Rain God Peak carried two layers of meaning. The first referred to the entire territory under the Yu Shizun’s command, encompassing the main Rain God Peak along with its affiliated Blue Rain Peak—the disciples’ peak—Timely Rain Peak—the elders’ peak—and the various smaller peaks dedicated to growing herbs and raising mystic beasts, among other miscellaneous tasks. The second, narrower sense pointed solely to the Inverted Peak where the Yu Shizun herself was in secluded cultivation.
The entire Inverted Peak lay shrouded within the Heaven and Earth Great Momentum that the Yu Shizun had personally established. It required little in the way of manual upkeep, and even tasks like guarding the forbidden areas were handled by mystic beasts endowed with a degree of spiritual intelligence.
As such, aside from the Yu Shizun and her few long-term residents, only ten elders were permitted entry to report on official matters.
For any idle outsiders who dared trespass, it was treated as an enemy raid. Even lingering too long outside the peak’s boundaries was deemed an offense.
Yet this blazing Mystic Ancestor aura charging in at top speed showed no signs of halting at the perimeter. Instead, it barreled straight inside, descending onto the plaza halfway up the mountainside. A mature and steady male voice soon followed.
“Deacon Ling Jun of Snow Spirit Peak has arrived with gifts to pay respects to Miss Cai Lian. I humbly request that Miss Cai Lian grant me an audience.”
He actually had the gall to come knocking right at their door?
Yan Zhen glanced at Cai Lian and saw her frown, her gaze turning icy cold. He immediately understood: if not for concern over the man’s status, she would have long since slain this nine-star Mystic Ancestor for his relentless pestering.
Her repeated forbearance was clearly to avoid stirring up trouble and disturbing her husband’s cultivation.
The realization only fueled Yan Zhen’s anger—fury at the utter shamelessness of the intruder and at himself for failing to protect his pregnant wife.
If he were the Saint Son, he would have loudly proclaimed Cai Lian as his beloved wife from the very start. Who would dare lay a finger on her then?
“Let’s go take a look.”
Yan Zhen took Cai Lian’s hand and headed outside, with Long Ying and Mentor Yu Xuan following close behind.
The four of them emerged from the cave mansion just in time to see a mature man dressed in Snow Spirit Peak deacon robes, a gift box in hand, ascending the final step of the stairs. Their eyes met, and the man instantly locked onto Cai Lian’s figure. His gaze lit up, and he hurried forward.
“Miss Cai Lian, it’s only been a few days, and you’ve grown even more bea—!!!”
Deacon Ling Jun came to an abrupt halt, for a row of earthen spikes had suddenly erupted from the ground before him, blocking his path.
Yan Zhen’s left hand still clasped Cai Lian’s, while his right ignited with the Rootless Earth Spirit Fire. He spoke coldly.
“Get back to your Snow Spirit Peak. Otherwise, don’t blame me for showing no mercy.”
Only then did Deacon Ling Jun shift his attention to the handsome youth standing protectively before the three women. He glanced at the brownish-yellow flames burning on the young man’s hand and vaguely recognized it as a high-ranking extreme flame. Surprise flickered in his eyes before he looked to the other’s other hand, clasped with Miss Cai Lian’s. Greater confusion—and displeasure—followed.
Yet he was long past the age of impulsive tantrums. Maintaining a warm smile on his face, he replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.
“You must be the recently famous Yan Zhen, Miss Yu Xuan’s fiancé and the Yu Family son-in-law. While I currently serve at Snow Spirit Peak, I originally hail from Supreme Peak and thus have the right to visit any of the Seven Peaks. So there’s no need for Young Friend Yan Zhen to be so upset. My visit today does not violate any rules set by the Yu Shizun.”
Deacon Ling Jun was not wrong. Disciples from Jialan Peak, Supreme Peak, or Holy Son Peak could indeed visit any of the Seven Peaks and even make use of their secret realms—that was how he had brought his disciple to cultivate in the Misty Rain Pool.
Mentor Yu Xuan couldn’t help but speak up.
“Deacon Ling Jun, you’d best leave. If Her Supremacy learns you’ve come chasing after Sister Cai Lian all the way to Rain God Peak, you’ll probably have to crawl your way back to Snow Spirit Peak.”
Deacon Ling Jun remained utterly composed.
“Miss Yu Xuan, you have misunderstood. I merely wish to become acquainted with Miss Cai Lian and ask her to look after my unworthy disciple while she’s on duty at the Misty Rain Pool, lest the boy be bullied… I do admit to my earlier presumption, which startled a fine lady such as yourself. Having recognized my error, I have come bearing a modest gift to apologize. I hope Miss Cai Lian will accept this token and forgive me.”
Long Ying couldn’t stomach such oily hypocrisy. She shouted.
“You stinking fox-face! Sister Cai Lian won’t ever like you. Scram! If you don’t, I’ll punch you flying!”
Deacon Ling Jun’s expression stiffened momentarily as he recalled the last time this dragon girl—whose size could shift at will—had nearly fractured his bones with a single blow. Irritation surged within him, but he masked it with a laugh.
“No matter how many times Dragon Maiden Long Ying sends me flying, my feelings for Miss Cai Lian will never change. A gentleman is drawn to a graceful lady—it’s only natural. I truly admire Miss Cai Lian and am willing to pay any price to win her heart. I ask that Dragon Maiden Long Ying not make things any more difficult for me.”
Long Ying grew angrier with every word, her small fists clenching until they cracked audibly, faint distortions rippling around them.
Mentor Yu Xuan felt a wave of revulsion too.
If the target had been an unmarried woman, Deacon Ling Jun’s words might have been touching. But he knew full well that Cai Lian was a married woman, yet he persisted with this rude and brazen pursuit. Clearly, he was relying on his superior cultivation and formidable backing to coerce a respectable lady—outrageous!
Cai Lian could bear it no longer and was about to speak when she felt Yan Zhen release her hand and step forward, offering her the reassuring sight of his broad back.
She parted her lips but fell silent. Yan Zhen spoke coldly.
“Cai Lian is my wife. Who the hell do you think you are, trying to woo her? Go court your mother instead!”
Deacon Ling Jun froze for a moment, then narrowed his eyes, suppressing his rage.
“Young Friend Yan Zhen, there’s no need for harsh words or insults to one’s parents. You’re Miss Yu Xuan’s fiancé—and thus the Yu Family son-in-law. How could you possibly be Miss Cai Lian’s husband? Besides, with your Mystic King cultivation, admirable though it may be, you’re far from a match for her. No need to put on a show.”
“—It’s no act.” Cai Lian stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Yan Zhen’s waist, pressing half her body against his in intimate closeness. She spoke indifferently. “This Sovereign has given both body and soul to Yan Zhen. No one can shake that.”
Deacon Ling Jun’s heart jolted. He stared in disbelief, his refined poise shattered.
For Miss Cai Lian—the woman who had always treated him with cold indifference—to take the initiative in embracing another man, whether genuine or feigned, struck him like a devastating blow!
“Miss Cai Lian, y-you’re truly his wife?”
“That’s right.”
“But isn’t he the Yu Family’s live-in son-in-law?”
“And what if he is?”
“!?”
Deacon Ling Jun’s eyes bulged wide. Was he hallucinating? “And what if he is?” Did that mean the two women were sharing a husband?
The thought hit him like ten thousand critical strikes. He reeled, utterly unable to accept this earth-shattering revelation.
“No, this can’t be. How could the Yu Family agree to it!? This boy is utterly unworthy of Miss Cai Lian, let alone…”
“Whether they agree or whether he’s worthy is our family’s private affair. What business is it of yours, an outsider?” Yan Zhen’s face remained expressionless. “Stop harassing Cai Lian. This is your final warning. Otherwise, I don’t care if you’re the Supreme Elder’s descendant—I’ll kill you all the same!”
