18: Qingmei Arrives

The nine dragon chariot soared through the sky, returning from the direction of the Nangong Family, its mighty presence once again drawing the attention of the entire Hongtian Holy Land.

When the luxurious carriage, forged entirely from stellar profound iron and pulled by nine ink dragons, steadily landed atop Holy Son Peak, the Spiritual Qi of the entire mountain seemed to be stirred by its power, becoming even denser.

Jiang Chen emerged from the carriage, his white robes fluttering in the mountain Peak's wind, and walked to the front of the hall with his hands behind his back.

He overlooked the Holy Land's mountain gate, shrouded in mist below, his eyes deep, revealing no emotion.

"Jiang Jiu."

"Your subordinate is here." From the shadows, Jiang Jiu's figure silently appeared.

"Pass on my words: starting today, the Holy Son Peak's pill room shall directly draw all Spirit Medicine it requires each month from the Hundred Herbs Garden, which is managed by the Grand Elder's lineage, through the Deacon Hall."

"The grade must not be lower than three thousand years old. Any delay or substitution with inferior goods will be dealt with according to sect rules." Jiang Chen's voice was not loud, but every word was irrefutable.

Jiang Jiu's figure paused slightly, then he responded hoarsely, "Yes."

He, of course, understood what this order meant.

The Hundred Herbs Garden was one of the Holy Land's most important medicinal gardens, always controlled by the trusted aides of Grand Elder Yun Wuzi's lineage, and was a major source of income for their faction.

Jiang Chen's action was tantamount to directly taking money from the Grand Elder's purse, and doing so ruthlessly.

This was no longer a warning; it was practically an open declaration of war.

As Jiang Jiu's figure once again disappeared into the shadows, a cold, sharp smile appeared on Jiang Chen's face.

His father, Jiang Shengtian, had fended off overt attacks for him in the Holy Lord Hall, so as a son, he naturally had to show his own initiative.

Dealing with an old fox like Yun Wuzi by directly killing him would be too crude and would provide others with an excuse.

Only by gradually eroding his influence, cutting off his financial resources, and making him watch everything he had painstakingly built crumble before his eyes, was the most heart-wrenching form of revenge.

"Starting with your purse, next will be your useless Disciples and grand-Disciples," Jiang Chen muttered to himself.

He turned and walked into his bedchambers, his thoughts sinking into his mind.

"System, open the panel and take a look."

【Strongest Villain System】

【host: Jiang Chen】

【Identity: Saint of Hongtian Holy Land】

【Realm: Seventh Realm Soul Transformation Realm, Peak.】

【Cultivation Technique: 《Hongtian Dao Art》 Dao Yan Heavenly Demon Scripture Great Luo Sword Art】

【Physique: Dao Yan Heavenly Demon Body】

【Villain Points: 17000】

【Luck Index: 900】

【Shop: Unlocked (17000 / 20000)】

"Still three thousand points short." Jiang Chen stroked his chin, "It seems I need to find an opportunity to harvest another wave of leeks."

As he was thinking, the System's alert tone suddenly rang out, carrying an unusual hint of excitement.

【Ding! Alert! Alert! High-energy Luck reaction detected! A new Daughter of Destiny has entered the host's range!】

【Scanning... Scan complete!】

【Daughter of Destiny: Su Qinger】

【Identity: Eldest daughter of the ancient Su Family, childhood sweetheart of child of destiny Lin Fan.】

【Realm: Seventh Realm Soul Transformation Realm, Early Stage.】

【Physique: Nine Aperture Exquisite Heart (Sensitive to the good and evil in people's hearts, Cultivation speed far exceeds ordinary people)】

【Current Status: Having learned that her childhood sweetheart Lin Fan is in Hongtian Holy Land, she has come to visit.】

Immediately after, a light screen unfolded before Jiang Chen.

In the image, a woman in a goose-yellow dress, with a gentle demeanor and exquisite beauty, stood outside the mountain gate of Hongtian Holy Land.

She was accompanied by two Elders with profound Qi, clearly her Guardians.

"Childhood sweetheart? Seventh Realm Early Stage?" Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow.

【host, you don't understand this. When a child of destiny is down and out, there will always be a powerful confidante who comes to save the day. This is a standard trope! And it's a great opportunity for you to snatch her!】

The System's tone was one of enjoying the show, not caring about the consequences.

【Villain Mission Issued: Steal love! How can the child of destiny's childhood sweetheart be allowed to be touched by others? Please, host, snatch Su Qinger, make her completely disappointed in Lin Fan, and develop good feelings for the host!】

【Stage Mission One: Plant the seeds of doubt. Make Su Qinger have her first suspicion about Lin Fan's character.】

【Mission Reward: 5000 Villain Points! Luck Index +300!】

【Mission Failure Penalty: The host will be forcibly bound to Guardian Jiang Jiu with a "Concentric Lock" for one month (Note: You will also share a bed for one month!)】

"System, listen to me, I * * * !"

This time, Jiang Chen truly couldn't hold back.

This damned System's punishment was to bind him and Jiang Jiu with a Concentric Lock?

And share a bed for a month?

That image was too beautiful; he dared not imagine it.

"Five thousand points..." Jiang Chen's gaze fell on the reward. This was what he valued most.

He looked at the gentle Su Qinger in the light screen, a benevolent smile appearing on his face.

"To have friends come from afar, is it not a joy? As the Saint of the Holy Land, I should naturally fulfill my duties as a host."

"Jiang Jiu."

"Your subordinate is here."

"Go investigate which people Inner Sect Disciple Lin Fan has been in close contact with recently," Jiang Chen commanded... Meanwhile, outside the mountain gate of Hongtian Holy Land.

A woman dressed in a plain white dress, with an incomparably beautiful and clear countenance, and a gentle, water-like demeanor, stood quietly there.

Just by standing there, she attracted the gaze of all passing Disciples, as if all the light between heaven and earth converged upon her.

She was Su Qinger, who had traveled from a distant ancient family.

"Fairy, may I ask, are you here to visit an Elder?"

The mountain-guarding Disciple was awed by her beauty and temperament, and his words became much more polite.

Su Qinger nodded slightly, her voice soft, like a spring breeze caressing one's face: "I'm looking for someone; his name is Lin Fan."

Lin Fan?

Upon hearing this name, the expressions on the faces of several mountain-guarding Disciples instantly became strange.

This name had recently become "famous" in the Holy Land.

One mountain-guarding Disciple couldn't help but mutter softly, "Another one looking for Lin Fan? What kind of dumb Luck did that kid have to gain the favor of such a Fairy?"

Su Qinger's hearing was exceptionally keen; her delicate brows furrowed slightly: "Senior Brother, why do you have such expressions? Has something happened to Lin Fan?"

A premonition of ill omen suddenly arose in her heart.

The few Disciples exchanged glances, stammering, none daring to say more.

Lin Fan had offended the Saint, after all; how could they dare to gossip behind his back?

Just then, a figure flew from a distance and landed in front of Su Qinger.

The newcomer was a deacon.

"The Fairy is looking for that Lin Fan, who was miserably defeated by the Saint in the Inner Sect assessment, then trespassed into the Forbidden Ground at night, and was severely injured?" the deacon asked.

Su Qinger's gentle and beautiful face instantly turned cold.

Miserably defeated by the Saint? Trespassed into the Forbidden Ground at night? Severely injured?

Each harsh phrase tightened her heart.

The Lin Fan she remembered, though of humble origin, had always been a resilient youth with an unyielding spirit. How could he have fallen to such a state?

"Where is he? Take me to him." Su Qinger's voice already carried an undeniable tone of command.

"This... Fairy, please follow me."

Feeling the Qi emanating from the people around Su Qinger, he dared not say more and quickly led the way.

He secretly cursed his misfortune; this woman, it seemed, had an extraordinary relationship with that Lin Fan.

That Lin Fan had offended the Saint; now, it seemed, trouble was brewing.

Passing through most of the Inner Sect area, when Su Qinger finally stood before the most secluded and dilapidated courtyard, her beautiful eyes were already filled with tears.

It was dark, damp, and the Spiritual Qi was so thin as to be almost nonexistent.

This was where her Lin Fan-gege lived in the Holy Land?

She took a deep breath and pushed open the creaking wooden door.

Inside, a familiar yet unfamiliar figure sat cross-legged on the bed.

He wore a faded Disciple robe, and his entire being exuded a strong sense of defeat and unwillingness.

Hearing the door open, Lin Fan suddenly opened his eyes, which were filled with vigilance and hostility.

But when he saw who had come, he froze.

"Qing... Qinger?"