Chapter 112: Encountering Injustice on the Road

Qin Yanyun learned the identity of Lin Huashu, and the familiarity between the two increased significantly.

Upon hearing Lin Huashu’s introduction, Qin Yanyun felt she could not remain silent; to do so would be impolite to her savior. Qin Yanyun said:

"The fame of the young master of the Calligraphy Saint Palace, Lin Huashu—gifted and dashing—truly lives up to its reputation. It is a great honor for Yanyun to have been saved by you."

Hearing these complimentary words, Lin Huashu replied without the slightest modesty:

"Lady Yanyun, your words feel somewhat insincere. I only hope you aren't cursing me in your heart."

Qin Yanyun replied:

"Young Master, that is too severe. Why would I curse you? Besides, you are my savior!"

*Heh.*

Lin Huashu laughed and answered casually:

"That is true."

The two exchanged pleasantries and moved on from the topic. Lin Huashu inquired of Qin Yanyun:

"Lady Yanyun, have you seen my sister, Lin Xueyou? She is a girl in her twenties, dressed in red. When we entered the World within a World, we were with Lu Zhengtian and his sister, the little princess Lu Yao, as well as young brother Li Hao and their three friends. We intended to stay together, but we were struck by an illusion and I was separated from them. I don't know if they are together, so I specifically wanted to ask you."

Qin Yanyun asked in surprise:

"Cousin Lu Yao is also participating in the selection trial?"

Lin Huashu asked in confusion:

"Yes. Is Lady Yanyun unaware that the little princess Lu Yao is participating?"

Qin Yanyun nodded seriously and replied:

"Yanyun was indeed unaware. How could Aunt and the others allow my cousin to engage in such mischief? This is far too dangerous. By the way, regarding the sister you mentioned, I have not seen her."

Hearing this, Lin Huashu felt a sense of disappointment and said to Qin Yanyun:

"Lady Yanyun, would you be willing to accompany me to find Princess Lu Yao and my sister?"

Qin Yanyun pondered, thinking to herself: "Wandering around alone is filled with unknown dangers. If I find my cousin, we can look out for one another."

Having made her decision, Qin Yanyun said to Lin Huashu:

"I am honored by your invitation, Young Master. Let us go find them together!"

To Lin Huashu’s surprise, Qin Yanyun agreed to his invitation so readily. He teased:

"Shouldn't you consider it further, Lady Yanyun? By agreeing so quickly, aren't you afraid that I might be like that little tumor from the Myriad Poison Palace, harboring ill intentions toward you?"

*Heh.*

Qin Yanyun chuckled and retorted:

"Is the Young Master a tumor?"

"Uh!"

Lin Huashu was caught off guard by the question, then smiled and said:

"Of course not."

Qin Yanyun smiled slightly:

"That settles it. Besides, my strength is no lower than yours, so self-preservation is not a problem."

*Hahaha.*

*Heh.*

The two shared a laugh, and Lin Huashu said:

"Lady Yanyun, don't keep calling me Young Master; it sounds distant. Just call me Lin Huashu."

Hearing this, Qin Yanyun felt a bit awkward. After a moment, she said to him:

"How about this? You are likely a little older than me. I will call you Brother Huashu and act as your younger sister, to repay your kindness in saving me. How about you call me Qin Yan?"

Lin Huashu was pleased to hear this and replied happily:

"Very well. It is my honor to know such a beautiful sister as Yan."

Qin Yanyun was also happy; she bowed and said:

"Yanyun greets you, Brother!"

Lin Huashu quickly reached out to help her up, saying:

"No need for such formalities, Sister Yan. Let us hurry and find my little sister!"

Qin Yanyun answered:

"Very well."

However, neither knew which direction to search. In a display of perfect synchronicity, they both asked:

"Which direction should we search?"

They looked at each other, then said simultaneously:

"I don't know!"

They shared an embarrassed laugh:

"You go first!"

Again, they spoke in unison. Qin Yanyun shyly closed her mouth, not daring to speak further. Lin Huashu gave a sheepish smile:

"Why don't we let Heaven decide for us?"

Qin Yanyun said:

"That method is a bit childish, but we have no better options at the moment. I suppose it will have to do."

Lin Huashu said:

"Agreed. You decide the rules, Sister."

Qin Yanyun did not refuse:

"Very well, I shall not be modest."

As she spoke, she focused her mind, manipulating the laws of heaven and earth to pluck a leaf from a distance. She tossed it into the sky, and they followed where it drifted on the wind.

The two flew through the air—he, dashing and handsome; she, refined and ethereal—like a pair of divine companions. Wherever they passed, they were a breathtaking sight that left others envious.

***

After Li Hao and his group had searched for three thousand miles, they still had nothing to show for it.

*Clang!*

Sounds of combat echoed for dozens of miles, and the laws of heaven and earth surged violently for hundreds of feet.

Lin Xueyou quickly transmitted her voice to Li Hao and the others:

"There is a battle ahead. Do not act rashly. Let us see what is happening and understand the situation before we decide."

Everyone replied:

"Understood!"

The seven of them gathered quickly. Lin Xueyou summoned her Vermilion Phoenix Brush and began to sketch rapidly in the clouds. Within a few breaths, she had drawn a thick mist. The seven of them hid within it. Seeing this, they were all filled with admiration for her calligraphy skills.

Lu Yao looked at the brush in Lin Xueyou’s hand with envy and praised:

"Sister Xueyou’s brush is truly beautiful."

Lin Xueyou replied:

"My brother gave me this brush."

She said this with a straight face, feeling no shame, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. In reality, the brush was Lin Huashu’s most prized treasure, which Lin Xueyou had wheedled out of him.

Noticing Lu Yao’s gaze, Lin Xueyou understood her thoughts and said:

"After we get out of here, I will ask Father to select one from the Myriad Treasures Palace to give to you, little sister."

Lu Yao waved her hands quickly:

"I appreciate the gesture, Sister Xueyou. I play the flute; I just thought your brush was beautiful."

Lin Xueyou realized her mistake and said:

"In that case, I won't worry about it."

Lu Yao nodded:

"Thank you for your concern, Sister Xueyou."

Lin Xueyou smiled warmly:

"We are good friends and sisters; don't be so polite, little Yao. Being too formal makes us seem like strangers."

Lu Yao replied:

"You are right, Sister. I will remember that."

Li Hao and the other five listened to the two girls, not interrupting. By the time they finished talking, the seven of them had arrived above the battlefield.

Looking down, they saw four black-clad youths at the peak of the Traveling Realm surrounding a youth in purple, also at the peak of the Traveling Realm. The youth in the simple purple robes was retreating, clearly at a disadvantage.

"Kid, hand over the Sacred Fire Orchid. We don't want to fight. It's better for you, for us, and for everyone."

The youth in purple replied neither humbly nor arrogantly:

"I have made it very clear: if you pay a sufficient amount of Silver Soul Coins, I will hand over the Sacred Fire Orchid. Since you refuse, why should I give away my own property for nothing?"

High above in the dark clouds, Li Hao and the others focused the laws of heaven and earth into their ears, hearing every word clearly.

Kui Hu, having heard the exchange, said to Li Hao:

"Young Master, I like the character of that youth in purple. He is tenacious, stubborn, and has grit."

The others nodded in agreement. Kui Hu then asked:

"Young Master, should we help him?"

Li Hao replied:

"The youth in purple is not in immediate danger. Let us wait and see."

Lin Xueyou added:

"Young brother Li Hao is right. We don't know the cause of their conflict. It is better to understand the situation fully before acting. Drawing conclusions blindly can sometimes lead to mistakes."

"Indeed, Sister Xueyou is right."

The seven continued to hide in the clouds, listening.

"Kid, let me be clear: the one who wants your Sacred Fire Orchid is not us, but someone you cannot afford to offend."

Although the Lujia Mountain Star Domain appeared peaceful on the surface, beneath its calm exterior lay constant intrigue and power struggles.

The current supreme ruler was Lu Yishan. Even if powerful families made moves, they only dared to act in the shadows. Furthermore, there was a tacit understanding that they would not interfere in the minor squabbles of the younger generation, viewing them as a form of training.

At this moment, outside the World within a World, the world had undergone earth-shattering changes. Star domains that had received news of the great enemy of the myriad worlds had ceased their wars, and old grudges were temporarily set aside.

Every star domain was rushing toward the Star Domain Alliance. In the Lujia Mountain Star Domain, only twelve cultivators above the Origin Return Realm remained. Aside from one elder per palace to guard their base, all others had been taken by the Divine Physician of a Hundred Herbs to the alliance.

Walls have ears. Before long, those with ill intentions realized the experts had vanished. After making inquiries through various channels, they learned the star domain was devoid of its strongest protectors. The "monkeys" began to rule the mountains in the absence of the tigers.

The star domain had entered a stage of internal chaos.

Meanwhile, the young people inside the World within a World remained completely unaware. Many scions of noble families were still relying on their elders' reputations to act with arrogance, which explained the scene Li Hao and his friends were currently witnessing.