82: Crisis

Qin Chen recalled that he himself had only obtained a realm breaking pill by chance. If it weren't for Xue Miaoyun, it would have been harder than ascending to heaven for him to get a realm breaking pill.

Actually, this was quite normal.

If it were him, he wouldn't allow a potential threat to grow, and would definitely nip the hidden danger in the bud as early as possible.

Survival of the fittest, that's just how it is.

The more top-tier powerhouses there were, the fiercer the competition for resources became. Those who already held power would naturally unite to eliminate newly promoted Great Grandmasters.

Otherwise, if Great Grandmasters emerged endlessly, wouldn't they eventually fall into the same resource-scarce situation as low-level Martial Artists?

But now, the situation was different.

For the current Qin Chen, this kind of thing was not difficult.

"No matter," Qin Chen said indifferently, "Since you are a member of my Fengyun Pavilion, Fengyun Pavilion will naturally protect you."

There were some things he didn't say aloud—for example, he would deal with the hidden danger of Xiao Tianci sooner or later.

It was just that he didn't dare to act rashly yet.

Firstly, if he exposed himself while killing Xiao Tianci, it would be more harm than good.

Secondly, if Xiao Tianci died, the Yan Dynasty would surely fall into great chaos, leading to unpredictable consequences.

For him now, a stable Yan Dynasty was necessary to buy himself more time.

As long as his strength was powerful enough, all demons and monsters would be nothing to fear.

Suddenly—

Both of them simultaneously looked up at the deep night sky.

From deep within the clouds, a streak of light cut through the sky, leaving a long trail, rapidly flying towards the Imperial Capital.

Seeing the speed of that streak of light, Qin Chen's heart trembled slightly—this speed was ten times faster than his!

However, just as the streak of light was about to approach the Imperial Capital, it suddenly vanished.

Qin Chen immediately felt uneasy.

He looked at Ye Wuhen and said hastily, "This old man has something to attend to, I'll take my leave first!"

"You immediately send a message to Fragrant Lord Qiao of Tianxiang Pavilion in Longyang Town, asking her to come find me at Wangyue Tower as soon as possible."

Before his words finished, he had already leaped down from the pavilion, his figure quickly disappearing into the night streets.

Ye Wuhen stood frozen, muttering with a frown, "This Senior... seems very afraid of that meteor?"

"Could the meteor be a person?" He widened his eyes.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible," he immediately shook his head, "How could a Martial Artist possess such strength?"

He suddenly thought of something, his eyes widening even more: "Could that meteor be..."

He didn't dare to utter the last three words.

As the Pavilion Master of Vermilion Bird Tower, he also knew many secrets—for example, that Cultivators actually existed in this world.

It was just that he didn't know where Cultivators came from.

He had always thought that perhaps a hidden Cultivator Sect would only appear to save the Human Race during major Yao Beast calamities.

But he had also heard that Cultivators would secretly control certain Dynasties and nobles, using them to do their bidding.

He had even heard that those Cultivators possessed strange methods and acted ruthlessly, far beyond what ordinary people could imagine.

Recalling these things, Ye Wuhen's pupils contracted, secretly alarmed: Could this Senior... also be a Cultivator? Is that why he subjugated me to work for him?

And Qin Chen, who had left in a hurry, immediately reverted to his original appearance—for truly powerful Cultivators, using the Illusionary Form Technique was more likely to expose oneself.

A Cultivator one major Realm higher could see through the illusionary disguise by carefully probing with their Divine Sense.

So using an illusion technique at this time was simply asking for trouble.

He immediately communicated with the System in his mind: "System, help me disguise my cultivation as Early Stage Innate."

[Ding! Disguise complete.]

In an instant, the aura around him rapidly retracted, making him appear like an ordinary Xiantian Realm Martial Artist.

"This should be much safer now." Qin Chen breathed a slight sigh of relief.

He never expected that having lower strength would actually be safer.

Now that he only had the strength of the Early Stage Innate, surely he wouldn't attract Liu Ruyan's attention, right?

That's right, that streak of light just now was Liu Ruyan.

Most people, lacking sufficient strength, would only think it was a meteor.

But Qin Chen knew—that was a person.

Coming to the Imperial Capital at this time, it was nine times out of ten Liu Ruyan.

Even a fool could guess that.

He secretly rejoiced that he had already given away the black gold twin fish jade pendant.

Calming himself down, Qin Chen unhurriedly walked towards Wangyue Tower.

As soon as he entered, he saw a young attendant greeting a woman with a cool demeanor.

The woman was dressed in white like snow, her brows seemed to be frosted, and the ice silk on her shoulders moved without wind, adding to her ethereal grace.

Hearing the sound, she turned her head, her cold gaze sweeping over Qin Chen, as if to see through him from inside out.

Qin Chen felt a shiver run through him, as if his entire being had been scanned by some power.

He knew this was being probed by Divine Sense.

He suppressed the panic in his heart, secretly surprised.

Almost instantly, he confirmed—this woman was definitely Liu Ruyan.

Yes, it must be her.

But why would she also come to stay at Wangyue Tower?

On second thought, Wangyue Tower was the most famous inn in the Imperial Capital; if it were him, he would most likely choose this place too.

It's over... Qin Chen's heart sank. He didn't expect to run into her here.

But he didn't dare to hesitate, smiling and nodding at the other party, then walked straight towards the stairs.

Unexpectedly, the young attendant also led Liu Ruyan up the stairs.

Following behind, Qin Chen felt as if the surrounding air had solidified.

He didn't dare to breathe, his heart pounded, and fine cold sweat seeped from his forehead.

Recalling how Liu Ruyan had killed Yue Tianxiong and Princess Yiyue in the simulation without the slightest hesitation or mercy, she was truly a god of slaughter.

If he displeased her, wouldn't he be instantly annihilated by her?

Liu Ruyan suddenly turned her head, looking down at Qin Chen: "Why are you so nervous? Do we know each other?"

"Ah?" Qin Chen was startled, his body trembling involuntarily.

Liu Ruyan frowned, scrutinizing him carefully.

Qin Chen forced himself to remain calm, hastily explaining, "I-I have a fear of beautiful women. I get nervous whenever I see a beautiful woman."

The attendant leading the way suddenly interjected, "Young Master Qin is truly a ladies' man. First, he got involved with Young Miss Cheng, and now he's trying to provoke a lady he hasn't even met."

It turned out that the fact that Cheng Rongrong had booked Qin Chen's room for a year had already spread throughout Wangyue Tower, and all the staff were jealous and resentful.

Qin Chen retorted, taking the Opportunity, "When did I provoke this Young Miss?"

"She asked me a question, and I politely answered. Is that also considered provoking?"

Normally, he would have slapped this attendant away long ago.

But now, how could he dare to act? He could only turn red with anger.

The attendant was about to argue further, but Liu Ruyan raised her hand to interrupt: "Lead the way."

The attendant quickly nodded, leading Liu Ruyan towards the private room.

As luck would have it, her room was right next to Qin Chen's.

Watching Qin Chen enter the room next door, Liu Ruyan frowned slightly: "He's staying next to me?"

The attendant said with a placating smile, "Guest, there's really no other way. This is the only superior room left."

Liu Ruyan frowned: "Never mind."

With that, she turned and entered the room, closing the door with a 'bang'.

Qin Chen, hearing the sound from his room, shivered all over.

"What do I do now... Liu Ruyan, that man-eating demon, is living next door to me!" He only dared to grumble in his heart.

But he quickly calmed down.

"I can't show fear, otherwise it'll be easier for her to notice something is wrong."

The thought of Liu Ruyan being next door made every second feel like a year. He sat upright in the elegant seat on the balcony, gazing at the night sky, rapidly thinking of countermeasures.

"This woman acts strangely and kills without batting an eye. Someone like me is nothing but an ant in her eyes."

"What if she's in a bad mood and casually extinguishes me? Wouldn't that be an unjust death?"

"No, I need to make her completely ignore my existence."

Gazing at the night, he endured second by second, only wishing for midnight to arrive quickly.

Finally, midnight arrived—he could perform the ninth simulation.

Without hesitation, he immediately chanted in his mind:

"Start simulation!"