Chapter 967: Chapter 967

Zhao Xiaohua froze for a moment when she saw Ai Xiaoying suddenly burst through her sealed acupuncture points and kill Gu Sanniang.

Her acupuncture technique could block a person's meridians, controlling the flow of internal energy. Once struck, it was practically impossible to break free.

Yet Ai Xiaoying not only managed to break through but also killed Gu Sanniang in one strike, which clearly demonstrated she was no ordinary person.

Ai Xiaoying smiled faintly: "Of course, I had to kill her. Back then, when I entered here with a few companions, she and her husband poisoned my classmates, then cruelly…"

As she spoke, a look of hatred flashed in Ai Xiaoying's eyes: "I've waited this long just so I could avenge those classmates one day."

Lin Chen looked at Ai Xiaoying without saying a word.

For some reason, Lin Chen always felt that this Ai Xiaoying was extremely dangerous, giving him an unsettling sense of dread.

Lin Chen said calmly: "Are you really doing this for revenge and not to silence witnesses?"

"Brother Chen, you're so funny. What could I possibly be hiding from you? I truly just want revenge." Ai Xiaoying blinked her large eyes, looking innocent and adorable.

If Lin Chen hadn't just seen her mercilessly kill Gu Sanniang, he might have actually thought she was the lovable girl next door!

Lin Chen nodded: "Alright, since your grudge has been avenged, you're free now. Rest up tonight, and tomorrow we'll all go our separate ways."

Lin Chen remained deeply suspicious of Ai Xiaoying.

With her skills, killing that couple wouldn't have been difficult, yet she deliberately waited until they arrived here to act.

This clearly indicated that Ai Xiaoying had ulterior motives.

Ai Xiaoying gazed at Lin Chen, her eyes flickering with thought, but there was a faint smile on her lips.

The next day, just before dawn, there was a knock on Lin Chen's door.

Rubbing his eyes, Lin Chen opened the door to find Ai Xiaoying standing outside.

Lin Chen was taken aback: "Why are you looking for me so early?"

Without saying a word, Ai Xiaoying pushed Lin Chen back into the room and shut the door.

"Lin Chen, I want to join your team. Please agree." Ai Xiaoying leaned so close that her sultry figure was almost pressed against Lin Chen.

"Well, um…" Lin Chen took several steps back, falling onto the bed as Ai Xiaoying advanced.

"By the way, I know a massage technique called Dragon Claw Hand. I promise you'll feel amazing!"

As she spoke, Ai Xiaoying reached out and placed her hand on Lin Chen without hesitation...

A few seconds later, a wail echoed through the room, persisting for quite some time.

"As long as you agree to take me to the Star Domain, you can tell me anything you want in the future."

With a flirtatious smile, Ai Xiaoying tilted Lin Chen's chin upward as she spoke.

Ai Xiaoying turned to leave the room, but just as the door opened, Wang Zixuan was standing there.

When Wang Zixuan saw Ai Xiaoying exiting Lin Chen's room, her expression darkened.

Noticing Lin Chen sitting weakly on the bed, Wang Zixuan immediately seemed to understand something.

"Lin Chen, last night you…!" Wang Zixuan's eyes filled with disappointment.

"Zixuan, I didn't. She just knocked and came into my room, then…" Lin Chen awkwardly tried to explain.

Never in his wildest dreams had Lin Chen expected Ai Xiaoying to use such tactics to coerce him.

Still, he couldn't deny that her massage technique was outrageously pleasurable! He couldn't help but savor the lingering sensation.

"Then what?" Wang Zixuan asked coldly.

"Oh, little girl, do I even need to say? When dry wood meets fire, what do you think happens?" Ai Xiaoying teased with a sultry smile.

"I knew it." Wang Zixuan turned and stormed off in anger.

Lin Chen glared at Ai Xiaoying and whispered, "If you don't clear this up for me, I won't take you to the Star Domain."

Ai Xiaoying chuckled: "I'm just joking with Sister Zixuan. Nothing happened between us. I just came to ask Lin Chen to take me to the Star Domain."

"Hmph, do you think I'm stupid? If you didn't do anything, why does Lin Chen look so disheveled?" Wang Zixuan stopped and snapped angrily.

"You'd have to ask him. When I came into the room, he was already exercising—right, Brother Chen?" Ai Xiaoying smiled mischievously at Lin Chen.

By this point, Lin Chen finally understood how cruel women's hearts could be. She had completely twisted the situation, blaming him for everything.

"Well, yes, I was… exercising… this morning…" Lin Chen stammered awkwardly.

Despite his reluctance, Lin Chen knew he had to take the blame.

Wang Zixuan blushed, her expression softening: "You shameless guy, doing such things in secret."

Lin Chen noticed the relief in Wang Zixuan's face and felt a small pang of delight in his heart.

It seemed this girl cared about him deeply; otherwise, she wouldn't have been so nervous.

Just then, Zhao Xiaohua and Lan Xingling emerged from their rooms.

Sitting around a small square table, Lin Chen said: "I think we should bring Ai Xiaoying along for three reasons. First, she knows the way. Since this is our first time here and we've fallen behind that group, having someone to guide us will save us a lot of trouble."

"Second, I've looked into Ai Xiaoying's background. She's from the Ai family in Hua Xia and entered the secret realm a decade ago. Although she stayed with those two people running the black shop, she didn't kill anyone, so she isn't a bad person."

"Third, this desert is dangerous for a lone woman. I think it's better to help someone out and have some added support along the way." Lin Chen concluded.

"I disagree!" Lan Xingling said coldly.

"This journey is already perilous. Bringing along someone with unclear intentions will undoubtedly cause unknown complications. She claims to be innocent, but does she have proof? I feel like bringing her along is like carrying a ticking bomb. I refuse." Lan Xingling stared at Ai Xiaoying with simmering hostility.

Lan Xingling's reasoning was solid. Finally, Lin Chen glanced at the group: "Ultimately, it's up to everyone whether we bring her. Since there's disagreement, let's vote!"

Zhao Xiaohua and Lin Chen voted in favor, Lan Xingling voted against, and Wang Zixuan hesitated.

For some reason, Wang Zixuan still felt that Ai Xiaoying was suspicious, especially after seeing her leave Lin Chen's room earlier, which made her feel particularly uncomfortable.

"I know a shortcut that can help us catch up with them faster. If you take the same route as they did, by the time we reach the Star Domain, they'll already have looted everything inside." Ai Xiaoying said flatly.

Hearing this, Wang Zixuan wavered. She knew that within the Star Domain was the poem Lin Chen needed to save Zhao Xiaowen. Her reason for enduring hardships alongside Lin Chen had been to ensure she could help him.

"I agree to let Ai Xiaoying come with us." After thinking it over, Wang Zixuan finally cast her vote in favor.

"Alright then, let's set off." Lin Chen said with a faint smile, looking at the four women.

Lin Chen burned down the black market shop, and the group of five resumed their journey.

For reasons he couldn't explain, Lin Chen felt there was a connection between Lan Xingling and Ai Xiaoying. Every time their gazes met, there was a hint of animosity.

Could it be… those two girls had a history?