NINE STAR HEGEMON BODY ARTS

Long Chen ascended the mountain alone, without Chu Yao by his side. Knowing he was about to face Liu Ruyan, he felt an icy chill creeping down his spine.

Although he had known Liu Ruyan for many years, they hadn’t exchanged many words. It wasn’t that he thought himself too high and mighty to speak to her—rather, Liu Ruyan had harbored a grudge ever since their first encounter.

She could never let go of the fact that Long Chen had once contemplated killing her. After that, even when Long Chen tried to initiate conversation, she would simply glare at him, her eyes filled with resentment. Naturally, Long Chen didn’t enjoy that kind of treatment.

Although her hostility had lessened over time and she no longer spoke with venom, she remained distant and cold. He didn’t even dare get too close to her.

He had never imagined that one offhand joke would leave such a lasting mark. That miscalculation had completely caught him off guard.

With every step he took, the space around him quivered slightly. Long Chen found that this mountain actually contained its own world. Spreading his divine sense, he discovered that the entire mountain rested atop a single massive emerald leaf.

The leaf was simply the limit of Long Chen’s divine sense.

The Undying Demon Forest was riddled with secrets, something he had sensed the moment he arrived. As expected of the sovereign race of the vegetative species, their foundation was truly terrifying.

For the Daluo Azure Lotus race to come here challenging them with such arrogance, their heads had to be full of crap.

However, Long Chen knew the Daluo Azure Lotus race was just a pawn used to probe the Undying race’s power, as well as their attitude. If even a mere pawn possessed that much strength, then Lord Brahma’s influence had to be stronger than Long Chen had expected.

Without even realizing it, Long Chen had reached the peak of the mountain. Just then, an icy voice rang out.

“Take off your shoes.”

Startled, Long Chen looked ahead and saw a waterfall cascading from above. A small clearing spread out before it, carpeted with a soft, green mat. Liu Ruyan sat there, silently watching the waterfall.

The mat wasn’t made of beast fur. It resembled a type of strange vegetation—soft, clean, and almost glowing with life.

Just as Long Chen was removing one shoe, Liu Ruyan spoke again.

“Actually, keep them on. Your feet definitely smell.”

Long Chen was speechless. Is she trying to start a fight?

“Should I wrap them in something before walking over?” Long Chen asked dryly.

Liu Ruyan remained silent.

Taking the hint, Long Chen carefully walked over with his shoes on. Since she didn’t say anything, he cautiously sat beside her.

Liu Ruyan was still staring at the waterfall. As Long Chen followed her gaze, he noticed that the waterfall actually flowed from a massive leaf. The ethereal setting stirred something within him, triggering a distant memory.

“Does it look familiar?” asked Liu Ruyan.

Long Chen turned to her and nodded. “Yeah. It’s like when we went to the Spirit World on the Martial Heaven Continent.”

Sitting beside her, Long Chen could see her side profile clearly. Her features were flawless—like a jade sculpture framed by long black hair. The mist rising from the waterfall added a faint veil to her presence, making her seem ethereal, mysterious.

For the first time, Long Chen truly noticed how beautiful she was. Had she always been this stunning, or had he just never paid attention?

Even as she sat quietly on the mat, she seemed noble and graceful. It felt like he was seeing her for the first time, and his heartbeat started to race.

Liu Ruyan seemed to not notice this reaction. Still looking at the waterfall, she said, “I created this place with Big Sister Chu Yao. Whenever we feel angry, anxious, overwhelmed—or just need to breathe—we come here. It’s our sanctuary from the chaos of the outside world. Only here can we find real peace.”

Long Chen’s chest tightened. Chu Yao had never voiced any of her own hardships to him. She never complained. But from Liu Ruyan’s words, it was clear neither of them had experienced peace in the Undying Demon Forest.

For as long as he could remember, this was the first time Liu Ruyan had ever opened up to him about her inner world. And for the first time, Long Chen realized that her heart wasn’t as cold and indifferent as he had assumed.

“You don’t need it any longer,” said Long Chen.

“And why not?” Liu Ruyan asked, finally turning to look at Long Chen.

Long Chen looked at her—her nose high and straight, her eyes proud and stubborn. The noble Sovereign qi surrounded her. Perhaps it was due to her transformation into a Sovereign sprout, but she felt entirely different now.

“Because I’m here,” Long Chen said solemnly. “As long as I draw breath, I won’t let anyone bully you again.”

Had he said those words back on the Martial Heaven Continent, Liu Ruyan would’ve likely rolled her eyes and scoffed at him. She never liked being protected.

However, today, her hand quivered slightly, and the iciness in her eyes seemed to melt like ice. The faintest warmth appeared in her eyes.

“With your current strength, you can barely protect yourself. How are you going to protect anyone else?” she said. Her tone remained cold, but the warmth in her eyes lingered.

In the past, Long Chen might’ve found her words frustrating. But now, he saw through her armor—this icy façade was merely a shield for her vulnerable heart.

That shield had fooled him for so long. If not for today, he never would’ve realized how much this stubborn woman truly cared.

“I might not be able to always stand at your side,” Long Chen said, “but I swear, if anyone dares to make things hard for you, they’ll have to step over my corpse first.”

Liu Ruyan’s body trembled, her eyes reddening as she turned to face the waterfall once more.

Just as Long Chen expected, Liu Ruyan didn’t want him to see her emotions. Even now, her pride refused to allow it.

Long Chen slowly reached out and grabbed her hand. She tried to pull it away, but he held on tightly.

“Believe in me. I won’t let you suffer. From now on, let me carry your burdens!” promised Long Chen sincerely.

Liu Ruyan struggled a few times before clenching her jaw. She said, “Fine. If you want me to believe you… then help me beat up the one who’s been targeting me here.”

“Good. Tell me, who is it?” asked Long Chen.

“Liu Changtian.”

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