C27 Old Fox!

A glimmer intensified in Zhao Ji's eyes as the thought crossed his mind. Up until now, he had pegged Chu Yan as nothing more than a youth with a mature air about him. During their four months together, Chu Yan had come across as warm and unassuming, never stepping out of line.

However, today's events and Chu Yan's recent words had led Zhao Ji to a startling realization—he had sorely underestimated the young man.

Suddenly, Zhao Ji found himself unable to read Chu Yan, and he was torn, unsure whether bringing Chu Yan into the Lin Family had been a blessing or a curse.

Feng Ru, snapping out of his shock, stuttered, "But you've taken the fall for the Lin Family. Do you realize that Ye Chen is one of the Ye Family's most promising young talents? If you'd stayed within the safety of the Lin Family estate or stronghold, you might have been fine. But if they find an opportunity, you'll be facing their relentless vengeance."

"In this world, there are no benefits without a price," Chu Yan responded coolly. "Even seemingly effortless gains come with their risks. Given the circumstances, I did all that was within my power. Taking the blame for injuring someone was the price I paid for my place in the Lin Family."

After speaking his piece, Chu Yan mused to himself that perhaps the threat of the Ye Family's retaliation was the very reason Lin Chongtian had allowed him to choose martial skills and weapons.

A silence fell before Zhao Ji fixed Chu Yan with a gaze of unprecedented gravity and asked, "Chu Yan, who are you, really?"

"Big Brother Zhao!" Feng Ru exclaimed, startled by the change in Zhao Ji's tone.

"Big Brother Zhao, I understand your concerns," Chu Yan said, meeting his gaze with a solemn expression. Though his power did not match Zhao Ji's, the aura he exuded was such that Zhao Ji couldn't dominate him.

"When I was gravely injured and comatose, you saved me—not out of pure altruism, but because I resembled the Chu Yan you knew. On that account, you have no right to accuse me, for I never sought to deceive you," Chu Yan stated firmly. "Nonetheless, the fact remains that you two saved my life. I swear, my presence in the Lin Family carries no ill intent. Moreover, I vow that no matter whether I gain entry to the Immortal Realm or not, I will never do anything to harm the Lin Family or either of you."

Upon hearing Chu Yan's firm declaration, Zhao Ji pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Alright, I trust you. I hope you'll always honor your word."

"I will," Chu Yan assured with a nod.

Having said all that needed to be said, the conversation dwindled. Zhao Ji offered Chu Yan a few words of caution before he and Feng Ru bid farewell and departed.

As Chu Yan watched them leave, he shook his head slightly, musing to himself, "Little do you realize, the Lin Family has paid a hefty price to counter the Ye Family's marriage proposal. A secret of the Great Circle of the Second Level of Pulse Condensation Stage has been carelessly revealed. Clearly, the Ye Clan's relationship with your Lin Clan is far from the friendly harmony you perceive.

Moreover, the clan leader's acceptance of me isn't solely due to the excuse I provided to reject the Ye Family. It's also the strength and potential I've demonstrated that has earned his backing.

Had I been the one defeated, he could have easily dismissed me as an incompetent son-in-law and used the Ye Family's excessive force as a pretext to refuse their alliance.

In any case, he stood to gain without risk—quite the cunning old fox."

Chu Yan spent his subsequent days resting in the small courtyard, with servants delivering meals directly to him. Now a member of the Lin Family, he still faced two pressing issues. The first involved the secrets of the immortal gate, which he couldn't inquire about just yet, leaving him to unravel the mysteries of the Profound Moon Sect in due time. The second issue was the inconvenience of practicing the Whale Swallowing Spirit Hunting Technique to replenish his qi and spirit energy, now that he was no longer in the wilderness and without skilled hunters like Zhao Ji and Feng Ru to assist him.

The meals provided by the Lin Family, though finely prepared and palatable, fell short of Chu Yan's needs.

"It looks like I'll have to find my own solutions in the days ahead," Chu Yan contemplated.

As for Lin Miaoran, his betrothed in name, Chu Yan felt no urgency to meet her.

When evening arrived, Chu Yan secured the courtyard gate and tightly shut the doors and windows of his dwelling. He then retreated into the time-space prison on the second level of the Return to the Ruins Tower to engage in rigorous training.

Over the past four months, Chu Yan hadn't been able to cultivate due to Zhao Ji and Feng Ru's constant presence. However, this time had unexpectedly allowed him to build a solid physical foundation. Now, as he practiced within the time-space cage, Chu Yan could distinctly sense the blood energy he had absorbed integrating into his muscles, veins, blood, and bone marrow, making his body tougher and more refined.

Though he hadn't formally tested his strength, the ease with which he shattered the stone figures suggested that he might be likened to a humanoid dire beast, particularly one of considerable power.

A night's worth of cultivation left Chu Yan with the thrilling sensation of being on the cusp of a breakthrough. The advantages of diligent practice following a period of accumulation were indeed striking. Advancing to the Fourth Stage of the Genuine Force would not only restore him to his pre-Abyss Demon Prison level but also ensure his strength surpassed that of his past self at the same stage.

Chu Yan was eager to continue his training in the time-space cage, but dawn had broken, and he had to visit the Lin Family Stronghold outside of town to select martial techniques and weapons. Reluctantly, he stepped out of the echo loop.

After a refreshing wash at the well in the courtyard and donning fresh clothes provided by the Lin Family, Chu Yan awaited breakfast. Shortly, a servant delivered his meal and informed him that he would be escorted to the Lin Family Stronghold after eating.

Feng Ru, who had parted ways with him just yesterday, was tasked with leading Chu Yan to the stronghold. On their journey from Qingyang Town, Feng Ru shared that he and Zhao Ji had been summoned by the clan leader the previous night. Following a debrief on their recent mission, they were assigned a new task that would take them away from the Lin Clan for a significant period—anywhere from three to five months, possibly even half a year, with departure scheduled for the next day.

Chu Yan nodded in understanding, "I had anticipated this."

If he became the Patriarch, he would have distanced Zhao Ji and Feng Ru for a while, too.

Feng Ru spoke up, "Big Brother Zhao made a point of telling me, after he learned I'd be taking you to Lin Jia Stronghold today, to answer any questions you might have. Is there anything else you're curious about? Once we arrive at Lin Jia Stronghold, it might not be as easy for me to address your questions as it is right now."