Chapter 520: Lin Ruowei's Whereabouts

In the end, the White Tiger Tribe’s clansmen couldn’t convince Qing Lian.

They had no choice but to leave, taking the Wolf Demon’s corpse and the subdued, ponytailed woman with them.

Only Qing Lian and Ye Chen remained.

“You’d better behave. Once I get back, I’ll take my sweet time dealing with you.”

Before parting ways with her clansmen, Qing Lian didn’t forget to threaten the ponytailed woman.

“Hmph!”

The ponytailed woman shot Qing Lian a death glare, her eyes simmering with frustration and hatred. “You’d all better watch your necks!”

“When my clan realizes I haven’t returned, they’ll come for me, sooner or later! They’ll storm your gates to save me!!!”

“Do you think you can withstand my clan’s assault?”

“That’s not for you to worry about,” Qing Lian said with a faint smile.

After her clansmen from the White Tiger Tribe departed, Qing Lian turned to Ye Chen. “Ye Chen, we should get going.”

Ye Chen glanced at Qing Lian, the hint of a smile playing on his lips. “I think I’m starting to understand why you volunteered to stay and accompany me to Jade Crane Mountain.”

It was obvious. Having lost the protection of the Liuyue Sect, the White Tiger Tribe stood no chance if the Luo Race decided to launch a ruthless, all-out assault.

Today’s incident made it clear the other side was ready to drop all pretenses. The crisis could erupt at any moment, and the White Tiger Tribe had to prepare for the worst.

Naturally, the only solution Qing Lian could envision involved Ye Chen.

If Ye Chen were there to watch over the White Tiger Tribe, the threat from the Luo Race would be significantly diminished.

Furthermore, if Ye Chen awakened the White Tiger Totem, her entire tribe would benefit. Their cultivation levels would gradually increase, and they would be better equipped to face the Luo Race.

Ultimately, Qing Lian was staying to help Ye Chen not only to repay a debt of gratitude but also to secure her tribe’s future.

Only by helping Ye Chen resolve the Vermilion Bird Tribe’s crisis could she bring him back to awaken the power of the White Tiger Totem.

In just half a day, Qing Lian had considered so many angles. Even Ye Chen couldn’t help but marvel. ‘This young woman’s mind is incredibly sharp, both meticulous and comprehensive.’

Little did she know that Ye Chen had shocked her even more.

‘I never imagined he’d see right through me. His insight is just as astonishing as his combat prowess!’

“Whatever my motives are, by staying I can at least offer you support. And I can help you find your people more easily, can’t I?”

Qing Lian smiled.

Ye Chen said nothing more.

The two walked side-by-side, heading toward Jade Crane Mountain.

Jade Crane Mountain was nestled in a desolate, untamed mountain range. The surrounding landscape was harsh and unforgiving, with virtually no signs of civilization.

Perhaps only a few bands of roving bandits would dare to hide in the vicinity.

According to the old Priest, the ore vein was located halfway up Jade Crane Mountain.

Jade Crane Mountain was tall, but it was nothing compared to Kunlun Mountain.

At Ye Chen’s current pace, he should be able to reach the halfway point in less than two hours.

All along the way, Qing Lian remained vigilant, carefully observing their surroundings.

While wary of the dangers lurking in the forest, she still found occasion to speak with Ye Chen.

“Speaking of which, when you first appeared outside the Vermilion Bird Tribe’s gates, you seemed to be extremely seriously injured, and even lost your memory.”

“I’m very curious, have you remembered things from your past yet?”

Qing Lian asked.

“Me?”

Ye Chen paused for a moment, then replied casually, “More or less.”

“Then do you still plan to stay in the Vermilion Bird Tribe in the future?”

Qing Lian’s eyes flickered, her captivating gaze fixed on Ye Chen.

She clearly realized that Ye Chen’s origins were likely quite extraordinary.

‘With his background, he won’t necessarily stay in this wilderness once his injuries have healed.’

“I won’t.”

Ye Chen didn’t evade the question. He answered decisively, “I’ll leave as soon as my injuries are healed.”

“But you’re already Miss Qiyun’s husband.”

“I hear she’s taken great care of you these last two months,”

Qing Lian said.

Ye Chen fell silent.

‘This was, without a doubt, a thorny issue for him.’

Even though he and Lin Qiyun were strangers to each other, she genuinely treated him as her partner for life.

It was as if she had resigned herself to her fate, believing that the rest of her life would continue just as it was, without the slightest change.

But who could have expected that with Ye Chen’s complete recovery, her life would be turned upside down?

The old Priest had even publicly declared his support for her to become the Clan Leader!

This undoubtedly made Lin Qiyun realize how extraordinary Ye Chen was.

She must have realized long ago that she could never hold on to a man like Ye Chen.

“I will help her take the Clan Leader’s position.”

“Only after everything has settled down will I leave,”

Ye Chen said calmly.

“Help her become the Clan Leader? With your abilities, that really wouldn’t be difficult.”

“Of course, that’s only if Lin Ruowei hasn’t already gone to the Profound Wind Pavilion!”

“Once Lin Ruowei gets the support of the Profound Wind Pavilion, it won’t be so easy for you to challenge her claim to the Clan Leader position.”

Qing Lian shook her head, revealing a startling piece of intelligence.

“The Profound Wind Pavilion?”

“Who are they? And what do they have to do with Lin Ruowei?”

Ye Chen’s brow furrowed slightly.

“It seems you don’t know.”

Qing Lian explained, “Lin Ruowei has been away for some time, hasn’t she?”

“That’s right. She still hasn’t returned,” Ye Chen nodded.

“That’s because she went to the Profound Wind Pavilion!”

Qing Lian stated flatly, “She’s an incredibly ambitious woman. She wants to arrange a marriage with the son of the Profound Wind Pavilion Master, using their power to solidify her own rule.”

“She even wants to boost the Vermilion Bird Tribe’s status, allowing it to break free from the Celestial Mountain Sect’s control in the future!”

“A marriage alliance?!” This was the first Ye Chen was hearing of it. “You don’t mean she’s the one getting married?”

“Of course!” Qing Lian glanced at Ye Chen. “She’s trying to marry up, into the Profound Wind Pavilion!”

“Once she’s the daughter-in-law of the Pavilion Master, her status will skyrocket. No one will dare to cross her!”

“All this to say, if you want to help Miss Qiyun secure the position of Clan Leader, it’s not going to be a smooth ride.”

Ye Chen’s eyes narrowed. He realized he had underestimated the situation.

If Qing Lian hadn’t told him these things, he would have never imagined that Lin Ruowei had already gone this far.

‘I thought getting the old Priest’s support would be enough to put Lin Qiyun in the Clan Leader’s seat.’

‘But now the Celestial Mountain Sect is stirring up trouble, and if Lin Ruowei manages to secure the Profound Wind Pavilion’s backing at this very moment…’

‘…then things are going to get much more complicated!’