Chapter 5846: Beating Someone Up

Long Chen walked determinedly towards the tall mountain. Without Chu Yao's company, he had to face Liu Ruyan alone. A chill ran down Long Chen's spine.

Although he had been around Liu Ruyan for many years, their conversations were few. It wasn't that Long Chen was standoffish, but back then, Liu Ruyan always held a grudge against him.

She seemed unable to forget the hatred Long Chen once harbored toward her. Whenever he tried to speak with her, she glared at him with anger, making Long Chen reluctant to engage.

While things had improved later and their exchanges were no longer hostile, Liu Ruyan still maintained her aloof demeanor, keeping Long Chen at a distance.

Long Chen never expected that a casual joke from the past would be taken seriously by Liu Ruyan. It caught him off guard.

"Buzz."

With each step Long Chen took, the void trembled slightly. He realized the mountain ahead formed its own world.

Expanding his consciousness, Long Chen was astonished. This mountain sat upon a bed of green leaves, and these leaves marked the limit of his perception, impossible to extend beyond.

The Forest of Undying Demons held endless secrets. Long Chen sensed it the moment he arrived. Truly, the royal lineage among plant life, its depth was staggering.

Thinking about the arrogance of the Great Luo Green Lotus Clan for daring to provoke here, it was utter foolishness.

Yet, the Great Luo Green Lotus Clan was just a pawn, testing the strength and attitude of the Undying Clan. Even a mere pawn had such a scale, forcing Long Chen to reassess the influence of the Grand Desolate Heaven.

Long Chen continued forward, reaching the summit unknowingly. At that moment, a cold voice echoed:

"Take off your shoes."

Long Chen paused, noticing a waterfall, resembling a galaxy, cascading in front. On the platform before the falls lay a jade-green blanket. Liu Ruyan sat there, gazing at the waterfall in a daze.

Looking at the blanket beneath his feet, Long Chen realized it wasn't animal fur but a peculiar vegetation, soft and pure.

He reluctantly began removing his boots, but before he could take one off, Liu Ruyan remarked, "Forget it. Your feet must stink."

Long Chen was speechless. Was she looking for a fight? He couldn't help but say, "Should I just carry myself on my two legs?"

Liu Ruyan remained silent. Long Chen put his boots back on and cautiously sat beside her.

Liu Ruyan continued staring at the waterfall, seemingly unaffected by Long Chen's presence. Carefully observing her, Long Chen noticed her side profile: porcelain-like cheeks, a straight nose, luscious lips, exquisite features.

Her slender neck against her dark hair emitted a radiant glow.

With the waterfall misting around her, Liu Ruyan appeared even more enchanting, stirring something in Long Chen's heart.

"I didn't expect her to be so beautiful. Did she become more beautiful recently, or was she always like this, and I never noticed?" Long Chen pondered.

Observing Liu Ruyan's figure—her graceful curves even while seated—Long Chen felt as if he was meeting her for the first time, a moment that unexpectedly quickened his heartbeat.

Seemingly oblivious to Long Chen's feelings, Liu Ruyan continued watching the waterfall, saying, "This place was built by me and Chu Yao together. Whenever we faced difficulties, felt angry, lost, or helpless, we'd come here. It's our haven of peace. Only here can our hearts and souls find tranquility."

Long Chen felt a pang upon hearing Liu Ruyan's words. Clearly, Chu Yao never shared her troubles. Despite her never complaining, Liu Ruyan's words hinted at a reality different from appearances.

For the first time, it seemed Liu Ruyan was opening up to Long Chen. Now, he understood that her inner world was not as simple as he had previously imagined.

"You don't need it now," Long Chen said.

"Why?" Liu Ruyan finally turned to look at Long Chen.

Examining her face, Long Chen noticed her high nose, signifying her strong and never-surrender personality. Perhaps due to awakening the royal bloodline, her temperament had changed.

"Because you have me. As long as I'm alive, I won't allow anyone to trouble you," Long Chen said, each word sincere.

Had this been the Tianwu Continent, Liu Ruyan would have scoffed at such a statement, as she never wanted protection. But today, upon hearing Long Chen's words, her hand trembled slightly. Her icy demeanor seemed to thaw, revealing a hint of tenderness.

"With your strength, even self-preservation might be an issue. How can you protect others?" Though her tone held a touch of tenderness, it still echoed her past indifference.

In the past, Long Chen would have been irritated. But now he understood—Liu Ruyan used her coldness to hide her vulnerability. Her facade had deceived him for a long time. If not for today's incident, Long Chen would never have realized that this seemingly indifferent person harbored feelings.

"Though I might not always be able to protect you, if anyone dares to harm you, they'll have to step over my dead body," Long Chen said firmly.

Hearing this, Liu Ruyan's body trembled slightly. Her eyes turned slightly red, and she turned away, hiding her true emotions. Her pride prevented her from revealing her feelings to Long Chen.

Long Chen gently held Liu Ruyan's delicate hand, causing her to panic and try to pull away. However, Long Chen held firmly, leaving her both embarrassed and flustered.

"Trust me. I won't let anyone mistreat you anymore. Let me carry the burden from now on," Long Chen said affectionately.

Despite her attempts, Liu Ruyan couldn't free her hand from Long Chen's grasp. After hearing his words, she gritted her teeth and said, "Fine, go beat up the person who's been troubling me. I'll believe you."

"Tell me, who is it?" Long Chen thumped his chest.

"Yan... Chang... Tian," Liu Ruyan uttered three words.

(End of this chapter)