Chapter 101: This Disciple's Wife, I Approve!
With a crash, the mist over the lake dispersed, rising into waves of baleful energy.
Three figures in white robes landed upon the ground.
The surging mist over the lake was torn apart by violent spiritual power, revealing densely packed formation patterns beneath the water.
Elder Mo stepped forward, shielding Chen Chang'an and Xiao Ling'er behind him. His gray robe billowed as the overwhelming might of a Longevity Realm peak cultivator poured forth like a tidal wave. "Ghost-Suppressing Army! Do you know what you are doing?"
At that moment, the young cultivator who had led them here saw Elder Mo's attention diverted. Seizing the chance, he spun around and bolted.
However—
Puchi!
A pale hand suddenly pierced through his chest, blood splattering across the rock wall.
"Lord…"
"Trash. You cannot even handle such a small matter!"
At some point, the Third Commander had appeared. As he spoke, he slowly pulled his arm from the corpse, letting the body collapse lifeless to the ground.
Elder Mo watched expressionlessly.
The Third Commander flicked the flesh and blood from his hand with disgust, then raised his head. From beneath his mask came a hoarse laugh. "Of course we know. But wealth is found amidst danger."
"Wealth in danger…"
Elder Mo sneered. A jade ruler slid from his sleeve, its body etched with countless ghost seals. "Since you know who it is yet still dare to act, then whether wealth is sought amidst danger—or amidst death—remains to be seen."
"You had better think carefully…"
The clash of their auras roared like thunder, shaking stones loose from the cavern roof.
"Old ghost, do not try to deceive us. Today you will die without doubt. This is the Forbidden Land of Heaven's Severance, which conceals all heavenly secrets. When blame descends, it will fall solely upon the Ghost-Suppressing Army's general for incompetence. He alone will bear that one's wrath!"
"Borrowing another's blade to kill? You dare to plot such a scheme!?"
Xiao Ling'er trembled at the scene before her, then understood their intent.
They were here… for her!
Realization struck, and she suddenly turned, pushing Chen Chang'an back with force. "Sorry, Sister Lin. They are here for me, but it seems I have dragged you into this."
Her voice shook, yet she stubbornly straightened her back. "Find your chance and run…"
"Uh…"
Before Chen Chang'an could speak, she swiftly tore a jade pendant from her neck and shoved it into his hand. "If you ever meet that person one day, tell him Ling'er has always been searching for him."
Foolish girl. Even at a time like this, she still thought of that person?
But… how he longed to gossip and find out more!
So, clutching the still-warm pendant, Chen Chang'an could not help but smile. "Even if you want me to find him, at least tell me his name."
"Xiao Chen." Xiao Ling'er's eyes glistened with tears. "His name is Xiao Chen."
"Xiao Chen!?" Chen Chang'an froze.
Damn!
Of all names, he never expected to hear this one.
Could it be—
"Ling'er, I always forgot to ask, where are you from?"
Since this concerned his foolish disciple, he had to clarify.
Xiao Ling'er stomped her foot in frustration. "Sister Lin! Is this really the time—"
She tried to shove Chen Chang'an again, but this time he did not budge.
Those eyes that always carried a gentle smile were now as deep as an abyss. In that instant, the usually mild "Sister Lin" seemed to vanish completely, replaced by a pressure that reminded Xiao Ling'er inexplicably of her grandfather's stern lectures.
"Tell me," Chen Chang'an enunciated each word, "this is very meaningful."
Above the Lake of Baleful Energy, the clouds roiled violently.
The rock walls cracked under the clash of spiritual pressure, loose stones tumbling down.
Four white-robed figures stood at the four directions, the numbers carved on their masks glowing blood-red amidst the baleful aura—"Three," "Four," "Five," "Nine." Their bodies were wreathed in a dense, tangible malice, like four fiends crawling out of hell, sealing off the entire space.
Elder Mo stood alone upon the stone platform at the lake's center, his gray robe billowing.
Facing the four white-robed commanders, his aura did not falter in the slightest!
A great battle was about to ignite.
At this critical moment between life and death, Xiao Ling'er, shaken by Chen Chang'an's gaze, subconsciously blurted out, "Jingning City, Xiao Clan."
Jingning City? Xiao Clan?
Jingning City! Xiao Clan!
Chen Chang'an laughed.
So—that explained everything!
She let out a long breath. The sharp, overwhelming pressure between her brows instantly dissipated, returning to her usual gentle self.
Only now, her gaze toward Xiao Ling'er grew brighter and brighter, the curve of her lips deeper and deeper.
"Jingning City, excellent! Xiao Clan, excellent!"
She suddenly reached out, pinched Xiao Ling'er's cheek affectionately, her eyes so kind that Xiao Ling'er trembled.
Xiao Ling'er: "…?"
What… what was this strange look?
A chill ran down her back. This gaze was exactly like those of clan patriarchs she had once seen, sizing up a daughter-in-law they were satisfied with!
The more Chen Chang'an looked, the more satisfied she became—those brows, that figure, that talent, and even this filial devotion!
Well… her figure could still develop…
All in all, that brat Xiao Chen had good taste!
Xiao Ling'er was unnerved under her stare and instinctively retreated half a step.
Then she heard this "Sister Lin," smiling brightly, say: "This disciple's wife—I approve!"
"A-approve… approve what?" Xiao Ling'er stammered, trembling, her expression fragile, timid, and helpless.
The next moment, she saw Chen Chang'an gently pull her behind, then—
Still smiling, rolling her fists, she walked slowly and leisurely toward the battlefield ahead, where swords and killing intent were about to collide…
…
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