Chapter 12: A Gracious Welcome to Young Master Ye's Arrival

After a sudden wave of intense dizziness swept over her, Ling’er’s consciousness gradually cleared. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself in a completely unfamiliar place.

There was the sun, a stream, dense forests, and mountains all around. Although called a secret realm, it was essentially a small world scattered within fragments of time and space.

For Ling’er, entering such a realm for the first time, it was quite astonishing.

“So this is what a secret realm looks like. I thought it would all be ruins and decay,” she murmured.

“Everything here seems peaceful; it doesn’t look dangerous at all.”

She had initially worried about falling into some unknown peril, but now it seemed she had overthought it.

“Younger sister Ling’er, rest assured. With me here, no harm will come to you,” Lin Yi said confidently, patting his chest.

“Besides, there are so many like-minded companions here!” he added.

Those around him immediately voiced their agreement.

“Brother Lin is right!”

“Even if there are dangers in this realm, we will stand as an unbreakable wall of flesh and blood to protect the fairy!”

“Fairy, you can rest under this wall with peace of mind and be safe!”

“That’s right! We are all willing to follow the fairy!”

Their flattering words spilled out freely from the disciples of various sects, all aimed at drawing Ling’er’s attention.

In their eyes, currying favor with Ling’er was equivalent to aligning with the Lingxiao Sect. With the protection of the Lingxiao Sect, they could dominate the entire Northwest Territory.

Watching their obsequious behavior, Lin Yi knew the time was ripe.

He quietly tugged on Ling’er’s sleeve and whispered in her ear, “Younger sister Ling’er, everyone values you now. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we must make good use of it.”

Though Ling’er was usually not very clever—even foolish, judging by her fallout with Ye Fan—in matters like this, she understood quickly.

“Thank you all for your kindness. I, a humble girl, am deeply honored,” Ling’er said graciously.

“I know everyone here seeks their own opportunities in this secret realm, and my brother and I are no exception.”

“As the daughter of the Head of the Hanling Sect and fiancée of Ye Fan, the young sect leader of the Lingxiao Sect, I have indeed come this time on an important mission.”

“As you all know, since the passing of our ancestor, the Hanling Sect’s strength has waned.”

“Therefore, my father wishes to seize this chance of the secret realm’s opening to find some opportunities to restore our sect’s former glory.”

“This heavy task has been entrusted to my brother and me, but my talents are mediocre, and I fear I might disappoint everyone.”

“I sincerely hope for your support. I will be eternally grateful, and once our sect is revitalized, Ye Fan and I will reward you handsomely!”

Ling’er’s meaning was crystal clear—she hoped that after they gathered treasures, these people would present them to her.

By repeatedly mentioning Ye Fan, she also reminded them constantly that she was the fiancée of the Lingxiao Sect’s young sect leader.

In the entire Northwest Territory, this status carried immense weight and influence.

“Fairy Chu, you honor us with your words,” one said.

“To risk yourself for the rise of your sect shows a spirit that moves us all.”

“As the saying goes, when one part is in trouble, all come to help. The great sects of the Northwest Territory share a bond like branches from the same root.”

“Fairy, rest assured—the fate of the Hanling Sect is our fate.”

“Brothers, listen well. We will now split up to seek opportunities. Whoever finds rare treasures should willingly give them to the fairy.”

“If I find anyone hiding anything, don’t blame the Qingyun Sect for showing no mercy!”

“Indeed! The Divine Blade Sect agrees. We must do our utmost to help the Hanling Sect rise!”

“The secret realm is only open for three days. After three days, we will regroup here.”

“I remind you all again—don’t keep anything to yourselves!”

“Alright, no time to waste. Let’s set off separately.”

Ling’er was very pleased with their attitudes and felt immensely proud.

Three days! After three days, she would completely turn her fortunes around!

Then she would possess countless resources. With Lin Yi’s talent, a bit of cultivation would easily let him surpass Ye Fan.

In her mind, she repeatedly imagined Ye Fan kneeling in defeat, and a dark satisfaction welled up within her.

However, just as those sect disciples prepared to set off, a figure passed through the swirling valley and arrived.

The aura of a Nascent Soul cultivator immediately drew everyone’s attention.

They looked up to see Ye Fan standing in midair, hands behind his back, his posture regal and imposing.

In truth, he had already arrived at Mount Qi long ago but had deliberately concealed his presence.

He had witnessed everything that had transpired.

The reason he had not appeared earlier was to expose the true faces of this treacherous couple at their moment of pride and give them a harsh blow to their egos.

“Isn’t that Young Sect Leader Ye?” someone whispered.

“Yes! It’s Young Sect Leader Ye himself. I didn’t expect him to personally come this time!”

“Hmph! We should have guessed earlier—if Fairy Chu came, Young Sect Leader Ye would certainly come too!”

After all, Ye Fan had been widely regarded as a devoted fool for Ling’er.

Of course, no one dared say this aloud to Ye Fan’s face, but everyone thought it privately.

This time, Ye Fan must have come chasing after Ling’er.

Otherwise, with his status, there would be no need for him to personally investigate this secret realm.

“We welcome Young Sect Leader Ye’s arrival!” Those who had just been fawning over Ling’er now all turned to greet Ye Fan with bows.

The disciple surnamed Fang from the Qingyun Sect was the first to approach with a smile.

“Ah, Young Master Ye, sorry for not welcoming you properly before!”

“But rest assured, under our protection, Fairy Chu has safely entered the secret realm!”

“Exactly! We were just saying that we plan to give all the rare treasures found here in the secret realm to Fairy Chu as a token of our goodwill.”

“The rare treasures here are beyond the reach of us mere mortals; only you and Fairy Chu are worthy.”

...

One after another, they flattered Ye Fan, almost as if they were about to worship him.

Yet none of them noticed that Ling’er and Lin Yi’s faces had turned ashen—worse than death.

Especially Ling’er, all her carefully laid plans shattered with Ye Fan’s arrival.

Her delicate body trembled slightly. She could not understand why Ye Fan always opposed her.

From the void, Ye Fan glanced disdainfully at the treacherous couple, then spoke bluntly to the crowd:

“The Hanling Sect has already exhausted its strength and is on the verge of being struck from the records in the Northwest Territory.”

“You all care so much for the Hanling Sect. Can they repay your kindness?”