Chapter 106: The Mysterious Woman

“Hopefully, he won’t try anything sinister with Zi Ling. If he does, even if I die, I won’t let him off easily!”

Old Yang was slightly taken aback by the words but said nothing in response. For the first time, he sensed from this young man named Yang Yan a bone-chilling murderous intent—a cold, eerie aura that sent a shiver of unease deep into his heart.

On their first day entering the Qingxuan Sect, Yang Yan and the other new disciples were not immediately assigned cultivation tasks. Instead, they were led by a senior brother on a tour of the entire sect. Along the way, their guide explained the history and rules of the Qingxuan Sect.

As dusk neared, the group had roughly circled the vast Qingxuan Sect, which had been a towering presence in Jinzhou for nearly five centuries. This journey deepened Yang Yan’s understanding of the sect’s grandeur.

Since the founder, the immortal Qingxuan, established the sect, it had gone through eight successive leaders. The current headmaster was a man named Xie Xuantian. Even the senior brother leading them spoke of him with reverence and passion, revealing the great esteem he held in the hearts of the disciples.

“Elder Li and Elder Lin are both peak Tongling Realm experts. As for the legendary headmaster, his strength must have truly reached the Linghai Realm!”

Thinking this over, Yang Yan understood why the Qingxuan Sect had stood unshaken in Jinzhou for five centuries, suppressing all local powers into silence. The difference between the Tongling and Linghai Realms might be just a single character in name, but the gap was incalculable. A single person at Linghai Realm level could easily annihilate any faction or family in Jinzhou.

However, the mysterious headmaster was in long-term seclusion. All major affairs were decided by the elders. Unless the sect faced life-or-death crises, he would not appear. Thus, despite the grand fanfare surrounding the disciple selection in Jinzhou, Yang Yan was still unable to meet the fabled headmaster.

Regarding disciple management, the Qingxuan Sect was notably open. Minor disputes or even factionalism among disciples were seldom interfered with, so long as no deaths occurred. The sect tolerated their freedom, only imposing strict demands when urgent or difficult matters arose. Naturally, as disciples, it was only reasonable to contribute to the sect when necessary.

This laissez-faire approach impressed Yang Yan deeply.

Like flowers nurtured in a greenhouse that cannot endure the wind and rain, the disputes among disciples, while seemingly unpleasant, were in fact excellent ways to temper and train them. Competition bred pressure, pressure spurred motivation.

A sect’s potential was judged not by how many peak Tongling or Linghai experts it had but by the promise of its younger generation. Under such healthy competition, the Qingxuan Sect’s growth was inevitable.

After nearly a day, Yang Yan and the other new disciples had a preliminary understanding of the Qingxuan Sect. The more he learned, the prouder he felt to be among its disciples.

Those selected were all scions of prominent factions or families throughout Jinzhou. Any sense of superiority derived from their backgrounds was completely eroded during this day, as they realized their families or factions were insignificant compared to the Qingxuan Sect.

In his room, Yang Yan sat cross-legged on his bed, preparing to practice his refining technique. Suddenly, a dark shadow flashed outside the window with startling speed. If not for the recent increase in his spiritual power through refining, he might never have detected the movement.

“Could it be...?” Yang Yan’s heart tightened. He glanced at the “Yang Pearl” embedded in his lower abdomen. Usually chatty, Old Yang was unusually silent now. Even Yang Yan himself was unaware of the faint fluctuations emanating from his abdomen.

“I want to see what tricks you’re trying to play!”

Determined, Yang Yan’s body moved instantly. A faint milky-white mist gathered beneath his feet, and in the next moment, he vanished mysteriously.

The figure outside moved at incredible speed. Even with Yang Yan employing his cloud-walking steps to their utmost, keeping up remained difficult. Yet the person ahead clearly did not want to shake him off, slowing down whenever about to step beyond Yang Yan’s spiritual sensing range.

Finally, the figure stopped in a secluded forest on a side peak of Qingxuan Mountain, standing motionless as if waiting for Yang Yan.

“Brother Yang Yan!”

Just as Yang Yan halted, ready to speak, a clear, youthful female voice filled with joy came from beside him.

“So it really is you…”

Yang Yan sighed softly, gently stroking the soft hair of the girl who had thrown herself into his arms. A flood of childhood memories of playing together came rushing back.

“Brave indeed. Knowing you’re outmatched, yet daring to follow. No wonder this little girl is so attached to you.”

A lazy, coquettish voice came from ahead. Yang Yan’s heart jolted. Looking up, under the pale moonlight, a figure in a black robe slowly turned. A stunningly beautiful and seductive face appeared before him.

“A woman, of all things!”

The mysterious and formidable presence that even Old Yang found troublesome was a woman—one exquisitely enchanting, each smile capable of stirring wars.

She appeared to be in her twenties, her figure concealed beneath the wide black robe, yet Yang Yan’s gaze caught subtle, intoxicating curves that made his blood race. The woman smiled at him, her delicate fingers tracing a captivating arc over her sharp white chin. Her slender eyes, like the spring waters of March, sent ripples that ensnared Yang Yan’s heart.

Suddenly, the black-robed woman’s smile deepened, shallow dimples blooming like pear blossoms, drawing him deeper into a vortex from which he could not escape.

“What a strange creature!”

A chill ran down Yang Yan’s spine, and his body shuddered. He had not expected that a single glance from this mysterious woman would so thoroughly overwhelm him, blurring his vision and trapping him in her mesmerizing, unparalleled beauty.

“Aunt Jing, don’t use your charm spells on Brother Yang Yan!”

At that moment, Zi Ling, nestled in Yang Yan’s arms, sensed his change and pouted angrily, scolding the black-robed woman.

“Don’t worry. Aunt Jing isn’t interested in children and won’t compete with you,” the woman called Aunt Jing replied with a faint smile, looking fondly at Zi Ling.

Though she spoke lightly, inside she was somewhat shocked. The charm spell she casually cast was powerful enough to ensnare some Tongling Realm experts. Yet this boy, no older than fifteen or sixteen, had quickly broken free from its effects. Such maturity and willpower at his age commanded her respect.

Embarrassed by the mention of her feelings, Zi Ling blushed deeply, unable to utter a word.

“Who exactly are you? What do you want with Zi Ling?” Yang Yan’s gaze fixed coldly on the woman nearby.

Though outwardly calm, he was far from it inside. That woman’s mere glance had instantly stripped away all his defenses. The sheer strength and unfathomable nature of her abilities surpassed all his expectations.

Yang Yan did not deny that if she wished to take his life, he would be utterly helpless.

“Seems you carry many secrets to sense my presence. But honestly, I’m more interested in this little girl…”

“Don’t worry. I’ve searched far and wide and finally found this rare millennial constitution. Zi Ling may well be the next head of our Wan Beast Palace. No one can harm her.”

With graceful steps, her jade-like legs partially revealed beneath the black robe, she approached Yang Yan and tenderly stroked Zi Ling’s head with a smile.

“I don’t care which palace you belong to, but if you want to take Zi Ling by force, you’ll have to step over my corpse first!”

Yang Yan’s expression hardened, his tone resolute and unyielding.

He understood from Old Yang’s earlier words and the woman’s tremendous power that the Wan Beast Palace was an even stronger force than the Qingxuan Sect. Yet even so, if they tried to snatch Zi Ling from him, he would fight to the death without hesitation.