144: A battleground erupts

The main residence of the Nangong Family, its originally dignified and tranquil atmosphere was shattered by a burst of hearty laughter.

Lin Chen had returned.

No longer the 'little steward' who wore a Spirit-Sealing Ring and hid his true strength, he now strode grandly through the Nangong Family's gates, possessing the terrifying cultivation of a Dao Fusion Peak expert and the supreme prestige of having annihilated the Huan Demon Sect.

However, what awaited him was not only the awe of his Family members but also a strong, almost combustible, scent of jealousy.

In the Nangong Family's training ground, Nangong Yue wore a dark gold form-fitting long robe, her slender jade legs crossed, tightly gripping the golden whip that symbolized the Family Head's authority. Her stunningly beautiful face was now clouded with gloom as she stared intently at Su Mei, who swayed alluringly behind Lin Chen, and Liu Ruyan, who, despite her aloof demeanor, remained closely by Lin Chen's side.

"Lin Chen!" Nangong Yue gritted her teeth, her ample bosom heaving violently. "I mobilized all the intelligence networks of the Nangong Chamber of Commerce to support you, so you could eradicate the Demon Sect and eliminate future troubles, not to 'hold a beauty pageant and bring back goods'! Look at the people you've brought back!"

Before Lin Chen could speak, Su Mei, standing to his left, slyly curved her lips. Her delicate body leaned softly into Lin Chen's embrace, and her nine snow-white fox tails gently brushed against Lin Chen's neck.

"Oh my, is this Sister Nangong?" Su Mei's voice was utterly captivating, carrying an inherent 'green tea' flavor. "Sister is so fierce, her tone is so aggressive, unlike me. I only worry if Revered Master's body is tired~"

"You vixen!" Nangong Yue was so enraged she almost lashed out with her whip.

On the right, Liu Ruyan, still in her blood-stained white robes, maintained the last shred of dignity as a Righteous Path leader, despite her slightly awkward expression. She coldly uttered, "I am merely a Guest Elder temporarily residing here due to a life-saving grace. You all chat, no need to mind me."

However, her jade-like ears betrayed her, twitching slightly, clearly having heard every single word.

"Enough."

Lin Chen suddenly spoke.

A pressure unique to a Dao Fusion Peak expert, fused with the Human Emperor's domineering, erupted from him like a thunderous roar. The air throughout the entire Nangong Estate instantly solidified, and the formerly bustling courtyard fell into a deathly silence.

Nangong Yue, Su Mei, and Liu Ruyan all trembled simultaneously. In the face of such absolute power, they instinctively felt a shiver of fear.

Lin Chen took a step, standing in the center of the three women, his gaze sweeping over them like a sharp sword.

"What's all this noise about? In this world, the strong are respected, and my backyard is no different." Lin Chen's voice was deep and domineering. "From now on, you are all sisters, seated according to the order of your arrival. Yue'er is first, Mei'er second, and Ru Yan..."

He glanced at the aloof Liu Ruyan and smiled devilishly: "Temporarily ranked third."

"Anyone with an objection, come to my room tonight for 'private training'."

Under his utterly domineering gaze, the three women, who had been full of animosity, all lowered their heads. Although Nangong Yue still pouted, the grievance in her eyes had turned into submission; Su Mei obediently twirled her fingers; Liu Ruyan, even more so, blushed deeply and dared not look directly at Lin Chen.

Late at night, in the Nangong Estate's study.

Lin Chen was examining the secret files of the Hehuan Sect that Su Mei had organized. Suddenly, a cool breeze swept past the window, and a white figure silently knelt before his desk.

It was Liu Ruyan.

Moonlight spilled onto her cold profile, and her proud 'Revered Master' demeanor was now replaced by a resolute plea.

"Revered Master." She spoke with difficulty, the change in address signifying her complete abandonment of her dignity as a Righteous Path Fairy. "The Azure Thunder Sword Sect is now controlled by that beast Lei Ao. He has even colluded with the Yao Race, attempting to sacrifice my Sword Sect's ten-thousand-year foundation. Ru Yan... begs Revered Master to help me kill Lei Ao and reclaim the Sword Sect."

With that, she slowly bowed her head, her forehead touching the ground, her voluptuous and mature body trembling slightly from shame.

"If it can be achieved, Ru Yan... is willing to serve you for life, even as a concubine."

Lin Chen put down the Jade Slip in his hand and slowly walked to Liu Ruyan. His long fingers traced her smooth, icy-cold chin, forcing her face upwards.

"Ru Yan, I told you, I don't want you to be a concubine. I want you to be the sole 'Queen' of the Azure Thunder Sword Sect."

Lin Chen's fingers did not stop, but slowly slid down her fair neck, touching her collarbone beneath her cold white robes.

"However, before the expedition, some interest must be collected first."

Liu Ruyan's breathing instantly quickened. She could feel the scorching Yang Qi from Lin Chen, like a blazing sun, constantly eroding her mental defenses through his fingertips. She instinctively wanted to push him away, but remembering the humiliation in the dungeon, and Lin Chen's heroic feat of slapping Lei Tianba away, her body honestly softened.

She slowly extended her trembling hands and untied the long-bound snow-white sash.

Her white robes slipped, revealing the light green Dudou underneath. This mature body, usually revered as a goddess and inviolable by countless Sword Sect Disciples, was now fully exposed before Lin Chen.

Her skin was brilliantly white, like a meticulously polished warm jade, and the blush of shyness created a Peak of cold contrast. Her full breasts, constrained by the Dudou, heaved violently with her nervous breaths, almost leaping out.

"Please... please punish this Revered Master..."

She closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling violently. The aloof Righteous Path Fairy finally, at this moment, completely succumbed to the salvation of desire.

Lin Chen showed no pity. Instead, in the most crude and direct manner, on the study desk, amidst piles of secret letters, he completely conquered this 'Beautiful Revered Master' of the Azure Thunder Sword Sect.

That night, Sword Intent and Yang Qi intertwined, and the beautiful moans and domineering sounds of conquest echoed throughout the study. Liu Ruyan had never imagined that the feeling of being completely controlled by a man, even to the point where her Soul was crushed, would bring her an unprecedented sense of ease and liberation.

After the passion, Liu Ruyan lay limp in Lin Chen's arms, sweat soaking her disheveled long hair. She took out a scroll shimmering with azure lightning from her embrace.

"This is the secret map of the Azure Thunder Sword Sect's mountain-protecting array, and Lei Ao's secluded cultivation place." Her voice was hoarse, but her eyes gleamed with the light of revenge. "Revered Master, Ru Yan has waited for this day for a long time."

Lin Chen took the secret map, his large hand giving her perfect, delicate body a final squeeze, his eyes cold.

"Very good."

"Issue the order: The Nangong Family and the Paradise Palace are to mobilize entirely. This Emperor will 'visit' in the name of a challenge, openly and honorably."

"Lei Ao's head, I want it."