This can also be explained as, influenced by the protagonist's peculiar halo, Lan Xinyue's mind began to become confused, her intelligence lowered, and she began to self-indulge in a strategy of self-deception.
Although it sounds far-fetched, there's even more that's far-fetched. In short, the protagonist's halo is powerful.
"If you don't say it, I won't force you."
Long Batian felt a bit disappointed. He hadn't earned her trust yet.
"No, it's just that I'm afraid if I say it, we won't be able to talk so peacefully."
Seeing the disappointment on Long Batian's face, Lan Xinyue's heart ached inexplicably.
Finally, risking being hunted by the Zhao clan, Lan Xinyue revealed her identity and purpose.
"Kill me. There's only death for me if I betray the Zhao clan."
Lan Xinyue directly drew her dagger and aimed it at her throat.
"Don't."
Long Batian was surprised by her fierce spirit and quickly snatched the dagger away.
"Even if you lied to me before, you've confessed to me now, haven't you?"
Looking at Lan Xinyue, Long Batian couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.
The Zhao clan were truly inhumane.
To train such a beautiful and kind woman into a spy. Fortunately, she met him. Otherwise, others would have no ability to help her escape this plight.
If this were a typical novel plot, the Zhao clan wouldn't know of Lan Xinyue's betrayal, and Lan Xinyue would then feed the Zhao clan false information, causing them to suffer repeated losses.
At the same time, Long Batian would discover the chip on Lan Xinyue, resolve the chip issue, and take her in.
Finally, Long Batian would gradually gain experience, be forced to level up by being chased by the Zhao clan, and eventually, the Zhao clan would be annihilated.
During this process, Long Batian would meet many confidantes, and his career would also absorb the nourishment of the Zhao clan, making him a prominent figure of the era.
Unfortunately, Long Batian, this chess piece, had already been placed on the board by Zhao Yunhai.
"Is the job done?"
Upstairs, Zhao Yunhai asked Si Jinyan calmly.
"Reporting to Young Master Yun, our men are ready, awaiting your command."
Si Jinyan quickly replied.
Zhao Yunhai nodded and gave the order.
"Then let's begin! Remember, while forcing the two into a desperate situation, make Long Batian develop feelings for that traitor."
"Once feelings develop, immediately have the department in the clan deal with the spy, causing her to die instantly."
"Yes."
Si Jinyan, calling himself Young Master Yun's number one subordinate, did whatever Young Master Yun asked without questioning why.
Zhao Yunhai's objective was to force Long Batian to reach the Xiantian realm, then he would activate the Super Doubling and finally deal with Long Batian.
The plan was simple but effective.
After Zhao Yunhai gave the order, Long Batian and Lan Xinyue were hunted within half an hour.
The pursuing team consisted of the elite guard only possessed by direct descendants of the Zhao clan.
This force was immensely powerful, with almost every member possessing peak Xiantian realm strength.
The total number of direct lineage guards was five hundred.
Five hundred peak Xiantian realm powerhouses could guard a territory on their own.
However, within the Zhao clan, they were merely guard members.
Yet, these peak Xiantian realm guards had exhausted their potential and had no further room for advancement.
It was evident that these peak Xiantian realm members had lower potential and were forcibly enhanced by banned drugs concocted by the Zhao clan.
This time, Zhao Yunhai had directly requisitioned fifteen people using his status.
Fifteen peak Xiantian realm powerhouses were enough for Zhao Yunhai to manipulate Long Batian, this chess piece.
"How did the Zhao clan find out so quickly? Did you not send a message back?"
Long Batian was sweating profusely as he was being chased.
If Lan Xinyue hadn't told him about the difference in martial artist levels, he might have turned back to fight.
Fifteen peak Xiantian realm powerhouses. The Zhao clan was truly terrifying.
Lan Xinyue didn't know either, shaking her head anxiously.
"I did send it back, but it was a little late. It shouldn't have led to my betrayal being discovered."
After all, a spy's messages are never on time. Being a spy is all about not being discovered.
Lan Xinyue couldn't figure out how the Zhao clan found out.
"Whoosh!!!"
A crossbow bolt instantly pierced Lan Xinyue's arm, lodging itself in the road ahead.
"Whoosh!!!"
At the same time, another crossbow bolt pierced Lan Xinyue's thigh, instantly dyeing her pants red with blood.
"Ah!"
Lan Xinyue let out a scream and lost her balance, falling to the ground.
Such crossbows were military weapons in ancient times. With Lan Xinyue's strength, she couldn't withstand the bolts.
Don't think spies are strong. Spies are meant to infiltrate, not kill.
Spies learn various life skills and are prepared for anything. Strength is secondary.
However, Lan Xinyue's strength was indeed outstanding compared to others of her kind.
"Damn it!"
Long Batian roared in anger, his eyes resembling beast pupils. He let out a dragon's roar, fierce, domineering, and powerful.
Long Batian stopped running. Instead of retreating, he charged forward towards those pursuing him and Lan Xinyue.
The direct lineage guards behind them were acting very realistically, constantly pushing Long Batian to exert his strength beyond his limits.
"Damn brat, you're quite resilient."
"It seems your cultivation technique is extraordinary."
"Hehehe, if you hand over your cultivation technique, we might spare your dog life."
Long Batian knew the uniqueness of his cultivation technique and scriptures, which allowed him to repeatedly gain advantages against these Xiantian realm experts.
He didn't realize that while it might be difficult for these peak Xiantian realm experts to kill him due to the protagonist's halo, surrounding him was easy.
Long Batian, carrying the immobilized Lan Xinyue, ran forward desperately.
When suspicious individuals appeared, Long Batian left the apartment to avoid being trapped.
He hadn't expected them to catch up so quickly. They had been driving, but nails on the road had punctured their tires.
Long Batian could only sprint now. As long as he reached a crowded place, these people wouldn't dare to harm him.
"This crossbow bolt is poisoned. I feel like I'm dying."
Lan Xinyue's increasingly weak voice came.
Long Batian looked down at Lan Xinyue, noticing her pale complexion and dark lips, clearly indicating she had been poisoned.
"Don't worry, I'll use my internal energy to help you expel the poison."
Perhaps sensing the life draining from the woman in his arms, Long Batian vaguely felt as if he had touched another level.
However, he was still missing a crucial trigger. Long Batian truly wished for this trigger to arrive soon.
Soon, Long Batian brought Lan Xinyue to a populated area.
"Let's go. Young Master Yun said to let him and the traitor cultivate some feelings."
"Hehehe, betraying my Zhao clan, how foolish."
"I reckon she was mesmerized by that man."
"Heh!!!"
For the next three days, Long Batian and Lan Xinyue were caught in an endless pursuit.
They escaped death multiple times, and a mutual affection began to grow between them.
These three days of life-or-death experiences were the most potent time for this pair of infatuated lovers to develop feelings.
Zhao Yunhai believed that if Long Batian suddenly lost Lan Xinyue during this period, his chances of breaking through to the Xiantian realm would be as high as 99%.
He had gone to great lengths for Long Batian's breakthrough.
Shouldn't Long Batian kowtow to him for this?
"Inform them to kill that traitor in front of Long Batian."