16: Chapter 16 A Cunning Plan: The Show Begins!

Watching Xu Chen's receding figure, the anxious expression on Liu Ruyan's face instantly faded.

It was replaced by a smug, cold smirk.

"Hehe, that stupid fatso is so easy to fool!"

Xiao Fan also let out a long sigh of relief, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.

"Hah! The fish has taken the bait!"

"Next, we just wait to watch the show!"

Liu Ruyan asked with a hint of worry:

"Brother Xiao Fan, do you really think Lin Yi will come?"

"Don't worry, he will definitely come!"

A confident gleam shone in Xiao Fan's eyes.

"Although that Lin Yi is detestable, he is also extremely arrogant!"

"He would never let slip any chance to show off in front of Su Yuxi!"

"Especially not a chance like this to play the hero saving the beauty!"

As he spoke, the smile on Xiao Fan's face grew increasingly vicious.

He took Liu Ruyan's hand and pulled her into a more distant, hidden corner.

"Ruyan, I'm feeling quite... agitated right now!"

"Let's... relax a bit first!"

"Brother Xiao Fan, you're so bad..."

Liu Ruyan playfully pushed Xiao Fan's chest, then pressed on with her question:

"But even if Lin Yi does come, are we sure we can keep him there?"

Hearing this, Xiao Fan's eyes immediately lit up.

"Ruyan, just relax. That's a Peak Divine Fire Realm Vicious Beast!"

"That trash Lin Yi will be instantly killed by that beast if he dares to show up!"

"And even if, by some remote chance, he has some incredible hidden card up his sleeve..."

"...and can actually put up a fight against that beast, that would be even better!"

"We'll wait until they've wounded each other, then we'll step out to reap the rewards!"

Xiao Fan's eyes were filled with anticipation and fantasy.

He could almost see it already.

The scene of Lin Yi and Su Yuxi, both severely injured, kneeling before him and begging for mercy.

...

Meanwhile.

Lin Yi was leading a few Disciples from the First Peak, moving through a valley at a leisurely pace.

His expression was relaxed, his steps unhurried.

His demeanor was not at all like someone undergoing a trial in a perilous Secret Realm.

It was more like taking a stroll in his own backyard.

Any Yao Beast blocking their path was instantly obliterated with a single punch from him.

Lin Yi took the points, while the precious herbs were distributed among the Disciples.

This made the few Disciples following him extremely happy.

"Senior Brother Lin, thank you!"

"Thanks to you taking action, we've been able to gain so many Opportunities!"

One Disciple spoke up loudly to express his gratitude.

Ever since entering the Secret Realm,

Lin Yi had been leading them around in circles in this area.

They had hunted dozens of Yao Beasts and found many Opportunities.

This filled these Disciples, who were eager to grow stronger, with great excitement.

Lin Yi stopped and glanced back at the Disciple, a slight curve forming at the corner of his mouth.

"It's nothing. I'm just guiding you for now. I'll have other business to attend to soon."

He had long since seen through Xiao Fan and Liu Ruyan's actions via the System.

He had even guessed, with about eighty to ninety percent accuracy, the dark thoughts currently in their hearts.

As for this clumsy scheme of using another to kill,

Lin Yi didn't even have the interest to comment on it.

However,

since they wanted to play,

he would play along with them properly!

He would treat it as adding a little spice to this otherwise dull trial.

Right at that moment,

a frantic cry, growing closer from afar, reached them.

"Senior Brother Lin Yi! Senior Brother Lin Yi! Where are you?!"

A smile that said 'just as expected' appeared on Lin Yi's face.

Here it comes.

Speak of the devil.

Soon, Xu Chen's round figure came into view of the group.

"Huff..."

"Big Brother Lin Yi! I finally found you!"

Xu Chen had been running all the way, completely out of breath, his chubby face flushed red.

"Xu Chen? What brings you here?"

Lin Yi asked, feigning surprise.

Once Xu Chen finally caught his breath, he hurriedly repeated everything he knew.

"Big Brother Lin Yi, please go save Senior Sister Su! Any later and it'll be too late!"

After speaking, he looked at Lin Yi with eager anticipation, waiting for his idol to display his Divine Might.

"What? Yu Xi is in danger?"

Perfectly timed shock and worry instantly appeared on Lin Yi's face.

He grabbed Xu Chen's shoulders and asked urgently.

"Where? Take me there quickly!"

This Oscar-worthy performance was so convincing that not only Xu Chen believed it,

but even the Disciples following Lin Yi were completely taken in.

"Senior Brother Lin, I... I can't run anymore. It's in that direction!"

Xu Chen pointed towards a distant mountain Peak, panting heavily.

"Alright! I understand!"

Lin Yi patted Xu Chen's shoulder gratefully.

"Xu Chen, thank you!"

"You all, stay here and look after him."

With that, Lin Yi's figure instantly transformed into a streak of golden light and vanished from the spot.

He was going to turn their scheme against them and push this drama to its climax.

...

Elsewhere.

At this very moment, Su Yuxi was facing a life-and-death crisis.

The Purgatory Demon Ape's massive claw, carrying destructive force, was about to descend.

A flicker of unwillingness and despair flashed through Su Yuxi's beautiful eyes.

Right at this critical juncture,

a dazzling Grandmist divine light, like a sword tearing through eternal night, suddenly descended from the sky.

The divine light struck with pinpoint accuracy on the giant claw the Purgatory Demon Ape was about to bring down.

"Thud!"

A dull sound echoed.

That seemingly indestructible, Dao-resistant demon ape claw was cleanly severed at the wrist by this divine light.

Dark red, scalding blood erupted into the air like a fountain.

"ROAR!!!"

The sudden, intense pain caused the Purgatory Demon Ape to let out a heaven-shaking roar of agony.

This huge commotion immediately attracted the attention of other Disciples searching for treasures in the vicinity.

They all began rushing towards the source, wanting to see what had happened.

When they saw the massive, ferocious Purgatory Demon Ape, their faces paled with terror.

"Heavens! It's a Peak Divine Fire Realm Purgatory Demon Ape!"

"How could such a monstrous creature appear here?!"

"Look! Senior Sister Su Yuxi is over there, and she's injured!"

"Who saved her?"

Under the gaze of the shocked and uncertain crowd, amidst the shower of blood, a figure in white robes slowly descended.

His posture was upright, his bearing handsome and majestic. Faint wisps of Primordial Purple Qi swirled around him, leaving him spotless.

He stood there quietly,

like a deity who had stepped out of ancient mythology, exuding an Aura that seemed capable of suppressing all ages.

Lin Yi's figure, like a Heavenly God descending to earth, landed steadily in front of Su Yuxi.

"S-Senior Brother Lin Yi!"

"It's Senior Brother Lin Yi!"

"Such a powerful Aura! Was it Senior Brother Lin Yi who attacked just now?"

"But even if Senior Brother Lin Yi is strong, that's still a Peak Divine Fire Realm Vicious Beast! Can he handle it?"

The surrounding Disciples whispered among themselves, both shocked and worried.

Su Yuxi, who was now shielded behind Lin Yi, was completely stunned.

She stared blankly at the familiar yet somehow unfamiliar back in front of her, her heart churning with overwhelming waves.

It's really him!

He really came, at my most desperate moment!

"ROAR!!"

Having lost an arm, the Purgatory Demon Ape had now fallen into a frenzy.

Its blood-red eyes locked onto Lin Yi, an endless surge of murderous Qi erupting into the sky.

Soon, it swung its remaining giant fist once more,

smashing it down towards Lin Yi's head!