"Brother Chen... why are you so happy? Is it because you have finally come to see Luan Yi’er?"
The moment these words fell, Chen Xuan’s pupils contracted.
Instinctively, he shifted his head to the side. Yet when he looked in that direction, he discovered that someone was already standing there.
Long black hair flowed down her bare shoulders, swaying gently with every movement. Her dark pupils shone brightly, seemingly like bottomless black holes that swallowed all surrounding light.
She wore a dress that barely reached her knees, its fabric naturally hugging her figure and revealing her graceful curves without appearing vulgar.
Combined with her breathtaking appearance, the woman seemed like an ethereal beauty descended from the heavens—captivating yet untouchable at the same time.
She possessed the kind of beauty that was more than enough to make any man look at her several times, while an instinctive desire to approach and possess her would rise from the depths of their hearts.
Yet Chen Xuan had no time to appreciate such a sight. He was not happy at all.
If anything, he was terrified.
Having regained his strength, Chen Xuan should have had little reason to fear Luan Yi.
Especially after consuming the Grand Rebirth Elixir and allowing both his Physique and foundation to undergo another transformation, he was confident that even against ordinary Soul Formation cultivators, he would not be helpless.
Yet the aura Luan Yi exuded made his eyes twitch.
As he cast Heavenly Insight Eye, an interface appeared in front of him.
...
[Name: Luan Yi]
[Physique: Heavenly Evil Spirit Body (Ultimate-Grade)]
[Cultivation: Soul Formation (Middle)]
[Technique: Evil Transformation Scripture (Twelfth Level)]
[Talent Rating: 7 Stars]
[Evaluation: A powerful cultivator with a special Spirit Body capable of absorbing evil thoughts and resources. This person is destined to reach the apex of the Mortal World. It is heavily recommended that the Host accepts them as their disciple!]
...
Chen Xuan’s gaze only briefly swept over the final few columns. He did not care about her Talent Rating, nor did he pay attention to the System’s usual recommendation.
The only thing occupying his mind was Luan Yi’s cultivation.
Soul Formation! And Middle Stage at that!
The moment he saw this, Chen Xuan couldn’t help but curse inwardly.
Damn it! He had been tricked!
The Luan Yi who had left the sect had never been the true Luan Yi.
Instead, just like he possessed righteous and demonic clones, this woman seemed to possess a similar method.
What he had managed to trick was a mere clone or incarnation.
"Brother Chen, why are you not saying anything?"
Luan Yi tilted her head slightly, confusion flashing across her beautiful face.
"Could it be that Yi’er is not welcome?"
As she spoke, tears slowly gathered in her eyes. However, the next moment, those tears vanished completely, as though they had never existed.
"I see... I see..."
"Brother Chen must have been captivated by Yi’er’s beauty..."
A heartfelt smile appeared on her face once again.
"Brother Chen, Yi’er has really missed you..."
"Since you’re here..."
"Please accompany me forever..."
The moment these words fell, Luan Yi gently waved her hand.
A dark power descended into her palm, transforming into countless thin threads that shot toward Chen Xuan from every direction.
Each black thread appeared incredibly fragile, as though it would break apart from even the slightest touch.
However, when Chen Xuan’s divine sense swept over them, his expression changed instantly.
This power... was the power of Law!
Luan Yi was a Soul Formation cultivator. Naturally, she should have already formed her own Law Mark. That alone was not surprising.
What shocked Chen Xuan was the quality of that Law.
Clearly, this woman had not broken through using an ordinary Law Mark.
Just like him, she had pursued a more powerful path, forcefully comprehending a stronger Law and using it to establish her foundation.
After reaching Soul Formation, the gap between her and ordinary cultivators had only widened.
Countless thoughts flashed through Chen Xuan’s mind. But under the threat of death, his actions were unbelievably fast.
With a thought, two weapons appeared in his hands.
In his left hand rested a golden sword, as Honglan’s human form shattered and she regained her original one. In his right hand appeared an ordinary-looking saber.
Common Saber.
As the two weapons resonated with him, Chen Xuan’s aura erupted completely.
His physical strength, enhanced by the recent breakthrough of the Dragon-Phoenix Body, caused the surrounding space to tremble.
Combined with the circulation of his Spiritual Energy and the activation of his Law Mark, Chen Xuan’s aura was only slightly weaker than Luan Yi’s.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sound of explosions echoed continuously.
Chen Xuan swung his weapons several times, tearing apart the countless threads surrounding him and forcing open a narrow path through their encirclement.
However, he did not use this opportunity to attack Luan Yi.
His only thought was escape.
Transforming into a streak of light, Chen Xuan shot forward and attempted to leave the in-room garden.
Within moments, his figure had already appeared several miles away, approaching the edge of this miniature world.
A trace of surprise flashed across Luan Yi’s face as she watched him escape.
"Brother Chen really surprised Yi’er."
"I always knew you were stronger than you appeared. However, I never imagined that you had hidden yourself so deeply."
"Brother Chen is truly mysterious... You really, really make Yi’er curious about you."
Her voice was filled with excitement, as though she had discovered an interesting treasure.
"But..."
"Why are you trying to leave Yi’er?"
At first, her tone was happy.
She sounded like an ordinary wife whose husband had returned home and mentioned the raise in his wage, looking truly pleased by his achievements.
However, as Chen Xuan’s figure continued disappearing into the distance, that smile slowly faded.
By the end, her expression had become cold.
"Brother Chen is really naughty..."
"I knew it. I knew it!"
"I can no longer allow you to live outside alone."
"I must..."
"I must keep you by my side forever!"
As she finished speaking, Luan Yi raised her finger toward the sky.
A black stream of light shot out from her fingertip and struck the dome above.
Instantly, countless lights flashed throughout the garden. The thousands of separated sections resonated.
The entire garden began trembling.
From its edges, streams of light emerged and rapidly intertwined, forming a massive colorful barrier.
Although the barrier appeared extremely thin, it carried an indescribable sense of stability. It was as if the concept of indestructibility had been integrated into its very existence.
Evidence of this appeared the moment he arrived before it.
His forward momentum stopped abruptly.
Without hesitation, Chen Xuan swung the Common Saber, fully unleashing the power of this Holy Weapon in an attempt to shatter the formation.
Unfortunately, the barrier remained completely intact.
It did not even tremble.
Before Chen Xuan could attempt another strike, a familiar fragrance once again entered his nose.
At the same time, a soft voice sounded behind him.
"Brother Chen..."