Chapter 319: Expressing Feelings, Nirvana Saint Lotus

"Yes."

Bai Linger nodded and said, "Your father was a Genius of the Human Race back then. We met during an experiential journey, and then…"

A look of reminiscence appeared in her eyes.

"Unfortunately, to protect me, he died while being hunted by the Ten Thousand Demon Clan."

"From then on, I took you into seclusion within the Thousand-Faced Nine-Tailed Fox until you grew up."

Xi Linger clenched her fists, a flash of pain passing through her eyes.

"So, Mother never opposed my interactions with the Human Race?"

"Correct," Bai Linger said gently. "Linger, you should choose your own life."

"If you truly like that Zhou Chen, Mother will not oppose it."

"But you must remember, matters of the heart should be taken slowly; do not be in too much of a hurry."

Xi Linger nodded, the confusion in her eyes gradually dissipating.

"Mother, I want to go see him."

"Go then," Bai Linger smiled. "But be careful; the Golden Crow Demon Emperor certainly won't let things go easily."

"I will be careful."

After Xi Linger finished speaking, her figure flickered and vanished from the spot.

…

Inside the inn.

Zhou Chen sat cross-legged on the bed, checking the System panel, when he suddenly felt a familiar aura approaching.

He opened his eyes, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"She's here."

A second later, a soft voice came from outside the window.

"Zhou Chen, may I come in?"

Zhou Chen waved his hand, and the door opened automatically.

Xi Linger walked into the room, the moonlight spilling over her, making her look exceptionally beautiful.

"The Saintess visits late at night; I wonder what business she has?" Zhou Chen joked.

Xi Linger gave him a look.

"At a time like this, you're still calling me Saintess?"

"Then what should I call you?"

"Just call me Linger." Xi Linger walked to the window, looking at the moonlight outside. "Zhou Chen, I have many things I want to say to you."

"I do as well." Zhou Chen stood up and walked to her side. "Why don't we go for a walk outside?"

"Alright."

The two left the inn and came to a garden in Myriad Demon City.

The garden was planted with all sorts of exotic flowers and rare herbs, emitting a faint fluorescence under the moonlight.

Xi Linger walked through the flowers and said softly, "Zhou Chen, why did you help me?"

"Because I didn't want to see you marry that bastard," Zhou Chen said directly.

Xi Linger stopped in her tracks and turned around to look at him.

"It's that simple?"

"It's that simple." Zhou Chen nodded. "Although we had some misunderstandings in the Ancient Desolate Secret Realm, I feel that you are a person worth helping."

Xi Linger bit her lip.

"Those ancient desolate spirit pearl kings… did you give them to me on purpose?"

"I suppose so," Zhou Chen laughed. "I didn't have much use for them anyway. Rather than letting someone else benefit, I'd rather give them to you."

A flash of complex emotion appeared in Xi Linger's eyes.

"Do you know? Since that time, my cultivation speed has become much faster."

"Realms that originally would have taken hundreds of years to Breakthrough, I can now reach in just a few years."

"I have been wondering why that is."

Zhou Chen scratched his head.

"It might be because the Cultivation Technique I Cultivate is rather special, so it was of some help to you."

He naturally knew the reason.

After cultivating the Azure Lotus Creation Body to a profound level, a special kind of energy would be produced within the body.

This energy was of immense benefit to female Cultivators and could greatly increase their cultivation speed.

However, Zhou Chen was a bit too embarrassed to say such a thing directly.

Xi Linger looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"You are truly a strange person."

"Clearly you did such a thing, yet you still act as if nothing happened."

"Clearly your strength is so great, yet you always keep a low profile."

"Clearly you could ask me to do many things, yet you want nothing at all."

She walked in front of Zhou Chen and looked at him seriously.

"Zhou Chen, what is it that you actually want?"

Zhou Chen was silent for a moment before slowly saying, "What I want is very simple."

"To become stronger, protect the people around me, and then find the way home."

"Home?" Xi Linger was stunned for a moment.

"Yes, home." Zhou Chen looked up at the starry sky. "I come from a very distant place. My family is there, and so are my friends."

"One day, I will return there."

A flash of disappointment appeared in Xi Linger's eyes.

"Then… will you come back?"

"I will." Zhou Chen turned to look at her and said seriously, "If I have something to care about here, I will definitely come back."

The two looked at each other for a moment, a wonderful atmosphere filling the air.

Xi Linger suddenly turned around, her back to Zhou Chen.

"Zhou Chen, I want to ask you a question."

"Go ahead."

"If… if one day I want to go with you, would you agree?"

Zhou Chen was stunned for a moment, then he laughed.

"Are you confessing your feelings?"

Xi Linger's face instantly turned red.

"Who… who's confessing! I was just asking casually!"

"Alright, alright, just asking casually."

Zhou Chen walked to her side. "However, if that day truly comes, I won't refuse."

Xi Linger turned her head, her eyes carrying a hint of anticipation.

"Really?"

"Really."

The two were silent again for a moment.

Xi Linger suddenly took out an exquisite Concentric Knot from her bosom.

The Concentric Knot was entirely emerald green, emitting a faint spiritual light.

"This is a Concentric Knot I wove with my own hands; it represents the promise of the Thousand-Faced Nine-Tailed Fox."

"I am giving it to you, hoping that we can meet again."

Zhou Chen took the Concentric Knot, feeling the sincere emotions contained within it.

"Thank you, I will keep it safe."

Xi Linger smiled, and then her expression became serious.

"Zhou Chen, you must be careful of the Golden Crow Demon Emperor."

"He is a powerhouse at the Fourth Layer of the Emperor Realm, and he is narrow-minded and vengeful."

"You killed his son; he certainly won't let it go."

Zhou Chen nodded.

"I know, I will be careful."

"Then I can rest easy." Xi Linger took a deep breath. "It's getting late; I should head back."

"Mm, be careful on the way."

Xi Linger turned to leave, but after walking a few steps, she suddenly looked back.

"Zhou Chen, the next time we meet, I will have become stronger."

"By then, I'll be able to fight alongside you."

After saying that, her figure disappeared into the night.

Zhou Chen stood in place, looking in the direction she had left, a smile appearing on his lips.

"Interesting woman."

He looked down at the Concentric Knot in his hand, feeling the deep affection contained within it.

"It seems this trip to the Ten Thousand Demon Plains has yielded quite a harvest."

Zhou Chen turned and went back to the inn, preparing to have a good night's rest.

Tomorrow, he still had many things to do.

…

Early the next morning.

Zhou Chen left the inn and strolled around Myriad Demon City.

He opened the System panel to check for nearby opportunities.

Quickly, a special Opportunity caught his attention.

[Name: Golden Crow Demon Emperor.]

[Cultivation: Fourth Layer of the Emperor Realm.]

[Recent Opportunity: In three days, will head to the Ancient Battlefield in the Core Area of the Ten Thousand Demon Plains to obtain an Emperor Rank Top-Grade Nirvana Saint Lotus. After consuming it, can Breakthrough to the Sixth Layer of the Emperor Realm.]

Zhou Chen's eyes lit up.