's face turned pale, and he could not help but take a few steps back. So strong! This pressure... it was actually SS-rank! This young man actually possessed SS-rank strength!

"Lord Lin." Tang Zhentian gritted his teeth and said: "You must think clearly, Pavilion Master Zhao Tianji is also an SS-Rank Expert! And he has mastered the art of Heavenly Mystery Deduction, able to foresee the future! Do you really want to make enemies with two major powers for the sake of one woman?"

Lin Yuan scoffed: "SS-rank? What a coincidence, so am I. As for foreseeing the future... then let him calculate whether he can live past three days."

Arrogant! Too arrogant! Tang Zhentian simply could not believe his ears. This Lin Yuan dared to threaten an SS-Rank Expert?

"Now..." Lin Yuan's voice was cold: "Scram, or die?"

Cold sweat broke out on Tang Zhentian's forehead. He knew that Lin Yuan was not joking. If he didn't know when to retreat, Lin Yuan would really kill him!

But... Tang Shiyun stared at Lin Yuan in a daze. He... he actually risked offending two major powers for her? Why? She and he clearly didn't have such a deep relationship... Could it be... Tang Shiyun's heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and a bold thought surfaced in her mind. Could it be that he felt...

"I... I will go with you." Tang Shiyun gathered her courage and said: "Lin Yuan, I am willing to go to the Shelter with you. As long as... as long as you can protect me."

Lin Yuan nodded: "Pack your things and come with me."

Tang Zhentian still wanted to say something, but seeing Lin Yuan's cold gaze, he ultimately did not dare to speak.

Half an hour later, Lin Yuan brought Tang Shiyun back to his Shelter.

Chu Yanran was waiting at the villa entrance, and seeing Lin Yuan return, she immediately went to greet him. "Brother Lin Yuan, you're back." She said gently, but suddenly— "Cough, cough, cough—" Chu Yanran began to cough violently.

"Yanran?" Lin Yuan frowned. He saw that Chu Yanran's face was pale, and her body was swaying. "Brother Lin Yuan... I... I..." Before she could finish, she collapsed. Lin Yuan flashed forward and instantly caught her. "Yanran! Yanran!"

Chu Yanran was already unconscious, and what was even stranger was—an ancient rune had appeared on her forehead! The rune was dark gold and emitted a mysterious light.

"This is..." Luo Qinghan suddenly widened her eyes: "Bloodline Seal?!"

Everyone looked at her. Luo Qinghan walked over quickly and carefully examined the rune on Chu Yanran's forehead.

"Indeed... this is the bloodline sealing technique of the Ancient Chu Family!"

Tang Zhentian was also shocked: "The Chu Family? That Chu Family that mastered the art of fate? Weren't they wiped out twenty years ago?"

Luo Qinghan's eyes were complex: "It seems... she is the only survivor of the Chu Family. Someone used a sealing technique to seal her bloodline and appearance, hiding her among ordinary people. But now... the seal is about to break."

Lin Yuan frowned: "Why would it suddenly break?"

Luo Qinghan looked at him, hesitant to speak. Finally, she said: "Because... love. When the Chu Family bloodline encounters the person they truly love, and their emotions reach the extreme... the seal will automatically loosen."

She looked at the unconscious Chu Yanran: "Clearly, she has fallen in love with someone, and she loves them very deeply. So deeply that she is willing to break the seal for them, not caring even if her identity is exposed."

Lin Yuan was silent. He hadn't expected such an heaven-defying bloodline? Activated by love, it was very unique. He certainly knew who Chu Yanran loved. On the system panel, Chu Yanran's loyalty had long been dark green. How could he not feel that kind of almost obsessive love?

"Is there a way to save her?" Lin Yuan asked.

Luo Qinghan nodded: "Yes, but the conditions are very harsh." "Speak."

"It requires the blood of the person she truly loves. And... that person must be an SS-rank or higher expert. Only the vital blood of an SS-Rank Expert can guide the seal to be removed safely. Otherwise, if it is forced open, she will die."

The whole place was silent. The vital blood of an SS-Rank Expert? This condition... was it too harsh? In all of China, you could count the number of SS-Rank Experts on one hand!

A sense of bitterness welled up in Tang Shiyun's heart. Chu Yanran loved Lin Yuan; everyone could see that. And Lin Yuan happened to be an SS-Rank Expert... Would he give his own vital blood for Chu Yanran?

Just as everyone was speculating— Rip! Lin Yuan tore open his palm without hesitation! Blood flowed out instantly!

"Master!" "Lin Yuan!" The women exclaimed.

Lin Yuan didn't even look at them, directly dripping the blood onto the rune on Chu Yanran's forehead. Hum— The rune lit up instantly! The dark golden light flared brightly! The seal... began to loosen!