Meeting Yun Yun on the Way

Walking on the clean and quiet path, Zhou Chen had a beautiful and moving lady by his side. Yet, he seemed a bit detached, occasionally lowering his head slightly as he pondered something.

What kind of trick was this Nalan Jie playing? Knowing my strength, he still wanted his granddaughter, Nalan Yanran, to fight a battle with a predetermined outcome?

Could it be that Nalan Jie had a hobby of watching his granddaughter get abused? Heavens, that is too perverted!

Thinking this, walking side-by-side with the Nalan Clan's young mistress, the top-tier beauty Nalan Yanran, seemed a bit dull.

If it were anyone else, they would at least steal a few glances or try every means to leave a good impression. With such a powerful clan backing her, the path ahead would surely be smooth sailing.

But Zhou Chen's behavior was truly a bit too indifferent. Nalan Yanran did not know that at this moment, Zhou Chen was still pondering and immersed in guessing Nalan Jie's purpose.

Combining Zhou Chen's previous behavior, Nalan Yanran self-conceptualized an image of a man who did not flatter others and had the courage to judge.

Being treated so coldly was a first for the pearl of the Nalan Clan, one of the three great clans, in all these years. Her heart felt a bit indescribable, a bit uncomfortable.

"I didn't expect Mr. Zhou to reach the Dou Ling level at such a young age. Such talent is top-tier even in the entire empire. I wonder who Mr. Zhou's master is. I'm actually quite curious about who could nurture such an outstanding disciple like you."

Finally, Nalan Yanran couldn't help but break this somewhat strange and heavy atmosphere.

"Master? I don't have a master. Perhaps it's just luck. I've always lived a life of licking blood from the edge of a blade, and my strength was accumulated slowly. Miss Nalan, you can just call me Zhou Chen."

He couldn't exactly say it was a system...

"So that's how it is. Why don't you join the Yunlan Sect? With my status, I can definitely get you in. Moreover, you also know my master, so I believe she will definitely agree." Nalan Yanran's voice was filled with the intent of recruitment.

"About this, Yun Yun—no, Sect Leader Yun has already spoken to me about it. I don't want to go. I still have quite a few things to do and cannot spare the time."

"Zhou Chen, are you preparing for the upcoming Alchemist Grand Meeting? That makes sense, as it is the most anticipated event for alchemists."

Zhou Chen nodded, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Not long from now, I will establish my own force. I will definitely attend this Alchemist Grand Meeting."

"I believe that with Mr. Zhou Chen's strength, you will achieve great results. Then let me congratulate you in advance," Nalan Yanran said with a smile, looking ahead. Not far away, a noble and elegant woman in a brocade robe was gently taking lotus steps toward them.

"Zhou Chen, did you cause that pillar of fire just now?" The noble and beautiful woman, holding a strange blue longsword that emitted a pleasant sound, spoke calmly.

"Master? Why are you here?" Looking at that extremely familiar face, Nalan Yanran spoke with some surprise. The newcomer was Yun Yun, the current Sect Leader of the Yunlan Sect.

"I was drawn by the loud explosion from this direction, so I came out of curiosity," Yun Yun said, her eyes looking at Zhou Chen with a sense of unease.

"Master, let me tell you some shocking news. That pillar of fire just now came from Mr. Zhou Chen's Heavenly Flame. For Mr. Zhou Chen to possess a Heavenly Flame at such a young age, he is truly young and promising."

Nalan Yanran introduced with a giggle, but the two of them did not respond to her, making the atmosphere a bit subtle.

Zhou Chen's heart suddenly skipped a beat, and a feeling of unease instantly spread throughout his body. Frowning, he stealthily took a step back.

Back in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, when Gu He was fighting for the Heavenly Flame, a snake-controlling expert had appeared in the Snake-People Tribe. His build was extremely similar to Zhou Chen's. Although he wore a mask, Yun Yun still felt a sense of familiarity.

The Snake-People Tribe's Heavenly Flame had disappeared, and now an alchemist with a Heavenly Flame had appeared in the Nalan Manor.

And Zhou Chen's build happened to match that person perfectly. All of this was a bit too coincidental.

As a transmigrator, Zhou Chen naturally knew that the black-robed Dou Huang expert in the sky above the Snake-People Tribe that day was Yun Yun.

Zhou Chen had already made up his mind. If Yun Yun made a move, he would instantly disappear.

The few of them remained silent in tacit agreement...

"Zhou Chen, when did you obtain this Heavenly Flame? I remember you only had a Beast Flame back then. The time it took to subdue this Heavenly Flame is a bit too fast." Yun Yun's voice was extremely calm, but it made Zhou Chen very uncomfortable. She was testing him.

"I was just lucky to obtain it. Rumor has it that Sect Leader Yun is not interested in anything. Why are you suddenly interested in my business?" Zhou Chen parted his dry lips and said.

"A Heavenly Flame is a rare treasure in the world, something that can be encountered but not sought. I couldn't help but be a bit curious."

Zhou Chen shifted his steps, preparing to retreat, and quickly changed the subject, "Sect Leader Yun, if you have time for curiosity, you should go train your disciple. From what I know, Xiao Yan has already reached the Dou Shi level."

Nalan Yanran's soft body, wrapped in her moon-colored robe, trembled slightly. She looked at Zhou Chen with a strange gaze, "I didn't expect so many people to know about my business. Mr. Zhou Chen, do you know Xiao Yan?"

"If I'm not mistaken, that Xiao Yan calls you Big Brother Zhou," Yun Yun said.

Zhou Chen did not deny it, "That's right, but I have no interest in the marriage between the two of you. That is your business. Sect Leader Yun, farewell. I still have unfinished business."

"Mr. Zhou Chen, let me see you out," Nalan Yanran subconsciously spoke.

"No need." Zhou Chen quickened his pace, wanting to leave this place as soon as possible, the feeling of unease in his heart constantly amplifying.

"Zhou Chen, let me see you out instead. It just so happens I still have some things to discuss with you."

Zhou Chen frowned, his mouth twitching, "Can I refuse?"

"Regarding today's matter, I'm afraid you cannot refuse."

...

Walking on the dark street, the two of them walked one after the other in a heavy atmosphere. Yun Yun's jade hand moved slightly, and a faint barrier of Qi began to diffuse from her palm.

The surroundings fell into a deathly silence. With Zhou Chen's powerful soul strength, he sensed the changes around him in just an instant, his brow furrowing deeply.

Walking slowly in this eerie atmosphere, after entering a small alley, the sound of footsteps behind Zhou Chen suddenly vanished.

In the dark environment, Zhou Chen quickly turned his head, his gaze locked onto the beautiful woman with a tall, slender figure in the darkness.

"Sect Leader Yun, what are you doing? It's a dark and windy night, a lone man and a lone woman. If someone sees us, it might cause a misunderstanding. Sect Leader Yun, please go back."

"Zhou Chen, after the Magic Beast Mountain Range, did we meet?" the woman asked in a very cold voice, causing the unease in Zhou Chen's heart to amplify further.

"I don't think so, Sect Leader Yun. Did you remember incorrectly?"

"No, we did meet—in the Tagor Desert!"