One of the three major organizations under the Holy Land’s banner, the Merchant Alliance, was firmly under the control of the Wind Supreme.
The Wind Supreme preferred to wander the lands as a “helpful” traveling merchant, so the Alliance’s affairs were typically managed by the Grand Elder of Wind King Peak. That Grand Elder merely supervised things, delegating the actual management to members of his clan—that is, the current Merchant Alliance Lord. Even the Lord was something of a hands-off manager, leaving the day-to-day operations to the Five Directions Pavilion.
The Pavilion Masters oversaw the chambers of commerce in the east, west, south, north, and central regions respectively. They also held the power to nominate members of the Ten Great Chambers of Commerce.
In her previous life, Ji Ya had toyed with the entire Myriad Merchants Ancient City using stocks and finance. Reborn, she was even more confident she could propel the Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce into the top ten within a single year!
Yan Zhen had only just become the Holy Son, and Holy Son Peak was inevitably weaker compared to the seven main peaks. Though it had Rain God Peak’s backing, that wasn’t enough yet!
If she could swiftly develop the Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce and bring this massive commercial network under Holy Son Peak’s umbrella, it would provide him with tremendous support.
With that thought, Ji Ya’s narrow, beautiful eyes curved slightly, her foxy smile utterly bewitching.
That day, the whole Myriad Merchants Ancient City buzzed with news of this stunning chamber president. Plenty of nobles began scheming in the shadows to get their hands on her. But once they learned she might have deep ties to the new Holy Son, Yan Zhen, those nobles quietly shelved their plans, not daring to offend.
Ji Ya had anticipated as much and paid no mind to the sordid dealings lurking in the dark. Instead, she focused intently on laying her groundwork.
She’d feel guilty skimping on fleecing the everyday suckers, but when it came to these fellow capitalist sharks? No mercy—ruthless as it gets!
…
Almost simultaneously, Yi Xian’er arrived alone in the central region of Jialan Continent. To ensure a smooth entry into Jialan Holy Land, she made a detour to the Han Family first.
The Han Family was one of the ruling powers in the Holy Land Academy’s Outer Academy. Though not on the Yu Family’s level, it was still a first-rate force with multiple Mystic Ancestor experts in residence.
The key draw? The family possessed two Extreme Flames: Phosphorus Fire and Nether Flame—the bottom two on the Extreme Flame List.
Both were yin-attribute flames, perfectly suited to the Han Family’s techniques. They weren’t particularly powerful, only at the Mystic King level, but for the younger generation, they were supreme guardian treasures.
Han Feng had refined the Phosphorus Fire, and after his death, it fell into Yan Zhen’s hands. The Nether Flame, however, remained with the Han Family.
Yi Xian’er’s goal this time was to claim that Nether Flame as a meeting gift for Yan Zhen, helping him upgrade his Extreme Tyrant Sword into an Extreme Emperor Sword.
The old scores hadn’t been settled anyway—this trip would take care of them all at once.
She wasn’t the forgiving type like Yan Zhen, who spared foes when he could.
No—as far as enemies went, she rooted them out completely!
…
The two women arrived at the battlefield first, but each had their own business to handle. Meanwhile, Yun Xiu and her disciple Huangfu Wenqing—held up by palace duties—had set out a few days late. Yet they overtook everyone, arriving at Jialan Holy Land faster than the rest.
As a first-rate sect, Cloud Heaven Palace was registered with Jialan Holy Land. With the right qualifications, it could even send disciples to study at the Holy Land Academy or the Holy Land itself.
Thus, the master-disciple pair wasn’t stopped at the gates. Yun Xiu stated her purpose: she wished to see the Jialan Flame Holy Son. When she presented Yan Zhen’s unique Extreme Flame token, the gatekeeping disciples turned utterly deferential and hurried off to send word.
The time it took to burn an incense stick later, Mentor Yu Xuan and Aunt Shui Bailan arrived together, landing before the two women.
Yun Xiu had met Mentor Yu Xuan before, though they weren’t close. As for Aunt Shui Bailan, she only had a vague impression—no real conversations.
Huangfu Wenqing, however, smiled and waved to them.
“Mentor Yu Xuan, Grand Mentor Bailan, it’s been a while.”
Aunt Shui Bailan nodded in greeting, while Mentor Yu Xuan waved her small hand back.
“Wenqing, long time no see! And this must be Sister Yun Xiu, right? Hi, I’m Yu Xuan. This is my aunt, Shui Bailan.”
Huangfu Wenqing had already briefed Yun Xiu on the way about Mentor Yu Xuan and those four girls, so the form of address came as no surprise. Yun Xiu responded gracefully.
“Pleased to meet you both, Senior Bailan, Little Xuan’er.”
Aunt Shui Bailan pursed her lips, holding back a laugh.
“Our ages aren’t that far apart—no need for such formality. Just call me ‘Bailan’ or ‘Bailan Sister.'”
“Bailan Sister? But—”
“No worries.”
Hearing that, Yun Xiu suddenly realized something, her expression shifting.
The quick-witted Huangfu Wenqing caught on too, her eyes widening in surprise.
Mentor Yu Xuan coughed twice, steering the conversation elsewhere.
“Yan Zhen’s still in seclusion, so Aunt and I will host you. Come on—I’ll take you to Holy Son Peak. He’ll be thrilled once he emerges and hears you’re here.”
Yun Xiu and Huangfu Wenqing set aside their inner turmoil for the moment and followed Mentor Yu Xuan and Aunt Shui Bailan as they flew toward Holy Son Peak deep within the Holy Land.
Mentor Yu Xuan explained to the beautiful master-disciple pair along the way.
“We’ve opened five or six cave mansions on Holy Son Peak right now, including ‘Cloud Heaven Cave’ prepared just for you two. It’s mostly furnished already—you can move in after adding some personal touches. We’ll head to Jia Flame Cave first. Sister Cai Lian and Your Highness Long Ying are there.”
The four women entered the living room just as Cai Lian emerged from an inner chamber, her large belly leading the way.
“You got here quick!” Cai Lian still harbored a bit of lingering resentment, her tone lukewarm. “If things had been like this in our last lives, it would’ve saved so much trouble.”
Yun Xiu knew She Ji’s prickly nature well and didn’t take it to heart. She smiled faintly.
“Long time no see, She Ji. Looks like you’re due soon—congratulations.”
Cai Lian’s attitude softened at the decent tone.
“A bit premature still—over half a year to go. Don’t just stand there; have a seat. Little Xuan’er, mind brewing some tea?”
Mentor Yu Xuan agreed with a smile and began preparing it with elegant poise, while Aunt Shui Bailan headed to the kitchen to fetch some refreshments.
Huangfu Wenqing sat beside Yun Xiu on the long bench. Yun Xiu scooted closer to Cai Lian and sat with her, gazing softly at the woman’s round pregnant belly.
“Knowing Yan’er’s in there… it feels so wondrous.”
Cai Lian rested a hand on her belly, her demeanor warming further.
“Raising one daughter to adulthood, only to get pregnant again—it’s exhausting in body and soul.”
“—Don’t say that, Mother Concubine.” Yan Yan’s voice suddenly chimed in. “I know how hard you’ve worked~ I’ll make it up to you once I’m born, promise.”
“If you’re not a handful, that’ll be blessing enough,” Cai Lian replied coolly. “You’re just like your father!”
“My father’s wonderful, so of course his daughter takes after him and is wonderful too.”
“Your father’s not here—flattery won’t get you anywhere.”
“It’s not flattery~ I love Father the most. Uh, Mother too, of course~”
“…”
Cai Lian’s mouth twitched. She noticed the other women in the hall stifling chuckles, which left her flustered. In a hurry, she pinched a snake art seal, sending her chatty little daughter into a deep sleep.
—Too talkative. Time out!
Cai Lian composed herself and glanced at Yun Xiu’s abdomen.
“You… got any signs yet?”
