“Are you dreaming?”

Chen Qingyuan couldn’t help but laugh.

“I’m just making a reasonable suggestion.”

For the sake of his soulmate, Zhangsun Fengye’s shamelessness was almost on par with Chen Qingyuan’s.

“Get lost.” Chen Qingyuan chuckled and cursed, “You can’t force these things. It all depends on your fate with her. If Miss Liu has no feelings for you, you can’t pester her, or I’ll definitely beat you up.”

“Don’t worry, Brother Chen. With my handsome looks and background, I’m sure I can win Miss Liu’s heart.”

Zhangsun Fengye smoothed his sideburns and lightly waved his folding fan, looking quite flamboyant.

“Shut up. How come I never noticed you were this narcissistic before?”

Chen Qingyuan couldn’t take it anymore.

“Proximity to cinnabar makes you red; proximity to ink makes you black.” Zhangsun Fengye sighed as he looked at Liu Lingran, who was meditating inside the barrier. “Sigh!”

“What do you mean by that?”

Chen Qingyuan could tell Zhangsun Fengye was implying something about him and immediately rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight.

“Don’t get worked up. I’m just telling the truth. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Brother Han.”

Zhangsun Fengye shifted the blame to Han Shan, who was watching the drama unfold.

Han Shan was dumbfounded. He was just a bystander; what did this have to do with him?

Facing Chen Qingyuan’s sharp gaze, Han Shan reluctantly said, “Old Chen, your handsomeness is a fact, not narcissism. As for Old Feng, although he’s not bad, he’s still a bit behind you.”

“Mm…”

Chen Qingyuan nodded with a smile, feeling quite pleased.

Standing to the side, Zhangsun Fengye’s mouth twitched slightly, admiring Han Shan’s ability to lie with a straight face.

A few hours later, Liu Lingran stabilized her foundation and walked out of the barrier.

Now, she had reached the late stage of the Elemental Infant level in her cultivation.

Such strength was considered top-tier among her peers.

“Miss Liu.”

After just a few hours apart, Zhangsun Fengye missed her dearly and hurriedly stepped forward to inquire about her well-being.

Seeing this, Liu Lingran immediately sidestepped and quickly moved to Chen Qingyuan’s side, wary of Zhangsun Fengye.

“Junior Master, Zhangsun Fengye’s gaze just now was a bit scary. Is he sick?”

Liu Lingran whispered.

“Probably! Just stay away from him to avoid getting hurt.”

Chen Qingyuan advised.

“Oh, I understand.”

Liu Lingran took Chen Qingyuan’s advice to heart.

Since they weren’t using sound transmission, even though they spoke softly, Zhangsun Fengye could hear everything clearly, feeling quite embarrassed.

To be honest, Liu Lingran would rather believe Zhangsun Fengye was seriously ill than trust in her own charm.

After all, in such a harsh cultivation world, how could there be love at first sight? It was mostly driven by ulterior motives or lust.

Given Zhangsun Fengye’s strength and status, he could have any partner he wanted. But he followed his heart and wouldn’t touch a woman unless she was his destined one.

After a brief rest, Chen Qingyuan brought up the main issue.

“Old Han, what are your plans next?”

Chen Qingyuan was very concerned about Han Shan’s future.

Because of Chen Qingyuan’s intervention, Han Shan was temporarily free from the Four Holy Sects’ harassment, but he still had their blood running through his veins and would inevitably face various challenges alone in the future.

Some things, outsiders couldn’t interfere with.

“I’ll stay here.”

Han Shan had thought about this for a long time.

Leaving the Renling Star Domain would be an act of escape.

Han Shan didn’t want to live in the shadows all his life, nor did he want to leave unresolved issues. He wanted to uncover the truth about his past and understand his mother’s actions during her lifetime.

He was determined to reclaim what was rightfully his and wouldn’t forcibly take what wasn’t.

“If you stay, you’ll face many troubles. Are you sure about this?”

Chen Qingyuan asked seriously.

“Yes.” Han Shan nodded solemnly, “I’ve made up my mind.”

“I’ll help Brother Han, so there’s no need to worry.”

After spending these days together, Zhangsun Fengye and Han Shan had become friends.

In the Renling Star Domain, if Han Shan encountered any insurmountable problems, Zhangsun Fengye would definitely lend a hand.

It was a kind of investment.

Whether it was Han Shan’s life-and-death friendship with Chen Qingyuan or Han Shan’s own talent and background, it was worth the investment.

“Thank you.”

Chen Qingyuan sincerely thanked Zhangsun Fengye.

“You’re welcome. We’ll be family sooner or later, so there’s no need for formalities.”

Zhangsun Fengye took the opportunity to climb higher.

“…” Chen Qingyuan and Han Shan.

As for Liu Lingran, she didn’t understand what he meant, looking puzzled.

“Girl, you’ve gained a lot from this trip. Staying in the Renling Star Domain is too dangerous. You should go home quickly!”

Chen Qingyuan was worried about Liu Lingran encountering danger.

“Yes, I was thinking the same.”

The core area of the Northern Wilderness might look prosperous, but it was also full of hidden dangers and easily attracted trouble.

Liu Lingran decided to return to the Mystic Azure Sect first, cultivate for a few hundred or thousand years, and then come back to explore once she was strong enough.

“Don’t!” Zhangsun Fengye panicked, “Miss Liu can stay here safely. If there’s any danger, I’ll handle it.”

“Thank you, Young Master Zhangsun, but we’re not related, so there’s no need to trouble you.”

Liu Lingran politely declined.

“Stop.” Chen Qingyuan interrupted Zhangsun Fengye before he could say more and transmitted, “You’re the biggest danger.”

“Brother Chen, don’t you know me? I wouldn’t do anything inappropriate to Miss Liu.”

Zhangsun Fengye gave a meaningful look and transmitted back.

“These things depend on fate. You can’t push too hard, or it might backfire.”

Chen Qingyuan replied secretly.

“Then what should I do?” Zhangsun Fengye humbly asked for advice.

“Take it slow, no need to rush.” Chen Qingyuan brushed him off.

On the surface, the atmosphere was too quiet.

After a stick of incense, Zhangsun Fengye sighed, “Sigh!”

Liu Lingran looked confused, not understanding why Zhangsun Fengye suddenly sighed, thinking to herself, “It seems Young Master Zhangsun is really not well.”

The next day, Chen Qingyuan accompanied Liu Lingran to the Flow Star Domain.

The journey was long, and Chen Qingyuan couldn’t let Liu Lingran go alone, fearing she might encounter danger.

Zhangsun Fengye kept gazing into the distance, hoping for their next meeting.

“Stop looking, they’ve gone far.”

Han Shan reminded him.

“Brother Han, you wouldn’t understand.”

Zhangsun Fengye still didn’t look away, his words tinged with bitterness.

“Then take your time. I’m leaving.”

Han Shan had to go back to take care of his injured master and turned to leave.

At the Misty Sacred Ground, in the grand hall.

Upon his return, Zhangsun Fengye made a decision that shocked the entire leadership.

“I want to go out and train for a while. The matters of the Holy Son will be handled by the elders for now. As for my return, I don’t know when that will be.”

Zhangsun Fengye spoke his mind.

“Holy Son, what are you planning to do by leaving now?”

The elders tried to stop him, not understanding his intentions.