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Chapter 119: Proposal
Upon seeing Yao Chen, Yun Ying sized her up and then exclaimed in surprise, "Hoo~~~ A soul at the mid-stage of the Heavenly Realm, that's really rare."
Yun Ying said, narrowing her eyes slightly. "By the way, I feel like I've seen you somewhere before. Where was it?"
Yun Ying seemed to be a little troubled as she tapped her brow, and her casual movement was so beautiful it left one spellbound.
After a while, Yun Ying suddenly raised her head with a look of realization.
"Ah~ right, now I remember~" Yun Ying looked excited as she gazed at Yao Chen in midair. "You're the one called the continent's number one alchemist, Yao Chen, aren't you?"
The continent's number one alchemist?
Trapped in place and unable to move, Xiao Yan looked at the illusory figure of Yao Chen with shock.
Although he had suspected Yao Chen was a formidable alchemist, he didn't expect her to be this powerful!
"Just a reputation," Yao Chen said indifferently, her tone very serious, completely at odds with her usual elusive personality.
"You're too modest~ Your name is so famous that it even reached my ears. The younger generation in my family mentions it to me every day, and I'm almost tired of hearing it. I was about to go check out what kind of person you were, but then you disappeared. That really disappointed me back then," Yun Ying said, staring at Yao Chen with a smile that was not a smile, one so beautiful it could stun the world. "But now, I feel honored to finally see you."
Her words were filled with respect, but her tone was dismissive.
Clearly, even though Yun Ying praised Yao Chen, she didn't think highly of her in her heart.
Yun Ying's gaze turned back to Xiao Yan.
Compared to the continent's number one alchemist Yao Chen, Yun Ying seemed more interested in the small Dou Shi in front of her.
Yun Ying suddenly thought of something, her brows furrowing slightly.
By the way, Xiao Yan, is that a surname from the Xiao family?
Yun Ying murmured to herself, then pointed at Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan immediately noticed and, although still unable to move, could speak again. He immediately said to Yun Ying.
"Senior Yun! If you came to kill this junior, I am willing to accept death! But this has nothing to do with Senior Yao."
"Shh~ Shh~~~" Yun Ying raised her finger to her lips again. "Answer what I ask, nothing more, okay?"
It seemed Yun Ying was asking for Xiao Yan's opinion quite sincerely.
But the tone was filled with undeniable authority.
Xiao Yan instinctively felt that if his answer displeased Yun Ying, both he and Yao Chen would die here!
At this moment, Yao Chen also spoke up.
"Xiao Yan, answer her questions honestly, just speak the truth," Yao Chen said, looking at Xiao Yan with helplessness in her eyes. "We don't have a choice now."
"…Understood."
Xiao Yan clenched his teeth in frustration.
There was no room for resistance. This was the first time he had encountered such a situation.
Not only was his life threatened, but the life of his respected teacher was also at risk!
At that moment, Xiao Yan longed for power more than ever before.
Meanwhile, his hatred for the law of the jungle grew even deeper!
Xiao Yan gently closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then turned his gaze toward Yun Ying.
"Senior, please ask. As long as this junior knows the answer, I will speak the truth."
"Hmm~~~ Actually, there's nothing much. I just have one question," Yun Ying said, looking at Xiao Yan. "Have you ever heard of Xiao Xuan?"
Xiao Xuan?
Hearing the unfamiliar name, Yao Chen was slightly stunned and began thinking deeply.
In the distant past, she seemed to have heard someone mention that name.
Xiao Yan, on the other hand, furrowed his brows tightly, trying to recall.
After a long while, Xiao Yan truthfully replied to Yun Ying.
"Senior, this name, this junior has never heard of it."
"Is that so? That person really is pitiful, though with so many families with the surname Xiao, it's not surprising that you might not be related."
Yun Ying murmured, then waved her hand. Xiao Yan once again found himself unable to speak. Yun Ying then turned her gaze to Yao Chen.
"So, what will you do next?" Yun Ying asked, her hand behind her back while the other gently tapped her flawless white chin, as if in deep thought. "A soul at the mid-Heavenly Realm, even among the useless people of the Yao family, there are very few who can reach that level. It's a bit of a waste to let you go like this."
At this point, Yun Ying couldn't help but laugh, shrugging her shoulders as she spoke with disdain.
"By the way, the Yao family really lives up to its name. They can expel someone like you, a genius, from their family. To call them useless is really flattering. Don't you hold any grudges against them?"
"Past matters are best left unspoken," Yao Chen said indifferently, her eyes fixed on Yun Ying, the woman who could freely decide the life and death of both her and Xiao Yan. "I have a proposal. Would you be willing to accept it?"
"A proposal with me? You, a soul?"
Yun Ying was surprised by Yao Chen's words, and there was a hint of contempt in her gaze.
Yao Chen didn't mind Yun Ying's scorn and continued.
"I'm willing to go with you. After that, you can kill or torture me as you wish," Yao Chen said, glancing at Xiao Yan. "But the condition is, let him go. Otherwise, even if I have to burn my soul, I will bite you hard."
!!!
Upon hearing Yao Chen's words, Xiao Yan immediately panicked, struggling violently, though he couldn't make a sound.
Looking at Xiao Yan's struggles, Yao Chen's ruby-red eyes revealed a deep sense of gratification.
She hadn't misjudged this person.
For Yao Chen, that was already enough.
Xiao Yan's significance to this world was far greater than her own—this was a truth Yao Chen had already confirmed in her heart.
To exchange her life for Xiao Yan's was the most valuable thing Yao Chen had ever done in her life, without a doubt.
"Hoo~ Willing to sacrifice yourself to save this young man's life?" Yun Ying asked, slightly surprised, and then asked casually, "Your life is far more valuable than his. Is it really worth it?"
To Yun Ying's question, Yao Chen did not hesitate at all in her response.
"My life is insignificant compared to his."
"Hum~~~"
Upon hearing Yao Chen's resolute answer, Yun Ying fell silent for a moment before looking back at Xiao Yan.
Yao Chen, a Dou Zun peak expert with the title of the continent's number one alchemist, was willing to sacrifice her life for a mere Dou Shi.
This was truly unheard of.
What was it about Xiao Yan that made Yao Chen so willing to die for him?
"Very well, you've successfully piqued my interest in this young man."
Yun Ying smiled lightly and raised her hand, her finger gently tapping Xiao Yan's forehead.
"I have a new idea~"
After that, Xiao Yan felt the world go dark before he lost consciousness.
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End of chapter