âElder Zhen Junior, the Crimsonwaters group will set out in three days,â stated Han Shuang.
Jiang Chen nodded. âAlright, Iâll take you to the secret realm before we depart.â
âAre you sure about this?â The sectmistress was still somewhat concerned.
âA hundred percent sure. No oneâs going to stop me. Not even Godking Crimsonwaters himself,â Jiang Chen declared boldly.
âNot even the godking himself?â
âThatâs right.â Jiang Chen didnât even hesitate.
âAlright. Iâve come up with an excuse. Just tell the others Iâve shut myself in after something went wrong during my cultivation. Youâll lead the Fiendstar Sect to the conference in my stead.â Han Shuangâs tone was somber. She was reluctant to bid Jiang Chen farewell.
Jiang Chen didnât know what the godking commanding Han Shuang had given her to help her survive, it would be extremely dangerous to enter the volcano to destroy one of the five spirit veins.
Although he was reluctant to let Han Shuang shoulder that responsibility on her own, there was no alternative. Heâd like to take her place if possible, but he had more important things to do.
After some deliberation, Jiang Chen took out the ferule. âBefore we part ways, Sectmistress Han, I have something for you. This is the Measure of Heaven, a spatial treasure that will allow you to travel through subspace, ignoring all laws of physics. It should be of help once you enter the more dangerous regions.â
Han Shuang stared at the ferule in surprise. The energy radiating from it was astounding. âThis is at least godking rank, isnât it?â
Jiang Chen hadnât assessed its rank before. However, nothing his father gave him was going to be mediocre. âI havenât paid attention to that, but it will be of help.â
âAlright!â Han Shuang said easily. âThen Iâll accept your gift. Weâll meet here the night before your departure, Elder Zhen.â
......
With a faint sigh, Jiang Huan walked out of the shadows. âWhat a moving farewell. To be honest, I thought the sectmistress was a ruthless black widow when I first saw her. It seems that Iâve misjudged completely. Sheâs a heroine with a backbone and a big heart. What a perfect woman. If you werenât married, young lord, Iâd recommend you take her.â
âNonsense.â Jiang Chen rolled his eyes.
âHaha, donât dismiss the idea so quickly, young lord. Iâm not blind. Although youâve kept her at armâs length, I can tell you admire and care about her. Why would you give her the ferule otherwise?â
âI gave her fatherâs treasure to help her save him. Thatâs the way it should be.â
Jiang Huan sighed. âFine. Find all the excuses you want. Iâm not going to change my tune. Sectmistress Han is a good woman. Perhaps His Majesty will see her as a good daughter-in-law when they meet as well.â
Jiang Chen shook his head and silently waved a dismissive hand.
âAlright, Iâll stop.â The retainer smiled. âYouâve finished assimilating your bloodlines, young lord. Youâre one step away from breaking through to godking, arenât you?â
âThatâs right,â Jiang Chen responded confidently. âI can cross the threshold anytime.â
âDonât do it now. Wait until you arrive at the godking conference. Otherwise, the creation token will be exposed and our plans will fall apart.â
Jiang Chen nodded. âI know.â
âItâs been hundreds of thousands of years! The day is finally approaching. Youâve waited too long, Your Majesty. How are you doing after this long solitude?â
Jiang Chenâs eyes turned red. His father must have suffered unimaginable pain during his long years of imprisonment in the Divine Prison of Eternity. However, that was all in the past. Change was on the horizon!
Three days flew by. The Fiendstar Sect was instructed to gather in the godking manor tomorrow morning and depart for the conference in the Taiyuan Realm. There, theyâll be meeting the current celestial emperor.
It was a beautiful night. Even the moon seemed melancholy about the impending departure.
âAre we going now, Elder Zhen?â Han Shuang appeared before Jiang Chen, graceful as ever.
âHave you refined the Measure of Heaven?â
âI have.â
âGood! Letâs go then. Apologies for any discomfort I may cause you, Sectmistress.â Jiang Chen picked Han Shuang up and vanished in a flash of light.
In no time, he closed the distance to the forbidden grounds of the Heavenly Crimson Lake. The place was heavily guarded, but that didnât even delay him. It didnât take long for him to enter the lake and sneak further inside. They encountered no challenges on their way. Not even the slightest scuffle.
Han Shuang went boneless in Jiang Chenâs arms, surrounded by Jiang Chenâs masculine scent. Her heart had never pounded so hard before.
She might appear like an easy woman, but this was the first time sheâd been held so tightly by a man. She was also born sensitive to touches. Even the dangerous surroundings didnât stop her from getting lightheaded.
She couldnât tell how long itâd been before Jiang Chenâs voice sounded by her ear. âWeâre here, Sectmistress. This subordinate has fulfilled my duty!â
She opened her eyes with some reluctance.
Everything in her sight was red. Once Jiang Chen retracted his power, the endless waves of heat surged and threatened to devour them.
âAre we at the right place, Sectmistress?â
Han Shuangâs beautiful eyes shone with excitement. âWe are. This entrance leads directly to the heart of the volcano.â
Jiang Chen nodded. âUnderstood!â
âHow did you do it?â Han Shuang could hardly believe her eyes.
âHaha, I told you I could help you. Remember to use the Measure of Heaven when the situation calls for it!â
âI may not survive this trip, Elder Zhen. Are you really that worried about me exposing your secrets?â
Jiang Chen smiled. âDonât worry. The ferule will keep you alive.â
âIs it really that impressive?â Han Shuang said with a pout. âI donât believe it.â
âYou should. Itâs handmade by the Celestial Emperor himself.â
âThe celestial emperor?â Han Shuang perked up. âWhich one?â
âThe one youâre trying to save. Alright, Sectmistress. This is where we part ways. We both have our missions. Perhaps weâll see each other again in the near future.â
Han Shuang stared at Jiang Chen in shock. Gradually, her gaze softened. She murmured to herself, âAlright, I get it.â
As the young man turned to leave, she called out to him, âWait.â
Jiang Chen stopped in his tracks. âYes?â
Han Shuang opened her mouth to say something, but swallowed her words. She waved a hand with a rueful smile. âNothing. Just be careful. Whatever your goal is, you have my blessings. I hope you succeed!â