Chapter 57: Hu Yunyin Falls Victim to the Drug, Will Hu Tian Succeed?

"Yunying, you’re back, that’s wonderful. I’ve been so worried about your safety these days..."

When Hu Yunying heard this, her expression did not brighten; instead, her brows furrowed.

"Hu Tian, I’ve told you before, don’t address me like that. We’re not nearly that familiar!"

Hu Tian, the Fifth Holy Son of the White Tiger Clan, was utterly enamored with Hu Yunying.

But she refused even to look at him.

This only made him more determined to win her over.

From every angle, Hu Yunying was a paragon among the tiger people.

There’s a saying: what you can’t have always stirs the heart.

Hu Tian was exactly that kind.

"Alright, alright, I understand, Third Saintess."

Though he agreed, Hu Tian’s burning gaze lingered on Hu Yunying, unwilling to leave.

In his heart, he plotted quietly—hmph, I’ll see your expression in a moment.

"Did you go searching for the strange fire again, Third Saintess? Did you have any luck?"

Hu Tian asked, voicing his curiosity.

Hu Yunying’s heart skipped a beat. Could he have noticed something odd about Lingtian and his companions?

Otherwise, why would he ask so directly?

"No, I didn’t."

Hu Yunying shook her head. If Hu Tian learned Lingtian’s true identity, things would become complicated.

"That’s great..."

Hu Tian started to say, but seeing Hu Yunying’s cold expression, he quickly changed his tone:

*Ahem.* "What I meant is, I’ve found someone who possesses a strange fire. Isn’t that good news?"

"What? You found someone?"

Hu Yunying raised her brows, her voice rising several notches.

Lingtian frowned slightly. Could it be Yanchen?

In Lingtian’s memory, only Yanchen possessed a strange fire.

"That’s right. Come with me, I’ll take you to him."

As he spoke, Hu Tian boldly brushed Hu Yunying’s hand.

A smug look flashed across his face.

Hu Yunying frowned, clearly aware of his little maneuver.

But if the person Hu Tian found possessed a powerful strange fire, it would be even more likely to purge the demon energy from her grandfather’s body.

With this thought, Hu Yunying did not protest.

With Hu Tian’s insistence, the group had no choice but to follow him.

"Third Saintess, did you hear? The Celestial Pavilion’s rankings have changed—the top prodigy is now someone called Tian Ling. If you ask me, it’s just the humans amusing themselves. If I ever meet him, I’ll beat him so badly his own mother won’t recognize him!"

On their way, Hu Tian rambled on, soon bringing up this topic.

As fellow prodigies, he paid special attention to such matters.

For example, the Demon Realm was close to the Celestial Pavilion, so news spread easily.

Lingtian curled his lips. Honestly, this guy could talk big.

I’m standing right in front of you—if you have the guts, try and make my mother not recognize me.

Lingtian was speechless; how did he end up the target while just standing here?

"Hu Tian, mind your words. Human prodigies aren’t as weak as you imagine. Besides, haven’t you suffered multiple losses at Lingxiao’s hands?"

Hu Yunying held back her laughter, reminding Hu Tian, her eyes dancing as she glanced at Lingtian.

"That was an accident. I hadn’t eaten enough at the time. If I’d been full, not just Lingxiao, but both of them together would have been easy for me to handle."

Hu Tian couldn’t stand having his failures exposed, so he made up an excuse.

Hu Yunying clearly didn’t believe him.

Hu Tian kept prattling ahead, as if determined to pick a fight with the name Tian Ling.

He noticed that every time he mentioned Tian Ling, Hu Yunying’s beautiful eyes were fixed on him.

Finally, he even repeated the rumor that Lingtian was impotent.

"Pfft..."

At that, Hu Yunying couldn’t help but laugh.

Luo Changsheng’s shoulders shook as he laughed until he was breathless.

Xiao Ling’er and the others were barely holding it together.

Lingtian’s face darkened. Damn it, you’re something else.

Slandering someone right to their face, even if unknowingly.

But what nonsense was that—impotent?

Lingtian truly felt like teaching Hu Tian a lesson.

This was pure nonsense.

Hu Tian saw Hu Yunying laughing but had no idea just how serious the situation was.

All that registered in his mind was: she smiled at me!

Fortunately, after voicing such outrageous claims, they finally arrived at the place where Hu Tian claimed the person with the strange fire was.

"He’s in this room. Just you and I should go in."

Hu Tian pointed to a chamber and spoke to Hu Yunying.

Hu Yunying was not suspicious; this was a matter of hers, after all, and she ought to handle it herself.

She couldn’t have someone else go in her place.

Hu Tian had to agree as well.

"I’ll bring him out, then I’ll leave."

Hu Yunying glanced back at the group, then followed Hu Tian into the room.

"She’s straightforward, at least," Lingtian commented, watching Hu Yunying’s figure disappear.

Hu Tian looked nothing like a decent person.

Perhaps Hu Yunying felt her strength made precautions unnecessary?

Inside, there was indeed a cage. After investigating, Hu Yunying confirmed that a person was confined inside.

A middle-aged man, dressed in alchemist’s garb.

Hu Yunying guessed that an alchemist would require high-grade flames.

No surprise if he possessed a strange fire.

But shouldn’t such a person be closely protected?

How had Hu Tian caught him?

"Show your strange fire to the Third Saintess!"

Hu Tian’s eyes darkened as he ordered the caged man.

While Hu Yunying focused on the prisoner, Hu Tian swallowed a pill.

The middle-aged man, not daring to delay, opened his palm, revealing a purple flame.

Hmm?

Hu Yunying murmured in surprise; this flame was truly peculiar.

In terms of power, it couldn’t match Lingtian’s Blue Lotus Fire.

But it was stronger than other flames by a margin.

Strange—very strange.

Hu Yunying stepped closer for a careful look.

*Ahem...*

Seeing the distance was close enough, Hu Tian coughed.

The caged man’s expression changed abruptly, and he flung the flame toward Hu Yunying.

"Damn!"

Hu Yunying shattered the flame, but its powder spread everywhere, impossible to evade.

In a moment of carelessness, she was caught.

A feverish heat surged through her body.

"You—you..."

Her legs buckled, about to collapse, and Hu Tian seized the chance to wrap an arm around her waist.

Hu Yunying propped herself against Hu Tian’s chest, avoiding an overly intimate position.

"Yunying, don’t blame me. I just like you too much. Once we’re together, I’ll have him help purify your grandfather’s demonic energy."

Hu Tian spoke ardently, lifting Hu Yunying into his arms, his gaze blazing.

He was simple-minded and strong, but in this matter, his wits were sharp.

"You dare! Once I recover, my grandfather will avenge me!"

Hu Yunying, unable to resist, was carried off, biting her lip to stay conscious.

"Avenge you? Yunying, what are you saying? You fell victim to that alchemist’s plot. If I don’t detoxify you, you’ll die—your grandfather will thank me!"

Hu Tian chuckled, reciting his prepared excuse to Hu Yunying.

That was why he had taken the antidote earlier.

"Don’t worry, I’ll record everything that happens. When the time comes, it’ll be clear who’s right and who’s wrong."

Hu Tian gazed at Hu Yunying’s alluring state, unable to restrain himself any longer.

He placed her on the bed.

As for the alchemist, he had already blocked his senses.

He hadn’t killed him because he needed a scapegoat.

As for how to make him cooperate, there were plenty of ways!

On the bed, Hu Yunying felt unbearably hot, desperate to shed her clothes.

Otherwise, she would suffer too much.

Her legs writhed uncontrollably, twisting and squirming, leaving Hu Tian dazzled.

Seeing the ever-cold Hu Yunying transformed like this, Hu Tian felt a surge of accomplishment.

Had he known it was this easy, he would have done it sooner...

"Don’t worry, soon you’ll feel better!"

Hu Tian’s heart burned with desire, intent on enjoying this beauty.

"Frankly, your methods are filthy."

Just as he was about to act, a cold voice sounded behind him.

"You..."

Before Hu Tian could finish, he was knocked out.

Tsk, I’m right before you, but you don’t even get a chance to speak.

Lingtian glanced at Hu Yunying on the bed, her body revealed, and clicked his tongue. Was this a test for old-fashioned men?

How did he always end up in these situations?

Sighing and shaking his head, Lingtian smiled wryly.

He still had some of the medicinal herbs left from last time—might as well use them.

Perhaps he should keep more of this stuff handy in the future, just in case.

Looking at Hu Tian lying on the floor—not to be killed, but other things...

You like using drugs? Then taste your own medicine.

"She’s awake."

After a while, Hu Yunying slowly came to.

Seeing Lingtian, she felt at ease.

"To think you got caught so easily. Too careless."

Lingtian seized the opportunity, giving her a disdainful look. This time, Hu Yunying didn’t retort, but lowered her head.

Lingtian was secretly delighted; it meant she was shaken by his attitude.

The hardest part was the beginning. Now that the first step was taken, the rest would be easier.

"What’s that sound?"

As she changed clothes before Lingtian, Hu Yunying heard a noise from nearby and looked over.

"Ah?!"

One look, and she was utterly mortified.

The alchemist and Hu Tian were in the same cage, Hu Tian unconscious, and the alchemist...

Disgraceful.

If Hu Tian woke up, his expression would be unimaginable.

But deep down—one word: satisfying. Two words: very satisfying!

Lingtian saw Hu Yunying cover her face, but her fingers were spread wide, clearly fooling no one.

He said, "Enough, don’t look. Let’s go. If you keep watching, I’m afraid you’ll develop some unsavory habits..."