Chapter 1170: Chapter 1170: Reaching an Agreement

“How can I trust that you’ll bring back the item?” Yue Hongyan didn’t want to have anything more to do with Lin Shen, but she dearly wished she could turn and leave.

Yet the allure of the marriage book and the Netherworld Marriage Technique was too overpowering, rendering her unable to move her feet.

“You’re free not to trust me.” Lin Shen indeed had no way to prove himself.

“Bring the item back. After I see it, we can talk again,” Yue Hongyan murmured thoughtfully.

“There’s no negotiating. To retrieve the marriage book involves excessive risk–whether I succeed or fail, I want the benefits upfront. The Netherworld Marriage Technique can serve as a deposit at that time,” Lin Shen responded.

“How do I know you won’t change your mind after getting your benefits?” Yue Hongyan retorted.

“You’re welcome to distrust me. Let’s pretend I never mentioned this–consider it over. Thanks for hosting me, but I won’t be staying for the meal. Let’s reconnect later if needed,” Lin Shen said as he prepared to leave.

“Wait a moment.” Yue Hongyan’s expression flickered indecisively. Seeing Lin Shen truly about to leave without hesitation, she clenched her teeth and called out to stop him.

“What else would the Yue Family Master like to discuss?” Lin Shen turned his head back and asked.

“Sit down. There are some things I want to ask you.” At that moment, Yue Hongyan’s emotions were unbearably complicated.

If Lin Shen had been just an ordinary person, she wouldn’t care about what he was saying. But she knew Lin Shen was not only the Pavilion Master of the Central Heaven Star Constellation Hall, but he had also recently undertaken a patrol mission in the land of the Ghost Gods. His words carried a certain amount of credibility.

After all, to an outsider, Shi Zhongqing’s backing of Lin Shen was so overt it almost amounted to an announcement that Lin Shen was his successor and the next Great Divine Official of the Central Heaven Star Divine Palace.

Given Lin Shen’s status, his words still carried considerable weight.

“Yue Family Master, please speak plainly,” Lin Shen remained standing and responded.

“Can you sit down first?” Yue Hongyan’s expression turned to one of quiet pleading. Her thin skin kept her from speaking freely in front of so many people.

Those men who were already paying attention to Yue Hongyan’s side felt a wave of indignation upon seeing this dignified beauty openly beg the man.

To dine with such a stunning figure was already a tremendous blessing, yet here he was, daring to leave her behind. Moreover, he made her plead for him to stay–an act that surely ranked among the most egregious sins.

Some of them even wished they could pummel Lin Shen to the ground and then comfort Yue Hongyan properly.

Lin Shen was keenly aware of the hostile stares around him, and after a moment of contemplation, he sat back down, saying, “Yue Family Master, what is it you’d like to say?”

“Was it truly just sleeping together?” Yue Hongyan’s cheeks turned crimson as she spoke. Her body trembled lightly, and her fingernails almost pierced her palm.

“It was only sharing a bed–nothing more,” Lin Shen corrected her.

“Before anything else, I need to see the Netherworld Marriage Technique to confirm it’s the complete version. Only then can we make a deal,” Yue Hongyan tried her best to appear indifferent, as if she didn’t really care.

“I can give you the Netherworld Marriage Technique first, but as soon as you’ve seen it and verified its completeness, you won’t be able to go back on your word,” Lin Shen said.

“You must also swear a blood oath to do everything you can to retrieve the item from the Love God Temple for me.”

“Agreed.”

“Not just the marriage book–you’ll also need to bring back the red thread connected to it.”

“I will do my best.”

“So, when should the transaction occur?”

“As soon as possible. If you’ve got no other commitments, we could find somewhere right now,” Lin Shen suggested.

“I’m fine with that, but the location has to be my choice,” Yue Hongyan replied nonchalantly.

“Choose away,” Lin Shen said, pleased. Although it required some sacrifice, being able to obtain the Fire Seed from Yue Hongyan so quickly meant the trade-off was worth it.

“Follow me,” Yue Hongyan got to her feet and began walking, projecting an air of casual indifference.

Lin Shen also stood and followed her, his heart racing with anticipation. Soon, he would finally acquire the true Heaven Defying Bone. He couldn’t help but wonder what its effects would be. This was his first time obtaining a perfect Fire Seed, and he was filled with excitement.

Lin Shen originally thought Yue Hongyan would choose a hotel or suchlike. After all, Dream Star was inherently a romantic sanctuary, boasting an abundance of hotels, including particularly advanced ones.

Lin Shen assumed any room that allowed them to spend the night would suffice.

However, Yue Hongyan clearly had different ideas. Rather than selecting a hotel, she took Lin Shen off Dream Star entirely, teleporting to a planet whose name Lin Shen hadn’t even heard.

The planet was blanketed in primeval forests, entirely devoid of signs of human activity–let alone hotels. It was plainly undeveloped and untouched.

“Is she suggesting we sleep under the stars?” Lin Shen stood in front of a lake flanked by grassy shores, inwardly astonished by Yue Hongyan’s potential openness.

Soon, however, Lin Shen realized he was mistaken. Yue Hongyan led him to a small wooden cabin at the edge of the lake. The cabin leaned against a hillside, its roof blending seamlessly with the grass on the slope above–so much so it was nearly invisible unless approached closely.

Yue Hongyan pushed the door open and stepped inside the cabin. Lin Shen followed, his gaze sweeping over the interior.

Though the cabin was small and sparsely furnished, it was arranged with exceptional warmth. A modest bamboo bed offered just enough room for two people–more than adequate.

Yue Hongyan removed her jacket and hung it on the coat rack before lighting the fireplace, instantly flooding the cabin with cozy warmth, enhancing its inviting atmosphere.

After finishing this, Yue Hongyan sat on the bed, removed her shoes, and leaned casually against the bedding. Holding out one hand, she appeared laissez-faire as she remarked, “Didn’t you say you wanted me to hug you to sleep? Come on, then.”

Sensing Yue Hongyan’s apparent detachment, Lin Shen hesitated no longer, stepping forward to sit on the bed and removing his shoes, readying himself to lie in her embrace.

Yue Hongyan instinctively recoiled her arm, clearly betraying an inner trepidation despite her outward indifference.

“Scared?” Lin Shen leaned against the headboard, watching the slightly frazzled Yue Hongyan as he commented flatly.

“Who’s scared? You haven’t even given me the Netherworld Marriage Technique yet. If you want me to hug you to sleep, let me see if it’s truly a complete copy first,” Yue Hongyan countered stubbornly.

Lin Shen retrieved the pre-written Netherworld Marriage Technique and handed it to Yue Hongyan.

Yue Hongyan accepted the technique and began reading. The more she read, the more peculiar her expression grew.

Though she had never seen an authentic copy of the Netherworld Marriage Technique, the detailed content far surpassed every version she had previously encountered, resolving many of her long-standing doubts.

“Is it acceptable now?” Lin Shen reached out, ready to pull Yue Hongyan into his arms.

Yue Hongyan quickly extended her hand to block Lin Shen, biting her lip as she said, “You haven’t sworn your blood oath yet.”

After Lin Shen made his blood oath, he reached out once more to wrap Yue Hongyan in his arms.

Yue Hongyan pressed a hand against Lin Shen’s chest, speaking urgently, “Don’t rush… go take a bath first… I can’t stand the smell of sweat.”

But Lin Shen cared little for her protests. Exerting force, he drew Yue Hongyan entirely into his embrace, his overwhelming strength leaving her no room for resistance.

Yue Hongyan’s heart surged with anger and shock. Lin Shen’s strength far exceeded her expectations, despite her recent advancement to the Upper Rank. She couldn’t fend him off; his strength Attribute surpassed her initial estimates, rivaling or perhaps even surpassing the Upper Rank–a revelation that astonished her.

Not long ago, Lin Shen had still been at the Lower Tier, competing alongside Pan Xiaoning and the others. Now his Strength Attribute had reached such heights–was it due to a rapid promotion to the Upper Rank, or some other extraordinary ability?

Unable to break free from Lin Shen’s steellike arms, Yue Hongyan was forcibly turned to face the wall, Lin Shen’s arm circling her entire torso and arms from behind.

Yue Hongyan felt as though those arms were made of iron; no matter how much she struggled, she couldn’t escape. She was on the verge of snapping until Lin Shen’s soft voice murmured in her ear, “If you breach the agreement, not only will you pay the price, but so will the entire Yue Family. Don’t doubt my resolve and capability.”

Yue Hongyan’s body stiffened instantly. Matters had come to a head–if she violated the agreement, Lin Shen, as a future Great Divine Official, would surely retaliate against her and the Yue Family. Moreover, she still harbored aspirations for the items within the Love God Temple.

“If you cross me or break the pact, I’ll tie countless threads connecting awful crones, spiteful women, and embarrassing elderly spinsters to you, ensuring you become their groom every night and their companion every day,” Yue Hongyan closed her eyes, standing still while spitting out venomous words.