"Mr. Lin, I heard you won first place in the Southwest Grand Competition, so I came specifically to congratulate you."
Peng Jiahui ignored the disgust in Lin Chen's eyes and walked directly up to him.
A strong perfume smell wafted towards Lin Chen as Peng Jiahui approached.
"Heh, thank you, but no need. I'm just a country bumpkin, how could I deserve the congratulations of the esteemed Miss Peng?"
Lin Chen snorted coldly, still not showing her a pleasant expression.
Although he had only met this woman once, her opportunistic and unreasonable demeanor had left an indelible impression on him!
"Oh dear, Mr. Lin, it was my fault before. To express my apologies, I've specially booked a private room at the Beichuan Shunhe Hotel."
"How about I personally apologize to you tonight?"
"Whatever you wish, Mr. Lin, you can do whatever you want then!"
Peng Jiahui let out a delicate cry, her words carrying a significant undertone.
It was likely that any man would understand the implied meaning behind her words.
"No need, I have other matters to attend to."
"Your fiancé was just over there, perhaps you should go and see him instead!"
Lin Chen refused without hesitation.
This woman was truly bizarre. On one hand, she blamed Long Yuling for being too beautiful and seducing her fiancé.
Now, with her fiancé present, she was openly attempting to seduce another man in front of so many people.
Such a woman was truly hard to describe!
"Senior Sister, let's go. Yuling and Elder Long are over there."
After refusing Peng Jiahui, Lin Chen turned and, with Zhang Ying, walked towards Long Yuling.
Seeing Lin Chen ignore Peng Jiahui and walk towards her, Long Yuling's previously anxious heart finally filled with relief.
This man still had some conscience!
"Huh? Yuling, I already secured first place in the Southwest Grand Competition for your Dragon family. Why are you still not happy?"
Seeing Long Yuling's unnatural expression, Lin Chen looked at her with curiosity.
Long Yuling had told him before that if he could achieve a ranking in the Southwest Grand Competition, she would become the true future head of the Dragon family upon their return.
This should have been a joyous occasion! Why did Long Yuling appear unhappy now?
"Ah? Ah? I'm not!"
Hearing Lin Chen's words, Long Yuling quickly regained her composure.
"Well, you did a good job. I'm heading back now. Uh, you should come back early too."
After a perfunctory response, Long Yuling immediately turned and left.
She knew her emotions were not right at the moment, and at such a time, she absolutely could not let Lin Chen see any hint of it!
Watching Long Yuling's retreating figure, Lin Chen felt a bit bewildered.
He felt that Long Yuling was acting strangely today, but he couldn't quite pinpoint what was wrong.
"Hahaha, Mr. Lin, congratulations!"
After Long Yuling left, Long Wumu stepped forward and congratulated Lin Chen.
"Elder Long is too kind."
"This is the spiritual artifact awarded for first place. As agreed, I'm handing it over to you."
"As for the clues to the secret realm, I'll keep them."
As he spoke, Lin Chen handed the top-grade spiritual artifact sword previously awarded by Sun Zhiqian to Long Wumu.
"Mr. Lin, what are you doing? You won this spiritual artifact, it naturally belongs to you!"
Long Wumu was certainly tempted by the spiritual artifact before him.
However, he also knew very well that the Dragon family's acquisition of this spiritual artifact was entirely due to Lin Chen's efforts!
With the title of first place in the Southwest Grand Competition, their Dragon family would be able to hold their heads high in the headquarters from now on.
This kind of reputation boost was far more valuable than a spiritual artifact.
Moreover, the current Lin Chen was no longer the same as before!
His current status in Beichuan had definitely reached the level of a patriarch of the Five Sects and Four Clans.
If they were to offend Lin Chen over a mere spiritual artifact, it would truly be a bad deal!
"Elder Long, you're too polite. This is what we agreed upon earlier."
"Please accept it."
Seeing that Long Wumu was unwilling to accept it, Lin Chen quickly explained.
Indeed, he could be considered to have begun his rise to prominence now, but he deeply remembered that it was the Dragon family who gave him this stage.
It was also Long Yuling who personally introduced him to Sun Zhiqian, which led to everything that followed.
Without these, he might have truly remained a country bumpkin his entire life, just as Peng Jiahui had said.
He would never do something as ungrateful as forgetting where he came from!
"Very well, Mr. Lin. Since you insist, please give it directly to the Young Lady."
"It wouldn't be appropriate for me to accept it. Farewell!"
Long Wumu smiled slightly, finished speaking with Lin Chen, and then turned and left.
At that moment, he was completely at ease. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Lin Chen was definitely trustworthy, and not someone who would turn his back on his friends!
And most importantly, he had Long Yuling in his heart, which was enough!
When Long Yuling returned this time, she would legitimately become the heir to the Zhejiang Dragon family.
And Lin Chen having Long Yuling in his heart meant he would naturally look after the entire Zhejiang Dragon family?
With Lin Chen as a strong backer, was he afraid that the Dragon family wouldn't gain more benefits in the future?
"Let's go, Junior Brother. We should head back too."
Seeing that everyone else had left, Zhang Ying smiled gently at Lin Chen.
She had come to participate in the Southwest Grand Competition to broaden her horizons. Now that her objective was achieved, it was indeed time to return.
"Yes, okay, let's go."
Hearing Zhang Ying's words, Lin Chen nodded and together they returned to the Sun family courtyard.
The Sun family courtyard was adorned with lanterns and festoons, and a grand banquet was being held. It was clear they had received the news in advance.
"Mr. Lin, congratulations, congratulations! First place in the Southwest Grand Competition, truly well deserved!"
"Yes, yes, Mr. Lin is a young hero, truly making us old folks feel ashamed!"
"Mr. Lin, we must have a good drink tonight!"
As soon as Lin Chen entered the courtyard, a group of people holding wine glasses surrounded him, their expressions full of flattery.
"You are all too kind."
Lin Chen could only force himself to deal with these people helplessly.
By the time the banquet ended, it was already late into the night.
Lin Chen returned to his room, locked the door, and set up a formation to prevent any external disturbances.
The body of the Dragon Winged Serpent was still lying in his storage bag. Now was the perfect time to use its blood to strengthen his physique!