After accessing her past life’s memories and conversing with her daughter, Zi Xunyi had matured overnight. Just like in her previous life with the Myriad Snake Queen, she took the initiative to show goodwill toward Huangfu Wenqing.
Caught completely off guard, Huangfu Wenqing found herself at a loss, falling into a passive position as Zi Xunyi led her by the nose.
By the time she snapped back to reality, she had already agreed to Zi Xunyi’s request. She could only grit her teeth and endure it for now, planning to team up with her master once they returned to Cloud Heaven Palace for a counterattack.
Even if they had to share a husband, she and her master would rank at the top—who wanted to be the little sister!
Seeing the atmosphere between them finally harmonize, Yan Zhen felt a huge weight lift off his shoulders. This was supposed to be a no-harem xianxia power fantasy; if harem drama started playing out now, it would be totally out of place.
One misstep leads to endless errors.
Still, Yan Zhen had no regrets. He could only do his utmost to protect them.
He just hoped System-chan wouldn’t say his persona had collapsed and force him to redo the past year-plus of role-playing from scratch.
—System-chan.
【……】
—System-chan, how do you think I’ve been doing?
【……】
—Huh? System-chan? Why aren’t you responding?
【Ding! This system is currently upgrading. If there’s nothing else, please do not disturb the host.】
—What? You can upgrade? This…
No wonder System-chan had been so quiet lately—it had been upgrading.
Yan Zhen fell into thoughtful silence.
He glanced at the interface, which showed “Upgrade Progress: 39%.” It seemed like it had started a while ago.
Leaving the Cliffside Small Building, Yan Zhen headed to the Inner Academy Exchange to purchase Tier 5 materials.
After buying them, his account balance shrank by more than half, dropping him from millionaire status to comfortable middle-class.
With the materials in hand, Yan Zhen dove into the Fire Refining Starry Sky. Under the guidance of the Beautiful Female Master, he refined Tier 5 Fetus-Protecting Pills—specifically called Thirteen Supreme Warmth-Preserving God Ointment. Consuming it benefited not only the fetus but also the mother.
Refining pills above one’s level was incredibly difficult, but with Extreme Flame’s help, Yan Zhen succeeded on his second try—though it was only Medium Grade quality, which he had to discard.
After scrapping two Medium Grade batches, on his fourth attempt, Yan Zhen finally produced a High Grade Tier 5 Fetus-Protecting Pill.
He let out a breath of relief, set the finished product aside, and sat down to meditate and restore his spiritual power. Once he reached peak condition, he continued refining.
Out of ten portions of materials, one was ruined, two Medium Grade batches were discarded, and after finishing the remaining seven, he finally produced one Supreme Grade batch. Even Chen Xi was astonished.
Refining above his level and achieving Supreme Grade quality—could Zhen’er’s Technique Refining Talent be even stronger than in his previous life?
“Zhen’er, you’ve worked hard. Take a rest.”
“Got it, Master.”
“Eat this.”
“Ah, okay.”
Yan Zhen opened his mouth to catch the milk pill fed to him by the Beautiful Female Master, then chewed it like a piece of milk candy. A rich, sweet aroma burst in his mouth, turning into a warm current that sank into his abdomen upon swallowing. The medicinal power then dispersed, rapidly replenishing his stamina.
The effect was like a Senzu Bean, but the taste was even better because it was genuinely delicious.
Yan Zhen couldn’t help comparing it to the overflow he’d tasted from the Yu Family Head Mother-in-Law before. He mused to himself that the Beautiful Female Master’s was superior overall, though the mother-in-law’s contained a hint of Water Mystic Force, giving it a softer, slightly milder texture without quite the same rich mellowness.
Speaking of which, Zi Ji was already pregnant. Would she have some too when the time came?
—Cough, cough. I’m not craving it, I’m not craving it. No matter what, I can’t compete with my daughter for it.
Yan Zhen pulled back his wandering thoughts and glanced at the Beautiful Female Master before tentatively saying,
“Um, Master, I have a question for you. Don’t get mad, okay?”
Seeing her disciple’s cautious demeanor, Chen Xi smiled faintly.
“Ask away, Zhen’er. I promise I won’t get angry.”
“It’s just… um, would Master ever want a child?”
Chen Xi froze for a moment.
Yan Zhen hurriedly added,
“Forget I asked, Master!”
“Don’t worry, Zhen’er.” Chen Xi chuckled softly. “I’m not angry.”
“Really? Then—”
“In my current state, I can’t have children.”
“What about after we get out?”
“Truth is, I’ve never thought about it. I feel like having you is enough.” Chen Xi gazed tenderly at her disciple, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “Once a child comes along, my attention would shift to them, and I don’t want that. I only want to keep watching you forever—you’re my everything, and that’s sufficient.”
“Master…”
Yan Zhen stared at the Beautiful Female Master, his heart stirring with unprecedented emotion. So Master loved him this deeply. Joy, pride,, guilt—a tangle of mixed emotions flooded him.
“Master!”
Yan Zhen threw himself into the Beautiful Female Master’s embrace, hugging her slender waist tightly. He buried his little face in the valley between her breasts, as if trying to fuse their bodies completely.
“I’m sorry, Master. I’m a bad disciple. I said I’d marry you, but I had no idea how you felt. I’m an idiot!”
Chen Xi’s face remained flushed as her fair, delicate hand gently stroked her disciple’s hair. In a soft voice, she said,
“Don’t say that, Zhen’er. You’re my pride—always. I’ll teach you, supervise you, protect you, and help you become a man who can stand tall between heaven and earth. Then it will be your turn to protect me.”
“Yeah. I’ll cultivate hard and free Master from the Fire Refining Starry Sky as soon as possible.” Yan Zhen’s face was still buried in that deep valley, his voice muffled. “Then I’ll marry Master and make you the principal wife, so you can keep managing and spoiling me forever.”
“Zhen’er…”
The master and disciple locked eyes, their heartbeats intertwining as they gave in to their feelings and kissed.
Clothes fell away, belts flew aside, and the two joined intimately, ascending to the clouds.
Afterward, the master and disciple embraced in sleep, sinking into deep slumber.
The next day, Yan Zhen left the Fire Refining Starry Sky and returned to the Cliffside Small Building, handing the seven portions of Tier 5 Fetus-Protecting Pills to Zi Xunyi. He reminded her to take one every seven days.
“Long Ying, I’m heading out for a few days. Stay with Zi Ji properly and don’t wander off, okay?”
Long Ying wasn’t thrilled but nodded anyway.
She sighed inwardly. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go—it was even worse than her previous life. Back then, she had at least been with Yan Zhen Zhen all the time, even when sleeping or bathing!
Hmm, where exactly had things gone wrong? The Loli Dragon Girl was utterly baffled.
“I’ll treat you to a pill feast later. Whatever you want, I’ll refine it for you.”
“You promised!”
“Where’s Wenqing?”
“She went to train in the Firmament Nine-Story Tower.”
“Remember to tell her for me… Actually, forget it. I’ll just message her directly.”
With everything settled, Yan Zhen went to find Elder Great-Aunt. Together with her, the Outer Academy Dean Little Aunt, and Mentor Aunt, they headed once more to the Yu Family.
This time, it wasn’t to visit Mentor Yu Xuan—they were simply providing treatment to the Yu Family Head Mother-in-Law, Elder Great-Aunt, and Outer Academy Dean Little Aunt.
Yan Zhen had messaged the Yu Family Head Mother-in-Law about her condition, and she always replied “I’m fine, no need to worry.” He had no idea if that was true.
