Chapter 18: Lin Chen, I’m Back (Part 3)

Lin Fan stood by the life spring water, various images flashing through his mind as he gradually realized the source of Lin Chen's changes—the Ascending Heaven Road!

When he had parted ways with Lin Chen on the Ascending Heaven Road, he hadn't noticed the hidden mystery within it.

Looking back now, it was highly likely that Lin Chen had obtained the Elf Race's Legacy there.

The life spring water, the Star Power, the appearance of Ailin… all clues pointed to this fact.

A wave of lingering fear welled up in Lin Fan's heart.

If he had taken Lin Chen to Tianji Pavilion back then, the course of events might have been completely different.

He was well aware of Mirror Venerable's ambition and methods; if Mirror Venerable had discovered that Lin Chen possessed the Elf Race's Legacy, he might have directly exploited Lin Fan's absence to seize Lin Chen on the lower plane, Earth.

The lower plane, Earth… the spatial coordinates were chaotic, and time was in disarray! Even if Tianji Pavilion had sensed something unusual, they would likely have found it difficult to track due to the spatial rules, making it impossible to stop Mirror Venerable's actions in time.

By then, Lin Chen might have been exploited, threatened, or even lost her freedom!

"So that's how it is…"

Lin Fan took a deep breath, his heart filled with relief and gratitude. "It's fortunate that I didn't take her with me back then."

Although he understood that this was a stroke of luck, Lin Fan still felt an inexplicable sense of trepidation.

He didn't dare to imagine how he would face himself if Lin Chen had truly fallen into Mirror Venerable's hands.

And now, seeing her standing innocently in this Elf garden, full of longing for the future, he became even more determined to protect her.

Lin Chen seemed to sense Lin Fan's deep contemplation; she raised her head, blinked, and gently tugged on his sleeve:

"Lin Fan, what are you thinking about? You look so serious."

Lin Fan looked down at her, his gaze softening slightly, and reached out to ruffle her hair:

"It's nothing, Lin Chen. I just suddenly felt that being able to accompany you here is truly very fortunate."

Lin Chen's lips curled up, revealing a sweet smile: "Of course! I am your Lin Chen! From now on, this is your home too."

A warmth welled up in Lin Fan's heart, and at the same time, he secretly made a resolution.

No matter how difficult the path ahead might be, he would not let any danger near Lin Chen.

She was the future of the Elf Race, and even more so, the most important person in his heart.

He wanted her to always remain as carefree and full of smiles as she was now.

In this Elf garden, the life spring water rippled, and the singing of the Wind-Chanting Grass remained melodious.

This world was like a paradise, Lin Chen's place of tranquility, and also a new place of belonging in Lin Fan's heart.

After seeing Lin Chen's little secret, the two returned to Qimeng Courtyard.

Only then did Lin Chen notice that only Lin Fan had returned.

She knit her delicate brows, a hint of confusion on her face, and couldn't help but ask: "Lin Fan, where are Qinlan and the others?"

Seeing this, Lin Fan smiled slightly and replied in a relaxed tone: "They are all fine. They should have returned to Tianji Pavilion with Su Wanqing by now."

Hearing this answer, Lin Chen breathed a sigh of relief, nodded, and said: "Alright, I thought something had happened to them."

The worry on her face gradually faded, replaced by a smile of relief.

Just as she wanted to say something, Fairy Qimeng's clear voice came from the center of the pavilion:

"Lin Chen, bring your Lin Fan over quickly!"

Lin Chen immediately snapped back to attention at the sound, her lips curling up, and she pulled Lin Fan's hand as she walked out, responding excitedly: "Coming, coming!"

She pulled Lin Fan through the flower corridor of Qimeng Courtyard, her skirt swaying with the wind, revealing her slender, fair calves.

Lin Fan couldn't help but smile slightly, feeling her vitality and excitement, and the pressure in his heart eased slightly.

Walking into the main hall, Fairy Qimeng sat in the main seat, with several Palace Masters of the Xuanyin Qin Sect sitting beside her.

Seeing Lin Chen and Lin Fan arrive together, she nodded slightly, her expression showing some relief, but also a touch of gravity.

"Lin Fan, you have returned at just the right time." Fairy Qimeng said softly, her gaze fixed deeply on him,

"The current situation in the Five Regions is complex. The Nether Ghost Realm is just the vanguard of the Mirror Sect; what is truly terrifying is the Mirror Sect itself.

Although the Xuanyin Qin Sect is safe for now, we must prepare early."

Hearing this, the relaxed look on Lin Fan's face faded slightly, and he said seriously: "Sect Master Qi Meng, rest assured. If there is a need, I will do my utmost."

Fairy Qimeng nodded and turned to look at Lin Chen, her tone softening slightly: "Lin Chen, you must also prepare this time.

As the inheritor of the Elf Race, the responsibility you bear is not light."

Hearing this, Lin Chen was stunned for a moment, then nodded gently: "Sister, I understand. No matter what happens, I will face it together with everyone."

Fairy Qimeng smiled with satisfaction, then stood up and said: "In that case, you should both get some good rest first. We will discuss specific plans tomorrow."

Lin Chen immediately held onto Lin Fan's arm upon hearing this, and said with a giggle: "Then we will head back first!" With that, she pulled Lin Fan and ran towards the second floor of the pavilion.

After returning to the room, Lin Chen closed the door casually and looked at Lin Fan with bright eyes, saying in a low voice: "Lin Fan, do you think what my sister said just now is very serious?"

Lin Fan patted her shoulder gently, his tone tender: "Don't worry, I'm here. It's nothing serious."

Lin Chen bit her lip, a trace of emotion in her eyes, and then showed a mischievous smile: "Then you'd better not lie to me! If I get slapped in the face, I won't let you off!"

"Haha, don't worry, there won't be any problems."

Outside the window, night had fallen, starlight filled the entire Qimeng Courtyard, a breeze blew gently, and a hint of tender, ambiguous atmosphere permeated the air.

In front of the soft large bed, Lin Chen leaned gently against Lin Fan's shoulder, her light green eyes like twinkling stars, clear and profound.

Her skin was delicate enough to be broken by a blow, and her red lips were alluring, telling of a silent temptation, so close that Lin Fan could not resist.

In this brief silence, Lin Chen lowered her head slightly, her soft hair brushing against Lin Fan's skin, making his heart race.

Lin Chen's eyes held a trace of shock and bewilderment, as if she hadn't expected the distance between them to be so close.

Lin Fan instinctively leaned towards her red lips, his breathing ragged.

Lin Chen's eyes widened, her heartbeat accelerating rapidly, but before she could react, Lin Fan's kiss landed gently on her lips.

"Mmm…"

Lin Chen let out a soft cry, her cheeks quickly flushing with a crimson hue.

Lin Fan tasted the sweetness between her lips in an instant; his kiss was intoxicating, as if he wanted to engrave this moment in his heart forever.

Lin Chen, however, was left dizzy by this sudden intimacy, as if all her strength had been drained from her.

After the kiss ended, she lowered her head, her hands tightly clutching the corner of her clothes, her little face as red as a ripe apple, completely afraid to look up at Lin Fan.

Her breathing was slightly rapid, her chest heaving violently, appearing both flustered and at a loss.

"I'm sorry, Lin Chen, I… couldn't hold back."

Lin Chen bit her lip, her voice as thin as a mosquito's hum, as if she were just humming: "It's okay…"

As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt her face turn even redder, and she lowered her head, almost wanting to find a crack in the ground to hide in.

Lin Fan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the churning impulses in his heart.

He knew he could barely control such temptation, but Lin Chen was not like other girls;

She was someone Lin Fan wanted to protect for a lifetime, not just possess her body.

"Lin Chen, wait for me a moment."

Lin Fan forced himself to look away, and after giving her a deep look, he turned and disappeared into the Void Realm.

He needed to leave for a moment to calm the burning heat in his heart.

Lin Chen sat alone on the soft large bed, still with her head lowered, her face burning hot, her fingers nervously twisting the corner of her clothes, not even daring to look in the direction where Lin Fan had just disappeared.

Her heartbeat sounded like a drum, exceptionally clear in the night, and the image of that moment played over and over in her mind.