Translator: CinderTL
Moans and whimpers echoed through the room all night, finally ceasing only as dawn began to break.
Creak—
The door swung open, and Xu Sanyan stepped out. He glanced back at Chang Yulian, still lying exhausted on the bed, before striding away without a trace of lingering affection.
Chang Yulian stared blankly at the gauze canopy above, her mind still reeling from the intense "battle" of the night.
Xu Sanyan first bid farewell to Old Master Chang, then departed Chang Family Village, heading toward Thousand Autumns City, the Wang Family's stronghold.
Old Master Chang stood at the village gate, watching Xu Sanyan's retreating figure until he was out of sight. Only then did he exhale in relief and turn to his eldest son, Chang Linmu, instructing, "Seal the village from today onward. No one is to enter or leave."
The Chaotic Cloud Mountains had grown increasingly turbulent lately. Old Master Chang only wished to safeguard his family and avoid trouble, with no desire for treasures.
"Understood," Chang Linmu nodded.
"Come, let's check on your sister."
Old Master Chang led the way to the courtyard where Xu Sanyan had stayed. As they entered, they found the door ajar. Their daughter lay naked on the bed, like a corpse, her skin glistening with sweat under the morning sun.
Were it not for the faint rise and fall of her chest, they would have thought her dead.
Old Master Chang rushed into the room, his heart pounding, and demanded, "What happened here?"
Chang Linmu's face was equally bewildered. If Young Master Lin had indeed taken liberties with his sister, he would never have been allowed to leave.
But if they hadn't been intimate, how could they explain the scene before them?
Chang Yulian's naked body, disheveled hair, drenched in sweat, and dazed expression all screamed that something had definitely happened last night.
She couldn't have done this to herself, could she?
Old Master Chang clearly had the same thought. No one had ever gotten a "free ride" from the Chang Family's daughters and left unscathed. Yet he had personally escorted Xu Sanyan away just moments ago.
"Ugh... he was so... powerful..." Chang Yulian murmured deliriously.
Old Master Chang frowned deeply, his expression a mix of helplessness and annoyance. "No one asked you about that. Why did he leave?"
"Huh?"
Chang Yulian suddenly snapped awake, sitting up abruptly. As she pieced together the events of the previous night, she realized she had been so focused on her own pleasure that she had completely forgotten her mission.
"You didn't use your cultivation method?" Chang Linmu asked.
Chang Yulian remained silent for a long moment.
"...I think I forgot."
"Tsk..." Chang Linmu shook his head in exasperation, at a loss for words.
"Sigh... never mind." Old Master Chang sensed something was amiss. Though his eldest daughter's talent was average, she would never have been so careless. Something must have happened last night.
But since she was unharmed, he decided to let it go. Being "played" for a night was a minor matter in the eyes of the Chang Family.
Old Master Chang was remarkably open-minded.
Clutching the secret realm fruit, Xu Sanyan moved through the dense forest on foot, his eyes scanning the surroundings for a suitable location.
Last night, he had spoken at length with Chang Yulian, learning not only about the Chang Family's situation but also about the hidden side of the Chaotic Cloud Mountains.
She revealed that the mountains were far more complex than Old Master Chang had described. Most of the factions here were far from benevolent.
Perhaps a more accurate way to put it would be: all the factions here were far from benevolent.
The Chaotic Cloud Mountains had always been a haven for heretics and outlaws. Countless members of the Three Teachings and Nine Streams roamed these lands, and any one of them could be considered utterly depraved.
Moreover, whether they were families or sects, none of the factions were virtuous. While the Chang Family might be considered somewhat twisted, they were still relatively decent compared to some of the other clans.
Xu Sanyan now understood that the Chaotic Cloud Mountains were a cesspool of corruption, no better than the Harmonious Heart Demonic Sect—and in some places, even worse.
"Good..." Xu Sanyan grinned, baring his teeth. This kind of place suited him perfectly.
To survive here, one had to be more ruthless and cunning than anyone else, more vicious and underhanded, in order to thrive.
As he pondered, his gaze froze on a nearby hill. One side of the hill was covered in cascading vines, forming a natural barrier.
Xu Sanyan approached and pulled aside the vines, revealing the cracked rock face behind. Deep, dark fissures snaked into the hill's interior.
This is the perfect place to hide things.
Xu Sanyan chose a slightly wider fissure and squeezed inside. The narrow passage forced him to move sideways.
As he ventured deeper, the fissure narrowed and the darkness intensified. Sensing he had gone far enough, Xu Sanyan summoned his great halberd and began excavating the rock.
The halberd's razor-sharp blade sliced through the stone as easily as cutting through tofu. In no time, he had carved out a stone chamber. He then piled the rubble into the fissure, sealing the entrance.
"Good enough," he muttered.
Xu Sanyan sheathed his halberd, unfurled his great banner, and the secret realm fruit immediately emitted a hazy gray glow, illuminating the chamber.
He planned to visit the secret realm fruit first and complete his second blessing before proceeding.
As he contemplated this, he gently touched the fruit. Spiritual power surged from his body, flowing into it like a raging torrent.
Whoosh!
The stone chamber was now empty, save for the spherical fruit lying on the ground. Xu Sanyan had vanished.
Dog Clan,
Xun Ancai lay listlessly on the ground, her large eyes blinking as she gazed at the pitch-black sky, her mind filled with thoughts of her man.
The three-headed dog lay quietly beside her, two of its heads resting while the third remained on guard.
Xun Ancai reached out and pulled the dog into her arms, looking at it and asking, "When do you think my man will come back?"
The three-headed dog seemed to understand, tilting its head thoughtfully before barking, "Woof!"
Xun Ancai frowned slightly and gave it a gentle tap. "How come you never know anything?"
"Ugh... woof!"
The three-headed dog whined in frustration. It was just a dog—what more could it do?
"Sigh... I miss my man..."
Xun Ancai's voice was heavy with melancholy. She'd been hunting listlessly these past few days, her mind constantly filled with thoughts of Xu Sanyan.
She had even asked the clan chief, but he didn't know when Xu Sanyan would return, which only deepened her sadness.
Xun Ancai gazed at the long saber stuck in the ground beside her—a gift her man had left for her.
Suddenly,
The three-headed dog suddenly sprang to its feet, its three heads fixed on a single point, fangs bared, and eyes blazing with ferocity.
Xun Ancai, bewildered, turned to look. The void began to ripple, and a figure materialized from within.
Her eyes widened, and excitement flooded her face. Overwhelmed with joy, her eyes reddened as she lunged forward, shouting, "You're finally here!"
Before Xu Sanyan could steady himself, a soft body crashed into his arms, knocking him heavily to the ground.
Xun Ancai clung to him tightly, as if afraid he might vanish again, pressing her head against his chest and sobbing softly, "Where have you been? Why did you take so long to come back?"
"Woof!"
The three-headed dog recognized the newcomer, its ferocious expression instantly melting away as it circled him, barking excitedly.
Xu Sanyan patted her back. "Let go of me first. You're choking me."
Xun Ancai paused, about to rise, when her nostrils twitched. She sniffed him carefully, then asked, puzzled, "Why... do you smell like someone else?"
(End of the Chapter)
---
📖Read (HB) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c352. [+2]
🔑Early Access at $5.
💥Translated (6) Series, (4.6K+) Chapters, (6.7M+) Words.