Chapter 56: Spirit Snatching (Part 1)

Hearing this, everyone broke into a cold sweat for Lin Chen.

Although she had just turned the tide with her zither music, the Heavenly Tribulation had now completely shifted toward her, its power even more terrifying than before.

This was not only a trial for Princess Hu Qinlan, but also the ultimate test of Lin Chen's Dao Heart and zither skills.

Facing the mountain-like pressure, Lin Chen's hands continued to dance nimbly across the strings, her fingertips gliding over them like flowing water.

The zither music surged from her fingertips, like a rushing river, charging straight toward the sky with boundless power.

"Lin Fan, help me!" Lin Chen silently intoned, as if calling out to a power deep within her heart.

In an instant, Lin Fan's voice transmission sounded in her ear: "Don't be afraid. Play with your heart; this is our greatest power!"

Lin Chen closed her eyes, her fingers suddenly accelerating on the strings. The zither music cascaded down like a waterfall, rushing toward the Heavenly Tribulation with resolute power.

This time, the zither music was no longer a simple defense; it transformed into a vast, righteous Qi that swept across the heavens and earth, carrying the sound of the Dao as it collided with the thunder.

"Zheng—" The zither music clashed with the heavenly thunder, a massive roar echoing between heaven and earth, causing the entire Tianyin Square to tremble slightly from the impact.

The thunderous light churned like a raging fire, but under the suppression of the zither music, it gradually weakened, eventually turning into a rain of light in the sky and dissipating without a trace.

Princess Hu Qinlan's figure appeared exceptionally holy amidst the rain of light.

She descended slowly to the ground, her gaze as calm as water, yet her firm expression revealed a new kind of power.

The surrounding Disciples were dumbfounded, unable to believe everything they had just witnessed. They had witnessed with their own eyes Princess Hu Qinlan's Breakthrough and the magnificent feat of Lin Chen's Heaven-Defying zither music suppressing the Heavenly Tribulation.

"Senior Sister Lin Chen's zither skills are actually so powerful that she could withstand the Heavenly Tribulation!" one Disciple exclaimed.

"This is simply unheard of! Her zither music is no longer just melody; it can contend with the rules of heaven and earth!" another Disciple said, his face full of disbelief.

At this moment, Princess Hu Qinlan walked gently to Lin Chen, her eyes filled with gratitude:

"Lin Chen, thanks to you, I was able to successfully pass this Heavenly Tribulation.

'In the next life, I will still be your fox.' The piece you played allowed me to comprehend the 'Dao of Sacrificial Protection.' I don't know how to thank you."

"No need to thank me! That you were able to gain such insight is due to your own talent!"

Just as Lin Chen finished speaking, Lin Fan's voice came out, shouting with a hint of teasing:

"Don't say that! If you aren't going to take her into your harem, at least let her be your best friend! This is a great achievement!"

However, Princess Hu Qinlan was not interrupted by Lin Chen's humble response; instead, it was as if she had expected this all along.

She lowered her head, her fingers gently twisting the corner of her clothes, her toes tapping lightly on the ground as if hesitating about something. Her eyes would sneak glances at Lin Chen from time to time, only to quickly look away.

Suddenly, Princess Hu Qinlan looked up and said, "Lin Chen, let's duel!"

"Huh?" Lin Chen couldn't help but frown, her expression confused. "Why do you want to duel with me?"

Princess Hu Qinlan said earnestly, "Because that's what happened with Princess Jin Xuan last time; after losing, she could become your best friend! I want to try that too."

Lin Chen looked at Princess Hu Qinlan with a helpless expression, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly. She was clearly caught off guard by this strange proposal.

"There's no need to go through such methods to become best friends, right? I can just agree to it directly."

Upon hearing Lin Chen's words, a flash of pleasant surprise appeared in Princess Hu Qinlan's eyes, and her entire expression instantly brightened.

She widened her eyes and asked in disbelief, "Really?"

Lin Chen nodded with a smile and responded gently, "Really. Becoming my best friend doesn't require troublesome things like dueling. I'll just agree to it directly."

Princess Hu Qinlan was so excited that her cheeks flushed slightly, and she seemed to relax significantly.

She raised the corners of her mouth happily and said, skipping like a little girl, "Lin Chen, I want to be your best friend!"

Lin Chen watched her happy appearance and felt a sense of warmth in her heart:

"Alright! I agree. You are my best friend now."

Princess Hu Qinlan broke into a radiant smile, as if she had received her most precious treasure. She couldn't help but jump lightly on the spot, as if releasing the excitement in her heart, her hands clasped together, her tone joyous:

"That's great! From today on, I'm your best friend!"

Lin Chen watched her happy appearance and couldn't help but laugh as well, sighing inwardly:

"What a simple person."

At this moment, a female Disciple with an ordinary appearance walked over quietly and tapped Lin Chen on the shoulder, her voice soft but carrying a hint of mystery:

"Junior Sister Lin Chen, come with me."

Lin Chen was still immersed in the conversation with Princess Hu Qinlan, her mood relaxed. Without thinking too much, she nodded and followed her involuntarily.

The two walked in silence, and the atmosphere around them seemed to become somewhat eerie.

Lin Chen looked up at the path ahead; it was still the familiar scenery, yet a sense of inexplicable unease rose in her heart.

After walking a few steps, they arrived behind a huge piece of jade. The jade was carved to be crystal clear, and it just happened to block everyone's line of sight.

Just as Lin Chen hadn't had the chance to ask anything, a slight tremor seemed to come from under her feet.

Before she had a chance to react, she saw her own figure and that of the female Disciple suddenly fade into the air and disappear without a trace.

Behind the jade, it was as if nothing had ever happened.

Deep within the Xuanyin Qin Sect, in a quiet room, hazy lamplight spilled through curtain-like veils, illuminating every corner.

In this gentle light and shadow, the ordinary female Disciple instantly changed her appearance.

She was wearing a white gauze dress, thin as cicada wings, which clung tightly to her, outlining her exquisite figure. Like an apparition, she displayed the extraordinary aura of the Sect's Grand Elder, Bai Youyou.

Lin Chen was secretly shocked! She immediately turned to the side and bowed, "Disciple greets Grandmaster!"

Lin Chen had only seen this ethereal Grand Elder in paintings; seeing her standing right in front of her today filled her with awe and nervousness.

Bai Youyou said softly, "No need for formalities. Let that brat Lin Fan come out!"

Lin Chen realized the seriousness of the situation instantly, and her heart tightened.

Could it be that all her actions and all her secrets were under the watchful eye of this super expert who had surpassed the Soul Transformation Stage?

Facing such a majestic existence, Lin Chen felt a wave of panic.

She did not immediately activate the Thousand Appearances Formless Divine Skill to let Lin Fan out, but instead called out to Lin Fan in her spiritual consciousness world.

"I'm here!" Lin Fan replied with a hint of composure.

"Hurry, Senior Bai Youyou is here. Our whereabouts have been exposed. What should we do?" Lin Chen asked urgently, her heart becoming increasingly tense.

"Let me out. What will come will come," Lin Fan replied, seemingly prepared.

Lin Chen nodded, her heart trembling. She quickly activated the Thousand Appearances Formless Divine Skill, and as spiritual power circulated, Lin Fan's figure gradually became clear before her.

A moment later, Lin Fan appeared in this quiet room.

"Brat Lin Fan greets Senior Bai," Lin Fan bowed slightly, but his tone held a hint of unruliness.

A black line flashed across Bai Youyou's forehead; she seemed helpless about his form of address, but she was not angry.

She lay lazily and elegantly on a recliner, lifting one leg. Her skin was as white and tender as jade, like a beautiful painting.

"Do you think I am very old?" She smiled slightly, her eyes sparkling, as if she were joking.

Lin Chen breathed a sigh of relief, inwardly marveling at Bai Youyou's youth and beauty. Bai Youyou had already surpassed the Soul Transformation Stage, and she was only a step away from becoming a god.

She possessed eternal life and youth, and her beauty was unparalleled throughout the ages; she was truly a peerless beauty.

"Senior Bai, I…" Lin Fan was slightly stunned, seeming to want to say something, but was interrupted by a wave of Bai Youyou's hand.

"Touch it and see!" Bai Youyou smiled slightly, extending her long, fair leg toward Lin Fan.

Lin Fan was terrified to the point of losing his soul, thinking to himself, "This is a super expert who has surpassed the Soul Transformation Stage! How could I dare to touch it!"

Bai Youyou let out a cold snort, her eyes carrying a hint of playfulness, "I told you to touch it!!"