The Heavenly Gate Stronghold was decked out with lanterns and colored streamers for the victory feast.
Shi Jin held his wine bowl, his gaze darting back and forth between Lin Che and Luo Jiayin, finally unable to contain his curiosity: "Brother Lin, who is this young lady?"
Lin Che wrapped an arm around Luo Jiayin's slender waist in one swift motion, grinning mischievously: "Call her Little Sister-in-Law."
Shi Jin spat out a mouthful of wine: "Little Sister-in-Law?! You don't even have a Big Sister-in-Law yet—how do you have a Little Sister-in-Law already?"
Lin Che winked at him: "Soon, soon. Just missing a ceremony."
[System: Detected host acting like a rogue in public. Shamelessness +100, Thick-skinnedness +200.]
Luo Jiayin twisted hard at Lin Che's lower back, her fingernails sinking deep into his flesh.
"Hiss—!" Lin Che gasped in pain but forced a smile nonetheless.
[System: Target's pinching skill MAX. Host's pain index: 80. Suggestion: Beg for mercy immediately.]
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Let go, let go…" Lin Che begged softly.
Only then did Luo Jiayin release him. Her face wore an elegant smile, but her voice was gritted out through her teeth: "If you spout nonsense again, I'll twist you to death."
[System: Detected early symptoms of henpecked behavior in host. Suggestion: Prepare a washboard.]
After the feast ended, Lin Che followed Luo Jiayin back to her room.
"Jiayin, still mad?" he asked, putting on an ingratiating smile.
Luo Jiayin sat cross-legged on the bed with her eyes closed, resting, and ignored him completely.
[System: Target has activated cold war mode. Duration: unknown. Suggestion: Launch sweet talk attack.]
"I'm sorry, I really am! I shouldn't have called you Little Sister-in-Law in front of everyone…"
[Sweet talk ineffective. Target's defense stat too high.]
"If you're still angry, should I leave?" Lin Che asked tentatively.
"Scram." Luo Jiayin finally spoke—just one word.
[System: Target's words are concise and to the point. Lethality +100.]
Lin Che flew into a rage out of embarrassment: "Fine, think you can get away with this, huh?"
He pounced on Luo Jiayin, pinning her to the bed, and began tearing at her clothes.
"You… what are you doing! Rogue!" Luo Jiayin was both ashamed and furious.
"Doing what I should!" Lin Che growled. "I'll teach you who's in charge here!"
Lin Che leaned down and kissed her soft lips. One large hand grabbed Luo Jiayin's ample breasts, while the other slid skillfully under her skirt, reaching directly for her intimate area. His fingers pinched and kneaded the nipples on her breast.
At first, Luo Jiayin struggled fiercely, but soon her body went limp and weak. Before long, she lost herself in the moment, wrapping her arms around Lin Che's neck and frantically stripping off his clothes and pants.
[System: Detected target cooperating. Congratulations, host! Forcible seduction successful!]
The silk curtains fell, and the candlelight flickered.
The bed creaked loudly, mixed with Luo Jiayin's soft gasps and moans.
More than two hours later, Lin Che stepped out of the room, thoroughly satisfied.
Luo Jiayin lay limp on the bed, her legs trembling slightly, her walking posture clearly off.
[System: Detected target is completely subdued. Obedience +50, Kidney function index -80.]
Lin Ying's room was right next to Luo Jiayin's.
Lin Ying was sound asleep, even snoring with a snot bubble forming at her nose. She faintly heard cries that sounded like Luo Jiayin's. She was about to get up to check, but then remembered she was in Heavenly Gate Stronghold—a den of thieves. Sister Jiayin couldn't possibly be in danger. It must be Big Brother transmitting cultivation to Sister Jiayin, she thought. So she pulled the covers over her head and went back to sleep.
The next morning.
Lin Ying skipped over to open her door, ready to head to the back mountain to play with her beast army.
As she passed Luo Jiayin's room, Lin Che opened the door and stepped out just as she walked by.
"Good morning, Big Brother!" Lin Ying greeted him sweetly, then peeked into the room. "Sister Jiayin, why are you walking… limping?"
[System: Innocent child's words critical hit! Embarrassment +200!]
Luo Jiayin had just gotten out of bed. When she heard this, her face flushed bright red all the way to her neck, and she turned to run outside.
Lin Che was quick-witted, grabbing her arm in one move: "Where are you running? Guilty conscience?"
"I have no guilty conscience!" Luo Jiayin struggled. "This is all your fault!"
Lin Ying tilted her little head and asked innocently: "Big Brother, did you transmit cultivation to Sister Jiayin last night? And then Sister Jiayin didn't listen, so you bullied her? I heard Sister shouting for hours!"
[System: Detected younger sister has exceptional hearing. Suggestion: Set up a soundproof barrier next time.]
"Kids shouldn't meddle in adults' affairs," Lin Che coughed awkwardly.
"I'm not a kid anymore!" Lin Ying muttered, wronged. "I'm already 16! I know everything I need to know…"
[System: Detected younger sister is maturing. Suggestion: Prepare for sex education for host.]
"Scram!"
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Above Heavenly Gate Stronghold, the pressure of an Early Void Refinement cultivator descended like divine wrath.
Zuo Lengchan stepped through the air, flanked by three Late God Transformation cultivators and five Mid God Transformation cultivators—a luxurious lineup.
"Lin Che, you brat! Come out and meet your death!" Zuo Lengchan's voice was icy cold.
Lin Che held his sword in one hand, hovering above the stronghold gate, his Half-Step God Transformation pressure unyielding:
"Heh, just a bunch of small fries come to die?"
Zuo Lengchan sneered: "Still talking tough when you're about to die!"
"Talking tough?" Lin Che raised an eyebrow. "How about this—I have a proposal."
He paused, then spoke loudly: "Since the Profound Sword Sect wants me dead, and I've long despised your sect's actions in the Canglan Realm, let's raise the stakes."
"What do you mean?" Zuo Lengchan frowned.
"I'll give you five days to gather every capable, powerful cultivator in the Profound Sword Sect. Five days from now, at your Profound Sword Sect Branch Altar in the Canglan Realm, we'll have a martial duel."
"I, Lin Che, will gather all my confidants and friends. Whichever side loses, everyone on that side will commit suicide. Does the Profound Sword Sect dare to accept?"
Zuo Lengchan's pupils shrank sharply: "You… you're insane?!"
"I'll only ask once—dare you or not?" Lin Che's gaze was as sharp as a blade.
Zuo Lengchan didn't dare decide alone, saying in a deep voice: "I must return to the sect to discuss this."
"Fine." Lin Che tossed him a jade token. "You have one day. Crush this token, and I'll know your answer. If you agree, we fight at the Branch Altar in five days. If you're scared, the Profound Sword Sect will never set foot in the Canglan Realm again."
Zuo Lengchan caught the jade token, shot Lin Che a deep look, then turned and left.
[System: Detected enemy is hesitating. Suggestion: Prepare coffins… oops, prepare a surprise.]
Lin Che watched his retreating figure, a wicked smile curling at the corner of his mouth:
"Five days is more than enough for me to break through."