Chapter 266: The Shared Power Between Them (4)

When Li Yang stepped into the beach, even he who was still at Qi Condensation, recognized that sudden warping of the island's air and qi. 

It wasn't obvious to the naked eye, but he had felt the numerous formations available in the sand and even saw what appeared to be ritualistic totem-like structures. This was what accounted for him not seeing anything while they were still aboard on the ship.

The System didn't even need to signal him about it.

[ Island of Illusions ]

A hidden island dedicated to the art of training ordinary mortals to stage one to stage two cultivators. It contains a space suitable for those who wish to train themselves against illusionary enemies as well as the available monster beasts cultivated in the island. 

This was originally created by the fallen cultivator, Liu Qing Shan.

Although he had to admit that it sort of helped in letting him know what his environment exactly was and what he was probably up against if he ever needed to fight his way out if it were unavoidable.

However, judging by the relaxed demeanor and even the friendly way they talked and conversed with Ying Yue He… it may or may not be tested.

Several of the ordinary men who had been aboard in the ship were led by Yuan Gen himself to what seemed to be a small country house. Modern additions of what may have been originally a purely traditional area.

The cultivators who took them back on the island were the ones in charge of the dead Nian Beast and they entered into what appeared to be a rift in the forest and then disappeared. 

Li Yang raised a brow. 

Nonplussed wasn't exactly the word he could use to describe his emotions, but he was gauging everything with a critical eye. Right before Ying Yue He could speak up and possibly explain about the island herself, the purple-haired cultivator from earlier stepped up towards them and then pointed to a certain direction.

"You must be the CEO Li Yang—I wish Gen had let me know in advance that you were stopping by." The younger man bowed slightly at him. "We could have prepared more."

Li Yang didn't know what to take of the quite respectful treatment, but went along with it. "It was a sudden decision, I've heard that my secretary… or rather, Ying Yue He was here." 

"Indeed." The man glanced at Ying Yue He, but still shook his head. "Still, the display we showed earlier at the sea has been inadequate."

Li Yang would have disagreed and say that their sudden presence was helpful in saving everyone, but he simply let the guy speak whatever preconceived faults or misgivings he had. Anything that he would have said would have fallen to deaf ears anyway.

The younger man cleared his throat. "To finish, we have some accommodations for newcomers and a guest room—although judging by Yue He's reaction earlier, she could also take you to her room and get changed there."

Ying Yue He's hand suddenly tightened around Li Yang's. 

Now that this guy was finished with his speech, Li Yang shrugged slightly. "I don't mind either—thank you for the hospitality." 

"Of course, it's actually a delight to have someone new over." The young man inclined his head again, smiling slightly in what might have been a crafted expression. 

"Is that so?" Li Yang asked.

As for how first impressions go, Li Yang was reminded of someone akin to a courtier at the moment. Maybe it was him being exceptionally critical or still remembering Mou Gu's words, but he didn't trust these people one bit.

He had no reason to.

The young man reminded Li Yang of his brother—someone who happened to be good at words and using them to his advantage. He wasn't won over at all.

"Truly, hard it may be to believe. Or perhaps it's believable at all because you think I have something to gain from this encounter. I assure you, that we do things here in a two way street." The younger cultivator spoke his thoughts at last and then turned to leave. "Miss Yue He, I leave him in your care."

"O-of course, Guiren." Ying Yue He managed to say.

"I'll see the two of you tonight or most preferably in the morning. It makes certain sense to stay awhile and recover from the attack. Not to mention that it'll take some time for the Nian to get prepared and separate the monster parts—which you had the greatest contribution to."

After those words, the cultivator finally took his leave and left Li Yang alone with Ying Yue He.

"... I don't particularly like him." Li Yang mused aloud.

Ying Yue gave him a look that said she really thought he shouldn't have said that aloud, but then shook her head. It wasn't the same if the man never said anything to her. Ying Yue He squeezed his hand and then started tugging him in another path within the forest. "I'll show you where I'm staying. We should get dressed."

"Or perhaps change out of our clothes—a shower isn't so bad either," Li Yang said. When it came to his secretary, she was actually a little more easier to read than even Taiga.

The Tigress Spirit did enjoy talking in third person and being playful with him, but that did feel like a facade in a way. Maybe he just knew Ying Yue He more after knowing each other through the years.

Her ears turning bright red was a good indicator of what she was feeling and thinking.

"... How are you faring here?" Li Yang asked once they arrived at their destination. He expected ancient temples and pagodas, but to his surprise it did look what many might have guessed a retreat place to look like. 

Still, he didn't want to get distracted about the place. If anything, Li Yang wished to know how she arrived here and wanted to make sure that she was okay.

"I have this entire bungalow for myself," Ying Yue He explained with a sheepish smile. "So, you don't have to worry about other people and there's nothing ridiculous like hidden cameras or anything either. I checked that when I first came here." 

Li Yang couldn't help but sigh slightly. If that had actually been a thing, that was more fucked up than anything he could hear right now. "I'm glad that you considered that and that I can see that you're safe."

"Mhmm… I'm really safe." Ying Yue He nodded. She was totally not thinking about sex—except the two of them had kissed earlier and that was the first base… her gaze wandered slightly over the man still soaked from head to toe. The drenched look was actually quite alluring.

This was something she might have imagined he'd look like if they kissed in the rain.

"... You're not being forced to reside here are you?" Li Yang prompted. 

"No! It was my decision to come here." Ying Yue He didn't want to discuss the fact that she and Taiga sort of had a full-blown argument before, which led to one thing and another, and she found an alternative to the Shen Group which had been happy to take her in.

"What if I ask you to leave with me?"

"Yes."

Li Yang raised a brow.

"Just yes." Ying Yue He coughed at her enthusiasm but went along with it. "Of course I'll leave if you ask me to. I came here to get stronger and then find you—you kind of made it easier by coming here yourself. You remembered my promise, didn't you?"

"I did." It was one of those things that weighed heavily on his mind before. Li Yang wanted to keep her safe and far away as possible, but it was almost inevitable that this would happen.

Not that he was regretting it now.

Ying Yue He actually looked happier and more self-assured for some reason. Li Yang could only think that it was because she achieved her goals. How strong did she get since the two of them have last seen each other? Li Yang decided to check on it.

—-—-

Author's Note: Cough. A small context to Ying Yue He's "I'm safe" which could have been a response to Li Yang's worry about her being in this island or her telling him that she was at a safe day aka it was fine to have sex with her due to the low chances of getting pregnant xD 

I think a majority of you would have gotten that small and slightly terrible joke. Did you know that sperm can stay alive up to five days after having sex? Thanks for reading!