Over the next few days, Yan Zhen prepared for the journey on one hand while spending time with his wife and daughter on the other.
Cai Lian recovered quickly after giving birth. By the second day, she could already get out of bed, though her vitality was still somewhat depleted. By the third day, her complexion had turned rosy and her spirit was fully restored. She even took the initiative to propose a sparring match with Yan Zhen.
She hadn’t lifted a finger against anyone since her belly had started to show noticeably. In order to join tomorrow’s operation, she wanted to regain her peak condition as quickly as possible.
Yan Zhen didn’t want Cai Lian to put herself in danger and suggested she stay on Holy Son Peak to watch over Yan’er. But Cai Lian was stubborn and insisted on going.
It was all because her heartless daughter had only kept her mother company for a single day before dragging Long Ying Auntie off into Bitter Sea Cave-Heaven to catch lotus root people for fun.
What happened to turning eighteen? Even an eight-year-old was more mature than that girl!
Cai Lian, a Five-Star Mystic Ancestor, was far stronger than an ordinary Three-Star Mystic Ancestor—not to mention her Snake God Bloodline and the combat experience from her previous life. She drove Yan Zhen back step by step.
But Cai Lian wasn’t satisfied.
“Who told you to hold back? This Sovereign isn’t that weak yet!”
Yan Zhen laughed.
“It’s just a warm-up, after all. I can’t go all out on you, right? Cai Lian, feel free to attack. I’ll just tank the hits with my Rootless Earth Spirit Fire—perfect chance to test its defensive limits.”
Even though he said that, Cai Lian could clearly tell Yan Zhen was going easy on her. He was only at the One-Star Mystic Lord Realm, after all!
Cai Lian huffed arrogantly, ignored the man, and flew straight toward Immortal Spirit Cave.
Huge commotion soon erupted from that direction. Two Mystic Ancestors clashed with blasts of mystic power—the Colorful Giant Snake against the Dark Peacock—triggering changes in the weather. Winds howled and clouds churned in the sky while sand and stones whipped across the ground.
Yan Zhen: “…”
The space beside him rippled, and Long Ying and Yan Yan poked their heads out. The Little Princess cradled a Jiaojiao Lotus Root Person in her arms, one with a small flower tucked into its head. Yan Zhen remembered it was called Flower Baby. It already looked pitiful enough on its own, but now in the clutches of the little demon king Yan Yan, its eyes brimmed with tears, like some innocent young wife kidnapped by a bandit lord to serve as his stronghold bride.
Yan Yan’s full attention was on the battle overhead. She shouted at the top of her lungs.
“Mother, you got this! Don’t lose to Auntie Xian’er!”
Cai Lian, locked in combat, felt a flicker of warmth in her heart at her daughter’s words. But then the girl continued.
“Auntie Xian’er, you got this too! Beat Mother Concubine and claim Father Emperor for yourself!”
Cai Lian’s face darkened, cartoonish anger marks popping up on her forehead. She nearly got blindsided by Yi Xian’er from her momentary distraction and hurriedly refocused on the fight. Yi Xian’er, meanwhile, seemed invigorated by the cheer, her strikes growing even more vicious and forcing Cai Lian back nonstop.
The two women fought harder and fiercer.
Yan Zhen, however, had no intention of intervening. He simply watched in silence.
Until, at one crucial moment, the qi of heaven and earth suddenly churned violently.
Cai Lian was merely a Five-Star Mystic Ancestor, while Yi Xian’er was Eight-Star. Borrowing the pressure from that fierce woman, the Sovereign Lady shattered her long-stagnant bottleneck with her pent-up mystic power, drawing down a grand baptism from the Power of Heaven and Earth.
Seeing this, Yi Xian’er ceased her attacks and waited until Cai Lian successfully advanced to Six-Star Mystic Ancestor.
Cai Lian opened her eyes and met the other woman’s gaze. The fierce woman stared at her without moving, forcing Cai Lian to mutter reluctantly.
“Thanks.”
Cai Lian had originally planned to provoke Yi Xian’er into a fight and mooch off her pressure for the breakthrough. But the sharp woman saw right through her scheme, flipping the situation so it looked like she had proactively helped with the advancement. Now Cai Lian owed her a favor.
Hearing those two words, Yi Xian’er smirked in satisfaction. She descended to Yan Zhen’s side, planted a smacking kiss on his lips, ruffled Yan Yan’s hair, and returned to Immortal Spirit Cave.
Cai Lian: (oへo ╬)
Beside her, Yan Yan clutched the Jiaojiao Lotus Root Person, eyes shining as she watched Yi Xian’er’s back.
“Auntie Xian’er is so cool as always. She’s totally my idol—huh?”
A shadow fell over her. Yan Yan looked up into her mother’s icy stare.
“Who’s your idol?”
“Uh…” Yan Yan wilted instantly and backpedaled in a hurry. “Of course it’s Mother Concubine! You’re so pretty and strong—the best mother in the world. I admire you the most!”
The Flame Princess could bend with the wind just like her father!
Cai Lian huffed.
“What manners!”
Yan Zhen couldn’t help but chuckle, only to earn a glare from Cai Lian.
“You’re no better!”
“Ah, this…” Yan Zhen’s smile vanished, his expression turning perfectly innocent.
Cai Lian abandoned her unreliable husband and daughter with a tap of her foot and soared into the air, heading to a secluded spot to stabilize her new realm.
Yan Zhen had no choice but to escort Long Ying and Yan Yan back to the cave abode.
Long Ying let out an enormous yawn, then drawled lazily.
“I’m off to bed. Wake me before we head out, Yan Zhen Zhen.”
With that, she retreated to her room.
Yan Yan waved her little hand politely.
“Bye, Sister Long Ying.”
Long Ying whipped her head around at once, sternly correcting her.
“How many times do I have to tell you, Yan Yan? It’s Long Ying Auntie—or I won’t have anything to do with you!”
Yan Yan blinked, then waved again.
“Bye, Long Ying Auntie.”
Only then did Long Ying enter her room, satisfied. She slipped off her shoes, clambered onto the bed, burrowed under the covers, and slowly settled in before drifting off to sleep.
Yan Yan patted the pitiful lotus root person in her arms and sighed like a world-weary elder.
“Looks like Sister Long Ying really likes Father after all. Father, you’re such a gravely sinful man~”
Yan Zhen’s mouth twitched.
“Leave the grown-ups’ business to grown-ups, kid. As for you, little tyrant—what are you doing sneaking out the Holy Lord’s lotus root person? Look at it; it’s about to cry.”
“I just wanted to be friends with Flower Baby. Ancestor Jialan said it was okay.”
“Did you ask the lotus root person if it agreed, Yan’er?”
Yan Yan paused. Yan Zhen pressed on.
“Whether it’s friends or lovers, both sides have to consent. By taking it out, you’ve robbed the other lotus root people of a companion. Can you really bear to break them up like that?”
Yan Yan pondered this seriously.
“You’re right, Father. I’ll take Flower Baby back then—and play with her next time.”
True to form, the Little Princess acted decisively. A mark on her body flashed, opening a space portal to Bitter Sea Cave-Heaven. Clutching the Jiaojiao Lotus Root Person, she dashed inside.
That evening, Jialan Fairy convened a high-level meeting and summoned Yan Zhen as well.
“This descent of Heavenly Fire will unleash massive blazes and a beast tide. Have Yan’er—who’s familiar with Extreme Flames—deal with the fires. Rain God Peak will dispatch ten water-attribute disciples or attendants to accompany her. Snow Spirit Peak elders will lead the effort to suppress the beast tide; do your best to keep it from flooding into the city and minimize casualties. As for the Demon Domain thieves skulking in the shadows, Thunder God Peak and Mist Hidden Peak elders will counter them together—one openly, one covertly. Kill any Demon Domain thieves you encounter; no need to take prisoners. Those are the arrangements. Any objections?”
The six peak masters, Wind King Peak’s grand elder, and Yan Zhen bowed in unison.
“We shall obey the Holy Lord’s orders.”
Jialan Fairy flicked her wide sleeve.
“Go. Depart at once and ensure every countermeasure is in place before the Heavenly Fire descends.”
