Chapter 140: The “Affair” Uncovered! Zhao Yunji’s World Collapses
Zhao Qingmeng smirked playfully, a mischievous glint lighting up her eyes like a spirited pixie among blooming flowers.
“Oh, Lin Qi’an, you’re quite daring, aren’t you? You managed to charm my lofty elder sister too! Truly, no one in our generation can rival your skill with women!”
Lin Qi’an was momentarily taken aback. ‘What is she, some kind of bloodhound?’
He feigned calmness, though internally startled. “What are you babbling about? There’s no way I’d ‘charm’ Zhao Yunji—our engagement was called off long ago.”
“Oh, is that so? Then let me take a look inside the lotus realm. If you have nothing to hide, you won’t mind me looking around, right? Otherwise, I’ll just call all your maidservants here to help us catch a sneaky cat. That should be quite entertaining.”
“Fine, take a look. I have nothing to be guilty about.” With no other choice, Lin Qi’an reluctantly opened the lotus realm and entered with Zhao Qingmeng in tow.
Inside the lotus realm, Zhao Yunji was deep in study, poring over the Thunder Emperor’s technique, until she heard footsteps approaching from outside. Alarmed, she stopped immediately.
Not only has Lin Qi’an returned, but someone else is with him?
Suddenly, she felt a surge of panic, her heart pounding wildly. “How long have I been in here without realizing it? And that awful Lin Qi’an actually brought Zhao Qingmeng inside—he’s trying to embarrass me on purpose!”
Acting quickly, Zhao Yunji glanced around and spotted the nearest pavilion, Xue’an Pavilion, and hurried inside. Frantically searching for a hiding place, she considered the bed and the wardrobe.
‘It’s humiliating, but…’ With no other option, she squeezed into the wardrobe, quietly shutting the doors and holding her breath.
’If Zhao Qingmeng catches me here, I’ll never live it down. She might even think I’m trying to take her man! I’ll lose all my dignity as her elder sister.’ Zhao Yunji clenched her teeth in silent determination; she would die before that happened.
Outside, Zhao Qingmeng strolled around, with Lin Qi’an following close behind.
“What exactly are you looking for?”
“Oh, nothing in particular.” Zhao Qingmeng’s tone was sweetly evasive, adding to Lin Qi’an’s exasperation.
He raised his voice, speaking pointedly so that Zhao Yunji could hear. “I did meet with Zhao Yunji earlier today, but we only discussed cultivation. She’s very busy, you know.”
“Yes, yes, I didn’t say you brought her back here. I just felt like looking around; is that so wrong?”
After a few minutes of leisurely exploration, Zhao Qingmeng’s gaze zeroed in on Xue’an Pavilion. She noticed that the door, which should have been tightly shut, was slightly ajar. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she reached for Lin Qi’an’s hand.
“Lin Qi’an, come with me.”
“What are you doing?”
Inside the wardrobe, Zhao Yunji’s heart raced as the footsteps grew nearer. ‘What is she planning? Has she lost all restraint since starting cultivation? Just because she’s benefiting from my engagement… how dare she! No, former engagement…’
So close now that Zhao Yunji could practically sense their every movement from her hiding spot. Holding her breath, she stilled her aura and tightly covered her mouth.
“Can we leave now? If there’s nothing here, let’s go,” Lin Qi’an suggested.
“What’s the rush?” Zhao Qingmeng smirked, her delicate fingers gently tugging at her belt.
Lin Qi’an’s eyes widened. ‘She’s lost her mind… absolutely lost it.’
‘Are you people even human?!’ Zhao Yunji’s thoughts screamed from within the wardrobe.
…
The next day, Lin Qi’an finally found a secluded spot outside and reopened the lotus realm, allowing Zhao Yunji to exit.
As sunlight flooded over her, the usually poised and unflappable goddess now wore an amusingly flustered expression. The moment she stepped out, her gaze locked onto Lin Qi’an, her beautiful face tinged with a deep, lingering blush that made her look almost adorable.
Clearing his throat, Lin Qi’an maintained an innocent expression. “Why are you glaring at me? I wasn’t the one leading things yesterday.”
“Not you? Couldn’t you have stopped it?”
“She insulted my manhood. No man could tolerate that kind of challenge—you have to understand…”
“Understand my foot!” Zhao Yunji trailed off, unable to voice her indignation. Just recalling the previous day was mortifying enough.
Lin Qi’an sighed. “Alright, as compensation, I’ll give you the fourth level of the Thunder Emperor’s technique for free.”
“That doesn’t erase the trauma from my soul.”
“Don’t want it, then?”
“Of course, I want it!” Zhao Yunji grudgingly accepted, biting back her frustration.
Noticing her changed attire, Lin Qi’an quirked an eyebrow. Yesterday, she’d worn a beautiful water-blue gown reminiscent of the ocean, but today, she was dressed in a soft shade of pale yellow.
“You changed your dress? Yesterday’s looked really nice.”
“Don’t… don’t bring it up!” she snapped, her gaze darting away in embarrassment. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave now. I’ll return the technique once I’ve studied it.”
“Wait.” Lin Qi’an reached out, gently holding her wrist.
In that moment, his Heavenly Fated Villain Divine Eyes activated, allowing him to scan her entire physical state with an uncanny precision, including details from several days ago.
‘Wait…?’ Lin Qi’an was stunned. ‘Zhao Yunji’s practicing cultivation techniques on herself?’
This was ‘the’ Zhao Yunji, adored by countless suitors, the number one beauty of the Canglan Dao Domain, the epitome of purity. ‘Yet somehow, I’ve managed to drag her down into my schemes.’
“What are you doing?” Zhao Yunji yanked her hand back, visibly flustered.
“Nothing. See you next time.”
As she walked away, Zhao Yunji couldn’t shake the feeling that Lin Qi’an’s smile had a strangely sinister quality to it.
‘Could he possibly know about last night? No, it couldn’t be!’ Pushing the thought aside, she focused on the invaluable Thunder Emperor’s technique. Supplementing her current cultivation with this would certainly boost her strength.
…
With just a couple of days left before the grand ceremony, Lin Qi’an had a simple plan: wait for the event to begin and seize the opportunity to deal with the two Destined Children.
Thanks to his prior schemes, their Destiny Points had plummeted significantly.
Destined Child: Ye Yun
Artifact: Great Yang Sword
Destiny Points: 300 (Green)
Core of Destiny: Great Yang Heavenly Emperor Trchnique, Golden Crow Divine Fire
Current Kill Reward: Golden Crow Blood, Golden Crow Feather
Note: Killing this Destined Child will allow you to claim all Core of Destiny items.
With his own 300 Destiny Points to counter Ye Yun’s, Lin Qi’an could reduce Ye Yun’s total to below 100, making the opportunity ripe.
‘Ye Yun’s carrying some seriously tempting prizes…’
The Great Yang Heavenly Emperor could elevate his strength under the blazing sun, making it an incredibly powerful technique. Coupled with the Great Yang Sword and the Golden Crow Divine Fire and Blood, it was practically a full set of rare treasures.
Destined Child: Li Xuan
Artifact: Northern Star Desolate Blade
Destiny Points: 700 (Purple)
Core of Destiny: Disciple of a Great Emperor
Current Kill Reward: None
Unlike Ye Yun, Li Xuan doesn’t carry as many enticing items. However, depleting his Destiny Points might still yield a valuable reward—like a Destiny Treasure Chest. For now, that was the only upside.
…
That day, Tai’an City welcomed another high-profile arrival. The Xiling Emperor and his son, the Xiling Holy Son, Xi Chao, arrived, drawing awe and excitement from the crowd.
Another Great Emperor had arrived.
Xi Chao’s presence shocked many; he, too, had reached the pinnacle of the Celestial Realm, marking him as one of the younger generation’s elite.
Now, Ye Yun, Li Xuan, and Xi Chao—all stood at the peak of the Celestial Layer, the pinnacle of their generation.
Of course, their realm was one thing… but everyone knew that Beiyang’s Prince Lin Qi’an was not bound by mere cultivation levels. His strength couldn’t be measured in simple terms.
Among the young women, Zhao Yunji was the strongest, though other notable figures were less well-known. However, another prodigy arrived in Tai’an City on the same day as Xi Chao, capturing everyone’s attention.
Her name was Lin Liuli, from the Beidou Divine Tower, a prestigious sect in the Canglan Dao Domain.
But her other identity was even more remarkable.
Lin Liuli was the adopted daughter of the Sword Emperor of North Yang Heavenly Sword City, and thus, Lin Qi’an’s elder sister.