After Lin Chen left the Spirit Martial Pavilion, he returned to his residence to cultivate overnight.
The next day, just as Lin Chen was planning to go out, a figure appeared at his door, peeking into the room.
"Hua Lianxin, do you need something from me?"
Lin Chen looked at the visitor, Hua Lianxin, and immediately asked.
Upon hearing this, Hua Lianxin awkwardly tidied her hair.
"Lin Chen, you're back."
Hua Lianxin had good cultivation talent and usually was in seclusion cultivating. But upon hearing the news of Lin Chen's return, she had specifically come to his residence.
"Hmm, you probably didn't come just to see me, right?"
Lin Chen looked at Hua Lianxin and asked softly.
Lin Chen somewhat understood Hua Lianxin, who was rather aloof and generally wouldn't come to see him.
"Well, you've had Wang Yilin confined for so long, I just wanted to ask when you'll let her out."
Hua Lianxin clasped her hands behind her back, twiddling her fingers as she spoke.
Her feelings towards Lin Chen were extremely complicated; without Lin Chen, she wouldn't be who she is today.
Since coming to the Jade Cauldron Sect, Hua Lianxin didn't have many friends, Wang Yilin counted as one.
So with Wang Yilin being confined, Hua Lianxin felt bored and had been cultivating all day without anyone to talk to.
Hua Lianxin and Wang Yilin were very close friends, and by the count of time, Wang Yilin's confinement should be lifted.
Thus, Hua Lianxin was here to ask about it.
"Well, since you're here on her behalf, let her out."
Lin Chen looked at Hua Lianxin and said indifferently.
Then, Lin Chen went to the chamber where Wang Yilin was confined and waved his hand to open it.
In this chamber, restrictions were placed by Lin Chen to limit Wang Yilin's movement. However, he never cut off her cultivation resources, so the confinement was just a change in her cultivation environment.
Of course, this was Lin Chen's view; for Wang Yilin, losing her freedom was worse than losing her life.
"You bastard Lin Chen, you're only coming now. I've been locked up here for four hundred and five days and three hours. Didn't you say you'd only confine me for a year? You don't keep your word."
Wang Yilin glared furiously at Lin Chen as the stone door finally opened and she saw him outside.
Wang Yilin rushed up to Lin Chen, raising her head as if she were about to bump into him.
Lin Chen held down her head, feeling rather speechless.
This girl hadn't grown much taller over the past two years.
"Hey, if you go crazy again, I'll keep confining you."
Lin Chen looked at Wang Yilin and lightly threatened.
Upon hearing this, Wang Yilin snorted in dissatisfaction, glaring at Lin Chen. Although angered, she was afraid of being confined again and dared not argue with him.
"If you keep acting crazy once you're out, I'll drag you back anytime, and don't take Little Chenxia too far. That little guy is almost half like you now."
Lin Chen looked at Wang Yilin and calmly said, then let her leave.
Having heard Lin Chen's words, Wang Yilin pouted angrily, ignoring him, and immediately dashed out.
"I'll go check on her."
Watching Wang Yilin leave, Hua Lianxin spoke to Lin Chen and then followed after her.
As Hua Lianxin's figure disappeared, Lin Chen sighed deeply, feeling speechless.
Perhaps due to the cultivation method Hua Lianxin practiced, although her age was similar to his, over the years, her body had turned into that of a little girl around seven or eight years old.
Now looking at it, Hua Lianxin, Wang Yilin, and Little Chenxia all had similar builds, resembling children.
"Phew..."
"I've finally come out, four hundred and five days, who knows how I endured it."
"Little Chenxia, you heartless little thing, Sister's been confined for so long, and you barely came to see me. I truly spoiled you for nothing, humph, today Sister will teach you a lesson."
"Oh come on, I visited you recently, alright? By the way, how did you escape? Quickly go back, Dad's returned; if he finds out, he'll surely catch you and confine you for longer. Don't go against Dad, the outcome would be really bad."
"Hmph, I fear him the least. Having finally gotten out, you, brat, dare to curse me into being captured again. Seems like I've neglected discipline too long; you forgot who the boss is."
"What are you trying to do? I'm warning you, I'm six years old now, not a three or four-year-old kid anymore. If you keep bullying, I will retaliate..."
"Hua Lianxin, come help me teach her a lesson..."
...
Inside the chamber, Lin Chen heard the commotion outside and immediately felt a headache. Little Chenxia seemed to be completely influenced by Wang Yilin's wildness, and Wang Yilin, unable to win against him, tried venting on Little Chenxia.
After all, that's his child.
However, Lin Chen believed Wang Yilin was only playing around with Little Chenxia; she wouldn't really harm him, so Lin Chen didn't bother intervening.
Plus, this little guy was clever and immensely talented, now achieving the Nirvana Realm.
If Wang Yilin truly wanted to bully Little Chenxia, she'd indeed face challenges, and if the little guy devised some mischievous ideas, he might even turn the tables.
No matter what, Lin Chen didn't meddle, feeling he couldn't take sides; aiding either party wouldn't be appropriate.
Just as Lin Chen was preparing to find Zhao Rushi for refining elixirs, suddenly the Communication Jade Slip started vibrating, Lin Chen took it out to read the message inside.
Upon reading the contents, Lin Chen's expression changed drastically.
The message was sent by Xia Wanxin's aunt, Xia Qiushui.
It reported that Chang Bai had taken two disciples, Lu Taihe and Wu Qicai, from the Formation Sect and left, heading north across the Eastern Domain, seemingly about to exit its territory.
Shortly after Xia Qiushui's message, Lin Chen received another one from Ye Mei, also mentioning Chang Bai leading people out of the Eastern Domain, asking Lin Chen if he should intercept them.