Chapter 32: Chen Ping’s Provocation

“Look over there! Isn’t that little dragon Jiang Yan’s spirit beast? The way it climbs onto the mount is just so adorable and silly!”

A female disciple’s eyes sparkled with delight at the sight of the squat little dragon, unable to resist the urge to rush over and scoop it up onto the mount herself.

“It should be. With his strength, it’s not surprising that Jiang Yan would have a dragon as his spirit pet,” a male disciple, who deeply admired Jiang Yan, nodded in agreement.

…

Deep within a cave in the secret realm, Lin Ruyan was carefully tending to the wounds on Li Ziyun’s back.

Li Ziyun’s cheeks were tinged with red, and his heart pounded like a drum. His upper body was bare, and though he was quite sensitive about decorum between men and women, Ruyan had told him that, in a healer’s eyes, patients were neither male nor female.

Since Ruyan was so untroubled, he felt it would be unreasonable to make a fuss about it.

“Senior brother, does it hurt? I’m sorry, it’s all my fault you were injured,” Lin Ruyan said, her voice choking with emotion.

Hearing her on the verge of tears, Li Ziyun’s heart ached. He quickly reassured her, “Ruyan, it doesn’t hurt. This is just a scratch—it’ll be healed in no time.”

“Senior brother, next time there’s danger, you must run first and not worry about me.”

Truth be told, Lin Ruyan was quite skilled at tugging people’s heartstrings; after all, she’d learned much from her own mother since childhood. Aunt Liu was a woman of considerable means—otherwise, the master of the Jiang family wouldn’t have entrusted her with the entire inner household.

Li Ziyun turned anxiously, reopening the wound on his back so that fresh blood seeped out. “Hiss—Ruyan, how can you say that? How could I ever abandon you? Even if it costs me my life, I’ll keep you safe.”

“Senior brother, don’t move! Your wound’s opened again.” Lin Ruyan scolded gently as she set about treating it once more.

Li Ziyun let out a sigh. “Ah, it’s all because my cultivation is too weak. Don’t worry, Ruyan—I’ll make sure to grow stronger as quickly as I can.”

“Mm. I believe in you, senior brother.”

Just then, Lin Ruyan sensed her spatial ring heating up—surely it was the Spirit Pearl. She was in no mood to continue the conversation.

“Senior brother, you rest here. I’ll go check the path ahead.”

With that, Lin Ruyan hurried out of the cave, finding a hidden patch of grass. She crouched down and took out the Spirit Pearl.

“Spirit Pearl, do you have something to tell me?” she asked.

A line of words appeared: Jiang Yan has broken through to the Golden Core.

“He’s already reached the Golden Core so soon?”

Lin Ruyan thought to herself: Before I entered the secret realm, master told me I only needed an opportunity to break through to the Golden Core. I never expected that Jiang Yan would reach it before me.

Another line of words appeared from the Spirit Pearl: Hurry, seize the Golden Core.

Truth be told, Lin Ruyan didn’t quite understand why the Spirit Pearl wanted her to seize Jiang Yan’s Golden Core. Yet deep inside, a voice insisted she must obey…

“All right. I’ll wait for my chance,” Lin Ruyan replied.

In the Divine Realm, within the Hall of Light, a silver-robed, white-haired man suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.

He sneered, “Heh, how many more seals have been broken this time?”

“Hall Master, are you saying the seals have loosened again? Will he… come to the Divine Realm seeking vengeance soon?” an old man holding a scepter asked anxiously.

“Hah! That wretched brat? He’d need the ability to get here first! What’s the progress with the puppets I sent to the lower realm?” The Hall Master of Light wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief.

“All is proceeding as planned…”

“Excellent. It’s time we made arrangements in the Immortal Realm as well.”

“Yes.” The old man bowed and withdrew.

…

“Jiang Yan, are we leaving the secret realm now?” Bai Tao asked from the back seat of the motorcycle.

Jiang Yan thought for a moment and decided to ask the little squat dragon. He patted its head and said, “Little dragon, are there any more treasures left in this secret realm?”

The squat little dragon, who had been enjoying the thrill of speed, was rather displeased at having its head suddenly struck. It turned and looked at Jiang Yan with a withering expression. “The wealthiest corners of this secret realm have already been picked clean by you lot. What do you think?”

Jiang Yan immediately understood. He said to Bai Tao, “Since there are no more treasures, there’s no reason for us to linger any longer.”

With that, the two of them and the dragon gladly left the secret realm.

No sooner had the squat dragon exited than the old dragon on the other side received word. Huffing and puffing, it complained, “Hmph! That rascal got whisked away so quickly, didn’t even come to say goodbye. Truly, when sons grow up, you can’t keep them at home!”

…

“Jiang Yan, let’s part ways here. Let’s exchange contact tokens—maybe we’ll team up again on our next adventure,” Bai Tao suddenly said after they’d traveled some distance. His sect and the Qilin Sect lay in different directions, and he didn’t wish to trouble Jiang Yan.

“Sure, Bai Tao. Take care of yourself. And if you run into those strange senior brothers of yours, don’t hold back—if you must, just give them a good beating.”

Bai Tao grinned. “All right, Jiang Yan, don’t worry.”

After exchanging contact details via their communication jades, they were about to say farewell when a voice called out, “You… You’re both still alive?”

By sheer coincidence, two groups met at this fork in the road. Jiang Yan recognized the speaker—it was the very man who had once pushed Bai Tao toward the giant serpent, a man devoid of gratitude.

“Well, Wang Hu, what’s wrong? Surprised that I survived?” Bai Tao no longer bothered with honorifics. From the moment Wang Hu shoved him toward the serpent, he ceased to be a senior brother in Bai Tao’s eyes. As for the others, Bai Tao had no intention of calling them brothers again, either.

“Oh, Bai Tao, after following this boy for just a few days, you’ve forgotten how to address your seniors?” Chen Ping mocked.

Chen Ping had grown up in poverty and joined the sect by his own merit. By chance, he had discovered the secret that Bai Tao, who entered the sect with him, was actually the sect leader’s son.

He assumed that explained why Bai Tao always received the best resources. The other disciples still had no idea, and Chen Ping had no plans to expose the secret.

Jealousy burned in him—a bitterness at the injustice of fate. Why were some born with a silver spoon while he could not choose his own parents?

Because of this, Chen Ping made it his habit to sow discord and isolate Bai Tao.

“And you lot? You call yourselves senior brothers? You’re nothing but a pack of cowards!” Jiang Yan snapped back, unable to stand such troublemakers.

“That’s right, Chen Ping. You’re not worthy of being called my senior brothers. From this day on, I, Bai Tao, have no brothers among you.” Bai Tao replied, standing his ground.

Jiang Yan patted Bai Tao’s shoulder. “Well said! That’s the spirit!”

Chen Ping whispered to Lu Chuan, “Senior brother, didn’t you want that kid’s mount? Look over there—he’s got a dragon as well, and it doesn’t seem to be contracted yet. Why don’t we…”

Lu Chuan had also noticed the little dragon on Jiang Yan’s motorcycle and was astonished. Clearly, this red-clad youth had found a great opportunity in the secret realm.

Hearing Chen Ping’s suggestion, Lu Chuan hesitated. Did he really want to go so far?

He tentatively spoke, “Little brother, would you be willing to sell me your mount and that spirit beast? I can pay you in spirit stones—just name your price.”

“Sorry, the mount isn’t for sale, and the little dragon is not an object—it’s not for sale either. I advise you not to get any ideas,” Jiang Yan replied, instantly picking up on Chen Ping’s scheming. He remained vigilant, ready to draw his sword at the first sign of trouble.

“If you refuse a toast, you’ll have to drink the penalty cup. Don’t blame us for taking what we want. Bai Tao, are you coming back to our side?” Chen Ping taunted, feigning concern.

“Hmph. If you dare make a move, don’t blame me for forgetting any brotherly ties we once had,” Bai Tao replied coldly.