10: The virtuous Xiaoya

With a warm, soft beauty in his arms, Lin Chen could clearly feel Lin Ziyan's heart pounding furiously from excitement.

Lin Chen did not push away this ice-cold beauty's sudden embrace.

He could understand her feelings at this moment.

A seeker who had groped in the dark for a long time, suddenly seeing a dazzling starry sky—that shock and sense of belonging were enough for her to cast aside all her reservations and defenses.

However, just as the atmosphere was gradually becoming intimate, a gentle and slightly timid voice came from the doorway.

"Young... Young Master, the meal is ready."

Lin Xiaoya stood gracefully at the door, holding an exquisite food tray. Seeing the two tightly embracing in the courtyard, her little face instantly turned pale, her hands holding the tray trembled slightly, and her eyes immediately reddened.

Who did she see?

Wasn't that Miss Ziyan, the noblest and coldest in the family?

Ordinarily, she didn't even have the right to look up to her.

And now, she was... in Young Master's arms.

An indescribable bitterness and inferiority surged into her heart like a tide.

Lin Ziyan, like a startled deer, lightning-fast broke free from Lin Chen's embrace. Her beautiful face was flushed crimson, and she stood awkwardly to the side, not daring to look into Lin Xiaoya's eyes.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the small courtyard fell into a subtle awkwardness.

Lin Chen secretly thought, 'This is bad.' He had been so focused on improving his strength and showing off that he had neglected the little girl's feelings.

He immediately stepped forward, took the food tray from Lin Xiaoya's hands, then gently took her cold little hand, and softly said, "You've worked hard. Just right, I haven't eaten yet. Let's eat together."

Feeling the warmth from Lin Chen's palm and the care in his words, most of the grievances in Lin Xiaoya's heart immediately dissipated, but tears still welled up in her eyes.

She glanced at the peerlessly beautiful Lin Ziyan next to her, then looked at herself, bit her lip, and whispered, "Young Master... is Xiaoya... is Xiaoya too humble to be worthy of Young Master...?"

"Nonsense," Lin Chen frowned, gently pulled her into his arms, and said in an unquestionable tone, "I'll say it again: you are the mistress of this courtyard, you are my woman. This status will never change."

"As for Ziyan," Lin Chen looked at the slightly flustered Lin Ziyan beside him and explained to Xiaoya, "she will also be our family from now on."

Hearing the words "our family," Lin Ziyan's delicate body trembled, a warm current surged in her heart, and her gaze towards Lin Xiaoya softened.

And Lin Xiaoya, after hearing Lin Chen's promise that "it will never change," the last trace of unease in her heart vanished.

She was not an ignorant woman.

In this world where there are more women than men, it is perfectly normal for powerful men to have multiple partners.

What's more, her Young Master was a true dragon soaring among the nine heavens!

His side was destined to have all kinds of excellent and dazzling women, like stars surrounding the moon.

And she was just a tiny firefly; to receive the favor and protection of a true dragon was already a great blessing, so how could she dare to covet his light all to herself?

Her only worry was that she would be abandoned, forgotten.

Now, with Young Master's promise, she felt at ease.

The little girl wiped away her tears, stepped out of Lin Chen's embrace, and bowed gracefully to Lin Ziyan, a sincere and gentle smile appearing on her face.

"Xiaoya greets Sister Ziyan. In the past, Xiaoya's status was too humble to acknowledge you as a sister. From now on, we are family, so please don't dislike Xiaoya, Sister."

Her words were generous and appropriate, both stating her identity and giving Ziyan enough respect.

Lin Ziyan was inherently cold and not good at socializing. Seeing Lin Xiaoya being so understanding, she immediately developed a liking and respect for her. She quickly stepped forward to help Lin Xiaoya up and softly said, "Sister, you speak too seriously. It was I who was abrupt in coming. From now on, let's just address each other as sisters."

Watching this harmonious scene, Lin Chen was very pleased.

One gentle and good at managing the household, the other cold and powerful—this backyard was stable!

He smiled and pulled both of them to sit at the stone table, saying, "Alright, don't just stand there. Let's eat first. We can chat while we eat."

On the table were several small dishes meticulously prepared by Lin Xiaoya and a pot of spirit rice porridge.

These ingredients all contained traces of spiritual energy, which were greatly beneficial to cultivators.

Lin Chen took a bite and felt a lingering fragrance in his mouth, a warm current flowing into his abdomen, making him feel completely comfortable.

"Xiaoya, your cooking is getting better and better," he praised sincerely.

Lin Xiaoya's face flushed from the praise, feeling incredibly sweet in her heart, and she continuously served food to Lin Chen and Lin Ziyan.

Lin Ziyan usually consumed Grain Abstinence Pills and rarely ate human food, but upon tasting a bite now, her beautiful eyes couldn't help but light up.

In the warm atmosphere, the two women, who were originally worlds apart, gradually became familiar with each other through Lin Chen as a link, and the previous awkwardness completely vanished.

However, at this moment, the black dragon bracelet on Lin Chen's wrist suddenly vibrated slightly.

He activated his Moonlight Divine Pupils and looked outside the courtyard.

He saw a sneaky figure hiding behind a large tree in the distance, staring intently at the three joyful people in the courtyard with venomous eyes.

It was Lin Feng!

And beside him stood a young man dressed in foreign attire, exuding a sinister aura.

The young man seemed to sense Lin Chen's gaze, suddenly looked up, and directed a sinister smile full of provocation and killing intent towards Lin Chen's direction.

Lin Chen's eyebrows slightly raised.

It seems some dogs, even with broken legs, still don't learn their lesson.

And they even brought reinforcements?

Interesting.

Lin Chen retracted his gaze, his expression unchanged, and continued to chat and laugh with the two women, as if nothing had happened.

But a hint of coldness had already risen in his heart.

Lin Feng, an ant he had casually swatted away, still dared to snoop and even collude with outsiders?

It seems the last lesson was too light.

"Young Master, what's wrong?" The observant Lin Xiaoya noticed the fleeting cold glint in Lin Chen's eyes.

"Nothing, just a few flies," Lin Chen smiled faintly and reassured her, "After dinner, Ziyan, you stay in the courtyard to consolidate your cultivation and familiarize yourself with the cultivation technique. Xiaoya, you'll come with me to the family's medicine garden."

"Yes," the two women replied in unison. Although they didn't know Lin Chen's intentions, they both chose unconditional trust... After a meal.

Lin Chen led Lin Xiaoya, leisurely walking on the small path to the family's medicine garden.

He did not deliberately hide his tracks, just swaggering along, as if he was truly going for a stroll.

In the shadows, Lin Feng and the sinister-looking foreign young man indeed followed silently.

"Cousin, that's him!" Lin Feng pointed at Lin Chen's back, gritting his teeth and saying, "It's this good-for-nothing who not only crippled me but also stole Bai Ruoxue, the woman who should have been mine!"

The young man beside him, named Wu Jun, was the young master of a Wolf Tribe affiliated with the Bai family, located near Qingyang City.

The Wolf Tribe was inherently cruel and warlike, excelling at tracking and sneak attacks.

Wu Jun squinted his sinister wolf eyes, sizing up Lin Chen, a cruel arc forming at the corner of his mouth: "Body Refinement Realm? Heh, how can such a good-for-nothing be engaged to a Bai family prodigy? Lin Feng, you're really going backwards, to actually be injured by such a piece of trash."

"Cousin, you don't know! This kid is very strange! His physical strength is incredibly terrifying!" Lin Feng hurriedly explained.

"Physical strength? How strong can it be?" Wu Jun said disdainfully, "In front of my Wolf Tribe's Blood Fiend Claws, even the strongest body is no different from tofu!"

"With Cousin making a move, I'm naturally at ease!" Lin Feng immediately flattered him, then looked at Lin Xiaoya beside Lin Chen, a lewd glint flashing in his eyes, "Cousin, look at that servant girl next to that kid, she's also a top-notch beauty! After we cripple that kid, this little beauty... I'll offer her to you, Cousin!"

"Oh?" Wu Jun licked his lips, his eyes glowing green, "Not bad, not bad! Tender and delicate, just to my taste! Don't worry, I'll make him watch his own woman how she pleases me beneath me!"

Their self-important conspiracy was "seen" clearly by Lin Chen's Moonlight Divine Pupils, word for word.

A murderous intent flashed in Lin Chen's eyes.

Some people are not just stupid, but genuinely seeking death.

He remained calm, continuing forward with Lin Xiaoya, and soon reached a secluded forest path.

This was the perfect spot to make a move.

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Two figures, one after another, darted out of the forest like specters, blocking Lin Chen and Lin Xiaoya's path.

"Kid, we meet again!" Lin Feng looked at Lin Chen, his face filled with morbid pleasure and venom, "Didn't expect it, did you? Today is your death day!"

Lin Xiaoya's pretty face turned pale with fright, and she instinctively hid behind Lin Chen, clutching his clothes tightly.

Lin Chen gently patted the back of her hand, signaling her to relax, then raised his eyes, looking past the clown-like Lin Feng, and resting his gaze on the Wolf Tribe youth who exuded a bloody aura.

"People of the Wolf Tribe?" Lin Chen's tone was flat, "Since when do wild dogs from other tribes interfere with the Lin family's affairs?"

"Still talking tough even when death is at your doorstep!" Wu Jun sneered, and a powerful aura of the seventh level of Qi Refinement erupted, "Kid, blame yourself for offending someone you shouldn't have! Next life, remember to keep your eyes open!"

"Oh?" Lin Chen looked at him with interest, "I'm quite curious, what gave an ant-like creature like you the courage to challenge me?"

"Courage?" Wu Jun seemed to have heard the biggest joke, "My courage is these claws that can tear everything apart!"

Before his words finished, he suddenly let out a roar like a wolf's howl!

His hands instantly swelled, his fingernails turned inky black, half a foot long, coiling with a layer of blood-red fiendish energy, and a thick scent of blood assailed them!

"Taste my Wolf Tribe's secret technique—Blood Fiend Claws!"

Wu Jun's figure flickered, transforming into a bloody afterimage, carrying a piercing shriek that tore through the air, his five fingers forming claws, fiercely grabbing towards Lin Chen's head!

He seemed to have already envisioned the bloody scene of Lin Chen's head exploding like a watermelon!

Lin Feng trembled with excitement, his eyes filled with the pleasure of revenge!

However, facing this incredibly brutal attack, Lin Chen didn't even bat an eyelid.

He just stood there with his arms crossed, quietly watching the blood claw rapidly enlarge in his pupils.

Just as the sharp claw was less than three inches from his face.

The corner of Lin Chen's mouth curled into a sneer of extreme disdain.

He thought for a moment.

"Buzz—!"

An invisible, silent, yet mountain-heavy terrifying force field, centered on Lin Chen, descended with a crash!

"black dragon bracelet — Ten Times Gravity Domain, activate!"

Wu Jun, who was rushing forward as an afterimage, his sinister smile instantly froze!

He only felt as if his body had been violently struck by an ancient divine mountain falling from the sky!

That terrifying, irresistible pressure instantly acted upon every cell in his entire body!

"Thud!"

The Wolf Tribe Young Master, who was majestic and aggressive a second ago, was now like a dead dog with all its bones snapped, forcibly pressed to the ground in a "five-limbed prostration" posture!

The hard bluestone ground was smashed into a human-shaped pit by his body!

"Crack! Crack!"

All the bones in his body made unbearable cracking sounds under this terrifying ten times gravity!

The sharp claws, entwined with blood fiendish energy, shattered inch by inch, dripping with blood!

"Ugh... ah..."

Wu Jun's face was pressed tightly against the ground, unable to move even a single finger, only able to emit painful and despairing roars from his throat.

He was completely dumbfounded!

What happened?!

What kind of sorcery was this?!

Beside him, Lin Feng's smile also instantly froze, his entire body as if paralyzed, standing dumbfounded on the spot, his eyes wide like copper bells, his jaw almost dislocated!

The contrast between before and after was simply too great! So great that his brain couldn't even process this inconceivable scene before him!

Lin Chen slowly walked up to Wu Jun, who was pressed to the ground and unable to move, looking down at him as if at a pile of trash.

"Now, tell me."

Lin Chen's foot gently stepped on Wu Jun's head, slowly applying pressure.

"Is your ridiculous courage still there?"