Every Man for Himself in Times of Danger

Chen Fan was in no hurry to answer. Instead, he activated his Heavenly Sensing and immediately detected seven or eight auras rapidly approaching this location. They would arrive in less than a minute.

"Just as Meng Xue said on the phone," Chen Fan thought. In the original future, Wang Lingling had failed to leave Anshan City before being intercepted by the Qin clan, which ultimately brought an unexpected disaster upon the Awakened Association. Now, because of his existence, those events would not repeat, but it was always better to clean up one's tracks thoroughly. Although the entire Anshan City was currently under his control and the association members were extremely loyal, one could never be too safe. If anyone leaked the news, it would inevitably alert the Heavenly Human Realm martial artists of the Qin clan. Now was not the best time to confront a Heavenly Human Realm martial artist.

"Follow me." With that, he pushed open the window.

"Where to?" Wang Lingling asked in confusion.

"You'll know when we get there," Chen Fan said. He leaped out of the window and dashed into the distance. Wang Lingling gritted her teeth and followed him. She felt that this President Li harbored no ill will toward her; otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to such trouble.

The two quickly left Anshan City and headed into the wasteland. At the same time, the Qin clan members noticed the light on their jade stone was dimming.

"Third Uncle, that little wench is moving!" a person behind him said hastily. Previously, the light on the jade had grown brighter, proving the distance between them was shrinking. They only needed a little more time to catch up. But right at this moment, a change occurred. Could the final result be like yesterday, a wasted effort?

"What's the rush?" Qin Clan's Third Uncle snorted coldly. "Even if she grows wings today, she won't escape this old man's palm. Everyone, speed up! Anyone who can't keep up shouldn't bother returning to the clan." With that, his speed surged, leaving everyone behind. Clearly, despite his words, he was still somewhat anxious.

"Yes!" The people behind gritted their teeth, frantically channeling their true essence to give chase. They knew Third Uncle's words could be taken lightly or seriously. If Third Uncle caught her and they failed to keep up, they would at most be scolded. But if they failed to keep up and caused Third Uncle to lose her, they would be in deep trouble.

"Xiao Hao, I'll go ahead. Follow behind," Qin Ziming instructed before quickly giving chase.

"Yes, Father, don't worry, I'll catch up right away," Qin Hao said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Excellent, they finally had her trail. As long as they reclaimed the Longevity Art, this trouble would be resolved, and even if the clan punished them, it wouldn't be too severe. Thinking of this, he took out a bottle of True Qi Pills from his storage ring and poured them frantically into his mouth.

"This is far enough." Chen Fan stopped, scanned his surroundings, and turned to look at the panting Wang Lingling. "Out of breath after just a short run?"

"No way," Wang Lingling shot him a defiant look, but she was inwardly shocked. She was highly confident in her movement techniques, yet the man before her seemed even more superior. On the way from Anshan City, she had almost failed to keep up several times, while he remained completely unfazed.

"Speak, what exactly do you want by bringing me here?" She crossed her arms, feigning impatience.

"How about we make a deal?" Chen Fan asked.

"A deal? What deal?" Wang Lingling was stunned, then a look of realization dawned on her. "Are you after the Longevity Art?"

"Exactly." Chen Fan nodded straightforwardly. "Lend me the Longevity Art in your possession to read for three days, and I will return it intact. In exchange, I will guarantee your safety during these three days."

"Just that?" Wang Lingling looked contemptuous. She thought he would offer some attractive condition, but it was only to protect her for three days. More importantly, with her intelligence and movement techniques, did she even need protection? Hadn't she played the powerful Qin clan like a fiddle? Especially that Qin Hao, who had catered to her every whim and even brought out the precious Longevity Art for her to see.

"Feel it's not worth it?" Chen Fan asked.

"Of course not," Wang Lingling snorted coldly. "This is the Longevity Art, a God-Fiend level martial art. You are also a martial artist, so you must know the weight of the words 'God-Fiend level,' right? Lending it for three days sounds nice, but isn't that equivalent to giving you the technique? Do you know how long I plotted to get it? If you think I'd agree to such a condition, I'm not that foolish."

Chen Fan was not angry, saying calmly, "Don't refuse so quickly. Perhaps you'll give me a different answer in a moment."

"What do you mean?" An uneasy premonition rose in Wang Lingling's heart. She suddenly remembered that this man seemed to have the ability to foresee the future. He offered to protect her for three days; did that mean she would face immense danger during this time? The Qin clan! She gasped. Right, according to him, the Qin clan had invited someone who practiced the Emperor's Qi-Gazing Art this time. Perhaps her whereabouts had already been exposed.

Right at this moment, an angry roar echoed: "Little wench, let's see where you run this time!"

Wang Lingling jumped in fright. Looking back, she saw a dark figure rushing toward them like lightning. "Oh no!" she cried out, preparing to flee.

"Want to run?" Another voice sounded, and a figure appeared to block her path. Not only that, but several figures rushed in from all directions, surrounding her and Chen Fan.

"Little wench, weren't you good at running? Why don't you keep running now?"

"You made us search so hard. We must 'repay' you properly in a moment."

"We must let her know the consequences of offending the Qin clan."

"Why waste words with her? Force her to hand over the item."

Several people gritted their teeth, their eyes wishing they could skin her alive. Qin Ziming said nothing, but he was so moved he almost wept. They had finally found her! During the days the Longevity Art was missing, he hadn't slept a wink, seeing visions of the clan's punishment whenever he closed his eyes. Qin Clan's Third Uncle and Fifth Uncle looked at each other and also breathed a sigh of relief. If they hadn't found her, they wouldn't have known how to face the clan elders.

On the contrary, Wang Lingling's face turned pale. She felt that the auras of these people were all superior to hers. If there were only one or two, she might hope to escape, but surrounded like this, she wouldn't stand a chance unless she grew wings. She turned to glare at Chen Fan, saying angrily, "It's you! You're in league with them, purposely leading me into their trap, right?"

Only now did the Qin clan members notice Chen Fan's presence. Several pairs of eyes locked onto him.

"Who is that kid? Why don't I recognize him?"

"I don't know either. Could he be that wench's lover? Aren't they together?"

"Judging by what she just said, it doesn't seem so."

The Qin clan members were momentarily confused. Chen Fan glanced at her and said calmly, "I did purposely lead you here, but I am not in league with them. Otherwise, why make it so complicated?"

Wang Lingling was stunned, realizing he was right. When she went to the association, this Li fellow had already had people waiting. If he were with the Qin clan, he would have captured her right there instead of going to all this trouble. Suddenly, an idea struck her.

"Have you thought it through?" Chen Fan said indifferently. "Can you give me your answer now?"

If Wang Lingling agreed, he would make a move to wipe out these Qin clan members. If she didn't, it didn't matter; he would watch her get killed before dealing with them. Could he avoid killing the Qin clan members? The answer was no. From the moment he appeared in their sight, it was destined that he could hardly leave, because the Qin clan would not let him walk away alive.

"Pant... pant..." Right then, Qin Hao also caught up. Seeing Wang Lingling, he felt a mix of surprise, joy, and hatred. He admitted he had loved her, but she had used him and ruined him. He wanted to subject her to every form of torture. But seeing another man beside her, his heart wrenched.

"You... you guys!" He pointed at the two. The Qin clan elders showed expressions of gloating. Ziming wished he could sink into the ground in shame. Clearly, this man was her actual lover, while his son was merely a tool she used to steal the Longevity Art. If this got out, he would lose all face.

Wang Lingling's eyes lit up. She grabbed Chen Fan's arm, puffed out her chest, and said, "Yes, it's exactly as you think."

"You... you guys!" Qin Hao's face flushed with rage. Wang Lingling was secretly delighted. Earlier, she was going to agree to Chen Fan's deal because she had no other choice, and she believed he had the strength to deal with the Qin clan. But when Qin Hao appeared, she came up with a clever plan: pretend to be Chen Fan's lover to provoke Qin Hao, forcing Chen Fan to stand on the same front as her. This way, she wouldn't have to lose the Longevity Art.

"What a fine pair of adulterers!" Qin Ziming roared in anger. "It's one thing to plot against Xiao Hao, but you should never have plotted against our Qin clan!"

"Hand over the item, and I'll give you two a quick death," Qin Clan's Third Uncle also spoke.

"Hand it over!" The surrounding people also shouted in unison. Qin Hao stared at Chen Fan with venomous eyes, wanting to torture both of them so they would regret playing him.

"The item is on her. If you want it, ask her for it." With that, Chen Fan pulled his arm away and pushed Wang Lingling forward. She stumbled, turning back to look at him in disbelief. She was highly confident in her charms, yet he had pushed her away so ruthlessly. One should know that even Qin Hao, who had known her for so long, had never even touched her hand.

Chen Fan looked at her silently, his gaze saying: I know all your little tricks, they're useless. Either agree to the deal, or find a way to escape on your own.

The Qin clan members were dumbfounded. What was going on? Weren't these two a couple? Why were they now "every man for himself in times of danger"?

"Ha ha ha!" Qin Hao laughed maniacally, feeling immensely gratified. "Wang Lingling, is this the man you chose? Pushing you out as a shield the moment danger strikes? Your taste is truly exceptional!" He glared at Chen Fan. This guy looked ordinary and dressed shabbily; how could he compare to a young master of the Qin clan like him? Yet this wench preferred such a person. Truly deserving of death!