Hearing this, Ye Qingyan frowned slightly and said coldly: "My Floating Flower Palace never forces people. If you're unwilling, I certainly won't kill you. But Heaven Profound Sect's people won't be so polite. Without my protection, you won't survive three days."
She paused. Her tone softened slightly but carried undeniable arrogance: "Sincerely join, and you become my Floating Flower Palace disciples. I'll personally teach you cultivation, provide resources, and guarantee you a foothold in Canglan Realm. If insincere..."
Her gaze turned icy: "Though I won't kill you, I won't care about your life or death anymore. Live or die, it's all up to you."
[Ye Qingyan's words truthfulness: 95%. Threat level: Moderate. System suggestion: Her words aren't false, but she omitted the "using you" part.]
After hearing this, Lin Che sneered inwardly, but his face showed nothing. He continued pressing: "Why is Miss Ye so insistent on us two siblings? Don't give me that 'pity you' nonsense. I killed Heaven Profound Sect disciples. You protect us—there must be a convincing reason."
Ye Qingyan was silent for a moment, seemingly not expecting Lin Che to be so direct. She looked deeply at Lin Che, then suddenly smiled—a smile like ice and snow melting, carrying a trace of appreciation:
"You're smarter and more... realistic than I imagined."
She withdrew the barrier and said indifferently: "Fine, telling you won't hurt. Floating Flower Palace and Heaven Profound Sect have a blood feud. Three years ago, Heaven Profound Sect's young sect master raped and murdered my senior sister—the former Floating Flower Palace Saintess. This grudge is irreconcilable."
Her gaze fell on Yingying as she continued: "But with my strength alone, it's hard to shake Heaven Profound Sect's giant tree. I need a blade—a blade that can sever Heaven Profound Sect's foundation."
She stared at Lin Che, word by word: "And you are very suitable."
[Truth revealed: Ye Qingyan's objective. System evaluation: Host's forceful questioning was beautifully done.]
Lin Che sneered coldly: "So, Miss Ye wants me to take revenge for you? What benefit do I get? Spirit stones? Cultivation techniques? Or should I throw away my life and become your free enforcer?"
Lin Ying listened nervously, her small hand tightly clutching Lin Che's sleeve.
Ye Qingyan fell silent for a moment, seemingly surprised that Lin Che would be so direct. She looked deeply at Lin Che, then suddenly smiled—a smile like ice and snow melting, carrying a trace of appreciation:
"You're smarter than I imagined... and more realistic."
She withdrew the barrier and said indifferently: "Fine, I might as well tell you. Floating Flower Palace and Heaven Profound Sect have a blood feud. Three years ago, Heaven Profound Sect's young sect master raped and murdered my senior sister—the former Floating Flower Palace Saintess. This grudge is irreconcilable."
"But with my strength alone, it's difficult to shake Heaven Profound Sect's giant tree. I need a blade—a blade that can sever Heaven Profound Sect's foundation."
She stared at Lin Che and said word by word: "And you are highly suitable."
Hearing this, Lin Che sneered inwardly, but his face showed nothing. He continued to press: "So Miss Ye wants me to take revenge for you? What benefits can I get? Spirit stones? Cultivation techniques? Or should I throw away my life and become your free enforcer?"
[System evaluation: Host's forceful questioning, beautifully done.]
Lin Che sneered: "So that's it. You want me to be your blade, and my sister to be your beast tamer, working for Floating Flower Palace? What can we get in return?"
Ye Qingyan said indifferently: "You can get protection, cultivation techniques, and the qualifications to survive in Canglan Realm. Otherwise, Heaven Profound Sect's pursuit is something you cannot withstand."
She paused and added: "Of course, I won't let you die in vain. In Floating Flower Palace's forbidden grounds, there is a 'Heavenly Tier Beast Taming True Explanation' suitable for innate beast tamer constitutions. If you sincerely join, I can request the Palace Master to allow Yingying to enter the forbidden grounds to comprehend it."
[Cultivation technique temptation: Extremely high. System assessment: "Heavenly Tier Beast Taming True Explanation" is an ancient incomplete scroll, priceless. Recommendation: Host may consider cooperation, but keep a backup plan.]
Lin Che was silent for a moment, looking at Yingying. He saw his sister also looking at him, eyes full of trust.
He took a deep breath and slowly said: "Fine, we join Floating Flower Palace. But let me make this clear first—if Floating Flower Palace makes us cannon fodder on suicide missions, I will take my sister and leave at any time. When that time comes, whoever blocks me, I kill."
[Host domineering declaration: Complete. Ye Qingyan favorability +30. Cooperative relationship initially established.]
Ye Qingyan nodded slightly, a trace of satisfaction flashing in her eyes: "Deal."
---
Three days later, the three of them and one wolf arrived at Floating Flower Palace.
Floating Flower Palace was located on a floating island deep in Sky Wind Mountain Range. The island bloomed with flowers like brocade, spring all year round. The palace gate was cast from white jade, inscribed with "Floating Flower Palace" in graceful calligraphy, yet revealing a sharp sword intent.
Ye Qingyan led Lin Che and his sister through the palace gate. Dozens of female cultivators in white robes, all beautiful and elegant, greeted them respectfully: "Saintess."
Ye Qingyan nodded faintly and said to a middle-aged beautiful woman at the front: "Elder Li, these are the two new disciples I recommended, Lin Che and Lin Ying."
Elder Li's gaze swept over Lin Che, lingering briefly on his early Golden Core stage cultivation, slightly frowning. But when her eyes fell on Yingying, they suddenly lit up. Especially when she saw the Silver Moon Wolf King at Yingying's feet, she was shocked: "This... this is a third-tier demonic beast? Tamed?"
[Elder Li shock value +100. System evaluation: Little sister's about to put on a show again.]
Yingying bowed respectfully: "Disciple Lin Ying greets Elder."
The Silver Moon Wolf King behind her also let out a low growl, as if saluting.
Elder Li took a deep breath and looked at Ye Qingyan: "Saintess, is this girl truly an innate beast tamer?"
Ye Qingyan said indifferently: "Absolutely true. I've already reported this to the Palace Master. She agrees to let them join as outer sect disciples. In three days, they will participate in the inner sect selection."
She turned to Lin Che: "You two siblings will stay in the outer sect for now. Don't run around these few days. The inner sect selection will determine whether you qualify to enter the forbidden grounds."
Lin Che nodded in agreement, but his gaze swept over the depths of Floating Flower Palace. There stood a loft shrouded in heavy restrictions, emanating an ancient aura.
[Forbidden grounds location detected. Technique fluctuation: Heavenly Tier Beast Taming True Explanation. Host objective confirmed.]