Chapter 17: Probing

"This... is this really okay? If the Senior Sister finds out, she will surely skin us alive." The man wore a look of distress, clearly troubled, his heart resisting Fu Rongcheng's demand intensely.

"Offer some incentives and get someone from another sect to do the killing. Do I really need to teach you how to handle such a trivial matter?" Fu Rongcheng narrowed his eyes, a cold, murderous intent radiating from his gaze as he spoke in an indisputable tone.

"Very well, I will find someone to handle it immediately." Just as the man turned to leave, Fu Rongcheng added, "Offer the incentive, but go with them. Once the deed is done, kill the person you hired. Only the dead can keep a secret forever. This way, you save the reward money—isn't that killing two birds with one stone?"

The man shuddered at these words, thinking to himself that by this logic, he had already been placed on Fu Rongcheng's death list. Fu Rongcheng was truly ruthless. However, he feigned composure, gritted his teeth, and replied, "Understood. I will ensure it is done without a single trace."

Afterward, he walked toward Lin Chen and the others, muttering under his breath, "Fu Rongcheng, since you are calculating against me, I have no choice but to protect myself. Don't blame me; blame your own lack of humanity."

As he spoke, he suddenly turned and walked quickly toward Yan Ruyu. In this situation, he felt his only hope was to seek help from Yan Ruyu. If she couldn't protect him, he was certain that this madman, Fu Rongcheng, would eventually silence him as well.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Lin Chen looked at Xie Mengmeng with astonishment. He could clearly sense a massive change in her aura. He had heard that the enchantresses of the Hehuan Sect progressed in their cultivation with terrifying speed, but seeing Xie Mengmeng having reached the fifth stage in just a few days still left him shocked. Jumping three levels in such a short time was truly horrifying.

Lin Chen began to feel a sense of wariness toward her. After all, within this secret realm, he was the only one who knew her true identity. Given the Hehuan Sect's methods, it was not impossible that she might kill him to prevent her identity from leaking.

A faint smile appeared on Xie Mengmeng's originally cold face. "Daoist Lin, we meet again. Am I confident enough to kill you now?"

Lin Chen was momentarily stunned, then smiled. "Indeed, your progress is rapid. It seems you are confident now."

Hearing this from Xie Mengmeng actually put Lin Chen more at ease; it was clear he had been overthinking things, and she still retained a shred of rationality.

Xie Mengmeng laughed maliciously. "Are you not afraid that I will silence you for good?"

"I am," Lin Chen nodded and replied truthfully.

"You're afraid? Then why are you so calm?" Xie Mengmeng asked, looking puzzled.

"Because I have no other choice!" Lin Chen shrugged helplessly, his tone indifferent.

"Hehe... interesting." Xie Mengmeng burst into laughter, her cackles sounding almost like those of a goose.

Pang Dun and Mei Xiulan looked over, confused. Pang Dun asked curiously, "Daoist, what are you two talking about that is so funny?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Mengmeng immediately shot a warning glare, a look that said: if you dare to reveal it, I will kill you. Lin Chen, not seeing her expression, said calmly, "Nothing, just chatting."

Mei Xiulan interrupted, "The secret realm is about to close. We should try to see if we can find anything else of value."

Suddenly, Lin Chen exclaimed, "Fellow Daoist, where is my donkey?" He had just remembered that he had let Pang Dun ride the old donkey into the realm, but now only Pang Dun had returned.

Pang Dun replied helplessly, "That... I lost sight of it after we entered. Don't worry, I'll buy you a better one when we get out." He thought to himself that having obtained so many precious herbs in the realm, buying a donkey—or even a dozen—would be no problem.

Lin Chen's expression darkened. "Buy a head! I'm speechless." He knew he couldn't blame Pang Dun, but he was deeply worried that the donkey might have been killed. With that, he took off running toward the crowded areas, grabbing anyone he saw to ask if they had seen his donkey.

Pang Dun stood there, stunned for a moment, then muttered, "It's just a donkey. Why is he so anxious?"

Mei Xiulan sighed, "That was the only keepsake the Ancestor left him. It's different from other donkeys. Don't just stand there, go help him look."

Lin Chen spent an hour asking everyone he encountered, but no one had seen the donkey, and some even nearly attacked him. His anxiety grew. With no other choice, the group split up to search, but time flew by, and soon, everyone began to be teleported out of the realm one by one.

Lin Chen stood at the entrance, gaunt and haggard, his eyes fixed on the portal, refusing to leave. Xie Mengmeng came over to bid a brief farewell before turning away. Lin Chen had no heart for goodbyes; he didn't even respond, standing there blankly, his gaze still locked on the entrance.

Pang Dun said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Daoist. It's my fault."

Lin Chen waved his hand. "It has nothing to do with you. I didn't consider the possibility of this happening. You don't need to apologize."

"Alright, take care. We shall meet again," Pang Dun said with a heavy expression before walking away.

"We shall meet again," Lin Chen replied.

Next came Mei Xiulan. She said with concern, "Junior Brother, don't be too sad. Perhaps it's doing fine in there. My Senior Sisters are urging me to return; I must go."

She knew that if her Master found out she had stayed behind with Lin Chen, it would cause him trouble. She could shield him from her fellow disciples, but if her Master arrived, even if she risked her life, it would be to no avail.

Lin Chen nodded with difficulty. "Go, Senior Sister. I'm fine. I'll wait a little longer."

Mei Xiulan flew away on her sword, vanishing in the blink of an eye. As time ticked by, Lin Chen was the only one left in front of the secret realm. He felt utterly dejected and whispered to himself, "Old donkey, I'm sorry. It was my lack of foresight that harmed you."

Just then, he felt a powerful killing intent behind him. Before he could react, a sharp sword light slashed toward his vitals. Lin Chen reacted quickly, raising his bamboo staff to narrowly block the lethal blow.

The attacker was masked, and his aura was completely unfamiliar to Lin Chen. Without thinking, Lin Chen swung his bamboo staff, channeling the Clear Wind Sword Technique, and leaped into the air to strike back.

His bamboo staff transformed into a sharp blade, carrying the biting chill of a wintry wind as he descended with astonishing force. Stepping on the sword's shadow, he thrust his staff straight at the masked man. The strike whistled through the air with destructive power, reaching the masked man in an instant.

The masked man hurriedly brandished his longsword, which spun rapidly to form invisible curtains of light, barely blocking Lin Chen's ferocious strike. The man's eyes were filled with terror as he roared, "How is this possible? Wang, you've ruined me! Is this what you called a piece of trash? Damn it! Damn it!"

Lin Chen was baffled by these words, but he didn't stop. He channeled his energy into a second strike, the staff's glow transforming into a torrential downpour of sword shadows that swept toward the masked man with overwhelming momentum.

Realizing the situation had turned dire, the masked man didn't hesitate; he turned and fled in a panic. Lin Chen, unwilling to let the tiger return to the mountains, leaped from the sword shadows, preparing to give chase.