On the outskirts of the Baihua Tribe, Cailian had business to attend to outside, but a tall and rugged-looking man was blocking her way.
"Cailian, you're well aware that the situation outside is extremely dangerous. The Black Hawk Tribe is on the brink of sending troops against our Baihua Tribe. Let me escort you to the market; after all, I am the Baihua Tribe's strongest warrior, fully capable of ensuring your safety."
The tall man gazes at Cailian with infatuation, pleading with her.
"Mu Shan, I know what you're thinking, but I've already told you, I have no feelings for you. Stop bothering me, and step aside."
Cailian's brows slightly furrowed, she spoke as calmly as possible.
Mu Shan was indeed the Baihua Tribe's strongest warrior, possessing the peak cultivation of the True Martial Third Realm. Now, as the tribe was facing a grave existential crisis and in desperate need of manpower, Cailian preferred not to fall out too harshly with him.
"Cailian, what's so inadequate about me, Mu Shan? Is it just because I'm slightly older? I admit, my talent is not as good as Wusu'er's, nor yours, but I'm willing to give you everything, including my life. Why won't you give me a chance?"
Mu Shan spoke unwillingly; though he was already thirty, a dozen years older than Cailian, such an age gap should be utterly negligible in the world of Martial Artists.
"Why? I think she's made herself clear; she has no interest in you. Can't you understand human speech?"
Just then, like a ghostly apparition, Zhao Letian appeared silently in front of the two.
"So you're the man that Cailian brought back from outside?"
Jealousy flared in Mu Shan's eyes as he stared intently at Zhao Letian.
By the Holy River, countless men yearned for Cailian's affection, yet none had ever come close to her. This Zhao Letian, who seemingly popped up out of nowhere, was actually living in Cailian's tent, sleeping in her bed—how could Mu Shan not hate him?
"Who I am is none of your business, but remember one thing, from now on, stop harassing Cailian. Otherwise, you will regret it."
Zhao Letian responded indifferently, although he had made a Heavenly Dao Oath never to harm the Baihua Tribe, Mu Shan's harassment of Cailian was a personal affair, and if this man could not learn his limits, Zhao Letian would still be ready to eliminate him.
"Hmph! A kid who hasn't even grown all his hair, daring to be insolent before me? I need to teach you a lesson, or you might truly think the Baihua Tribe has no capable men left."
Mu Shan sneered, as a mighty True Essence Power at the peak of the True Martial Third Realm surged through his body.
At that moment, Zhao Letian's cultivation was concealed, Mu Shan couldn't discern Zhao Letian's actual level, and subconsciously assumed that a youth like Zhao Letian couldn't have a very high cultivation.
"Stop! Mu Shan, you're going too far. Leave now, I don't want to see you again."
Cailian's face hardened as she spoke.
"Cailian! What's your relationship with this kid, why are you protecting him?"
Mu Shan said both anxiously and angrily.
"He is my man, can you give up now?"
Cailian bit her silver teeth, saying sternly. Rather than let Mu Shan continue to harbor unrealistic fantasies and keep pestering her, she might as well find an excuse to make him completely give up.
Zhao Letian was slightly stunned by her words, showing a bit of surprise but said nothing more, understanding her intentions in saying so.
Mu Shan trembled with rage, staring intently at Zhao Letian, his eyes filled with both unwillingness and intense jealousy.
Zhao Letian met Mu Shan's gaze without any hint of fear. Although he had not yet fully recovered, his current strength was more than enough to deal with Mu Shan.
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"Mu Shan, you're really pathetic. She already has a man, and yet you're still desperately clinging to her. I too am going to the market, do you want to join me?"
Just then, a coquettishly dressed young lady approached, glancing sidelong at Zhao Letian and Cailian with a sarcastic tone.
Mu Shan looked over in surprise. This Miss Mu Yuzhu, the daughter of Elder Mu Xuan, was usually very arrogant and never deigned to notice him. He didn't expect that she would take the initiative to talk to him today.
Zhao Letian gave Miss Mu Yuzhu a glance. Although she wasn't as beautiful as Cailian, she was still quite attractive, possessed the cultivation of True Martial First Realm, and her bold and revealing attire, showing large expanses of fair skin, could easily arouse a man's desire.
"What are you hesitating for? Mu Shan, I'm only giving you one chance, do you want to come with me or not?"
Miss Mu Yuzhu frowned, speaking impatiently.
Mu Shan hesitated for a moment, glanced at Cailian's indifferent expression, then gritted his teeth and made up his mind.
It was clear that Cailian was not going to give him a chance. He couldn't keep hanging onto a hope that was not going to come to fruition. If he could gain the favor of Miss Mu Yuzhu, that would be a decent catch, especially since he heard that Miss Mu Yuzhu was bold and open-minded. Perhaps, it wouldn't take long for him to achieve his desires.
"Kid, this isn't over. You just wait."
As he walked past Zhao Letian, Mu Shan's eyes suddenly flashed with a sharp light, and he viciously transmitted his message to Zhao Letian.
Zhao Letian's eyebrows knitted slightly. It seemed that this Mu Shan absolutely could not be left alone. Actually, he hoped that the guy would make a move against him sooner; that way, he could openly and rightfully obliterate him.
Afterward, Mu Shan and Miss Mu Yuzhu boarded a Spiritual Artifact together, turned into a streak of light, and left the Baihua Tribe.
"Zilong, I'm sorry, I spoke that way just to make Mu Shan back down."
Once the two had left, a shy blush appeared on Cailian's cheeks, and she spoke with some embarrassment. Although the daughters of the prairie were bold and unrestrained, she was, after all, a maiden who had not yet been married, and to outright declare Zhao Letian as her man made her feel quite awkward.
"It's fine, I understand your intentions."
Zhao Letian held his hands behind his back and smiled lightly, not taking it to heart.
Cailian nodded, her smile somewhat forced. Zhao Letian's indifferent reaction, in turn, left her feeling a bit inexplicably disappointed. If possible, she wished Zhao Letian would read into her words a bit more.
"Cailian, are you going to the market?"
A trace of an imperceptible bitter smile appeared on Zhao Letian's lips as he calmly asked.
His insight was very sharp, and he had noticed all the subtle expressions on Cailian's face, clearly understanding the complex emotions of a young girl experiencing her first awakening to love. After all, he had already encountered these things in his previous life.
However, at present, his strength was too weak to protect the people and things he cherished. He didn't want to let beautiful women follow him and take risks. Such matters could only be considered once he had attained a certain level of strength.