Chapter 1683: Shang Hongchen: Master, you……

Tianlian Zhenren gazed at the disciple before her, Shang Hongchen. She had already received the news in advance, and seeing her disciple in person, she was deeply moved, tears welling up as she stepped forward and embraced the disciple before her. She knew Shang Hongchen had always been worried about her safety, constantly wanting to come to Tianwai to find her; she never expected that she would really come.

This disciple was the last one she took in, and had only been by her side for a short time. Compared to the other disciples who had died, this one was the most filial and also her most favored; the other disciples all perished with the destruction of the Heavenly Heart Sect.

Only the disciple before her was still alive, and had always been concerned for her safety. Tianlian Zhenren had always been afraid to meet her own disciple, not knowing how to face her, after all, this master of hers had actually… fallen for the disciple's man, and moreover become one of that man's women.

In the end, she still walked down this path; after taking that step, she had no regrets, she just didn't know how to face Shang Hongchen.

Even now, she still feels deep guilt and anxiety, not knowing what to say, after all this disciple truly cares for her; even though she has come to Tianwai, she has always been looking out for herself, having Chen Chuyang guarantee her safety.

Elder Xinran Zhanglao stood to the side, not disturbing the meeting of the two master and disciple. She knew she would soon face this awkward situation herself—if her own disciple learned that she had become her sister-in-law, what then?

"Hongchen, how did you come? Did you come alone?" Tianlian Zhenren asked, though she already knew. She naturally knew Chen Chuyang hadn't come along, and understood his worry, fearing that their concern would be exposed, leaving Tianlian Zhenren unsure how to face her.

At the same time, she also knew that a powerful one had arrived in that world, unable to leave that world, must keep watch on that powerful one, so that Chen Chuyang could rest easy.

"Not bad, my husband still has matters to attend to, so he can't come right away; he'll come over in a few days to take me back. I, the disciple, have merely come to Tianwai for a while." Shang Hongchen explained: "I was too worried about you, Master, so I couldn't wait and came ahead to see you."

She didn't mention the details, nor tell her master. After seeing Master Tianlian Zhenren, Shang Hongchen always felt strange; the master's gaze toward her carried guilt and anxiety, as if she were afraid to see her, her eyes constantly drifting elsewhere.

Elder Xinran Zhanglao was also present here; she was different, Elder Xinran Zhanglao's gaze swept over her, as if intending to do something to her.

"I've troubled you, you've worked hard these past days. As master, I have had no affairs; not long ago I came to this place and met Chen Chuyang, so I no longer need to live that fugitive life. Hongchen, Tianwai is very dangerous—you must not come here; it's better to stay peacefully by your husband's side."

Tianlian Zhenren held Shang Hongchen's hand, whispering her advice, not wishing for this disciple to rashly come to Tianwai; she had experienced Tianwai's danger and naturally knew it was perilous and frightening.

That fugitive life left a deep impression on her, and she did not want to look back; she also did not wish for her disciple to act on impulse and come to Tianwai, for this place remains dangerous, inferior to that world—at least that world has Chen Chuyang watching over and guarding it, making it safe.

"Master, I am very worried about you; without seeing you in person, I cannot be at ease." Shang Hongchen poured out the hardships of these years, and how deeply she worried for herself, making Tianlian Zhenren feel more panicked and more guilty.

The disciple worries so much for her, yet she herself has done something wrong toward her. Thinking of this, Tianlian Zhenren feels she has no face to meet this disciple; she wants to go into seclusion, for if the disciple discovered her affair with Chen Chuyang, what then?

She looked toward Elder Xinran Zhanglao, who instantly understood and immediately spoke to defuse the situation: "All right, Shang Hongchen, you two have finished catching up; come with me. For the coming period, you will live with me, and your life in Tianwai will be personally… watched over by me."

"Before your husband arrives, you must obey my words—did you hear me?"

She raised her voice for those words, doubling the volume, just so Shang Hongchen would hear and obey her command.

Shang Hongchen blinked, looking doubtfully at Tianlian Zhenren, who nodded and said: "Chen Chuyang indeed arranged this; have Senior Xinran help arrange things for you, and at the same time have her help you increase your strength—your strength is too weak, you need someone to properly train you."

"As master, I am inferior to Senior Xinran; Senior Xinran is the most suitable choice, and also the best master for you."

"So, my good disciple, for the coming period you must live together with Senior Xinran; do you understand?"

Shang Hongchen blinked, still not understanding why her husband would arrange it this way.

"Master, I want to be with you—may I?"

Tianlian Zhenren's body shuddered as she said: "Hongchen, sorry, master must go into seclusion and cannot accompany you for the time being; coincidentally, master has gained insight and is preparing to breakthrough, so."

All of this is because she does not want the disciple to see through her, so she does this to avoid the disciple and avoid all of this.

She tries as much as possible not to let the disciple discover those secrets, nor let the disciple know all of this, so that she can continue with a clear conscience; Tianlian Zhenren does not want to leave Chen Chuyang—once she becomes familiar with his aura and this place, she does not wish to depart.

"This…" Shang Hongchen always felt that her master was hiding something from her—how coincidental that just as she arrived in Tianwai, her master went into seclusion to cultivate.

But she could not ask directly; instead she stared at the master before her, that gaze making Tianlian Zhenren very afraid.

"After master breaks through, she will naturally be with you, Hongchen." Tianlian Zhenren knew she could not keep waiting, and left directly.

Elder Xinran Zhanglao's gaze continually urged her to leave, not to linger or keep speaking, for surely Shang Hongchen would see through it—this woman is not simple; ordinary means cannot deceive her.

"Senior Xinran, from now on, Hongchen is in your hands." Tianlian Zhenren gave her final instruction, then vanished.

Elder Xinran Zhanglao nodded and said: "No problem."

She looked at Shang Hongchen, took a deep breath; the matter her husband required, she would certainly do it—to prevent Tianlian Zhenren from being discovered, she could only do this, and could only help conceal it.

How long she can conceal it is how long it will last; at the same time, she also wants Shang Hongchen to know that Tianwai is not all that wonderful, so she had already made a plan.

"Hongchen, come with me; from now on, I will personally train you."

"Are you ready?"