CHAPTER 540: CHAPTER 318: HAHA, ANGRY AT ONESELF_2

The last emperor is the common thread that ties all these secrets together and is the only clue.

Tang decided to give it a try, intending to see what happens when he brings the Finger Bone Relic to the Jade Book Tower.

Unexpectedly, before Tang could even cast a spell, the Finger Bone Relic flew to the surface of the water by itself, as if it was meant to be there all along.

Unfortunately, these three Finger Bone Relics had lost most of their mana when Xiao Teng fled, rendering them of limited use now.

They can only send someone in for a short while.

One of the three Finger Bone Relics has already lost its color, with its power completely exhausted. While it is slowly replenishing, who knows when it will be full again.

Now, if Tang and the others want to enter the Illusion Realm midway, they only have two chances left.

Tang noticed Chen Qin looking somewhat unhappy after coming out, thinking something went wrong, and stepped forward to comfort her.

"Girl, did you see Zhang Ze? What is he doing in there?"

This would have been fine if left unsaid, but mentioning it made Chen Qin feel awkward. She had a lot to say but didn’t know where to start.

After all, she couldn’t admit she was jealous, since the things in the Illusion Realm are fake and come from past history. She had no reason to argue with her senior brother over such matters; besides, he truly did nothing...

It was that shameless woman, an old cow eating young grass!

Moreover, Zhang Ze’s claim of coming from the past also concerned the Junior Sister quite a bit...

At the time, she was upset by Lu Chen’s memories. But now, calming down, she felt her senior brother had no reason to lie with such an implausible excuse.

How could her smart senior brother come up with such a flawed excuse?

Could it be that what he said was actually true?

Only after a long silence did Chen Qin speak, "Yes, I saw him. Senior brother said..."

Due to her mixed emotions, Chen Qin concealed the parts about Lu Chen. Yet, she recounted, in a generalized manner, the events involving White Mount, White Jade County, and their plan to steal the Human Emperor Banner, derived from ’Lu Chen’s’ memories.

And finally, she mentioned Zhang Ze’s claim of possibly being from the past.

Feeling this was too shocking, Chen Qin spoke slowly, leaving everyone time to process and discuss.

However...

No one was surprised; everyone continued with their tasks as usual after she finished speaking.

"That’s how it is... Huh? Aren’t you surprised?" Chen Qin asked, a bit bewildered.

Li Yueqi shook her head.

"Why would I be surprised? I should’ve been used to it by now. When has he ever been normal? Even if Zhang Ze suddenly jumped out and claimed he’s female while I’m male, I wouldn’t be surprised."

Tang added, "Indeed, as they say, someone in peculiar circumstances must have extraordinary traits. This happening to that kid Zhang Ze seems quite reasonable."

Little Fuji exclaimed, "Senior brother is amazing! But he’s still a bit short compared to me—I can live longer than him!"

The elder sister, like the relaxed Monk Lingbao, simply smiled at Chen Qin and remarked, "Good, this way you’ll become more experienced."

Chen Qin, "..."

Although Tang spoke casually, he took this matter very seriously.

At such times, he was always the most reliable one.

Tang stroked his beard and said, "The time inside the Illusion Realm doesn’t sync with the outside. Going in now would just waste a chance.

"If you ask me, girl, it’s best to use that second chance in a few days. By then, Zhang Ze may have already investigated the secrets of the Human Emperor Banner within the Illusion Realm.

"At that time, we can ask him what he needs us to do. We can assist him from outside and deliver the message during the third entrance."

"Okay." Chen Qin nodded but seemed distracted.

She was still contemplating the matter of Lu Chen. Although no longer angry, she couldn’t help but be concerned. Pondering Zhang Ze’s claim of being from the past, she unexpectedly suggested to Li Yueqi,

"Sister Qi, perhaps you should go next time."

Li Yueqi, who was cracking sunflower seeds with Fuji, eating the kernels while Fuji ate the shells, quickly shook her head at Chen Qin’s suggestion.

"No, I’m finally having some leisure time. Please don’t give me more tasks. I’m not particularly interested in the secrets between you two right now. Please don’t make things difficult for me. Otherwise, I’ll learn from my dad and brother and leave home."

The Female Hero Li’s intuition as a woman was sharp. Though she didn’t know the details, she immediately sensed Chen Qin’s words had a deeper meaning.

After quickly declining, she showed her resolve by swiftly slipping away with Fuji.

Chen Qin, "..."

After leaving the Jade Book Tower and returning to her residence, Chen Qin was still dwelling on Lu Chen’s matter.

Having already hit a wall with Li Yueqi, she decided not to consult her mother. She thought of someone else instead.

Lu Ning, Senior Sister Lu.

It wasn’t that Chen Qin had a bad memory and only recalled her now; rather, this person had quietly disappeared after the Qinghe Association’s end.

Besides occasionally chiming in the small walnut group, she had been practically nonexistent.

"Maybe I should ask her? She should be more knowledgeable about Celestial Sect’s affairs than anyone else."

After some contemplation, Chen Qin took out her small walnut.

...

Celestial Sect.

After finishing her sect duties for the day, Lu Ning returned to her dark little room.

She removed her robe, extinguished all the lights, curled up in the large sofa she had bought from Thousand Mechanism Town, and took out her small walnut to begin her relaxation for the day.

This trip to Qinghe made her realize two things.

First, Lily is untrustworthy, and she’ll never purchase from her again.