Chapter 3526 — A Rendezvous with Tian Chan

"Let's go take a look before we decide anything." Wei Zhao mused for a moment. He was about to leave for Cloud Stair Island—a trip that might last a few months at the shortest, or a year or two, or longer still; there was no telling. But during his absence, many of his friends and kin would remain behind in the mortal world.

If every Tom, Dick, and Harry came looking for trouble then, Wei Zhao would truly be too far away to help. So establishing his authority before departing was, in fact, rather important.

Otherwise, some ancient sect he had barely dealt with before, or another ancient sect that knew nothing of him, might come stirring up trouble—and then things would get genuinely unpredictable.

"We set out tomorrow morning. This is a fine chance for Yunyun to gain real combat experience!" Wei Zhao said after some thought.

"Good. Then I'm coming too," Xue Li said after a moment's thought.

"Suit yourself. But once we're there, you'll have to pull your weight as a fighter—otherwise don't bother coming," Wei Zhao said with a laugh.

"Fine..." Xue Li hesitated briefly, then agreed.

People of the ancient sects did not much value human life. So long as there was a grudge, they would march right up to your door. That was why Xue Li went along too. She figured—wasn't Tang Zhi part of Feng Xiaoxiao's household as well?

Once Wei Zhao's connection was dragged in, it became Tang Zhi's affair, which made it a Snow Valley affair—and then Xue Li's striking a blow would count as legitimate self-defense.

"I'll come with you as well," Tian Chan suddenly spoke up after some thought.

"You? Coming too?" Wei Zhao was slightly taken aback. The others going made sense—they were all Feng Xiaoxiao's sisters, so going together to make trouble for the Iron Garment Sect was only natural. But under what name would Tian Chan go?

If she went as the young sect master of the Mystic Elixir Sect, that would be blowing things far out of proportion. Once the Iron Garment Sect was wiped out, it would equally saddle the Mystic Elixir Sect with a notorious reputation.

"Yes. My task is to protect these inheritors. If all of you go and I don't, Ancestor Xuanchen will say I'm not doing my duty," Tian Chan said matter-of-factly. "Wei Zhao, do you have time? Come to my room in a bit—I have something to discuss with you!"

"Oh? All right!" Wei Zhao was somewhat astonished—he hadn't expected Tian Chan to invite him of her own accord! But Wei Zhao understood in his heart that Tian Chan likely had more in mind than simply discussing something, and he didn't think he had anything worth discussing with her either.

With tomorrow's itinerary settled, everyone went back to rest. Because Xue Li and Tian Chan were present, Gu Mengyao merely glanced at Wei Zhao, pursed her lips, said nothing, and turned to leave.

Guan Xin, Xiao Jiu, and Yu Ning were the same. Xiao Shu, meanwhile, took Feng Xiaoxiao by the hand and left together with the eldest young lady. Tang Zhi was the last to go—she left alongside Xue Li, looking at Wei Zhao as though she wanted to speak but could not.

She knew Wei Zhao must have remembered what had happened before, but with Xue Li there, she had no way to say much to him.

In the end, once everyone had gone, only Tian Chan, Wang Xinyan, and Han Jingyi remained in the meeting room. Wei Zhao said to Wang Xinyan and Han Jingyi, "You two head back first. I'm going to Tian Chan's place—I'll be back soon."

"All right. I was thinking of going to see Yaoyao," Wang Xinyan said. "It's been so long since I've seen her. Jingjing and I will go over to her place!"

"That works too!" Wei Zhao nodded. Wang Xinyan, Han Jingyi, and Gu Mengyao were well acquainted—during those final days, it had been almost always the few of them together every day.

After they left, only Wei Zhao and Tian Chan remained in the meeting room.

"What did you want with me?" Wei Zhao asked, smiling at Tian Chan.

"I feel like kicking you. Is that not allowed?" Tian Chan shot him a glance. "Let me kick you once."

"Kick me where?" Wei Zhao asked.

"Where do you think?" Tian Chan smiled yet did not smile. "I'll make sure your line ends with you. Who told you to have such good luck with women?"

"Sweat." Wei Zhao was momentarily speechless. "I can heal myself."

"Can't be bothered with you." Tian Chan rose and walked out of the meeting room, then said to Wei Zhao, "Follow me."

Wei Zhao hurried after her, and together they came to Tian Chan's room at the inn—a top-grade suite of extreme luxury, far finer than Wei Zhao's own. It seemed Tian Chan's treatment was indeed different. "Your room really is nice."

"Want to move in?" Tian Chan asked.

"Sleep with you?" Wei Zhao countered.

"It's not as if we haven't slept together before," Tian Chan said. "I know exactly what you're thinking. So filthy!"

"How am I filthy... it's you who's thinking filthy thoughts, isn't it?" Wei Zhao, having been obliquely mocked by Tian Chan several times, felt rather helpless.

"I hear you can refine quite a few Qi Gathering Pills?" Tian Chan asked.

"Yes," Wei Zhao nodded.

"Then... refine some for my younger brother when the time comes. Once he advances to the heaven-rank great perfection, I can set off for Cloud Stair Island with peace of mind. Even if... I don't come back, it won't matter..." Tian Chan said.

"Hm? What do you mean by that?" Wei Zhao was slightly startled, then somewhat delighted. Though Tian Chan had not stated anything explicitly, that attitude already said plenty.

"We'll talk about it when the time comes," Tian Chan said, shaking her head. "I haven't decided yet. You know I used to be the Silkworm Transformation—my temperament is very forceful. I'm afraid that when the time comes, I won't be able to stop myself from killing Gu Mengyao and the others."

"..." Wei Zhao was caught between laughter and tears. "We're all heaven-rank great perfection—they're not so easy to kill. You think you're me..."

"Who knows? Maybe I'll be the first to advance to the heavenly way?" Tian Chan said.

"All right then." Wei Zhao shrugged. "Let's set that aside for now. Was this what you wanted to see me about?"

"Yes," Tian Chan nodded.

"Then I'll head back first?" Wei Zhao was eager to return and forge his heaven-rank divine weapons—the materials were all in place now, so naturally he could get to work.

"There's more..." Tian Chan called him back.

"What is it?" Wei Zhao looked at Tian Chan.

"Give me a hug. It's been a long time since we've hugged," Tian Chan said suddenly.

"Ah? All right..." Since Tian Chan had said so herself, Wei Zhao naturally would not stand on ceremony.

It was probably because Tian Chan had gone to the Five Baleful Mountains once more and been stirred by the scene, and only after returning had she been filled with so many thoughts and made such a decision.

Wei Zhao gently held Tian Chan, without taking any liberties with her—just as it had been back at the Five Baleful Mountains.

Actually, given the present circumstances, it could already be considered taking liberties with Tian Chan.

After a while, Tian Chan was the one who pushed Wei Zhao away. "All right, go on back. I'm fine now. Let me have some quiet."

"All right," Wei Zhao nodded.

"You're not allowed to tell anyone about our relationship! Understood?" Tian Chan glared at Wei Zhao. "Otherwise, I'll kick you!"

"Haha, all right." Wei Zhao agreed with a smile. RS