196: hostage exchange

Tears silently streamed down Shen Chuyun's delicate cheeks.

More than once, she had wanted to forget that past, to forget that heartless man.

But she truly couldn't.

Seven years were the happiest time of her life.

Shen Lian's gentle yet resolute character, especially his persistent spirit, had long been deeply etched into Su Luoyan's, and also Shen Chuyun's, heart.

But why, when two people were clearly meant to be together forever, did they end up like this?

In this life, by a stroke of Opportunity, she found Shen Lian's Physical Body. Although she already knew that the humble Soul no longer belonged to the one she once knew, she still selflessly guarded him for five hundred years.

Because Shen Chuyun firmly believed that one day, Shen Lian would return to this body, and they would have a chance to rekindle their unfinished romance.

However, after five hundred years of guardianship, when Shen Lian truly returned, it still couldn't change the heartbreaking outcome... "Revered Master, are you crying?"

Xu Feifei seemed to have seen something extraordinary; she saw the crystal tears on Shen Chuyun's face fall onto her own hand.

But Shen Chuyun's face remained as cold as ever.

"Revered Master, admit it. All these years, you've rejected recruitment from other prominent Sects and countless proposals from Heavens Chosen Prodigies, not because you're indifferent to love,

but because you've already given all your love to Senior Brother, and there's no room for anything else in your heart, right?"

"Actually, I've seen everything you've done for Senior Brother. Your care for him has long surpassed what should exist between Revered Master and Disciple."

"Think about it, all these years, he's done so many ridiculous things for us few useless Junior Sisters, yet you've never truly punished him even once.

Even when his cultivation was lost, and he was despised by the entire Sect, and Old Ancestor even planned to use Senior Brother to pave the way for Ye Fan, it was you who repeatedly stepped in to stop it."

"Revered Master, just admit it openly. You like Shen Lian, you want to marry him, don't hide your feelings anymore."

Upon hearing this, Shen Chuyun raised a hand to wipe away her tears, looking at Xu Feifei with a calm expression.

Xu Feifei tightly clasped Shen Chuyun's hand and softly said, "Revered Master, as long as you can make Senior Brother stop pursuing the past, Disciple is willing to make way for you two.

Do you know what Disciple has been busy with these past few days? Revered Master, come with Disciple, Disciple will show you."

With that, Xu Feifei pulled Shen Chuyun towards a pavilion.

Shen Chuyun's dantian sea was sealed, so she could only let Xu Feifei lead her.

Upon arriving at the pavilion, Shen Chuyun's eyes lit up.

The interior of the pavilion was arranged like a wedding venue, and the ' 囍' (double happiness) character on the jade screen at the main seat was particularly eye-catching.

"This is..."

"Revered Master, do you like it? This is the wedding venue Disciple arranged for you and Senior Brother."

Xu Feifei said excitedly.

"It won't be long before Revered Master can marry Senior Brother here. Don't you think your Disciple was thoughtful?"

Looking at the scene before her, Shen Chuyun was momentarily in a daze.

She had dreamed of such a scene countless times.

She gently caressed a red candle holder, her eyes shining with hopeful anticipation.

Would this day truly come?

"Revered Master, as long as you promise me to persuade Senior Brother to give up on killing me, forgive my past actions, and no longer pursue the old matters, Disciple will personally send you two into the bridal chamber."

"After all, isn't there nothing in the world more intoxicating than a woman living a life of lifelong happiness?"

Shen Chuyun's heart was stirred, and her once firm resolve wavered slightly at this moment.

"I want to be with Shen Lian. Perhaps persuading him to give up his hatred will be enough?"

But soon, she regained her senses.

"No, if I really do that, then there will truly be no possibility. I know Shen Lian's character too well; he is not that spineless simp.

What he decides, he won't easily change. If I try to persuade him, he will definitely leave me without hesitation. No, I cannot do this."

"Even if I can't be with him in this life, I can't provoke him anymore."

"Xu Feifei humiliated and tormented Shen Lian to such an extent; even if it was just his former self, Shen Lian definitely cannot let her live. I cannot do this."

With her mind clear, Shen Chuyun regained her cold demeanor.

"I'm sorry, I cannot make any decisions for Shen Lian. Xu Feifei, if you truly want Shen Lian's forgiveness, you should sincerely make him feel your apology."

Xu Feifei froze, then became furious: "Revered Master, how many times do I have to tell you! I am now the Island Master of Penglai Immortal Island. To make me humble myself and beg Senior Brother for forgiveness is impossible!"

Shen Chuyun sneered, "Since that's the case, there's nothing more to say. The current Shen Lian is no longer the Senior Brother you knew.

Forceful methods are useless against him. If he wants to kill you, even with the blessing of the Heavenly Dao, it will have no effect.

Xu Feifei, I've given you the chance. If you're unwilling to seize it, that's your own business. Without sincere remorse, Shen Lian's vengeful fury will absolutely not be appeased."

"Shen Chuyun!"

Xu Feifei finally dropped her pretense and called Shen Chuyun by her full name.

"I still called you Revered Master a few times; you wouldn't really put yourself in a position to lecture me, would you?"

"To think that I, the dignified Island Master of Penglai Immortal Island, would humble myself and beg you a few times, and you still dare to be ungrateful?"

"To tell you the truth, bringing you here was specifically to retaliate against Shen Lian. I don't want to die, I don't want to die as miserably as those six bitches."

"My life has just begun; no one can destroy my current status and position."

Shen Chuyun's eyes held a hint of pity as she glanced at Xu Feifei but remained silent.

"What kind of look is that? Are you looking down on me?"

Xu Feifei was enraged by Shen Chuyun's disregard.

"Do you still think you're that aloof Revered Master who stands above all?"

"If that's the case, I'll cut off your finger and send it to Shen Lian. I refuse to believe that Shen Lian will truly be indifferent to you!"

With those words, Xu Feifei conjured a dagger and was about to cut off Shen Chuyun's finger.

"Island Master!"

Just then, Yi Hanying's voice rang out from outside the door.

Xu Feifei quickly made the dagger disappear, put on a gentle expression, and turned to look at Yi Hanying.

"Senior Brother Yi, is something the matter?"

Yi Hanying glanced at Shen Chuyun, his face showing difficulty, "Island Master, Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother encountered an accident. The immortal boat reported that they were captured by Shen Lian.

To exchange for them, we must release Shen Chuyun. If Shen Chuyun is not seen before noon tomorrow, he will kill both of them directly."

Upon hearing this, Shen Chuyun couldn't help but clench her jade hands.

Was Shen Lian trying to save her?

Xu Feifei heard this and was stunned for a long time before she snapped back, "That's impossible. Fifth Senior Brother and Sixth Senior Brother are both at the Immortal Realm cultivation. There are very few in the world who can capture them. How could Shen Lian..."

"I saw the recording on the immortal boat's recording stone; it's absolutely true!"

Yi Hanying's words immediately put Xu Feifei in a dilemma.

If she handed over Shen Chuyun to exchange for the two, then the purpose of restraining Shen Lian would be completely ruined.

If she didn't exchange, she was afraid that the other Four Sages would start to have opinions about her.

"Damn it, Huo Jie and Ji Yun are truly useless; they can't even subdue one Shen Lian."

Xu Feifei cursed inwardly, but her face still showed concern for the two: "Fine, the lives of the two Senior Brothers are important. Tomorrow, first bring Shen Chuyun over to observe."