As the sky began to lighten with the first hints of dawn, everyone gathered in the plaza at the foot of Holy Son Peak.
Yan Zhen retrieved his exclusive luxury speedboat and took the pilot’s seat. He then gestured for Sister Cai Lian, Long Ying, and Yi Xian’er to board.
Standing nearby to see them off were Yan Yan, Mentor Yu Xuan, Aunt Shui Bailan, Yan Meng’er, Yan Ruyu, Mi Xue’er, Xiao Xinyan, as well as Ji Ya, Aunt Mu, and Jin Tong and Yu Nu.
“Little Xuan’er, remember to keep an eye on Yan Yan and make sure she doesn’t run off.”
“Don’t worry, Sister Cai Lian. I’ll watch her closely.”
“Oh, Mother Concubine, no need to trouble Aunt Xuan’er. I can take care of myself. Just go handle things with Father Emperor in peace.”
“That’s enough. Behave and listen to your Aunt Xuan’er. We’ll be back before you know it.”
Yan Zhen chimed in with his own instructions.
“Keep up with your cultivation, and check in on the Yan Residence from time to time. If anything comes up, go to Saint Lord Master or Yu Shizun.”
With that, the luxury speedboat lifted off and sped toward the main gate. Midway, two water-blue Rain God Peak skiffs caught up, flanking him one on each side as escort vessels.
These were the ten helpers Yu Shizun had assigned to him: two Mystic Ancestor Realm deacons and eight Mystic Lord Realm senior peak disciples—all women.
After all, those who cultivated Water Mystic Force were predominantly female.
Not long after, a small warship set out from Snow Spirit Peak. The Snow Spirit Peak Fifth Elder led ten deacons and a hundred senior peak disciples, trailing behind His Highness the Holy Son’s group.
Once Snow Spirit Peak’s small warship had vanished into the horizon, elites from Thunder God Peak and Mist Lord Peak also mobilized. Rather than using flying skiffs, they flew through the air on their own power and descended onto the main gate plaza at the foot of Jialan Holy Land’s mountain.
Each of the four directional plazas in Jialan Holy Land featured a teleportation gate connected to border cities, such as West Peak City, which Yan Zhen had only recently visited.
By using the teleportation gate, they could reach the border cities directly, saving a great deal of travel time.
Remote teleportation for large groups consumed significant resources, so it was generally reserved for major events—like this one.
The two groups staggered their departures, one overt and one covert, proceeding one after the other.
This operation wasn’t just about dealing with the descent of Heavenly Fire. It was also a chance to purge the demonic domain infiltrators hiding in the shadows!
…
The Giant Cauldron Basin in the Central-South Border lay at the crossroads of four mountain ranges. From a distance, it resembled a massive square cauldron rising from the earth, or a giant when viewed from above.
The basin had only one entrance: the intersection of the northern pair of mountain ranges.
With its enclosed terrain and dense mystic power, the Giant Cauldron Basin teemed with venomous insects and Mystic beasts, making it a natural training ground. As more and more cultivators ventured in to explore, settlements formed near the entrance. Over time, these grew into the largest city south of the central region—South Ridge City.
Like West Peak City, South Ridge City served as a vital hub linking the central and southern parts of Jialan Continent. It housed a teleportation array that could send people directly to the super force in the southern “Chu Region,” or back to the mountain base of Jialan Holy Land—though the latter was guarded by Holy Land personnel and restricted to a select few.
South Ridge City was the destination for Yan Zhen and his group.
At dusk, three flying skiffs threaded through a narrow valley into the basin, heading straight for South Ridge City.
Meanwhile, Snow Spirit Peak’s small warship halted outside the basin. The Fifth Elder and most of the group stayed behind to guard it and handle relays, while ten disciples led by the chief disciple, Bing Tang, piloted Snow skiffs to follow His Highness the Holy Son and assist in his operations.
Thus, the three flying skiffs became five, landing outside the city gates just before nightfall.
South Ridge City Lord—who had received prior notice and waited at the gates since noon—immediately led his people forward. He bowed deeply and respectfully, proclaiming in a resonant voice to welcome His Highness the Holy Son’s arrival.
Yan Zhen didn’t disembark. He simply switched to low-altitude flight mode.
“No need for excessive ceremony, everyone. It’s late. Please lead the way.”
The welcoming procession escorted the Holy Land’s five flying skiffs right in the middle, solemnly guiding them into the city and to the City Lord Manor.
Along the way, residents cast admiring glances at Yan Zhen and his group, whispering curiously about which peak’s disciples from the Holy Land had come—and why the City Lord himself, an Eight-Star Mystic Ancestor powerhouse, had turned out to greet them in such force.
What business could the Holy Land’s nobility have in this remote outpost?
Everyone’s thoughts turned to the recent rumors: Heavenly Fire was about to descend, right here in the Giant Cauldron Basin, bringing catastrophe in its wake!
No—it couldn’t be real, could it?
In fact, several days earlier, Jialan Fairy had issued a decree. Through night sky observation, she had foreseen a great solar fire disaster and instructed South Ridge City’s people not to venture out casually, to secure the gates, prepare the protection array, and abandon the city if necessary.
In his previous life, they had only responded after a cry for aid, quelling the disaster then. But now that he knew it was coming, advance warning gave them time to prepare mentally.
Yan Zhen and the others’ arrival only amplified the buzz in the already lively city.
City Lord Manor, South Ridge City.
The City Lord had prepared five courtyards for the Holy Land’s honored guests and laid on a banquet, but Yan Zhen politely declined and dove straight into the meeting.
In the hall, Yan Zhen took the City Lord’s seat. To his left sat the Holy Land contingent: Sister Cai Lian, Xian’er, Long Ying, Deacon Yan from Rain God Peak, Bing Tang from Snow Spirit Peak, and the others. To his right were the local figures: South Ridge City Lord, City Guard Commander, Chamber of Commerce branch head, and the heads of the city’s Five Major Families—all Mystic Ancestor Realm cultivators, though aside from the City Lord, the rest were only Mid-Low Star.
The locals fixed their gazes on Yan Zhen, scrutinizing him.
Only Mystic Lord Realm cultivation, yet he’d ascended to Holy Son. It sparked intense curiosity.
Among all these Holy Land dignitaries, this new Holy Son had the lowest cultivation. How could he command respect?
His presence was impressive, though—utterly unfazed amid so many powerhouses.
After mutual introductions, Yan Zhen cut to the chase.
“City Lord Lin, how go the city’s defensive preparations?”
South Ridge City Lord replied deferentially.
“We have followed instructions and made all the necessary arrangements, Your Highness. Please have a look.”
He projected a three-dimensional map of South Ridge City and, together with the City Guard Commander, went into detail on each defensive measure for Yan Zhen.
The meeting lasted nearly an hour before concluding. Yan Zhen returned to their courtyard with the three women. Three rooms, one for each, while Long Ying stuck with Yan Zhen—at Sister Cai Lian’s insistence, to ward off any shameless seductress launching a nighttime raid on her husband.
Long Ying was naturally delighted. She hadn’t shared a bed with Yan Zhen since moving to Holy Son Peak.
After washing her hands and feet, the Loli Dragon Girl clambered onto the bed, burrowed under the covers, and patted the spot beside her with a joyful patter.
“Come on, Yan Zhen Zhen. Time for sleepy time! Whatever it is, think about it tomorrow. Staying up late is bad, you know~”
Seeing her expectant face, Yan Zhen lay down and pulled up the System Interface, beginning to recall this segment of the “plot.”
Long Ying soon drifted off to sleep.
In the dead of night, Yan Zhen dismissed the System Interface and prepared to meditate when he suddenly sensed a familiar aura. His spirits lifted. He dissolved into starlight and vanished, reappearing on the rooftop.
There stood the enchantress in a dark gown, prettily poised under the moonlight, smiling at him. Her voice carried its usual seductive lilt.
“Long time no see, Little Zhen Zhen~”
