Chapter 179: Entering The Inner Family
As most people were congratulating the winner, one person was staring at Long Chen from the corner, dazed and with a strange expression. She was the beautiful Liu Lan.
On this day, her makeup was intricate and she was clad in a red dress that half-covered the skin below her pale neck. Her dress was cinched at her waist, but there was a long slit that revealed half of her long, silky leg.
Her outfit may have been stunning, but it was nothing compared to her features. Her huge eyes were half-smiling and half-seductive like a misty pool tempting whoever looked at her. The corners of her small lips were slightly curved upwards, inviting the onlooker for a kiss.
What do I do? Her thoughts scrambled the longer she looked at Long Chen.
She had promised Long Chen that she would give her body to him if he entered the inner family. That was just something she had said in a moment of rage; she hadn’t expected him to actually enter the inner family.
Long Chen had shocked her many times, from his grinning, lackadaisical attitude to his viciousness, repeatedly shaking her to her core. Frankly speaking, when he miraculously defeated Jin Sheng’en to be the true number one prodigy of the outer family, her heart was swayed.
The arrogant Liu Lan found it a little embarrassing to be attracted to someone who was ten years younger than herself. She just treated it as a momentary bout of confusion.
But it was a promise I made! How can I not keep my promises? Liu Lan was panicking hard. On the one hand, she had made the promise. On the other hand, she was not mentally prepared to give herself to Long Chen. Plus, now that Long Chen had entered the inner family, what would become of her?
Finally, reason defeated her promise. Liu Lan took a deep breath, which attracted Long Chen’s attention.
“What do you think? Was I cool?” he smirked.
“You were.” Liu Lan was a little exasperated. His performance had been terrifying, but his words were childish. But that was exactly why Liu Lan had the urge to pull him into her arms and care for him.
What the heck am I thinking now? It’s like I’m maturing backwards. Liu Lan scolded herself as she blushed lightly.
All eyes in the Mortal Caves were on Long Chen and Yin Mengyao, though Long Chen shone brighter.
The Chu family had left, so the only people who had conflict with Long Chen were the Gold family members. Jin Luan was still treating Jin Sheng’en’s injuries, but everyone else surrounded Long Chen and Yin Mengyao, with Dongfang Xuanxiao standing in front of them.
Dongfang Tianyu walked up to Jin Luan.
“Elder Jin, how is he?” Due to his conflict with Long Chen, Dongfang Tianyu was also upset that Jin Sheng’en had lost.
“His internal organs are severely injured. If I don’t give him a good spiritual herb, it’ll take him a full month or two to recover.” An ice-cold mist filled Jin Luan’s eyes when he saw Jin Sheng’en’s pitiful state.
“I have an advanced Black-tier Cloud Fruit. Let him have it once we get out of the Mortal Caves. With it, Brother Jin Sheng’en will recover by tonight.”
“Really?” Jin Luan was pleasantly surprised to find that Dongfang Tianyu cared about Jin Sheng’en this much.
On the other side, Dongfang Xuanxiao was eyeing Long Chen and Yin Mengyao from head to toe, then he asked softly, “How old are you two?”
Long Chen was sixteen, while Yin Mengyao was nineteen. Since she was three years older, he started calling her “Sister Mengyao.”
One Dongfang Xuanxiao knew their ages, he nodded and said mildly, “You still need one more ceremony before truly entering the inner family, though it will be conducted only when we return to the Lingwu family. The inner family qualifiers have ended, so you two may follow me back to the inner family. Everyone else, you may return.”
That was Dongfang Xuanxiao’s style. Everything he did was direct and efficient.
When he finished, he led them to the outside of the cave.
We’re going back to the Lingwu family now? Liu Lan was happy to hear this. If they were heading back, Long Chen would directly go to the inner family and wouldn't have time to visit her.
The Mortal Cave containing Yin Snake Demons was considered quite long, so when they finally made their way out, they suddenly heard many bouts of thunder and the sound of heavy rain.
“It’s raining in the Nine Devil Mountains?”
Everyone’s mood was soured.
Rain in the Nine Devil Mountains usually fell in the form of extremely heavy storms. Those below the Divine Core Realm wouldn’t even be able to stand in the rain.
The terrain here was treacherous, and lightning struck close at random times. Traveling during the rain would be extremely inconvenient.
Indeed, when they were about to walk out, everyone saw that the outside world was nothing but a blur of mist, and the gushing sound of rain pouring rang continuously.
The Nine Devil Mountains were completely enveloped in dark clouds that swallowed the mountains from the middle to the peak. The rain was terrifyingly heavy.
The whole world seemed to be covered in rain. The curtain of rain obscured their vision and the flashing lightning danced before their eyes.
Thunder was frequent in the Nine Devil Mountains, so they hadn’t paid it much attention when they were in the Mortal Caves. They didn’t expect the storm to have intensified to this level until they stepped out.
If one was unlucky, they could get struck by lightning while traveling down the Nine Devil Mountains!
The power of nature was infinite; even if a figure like a Grand Elder was struck by lightning, he would either die or be crippled.
“It’s raining? Fourth Uncle, it’s already late. Let’s stay a night in the Nine Devils Mountain Village, then continue tomorrow. What do you think?” suggested Dongfang Tianyu.
“Alright.” Dongfang Xuanxiao nodded.
They started to descend the mountain in the heavy storm.
Heaven’s Path was one trail on the mountain, but there was a more convenient path they could take. They traveled along this path and quickly arrived back at the village.
Descending the mountain was much easier than trekking upwards. It took them considerably less time to descend.
If it wasn’t for their Qi protecting them, they would’ve been soaked through. However, the rain was heavy and the lightning was terrifying, enough to make them nervous.
Dongfang Xuanxiao was a man of few words. Despite Long Chen and Yin Mengyao having entered the inner family, he still hadn’t talked to them. He had merely told everyone to not worry, then he left.
Everyone was arranged to have their own quarters, and they were complete with all the necessities. The Nine Devils Mountain Village was an excellent location and was built with solid architecture, so they weren’t worried about floods or lightning strikes.
Now that the qualifiers had ended and Long Chen and Yin Mengyao had proved that they were favored by Lady Luck, the Silver family members were happy, along with Liu Yuan and Gu Batian. The rest quickly retreated to their rooms, seeing as there was nothing else to do. It had been a fruitless event for them, and the storm was keeping them here, so their moods were terrible.
Long Chen looked at Liu Lan next to him.
Although she wasn’t wet from the rain, the humidity in the air made her skin and hair look as if they had been soaked in water. Her soft, silk clothing clung tightly to her body, revealing her perfect curves.
“Wait for me tonight in your room?” Long Chen licked his lips, then he laughed and left. But after a few steps, his face contorted and his ear started twitching in pain.
“Ah! Xiao Xi, be gentle,” begged Long Chen.
“Tell me, why are you going to her room?” She had been hearing Long Chen say strange things to Liu Lan lately, so Ling Xi had her own suspicions. She started to question him furiously, glaring at him with her bright eyes.
Long Chen tried to explain as he rushed to his room.
Liu Lan’s mind went blank as she watched him leave. When he mentioned their promise just now, her body had gone weak, which scared her.
It’s all my fault! Why did I ever agree to this? He is now part of the inner family! What am I going to do? Liu Lan bit her lip, which made her beautiful face even more attractive.
It’s all the rain’s fault, or I would be back at the Lingwu family already. If he comes tonight …
She recalled the time she entered Long Chen’s room to tease him. She couldn’t believe the tables had turned, and this time, Long Chen was coming for the real thing. She was going to give her body to him.
Karma had played itself perfectly.
Suddenly, her eyes brightened. Right! Although it’s a little inconvenient, I can leave early. If I go back to the Lingwu family, he won’t be able to find me. So what will he do then?
With a solution at hand, she finally heaved a sigh of relief.
***
“Are you really only teasing her for revenge?” Within the room, Ling Xi was standing with her fair arms akimbo[1], like an auntie scolding him. She looked adorable.
“I swear over my dead father’s body. If I am lying, let his grave be robbed!” Long Chen said righteously.
I’m so sorry, Father. Your future daughter-in-law is just too scary … Long Chen said in his heart.
Ling Xi finally let him go, though she was still in a bad mood.
“You are banned from leaving this room until tomorrow!” ordered the little princess.
“Yes, Ma’am!” Long Chen said, trying to win her over.
This is it! I can’t believe my plan is gone just like that. Long Chen was indeed tempted whenever he thought about Liu Lan. He’d met many beautiful girls in Baiyang Town, but he’d never seen one who radiated beauty from her core like Liu Lan.
But ever since his father died and he found a romantic interest, he never walked the streets again and his life had been on the bright path so far.
As for Liu Lan, he was annoyed because she had teased him in the beginning. However, he started to tease her after that because he was furious that she had used him as a shield.
However, without her, Long Chen wouldn’t have been put under so much pressure to improve. All of the danger had led him to where he was today. He would soon join the inner family, which would enable him to protect Lingqing and at the same time receive more information about Mo Xiaolang. That was why his hatred towards her had lessened, though he would not live well without teasing her and teaching her a good lesson.
That was why he kept scaring her throughout the qualifiers.
Even tonight, he planned to only teach her a few lessons when he went to her room. He wouldn’t go as far as hooking up with her.
I’m a gentleman now. Long Chen was extremely pleased with his current form.
Time passed quickly and it was now late at night. Long Chen was focused on his cultivation, occasionally joking around with Ling Xi, having a carefree moment.
Then came a knock on the door …
1. Arms on her hips with elbows facing outwards. We learn a new word everyday. ?
Doge & Chacha's Thoughts
Is this it?! Is Long Chen gonna sneak out and find Liu Lan later?
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