Chapter 85

"Really? Senior Sister, are you really telling the truth?" Xia Yuanba, who had been deeply anxious, suddenly brightened up at Lan Xueruo's words, shouting with great excitement. It was as if he had suddenly grabbed a lifeline in the midst of despair.

"Senior Sister has never lied to you." Lan Xueruo smiled. "Fortunately, Lord Qin didn't immediately hand you over but fought for ten days for you. Otherwise, even if I had a way, it would have been impossible to make it in time."

"Great!" Xia Yuanba's face turned red with excitement, and he winced in pain as he touched his internal injuries.

Yun Che looked at Lan Xueruo in surprise for a while, then smiled ambiguously: "Senior Sister Xueruo, you're so good to me. Could it be... you have a crush on me? Although I know my appearance is perfect among men, I also really like Senior Sister Xueruo, but I am already married. Does Senior Sister Xueruo really not mind at all?"

"Mind your own business!" Lan Xueruo couldn't help but laugh and pout. "I, Lan Xueruo, am not interested in a younger, already married little brother! I'm helping you simply because I'm your senior and it's convenient for me."

"Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh!" Xia Yuanba nodded vigorously, speaking sincerely: "Senior Sister Xueruo has always been like this, especially gentle and caring to everyone. When I first arrived at the New Moon Profound Mansion, I didn't know anyone, and with my weak profound strength, I was placed in the first class, facing a lot of criticism and ridicule. It was Senior Sister Xueruo who gave me a lot of care. She is the gentlest and kindest person I have ever met."

Every time Xia Yuanba mentioned Lan Xueruo, his eyes would sparkle, and his face would be full of affection and admiration, almost treating her as a perfect goddess. Lan Xueruo indeed had such a gentle and charming temperament and personality.

"Of course." Yun Che nodded in agreement. "Senior Sister Xueruo is so beautiful; she must be an angel from heaven, which is why she is so gentle and kind... However, Senior Sister, you really don't consider someone younger and already married at all? Actually, younger and already married men have many advantages that many single uncles will never have, such as..."

"Within ten days, do you want to go back to the Cangfeng Imperial City with me?" Lan Xueruo couldn't bear to listen anymore and pretended to frown.

"Yes, yes, yes, yes! Of course, I do!" Yun Che hadn't even answered when Xia Yuanba had already nodded frantically, afraid that Lan Xueruo would change her mind. Originally, Xia Yuanba was deeply worried that Yun Che had no way to escape this disaster, but Lan Xueruo's proposal was like a pleasant surprise from the sky. He would do anything to hold on to it tightly.

Yun Che, however, thought for a moment and said cautiously: "Senior Sister, I am very grateful for your kindness. However, the trouble I caused might involve the main branch of the Xiao Clan. If Senior Sister takes me away and they insist on pursuing it... I don't want to involve Senior Sister and your family."

Lan Xueruo smiled and said: "You are considerate to think of Senior Sister. However, since I dared to help you escape from the New Moon City, I have enough confidence not to get myself into trouble. You can rest assured; I wouldn't be foolish enough to risk my and my family's lives."

"Although the people from the Xiao Clan have left, there are definitely still people watching outside the door. If you go out, you might fall into their hands immediately. So for these few days, you should stay in the Profound Mansion and not go anywhere. Once my family arrives, I will take you away immediately. Once we reach the Cangfeng Imperial City, you should be completely safe."

Lan Xueruo spoke with certainty and ease, clearly trying to reassure Yun Che. Yun Che didn't hesitate any longer and said gratefully: "Then... Senior Sister, I will rely on you. After escaping this disaster, I will definitely repay your kindness."

Lan Xueruo's lips curved into a delicate smile, her eyebrows forming two delicate crescent moons: "If you want to repay Senior Sister, just stay here safely and protect your life. Only with life can you have a chance to repay."

"Okay! I will listen to Senior Sister." Yun Che nodded vigorously, then changed the subject and asked suddenly: "Senior Sister, do you have any profound cores from profound beasts? Even a low-level one would be fine. If not, where in the mansion can I find them?"

"Profound cores? What do you need them for?" Lan Xueruo asked doubtfully.

"Let's keep it a secret for now. Do you really have one?" Yun Che's eyes lit up as he looked at Lan Xueruo's expression.

Lan Xueruo fumbled in the spatial ring on her slender finger for a while and took out a dark-colored bead: "I only have one low-level secondary profound core, which I obtained from a red lizard a while ago. However, Lord Qin should have a few true profound cores. If you need them, I can go..."

"A secondary profound core is enough." Yun Che reached out and took the secondary profound core from Lan Xueruo, feeling reassured.

Ordinary beasts do not have profound cores; from secondary profound beasts onwards, adult profound beasts have profound cores, similar to the core of a human's profound veins. Among profound cores, secondary profound cores are the easiest to obtain and are the cheapest, generally costing only a few dozen to a few hundred yellow profound coins. The price increases exponentially with each grade. In the Cangfeng Empire, any earth profound core would sell for a sky-high price, and by the time it reaches the heaven profound core, it is already a priceless treasure. As for the king profound core, it is almost a legendary item.

On the way to the New Moon City, Yun Che had indeed obtained a few low-level secondary profound cores, but he had used them all to refine more efficient profound recovery pills. He had been carrying iron ingots all the way, and the profound recovery pills were almost his only food.

"Junior Brother Yun, you must be tired today. Rest early. Don't worry about other things. With Lord Qin, the Xiao Clan won't act rashly within these ten days. As long as we get through these ten days, I have absolute confidence in keeping you safe."

"I understand, Senior Sister... Senior Sister, you should also rest early."

Lan Xueruo left with a faint fragrance of orchids, leaving Yun Che deep in thought.

"Great, Brother-in-Law! Since Senior Sister is so sure, she will definitely save you." Xia Yuanba said excitedly. "Uh... Brother-in-Law? Why don't you look very happy? Don't you trust Senior Sister Xueruo?"

"Yuanba, are you related to Senior Sister Xueruo?" Yun Che asked suddenly.

"No. Why do you ask, Brother-in-Law?" Xia Yuanba scratched his head.

"Then, have you or your family ever saved Senior Sister Xueruo or her family?"

"No! I have never even met her family. Besides, with my weak profound strength, I couldn't possibly save Senior Sister Xueruo. My family is even less likely to."

"That's strange." Yun Che tapped his chin, deep in thought. "No relation, no reason, and we've only spoken a few times. Why would she help me?"

"Oh! You mean this? Brother-in-Law, you're overthinking it. I've already said that Senior Sister Xueruo is a kind person. When I first arrived at the New Moon Profound Mansion, I was also unrelated to her, but she helped and cared for me a lot. The seniors in the Profound Mansion all like her."

"No, it's different." Yun Che shook his head, looking serious. "Her help to you can be attributed to her nature, which I don't find strange. But taking me away from the New Moon City is completely different! She knows that the trouble I caused involves the main branch of the Xiao Clan... Although I don't like the people from the Xiao Clan, I have to admit that the main branch of the Xiao Clan has an overwhelming influence in the Cangfeng Empire. How many people in the entire empire can hear the name 'Xiao Clan' without being startled? How many people dare to provoke the Xiao Clan? How many people would dare to risk being implicated to help someone who has offended the Xiao Clan escape their punishment?"

Xia Yuanba opened his mouth but couldn't find words to say.

"If it were a life-and-death friend, it would be understandable. But I've only known her for a day, and we've only spoken a few times. She has no reason to take such a huge risk to take me away from the New Moon City. It's too strange."

"Also... Yuanba, you're in the same class. Have you heard her mention anything about going back to the Cangfeng Imperial City recently, or any signs of it?" Yun Che asked.

Xia Yuanba was taken aback, then thought seriously and shook his head: "I don't think so. But if she's going home, she doesn't need to tell us in advance."

"She didn't mention going back to the Imperial City before, but now she suddenly says she's going back in ten days, which is exactly the ten days Lord Qin fought for me... This is a bit too coincidental." Yun Che mused.

Hearing Yun Che's words, Xia Yuanba also began to feel a bit suspicious. He knew the reputation of the Xiao Clan. The idea of risking a huge offense against the Xiao Clan to save someone he had only known for a day, who was essentially unrelated, was indeed too abnormal. A slight mistake could lead to a catastrophic disaster! He scratched his head hard and then shook his head violently: "No, no! Senior Sister Xueruo is such a good person; she wouldn't have any ulterior motives against Brother-in-Law. Besides... Brother-in-Law, you're not rich, and you're not a powerful expert. If she saved you for some purpose, what could that purpose be?"

"That's what I find most strange." Yun Che raised his eyes, touched his face, and said softly: "So... when I asked Senior Sister Xueruo if she had a crush on me... I wasn't joking at all. The only possibility I can think of for a girl to go to such lengths for a man she just met is that Senior Sister Xueruo... well, fell in love with me at first sight."

"What!?" Xia Yuanba's legs went weak, almost kneeling in front of Yun Che in shock.

"I have no power, no strength, no background, and not even the most vulgar money, and I've caused a huge disaster. The only thing Senior Sister Xueruo could be interested in is my looks. Women are emotional creatures. If a woman falls in love with a man, she might do anything, no matter how exaggerated or crazy. So it's not surprising that she would risk a huge danger to save me."

"Indeed, no matter which dimension, this is an era where looks matter. Being good-looking is not only a substantial asset but can also save your life sometimes." Yun Che pinched his face, smiling as if he was thinking of something.

Yun Che's smile at that moment seemed lecherous to Xia Yuanba. He widened his eyes and stammered: "B... B... But... Senior Sister Xueruo is so beautiful and gentle, and so many people like her! How could she... And Senior Sister Xueruo said she has no interest in someone younger or already married, so... so..."

Yun Che rolled his eyes and said leisurely: "Yuanba, you really don't understand women. Women often say the opposite of what they mean. If she says she doesn't like someone younger, it means she actually likes someone younger. If she says she doesn't like someone already married, it means... well..." Even Yun Che himself felt this explanation was a bit ridiculous, but he continued: "... although this preference is a bit special, she might really like someone already married."

"~!@#￥%……" Xia Yuanba was exasperated: "It's definitely not like that! Why didn't Brother-in-Law ask her directly when she was here?"

"Can't ask." Yun Che wagged his finger in front of Xia Yuanba and said seriously: "Men don't like overly smart women, and women don't like overly smart men. If I asked, it would ruin the mood." As he said this, Yun Che's eyes became unusually deep: "The guess I just made is the only possibility I can think of right now. I don't know if it's right or wrong. But I can be sure that she wants to capture me and make me her 'prey,' and I..." Yun Che's lips curled: "am the same! Next, we'll see who gets the upper hand! If she wins, I'll fulfill her wishes; if she loses, hehehehe..."

Xia Yuanba: "..."