Chapter 302 Time Waits for No One

Shen Wen said, "Secretly pass this information to Xiao Xun Er."

Cao Ying's brows furrowed slightly. "Pass it to Xiao Xun Er? Why her?"

Shen Wen explained, "She is the Young Miss of the Gu Clan, with the entire Gu Clan behind her. If this information is handed up through her, it's impossible for the Gu Clan not to take it seriously."

"Isn't the Gu Clan idle with nothing to do? Then let's give them something to occupy themselves."

"The Hun Clan is secretly setting up a formation, plotting against the entire continent. If this matter is verified, can the Gu Clan still sit still?"

A glimmer of light flashed in Cao Ying's eyes.

She understood.

Once the information about the Spirit Devouring Life-Extinguishing Array reached the upper echelons of the Gu Clan, they would inevitably investigate.

The Hun Clan was their old rival; they couldn't possibly ignore such a major matter.

By then, the Gu Clan's attention would be drawn to the Hun Clan. How would they have the time to keep staring at Shen Wen?

"But how do we pass this information?" Cao Ying asked. "If we tell Xiao Xun Er directly, won't she be suspicious?"

Shen Wen shook his head, the smile at the corners of his mouth deepening slightly.

"There's no need to tell her directly."

He looked at Cao Ying, his gaze carrying a hint of profound meaning. "Isn't Xiao Yan currently in the territory of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion?"

Cao Ying was startled, then immediately understood.

Xiao Xun Er was utterly devoted to Xiao Yan.

As long as Xiao Yan 'accidentally' discovered some clues and was then allowed to tell this information to Xiao Xun Er—

Would Xiao Xun Er doubt Xiao Yan?

She wouldn't.

Thus, the information would naturally become the truth.

Shen Wen leaned back against the chair, picked up his teacup, and took a sip, his tone indifferent. "Doesn't the Gu Clan want something to do? Then let them go investigate the Hun Clan. Investigating for eight or ten years would be just right."

Cao Ying nodded and didn't ask further.

She knew what to do.

Outside the window, the sun was gradually sinking in the west.

Shen Wen's gaze passed through the window lattice, looking at the darkening sky in the distance, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

The Gu Clan.

The Hun Clan.

Since they all wanted to keep an eye on him, then let them keep an eye on each other.

"By the way, go tell the Dan Family that I want to take Dan Chen as a concubine."

After hearing Shen Wen's words, Cao Ying was stunned for a moment, then gave him a sidelong glance.

"That girl is probably going to get her wish!"

Her tone carried a hint of mock reproach, but there was no real jealousy. "Fine, I'll make a trip to the Dan Family. But the Dan Family treasures Dan Chen very much."

"They might not necessarily agree! If it were the position of a wife, they might still agree."

Shen Wen leaned against the back of the chair, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest, his tone casual. "You can reveal information about the zun ji pill to the Dan Family."

Cao Ying's brow arched slightly.

"The zun ji pill? Didn't you say it wasn't the right time yet?"

Shen Wen nodded. "The time has come."

He continued, "The Dan Family is one of the three great families of the Pill Tower, and Dan Chen is the most beloved junior of the Dan Family's Old Ancestor. Marrying her into the Family cannot be done shabbily."

"The information about the zun ji pill has enough weight. Let the Dan Family know that I can refine a Medicinal Pill that allows a Dou Zun to increase their level by one star. As long as they aren't fools, they'll know what to do."

Cao Ying pondered for a moment and then nodded.

"That is indeed a good bargaining chip. However..." She looked at Shen Wen, her eyes filled with confusion, "Why are you suddenly in such a hurry? Although that girl Dan Chen is anxious, it wouldn't hurt to wait a few more days, right?"

Shen Wen didn't speak, but simply reached out and pulled her into his embrace.

Cao Ying's body stiffened slightly, then she relaxed, leaning against his shoulder and smelling the familiar scent on him.

"What's wrong?" she asked softly.

Shen Wen lowered his head, his chin resting on the top of her head as he inhaled her faint fragrance, remaining silent for a moment.

"Time and tide wait for no man."

His voice was low, carrying a rare touch of heaviness.

Cao Ying didn't move, listening quietly.

Shen Wen continued, "The Gu Clan sent people this time; although they were polite, you also heard it. The underlying meaning of their words was that I have no background and am easy to manipulate, wasn't it?"

"What about the Hun Clan's side? They are eyeing my Alchemy and my Soul. You aren't unaware of how those high-level Alchemists disappeared."

Cao Ying fell silent.

She knew that what Shen Wen said was the truth.

"And then there are the Yao Clan, Lei Clan, and Yan Clan—those Emperor Clans. Which one of them isn't high and mighty, looking down on all living beings? My current foundation is, in their eyes, just a slightly larger ant."

Shen Wen paused, his tone carrying a hint of self-mockery. "Guess why the Gu Clan doesn't take action against Xiao Yan?"

Cao Ying was slightly startled.

Of course she knew who Xiao Yan was—that youth from a small place in the Northwest whom Shen Wen had asked her to pay attention to.

"Xiao Yan... what's so special about him?"

Shen Wen smiled, a smile that held a complex meaning.

"He is a member of the Xiao Clan."

Cao Ying's brows furrowed. "The Xiao Clan? Is that also an Emperor Clan?"

Shen Wen nodded. "Yes, it's just that the Xiao Clan has declined, but Xiao Yan has the Xiao Clan's Bloodline flowing within him."

More importantly, the Xiao Family has an Old Ancestor named Xiao Xuan, who was a top-tier powerhouse who had half a foot into the Dou Di realm back then."

"Although rumors say that Xiao Xuan has already fallen, who can guarantee he's truly dead? What if he's just hiding in the shadows, waiting for the descendants of the Xiao Family to grow up?"

"Gu Yuan doesn't dare to gamble."

A look of realization flashed in Cao Ying's eyes.

Shen Wen continued, "And then there's Yao Chen, Xiao Yan's Revered Master. Who is Yao Chen? A person of the Yao Clan. Although he was expelled by the Yao Clan, the blood of the Yao Clan flows in his veins."

"Add to that the girl Xiao Xun Er, who is utterly devoted to Xiao Yan. Even if the Gu Clan wanted to move against Xiao Yan, they would have to ask this Young Miss if she agrees."

He lowered his head, looking at Cao Ying in his arms, his gaze deep. "Look at that, Xiao Yan alone has three Emperor Clans standing behind him."

"Even if those Emperor Clans don't help him, just this level of wariness is enough for him to grow up peacefully."

"And what about me?"

Cao Ying didn't speak, but simply reached out to wrap her arms around his waist, holding him tighter.

Shen Wen gently patted her back, his tone calming down. "So I must hurry."

"The Dan Family must be secured."

"With the Dan Family, things here at the Pill Tower will be even more stable."

"Add to that the Cao Family, Burning Flame Valley, Ice River Valley, Snake-People Clan, and Heavenly Serpent Mansion. Accumulate slowly. Once I've accumulated enough, I'll be able to stand tall and speak before those Emperor Clans."

The corners of his mouth curled into a slight arc. "Besides, that girl Dan Chen is so anxious herself. As her husband, I can't let her keep waiting forever."

Cao Ying raised her head and looked at him, her eyes filled with a hint of a smile.

"You, after all that talk, aren't you just lusting after her body?"

Shen Wen arched an eyebrow and didn't respond to that, instead lowering his head to give her a light kiss on the lips.

Cao Ying's cheeks turned slightly red, but she didn't pull away.

After a moment, she released him, stood up, and straightened her robes, returning to her usual composed manner.

"Fine, I'll head to the Dan Family now. Regarding the zun ji pill, I'll speak carefully. I won't reveal everything, but it will be enough to tempt them."

Shen Wen nodded. "Thank you for your hard work."

Cao Ying smiled and turned to leave.

When she reached the door, she suddenly turned back and looked at Shen Wen, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "By the way, should I ask the Dan Family if they have any dowry maids? It would save trouble to bring them along together."

Shen Wen was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"That mouth of yours..."

Cao Ying gave a light snort and turned to leave.

As that slender figure disappeared outside the door, Shen Wen withdrew his gaze and leaned back against the chair, looking at the sky gradually darkening outside the window.

In his mind flashed Gu Qingyang's gentle yet oppressive face, Xiao Xun Er's hesitant gaze, and those enemies hidden in the shadows who might pounce at any time.

"Time and tide wait for no man."

He murmured to himself, stood up, and walked toward the backyard.

On Cai Lin's side, he still had to go accompany that girl, One Thought.