"Why would I go back with you?"
Yun Fan was stunned, not understanding what Chang Feng meant.
Chang Feng then said, "You are the sole survivor after the disaster. We need you to return with us to cooperate with the investigation. Besides, the Tian Xuan Divine Continent has become a barren land. There are no cultivation resources left for you here, so you should go to the Tai Xuan Divine Continent! That place is the most prosperous part of the Immortal Realm!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Fan was somewhat tempted. He had been wondering how to leave the Tian Xuan Divine Continent.
Going with these people now was not a bad idea. His objective had been achieved, and he could simply say he didn't know anything if they asked questions later.
As long as he didn't expose himself, going to the Tai Xuan Divine Continent was the best option. Although the Empress might sense his presence, Yun Fan wasn't worried at all!
This was because the Empress was in seclusion and it was unlikely for him to encounter such misfortune.
After all, he had been unlucky for long enough. He had never had a good time in the Immortal Realm, and it was about time for his luck to turn around.
Thus, Yun Fan immediately said, "No problem!"
Afterward, he left with the group via a teleportation array and soon arrived at the Tai Xuan Divine Continent. He had to admit that teleportation arrays were a good thing.
If he had to rely on himself, even if everything went smoothly, it would take several years to reach the Tai Xuan Divine Continent.
Upon arriving at the Tai Xuan Divine Continent, Yun Fan discovered that the immortal dao here was even more powerful. Of course, this was not important.
What was important was that he actually sensed a trace of demonic power within the immortal dao, though it was very faint.
It seemed that the demonic power obtained by Yao Xi was indeed not as terrifying as the origin of demonic power obtained by Bi Yao.
Chang Feng arranged Yun Fan in a secluded place and then told him, "We might come looking for you at any time during this period. After this time, you can go wherever you want!"
"Understood!"
Yun Fan nodded. He had yet to fully digest the power of the Red Dragon Immortal Venerable he had absorbed, and this period was perfect for him to do so slowly.
He thought he would have some peace and quiet, but to his surprise, someone came to see him that very night.
The visitor was a woman.
Although the woman wore a veil, Yun Fan could tell she was a great beauty. However, he was not particularly moved.
No matter how unique a beauty she was, his heart remained as still as water; he was, after all, aesthetically fatigued.
What shocked Yun Fan, however, was that this woman possessed the aura of an Empress. This was incredible, and he had no idea how powerful she was.
Even Chang Feng, who was in the Sixth Realm, bowed his head submissively beside her, indicating that this woman's status was extraordinary.
As for her strength, it was quite disheartening. Empowered by the Empress's aura, he didn't even dare to probe her strength.
Because doing so might expose him, Yun Fan had no intention of revealing his own strength, nor was there a need to probe hers.
After all, most of the powerful individuals he encountered here were likely stronger than him.
"Esteemed Hong Lian, this is the survivor we brought back!"
Chang Feng reported truthfully.
The woman waved her hand and said, "You may leave now. I will question him about other matters!"
"Yes!"
Chang Feng respectfully withdrew.
Just as Yun Fan expected her to question him, Hong Lian unexpectedly said, "I have seen you!"
"What?"
Yun Fan was taken aback. When had this happened? He had no idea.
At this moment, Hong Lian removed her veil. Yun Fan looked closely and confirmed he had never seen her before. When Hong Lian, having removed her veil, revealed her full appearance, even Yun Fan was mesmerized. He had just claimed to be unfazed by any woman, but now he had to retract that statement. He didn't expect to be proven wrong so quickly, but he couldn't blame himself.
He could only blame Hong Lian for being too captivating.
"We don't seem to have met, do we?"
Yun Fan said awkwardly.
"We haven't met, but I know you!"
Hong Lian continued.
Yun Fan chuckled, "What do you mean by that?"
"I saw your portrait in the Empress's bedroom!"
At these words, Yun Fan gasped. He had calculated everything and thought he was well-prepared, but he had overlooked this one detail.
He remembered Bi Yao mentioning before that there was a portrait of him in the Empress's sleeping quarters, and now Hong Lian had exposed it so easily.
Yun Fan quickly denied it, "You must be mistaken. Who do I think I am? How could a portrait like that be kept in the Empress's sleeping quarters? There are many people who resemble each other in this world, and I'm just one of those who do!"
However, Hong Lian said, "You're right, your analysis is logical. But the more you try to explain it, the more suspicious it makes me!"
"Uh..."
Yun Fan felt speechless. Not only was there something suspicious, but it was significantly so.
At this point, he asked Hong Lian, "Then what do you intend to do? You're not going to take me to see the Empress, are you? And then if she sees it's not you, she'll become furious and kill us?"
Hong Lian smiled charmingly, "What if I really want to take you to see the Empress?"
Yun Fan nearly collapsed. If he were really taken to her, there was no doubt the Empress would discover him.
Then he would be finished before he even began. He wouldn't even get to witness the competition between Yao Xi and Bi Yao, which would be quite frustrating.
He thought his luck was turning around, but instead, this was a deadly trap.
Seeing him tremble, Hong Lian laughed, "I'm just teasing you! How could I possibly take you to see the Empress!"
"Oh!"
Yun Fan immediately felt a sense of relief.
Hong Lian then said, "Aren't you curious about my identity?"
"Why would I be curious? I just know that anyone stronger than me is a big shot!"
Yun Fan spoke his mind directly.
"Pfft!"
Hong Lian chuckled, "I am the chief steward who manages the Immortal Realm for the Empress!"
Good heavens, Yun Fan almost couldn't believe it. It was a good thing Hong Lian wasn't a man, or she would have been a literal eunuch.
"However, I know very little about the Empress herself!"
At this, Yun Fan asked curiously, "I'm very suspicious now, can anyone enter the Empress's sleeping quarters?"
"You're overthinking it. Since the Empress ascended the throne, only two people have ever entered her bedroom! One is me, and the other is Fairy Bi Yao, who has long since been banished!"
Banished, Yun Fan wanted to say, she's almost at max level.
But this was enough to reflect Hong Lian's high status, and likely her even greater strength. After all, judging by Hong Lian's tone, she didn't even consider the former Bi Yao as someone significant.
"That's not right! Haven't we strayed from the topic!"
Yun Fan was ready to change the subject.
But Hong Lian said, "We haven't strayed."
"I'm very interested in you now because you look so much like the person the Empress painted, exactly the same!"
Yun Fan had to explain, "There are many people who look alike on the surface, but what truly matters is what's inside!"
"That's also true!"
Hong Lian said, "Let's get down to business. You actually know about the destruction of the Tian Xuan Divine Continent, but you haven't confessed truthfully."
"Don't be ridiculous, how could I possibly know!"
Yun Fan was terrified internally, but he still had to maintain a righteous facade. He only sighed, thinking that living was truly tiring!
But Hong Lian said, "You don't need to hide it anymore. I believe you definitely know!"
"How did you conclude that I know?"
Yun Fan asked doubtfully.
"Intuition!"
Hong Lian replied directly.
"To hell with intuition!"
Yun Fan cursed inwardly, but outwardly he said, "Wouldn't that be a bit too hasty?"
"No!"
Hong Lian said, "I trust my intuition. In fact, it doesn't matter whether you say it or not now, because I've already pinpointed the location of the person who caused this disaster, and I will personally deal with her soon!"
Yun Fan truly didn't believe Hong Lian could handle Bi Yao, as Bi Yao was no longer the same Bi Yao.
Therefore, he asked curiously, "May I ask, what is the steward's current cultivation realm?"
"Eighth Realm!"
Hong Lian revealed her strength.
"Hiss!"
Yun Fan gasped. No wonder she was so arrogant; she was an Eighth Realm powerhouse.
"Then I wish the steward success in her endeavors. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now!"
He now understood that this place was not meant for him to linger. It was fortunate that Hong Lian didn't know Yao Xi's story, otherwise, he would have been finished.
To avoid further complications, he decided to leave and seek his fortune elsewhere.
The real danger was not Bi Yao, for her strength was formidable, but what was he in comparison!
If he were discovered, there would be no suspense; he would surely perish.
However, Hong Lian said, "I happen to be in need of an assistant. From today onwards, you will stay by my side as my assistant!"
"Can I refuse?"
Yun Fan did not want to be near Hong Lian. If Yao Xi were to emerge from seclusion one day and see him, he would have no room for regret.
But Hong Lian's charming demeanor turned commanding, "No!"
"Unless you can defeat me!"
Hong Lian posed a demand that Yun Fan simply couldn't meet.
Helplessly, Yun Fan said, "That's asking too much. Even if I had another hundred years to grow, I still couldn't defeat you!"
"Therefore, you will obediently stay by my side as my assistant!"
Hong Lian said with a playful smile, her aura completely in control.
Yun Fan said speechlessly, "Aren't you kidnapping a handsome man!"
"You're absolutely right, I am kidnapping a handsome man!"
Hong Lian declared triumphantly, showing no remorse.
At this, Yun Fan asked, "I want to know, aren't there many people more outstanding than me in the entire Immortal Realm? Why didn't you choose them? Why insist on choosing me? I don't have that much charm!"
In Yun Fan's opinion, Hong Lian's intentions were somewhat perplexing. Given her position at the pinnacle, what kind of man couldn't she have?
Why did she have to choose him?
Hong Lian said, "You are different from other men. The reason I chose you as my assistant is that I also want to experience the happiness of an Empress! Although compared to the portrait in her room, you are just a substandard version, I am not the Empress."
Her bluntness left Yun Fan speechless. He knew that no matter what, he wouldn't be able to leave today and had to compromise for the time being.
Thus, he said to Hong Lian, "It's not impossible, but you know, I look very much like that portrait. If it gets out, it might harm the Empress's image."
"Don't worry! I have a way to deal with it!"
Hong Lian took out a jade pendant and said, "Wear this jade pendant, and it will change your appearance!"
"I don't believe you!"
Yun Fan didn't believe such a magical item existed. He immediately put on the jade pendant, but the moment he did, he was dumbfounded.
It had indeed changed his appearance.
Before, he was so handsome, but now he had become ordinary, just like a regular person.
"It really works!"
Yun Fan was incredibly excited. This was truly a treasure.
"Do you believe me now?"
Hong Lian said to Yun Fan, "Now even if others see you, they won't think you're related to that portrait. Of course, only two people have seen the portrait, and now others definitely won't recognize you!" Su Dan Novel Network
"What if it's the Empress?"
Yun Fan said, "If she sees me, will she kill me? After all, my appearance is blasphemous to the portrait."
Hong Lian said, "Don't worry, the Empress is in seclusion and won't emerge for the time being!"
"I'll hide you away then!"
Clearly, Hong Lian also feared the Empress. Yun Fan finally felt completely at ease.
"Of course, you have to wear it in front of outsiders, but you don't need to wear it in front of me. I want to appreciate you alone!"
Hong Lian made such an excessive demand.
"Okay!"
Yun Fan nodded, but still said with lingering unease, "I'm just an assistant, not a bed warmer!"