Long Chen's breathing grew ragged. Ling Yan's beauty was a rarity in this world; her voluptuous figure and enchanting demeanor, in particular, made her a peerless beauty capable of causing the downfall of nations. Few could resist her. Long Chen had often been teased by Ling Yan like this. Had he not been wholeheartedly in love with Su Miaoyu, with no room in his heart for another woman, he likely would have succumbed to her charms long ago.
Although his sole intent now was to kill Su Miaoyu, and his heart was devoid of love, with his great revenge unfulfilled and his father severely injured and unconscious, how could he have any spare thought for matters between men and women?
"Executive Ling, please…" Long Chen's words were cut short as Ling Yan's expression changed.
The once coy and flirtatious Ling Yan suddenly turned as cold as ice. Her gaze was fixed on the scar across Long Chen's chest, which extended from his heart straight down to his dantian.
"The Emperor Meridans… they're truly gone…" Ling Yan stepped back, looking utterly disheartened.
At this moment, she had none of her usual charm or confidence. Her presence felt incredibly cold to Long Chen.
"You knew I had the Emperor Meridans?" Long Chen frowned.
The matter of the Emperor Meridans was known only to his father and Su Miaoyu. His father would never spread the word, and Su Miaoyu, eager to monopolize the Emperor Meridans, was even less likely to tell anyone.
"Why else do you think I've always held you in such high esteem?" Ling Yan's face was cool as she spoke. "Do you really think I'm an easy woman? Heh. There aren't many people in this world worthy of my respect, and you are the only one who has ever been allowed to touch me."
Long Chen came to a realization. "So this is the real you, isn't it? But there must be other Martial Artists in this world who have awakened their Emperor Meridans, right?"
"Are you asking why I was only ever close with you? The answer is quite simple." With a complicated expression, Ling Yan looked at Long Chen and continued, "Indeed, you aren't the only one in the world who can awaken the Emperor Meridans. But you were unique. You were born in a small place like Dragon City with no complex background, yet you still awakened the Emperor Meridans, making you an Evil Creature with limitless potential. Most importantly, you were a man devoted to one woman—your fiancée. Of all the people I know, you were the only one who fit that description. It's a pity you gave your heart to the wrong person. Had I known, I would have taken your Emperor Meridans from the start. Even if I didn't need them, I could have sold them. The Emperor Meridans are a treasure beyond price and unavailable on any market. It's a shame that a woman who didn't appreciate you walked away with such an incredible advantage."
Hearing this, Long Chen narrowed his eyes and suggested, "We can cooperate. Once I kill Su Miaoyu and take back the Emperor Meridans…"
"Don't be ridiculous," Ling Yan interrupted coldly. "The Emperor Meridans can only be removed from a body once. If they are removed a second time, they become useless. Besides, without the Emperor Meridans, you are no match for Su Miaoyu. You are doomed to a life of mediocrity."
The Emperor Meridans can only be removed from the body once? Long Chen frowned slightly. He had never heard of this. But it didn't matter. The Divine Demon Ancestral Dragon Body cultivated Dragon Blood, not meridians. Even if he could reclaim them, he wouldn't be able to use them anyway. Compared to the Divine Demon Ancestral Dragon Body, the Emperor Meridans were nothing!
"So, tell me why you came to the Commerce Association to find me. Considering you're a devoted man and our past acquaintance, I can help you once. And only once," Ling Yan said coolly. "Ultimately, I am a businesswoman, and I don't wish to interfere in others' struggles. In other words, you are of no value to me now. You are not worth me breaking the Commerce Association's rules for you. And while I may admire your devotion, you are, unfortunately, destined for a life of mediocrity."
Long Chen nodded. He didn't bother explaining anything to her. After all, if he were a merchant in her position, he would probably handle things the same way.
"I need three types of Spiritual Medicine: Green Flame Fruit, Thunder Bear Gall, and Cold Spirit Ganoderma." As he spoke, Long Chen took out fourteen Elixir Pills from his Storage Bag. "Of course, I won't take your Spiritual Medicine for nothing. I'll trade you these pills for them…"
"Are those… Gold Pattern Pills?" Ling Yan's eyes lit up. She shot up from her seat and rushed to Long Chen's side, grabbing his wrist to stare in disbelief at the pills in his palm.
Those pills were the fourteen Second Stage High-Quality Gold Pattern Pills Long Chen had concocted.