Everyone looked at each other speechlessly after hearing his words, their eyes full of sympathy.

After a long time, the master of the Division of Illusion said, "Maybe, it's a type of self-protection mechanism."

"Yes, it might not be a bad thing for him."

"He's still young, he shouldn't be exposed to too much disaster. This is good."

Many people whispered and chimed in.

"Why are you guys looking at me with such a gaze? Why are you making me look like a fool? Did something happen?"

Yuan Qingtian scanned the crowd speechlessly and spoke in an indignant tone.

"It's nothing, it's nothing, hehe!"

"We're all heartened to see you grow up."

Everyone shook their heads and chuckled, seeming rather harmonious for a while.

...

Half a day later, Chen Chen returned to the State of Jin.

From now on, he would never face others with a mask. That was quite a relief for him.

He could wear the mask for a while but not forever.If he could let the Demon Clan members find out his identity sooner, they would suffer less emotional trauma.

Now that the Demon Clan had accepted his identity, it meant that the entire State of Zhou was already under his influence.

In addition, he was also the successor of the Tianyun Clan and the strongest person of the State of Jin. Within these two states, who else could compete with him?

With that confidence, Chen Chen returned to the Tianyun Clan.

After waiting for another half day, Xia Xishuang arrived as expected.

Looking at the complicated look on Xia Xishuang's face, Chen Chen sighed in his heart. 'Seems like Xishuang's discussion with her master didn't go according to plan.'

"Chen Chen, Master is worried that I will affect my cultivation and won't allow me to stay in the State of Jin."

Xia Xishuang's words made Chen Chen's heart sink. Although he was sad, he nevertheless forced himself to smile.

"However, she didn't oppose the idea of you and I getting together and becoming a couple."

Xia Xishuang said in a different tone.

Upon hearing this, Chen Chen relaxed again.

Seeing Chen Chen's expression that was changing rapidly, Xia Xishuang couldn't help but laugh out loud. She then snuggled up into Chen Chen's arms and muttered softly.

"Chen Chen, cultivators like us are always put into situations where we can't help ourselves. I'm your partner and also a disciple of the Haoran Sword Clan.I grew up cultivating in the Haoran Sword Clan, and in order to train me, the Haoran Sword Clan has spent a lot of resources. My master and grandmasters have also placed high hopes on me and invested a lot of effort in me."

"I know that I grew up being the subject of envy and jealousy of many others in the clan. If I disregard the orders of the Haoran Sword Clan now, what will those fellow disciples think of me? How would my master and grandmasters perceive me, especially at this time where there is a huge war between both clans. I have to bear an even greater responsibility, can you empathize with me?"

"Yes."

Chen Chen answered softly.

There are few in this world who would give without asking for anything in return, let alone the top clans.

If one has enjoyed the resources that should have been enjoyed by others, then it is only right that they take on a greater responsibility.

"What should we do in the future?" Chen Chen asked, looking at Xia Xishuang who was in his arms.

Hearing these words, Xia Xishuang perked up and stared at Chen Chen. She asked smilingly, "Master said that as long as we both enter the Essence Soul realm, we can do whatever we want!"

Chen Chen looked at the strong enthusiasm for cultivation in Xia Xishuang's eyes, and sighed softly.

The way she handled it was similar to that of some parents in his previous life.

They would say things like:

"You can play some games during the summer break as long as you do well on your test."

"As long as you can get into the same university, I promise college, I'll allow you two to date each other."

It was a simple and brutal method but it was very effective too.

"I understand, it's just reaching the Essence Soul realm. It won't take long but don't let me catch up to you."

Chen Chen teased.

The Essence Soul realm was nothing to him. He had been cultivating for less than a year but he had already reached the Nascent Soul realm.

He would at most spend a year on reaching the Essence Soul realm, and not any more.

Hearing Chen Chen's words, Xia Xishuang smiled confidently.

"Chen Chen, you can rest assured that within three years, I will step into the Essence Soul realm!"

Chen Chen smiled without saying anything.

"In three years, I reckon I'd have the strength to snatch you back from the Haoran Sword Clan. It won't matter if you step into the Essence Soul realm or not."

Thinking about this, Chen Chen took out a large pile of things from his storage ring and handed it to Xia Xishuang. They were gifts from the Demon Clan members.

"Xishuang, my identity was exposed at the Demon Clan but they didn't make things difficult for me. Instead they gave you a bunch of gifts, which are all peculiar trinkets. They're not very valuable but it's the thought that counts."

Xia Xishuang looked at the gifts with her heart full of joy.

She felt very blissful to be able to receive the blessings and recognition of outsiders.

At the same time, she also admired her partner even more.

All spies would be extremely cautious when doing undercover work as they would suffer severe consequences once their identities were exposed.

Yet, Chen Chen had his identity exposed but he took it lightly like it was a joke, and he even got a bunch of gifts.

'Why is there such a logic in this world?'

'Could it be that the members of the Demon Clan have been influenced by Chen Chen and decided to be upright people?'

Thinking of this, Xia Xishuang fancied Chen Chen more and more. At the same time, she felt some heartache and reluctance to part with him.

After laying in Chen Chen's arms for a while, she also took out a token from her storage ring and handed it to Chen Chen.

"This is a gift from my master. This token represents the fact that you're the guest deacon of the Haoran Sword Clan. If someone makes things hard for you in the future, you just have to show this token. The Haoran Sword Clan has a good status among the humans."

Chen Chen smiled and took the token.

'Seems that the Haoran Sword Clan is quite nice to me. Since this is the case, I won't snatch Xishuang away from them again and instead discuss with them in a reasonable range.'

"Chen Chen, take me to see your parents."

After cuddling for a while, Xia Xishuang suddenly mustered the courage to say those words.

Upon hearing her words, Chen Chen felt extremely touched. He felt that Xia Xishuang was expressing her determination.

"Okay!"

After assenting, Chen Chen flew with Xia Xishuang towards a certain mountain of the Tianyun Clan.

It didn't take long for them to arrive at a large mansion.

Now that the entire Stone Village had moved to this mountain, most of the villagers were quite satisfied with the new environment. Only some of the old people could not help but miss their hometown.

In the large residence, Chen Chen's parents were chatting with Zhang Ji's parents.

Seeing the miserable look on Zhang Ji's parents' face, Chen Chen knew that they were obviously very worried about Zhang Ji's condition in the Seven Lethal Demon Clan.

After all, the name of this clan was a little terrifying.

Seeing Chen Chen and a fairy walking in hand and hand, Qin Rou instantly felt more energized and asked, "Chen Chen, who's this?"

"She's my Dao partner. In layman's terms, my fiancée." Chen Chen was straightforward.

Qin Rou and Chen Shan both looked at each other, and saw the shock in each other's eyes.

They had seen this woman several months ago, and at that time they felt astonished.

They thought it would be great if such a person could become their daughter-in-law, but they never thought it would come true!

That made them a little overwhelmed with joy for a while.

Zhang Ji's parents started congratulating him.

"Congratulations, Sister! I have to admit that Chen Chen is very capable. I wonder when my son will bring his wife home!"

Zhang Ji's mother looked at Xia Xishuang with indescribable envy.

Zhang Ji's father was a martial artist who wasn't good with his words. At this moment, he smacked his thigh and exclaimed, "Ah! My daughter was interested in Chen Chen at first, but fortunately Zhang Ji stopped him. Wow, the difference is huge. Zhang Ji has got great horizons!"

Hearing this, Xia Xishuang's eyes suddenly became dangerous, but soon returned to calm.

She then bowed to Chen Chen's parents as a form of agreement with Chen Chen's words.

When it was time to leave, Qin Rou sighed but Chen Shan said seriously, "My son, rest assured and go back to the clan. I saw many ruins and abandoned bodies of the big city on my way back to the Tianyun Clan."

"To be honest, even if we mortals have the intentions to contribute to the human race, we do not have the ability to do so, we can only rely on you immortals. Don't worry about Chen Chen, if he dares to get involved with other women, I'll disown him."

Chen Chen was speechless. 'What do you mean?'

To his surprise, Xia Xishuang nodded very seriously.

...

After Chen Chen's parents left, it was time for Xia Xishuang to leave too.

Before leaving, Xia Xishuang suddenly said, "Chen Chen, I've given the Heavenly Divine Gold you gave me to my master and told her to bring it back. She will ask the Smithing Master of the clan to build me a new sword."

"That's great." Chen Chen laughed.

"I've thought of a name for this sword, I'll call it Chen Shuang, what do you think?"

"Nice name!" Chen Chen smiled sincerely because the name of the sword was a mashup of both their names.

"Chen Chen, now the whole Haoran Sword Clan knows that I have a Dao Partner, if I hear any news of you being involved with other women..."

Speaking of this, Xia Xishuang came up to Chen Chen's ear and whispered, "Then the next time we meet, I'll stab you with the Chen Shuang Sword!"

The smile on Chen Chen's face stiffened after he heard that.

Without waiting for him to express his devotion, Xia Xishuang suddenly gave him a kiss on the cheek, and then turned away to leave quickly.

"Chen Chen, cultivate well! I don't want to wait ten years for you!"

Staring at her back as she left, Chen Chen touched his cheek with a smile and muttered, "Since I've gotten married, I have to work hard... One day, I must stand at the peak and be free of restraint."