Chapter 116: You Really Won’t Give Me One Last Chance?

Chapter 116: Really Not Giving Me One Last Chance?

Yan Huaixuan held him tightly.

As if trying to press him into his very bones.

When Yan Huaixuan's hand squeezed and kneaded his buttocks, Shen Lian finally snapped back to reality. He raised his hand to hit Yan Huaixuan, "Did you get possessed?"

This time, Yan Huaixuan didn't dodge, just stared at Shen Lian.

But Shen Lian's hand froze mid-air, unable to come down no matter what. In the end, he could only forcefully push Yan Huaixuan away. When the two separated,

Shen Lian could even see a thin silver thread trail through the air, the other end still connected to Yan Huaixuan's stoic, cold face.

The contrast was so striking that no one could look away.

Shen Lian shook himself out of it, wiping his lips roughly.

He shot Yan Huaixuan a glare, "Are you the inner demon now, or are you Yan Huaixuan?"

Yan Huaixuan said, "So what if I'm Yan Huaixuan? So what if I'm the inner demon?"

Shen Lian... actually, he didn't know either.

He just wasn't used to the current Yan Huaixuan, nor was he used to the person he was right now.

It felt like he was betraying his own past.

Seeing the look on his face, Yan Huaixuan said in a low voice, "Shen Lian, are you really not going to give me a chance? This is the last time I'm asking."

Shen Lian pressed his lips into a thin line, not speaking.

Truth be told, even Shen Lian himself didn't know what he was thinking.

Yan Huaixuan's gaze flickered. As Shen Lian remained silent, the light in his eyes dimmed little by little.

But Yan Huaixuan didn't say anything more, just said, "It's fine for you to stay at the Tianheng Sect."

Hearing this, Shen Lian's brow furrowed, "Yan Huaixuan, what do you mean?"

"You're not planning to bring me along?"

Yan Huaixuan said, "It's not the right time yet."

"Don't make decisions for me, Yan Huaixuan. I want to go back to Floating Cloud City."

"There's no difference between Floating Cloud City and the Tianheng Sect anymore. The demon clan's power is growing stronger and stronger. Soon their Demon God is going to appear."

"When that time comes, the entire Taichu Realm will have to join forces. You're just getting here a bit early."

Shen Lian fell silent.

He knew Yan Huaixuan was right, actually.

At this rate, if the major sects didn't wake up and keep fighting each other, they might as well be waiting for their doom.

"And what about you?"

Shen Lian looked at Yan Huaixuan, "Why is the Tianheng Sect after you?"

"Don't you already know? You know I'm the Savior. Naturally, some in the Tianheng Sect know it too."

"But you have an inner demon inside you right now. Will the people of the Tianheng Sect still trust you?" Shen Lian stared at Yan Huaixuan.

Back in the Lost Snow Domain, the person devoured by the inner demon had left a deep impression on Shen Lian.

That demon cultivator was reduced to such a state that, in the end, death was his release.

And Yan Huaixuan?

"I told you, you don't need to worry about this."

"How can I not worry?!" Shen Lian cut him off, looking him dead in the eye, "Your inner demon, it's actually because of..."

His voice was shaking a little.

Before he could finish, Yan Huaixuan cut him off. "No."

Shen Lian froze, looking up at Yan Huaixuan.

"Don't worry about this," Yan Huaixuan gave a slight nod, "Ninety-nine strikes of Heavenly Thunder couldn't harm me. Do you really think an inner demon can affect me?"

With that, Yan Huaixuan fixed his gaze on Shen Lian, "I've told you before—whatever you want, I'll give it to you."

"If you want the whole Taichu Realm to be safe, I'll make that happen too."

At that, Shen Lian's throat tightened, "Yan Huaixuan—"

Yan Huaixuan brushed his fingertip over Shen Lian's lips, silencing him, "Get some rest now."

With that, Yan Huaixuan vanished.

Shen Lian watched him leave, and for some reason, a feeling welled up in his chest.

As if something was about to slip away.

He reached out hastily, "Yan Huaixuan!"

But there was no answer.

Shen Lian sat at the table.

His head was splitting, and his heart was a tangled mess.

Chen Xue said softly, trying to comfort him, "Master."

Shen Lian felt like he was missing something.

But what?

And why did Yan Huaixuan say all that vague stuff?

He'd wait for Yan Huaixuan to come back and ask again.

But Shen Lian waited and waited, and Yan Huaixuan never showed. One day, two days—he never saw any sign of him again.

Shen Lian had no choice but to call for Xie Ren.

"Let's work together."

Over the past few days, Xie Ren had come by to check on Shen Lian, but Shen Lian had brushed him off every time.

Now that Shen Lian had finally caved and agreed to hand over the pills, Xie Ren was somewhat surprised, though his face stayed completely blank. "Glad you finally came to your senses."

Shen Lian shot back coldly, "But you can't keep restricting me."

At that, Xie Ren's brow furrowed before he could stop it.

"You've already captured He Ci and Kong Yun—are you still scared I'll bolt?"

Shen Lian scoffed, "If we're gonna work together, then show some good faith."

Xie Ren held his gaze for a long beat, then said, "I believe you're just like me."

"I'll lift the barriers around your palace."

Shen Lian then asked, "Why are you after Yan Huaixuan?"

Xie Ren stopped mid-turn, "That's none of your business."

Shen Lian tried to say more, but Xie Ren was already gone.

Shen Lian went to check on He Ci and Kong Yun—they'd mostly recovered by then.

But they still couldn't get out.

From behind the barrier, Shen Lian told He Ci not to worry and passed along word about He Ling: "Floating Cloud City is doing just fine."

"That's good to hear."

"Don't worry—they'll let you out in a few days."

"Okay, we're not worried. A Lian, you look after yourself too."

Shen Lian nodded. He handed Xie Ren a batch of pills that had been meant for Floating Cloud City, then got ready to use a magic artifact to track down Yan Huaixuan.

But the second Shen Lian made his move, Yan Huaixuan showed up.

The moment he saw Yan Huaixuan, Shen Lian ran over and grabbed his hand.

"Yan Huaixuan, are you hiding something from me?"

"No," Yan Huaixuan pulled him into an embrace, "Why are you so fired up?"

"Bullshit. If you're not hiding something, then why did you say all that weird stuff that day?"

It felt like... like he was saying goodbye for good.

Yan Huaixuan raised an eyebrow, "What weird stuff did I say? All I remember is that the last time I asked if you'd give me another chance, you said no."

Shen Lian pursed his lips, "I'm talking about what came after! You kept changing the subject—what did you mean by saying you'd give me peace in the Primordial Realm, that whatever I wanted, you'd give it to me? What does that mean?"

Why did it stir such unease in his heart every time he heard it?

"Tell me, is it because of your inner demon?"

Yan Huaixuan let out a sigh, "Actually, I've already found a way to rid myself of my inner demon."

Shen Lian froze, "What?"

"Do you remember? The Forgotten Snow Domain was born from a stone of extreme yin and yang. If I can find that stone, I can completely sever my inner demon."

Shen Lian's eyes widened, "Are you telling the truth?"