Chapter 31: Desperation

"You... What are you doing here? Who allowed you inside? Outrageous! Utterly lawless!"

A roar of fury echoed through the bloodline chamber. A shadow flickered—crack!—before Lin Xinrou could react, she was sent sprawling across the floor.

Manager Liu's face contorted like a feral beast, eyes bloodshot as he jabbed a trembling finger at the fallen attendant. "Do you know where this is? A lowly attendant like you daring to bring outsiders here? You're courting death!"

Beneath his rage, icy dread flooded Liu Tong's veins. Disaster. This chamber—reserved exclusively for the Sanctuary Master under Director Li's strict orders—had been violated. The magnitude of his negligence threatened to drown him. He could already envision Director Li's wrath. All his scheming to climb within the Sanctuary, reduced to ashes by a foolish attendant.

At this moment, Liu Tong wished to tear Lin Xinrou limb from limb.

Spitting blood, Lin Xinrou trembled under the manager's murderous glare. "M-Manager Liu... The door was open... I thought it was a public chamber..."

"Public? This is the Sanctuary Master's private sanctum! When the Master learns of this, how many lives do you think you have to spare?" Liu Tong's voice cracked with hysteria.

Lin Xinrou paled. The Bloodline Sanctuary's Master—a titan of the Da Qi Kingdom, a figure beyond her wildest nightmares. Her vision swam as terror swallowed her voice.

"And you!" Liu Tong whirled toward Qin Chen. "Daring to tamper with the Master's Bloodline Analyzer! Guards! Detain them both until Director Li arrives!"

Sanctuary guards materialized, encircling Qin Chen and Lin Xinrou. A crowd gathered outside the chamber, murmuring over the commotion.

Qin Chen observed the guards—all Earth-stage cultivators, battle-hardened and alert. Though unfazed, he saw no gain in provoking conflict. "Relax. I've no intention of fleeing."

He knelt beside Lin Xinrou, lifting her gently. "Are you hurt?"

Her cheek bore a livid bruise, tears glistening. "This is all my fault... I'll take full responsibility..."

"There's nothing to fear." Qin Chen brushed away her tears, his calm voice steadying her. Lin Xinrou flushed, her panic momentarily eclipsed by the warmth of his touch.

The guards sneered. Brazen fool. Flirting while doom looms.

"Director Li! They're the ones who violated the Master's chamber!" Liu Tong's shrill cry announced the arrival of a gaunt man radiating glacial fury.

The guards snapped to attention as Li Wenyu stormed in. Ignoring formalities, the director froze at the sight of the activated Bloodline Analyzer. An arctic aura enveloped the chamber.

Turning slowly, Li Wenyu's gaze could flay flesh. "Liu Tong. This is your stewardship?"

"P-Please, Director Li! An accident! I was fixing Master Chen Fan's analyzer when they—"

"Save your excuses. The Sanctuary Master descends shortly. Explain to him."

Thud! Liu Tong collapsed, clutching Li Wenyu's robes. "Mercy, Director! You must intercede—"

Li Wenyu kicked him aside. "You swore this chamber would remain untouched. Do you know what the Master endured to procure this analyzer? The decades of petitions to higher Sanctuaries? And now—"

"Not my fault! The attendant—that boy—they forced their way in!" Liu Tong screeched, pointing wildly.

Li Wenyu's frosty gaze swept over Qin Chen. "Regardless of blame, the Master's wrath will spare none."

Qin Chen stepped forward, tone icy. "If your Sanctuary leaves chambers unsecured, the negligence is yours. We entered an open room. By what law are we detained?"

With that, he strode toward the exit.