Chapter 14: A Kiss in the Night, A Trap in the Forest

In Elder Lan's quiet, fragrant residence, Lin Xuan lay peacefully on her bed, his breathing steady and soft. His body was still weakened from enduring the brutal trials of the Challenge Peak, but a gentle light shone on his face, revealing a calmness that hadn't been there before.

Lan Yuerong stood nearby, gazing down at her disciple. Her expression was a mixture of frustration and concern. She clenched her fists slightly and muttered to herself, "Stupid disciple… What was the need to take such a huge risk?"

With a sigh, she took out a handful of precious healing pills and rare herbs from her spatial ring. Sitting beside him, she gently fed him the pills and rubbed spiritual ointment into his wounds with great care. The room was filled with a warm medicinal fragrance as spiritual energy flowed around them.

Once done, she looked around cautiously. Activating her spiritual sense, she scanned the surroundings to ensure no other elders or disciples were nearby. After confirming they were completely alone, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. Her gaze fell upon Lin Xuan's sleeping face again.

"No one will ever know… right?" she thought, heart pounding.

With hesitant steps, she leaned in close, her face mere inches from his. Then, eyes filled with shame and curiosity, she kissed him softly on the lips. The touch was fleeting, but her face turned red like fire.

Embarrassed by her own boldness, she immediately moved to the nearby chair and sat down, covering her face with her sleeve. "I've really gone mad…" she whispered.

A while later, Lin Xuan stirred awake.

His eyes fluttered open, blinking at the unfamiliar ceiling. When he turned, he saw he was lying on his master's bed, while she sat asleep in a chair nearby. His heart softened.

"She really took care of me… The original owner never appreciated her enough," he murmured.

Lan Yuerong opened her eyes as well, sensing his movement. She smiled faintly. "You're finally awake. How are you feeling?"

Lin Xuan quickly sat up and bowed his head. "Thank you, Master… for everything. I'll never forget this. From now on, I'll begin preparing for the Inner Disciple Competition."

Lan Yuerong nodded, a mix of pride and worry in her eyes. "Be careful this time. Don't do anything reckless again."

Lin Xuan chuckled. "Don't worry. I'll make you proud."

After saying his goodbyes, Lin Xuan exited her residence.

The moment he stepped outside, disciples began to gather around him. Their eyes were filled with awe and admiration.

"Senior Brother Lin, are you okay now?"

"That was amazing! You reached the 100th level of Challenge Peak!"

"You're like a hero now!"

Lin Xuan smiled and nodded. His calm demeanor and light responses only added to his charm in their eyes.

Just then, a cold wind swept through the courtyard as a familiar figure appeared.

Ye Tian.

The Son of Destiny had just been released from his punishment. His eyes locked onto Lin Xuan with disbelief and rage.

"You… took the Sword Intent…" he muttered under his breath. This bastard… he keeps getting in my way!

Lin Xuan calmly met his gaze and smiled faintly, as if mocking his fury.

The surrounding disciples noticed Ye Tian too, but their attitude was cold.

"Tch, that's Ye Tian. Still arrogant even after being punished."

"He didn't even greet Senior Brother Lin. So rude."

"He's trash now."

Fuming, Ye Tian clenched his fists and stormed off.

Meanwhile, Lin Xuan returned to his own room and immediately sat cross-legged. When he opened his system panel, his eyes widened.

[Villain Points: 1000]

He raised an eyebrow in surprise. "That much already?"

Suddenly, the system interface glowed.

Ding! System update available: Return Reward function can be upgraded with 1000 Villain Points.

Lin Xuan didn't hesitate.

Upgrade confirmed.

Ding! Return Reward upgraded: Host now receives 100x return on gifts given to others.

"100x?! Hahaha… This is insane!" Lin Xuan grinned wildly. "Keke… with this, I can turn the whole sect upside down!"

— — —

Meanwhile, far away near the base of Black Demon Mountain, Ye Tian wandered into the edge of the Black Forest.

"This is strange…" he muttered. "Not a single beast? Even the lowest rank ones are gone."

He walked deeper, scanning with his spiritual sense. "Damn you, Lin Xuan… Because of you, I've been humiliated again. I'll kill you one day…"

Suddenly, his foot stepped near the roots of a large tree. His spiritual sense flickered wildly.

"This spot… has no spiritual presence at all."

With a suspicious look, he swung his sword and cut the tree.

As it fell, a burst of concentrated spiritual energy flooded the surroundings.

"This is… a hidden spiritual node?" His eyes gleamed.

But as he stepped further in, he froze.

There were beast corpses strewn all around, and a sinister black aura leaking from them. The death aura was thick… too thick.

"No… this is—"

ROARRR!

Before he could escape, the entire forest erupted with the cries of awakened beasts.

A beast tide had begun.

"DAMN IT!!" Ye Tian screamed, dashing through the trees as beasts of all sizes chased him down. His body was slashed and bitten, and blood poured from multiple wounds.

He barely escaped the forest and returned to the sect, panting and bleeding.

"Someone… Someone set a trap… I swear, I'll find you…!"

— — —

Back in his room, Lin Xuan sat calmly in meditation.

Ding! Host has successfully trapped and injured the Son of Destiny. +100 Villain Points.

Lin Xuan smirked.

"Things are finally starting to get fun."