Chapter 124 – Got Snatched Just Like That?!
The sorrow between people is never truly shared. You should never expect others to understand your pain.
Just like now.
Yao Yan's mood was rather good. Ever since he cultivated the Burning Decision, and used it to devour the Green Lotus Core Flame, his entire being had become more relaxed. The shackles and pressure on him had been greatly reduced, because he knew that now he had the capital to continue playing in the Dou Qi Continent, and the confidence to play until the very end.
If one were to say that in the past he had merely been Soul Void Child's "puppet," then now, without a doubt, he possessed the ability to fight back.
In contrast to Yao Yan—
Cai Lin, who had failed her breakthrough, appeared gloomy. Those enchanting violet eyes seemed covered by a layer of haze, making her whole aura even colder. Compared to before, she gave off a stronger sense of "keep away." Her presence felt as if it could freeze and kill any living thing that drew near.
She needed peace and quiet now.
Yet at this very moment, Yao Yan leapt straight in through the side window without her consent. The snake-people guards at the entrance were completely useless against him, and his arrival naturally caused Cai Lin's gaze to sharpen.
Her red lips parted slightly, and her icy, mature voice rang in Yao Yan's ears:
"Why aren't you with her? What are you doing here?"
"I thought you needed comfort, so I came."
Facing Cai Lin's aggressive stare, Yao Yan remained calm, the corners of his mouth holding the faintest of smiles as he spoke softly.
"This queen does not need it."
Cai Lin's voice was cold. She never considered herself the kind of woman who needed to rely on a man, nor would she ever show weakness in front of one—especially this man, Yao Yan. Since her younger sister had taken a liking to him, she maintained a safe distance.
Yao Yan shook his head slightly, wagged a finger, and slowly said:
"People who need comfort never admit it. Stubbornness is useless. Since your breakthrough failed, you must prepare for the worst."
"You think this queen needs you to comfort her? Don't use on me the same tricks you use on my sister. Just because she's willing to be fooled by you doesn't mean I am!"
Her deep violet eyes reflected Yao Yan's face. His nearly flawless features held no charm in her eyes.
"Willing to be fooled by me? Well, that's not wrong."
Yao Yan nodded slightly, agreeing with her words. If anyone thought Cai Die was just a silly girl, then that person was the true fool. She was pure and kind, not unintelligent—merely too well protected by Cai Lin, with too little life experience. Like a fresh university graduate, her eyes still carried that clear-eyed naivety.
Can you call them stupid?
No—they've simply been deceived too little, not yet beaten down by reality. The moment they step out into the real world, everything changes. Because society, made of countless people, doesn't uphold the moral bottom line schools teach.
The same holds true for a fantasy world, only far crueler. Here there are no laws—only personal whims as the moral baseline.
Seeing Yao Yan's expression of agreement, Cai Lin's chest heaved in fury—it hurt.
"If you came here just to spout this nonsense, then you can leave."
Her tone was cold.
"Then let's talk business."
Yao Yan nodded, his face turning a bit more serious. "Your failed breakthrough is likely tied to your companion soul. I don't understand the Medusa clan's inheritance, but your bloodline should be deeply connected to your companion soul—the two complement each other."
"In the beginning it gave you great advantages—combat boosts, cultivation speed, and so on."
"But nothing in this world is perfect. Benefits always come with drawbacks. For magical beasts, advancing depends on bloodline evolution. The Violet Serpent Flame clearly cannot reach the seventh rank, and thus it naturally restricts you, its host!"
Cai Lin didn't need Yao Yan to remind her of this. During her seclusion, she had deeply experienced the agony of being restricted. In her past cultivation, she had never felt such suffocating shackles—it was like being buried in sand, unable to move.
Yao Yan continued:
"For the Medusa clan, evolution requires using Heavenly Flames. I may not know your secret method, but I am very aware of the violent nature of Heavenly Flames. To burn away your old body with it is no different from playing with fire—it's no less dangerous than when I refined a Heavenly Flame myself."
"You want me to give up?"
Cai Lin narrowed her beautiful eyes, dangerously fixating on Yao Yan like a seductive serpent flicking its tongue.
"I'm not asking you to give up," Yao Yan said persuasively. "I just want you to wait. Don't rush it—impulse is the devil."
"And when exactly do you expect this queen to wait until?"
Cai Lin's voice was cold, her eyes locked on him. She needed the Heavenly Flame, and it was currently in Yao Yan's hands. If he refused, she had no way forward. That forced her to suppress her temper and keep talking.
"Give me some time. I plan to make a trip to the Black-Corner Region. There's a Heavenly Flame there waiting for me. Once I refine it, my strength will skyrocket again."
Yao Yan moistened his dry lips and revealed part of his plan.
"This queen will accompany you!"
Cai Lin said sternly, leaving Yao Yan no room to refuse. She had to go with him—otherwise, if he broke his promise, it would ruin her future. Not that she doubted his character, but this matter was too important. As for letting Cai Die follow… The Black-Corner Region wasn't suited for a sweet, innocent girl like her.
She had been there once before. Everyone there was ruthless—even an average Dou Master was fiercer and more brutal than those of the Jia Ma Empire.
If the empire still had some semblance of rules, the Black-Corner Region was utter chaos.
No rules, no laws, no morals—only strength mattered.
It was like a microcosm of the entire Dou Qi Continent.
"…Fine."
Yao Yan didn't refuse. With Cai Lin along, there were matters he could entrust to her. He also intended to infiltrate Canaan Academy. For now, it was best not to expose himself. Contacting the Soul Hall too early—or revealing the Emperor's cave mansion hidden beneath the Fallen Heart Flame's magma—would bring disaster.
The whole continent would descend into chaos. The great clans would clash prematurely. With his current strength, Yao Yan couldn't possibly hold it back.
"Wait, don't you already have a Heavenly Flame?"
Cai Lin suddenly realized, staring at him with a puzzled yet stunningly beautiful face.
Yao Yan raised both hands. With a thought, the fused Green Lotus Core Flame and Phantom Gold Flame instantly separated, floating in his palms. He looked into Cai Lin's eyes as he shaped the two flames into roses, and handed them toward her with a smile:
"Who said one person can't control multiple flames? The technique I cultivate lets me refine them infinitely."
"?!"
Cai Lin blinked, her worldview once again overturned.
This was possible?!
"Pfft~"
The fiery roses quickly scattered into sparks—beautiful, but fleeting.
Yet Cai Lin paid no attention to their beauty. Staring at where the flames had faded, she suddenly asked:
"Does Cai Die know you're going to the Black-Corner Region?"
"I'll tell her later."
Yao Yan shook his head lightly.
Cai Lin frowned, raising her gaze at him with a heavy tone:
"Sometimes I really doubt if she even exists in your heart!"
"And does Your Majesty truly hold your sister in your heart? If so, why did you give me two snake girls behind her back, just so I wouldn't bother her?"
Yao Yan countered immediately.
Cai Lin replied:
"When she and I went into seclusion, I already told her everything. It was also meant to test your feelings for her. Clearly, you failed the test!"
She lifted her slender neck slightly, her perfect collarbones making her posture seem proud and lofty.
"That only proves I'm lustful, not that she isn't in my heart. Besides, does Your Majesty really think a man this lustful could have no feelings for her?"
Yao Yan chuckled, taking a few slow steps forward. Stopping close, he looked into her enchanting eyes and laughed softly.
Cai Lin found herself speechless. She hadn't expected him to be so blunt, openly admitting his lust. Everything she wanted to say got stuck in her throat. A numbness ran through her body, and Yao Yan's gaze had turned mischievous, almost predatory.
Her eyes sharpened. "What do you think you're doing?!"
"Nothing. Just thought Her Majesty looks a lot like her younger sister~"
Yao Yan stepped back on his own, smiling. Without further entanglement, he left the room. As for Cai Lin's little tricks—he would make her regret them one day.
Cai Lin clenched her fists, wanting to explode, but in the end she endured. Her proud chest rose and fell violently, clearly angered. Yet this breathtaking sight had no audience—the only man capable of appreciating it had already walked out.
…
Back at his own palace, Hua She'er and Yue Mei were guarding the entrance in their roles as attendants.
Yue Mei lowered her voice:
"Sir, Her Majesty already knows about us. She's in a foul mood right now."
Hua She'er said nothing, standing calmly to the side like an aloof guard.
"Got it."
Yao Yan nodded and entered.
The room was dim, the curtains drawn. Yet with his eyesight, he easily spotted Cai Die curled up at the head of the bed. Gone was her lively playfulness—now she was like a frost-wilted eggplant, hugging her quilt tightly, her snake tail wrapped around it in a suffocating grip.
So tight it seemed she wanted to strangle Yao Yan.
The sight reminded him of his recent nights with Yue Mei and Hua She'er…
He shook his head, reproaching himself. How could he think of others while facing Cai Die?
It was disrespectful to her.
Walking over, he ignored Ling'er, who was snoring loudly nearby. He patted Cai Die's perky hips—thanks to her tail, that curve was always perfect, endlessly tempting.
Cai Die didn't respond, even shifting forward slightly to avoid his touch.
But the bed was only so big. Her sulky squirming was useless, only making her look all the more adorable.
Both cute and funny.
He sat down beside her, thought for a moment, then said:
"Tomorrow I'll be heading to the Black-Corner Region. It's dangerous there, so I probably can't take you along."
"Huh?!"
Hearing this, Cai Die instantly forgot her sulk. She turned over, her watery peach-blossom eyes staring at him full of grievance, her cheeks puffed adorably. Compared to her cold, regal sister, her expressions were far more vivid.
"I'm not joking. I have to go. In fact, that was always my destination—I just ended up here by accident, and met you."
Yao Yan gently stroked her silky hair. Unlike his fiery treatment of Yue Mei, his touch with Cai Die was infinitely tender.
"Are you going home, then?"
Cai Die bit her lip, sounding pitiful—like an abandoned little beast.
"I've long had no home. Wherever you are, that's my home."
Yao Yan shook his head, his eyes soft with a warmth rarely seen. To him, Cai Die was undeniably special.
"Home" carried heavy meaning.
"Sir…"
Cai Die couldn't hold back anymore. She threw herself into his arms, resting her head against his chest, holding on tightly as if she never wanted to let him go. But reason told her he would leave, no matter what. His words had already made his heart clear.
She was a simple girl—liking him meant everything.
Meeting the right person at the right time.
That one look might last a lifetime.
Memories of their time together flashed in her mind as she clutched him tighter. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, yet she said nothing to stop him. She knew she couldn't. The only thing she could do was wait.
"Don't worry, I'll be back soon to see you. Oh, and this time, your sister will be coming with me too."
Yao Yan gently wiped the tears from her eyes, sighing inwardly. After a pause, he deliberately changed the subject.
"?!"
Cai Die instantly looked up, her tear-stained face pitiful and wronged—like her home had been stolen. She was the one who met him first, yet somehow her sister was taking him away.
(END CHAPTER)
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