Urban Peerless Expert

"Really?"

Lin Chen gazed calmly at the smug Qingluan Immortal Monarch. "So, what is it that you want?"

Qingluan Immortal Monarch sneered, "If you want to live, release me immediately, and I can pretend this never happened."

Lin Chen chuckled lightly, "Don't forget, your life is still in my hands."

Qingluan Immortal Monarch said coldly, "You dare not kill me, for if you do, you'll die too."

Lin Chen laughed heartily, "Do you think I should release you now and beg for mercy?"

Qingluan Immortal Monarch said in a deep voice, "We can make an agreement. You release me, and I'll lift the control over you. It benefits us both. How about it?"

Lin Chen's eyes were playful, "Do you think I don't know you attacked me, or the means you used on me?"

Qingluan Immortal Monarch's gaze shifted; he suddenly realized.

As he mentioned controlling Lin Chen, Lin Chen showed no reaction!

No fear, no panic, just absolute calmness.

Could it be that he wasn't under my control?

At this moment, Qingluan Immortal Monarch was completely restrained, unable to check the spiritual chains even if he wanted to.

"You're not under my control?"

Lin Chen smiled, "Thanks to Seven-colored Immortal Monarch, who lent me a pendant specifically to counter your Drunken Immortal Pot, keeping me sober and alert at all times."

"I guessed you might make a move on our journey together, but I didn't expect you to act so decisively. Fortunately, I was prepared. Otherwise, I might indeed have fallen into your trap."

Qingluan Immortal Monarch's face changed dramatically, "Impossible! I clearly locked your Primordial Spirit!"

Lin Chen laughed heartily, "What you locked was the Star Map Spirit, even saints can't deal with it. Do you think your little tricks would work?"

Despair showed in Qingluan Immortal Monarch's eyes, "Is that why you attacked me?"

Lin Chen replied, "Since you have your sights set on my Star Map Spirit and the Immortal Emperor chose you to achieve sainthood, why would I let you become a saint peacefully? Only your death ensures my safety."

Qingluan Immortal Monarch hadn't realized Lin Chen knew his thoughts so well. He looked unwillingly at the Lord Charm Erosion beside him, "Who is he, and why is he so powerful?"

Lord Charm Erosion's radiance flickered, and his form quickly changed back to his true self in an instant.

On seeing Lord Charm Erosion's face, Qingluan Immortal Monarch's eyes widened in shock, "Lord Charm Erosion! You actually colluded with demons, betraying the human clan!"

Lin Chen smiled slightly, "I have not betrayed the human clan. Lord Charm Erosion came to kill me but failed and was captured by me. Now he serves me."

"Impossible!"

Qingluan Immortal Monarch cried out in disbelief, "Though you're a Quasi-Saint, how could you defeat Lord Charm Erosion, let alone control her to serve you!"

He turned to look at Lord Charm Erosion, hoping to find an answer on her face.

Lord Charm Erosion smiled charmingly and bowed to Lin Chen, "I serve you, my master!"

Qingluan Immortal Monarch was completely stunned.

It turned out to be true!

Lin Chen had actually subdued Lord Charm Erosion!

"How did you manage it? Even with the means bestowed by several saints, you couldn't possibly be a match for the Demon Lord. Tell me, how did you do it?"

Lin Chen smiled faintly, "The kryptonite we found in that star domain wasn't five pieces, but six. Two pieces were together, and I kept one for myself..."

Qingluan Immortal Monarch despaired.

Lin Chen had hidden a piece of kryptonite, leaving him in the dark all along!

He knew he was doomed!

Lin Chen had revealed so many secrets, there was no way he'd let him leave.

Unwillingly, he asked, "Why did you investigate Gu Yue? What is your relationship with Gu Yue?"

Lin Chen answered, "I have no direct relationship with Gu Yue, but..."

The Linglong Tower flew out from Lin Chen's brow, hovering in mid-air.

Qingluan Immortal Monarch's gaze fell on the Linglong Tower, his eyes widening, "Heavenly Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Tower! It's in your hands!"

Lin Chen smiled slightly, "Yes, Xi Jie has helped me many times, saved me countless times. Naturally, I want to help her find Senior Gu Yue. I originally thought you or the Immortal Emperor had harmed him, but I received an unexpected answer."

"The Sea Burning Immortal Monarch acted against you like that, and you just let it slide?"

Qingluan Immortal Monarch sneered, "We are all direct disciples of our master; some conflicts are understood between us. Do you think I would expose this matter to let him shine in front of our master?"

Lin Chen frowned slightly, understanding the underlying meaning. "You mean even if the Immortal Emperor knows about this, he would silently tolerate it and even praise it?"

Qingluan Immortal Monarch, now desperate, sneered, "Gu Yue was hailed as an unparalleled genius, a demon. If he broke through to become a saint, his power would be tremendous, possibly even challenging our master. Gu Yue had expressed ideas that if he became a saint, he would certainly stir up change and reshape the rules, which is as good as challenging our master's position..."

"Though our master praised him as a genius with a bright future, he certainly didn't like him deep down. If someone could eliminate Gu Yue, no matter what he says, he'd be pleased in his heart."

Lin Chen replied, "The Great Wilderness Saint once told me that saints would join forces to eliminate potential saint candidates to protect their own status. If the Immortal Emperor was dissatisfied with Gu Yue, why didn't he act directly to kill him?"

Qingluan Immortal Monarch answered, "Though he's the Immortal Emperor, Gu Yue's reputation is significant. If he killed Gu Yue, no one would challenge his power, but many Quasi-Saints in the Immortal Realm would be disheartened and lose faith."

"Besides, although Gu Yue is impressive, he has not truly broken through yet. If he did attempt to break through, the master might indeed personally intervene. The Sea Burning Immortal Monarch did this to ease our master's worries and take the blame for him."

"Gu Yue's accident was known to the master, who seemed regretful on the surface but was surely pleased. The Sea Burning Immortal Monarch might have even been rewarded..."

Lin Chen pressed, "Since Gu Yue was handed to the Sea Burning Immortal Monarch, is he still alive?"

"He should be,"

Qingluan Immortal Monarch replied, "Gu Yue has profound insights into the Dao and top-tier divine powers. The Sea Burning Immortal Monarch wouldn't miss the chance to exploit him."

"As long as the Sea Burning Immortal Monarch has not achieved the Dao and become a saint, he would likely keep Gu Yue alive to continue extracting valuable insights from him..."