C20 Underground Queen!

Outside the Phoenix Group building, Lin Chen ignored Ouyang Jing's harsh words and casually followed Jin Kun into his car.

They soon reached a lakeside recreation club on the outskirts of Agosmouth, a prime location with land at a premium. The stunning views of the lake and mountains offered a tranquil setting. The villa was surrounded by upscale shops, predominantly luxury boutiques and Western-style restaurants. At the entrance of the club, a line of elegantly dressed women in seductive qipaos stood waiting.

Catching sight of the beauties, Lin Chen marveled inwardly, "All young and gorgeous. This club is certainly something special!"

Jin Kun noticed Lin Chen's gaze and offered with a grin, "Mr. Lin, if you're interested, I can arrange for them to keep you company later."

Lin Chen gave a wry smile and shook his head, "I have a loving wife at home. How could I dare to indulge?"

Jin Kun chuckled mischievously, "The thrill is in the secrecy. A man feels alive when he's with different women. If you become a regular here, Mr. Lin, you'll find there are plenty more surprises in store!"

Lin Chen didn't reply, instead gesturing for Jin Kun to show the way.

Jin Kun led Lin Chen to a scenic private room on the third floor of the club, gesturing for him to enter before stepping back.

With a creak, Lin Chen pushed open the door, which was adorned in a simple, rustic style, and entered a spacious room. The brownish-yellow wooden flooring and coffee-colored accents lent the space a dim, alluring charm, exuding understated elegance. Beaded curtains separated the room from the balcony, which offered a splendid view of the lake and mountains.

On the balcony, a woman was preparing tea at a small table. She was strikingly beautiful, dressed in a deep red gown with her hair cascading down her shoulders, exuding an air of dignified beauty that was breathtaking at first glance.

This was Le Hongyan, a socialite new to Agosmouth and the current power behind Tiger Shark. With its headquarters not located in Agosmouth, the extent of Tiger Shark's branches remained a mystery, but their reputation was well-known.

Lin Chen had just stepped inside when a chilling eeriness swept over him. Reacting instantly, he pivoted to the side, narrowly avoiding three flying daggers that embedded themselves in the door behind him.

"A sneak attack?" Lin Chen narrowed his eyes, warily regarding the woman on the balcony with a stern look.

"Mr. Lin is truly a martial arts prodigy. It seems I've finally met my match!" The woman, with her striking oval face and red lips slightly pursed, offered a faint smile.

"Is this some kind of test?" Lin Chen approached the balcony, his gaze falling upon her figure-hugging black lace dress that accentuated her curves in a most provocative manner. The plunging V-neckline revealed a generous expanse of cleavage, irresistibly drawing the eye.

"Indeed, I wanted to gauge the strength of the young man who could knock out Jin Feng with a single punch. And now, it's clear you're incredibly strong. To exhibit such reflexes and speed during the Body Refining stage is nothing short of genius!" Le Hongyan gave Lin Chen a playful wink before rising to hand him a cup of tea.

As she stood, her lithe figure was even more pronounced, her long legs impossible to ignore.

Lin Chen harbored no concerns about the tea being poisoned. He accepted it and downed it in one go, then fixed her with a cool stare as an unexplained warmth began to spread through his body.

Having Su Qingxue, the stunning CEO, at home, he had thought he'd seen the pinnacle of beauty. Yet, while Le Hongyan's facial features were a touch less exquisite, her figure was undeniably more sensual, her aura more bewitching.

If Su Qingxue was an ice goddess, with an elegance akin to a pristine white lily, untainted and pure, then Le Hongyan was the embodiment of a fragrant red rose, vibrant and enticing.

"You didn't seek me out just to share a cup of tea, did you?" Lin Chen asked, a playful smile on his lips as he sat at the tea table.

The woman tilted her alluring face upward, her eyes shimmering with a dreamy glint as she smiled softly. "Then what would you like to do?"

With that, she reached for her neckline and delicately undid another button, revealing even more of her fair skin. From Lin Chen's vantage point, he could now glimpse the purple "protective clothing" beneath.

"I'm not interested in anything else; I'm a married man with a beautiful wife," Lin Chen said with a teasing smile.

"Let's be frank, Mr. Lin. You possess great talent and have a bright future ahead. But your current platform is too limited. You married young and have submitted to working for Phoenix Group, which isn't the best fit for you."

The woman turned to gaze at the panoramic view of the lake and mountains from the balcony, a vista that could give one the impression of being on top of the world.

"So, you're inviting me to join Tiger Shark? You want me to work under you?" Lin Chen also looked out from the balcony, his eyes sharp and piercing.

The woman nodded earnestly. "Our Tiger Shark organization boasts a formidable mercenary force abroad and branches in every city domestically. If you have the ambition and skill, you can take over any city and dominate the underground hierarchy."

"Tiger Shark doesn't impress me," Lin Chen said with a resigned laugh. "To me, it's nothing more than a grain of sand."

"Perhaps we don't have the wealth of the Lin family, but our influence is extensive. If we join forces, the future holds endless possibilities. I can offer you numerous spiritual artifacts to enhance your cultivation, and pills too. Advancing in rank will be much easier with me," the woman tempted him.

Mention of spiritual artifacts caused Lin Chen to furrow his brow. His cultivation had hit a bottleneck in the Body Refining Stage, and he was on the cusp of advancing to Qi Training, yet he lacked the breakthrough he needed.

He had considered seeking out spiritual artifacts or pills, but such pursuits seemed out of reach. The woman's offer of these items stirred something within him.

Lin Chen spoke with conviction, "I can't align myself with you. Our principles are different, and we should not seek counsel from each other. I, Lin Chen, am not tied to the Su family, the Lin family, or any organization. I am my own person, and that's all I need to stand at the summit of the world."

Le Hongyan squinted at Lin Chen, her tone serious. "You're quite bold. But remember, young man, there's always a higher mountain, another level to reach. Do you really think your martial arts skills alone will let you reign supreme?"

Lin Chen nodded affirmatively, "The day will come when I achieve it!"

Le Hongyan's expression solidified as she stared at him in disbelief. She recognized his words as boastful, yet his demeanor and gaze were unwaveringly resolute. His determination to strive for greatness was palpable, and she knew that even if he didn't become the best in the world, he would still be formidable.

Having encountered all sorts of people, Le Hongyan was unexpectedly taken aback by Lin Chen today. Her heart raced as if he had made her a promise, exuding a commanding confidence.

"Kid, in society, martial arts alone won't get you far. You need a solid background, a strong team, power, money, and connections. Joining Tiger Shark can provide all of these, plus you already have the Lin and Su family statuses. You're destined to be a force to be reckoned with!" she said earnestly.

Lin Chen chuckled, a touch of wistfulness in his smile. He had nothing to his name but a future and the resolve to chase it. Now was the time to seek out the Spiritual Qi necessary to advance to the Qi Training stage.

He relaxed and replied, "You make a good point, but I stand by my decision not to join any organizations. If you're interested in collaborating, I'm willing to help, but in return, I need a spiritual weapon. That's my condition."

Le Hongyan let out a knowing smile, "Fine, fine. Even if you won't join, having you assist me is enough. When the time comes, I might need your help against the Zhou family from the Dragonspire Conclave. Would you be up for it?"

Lin Chen felt it was exactly what he wanted. The Zhou father and son had long been marked for death in his eyes, so there was no question of his willingness.

The image of Su Qingxue's harrowing kidnapping flashed through his mind, fueling his lingering rage.

"Good. If you want to obtain the spiritual weapon today, then show me what you've got," Lin Chen said, a light smile playing on his lips.

Le Hongyan spoke to Lin Chen in a sultry tone, her delicate hand caressing his chiseled face.

Feeling the touch on his cheek, Lin Chen tensed up, particularly as he gazed upon her stunning visage. He swallowed hard and inquired, "Are we putting the plan into action tonight?"

The woman let out a soft chuckle, tiptoeing closer to him. She parted her red lips slightly, whispering hot breath into his ear, "No need for that at the moment. You seem like quite the inexperienced young man. What I mean is, I expect you to impress me tonight..."