A Puzzling Turn of Events

Upon hearing this somewhat familiar voice, Lin Feng's face underwent a dramatic change. His expression tensed as he turned towards the entrance.

Standing at the doorway was Jiang Chen, exuding an air of surprise and amusement. His demeanor was akin to that of a spectator engrossed in a captivating performance.

This amusement was apparent in his playful smirk aimed at Lin Feng, accompanied by the system prompt echoing in his sea of consciousness.

[Ding! You have successfully prevented Lin Feng from both boasting and belittling others, reducing his Heavenly Fate Value by 200 points.]

[Ding! You have successfully altered the plot, reducing Lin Feng's Heavenly Fate Value by an additional 100 points.]

[Ding! You have earned 500 points of Villain Value!]

In just a moment, Jiang Chen had accumulated 500 Villain Value points, increasing his total to 700 points.

Meanwhile, Lin Feng's heart was in turmoil, his thoughts racing frantically. 'Jiang Chen! What's happening? How could he possibly be here?'

'Could it be... he chased me all this way?'

'That can't be right; does he really consider me important enough to see me as a threat?'

'Moreover, I'm in trouble now; he has revealed that I was expelled from the Starry Abyss Sect!' His mind reeled in panic. 'And to make matters worse, my regained cultivation base has been discovered; he'll definitely investigate it thoroughly!'

'Damn it, what do I do now?' he thought, gripped by a sense of impending doom, as if danger lurked everywhere. Shock, bewilderment, alarm, confusion... and the sheer embarrassment of having his identity exposed; various emotions swirled within him.

Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian were also filled with anxiety. With Jiang Chen revealing Lin Feng's identity, their sole strategy to intimidate Di Junda had been foiled.

This revelation caused their impression of Jiang Chen to deteriorate slightly.

At the same time, Di Junda gazed at Jiang Chen, his eyes widening and his body shaking violently as he exclaimed, "Young Master Jiang Chen!? It's really you! You've returned from the Starry Abyss Sect!"

In Di Junda's mind, Jiang Chen was one of the most important figures not to be crossed, so he had already gathered information about him beforehand.

Thus, despite having rarely encountered Jiang Chen in person, he recognized him immediately.

"You still recognize me?" Jiang Chen looked at Di Junda and smiled faintly.

"Of course, and it's more than just recognition! Ever since my childhood, I've admired your portrait. Among the cultivation prodigies, you're the one I respect the most. I've always hoped to emulate you..." Di Junda said eagerly, his face full of flattery as he continued to shower Jiang Chen with praise, appearing willing to do anything to become his follower.

Witnessing this, Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian also remembered Jiang Chen. This young master from the Jiang Clan was rumored to have a dubious reputation. His reasons for visiting the Vast Spirit House this time were still a mystery.

Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian's thoughts raced, leading them to suspect potential collusion between Jiang Chen and Di Junda. This suspicion further marred their view of Jiang Chen.

However, contrary to their expectations, Jiang Chen showed no appreciation for Di Junda's flattery.

"Enough with the flattery," Jiang Chen said, his brow furrowing slightly as he looked at Di Junda. "Tell me, what brings you here?"

"Young Master Jiang, I came to meet Miss Ning Xian..." Di Junda replied, his smile overly ingratiating.

"Oh." Jiang Chen interrupted him sharply. "No need to continue; I understand what's happening."

"Yes, of course! Hehe!" Di Junda nodded quickly, behaving like someone talking to a close friend.

Ning Xian's eyes dulled at the unfolding scene.

Qiu Liaoxi's complexion paled, making the age spots on her skin more noticeable.

Di Junda's presence had already complicated matters for the Vast Spirit House. Now, with Jiang Chen's involvement, the situation appeared even more critical. Jiang Chen, not just the young master of the Jiang Clan but also a core disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect, was a force to be reckoned with. With Di Junda evidently trying to curry favor with Jiang Chen, the challenge they were facing seemed overwhelming.

'Damn it, Jiang Chen!' Lin Feng cursed furiously in his heart, grinding his teeth. He held deep affection for Ning Xian and was resolved to win her heart, but now Jiang Chen was backing Di Junda...

Suddenly, a resounding slap echoed through the inn's lobby!

Di Junda spun around three times before crashing to the ground with a loud thud, his face swollen and a mix of shock and bewilderment.

The elderly man looked on, dumbfounded, but didn't dare to move a muscle.

Jiang Chen's expression remained stoic as he shook off his hand, the one he had used to slap Di Junda. With an air of disdain, he declared, "What I, Jiang Chen, detest the most are despicable people like you who only think with their lower body!"

"You've disgraced the reputation of Autumn Glory City's youth with your foppish behavior!"

"Furthermore, your attempt to associate with me just now; get out!!!" he commanded sternly, his voice as chilling as a breeze from a frost-laden cellar.

Di Junda was jolted back to his senses, nodding his head frantically as though he were a chicken pecking at grains. "Yes, yes, yes! I... I'll leave immediately!"

"I won't engage in such disgraceful acts again, and I'll make reparations to the Vast Spirit House later!"

"Young Master Jiang, I'm going, I'm going!" he stammered, almost stumbling over his words.

Then, amid the astonishment and shock of Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian, and Lin Feng's puzzled look, Di Junda hurriedly and awkwardly scrambled out of the Vast Spirit House!

The elderly man, casting a fearful glance at Jiang Chen and trembling violently, quickly followed suit, exiting the inn.

Suddenly, only Jiang Chen and the three others remained in the inn lobby.

As Lin Feng watched Di Junda leave, he couldn't explain why, but he felt a sense of emptiness, as if he had lost something.

Meanwhile, Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi exchanged glances, both recognizing the astonishment, doubt, and a hint of relief in each other's eyes.

It turned out they had misjudged Jiang Chen. Jiang Chen and Di Junda were not allies after all.

It appeared that Jiang Chen was a remarkable young cultivator with excellent upbringing and high moral standards!

With this new understanding, the situation didn't seem as grave as they had initially feared.

[Ding! Heroine Ning Xian's impression of you has improved, and Protagonist Lin Feng's Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 100 points!]

[Ding! You have earned 200 points of Villain Value!]

Two system prompts resonated in Jiang Chen's sea of consciousness, prompting a slight smile to appear at the corners of his mouth.

The conquest of the heroine had begun!

With a confident smile, Jiang Chen took a step forward and approached Lin Feng, Ning Xian, and Qiu Liaoxi.

As Jiang Chen steadily approached, Lin Feng, who had been silent until this moment, suddenly clenched his teeth and growled. "Jiang Chen! Stop pretending to be innocent!" he exclaimed, glaring furiously.

"You humiliated me at the sect's main gate before I was expelled! And now, you've even followed me to this Vast Spirit House; you're truly cold-hearted and merciless, using such vicious tactics!" he accused, his voice quivering with a combination of fear and anger.

Upon hearing Lin Feng's words, Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi's hearts sank.

Lin Feng's accusations made it clear that there was a grudge between him and Jiang Chen.

This raised a question: Was Jiang Chen a heartless and ruthless person, or was he an honorable young man with an exceptional upbringing?

Confusion clouded their minds, but for some reason, they found themselves increasingly inclined to side with Lin Feng.

At that crucial moment, Jiang Chen looked at Lin Feng with a calm expression and spoke in a tranquil tone. "Lin Feng, what are you suggesting? What do you mean by 'feigning innocence' and 'humiliation'?"

"When you were being expelled, I was the one who tried to help you stay in the sect, and many sect disciples can attest to that. Yet, you thought I was trying to harm you and refused my help!"

"I am a Spiritual Awakening realm cultivator and a core disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect. Why would I go out of my way to target you, an inner disciple with a damaged Dantian?"

"If I really wanted to harm you, with just one word, all of Autumn Glory City would turn against you, believe it or not?" Jiang Chen stated firmly, as if presenting an irrefutable truth.

Hearing Jiang Chen's explanation, Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi realized it did make sense. Given Jiang Chen's power, dealing with Lin Feng would indeed be an effortless task for him.

"No!" Lin Feng's pupils constricted slightly, filled with wariness. "If you're not here to kill me, then why are you here?" he asked.

"I came specifically to find Alchemist Qiu Liaoxi," Jiang Chen replied, his tone cool and matter-of-fact, revealing no underlying emotion. "Running into you here is purely coincidental. Please, don't flatter yourself by thinking I came for you."

"Even though you've regained your cultivation qualifications and appear to have some secrets, I hold no interest in you," he stated indifferently, casting a somewhat impatient and disdainful glance at Lin Feng. Then, turning and walking towards the door, he gestured towards a specific location, his actions speaking louder than his words.