“Elder Zhen Junior, the Crimsonwaters group will set out in three days,” stated Han Shuang.

Jiang Chen nodded. “Alright, I’ll take you to the secret realm before we depart.”

“Are you sure about this?” The sectmistress was still somewhat concerned.

“A hundred percent sure. No one’s going to stop me. Not even Godking Crimsonwaters himself,” Jiang Chen declared boldly.

“Not even the godking himself?”

“That’s right.” Jiang Chen didn’t even hesitate.

“Alright. I’ve come up with an excuse. Just tell the others I’ve shut myself in after something went wrong during my cultivation. You’ll lead the Fiendstar Sect to the conference in my stead.” Han Shuang’s tone was somber. She was reluctant to bid Jiang Chen farewell.

Jiang Chen didn’t know what the godking commanding Han Shuang had given her to help her survive, it would be extremely dangerous to enter the volcano to destroy one of the five spirit veins.

Although he was reluctant to let Han Shuang shoulder that responsibility on her own, there was no alternative. He’d like to take her place if possible, but he had more important things to do.

After some deliberation, Jiang Chen took out the ferule. “Before we part ways, Sectmistress Han, I have something for you. This is the Measure of Heaven, a spatial treasure that will allow you to travel through subspace, ignoring all laws of physics. It should be of help once you enter the more dangerous regions.”

Han Shuang stared at the ferule in surprise. The energy radiating from it was astounding. “This is at least godking rank, isn’t it?”

Jiang Chen hadn’t assessed its rank before. However, nothing his father gave him was going to be mediocre. “I haven’t paid attention to that, but it will be of help.”

“Alright!” Han Shuang said easily. “Then I’ll accept your gift. We’ll meet here the night before your departure, Elder Zhen.”

……

With a faint sigh, Jiang Huan walked out of the shadows. “What a moving farewell. To be honest, I thought the sectmistress was a ruthless black widow when I first saw her. It seems that I’ve misjudged completely. She’s a heroine with a backbone and a big heart. What a perfect woman. If you weren’t married, young lord, I’d recommend you take her.”

“Nonsense.” Jiang Chen rolled his eyes.

“Haha, don’t dismiss the idea so quickly, young lord. I’m not blind. Although you’ve kept her at arm’s length, I can tell you admire and care about her. Why would you give her the ferule otherwise?”

“I gave her father’s treasure to help her save him. That’s the way it should be.”

Jiang Huan sighed. “Fine. Find all the excuses you want. I’m not going to change my tune. Sectmistress Han is a good woman. Perhaps His Majesty will see her as a good daughter-in-law when they meet as well.”

Jiang Chen shook his head and silently waved a dismissive hand.

“Alright, I’ll stop.” The retainer smiled. “You’ve finished assimilating your bloodlines, young lord. You’re one step away from breaking through to godking, aren’t you?”

“That’s right,” Jiang Chen responded confidently. “I can cross the threshold anytime.”

“Don’t do it now. Wait until you arrive at the godking conference. Otherwise, the creation token will be exposed and our plans will fall apart.”

Jiang Chen nodded. “I know.”

“It’s been hundreds of thousands of years! The day is finally approaching. You’ve waited too long, Your Majesty. How are you doing after this long solitude?”

Jiang Chen’s eyes turned red. His father must have suffered unimaginable pain during his long years of imprisonment in the Divine Prison of Eternity. However, that was all in the past. Change was on the horizon!

Three days flew by. The Fiendstar Sect was instructed to gather in the godking manor tomorrow morning and depart for the conference in the Taiyuan Realm. There, they’ll be meeting the current celestial emperor.

It was a beautiful night. Even the moon seemed melancholy about the impending departure.

“Are we going now, Elder Zhen?” Han Shuang appeared before Jiang Chen, graceful as ever.

“Have you refined the Measure of Heaven?”

“I have.”

“Good! Let’s go then. Apologies for any discomfort I may cause you, Sectmistress.” Jiang Chen picked Han Shuang up and vanished in a flash of light.

In no time, he closed the distance to the forbidden grounds of the Heavenly Crimson Lake. The place was heavily guarded, but that didn’t even delay him. It didn’t take long for him to enter the lake and sneak further inside. They encountered no challenges on their way. Not even the slightest scuffle.

Han Shuang went boneless in Jiang Chen’s arms, surrounded by Jiang Chen’s masculine scent. Her heart had never pounded so hard before.

She might appear like an easy woman, but this was the first time she’d been held so tightly by a man. She was also born sensitive to touches. Even the dangerous surroundings didn’t stop her from getting lightheaded.

She couldn’t tell how long it’d been before Jiang Chen’s voice sounded by her ear. “We’re here, Sectmistress. This subordinate has fulfilled his duty!”

She opened her eyes with some reluctance.

Everything in her sight was red. Once Jiang Chen retracted his power, the endless waves of heat surged and threatened to devour them.

“Are we at the right place, Sectmistress?”

Han Shuang’s beautiful eyes shone with excitement. “We are. This entrance leads directly to the heart of the volcano.”

Jiang Chen nodded. “Understood!”

“How did you do it?” Han Shuang could hardly believe her eyes.

“Haha, I told you I could help you. Remember to use the Measure of Heaven when the situation calls for it!”

“I may not survive this trip, Elder Zhen. Are you really that worried about me exposing your secrets?”

Jiang Chen smiled. “Don’t worry. The ferule will keep you alive.”

“Is it really that impressive?” Han Shuang said with a pout. “I don’t believe it.”

“You should. It’s handmade by the celestial emperor himself.”

“The celestial emperor?” Han Shuang perked up. “Which one?”

“The one you’re trying to save. Alright, Sectmistress. This is where we part ways. We both have our missions. Perhaps we’ll see each other again in the near future.”

Han Shuang stared at Jiang Chen in shock. Gradually, her gaze softened. She murmured to herself, “Alright, I get it.”

As the young man turned to leave, she called out to him, “Wait.”

Jiang Chen stopped in his tracks. “Yes?”

Han Shuang opened her mouth to say something, but swallowed her words. She waved a hand with a rueful smile. “Nothing. Just be careful. Whatever your goal is, you have my blessings. I hope you succeed!”

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