The Evil Consort had a touch of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Beyond that, she also needed to play the role of a strict yet doting master and maternal figure to her little disciple. With natural ease, she straightened Yan Zhen’s clothes for him.
She smoothed his collar, straightened his sleeves, tightened his belt, and even gave his exquisite short hair a quick comb.
Once tidied up, Yan Zhen no longer looked unkempt. His vitality sprang forth in an instant.
His handsome face, toned physique, and bright, refreshing aura… Even the Evil Consort had to admit that the Flame Emperor cut an impressive figure. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have drawn so many daughters of heaven to his side before rising to fame—even claiming the future her for his harem!
At the thought, a flicker of embarrassment and annoyance welled up in the Evil Consort’s heart. Her hand unconsciously pressed a bit harder, causing Yan Zhen a sudden sting of pain.
“Evil Consort Master?”
Seeing Yan Zhen’s innocent expression, the Evil Consort came back to herself. She silently reassured herself that he was now her disciple—one who would revere, adore, and honor her. There was no point dwelling on events that would never come to pass.
Yes, the future had changed.
With the Yellow Springs Water and the heaven-defying, fate-altering power of the Evil God Defying Heaven Book, she had forcibly shattered Yan Zhen’s memories and rebuilt them. She had supplanted Chen Xi and Jialan Fairy in his mind. Now, she was his acknowledged master, while Chen Xi and Jialan Fairy were his sworn enemies!
Everything had unfolded exactly as she planned.
The only loose end was that wicked girl, Jiu Youyue—but she had already yielded.
The Evil Consort had promised Jiu Youyue that she wouldn’t reclaim her. In time, she would even betroth her to Yan Zhen.
“Better to monopolize your beloved alone than share him with other women, no?”
Jiu Youyue had fallen silent.
Carrot and stick had left her no choice but to submit.
The Evil Consort’s mood brightened further. She led her docile little disciple toward Nine Palace.
God Mountain’s interior was no mere cave. Vast complexes of palaces sprawled within, rivaling Jialan Holy Land in grandeur.
The palace where Yan Zhen resided was Demonic Flame Palace, a short flight from Nine Palace—mere minutes, the time it took for half a cup of tea to brew.
The pair teleported directly instead, arriving at Nine Palace’s gates in a single step. From there, they strolled inside at a leisurely pace.
They followed Jiu Youyue’s aura to the back garden, where they found her seated on a stone bench in the Lake Heart Pavilion. She sipped supreme-grade fragrant tea with quiet poise and elegance, like a figure stepped from a masterful painting.
Eldest Senior Sister Jiu Youyue was a breathtaking beauty who could topple nations. Her figure fell just shy of the Evil Consort Master’s perfection, but her snow-white, voluptuous legs more than made up for it—surpassing even those. They peeked out from beneath her dark skirt, over half exposed, and Yan Zhen couldn’t help associating them with the phrase “legs you’d play with for a year.”
“Eldest Senior Sister!”
Relief washed over Yan Zhen at the sight of her unharmed. He waved eagerly.
Jiu Youyue’s delicate frame trembled faintly at the sound of his voice. She whipped her head around, locking eyes with him.
The familiar face bore a stranger’s title. Pain twisted in Jiu Youyue’s heart, but she masked it with a alluring smile.
“Little Zhen Zhen, you’ve arrived…”
Her voice carried a playful lilt.
She rose and curtsied gracefully to the approaching Evil Consort.
“Greetings, Master.”
“No need for such formalities,” the Evil Consort said coolly. “How fares your body? Yan’er fretted over your wounds and insisted on coming to see you.”
“It was only a minor injury—fully healed now. I’ve troubled Master and Junior Brother with my worry.” Jiu Youyue replied with utmost respect, gesturing them forward. “Please, Master, have a seat. Little Zhen Zhen, you too.”
The three took their seats one after another. Naturally, Yan Zhen sat close to his intimate “Eldest Senior Sister,” Jiu Youyue.
If one word could sum up how close he and Eldest Senior Sister truly were, it was this: zero distance.
After all, Eldest Senior Sister was his dual cultivation partner—his first as well.
Their mystic powers complemented one another—one yin, the other yang. Their union dramatically boosted cultivation speed. At the Evil Consort Master’s behest, they had begun dual cultivation.
A full year had passed since then, yet they had yet to confess their feelings. Strictly speaking, they were still just senior sister and junior brother, not lovers.
One of Yan Zhen’s—or rather, the Evil Flame Holy Son’s—deepest wishes was to gather his courage, confess to Eldest Senior Sister, affirm their bond, and, with Evil Consort Master as witness, formally become dao companions in dual cultivation.
Jiu Youyue lifted the teapot and poured a cup for the Evil Consort first, then one for Yan Zhen. Noticing his dazed stare, she flashed him a bewitching smile.
“Is there something on my face, Little Zhen Zhen?”
Yan Zhen’s face flushed crimson. He snatched up his teacup and took a hasty sip, feigning nonchalance.
The sight stirred memories in Jiu Youyue of their first meeting. Back then, he had been so pure, blushing at the slightest tease. As more girls entered his life, he’d grown bolder, harder to fluster—and occasionally, he’d even turn the tables on her.
He was so adorable like this now~ With that thought, Jiu Youyue reached out and ruffled Yan Zhen’s hair. The gloom in her heart eased somewhat.
The Evil Consort narrowed her eyes from the side, pleased that the girl knew her place. Still, she couldn’t drop her guard. She had rebuilt Yan Zhen’s memories, but the alterations were too drastic. If he sensed anything amiss, the illusion might crumble, planting seeds of doubt about his reality.
—Caution was essential. The deeper the Flame Emperor immersed himself, the harder it would be for his true memories to resurface. If they never did, he would be hers for life.
Once the boy ascended to emperor with the Extreme Flame Power’s aid, he would yield half his Heavenly Mandate to her—propelling her to empress. She would become the “Consort Empress,” and the likes of Xing Chenxi and Jialan Fairy would be cast aside!
Lost in her glorious visions, the Evil Consort kept her expression serene.
“You two have just emerged from a fierce battle. Rest and recover in the palace for the time being. This Palace will have Infant Spirit and Wu Yan assume your duties.”
Jiu Youyue and Yan Zhen murmured their assent.
From her storage ring, the Evil Consort produced a Flame Treasure Pearl that resembled a crystal pendant.
“This seals the Solar Essence Flame that descended recently. Its rank is modest, but it’s suitable enough for you now, Yan’er. Refine it at your leisure.”
She then withdrew another, brand-new Flame Treasure Pearl.
“And this contains the Taiyin Primordial Fire from the Heavenly Gu, secured ahead of time by This Palace. Once you’ve refined it alongside the Solar Essence Flame, you may attempt fusing them into the Xuan Huang Dual Qi Flame—the eighth on the Extreme Flame List. Bear in mind, however, that fusing Extreme Flames is perilous beyond measure. Tread carefully, Yan’er. It would be wisest to reclaim Fire Refining Starry Sky before making the attempt.”
She transferred both pearls to Yan Zhen, where they burned—one with golden-yellow flames, the other silver-blue.
Yan Zhen’s eyes sparkled like a child’s gifted a long-coveted toy. Joyfully, he exclaimed,
“Thank you, Evil Consort Master! Master treats me the best~”
The sight of the Flame Emperor so tame and endearing stirred the Evil Consort’s heart. Chen Xi and Jialan were truly fortunate—their disciple was not only a prodigy of unmatched talent but also utterly obedient and lovable, like a well-trained puppy.
Pity—this obedient disciple belonged to her now!
Hmph.
