Help! The Villainess Trapped in the Beast World's Drama!

Chapter 562: Chapter 528: A Bit Strange

A trace of doubt crossed Shen Tang’s mind, is breaking through realms really this easy?

Xiao Jin took nearly a year to break from the ninth rank to the tenth rank, almost losing his life several times.

But Jia Lan, in just one day, has leapt several ranks from the peak of the eighth rank, straight to the King Realm above the tenth rank! Such a talent is not just shocking; it is downright terrifying!

Shen Tang was naturally very happy, yet a slight unease grew within her, feeling that things might not be so simple. Unfortunately, the dog system had not yet awakened from its slumber, and she couldn’t investigate further.

”Hmm? What are you daydreaming about again?” Jia Lan looked amusedly at the worried appearance of the little female, his slender, jade-like fingers gently pinching her fair cheek.

He glanced towards the distance, with a slight frown, and worry in his voice, ”I don’t know how many black-clad figures are still hiding here. The bloody smell from the battle will soon attract more mutant species. We should leave.”

Shen Tang looked at the murky, blood-tainted sea area, where the low roar of beast herds faintly echoed from afar. Her face turned slightly pale as she instinctively held the man’s lean waist tightly and nodded emphatically, ”Mm, let’s go!”

Jia Lan looked at the little female clinging closely to him in his arms, a mysterious smile curling at his lips. His strong arms wrapped around her waist, and his vigorous fishtail drew a graceful and swift arc, leaving the polluted sea area at the fastest speed.

Unexpectedly, on the way back to the Imperial Palace, they met the High Priest.

The usually gentle and composed High Priest had a rare hint of panic on his face.

Seeing the two return safely, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, yet he obviously breathed a sigh of relief.

Evidently, he came specifically to find them.

”Children, are you alright?” Lunus asked with concern.

In front of elders, Shen Tang awkwardly extricated herself from Jia Lan’s embrace, her cheeks slightly red, shaking her head, ”We... are safe. By the way, High Priest, how is the situation at the Imperial Palace?”

Lunus smiled, ”No need to worry, I have successfully rescued Your Majesty. I initially wanted to invite Her Majesty to stay at the Divine Hall temporarily, but she insisted on quickly reorganizing the army and clearing out the rebels after her recovery...”

He sighed lightly and said regretfully, ”I didn’t expect the Priest Temple to be breached. These days, the pollution force is getting stronger, even my power is hard to suppress it.”

Shen Tang thought of the current situation of the Forgotten Sea, her mood particularly heavy.

Even if the High Priest can hardly suppress the growing power of pollution, at this rate, the Sea Clan being completely swallowed by pollution is probably just a matter of time.

Moreover, this time will come sooner than on land.

Lunus, noticing their gloominess, gently comforted, ”Good children, guarding the sea area is the responsibility of the Priest Temple, you juniors shouldn’t worry about it.”

If the pollution becomes truly uncontrollable one day, he at least has a last resort —

The sacrifice of himself.

Of course, he doesn’t plan to inform others about this.

Lunus saw their tattered clothes, evidently having gone through a fierce battle, and even though the wounds had healed, it wasn’t hard to imagine how severe the injuries had been.

He frowned, his gentle voice mixed with a hint of cold sternness and reproach, ”What exactly happened? You should have waited for me at the Divine Hall, why did you suddenly disappear?”

Shen Tang swallowed, her attitude of admitting fault very proactive, ”Sorry, High Priest, it’s my fault! I was too impulsive at that time, deceived by someone with an ulterior motive, and got caught in the Forgotten Sea, implicating Jia Lan.”

”You even ventured deep into the Forgotten Sea?” Lunus frowned even deeper, turning to the silent Jia Lan beside him, his deep, authoritative golden eyes rippling, and his gaze slightly lowered, ”Did you go alone?”

”...Mm.”

Jia Lan slightly turned his face, avoiding the High Priest’s scrutinizing gaze.

He gently hugged the female in his arms tighter, and when he looked down at her, his elegant brows and eyes were filled with tenderness, ”I know Father worries about my safety, but I don’t regret it. Time was pressing, if I hadn’t gone to save Tangtang then, she would have been taken away.”

Although Shen Tang disagreed with Jia Lan’s reckless actions, she couldn’t bear to see him being scolded, so she quickly came to her beast husband’s defense, ”Those black-clad people captured me into the Forgotten Sea; if it weren’t for Jia Lan’s rescue, I might not have seen you again. Luckily, we all returned safe and sound, High Priest, please don’t blame him.”

”...You truly are a harmonious couple.”

The High Priest looked at them with a slight daze and then showed a contented yet helpless smile, ”Well, this time it’s also my oversight, but you are being too reckless, promise me to consult with me or your mother next time.”

”Yes, Father, rest assured, there won’t be a next time.”

Lunus, meeting the young man’s gentle yet subtly distant smile, slightly narrowed his eyes, a trace of contemplation flashing beneath them.

The Priest Temple had become uninhabitable and needed reconstruction.

Lunus had exceptionally helped them and the Sea Clan greatly. Now that the task was done, he should have returned to the Divine Hall but insisted on escorting them back to the Imperial Palace personally.

Jia Lan considerately suggested, ”Father, as the Sea Race High Priest, you have many affairs to attend to, and the pollution is spreading urgently now. Thank you for your help this time, which has already taken up much of your time, so you needn’t trouble over such a small matter.”

”The Sea Clan rebellion is not yet cleared; your identities are special, making you easy targets. The enemy lurks in the shadows and is hard to guard against.” Lunus faintly smiled, ”Besides, I still have a bit of time.”

He gazed at the handsome young man in front who resembled him, with a look of paternal love and guilt, ”Lan’er, it’s my fault. Over the years, I’ve neglected you, and in the future... we might see each other even less, so let me escort you one last time, as a small gesture of my heart.”

The High Priest was insistent on sending them, and at this point, Jia Lan couldn’t refuse.

Jialouluo, having securely reigned for many years, though caught off guard, acted with decisiveness and swiftness.

In just half a day, she consolidated the troops, eradicated the rebels in the Imperial City, and essentially quelled the upheaval in the Imperial City and surrounding areas.

After safely delivering Shen Tang and Jia Lan to the Imperial Palace, Lunus indeed had little time left.

The operation of the Priest Temple required his power to maintain, and his departure already violated the rules, weakening the temple’s defenses, which led to its easy breach this time.

He had been absent from his duties for too long and must return immediately; otherwise, the spread of pollution would accelerate.

Before leaving, Lunus’s gaze drifted past Jia Lan, softly falling on Shen Tang, who was on the sofa, ”Child, I have a few words to say to you, could you spare me some time?”

”High Priest, you’re too polite! If you have any advice, just say it.” Shen Tang was flattered.

”Mm, I want to talk with you alone, please come with me.”

Shen Tang quickly put down the teacup and got up to follow him to the side hall.

After they left, the curve of Jia Lan’s lips gradually flattened. He narrowed his deep, slender blue eyes, focusing intently on the direction they left, his grip on the teacup involuntarily tightening, turning his fingers pale.

He watched their movement almost without blinking, a hint of contemplation hidden in his eyes.

Jialouluo came over to tease, ”They’re out of sight, and you’re still watching.”

Jia Lan hurriedly withdrew his gaze, a little embarrassed, ”I was just curious about why Father called Tangtang alone, is there important business to discuss that even I shouldn’t know?”

”Your father...” Jialouluo thought for a moment and said blandly, ”Sometimes he is indeed eccentric, but since he called Xiao Tang over, there must be something important to discuss. Don’t overthink it.”

”Mm.” Jia Lan nodded, not asking further.