C14 A Thank You

Xiao Qi swiftly extended his hand to push Lin Yan's head down, but before he could act, Ximen Meng intervened.

"Xiao Qi, hold on."

Descending from the high seats of the spectators, Ximen Meng's canary-yellow dress shimmered brightly in the sunlight.

Her gaze fell on Lin Yan, icy and tinged with a trace of fury.

"In all my years, I've never seen a servant bold enough to look me in the eye. No matter how precious your life is, or your ability to flee the West Military Region, if you displease me, you won't survive half an hour."

Ximen Meng circled Lin Yan with delicate steps, while he kept his head raised, observing her striking features.

Despite her being the most beautiful woman Lin Yan had ever encountered, he inexplicably felt no fondness for Ximen Meng from the outset.

"If you've saved me, I, Lin Yan, am grateful for your mercy. But between people, there is no hierarchy. You can look at me, and I can surely look at you."

The tension thickened, yet Lin Yan remained unflinchingly fearless.

Ximen Meng halted abruptly at his words, her body shuddering slightly as if electrified, her face undergoing a swift transformation. But she quickly composed herself, reverting to her haughty demeanor.

"You have a talent for twisting words. I'm curious if you truly deserve to make such claims. Here in the Ximen household, one must earn the right to speak of status and equality."

"Only the mighty can define the high and low, the equal and unequal."

Seated before Lin Yan, Ximen Meng tilted her head up, her smile playful as she scrutinized him.

The young men on the platform, witnessing her smile, grew envious of Lin Yan. They descended en masse and converged around him.

"So tell me, how did you manage to escape the West Military Region without dying? You seem no more than a soldier, slightly stronger than average. Running over five hundred miles with such grave injuries—how did you accomplish that?"

Ximen Meng gestured, and a servant promptly presented a platter of lustrous fruits. Lin Yan, starved for days, felt his stomach growl at the sight.

"You really don't know your place, do you?" sneered a youth, approaching Lin Yan from behind. The strange noises from Lin Yan's belly ignited his anger, his fists clenched in readiness.

A sly glint flickered in Ximen Meng's eyes at this display.

"Indeed, I let your earlier insolence slide, and now... now you have the audacity to make such noises before me."

Feigning annoyance, Ximen Meng's reaction seemed to validate the youth's indignation. He stepped forward, his martial aura flaring, enveloping Lin Yan in an instant.

"I'll be the one to teach you manners!"

The youth soared high, ready to bring his fist crashing down upon Lin Yan.

Lin Yan's side-glance was icy as he took in the youth's form.

"Seeking death!"

As Lin Yan uttered those words, Ximen Meng sensed a transformation in him, his presence as menacing as a wild beast unleashed.

"It's you who's seeking death!"

The youth, emboldened by Lin Yan's challenge, activated his Martial Pulse—two of them!

Bang!

A punch thundered down!

The young man's face contorted in an instant, his mouth quivering uncontrollably, yet his words were indiscernible. The other youths, previously advancing towards Lin Yan, halted in their tracks, staring at him in disbelief.

Even Ximen Meng was momentarily paralyzed, the fruit in her mouth forgotten.

The youth, who had unlocked two Martial Pulses in the Martial Pulse Early Period, found his fist ensnared by Lin Yan. Lin Yan's formidable grip made it impossible for the youth to withdraw his hand, his strength overwhelming and leaving the youth in visible agony, powerless to escape.

"Lin Yan, release the young master at once!"

Xiao Qi tapped Lin Yan's arm, sending a tingling sensation through it, prompting Lin Yan to instantly let go. The young man staggered back a dozen steps before regaining his balance.

"How fascinating! Hahaha... truly fascinating!"

Ximen Meng leapt up excitedly and returned to her seat in the stands—the one with the prime view of the entire martial arts arena.

"It appears you do possess some skill! To withstand a blow from Ximen Gou, you must be a Martial Pulse Stage warrior with your Martial Pulses awakened. I'm curious, how many Martial Pulses have you unlocked?"

"Xiao Qi, assess this youngster's potential for me!"

"At once, Miss!"

Xiao Qi grasped Lin Yan's hand, pressing into his palm. A soothing energy flowed into Lin Yan's body, and his martial artist's aura unfurled. The presence of four Martial Pulses was laid bare for all to witness.

"Four Martial Pulses!"

The youths who had been eager to challenge Lin Yan for Ximen Meng's notice instinctively recoiled. They were merely average disciples within their family, lacking the strength that would negate the need for daily training in the arena. Four Martial Pulses were considered respectable even among the Ximen family, and Lin Yan was not of considerable age.

"To possess four Martial Pulses! Impressive, I've stumbled upon a gem. From now on, you and Xiao Qi will accompany me."

Lin Yan looked up at Ximen Meng defiantly.

"And why should I follow you?"

Despite being within the Ximen family's domain, Lin Yan showed no inclination to submit to their might.

"Because... because I saved your life, you fool, and you owe me a debt of gratitude!"

Ximen Meng had intended to lash out at Lin Yan, but for some reason, she found herself reluctant to unleash her anger on him. Perhaps it was Lin Yan's naive demeanor that intrigued her. Maybe when she no longer found him amusing, her patience would wear thin.

Within the Ximen family, Ximen Meng was known for her eccentric nature, her whims unfathomable even to her elders. She could be merciful, yet she once sent a miscreant to Cang Lang Lake, teeming with Water Barbarian Beasts, to retrieve a mere half-shell. She could be ruthless, but she also braved the icy wilderness alongside Xiao Qi, enduring hours of bitter cold to save a fawn, waiting for its parents to find it.

"Lin Yan, you should express your gratitude to the young lady. She is, after all, your lifesaver."

Xiao Qi nudged Lin Yan's head in a bow towards Ximen Meng.