The auras of the Dragon God Clan and Snake God Clan were somewhat similar, and since Dean Little Aunt wasn’t familiar with either, it had been simple enough to fool her.
Once the conversation ended, Yan Zhen retrieved two small packages from his storage ring and presented them to the two beautiful elder women.
“These are local specialties from the Three Major Kingdoms—pretty popular back home. Little Aunt, Aunt, why don’t you give them a try?”
In addition to the actual specialties, the packages also contained ice cream and chocolate from the Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce. It was a little market test run for Sister Ji Ya, too.
Dean Yu Qing’s lips curved upward slightly as she let out a huff, though it was clear she was delighted.
“Only now do you think to bribe your little aunt?”
Grand Mentor Shui Bailan smiled faintly as well.
“You even brought gifts back. How thoughtful.”
Yan Zhen waved to them.
“Then I’m off. See you later, Little Aunt. See you later, Aunt.”
With that, he returned to the airship and stomped down on the mystic power valve. The vessel shot off toward the Inner Academy like a streak of smoke. Only after passing them did he finally exhale in relief.
Cai Lian narrowed her beautiful eyes and said coolly, “Who were they?”
“They’re the Outer Court Dean and a Grand Mentor from the Outer Court. They’ve always taken good care of me,” Yan Zhen explained. “I’m cultivating under the Inner Academy Grand Elder now, and they’re both from the Yu Family.”
“Then why are you calling them ‘little aunt’ and ‘aunt’?”
“Uh, well…”
Yan Zhen felt utterly embarrassed. After a moment’s thought, he decided to come clean with Cai Lian.
“While I was studying at Mystic Academy, I cultivated under Mentor Yu Xuan. She’s the Yu Family’s Little Princess—and she’s a reincarnator, too. She and I… we’re currently engaged.”
Cai Lian drew in a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm.
In truth, Ji Ya had mentioned it during their earlier discussion: Yan Zhen’s mentor was very likely a reincarnator as well, just like them. She’d taken the initiative with him, their relationship already deeply intimate. Inevitably, she’d end up as one of their “sisters.”
Even so, hearing it straight from Yan Zhen’s mouth left her anything but calm.
She could accept women like Ji Ya and Yun Xiu, whom she knew inside and out from her past life. But how had this Mentor Yu Xuan popped up out of nowhere?
In her previous life, the harem of the Radiant Heavenly Emperor Palace had consisted solely of her and Zi Ji as official consorts—plus Ji Ya as a substitute, the posthumously honored Nine, the first love Yun Xiu, the despised Thousand Fiends, and even Long Ying if you counted her. That made seven at most—
“…”
Cai Lian suddenly lost all her steam. She could only let out a heavy huff to express her displeasure.
Yan Zhen scratched his head awkwardly. After careful consideration, he continued his confession.
“Besides Mentor Yu Xuan, there are actually… four more.”
Cai Lian’s eyes went wide in disbelief.
“You’re saying there are how many more?”
Yan Zhen shriveled up like a deflated ball.
“Four. There’s Meng’er and Cousin Ruyu, plus two senior sisters I’m living with.”
“You… you absolute scoundrel!”
“I’m sorry. I don’t even know how it turned into this. By the time I snapped out of it, I’d gone and charmed a bunch of girls.”
In a way, Yan Zhen was the victim here. He’d been reverse-pushed—straight-up assaulted by women hanging off him. He’d tried so hard to stick to his persona as an emotionless, ascetic upgrade bot, but they just had to tempt him.
The life of a protagonist is so hard.
Cai Lian was so furious she couldn’t speak. Five new “sisters” out of nowhere—who could handle that?
The Sovereign Lady crossed her arms over her chest and turned her head away, ignoring her philandering husband.
Even Long Ying shot Yan Zhen a look of disdain. Cai Lian was pregnant, and he was still upsetting her. Yan Zhen was such an idiot!
The airship slowed its pace and glided quietly toward the Inner Academy, smoothly passing through the array formation’s light barrier.
Silence hung heavy in the cabin. Yan Zhen fidgeted nervously, terrified that he’d truly upset Cai Lian enough to harm her health. He racked his brain for the right way to comfort her.
But then Cai Lian spoke up abruptly.
“This Sovereign remembers now. They’re the five women who appeared at our wedding—the Yu Family head, Yu Xuan; your clanswomen cousin and little cousin; and the two female mentors from Holy Land Academy. Are they all reincarnators?”
Yan Zhen blinked in surprise.
“Only Mentor Yu Xuan is a reincarnator. Meng’er and the others probably aren’t… umm… or could they be?”
It didn’t seem likely.
Especially Cousin Ruyu and Senior Sister Xinyan. If they’d been reincarnators, why had they started off at such odds with him?
Cai Lian narrowed her eyes again.
“And where are they now?”
Yan Zhen replied, “They’ve already entered the Inner Academy. They’re probably staying at the society I founded. Do you want to meet them, Cai Lian?”
“What, are you afraid this Sovereign will bully them?”
“Of course not. I was planning to introduce you anyway, help you all get acquainted.”
“So we can all serve you together?”
“Ahem, no, no—you’re overthinking it, Cai Lian.”
“You lecher!”
“…”
The airship wove through the cluster of buildings before descending slowly in front of the Yan Huang Society headquarters. The three of them stepped out, and Yan Zhen stored the airship back in his storage ring.
This place had originally belonged to Black Horn, one of the Top Ten Societies. After losing to Yan Zhen in the society war, it had undergone some simple renovations and now looked entirely different.
The front gate stood wide open. The trio entered to find the courtyard planted with all sorts of flowers and herbs—half ornamental blooms, the other half practical medicinal plants.
Zi Xunyi had planted and tended them all. Ever since she’d left, no one had paid much attention. Neither Yan Zhen, Long Ying, nor Huangfu Wenqing cared much for it; they’d only watered them occasionally when they remembered. As a result, nothing had thrived.
Yet now, the courtyard plants had all sprung back to life in a vibrant, flourishing display. Clearly, someone had taken over the caretaking again.
Yan Zhen extended his spirit sense, sweeping it across the entire headquarters. He found no sign of anyone.
“No one’s here. They must be cultivating at the Firmament Nine-Story Tower…”
Two-story dormitories for members stood at each of the courtyard’s four corners, while the central three-story building served as quarters for the leadership.
The three continued onward to the main building.
Yan Zhen pulled out his academy card to unlock the door and stepped inside first.
The spacious hall stood empty, a faint feminine fragrance lingering in the air.
“Cai Lian, let me take you upstairs to pick a room you like.”
Yan Zhen extended his hand.
Cai Lian pressed her lips together, her cheeks tinting pink as she placed her hand in his palm.
“Long Ying, wait for us downstairs. We’ll go grab something to eat in a bit.”
Long Ying nodded obediently and settled into a chair to wait.
Yan Zhen led Cai Lian up to the second floor, introducing the rooms as they went.
“There are five rooms on the second floor altogether. The one in the middle is mine and Long Ying’s. The left one’s Zi Ji’s, the right belongs to Wenqing. The remaining two are empty. Where would you like to stay, Cai Lian?”
Cai Lian shot him a glance.
“Those four have probably claimed all four rooms on either side. What choice does this Sovereign even have left?”
From her words, Yan Zhen realized the faint fragrance he’d caught earlier meant all four women were staying in the main building rather than spreading out to the corner dorms, one per building.
“Then… want to share with me? The room and bed are plenty big for two—no cramping. Long Ying can take the daybed.”
