Chapter 24: My Claim to the First Saint Son

"Li Tianxing, you're just relying on a few extra years of cultivation to act so arrogantly. If you're a man, let's meet on the Life-and-Death Arena two months from now. Do you dare?" A hint of challenge gleamed in Yang Lingchen's eyes. At this moment, he had no choice but to resort to provocation. It was his only path forward, as Li Tianxing's cultivation had already surpassed the Bright Profound Realm, making him far beyond Yang Lingchen's current ability to contend with. Just then, Lin Yurou leaned close to Ling Yanyun's ear and whispered, "Sister Yanyun, I doubt he'll dare to accept Yang Lingchen's challenge." Although Lin Yurou spoke into Ling Yanyun's ear, her voice wasn't particularly low, and everyone present heard it clearly. "I don't think he will either. He seems quite timid. He probably won't accept Yang Lingchen's challenge," Ling Yanyun said with a slight smile, nodding. "Sister Yanyun, I've heard that timid men are often quite small-minded. I wonder if that's true?" Lin Yurou chuckled softly. "Cough... cough..." Ling Yanyun cleared her throat, a blush spreading across her face. Many outer disciples present wore expressions of bewilderment. It seemed they couldn't afford to be timid or fearful anymore, lest they truly become small-minded. "Fine, you little brat. I accept your challenge. Otherwise, people might think I, your senior, am afraid of an outer disciple like you. Consider it two more months of life for you." Li Tianxing cast a cold glance at Yang Lingchen, then led Li Xinyi out of the Xuan Ranking Hall. "Thank you, Elder Liu," Yang Lingchen bowed respectfully. "Hmm, your talent is impressive. I hope you can create a miracle two months from now," Elder Liu said before departing, as he still had to preside over the Xuan Ranking battles. "Yang Lingchen, aren't you going to thank us two?" Lin Yurou pouted playfully. Yang Lingchen clasped his hands and bowed deeply. "Thank you, two beautiful ladies, for saving my life. I shall never forget your kindness." Yang Lingchen was truly grateful to these two exquisitely beautiful women. He could sense that their strength was unfathomable, far more terrifying than Li Tianxing's. "Just a thank you?" Lin Yurou teased. "Then, how about I treat you two ladies to a meal?" Yang Lingchen scratched his head. "Don't books say that when a hero saves a beauty, the beauty usually offers herself in return? Why is it that when two beauties save you, you try to dismiss us with just a meal?" Lin Yurou giggled. "Cough... cough! Then, how about I offer myself in return?" Yang Lingchen said awkwardly, though in his heart, he was thinking that if the two beauties were willing, he wouldn't mind. "You wish! Come on, treat us to a meal, but you have to cook it yourself." Lin Yurou said. "No problem. Let's go to the outskirts of the Northern Wilderness Mountains and hunt some game. I'll make my specialty barbecue for you two ladies," Yang Lingchen offered. "Are you sure you can cook? And that it's edible?" Lin Yurou's large, watery eyes widened. "Of course it's edible. I graduated from New Oriental! I haven't had the pleasure of knowing your names yet, ladies?" Yang Lingchen asked. "I'm Lin Yurou, and this beautiful lady is Ling Yanyun. You should really thank Sister Yanyun; she was the one who saved you just now," Lin Yurou said. "Thank you, Miss Ling, for saving my life just now," Yang Lingchen said sincerely. "No need to be polite. Actually, I saved you because I need your help with something," Ling Yanyun said, her voice cool and clear. "No problem. As long as I can do it, I'll do it without hesitation. Let's get something to eat first, and we can talk while we eat," Yang Lingchen suggested. The Heavenly Origin Palace was situated within the Northern Wilderness Mountains. Not long after leaving the academy, the three headed towards a scenic hillside. This area was quite beautiful and often attracted many young male and female disciples. Cultivation was a tedious process, so many disciples occasionally came out to relax and engage in activities beneficial to their well-being. "Ah..." Just then, a series of intermittent female cries came from ahead. "Oh, come on." Yang Lingchen immediately understood what was happening. The two women also seemed to understand, their faces flushing crimson, making them look exceptionally charming. After walking a bit further, the three finally found a secluded spot. Yang Lingchen skillfully set up a bonfire and caught a few wild chickens and rabbits. Soon, Yang Lingchen had cleaned the game and was expertly roasting it. "Yang Lingchen, you're only at the fourth level peak of the Bright Profound Realm. Why is your strength so formidable?" Lin Yurou asked curiously. The two women were very curious about Yang Lingchen's combat prowess. Although they had seen many super geniuses, most could only challenge opponents one or two minor realms higher. Someone like Yang Lingchen, who could challenge opponents several minor realms higher, was only matched by Sikong Jie in the Heavenly Origin Palace, and even Sikong Jie could only challenge three minor realms higher. "Because I'm a genius!" Yang Lingchen said with a calm smile. "Then how did you offend that Li Tianxing? He's a Profound Comprehension Realm cultivator, much higher in cultivation than you!" Lin Yurou continued to ask. "It happened like this...!" Mentioning Li Xinyi made Yang Lingchen wish he could eliminate that woman. He then recounted the story of how he had saved Li Xinyi that day. "How could there be such an ungrateful woman? If I ever meet her again, I'll tear her mouth apart!" Lin Yurou said indignantly. "Miss Ling, you mentioned earlier that you needed my help. What is it?" Yang Lingchen asked. "From today onwards, you will pretend to be my man, Ling Yanyun's. I need you to become the First Saint Son of the sect within one year. Can you do it?" Ling Yanyun's lips curved into a cool smile, her beautiful eyes fixed directly on Yang Lingchen. In an instant, Yang Lingchen felt the surrounding temperature drop to freezing point. He had a feeling that if he dared to say he couldn't do it, the other party might very well eliminate him. At this moment, Lin Yurou suddenly fell silent, looking at Yang Lingchen with anticipation. "Miss Ling, pretending to be your man is no problem, but becoming the First Saint Son within a year? Are you joking?" Yang Lingchen frowned. The Heavenly Origin Palace had four Saint Sons, and each of them was at least at the ninth level peak of the Void Inquiry Realm. Yang Lingchen was currently only at the fourth level of the Bright Profound Realm. After the Bright Profound Realm came the Profound Comprehension Realm, and only after that was the Void Inquiry Realm. To reach the ninth level peak of the Void Inquiry Realm within a year, he truly didn't have much confidence. "Hmph!" "Does it look good?" Ling Yanyun suddenly pulled off the shawl from her shoulder, revealing a large expanse of fair skin. It had to be admitted that Ling Yanyun's figure was exceptionally striking, and her skin was as white as jade. Yang Lingchen was momentarily captivated. "Whoosh!" Suddenly, a long sword was pressed against Yang Lingchen's neck. "Miss Ling, calm down. You pulled that off yourself; it has nothing to do with me!" Yang Lingchen said, trembling. "You've already taken advantage of me. Now, can you do it?" Ling Yanyun said coldly. "Yes... definitely," Yang Lingchen quickly agreed. At this point, if he didn't agree, he was genuinely afraid Ling Yanyun would slit his throat. "One month from now, you must take first place in the Outer Sect Grand Competition. At that time, I will announce our relationship to the public," Ling Yanyun said coolly. "Why me?" Yang Lingchen asked. At this moment, Yang Lingchen desperately wanted to know why Ling Yanyun had chosen him. "You are not yet qualified to know," Ling Yanyun said coldly. "I have a condition," Yang Lingchen said. "Speak," Ling Yanyun's voice was cool. "If I become the First Saint Son, you must become my woman." Yang Lingchen said, steeling himself. He couldn't just let himself be used for nothing. Ling Yanyun's beautiful eyes stared intently at Yang Lingchen. After a moment, she said, "Agreed." "You said it. This First Saint Son, I am determined to be." A confident smile appeared on Yang Lingchen's lips.