A Shattering Revelation and a Deep Embrace

Ye Yan’s words plunged both Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing into a profound contemplation.

Chi Qiu, however, remained relatively composed. Her impression of the Tianyan Sect’s upper echelons had always been exceedingly negative, so her mind was merely occupied with assessing the veracity of Ye Yan’s claims.

Su Hanxing’s heart, in stark contrast, was utterly shaken. Adopted by Su He in his youth, he had been raised within the Tianyan Sect. He had ascended from a mere mortal to become the sect’s chief disciple, even securing a coveted seat among the Daqi Heavenly Pride Rankings in recent years. All that he was, all that he possessed, he owed to the Tianyan Sect.

Now, the former chief disciple of the Tianyan Sect had presented him with irrefutable evidence, suggesting that the very sect he held sacred might not embody the benevolence and righteousness he had always believed. This revelation dealt a profound blow to his psyche, rendering him momentarily incapable of acceptance.

“Thus, it seems the Tianyan Sect undoubtedly conceals some unspeakable secret within its depths…” Chi Qiu mused, her fingers gently tracing her chin.

“The so-called list of cultivators bearing demonic qi, divined every thirty years; their deep-seated enmity with the Heart God Sect, yet their collaboration to eradicate a minor sect possessing only two Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivators. The assassination of their own disciples, the silencing of the former chief disciple…”

“All of this, it appears, substantiates that the Tianyan Sect is far from the harmless, unassuming entity they project to the outside world. Instead, they seem to be secretly orchestrating some monumental, clandestine affair.”

“Tell me, my dear junior brother, after witnessing all this, do you still truly believe that Xiao Qi perished at the hands of the Heart God Sect?” Ye Yan paid no heed to Chi Qiu’s observations. His gaze, sharp and direct, fixed upon Su Hanxing’s somewhat pallid face.

“Upon my return to the sect, I vow to seek justice for Senior Brother!” Su Hanxing met Ye Yan’s gaze, offering a respectful bow before speaking.

“You? Don’t be foolish enough to throw your life away.” Ye Yan let out a dismissive scoff, then continued: “Does the Tianyan Sect know that the True Dragon’s Aura resides within your little Dao companion?”

A faint blush bloomed on Chi Qiu’s cheeks at Ye Yan’s words. Despite her strong urge to correct his address, she held her tongue after a brief moment of deliberation, opting instead to stand silently and listen.

“Only the three of us in this entire world are privy to this matter. I earnestly implore Senior Brother not to reveal it.” Su Hanxing shook his head. Having made a promise to Chi Qiu, he naturally had no intention of divulging this secret to the Tianyan Sect.

“That is for the best, otherwise, your little Dao companion’s life would likely be imperiled.” Ye Yan nodded.

Su Hanxing remained silent, his expression a fleeting struggle. Ultimately, he offered a reluctant nod of acknowledgment.

“Ah, I nearly forgot one crucial detail. Since you do not possess the True Dragon’s Aura, why was my Tianyan Art unable to divine any information about you?” Ye Yan suddenly recalled his previous attempt to divine Su Hanxing, which had yielded absolutely nothing.

“It is not solely the True Dragon’s Aura that can shield heavenly secrets. Anyone who has integrated with an artifact or essence related to a divine beast can achieve the same. Though I have not obtained the True Dragon’s Aura, I once, by sheer fortune, integrated a drop of Yinglong’s blood into my physical form, thereby gaining the ability to obscure heavenly machinations.”

Su Hanxing extended his hand, and a surge of golden qi emanated from his very being.

Clatter…

A peculiar sound, akin to the clang of colliding metal, reverberated through the air. Golden dragon scales rapidly sprouted across Su Hanxing’s outstretched arm. These scales shimmered with an undulating luster, expanding and contracting as if imbued with life, exhaling wisps of azure-gold qi.

“This, I did not know. Items related to divine beasts… that certainly provides me with a new direction.” Ye Yan nodded.

“Since Senior Brother is a Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivator, if you intentionally conceal your whereabouts, even the elders of the Tianyan Sect should be incapable of divining your location. Why, then, do you still seek an artifact capable of shielding heavenly secrets?” Su Hanxing inquired, a hint of confusion in his tone.

“Were it merely ordinary elders attempting divination, I would naturally have no fear. But to my utter astonishment, that ancient, decrepit wretch actually emerged to perform the divination himself. His realm vastly surpasses mine; I was utterly incapable of severing my tracks before him, and thus, my location was exposed.” Ye Yan gnashed his teeth, his words laced with palpable resentment.

Old wretch…

Chi Qiu softly echoed the epithet Ye Yan had just used, silently contemplating the identity of such a formidable individual. Given that this individual’s power so vastly outstripped that of Ye Yan, a cultivator in the Dharma Manifestation Realm, they must surely be a formidable expert of the Calamity Tribulation Realm.

The Calamity Tribulation Realm…

It was a realm Chi Qiu scarcely dared to contemplate. Especially after enduring the minor tribulation trial beneath the Dragon Transformation Pool, the very mention of its name now stirred a tremor of fear within her.

“Could Senior Brother be referring to the Grand Elder…?” Su Hanxing deliberated his words carefully before asking in a hushed tone.

“Who else could it possibly be? That old man’s power is truly beyond comprehension…” Ye Yan’s lips twisted into a helpless grimace as he responded.

The Grand Elder, Yan Tianxing? It struck her that she had, in fact, been in close proximity to him once, though she had been oblivious to it at the time.

Chi Qiu mused inwardly, realizing their close encounter had naturally occurred right after her transformation into a female body, when Yan Tianxing had concealed himself within Su Hanxing’s portable cave dwelling to ascertain if any demonic qi still lingered upon her.

In the distant sky, a faint golden luminescence gradually began to emerge, signaling the imminent rise of the Solar Star. They had departed the Drunken Immortal Restaurant late into the night, and after such an extended engagement with Ye Yan, dawn had unknowingly broken.

“Acquiring this information makes the journey worthwhile. Return, ponder it meticulously, and act accordingly.”

Ye Yan turned, a crimson star-like gleam flashing beneath his feet. In but an instant, his form vanished from the flying boat. Su Hanxing’s body subtly jolted. He immediately sensed the connection between himself and the flying boat, which Ye Yan had previously severed, now flowing back into his command.

As Ye Yan vanished, the breath Chi Qiu had unknowingly held finally released. She exhaled a long sigh, then casually settled into a nearby wooden chair, allowing her tumultuous emotions to subside.

“Little Chi…”

Having set the flying boat’s course toward the outskirts of the Imperial City, Su Hanxing approached Chi Qiu, his head bowed low.

“Are you alright?” Witnessing Su Hanxing in such a subdued state for the first time, Chi Qiu felt a pang of concern and immediately inquired.

“I am well, Little Chi. I never anticipated Ye Yan would seek us out so swiftly, nor did I imagine he would resort to taking you hostage. I…” Su Hanxing’s face was a mask of unfeigned guilt and deep remorse, his voice thick with self-reproach.

“This fault does not lie with you; please do not blame yourself.” Chi Qiu rose to her feet, tilting her head back to meet his gaze. She then reached out, gently stroking Su Hanxing’s shoulder in a gesture of solace.

“Little Chi, thank you deeply for today.” Su Hanxing was, of course, referring to Chi Qiu’s selfless act of unhesitatingly lending the True Dragon’s Aura to Ye Yan to safeguard his life.

“There is no need for thanks over such a trivial matter. This True Dragon’s Aura was inherently yours. If it could save your life, what difference does it make if I bestowed it upon that Ye Yan?” Chi Qiu shook her head, a soft smile gracing her lips, then continued: “In the past, it was always you who forbade me from expressing gratitude. How is it that today, the roles are reversed? When did you become as overly sentimental as a woman?”

At her words, Su Hanxing finally lifted his head. He gazed intently at the captivating figure before him, a gentle smile gracing her lips, and at last, the dam holding back his emotions broke.

Su Hanxing took a swift, decisive step forward, then flung his arms wide, pulling Chi Qiu abruptly into his embrace. His arms tightened with an uncontrollable force, as if he yearned to press Chi Qiu entirely into his very being.

“Little Chi, just moments ago, I genuinely believed you were going to perish because of me…”

Chi Qiu, who had been on the verge of struggling free, stilled instantly at Su Hanxing’s heartfelt confession. Her head came to rest against his chest, where she felt the frantic, powerful thrumming of his heart for a prolonged moment.

After a considerable time, sensing that Su Hanxing’s turbulent emotions had largely subsided, she made a concerted effort to reach up and gently pat his back, offering soft words of comfort:

“It is all over now; everything is alright.”