Chapter 669 - 663: The Curtain Falls

"Aaaargh..."

A bloodcurdling scream echoed from the sky. In front of everyone, Elder Hei and Elder Bai had truly crippled one of Bai Zhennan’s arms and legs. Scarlet blood sprayed down from above, shocking the crowd to their core. The Clan Leader of the White Tiger Race, a man who held immense power in the Demon Race, had been crippled by a single command from the young woman. This made everyone intensely curious about her identity, as they were unaware of powers like the Hidden Sects.

The searing pain twisted Bai Zhennan’s expression. He stared fixedly at Ji Lingxuan, the venom in his eyes plain to see.

"You should be glad you didn’t lay a hand on Brother Haoran. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be just an arm and a leg. I know you’re not convinced. If you want revenge, feel free to try. I’ll be waiting for you at the Ji Family’s estate!" Ji Lingxuan paid no mind to Bai Zhennan’s hateful gaze, speaking to him with a calm indifference.

Hearing Ji Lingxuan’s words, the venom on Bai Zhennan’s face was instantly replaced by terror. He stared at her in disbelief. He never imagined she was from the Ji Family. The Ji Family... that was an existence he couldn’t afford to provoke. The thoughts of revenge that had been brewing in his heart vanished without a trace. All he could do was let out a cold snort and turn to leave.

Long Xiaotian and the others standing nearby also watched Ji Lingxuan with faces full of apprehension. They knew better than anyone what the Ji Family represented. Their Four Great Divine Beast Families were like emperors within the Demon Race, but compared to the Ji Family, they weren’t even common foot soldiers. The Ji Family could obliterate their clans with a single breath. It was clear just how terrifying her background was.

The people in Central City were also in shock. Bai Zhennan, despite having an arm and a leg crippled, had been scared away by a single sentence. ’Was the reputation of the Ji Family really that terrifying?’

Ji Lingxuan ignored everyone’s stares. After Bai Zhennan left, she returned to Shen Haoran’s side. It was as if, in her eyes, only Shen Haoran existed.

"Brother Haoran, I’m sorry. I couldn’t kill Bai Zhennan. His clan isn’t as simple as it looks on the surface. They have the backing of a Hidden Clan. If I killed him, it would bring us big trouble!" Ji Lingxuan lowered her head, like a little girl who had done something wrong. It was as if she were a different person from the Ji Lingxuan who had just taken Bai Zhennan’s arm and leg with a single sentence. The former was shy and endearing, the latter was impossibly dominant.

Hearing her words, Shen Haoran chuckled and patted her head dotingly. "It’s alright," he said softly. "Just because we can’t now doesn’t mean we can’t later. I’ll settle this score sooner or later. You, on the other hand, you really surprised me. The little girl who only knew how to cry has grown into a powerful expert!"

Shen Haoran was truly surprised. It wasn’t just because of Ji Lingxuan’s growth, but also because of the Ji Family’s power. The mere mention of their name was enough to scare Bai Zhennan from retaliating. Judging by the expressions on Long Xiaotian’s and the others’ faces, they were also deeply wary. ’I really have no idea what kind of existence this Ji Family is.’

But looking at Ji Lingxuan before him, Shen Haoran pushed his doubts aside. ’No matter how strong the Ji Family is, I will never bow my head to them. I must protect Ji Lingxuan, even if it costs me my life.’

At that moment, Ji Lingxuan was completely unaware of Shen Haoran’s thoughts. She just kept grinning foolishly at him. Looking at her now, she had no connection to the image of an ice-cold beauty whatsoever.

’It’s over. The Young Miss has completely fallen for him!’ Elder Hei watched Ji Lingxuan’s lovestruck expression, facepalming with a wry smile. Elder Bai, on the other hand, looked grim, his eyes filled with hostility toward Shen Haoran. ’Back home in the Ji Family, the Young Miss is noble, dignified, and untainted. But in front of Shen Haoran, she loses all her composure. She’s practically a doting fangirl. Her image is completely ruined!’

The Martial Artists in Central City watched Ji Lingxuan’s transformation with strange expressions. They could sense that this endearing, girlish side of her was reserved for Shen Haoran alone. If it were anyone else, they’d probably have been frozen into a popsicle by now.

"Ahem... Nephew Shen, aren’t you going to make some introductions?" Long Xiaotian said, clearing his throat as he watched the two of them flirting.

Long Xiaotian’s words brought Shen Haoran back to his senses. He was still touched by Long Xiaotian’s earlier act of protecting him. After all, Long Xiaotian had put his own clan on the line. In his heart, Shen Haoran had already come to accept him as Uncle Long.

"Uncle Long, this is Ling Xuan. Ling Xuan, this is the Clan Leader of the Demon Race’s Cyan Dragon Race, Long Xiaotian. Behind him is my brother, Long Aotian!" Shen Haoran introduced them to each other.

"Hello, Uncle Long. Hello, Senior Brother Long!" Ji Lingxuan was very perceptive. She could hear the respect in Shen Haoran’s voice for Long Xiaotian, so she immediately bowed to him as a junior would.

Long Xiaotian had originally thought that as a disciple of a Hidden World Family, Ji Lingxuan would be arrogant and ignore him. He never expected her to bow to him like a junior. This left Long Xiaotian at a loss. Judging from the aura she exuded, her status in the Ji Family was definitely not low. She could very well be the future head of the Ji Family. For her to bow to him was more than he could bear.

"Miss Ji, this bow... I can’t possibly accept it!" Long Xiaotian hurriedly dodged to the side. If the Ji Family found out their Princess had bowed to him as a junior, he probably wouldn’t live to see tomorrow.

"Uncle Long, don’t be so formal. Ling Xuan isn’t that kind of person," Shen Haoran said with a light laugh, seeing the discomfort on Long Xiaotian’s face.

"Uncle Long, since Brother Haoran calls you uncle, that makes you my uncle as well. It’s only right that I bow," Ji Lingxuan said, nodding to Long Xiaotian.

Watching the two of them acting in perfect accord, Long Xiaotian could only nod helplessly. He then looked at Shen Haoran and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. ’I really didn’t misjudge him back then. For Shen Haoran to make the Little Princess of the Ji Family follow him so willingly, his future achievements will be anything but simple.’

So Long Xiaotian accepted Ji Lingxuan’s bow, though he still felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles. Beside him, Long Aotian gave Shen Haoran a thumbs-up, his eyes filled with envy.

After they got to know each other, they discovered that Ji Lingxuan wasn’t as cold and aloof as they had imagined. On the contrary, she was very easygoing and gave off a warm feeling. The little girl, Yan Jue, immediately latched onto her, leaving Shen Haoran forgotten on the side.

"Hall Master Yao, I’m still the first-place winner for this year’s Pill Emperor competition, right? I was wondering when the reward would be distributed!" At that moment, Shen Haoran remembered something and asked Yao Wuchen.

Hearing Shen Haoran’s question, Yao Wuchen snapped back to reality and nodded. "That’s right. Come claim your prize after you’ve recovered from your injuries. You’ll have one chance to attempt the Refinement of the Wood Spirit Cyan Profound. As for the other rewards, I’ll have someone send them to you later!"

Shen Haoran let out a long sigh of relief at Yao Wuchen’s words. The Wood Spirit Cyan Profound was extremely important to him; he couldn’t give it up. ’As long as I have a chance, that’s all that matters.’

Afterward, with the support of Long Aotian and Ji Lingxuan, Shen Haoran headed toward the Cyan Dragon Race’s territory. And so, the farce finally came to a close. Peace returned to Central City, but Shen Haoran and Ji Lingxuan once again became the talk of the town...