Chapter 62 Zhao Yan’s Childhood Sweetheart

Lin Xiyue originally intended to stay at Solitary Mountain. She refused to believe it—after more than a hundred years of affection, could Chu Feng truly forget her? Moreover, recent news had revealed that Chu Feng, after breaking through to the Divine Transformation Realm and regaining his former vigor, had become rather lascivious, keeping two women on the mountain. He was even practicing dual cultivation with her current master, Lu Linglong, and Nangong Yanran of the Nangong family. Her own beauty was no less than theirs; what they could achieve, she was equally capable of. Unfortunately, Chu Feng had long seen through all of this and directly altered the grand formation of Solitary Mountain, barring Lin Xiyue from setting foot on it. Still, she did not give up. Unable to enter the mountain, she waited at its foot, convinced that one day she would move Chu Feng and be accepted by him once more.

That day, Zhao Dongdong asked out of curiosity. Chu Feng, without any concealment, told Zhao Dongdong about Lin Xiyue. At first, Zhao Dongdong was somewhat touched by Lin Xiyue’s persistence and considered persuading Chu Feng, since Chu Feng was so powerful that even with Chen Wanwan’s help, he himself could not handle it. However, upon learning of Lin Xiyue’s actions, he was immediately filled with disgust. To abandon one’s partner because they had grown old and frail, seeking divorce—what kind of person was that? Now she regretted it, but it was too late. If one had known today’s outcome, why make yesterday’s choices? If she wished to wait at the mountain’s foot, so be it.

...

Four Seasons City.

The Zhao family.

Ever since they had been destroyed by Chu Feng, the manor had fallen into utter ruin, overgrown with weeds, broken branches, and crawling with snakes, insects, mice, and ants. In fact, after the Zhao family was wiped out, the Shen family could have taken over the estate, but they chose not to, leaving it in its dilapidated state as a warning to all powers in Four Seasons City: now, this city belonged to the Shen family.

On this day,

Before the ruined Zhao manor appeared a woman of stunning beauty and gentle grace, noble and dignified. Every gesture, every word, captivated those around her, drawing attention effortlessly. As she gazed at the abandoned estate before her, her anticipation and excitement vanished, replaced by intense anger and a boundless thirst for vengeance.

“Why is the Zhao family gone? Who destroyed them?”
“And what about Brother Zhao Yan? Did something happen to him?”

A terrifying aura surged within her, and she felt a sudden fear—so strong that her breath became rapid. She grabbed a passerby nearby and interrogated him coldly, “Tell me, what happened to the Zhao family? Who destroyed them?”
“And where is Brother Zhao Yan?”

The passerby was terrified. Being seized by the woman, overwhelmed by her murderous intent, he nearly wet himself, trembling as he pleaded, “Immortal lady, spare me! I know nothing, I’m just passing by, please don’t kill me.”

The woman roared, “I asked you a question! If you don’t answer, I’ll kill you right now!” Her shout caused him to lose control completely, and a pungent odor spread, making her look at him with disgust. She tossed him aside and turned to the others.

This time, before she could act, someone stepped forward voluntarily. “Immortal lady, I know the details.”

“To explain the Zhao family’s situation, it all began with a broken engagement.”

He proceeded to tell her everything he knew, point by point. The woman erupted in fury.

“Tai Xuan Dao Sect, Chu Feng.”
“What a ruthless heart! Not only did you steal Brother Zhao Yan’s fiancée, you even killed him! I, Ji Ling’er, will avenge him with blood!”

Her name was Ji Ling’er. If Chen Wanwan were here, she would instantly recognize this woman’s identity—another imperial clan.

When Ji Ling’er was young, she had accompanied her mother on a visit, only to encounter a vicious enemy. Her mother, to protect her, entrusted her to a servant who fled with her to Four Seasons City. Yet the servant, gravely wounded, soon perished. Ji Ling’er, lost and helpless, was found by Zhao Yan, who took her home and treated her as a sister. Though he called her his sister, Zhao Yan’s actions were hardly brotherly; under the pretense of healing her injuries, he would sneak into her room at night, taking advantage of her. It was only when Ji Ling’er’s relatives came searching that she finally left.

That departure lasted three years.

Now, Ji Ling’er had completed her cultivation and returned to see Zhao Yan, intending to take him back to the Ji family. But to her shock, she found the Zhao family annihilated, and Zhao Yan dead.

The informant, hearing Ji Ling’er’s furious condemnation, was alarmed. Chu Feng was the Grand Elder of Tai Xuan Dao Sect, a Nascent Soul Immortal Lord—an existence far beyond their reach. To curse him was to risk implicating oneself. He hurriedly stepped forward. “Immortal lady, please be cautious with your words. One cannot insult Immortal Lord Chu Feng lightly. If he hears and takes offense, both you and I could perish.”

“The Zhao family was one of the two major clans in Four Seasons City, and just like that, they were destroyed.”

“In the world of cultivation, it’s survival of the fittest. The weak are merely food for the strong, slaughtered at will. Sadly, our talents are lacking, and avenging the Zhao family is forever out of reach.”

“Are you from the Zhao family?” Ji Ling’er suddenly asked him.

He shuddered, dropping to his knees. “Miss Ling’er, I am Zhao Linzhi, a collateral member of the Zhao family. When Chu Feng exterminated the clan, I was lucky enough to be away and survived. I hid my identity and returned to pay my last respects to the Zhao family before leaving Four Seasons City forever.”

“I never expected to meet you here, Miss Ling’er. Even when you were at the Zhao family, rumors abounded of your extraordinary background. I don’t know if you can face the Tai Xuan Dao Sect and avenge us, but I kneel here before you now. If possible… please avenge the departed souls of the Zhao family.”

Ji Ling’er gritted her teeth. “Rest assured, those who kill shall themselves be killed. Chu Feng destroyed the Zhao family and murdered Brother Zhao Yan—this vengeance will be repaid.”

“Not only him, but the entire Tai Xuan Dao Sect—I will make them pay.”

“They must be destroyed.”

To kill Chu Feng.
To wipe out Tai Xuan.

Yet Ji Ling’er did not act rashly.

Though imperial clans appeared noble, their nature was ruthless—everything was dictated by strength. Ji Ling’er’s talent was exceptional, with a bloodline concentration of forty percent, a divine-level lineage, yet her cultivation was only at the Foundation Establishment stage. She was accompanied by a protector, but the protector would not act unless she faced real danger.

If she were to march directly to the Tai Xuan Dao Sect, she likely wouldn’t even get through the gate, let alone destroy Chu Feng and the sect—unless Chu Feng or the sect actively attacked her. Only when she encountered true peril would her protector intervene.