Elder Hua was still one step too late, watching helplessly as Lin Chen was sent flying by a palm strike from the bald elder.

Upon seeing Elder Hua, the bald elder's face changed, and a cold smile crossed his lips before he turned and left.

This palm strike was delivered with his full strength, so even though Elder Hua rushed to the scene, he could only collect Lin Chen's body.

Unable to pursue the bald elder, Elder Hua hastily ran towards Lin Chen, his heart heavy. He knew the strength of that elder who was in the late Golden Core phase, and he understood the power of his palm strike.

Although he still harbored a sliver of hope, reason told him Lin Chen was surely dead.

"What a pity, how hateful, a lamentable fate! Is this really the will of heaven?" Elder Hua walked heavily towards Lin Chen.

"Ah, Lin Chen, I'm sorry I was a step too late," Elder Hua sighed as he looked at the motionless body on the ground.

Suddenly, his gaze sharpened as he saw Lin Chen's fingers twitch.

How could this be! Could his vitality be so tenacious that he wasn't dead yet?

"Lin Chen, if you have any last words, tell me, and I will fulfill them," Elder Hua said gently as he squatted down.

Suddenly, Lin Chen rolled over and sat up: "Elder Hua, are you cursing me to die, what last words, pah pah pah!"

How could this be, Elder Hua was startled as he looked at Lin Chen who appeared nearly unscathed.

The bald elder had indeed struck Lin Chen solidly, and anyone, even himself, would have been seriously injured or killed by such a blow, yet there sat Lin Chen, looking as if nothing had happened.

"You, you're really unharmed?" Elder Hua exclaimed in shock.

"What, do we have some deep resentment or recent grudge, Elder Hua, that you wish me dead?" Lin Chen said, standing up while enduring the pain.

"You actually withstood that bald ghost's strike!" Elder Hua exclaimed, his eyes nearly popping out as Lin Chen stood up.

"Cut it out, I'm like an unkillable cockroach, and it's a daydream for that bald donkey to think he can kill me," Lin Chen snorted coldly.

"You monster!" Seeing that Lin Chen was fine, Elder Hua was both shocked and overjoyed.

It was indeed a matter of life and death for Lin Chen just now, but in a crucial moment, he had exchanged for the Xingtian Light Shield in the city mall, so the bald elder's palm hadn't actually hit him but had instead struck the Xingtian Light Shield.

Rather than being struck flying, Lin Chen had been blasted back; although he looked disheveled, he was actually unharmed.

However, having taken that strike, the Light Shield that Lin Chen had just exchanged ten points of spiritual energy for was completely shattered and disappeared.

"Old bald donkey, Bai Ling, we are not done yet," Lin Chen said, rubbing his sore limbs fiercely.

"How did you get into a conflict with someone from Kunlun?" Elder Hua asked as they drove.

Lin Chen explained the situation, and Elder Hua frowned, "Kunlun, as one of the four major sects in China, has not been active in the world for a long time. Offending them is not good, Lin Chen!"

"I don't care if it's one of the four major sects or whatever. Three years later, I must go to Kunlun, retrieve Xiao Wen, and settle today's account with Bai Ling and that old bald man," Lin Chen said coldly.

"Good, I like your spirit! Hahaha!" Elder Hua laughed heartily.

"A three-year promise, Xiao Wen, wait for me; Bai Ling, I shall return today's enmity tenfold," Lin Chen clenched his fist, staring at the majestic mountains nearby, clenching his fist tightly.

...

Time flies; three months pass in the blink of an eye. Inside a small house in Peach Blossom Village, Lin Chen sits on a meditation cushion like an old monk.

Around him float green orbs of energy, like fireflies in the night.

Suddenly, Lin Chen's hand seal flipped, and a vortex spun out of his palm, instantly drawing streams of Spiritual Energy into his body.

Opening his eyes, Lin Chen took a deep breath.

After three months of intensive cultivation, Lin Chen's cultivation level had reached the high stage of Foundation Establishment, and his practice of the Taiji Xuanqing Dao had also reached the senior level of Shangqing.

Lin Chen slowly stood up, pushed open the window, and looked at the calendar on the wall, "Just two years and nine months left, Xiaowen, wait for me!"

Lin Chen still participated in the college entrance examination and became the top scholar in Southeast Province, successfully enrolling at Capital City University.

In the chairman's office of the Xingchen Group, Lin Chen looked at the disheartened Xue Ying and smiled, "Why, can't bear to part with me? You can always fly to Capital City to see me!"

"I don't want to, who would miss you?" Xue Ying snorted, but tears had already uncontrollably begun to flow.

"Don't cry, isn't it okay if I cook something delicious for you?" Lin Chen said with a wry smile.

"Hmph, it's not enough. Can you walk with me outside?" Xue Ying suddenly said.

"Okay?" Lin Chen was stunned for a moment, then nodded.

The street lights had just been lit outside, and Xue Ying was walking arm in arm with Lin Chen on the street.

With the beauty by his side, the fragrance was intoxicating.

Holding Xue Ying's slender waist and walking in the gentle evening breeze drew many jealous gazes.

The night view of DY was beautiful. Xue Ying, feeling the warmth of Lin Chen's body, felt so intimate and cozy. She wished this road would never end and that they could keep walking forever. But the man beside her was leaving her tomorrow.

Thinking this, Xue Ying steeled her resolve and walked towards a nearby five-star hotel.

"Yingjie, where are we going?" Lin Chen asked, a bit awkwardly, as he saw the destination ahead.

"What do you think?" Xue Ying smiled coyly.

As they reached the entrance of the hotel, Lin Chen asked awkwardly, "Are you sure this is okay, Yingjie?"

Xue Ying snorted imperiously, "You're not allowed to run away today, or else I'll follow you wherever you go."

Saying this, Xue Ying strode towards the reception desk and, a few minutes later, waved a room card, "Let's go!"

Lin Chen shook his head helplessly and followed Xue Ying into the elevator.

"What is meant to be will always find its way. With that in mind, let nature take its course." Thinking this, Lin Chen relaxed and followed Xue Ying into the room.

Lin Chen closed the room door and watched as Xue Ying, standing by the bed and turning her back to him, started to disrobe.

As the coat slid off, Lin Chen's heart was also instantly ignited.

The allure of her seductive body made Lin Chen unable to restrain himself any longer, and he lunged towards her silhouette.

But just as Lin Chen was about to pounce on Xue Ying, she suddenly turned around.

Now their bodies were tightly pressed together, even able to feel each other's somewhat warm breaths. Xue Ying covered her chest, her face flushed with blush.

Although she had made up her mind to give herself to Lin Chen, Xue Ying still felt somewhat shy at this moment.

…