Chapter 498: She's Not Falling for It, That's How Wildcats Are, Jiang Ruxian's True Intentions

Even her own grandfather might not be his match.

Once he set his sights on her, she could forget about ever leaving the family. Every day would be spent in a state of constant anxiety and terror.

“In my eyes, you’re far more important than Helian Wen or Huangfu Hao,” Jiang Lan said, looking at her with a faint smile.

“Don’t try to fool me with your sweet talk. I’m not falling for it.” Tantai Qing averted her gaze and pursed her lips, clearly not believing a word he said.

“Then what do you fall for?” Jiang Lan asked, still smiling.

Tantai Qing let out a soft sigh. “I never believed there could be a man in this world who could capture my heart, who I would give myself to. Not until I met you…”

“Go on,” Jiang Lan said with great interest, gesturing for her to continue.

Suddenly, Tantai Qing’s gaze turned adoring as she stared at him.

Her misty eyes overflowed with charm. She looked shy and timid, like a young maiden who had just met her beloved, her gaze filled with nothing but joy and affection.

“Jiang, I know you bullied, threatened, and coerced me at first. I hated you to the bone, so much that I wanted to eat your flesh and drink your blood. But after tonight… I find that I can’t help but fall for you. I love the sense of security I feel by your side, the feeling of being protected by you…”

“That useless Helian Wen isn’t even one-ten-thousandth of the man you are.”

“From now on, will you continue to help me, to protect me, just like you did tonight?”

“I’ll be obedient. I’ll be your woman. If you tell me to go east, I’ll never go west.” Her voice grew soft and seductive, like a pool of spring water that sent ripples through one’s heart.

“Of course, that’s no problem,” Jiang Lan replied with a smile.

“Then, Jiang, could you first promise me one thing?” Tantai Qing asked, her voice still laced with seduction.

“What is it? Tell me,” Jiang Lan said.

“Teach me… the Four Holy Spirits Divine Techniques you used earlier,” Tantai Qing said.

“I can’t do that,” Jiang Lan refused flatly.

“Then tell me, how do you control the Power of Time?” Tantai Qing demanded.

“I was born with it.”

“I don’t believe you…”

“Believe it or not.” Jiang Lan shrugged, a look of indifference on his face.

Tantai Qing’s seductive demeanor vanished. “You won’t do this, and you won’t do that!” she snarled. “Jiang Lan, I, Tantai Qing, am destined to become a Saint! And you think I’d give myself to someone like you?”

“What an ungrateful woman you are,” Jiang Lan said, watching her with amusement, not a trace of anger in his expression. “Did you forget who just helped you? Who played along with your little plan?”

“Heh,” she sneered. “Have you forgotten, Jiang Lan? That I, Tantai Qing, am ruthless, cunning, ungrateful, and only seek fame? You said so yourself. Did you really not know what kind of person I am? What’s being called ‘ungrateful’ to me?”

“If I were stronger than you right now, I wouldn’t hesitate to kill you, rip out your tendons, and flay your very soul…” Tantai Qing’s voice was dripping with cold-blooded threats.

“Do you really want to know my secrets?”

Jiang Lan held up a hand, cutting her off, seemingly unfazed by her tirade.

‘Wildcats are always like this at first,’ he thought. ‘They bare their fangs and claws, fighting for dominance. They don’t get close to people and are liable to scratch their owners. But after a bit of training, once they’re tamed, they’ll be just fine.’

“I do,” Tantai Qing said, her gaze burning, making no effort to conceal her fervent ambition.

“The Dao is not taught to the unworthy, and its secrets are not for more than two to hear. You’re standing so far away, how am I supposed to tell you?” Jiang Lan said, looking at her with a smile.

Tantai Qing stared at him, her expression wary. “I don’t want to know anymore,” she said abruptly.

The moment the words left her mouth, she shot into the air, about to transform into a streak of light and flee.

“But it’s a little too late to refuse…”

Jiang Lan reached out his hand. A surge of immense power erupted, and the Void itself seemed to blur and tremble, instantly sealing the area around them like a cage.

It was an exact repeat of the scene from moments ago, when Helian Wen had tried to flee for his life. This time, however, it was Tantai Qing who struggled to break free.

“Jiang Lan…”

“You bastard! You scumbag! You filthy animal!”

“Mmph—” she cursed furiously, only able to watch helplessly as her body flew uncontrollably toward Jiang Lan.

The night was dark and deep. A mournful sea breeze whistled past the cliffs, carrying with it a damp, misty air.

A short while later, Jiang Lan straightened his slightly wrinkled lapels and casually departed.

Tantai Qing stared up at the pitch-black firmament, her face a mask of utter despair. Finally, she shot a venomous glare in the direction Jiang Lan had departed.

“Bastard…”

She took a deep breath, her eyes as cold as ice. With slightly trembling hands, she smoothed out her disheveled hair. Only after taking a few more deep breaths did her turbulent emotions finally calm.

A moment later, she crushed a Jade Talisman in her hand. She found a flat patch of ground and sat down cross-legged, beginning to recover from the injuries she had sustained while fighting Helian Wen.

As she circulated her Cultivation Technique, wisps of black mist, like maggots clinging to bone, began to swirl over the skin of her abdomen. Soon, they followed her meridians, spreading to every corner of her body.

The healthy, rosy color on her cheeks was instantly replaced by a faint shroud of black energy.

She coughed, spitting out a mouthful of black blood that instantly corroded a pit into the rock before her.

Her entire aura rapidly weakened, and she took on the appearance of someone grievously injured.

Before long, the sound of tearing air echoed through the night sky. One after another, Divine Rainbows shot across the distance, descending toward Tantai Qing’s location.

“My Lady…”

One of the women, who was dressed as a maid, paled in shock upon seeing Tantai Qing’s face shrouded in black energy. She rushed forward to help her up.

The others fanned out, cautiously taking up positions to guard against any enemies.