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After discussing for the time it takes a stick of incense to burn, the people in the secret chamber were dismissed by the Chen family's ancestor.
Chen Honghao glanced at his impatient second brother and tried to persuade him. "Second Brother, you can't be reckless. I will fulfill your request someday…"
Chen Duan sneered, deliberately bumping into his elder brother as he passed by before striding out of the passage.
Chen Honghao's expression darkened. If they weren't brothers born of the same mother…
"Brother, I'm going to prepare the poison first," Chen Yuer said, a hint of unease in her voice. She wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.
Suppressing the murderous intent in his heart, Chen Honghao turned to her and ordered, "Little Sister, this man is extremely vigilant and will require additional measures. You'll have to put in some effort—use your beauty to seduce him into taking the poison."
Chen Yuer smirked. "Brother, that's exactly what I was planning. I fell in love with that charming face the moment I saw it. It would be wonderful to marry such a handsome man."
She stuck out her tongue, licked her red lips seductively, and flashed a wicked smile.
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**The Following Days **
Over the next few days, Qi Yuan accompanied Xin Ruyin as she explored the Chen family mansion.
"Thank you for staying by my side these past days. I'll be able to leave tomorrow," Xin Ruyin said, wiping the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve after completing the final step of the formation. Given her low cultivation level, keeping up had been no easy task.
"It's no trouble. Just be extra cautious tonight—don't let your guard down," Qi Yuan reminded her, his gaze lingering on her fair face.
Xin Ruyin met his eyes, then quickly lowered her head, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks. "The Chen family has been treating us well these past few days. Was I too suspicious before?"
Her initial wariness had lessened. The Chen family had entertained them as expected, never overstepping any boundaries. Having worked with them before, a certain level of familiarity had developed, unconsciously lowering her vigilance.
Qi Yuan walked ahead, hands behind his back, and said solemnly, "Until the very last moment, we must remain cautious. I have a strong feeling that danger is near."
"Senior, are you trying to trick me again?" Xin Ruyin pouted. She still hadn't forgotten how Qi Yuan had deceived her once before.
Qi Yuan was taken aback. His tone was so serious, yet she still doubted him? He had only tricked her once, and she still held onto it…
He cleared his throat and said, "Xiaomei went to pick wild fruits earlier. Quite a bit of time has passed, and we haven't seen her return. Could something have happened?"
Xin Ruyin's expression turned serious. Now that she thought about it, her maid had indeed been gone for quite a while. "Senior, which direction did Xiaomei go?"
"To the west," Qi Yuan replied immediately, releasing his spiritual sense to search for her.
Xin Ruyin activated her magic power and took to the air. However, after a long day's work, she had expended too much energy, causing her to wobble unsteadily. Just as she was about to fall, she suddenly felt an arm wrap around her waist, supporting her as they flew forward.
Her face flushed red. She dared not look up, instead averting her eyes to suppress the emotions stirring in her heart.
It was the first time a man had held her…
But this was purely for Xiaomei's safety. It had nothing to do with anything else.
Qi Yuan observed her expression. Seeing how quickly she regained her composure, he couldn't help but admire her self-control.
As for Xiaomei, she wasn't in any danger. Qi Yuan's spiritual sense soon located her—playing happily among the flowers, chasing butterflies.
He couldn't wait to see Xin Ruyin's reaction.
"Miss Xin, we're here. Xiaomei is just ahead."
As Qi Yuan landed and released her, Xin Ruyin anxiously looked ahead. She saw Xiaomei in the distance, playing with butterflies and smiling innocently. Her initial worry turned to exasperation.
"Xiaomei, have you had enough fun? It's time to return," she called out softly.
Xiaomei turned around, and upon seeing them, her face turned slightly pink with embarrassment. Suddenly remembering that she had gone out to pick wild fruits, she hurriedly ran over and whispered, "Miss, I'm sorry!"
Xin Ruyin didn't blame her. They were master and servant, relying on each other, their bond unshaken by such minor matters.
Instead, she envied Xiaomei's carefree joy, even if just for a fleeting moment.
"It's still early. If Miss Xin wants to play, I can wait," Qi Yuan remarked, noticing her wistful expression.
What if his guess was right? Winning her favor wouldn't be a bad outcome.
Xin Ruyin's face lit up. Since her past misfortune, she had spent all her time guarding against others and honing her formation skills, simply to earn spirit stones for medicine. It had been a long time since she allowed herself to relax.
"Senior, how could I make you wait?" she hesitated.
Qi Yuan plucked a delicate, vibrant flower and teased, "Are you sure? You won't see such a beautiful bloom tomorrow."
"Ah!" Xin Ruyin glanced at the colorful flower fields and the fluttering butterflies. After a brief internal struggle, she smiled brightly. "In that case, please wait for a while, Senior."
She grabbed the still-bewildered Xiaomei and ran into the flower fields, her laughter blending with the fluttering butterflies.
Qi Yuan chuckled, then sat cross-legged on a large rock, his spiritual sense secretly scanning the surroundings. Suddenly, he detected movement and muttered to himself, "Tonight, I can test my Tianleizi disguise."
** Nightfall **
Under the moonlight, Chen Yuer walked gracefully toward Qi Yuan's residence, holding a red lantern. She had spent the entire afternoon perfecting her appearance, ensuring she looked dignified, charming, and irresistible.
With her experience in seduction, she was confident no man could resist her.
Reaching the door, she knocked lightly and spoke in a sweet voice. "Fellow Daoist Zhang, are you free? It's me, Chen Yuer."
After a moment, the door opened. The sight of Qi Yuan's handsome face made her heartbeat quicken, and an unfamiliar heat rose within her.
For a brief moment, she wanted to keep him for herself rather than kill him.
But she quickly dismissed the thought. If her father and brother found out, she would suffer dearly.
Qi Yuan eyed Chen Yuer boldly, a teasing glint in his gaze. "Miss Chen, visiting me so late at night in such attire—is this really appropriate?"
"Don't you like it, Brother Zhang?" Chen Yuer purred, stepping inside without waiting for permission.
Her red lips, fair jade-like face, and exposed neck were all dusted with an undetectable poison—lethal even to a Foundation Establishment cultivator. If she could entice Qi Yuan into kissing her, he would be dead within the time it took for an incense stick to burn.
Just enough time for her body to absorb his energy.
Qi Yuan shut the door with a smirk, stepped forward, and wrapped an arm around her waist. "I always thought Miss Chen was gentle and refined, but I didn't expect you to have such a wild side."
Chen Yuer leaned in. "Which side do you prefer, Brother Zhang?"
She offered her lips, expecting him to take the bait—only for him to suddenly step back.
With a cold smile, Qi Yuan said, "No rush, Miss Chen. You'll have plenty of time to enjoy yourself… in your next life."
"What do you—?"
Before she could react, an enormous ancient cauldron materialized above her, crashing down instantly—killing her on the spot.
Qi Yuan sighed as he gazed at her corpse. "You are the first to fall to my Chaos Cauldron. Consider it an honor."
(End Of Chapter)