Chapter 24: Stay Away from Me

Jiang Yan heard the group’s chatter and glanced over to where the voices came from. Under a tree, five male disciples wearing blue sect uniforms were resting.

“Don’t mind them, my friend. They’re my senior brothers, always fond of teasing me,” Bai Tao said, a little embarrassed.

“Brother, you’re really being ostracized,” Jiang Yan thought to himself. Compared to An Yi, this fellow seemed even more honest and guileless.

But since Bai Tao didn’t mind, Jiang Yan saw no need to meddle. He handed Bai Tao his portion of food and then began to eat his own.

“My friend, hehe, can I sit here and finish my meal before going back?” Bai Tao asked with a smile.

“Suit yourself. Just call me Jiang Yan,” Jiang Yan replied, continuing to eat.

Seeing Jiang Yan relish his food, Bai Tao quickly sat down and began to eat heartily as well.

The nearby disciples watched Bai Tao, annoyed that their words had no effect on him, and that he was enjoying his meal so much.

“Senior Brother, haven’t you always disliked Bai Tao? Perhaps, in this secret realm…” Chen Ping whispered to Lu Chuan.

Lu Chuan raised an eyebrow after hearing this, thinking, “Chen Ping truly has a ruthless mind, but his suggestion isn’t bad.”

Bai Tao remained oblivious to his senior brothers’ scheming. He happily enjoyed his food and chatted with Jiang Yan.

“Jiang Yan, are you also headed to the Sun and Moon Island secret realm?” Bai Tao asked curiously.

“Yes, that’s right. I’m going to try my luck,” Jiang Yan answered without hiding anything.

“How come you’re alone? Isn’t it dangerous to go by yourself?” Bai Tao, kind-hearted and simple, worried for him.

“My senior brothers and sisters will be going, too. We’ll meet up on the other side,” Jiang Yan answered. He remained cautious with strangers, not wanting anyone to think he was entering the secret realm alone. If someone with ill intent overheard, his situation could become perilous.

“In that case, we’re on the same path. If you need anything, just let me know,” Bai Tao said, patting his chest.

Jiang Yan thought, “This naive kid, so trusting of strangers.” He patted Bai Tao’s shoulder. “Thanks, but I’ll take a detour. There are other matters I need to attend to.”

“All right, Jiang Yan, but you’d better hurry. The secret realm opens in less than five days,” Bai Tao reminded him.

“Mm, I will. By the way, let me remind you: never let your guard down around others.” With that, Jiang Yan glanced toward the group of male disciples.

Even Bai Tao, as slow as he was, understood Jiang Yan’s meaning. He hadn’t expected that even someone he’d met for the first time could see through his situation in the sect.

He gave a simple, honest smile. “Jiang Yan, thank you for the warning. I’ll be careful.”

Jiang Yan said no more, deciding to set out early. After cleaning up his cooking pot, he bade Bai Tao farewell.

He retrieved his motorcycle from his spatial ring, slapped on two acceleration talismans, and vanished into the night.

The nearby disciples were dumbfounded; it was their first time seeing such a strange mount, and it looked incredibly cool.

“Senior Brother, did you see that? The red-robed youth’s mount is so odd. It’s fast and silent,” Chen Ping said to Lu Chuan.

“Yes, it’s quite novel. I’ve never seen one like it,” Lu Chuan agreed, feeling a burning desire to possess the motorcycle.

“Look at that kid—still hasn’t entered the fasting stage, his cultivation is shaky. Why don’t we…” Chen Ping thought the red-robed youth’s cultivation was weak, and he even brought a cooking pot on his travels.

In his eyes, such interesting items belonged in the hands of those with real strength.

The other three brothers nodded vigorously. “Exactly, Senior Brother. Chen Ping is right. If we go together, that kid will be easy to handle, and the mount will be ours for the taking…”

When Bai Tao returned to their resting spot, everyone pretended nothing had happened and feigned meditation.

Jiang Yan sped along on his motorcycle, arriving at the outskirts of the Sun and Moon Island secret realm a day ahead of schedule.

He found that many disciples from various sects and independent cultivators were already waiting for the realm to open.

Looking up, Jiang Yan saw a small island floating in midair. He thought to himself, “The legendary Sun and Moon Island secret realm truly lives up to its reputation.”

Mist swirled around the island’s perimeter, making it impossible to see what lay within.

“Hey! Look, isn’t that the red-robed youth, Jiang Yan?” a female disciple from the Mysterious Spirit Sect cried out excitedly.

“Ah, yes, that’s him! He’s here for the Sun and Moon Island secret realm, too!” another female disciple added, her voice full of delight.

“What sort of mount is he riding? It looks so unique!” Among the crowd, some male disciples eyed Jiang Yan’s motorcycle with envy.

The crowd began to buzz with discussion…

Some male disciples ground their teeth in frustration upon seeing Jiang Yan. Hmph, these female disciples weren’t nearly as enthusiastic with them! Was all their effort these past few days for nothing?

Faced with these passionate admirers, Jiang Yan tugged at his collar and flashed a wicked, charming smile. Heh, don’t fall for me—I’m just a legend.

Suddenly, a veiled woman stepped out of the crowd. Jiang Yan immediately recognized her as Lin Ruyan.

He couldn’t understand the point of such a thin veil—everyone could still tell who she was at a glance!

Lin Ruyan lightly touched the ground and soared to stand before Jiang Yan, prompting another wave of excited chatter among the crowd.

“Does Senior Sister Lin know Jiang Yan? My god, they look so perfect together,” a female disciple exclaimed, openly shipping them.

“Hmph, don’t talk nonsense. Ruyan would never fall for that lazy brat,” retorted Li Ziyun, Lin Ruyan’s fellow disciple. He had feelings for Lin Ruyan, and seeing her stand beside Jiang Yan made him seethe with jealousy.

“Second Prince, I didn’t expect to meet you here,” Lin Ruyan said softly.

When she had flown over, Jiang Yan’s mind screamed, “Goose, goose, goose—don’t come over here!”

Now that she was right in front of him, he kept his composure and replied, “This isn’t the Jiang Kingdom. Since we’re in the cultivation world now, there’s no need to call me Second Prince. Just Jiang Yan is fine.”

“All right, Jiang Yan,” Lin Ruyan seemed genuinely pleased.

“We’re actually not familiar. There’s no need to greet me if you have nothing to say,” Jiang Yan couldn’t help but add. He had no desire for excessive contact with the original novel’s heroine.

Lin Ruyan was momentarily stunned by Jiang Yan’s words. She hadn’t expected her charm to fail; why did it seem Jiang Yan didn’t care for her at all?

She pinched her wrist hard, tears shimmering in her eyes.

Seeing things take a turn for the worse, Jiang Yan quickly said, “Put away your tears—they won’t work on me. I have things to do, so I won’t keep you.”

With that, he slipped away, leaving Lin Ruyan standing there in a daze.

Jiang Yan found an inconspicuous corner to rest and wait for the secret realm to open. Truly, talking to the heroine was exhausting! Tsk, tsk—thank goodness he wasn’t the male lead; he couldn’t handle it.

Suddenly, the ground shook violently, as though about to split open. An elder shouted, “Quick, steady yourselves! The secret realm is opening ahead of schedule!”