Zhan Chen’s True Face

Zhan Chen's True Face...

As they ventured away from the location, Bailu Yi's gaze remained fixed on Qin Wentian.

The chill in the air that had enveloped him earlier had now thawed, and as he caught her scrutinizing him, he playfully quipped, "Admiring my dashing looks, are we?"

"Conceited much?" Bailu Yi shot back, averting her eyes with a huff. Yet, her gaze found its way back to him after a brief moment, and she inquired with a playful tone, "So, is Mo Qingcheng truly your sweetheart?"

The exchange between Qin Wentian and Bai Fei had been impossible to miss. Bai Fei hailed from the prestigious Pill Emperor Hall, and Qin Wentian had unabashedly claimed his intent to retrieve Mo Qingcheng from there in the future. That declaration lent credence to the validity of his earlier remarks.

When Qin Wentian had mentioned Mo Qingcheng's name to Bailu Yi before, she had assumed he was jesting.

"Yes," Qin Wentian replied nonchalantly, shrugging his shoulders.

Bailu Yi's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Can you share more? I'm quite intrigued by the tale of your romance."

"Even the enchanting damsels are intrigued by gossip?" Qin Wentian teased. "Mo Qingcheng and I hail from a modest region called Chu. This place was under the authority of the Nine Mystical Palace. My clan found itself in conflict with the Royal Clan, and by a twist of fate, Qingcheng saved me after she discovered me unconscious in a forest. But I didn't realize she was my savior until we had known each other for a while."

Qin Wentian delved into the past, recounting their journey, and Bailu Yi listened with rapt attention, captivated by their narrative.

"You crippled Hua Xiaoyun's arms?" Bailu Yi interjected incredulously.

"Yes, I did. Fortunately, the Pill Emperor's daughter, Luo He, was present as well. If not for her intervention, the Hua Clan would have undoubtedly exacted a heavier price," Qin Wentian affirmed with a nod.

"Does that mean your journey to the Moon Continent was solely to reunite with Mo Qingcheng?" Bailu Yi asked, her heart touched by the depth of his commitment. The power of true love seemed boundless, transcending any geographical barriers.

Qin Wentian's reply was laced with more layers than she had anticipated. "While reuniting with Mo Qingcheng was indeed one of my motivations, my primary reason for coming here was to settle the score with Hua Xiaoyun. And, of course, there's my interest in your White Deer Institute," he added with a wry smile.

Bailu Yi raised an eyebrow in confusion. "White Deer Institute? What do you mean?"

"Before I reveal this, promise you won't hold it against me for keeping it a secret," Qin Wentian said, his demeanor growing slightly enigmatic.

Intrigued, Bailu Yi agreed, "I promise."

"Have you heard of the 'hidden' Azure Faction?" Qin Wentian's gaze bore into Bailu Yi's eyes, scrutinizing her reaction. The mere mention of those words caused her heart to race uncontrollably. It was the most closely guarded secret of the White Deer Institute, a knowledge only shared among its core members. How could Qin Wentian possibly know about it?

Bailu Yi's bewildered expression did not go unnoticed by Qin Wentian. He saw the recognition dawning in her eyes.

"You..." Bailu Yi stammered, her voice quivering.

"I am the successor of the Azure Emperor," Qin Wentian confessed. The words hit Bailu Yi like a shockwave, leaving her momentarily speechless. It felt as though her brain had short-circuited.

Qin Wentian, the successor of the Azure Emperor?

From the folds of his robes, Qin Wentian produced a command token. Prominently engraved on its surface was the word 'Azure.'

"The Azure Emperor's Token," Bailu Yi whispered, her voice trembling. Her senses only returned when Qin Wentian safely tucked the token away. She took a deep breath, her voice still shaky as she inquired, "Are you here to take control of our White Deer Institute branch?"

"Do you think that's a possibility?" Qin Wentian asked with genuine curiosity.

Bailu Yi pondered for a moment before responding in a hushed tone, "It's a complex matter. The White Deer Institute has maintained its autonomy for countless years. Gaining the allegiance of everyone within the Institute solely because of an ancient token would indeed be a formidable challenge."

"I have no intentions of turning the Institute into my subjects. Why should a branch of the 'hidden' Azure Faction continue to hunker down in the Grand Xia Empire? Why not shake the entire world instead of remaining concealed on the Moon Continent?" Qin Wentian's words brimmed with confidence, sending ripples of excitement through Bailu Yi's heart.

"But with risk comes the possibility of irreparable damage to the White Deer Institute. If anything goes awry, the consequences could be catastrophic," Bailu Yi replied. "Qin Wentian, promise me this: don't divulge any information about the 'hidden' branches of the Azure Faction until you have enough power to do so. Many formidable forces were involved in the fall of the Azure Emperor. If they discover that living descendants of the Azure Emperor still exist in the Grand Xia, they won't hesitate to eradicate any potential threats."

"Rest assured, I won't act prematurely. I won't even disclose my connection to the White Deer Institute until I possess sufficient strength. At most, I'll use you as a cover story and let others assume there's something between us," Qin Wentian teased, earning a playful eye roll from Bailu Yi.

"Fine, then you better work hard to gain the Institute's approval," she replied.

"Does that mean you're supporting me?" Qin Wentian grinned. Bailu Yi shot him a glare. "Aren't you telling me this because you want my support?"

Qin Wentian chuckled, not directly answering her question, and continued walking ahead. Under his breath, he murmured, "If you didn't support me, I might have considered giving up on this branch. The White Deer Institute would have remained dormant forever."

Bailu Yi's heart fluttered at his words. Qin Wentian had confessed such a significant secret not only to secure her support but also to gauge her feelings. This was trust – he was treating her as a confidante, revealing his innermost thoughts.

"I promise to lead the Azure Faction to new heights within the Grand Xia," Qin Wentian declared as they walked on.

Bailu Yi's face lit up with a radiant smile upon hearing his words. Likewise, she held strong belief that Qin Wentian was more than capable of achieving his goal.

They continued walking toward the spot where Qin Wentian had defeated the middle-aged man. A short distance away, Qin Wentian signaled for Bailu Yi to stop and crouched down quietly behind a hillside.

Qin Wentian's heightened perception detected the presence of others nearby. It was none other than Zhan Chen from the Pill Emperor Hall, accompanied by his partner.

As the 11th-ranked cultivator on the Heavenly Fate Ranking, Zhan Chen had made impressive progress in overcoming the obstacles. By his side stood Qing Yue. Zhan Chen retrieved a pill from his robe and handed it to her. "Qing Yue, take this to replenish your energy. We'll rest here for a bit before tackling the next challenge."

Qing Yue looked at Zhan Chen with a calm expression, accepting the pill without hesitation and swallowing it.

"Someone has been here before us. Their ability to reach this point ahead of us indicates their strength. Fortunately, they're already dead. Additionally, Old Third of the trio couldn't neutralize this formation and met his demise as well." Zhan Chen gestured toward the two interspatial rings on the ground as he spoke in a composed tone. "The upcoming trap should be the most formidable within this formation. If we can bypass it, there's a high chance we'll reach the exit and secure the Ascendant's inheritance."

Almost instantly, Zhan Chen's scholarly appearance contorted with intense ambition.

He held the distinction of being the strongest participant in the current trial, making him a prime candidate for inheriting the Ascendant's legacy.

"Understood," Qing Yue, dressed in light blue, gazed at Zhan Chen with eyes filled with affection. Even in this moment, her serene countenance projected an aura of love.

"Zhan Chen, I believe in you." A captivating smile graced Qing Yue's lips, outshining even the moon. Her smile made Zhan Chen's heart quiver involuntarily, tinged with a trace of regret.

"After my death, you'll surely become the leader of the Pill Emperor Hall." Qing Yue's smile didn't waver, but her words struck Zhan Chen like a bolt of lightning. He stared at her, dumbfounded.

"I know the pill you gave me is poison. It will transform me into a mindless puppet, obedient to your every command." Tears welled in her eyes as she continued, "Zhan Chen, we've been acquainted for eight years. I'm well aware of your true nature. On the surface, you may appear refined and gentle, but you couldn't hide your ambitions from me."

The scene unfolded with a mixture of emotions, painting a picture of hidden motives and deep-seated truths.

"I was the one who provided the introduction that led you into the Pill Emperor Hall. Your talent shone brilliantly, and in just eight short years, you became the brightest star within our sect. Your radiance outshone every other elite in the Pill Emperor Hall. But I see through your every move, every action you've taken has been driven by your own ambitions," Qing Yue's tears fell steadily, yet her smile remained unshaken. "When Senior Martial Sister mentioned that Mo Qingcheng would become one of the most pivotal figures in our Pill Emperor Hall's future, I knew your heart would waver. I recognize my irrelevance now, so let Mo Qingcheng take my place. It's the last thing I can do for you. Without me in the picture, Senior Martial Sister will gladly unite you two. You will be the sect's future, while I'll only be a hindrance. Zhan Chen, this is my final contribution..."

Having spoken, Qing Yue pivoted and rushed toward the same trap that had claimed the life of Old Third. In that moment, she chose death over becoming a puppet devoid of her mind.

Her heart was shattered; it had died the instant she witnessed Zhan Chen retrieving that pill. She understood him too well, his intentions could never be hidden from her.

What purpose did life hold for her now, with her heart rendered lifeless?

As her Astral Souls ignited, Qing Yue's aura surged to its zenith, propelling her fearlessly into the trap. Her beauty seemed to intensify beneath the starlight radiating from her Astral Souls. Even Zhan Chen couldn't help but feel a pang of loss as he gazed upon her. His expression twisted in agony, but within moments, it morphed into an unyielding determination. No force could sway his resolve; his heart was steadfast. This was the path he had chosen, his unwavering Dao Heart.

From the inception of his cultivation journey to the present, every step had been laden with bitterness and exhaustion. Nonetheless, he would persist, forging ahead until he reached the zenith of Grand Xia. His determination was unyielding!

Shutting his eyes, Zhan Chen stood motionless. Even as he sensed Qing Yue's imminent demise, an unprecedented calmness enveloped his heart.

Yet, at the precise moment of her passing, Zhan Chen's eyes flew open, radiating a startling intensity. An eerie glint ignited within them. Abruptly, he spun around, his form a blur as he bolted toward the unseen presence lurking behind him. Someone was observing him, his instincts screamed.