Yan Zhen’s goal for this voyage was to locate the Thousand Illusions Grotto-Heaven first, then use the Xuan Huang Dual Qi Flame to dismantle it. This would release the aura of the Mirage Tree, luring out the Azure Sea Tide Birth Fire and pitting it against the tree just like in his previous life.
The Azure Sea Tide Birth Fire ranked eleventh on the Extreme Flame List. In the ocean, it could unleash power rivaling a Mystic Saint. Without the Mirage Tree wearing it down first, even the Jialan Fairy might not capture it alone—unless she teamed up with the Evil Consort.
The same went for the Mirage Tree. Though it lacked direct attack methods, its illusions could turn people and beasts into mirage slaves with terrifying ease. Charging in with brute force would hardly yield any advantages for them.
Better to use their heads and sit back to reap the rewards.
To avoid drawing attention, Yan Zhen activated Submarine Mode. The luxury speedboat submerged into the sea and sped forward.
Yan Yan peered through the porthole at the underwater scenery, her big eyes sparkling faintly. Long Ying’s emerald eyes gleamed just as brightly, though a bit of drool hung at the corner of her mouth. Behind them, Cai Lian watched the pair with a gentle gaze.
It had to be said that ever since giving birth to Yan Yan, the Sovereign Lady had grown even more into the image of a devoted wife and mother—yet she still retained her regal poise as the Female Monarch. The blend of those qualities only made her more enticing the longer one looked, leaving the mouth watering.
Cai Lian noticed Yan Zhen stealing glances at her and felt a secret thrill of pride. Pretending not to notice, she couldn’t resist brushing back a lock of hair from her temple. She’d been in seclusion lately and hadn’t been intimate with him much. Once they got back…
Her thoughts trailed off as Yi Xian’er, seated to Yan Zhen’s left, suddenly planted a loud kiss on his cheek. She shot Cai Lian a glance before turning away in silence.
The blatant provocation made an angry vein throb on Cai Lian’s forehead. She cleared her throat twice and said, “Jiuyou, switch seats with me.”
The demoness turned back, puzzled. “Does Sister She Ji want to sit next to Little Zhen Zhen too?”
Of course Cai Lian did, but she wouldn’t admit it outright. “Just to change things up.”
Jiu Youyue blinked and stood. “Alright then. Since it’s Sister She Ji asking, this little sister will happily oblige.”
Cai Lian was quite pleased with the demoness’s compliance. “I’ll give you a seven-colored snake scale later.”
“Really? Thanks, Sister She Ji!”
“Mm-hmm.”
Cai Lian’s seven-colored snake scales had reached 8th Rank now that she’d advanced to Mystic Venerable. Gifting one to Jiuyou was like a mortal woman handing her sister a massive-carat diamond. Not even the obscenely wealthy could be so generous.
The two smoothly swapped places. Now seated to Yan Zhen’s right, Cai Lian shot the Killing Woman a glare—only to find the woman’s hand resting on Yan Zhen’s thigh, stroking and tickling away. Utterly outrageous. She must have figured that with Yan Yan there, the mother wouldn’t dare make a fuss.
Cai Lian glanced at her daughter and saw the girl still engrossed in the seascapes. Boldly, she reached out and deployed her signature Circling Finger Tenderness.
Yan Zhen gave a wry smile. He hadn’t expected them to start competing even here, but this time, Xian’er had thrown the first punch—probably picked up bad habits from hanging around the demoness too much.
If he let this continue, he’d be the one embarrassing himself in front of his daughter.
Without warning, Yan Zhen pulled Cai Lian close and planted a loud kiss on her cheek. His voice carried enough for Yan Yan and Long Ying to turn and look, leaving Cai Lian’s pretty face flushing crimson as she withdrew her silken touch.
Yan Yan had gotten her candy fix from Father Emperor and Mother Concubine. She immediately piped up, “Mother Concubine got a kiss from Father Emperor and she’s all shy now!”
Cai Lian flushed even deeper, sitting up straight and pretending nothing had happened.
Yi Xian’er looked on longingly. “Yan Zhen, I want a kiss too.”
Yan Zhen cleared his throat. Not only did he not oblige, but he also lifted her hand from his leg—clearly siding with Cai Lian, a lesson for his Xian’er wife not to stir up trouble.
Yi Xian’er got the message. Her pretty face fell into aggrieved lines, those purple-black eyes seeming to plead, “Really, no kiss?”
Yan Zhen’s heart instantly melted. He pulled her in and planted one on her cheek, drawing out her faint smile once more. She snuggled against his arm like a demure confidante.
Watching the scene, Long Ying suddenly came to a realization. She turned to Yan Yan with exaggerated seriousness. “Yan Yan, don’t ask me to play with you anymore. I’m a grown-up—I don’t play with kids.”
She even crossed her arms and put on an air of premature maturity.
Yan Yan blinked in a daze. “Does Sister Long Ying want a kiss from Father Emperor too?”
Long Ying’s little face turned red. She sneaked a peek at Yan Zhen and, seeing him look over, said nervously, “How many times do I have to say it? Call me Long Ying Auntie, or I won’t pay you any attention. Got it, Yan Yan?”
“Oh.”
“Say it again.”
“Long Ying Auntie.”
“Mm!”
“But even if I call you Long Ying Auntie, Father Emperor still won’t kiss you.”
Yan Yan’s words pierced straight to Long Ying’s heart. She couldn’t help sneaking another glance at Yan Zhen, who scratched his cheek awkwardly. Puffing out her cheeks, she declared, “Even if he won’t now, he will someday.”
“Does Sister Long Ying like Father Emperor that much?”
“I said Long Ying Auntie!”
“Oh.”
Yan Zhen twitched at the corner of his mouth as he listened to the two little lolis whispering. He knew Long Ying’s feelings for him well enough, but he saw her more as a little sister in need of looking after—at least in this loli form, he couldn’t quite accept more.
The group quieted down after the commotion. Three days later, the luxury speedboat surfaced amid a scattering of islands: the Shimmering Mirage Dragon Archipelago, home to the Mirage Pavilion.
The Mirage Pavilion was all about business, with teahouses, taverns, brothels, and gambling dens—a full strip for eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling in the gray areas. Compared to other powers, they were relatively rule-abiding.
Before going ashore, Yan Zhen sent his daughter into the Fire Refining Starry Sky to train with the Beautiful Female Master.
Yan Yan was perfectly obedient, even urging him to spend more time with Mother Concubine, have fun with her, and—if possible—give Sister Long Ying a kiss too, since she was so pitiful.
Yan Zhen’s head throbbed. He glanced at Yu Shizun, who said to call her when her help was needed; she’d stay put for now.
Yan Zhen felt mortified. His earlier actions had clearly left a rift with Yu Shizun. He’d have to do something later to mend his image.
After a quick chat with the Beautiful Female Master, Yan Zhen exited the Fire Refining Starry Sky. Back in the cabin, he disembarked onto the Shimmering Mirage Dragon Archipelago with Cai Lian, Long Ying, Yi Xian’er, and Jiu Youyue.
The Thousand Illusions Grotto-Heaven lay somewhere in the vast ocean, its exact location unknown. Neither Yi Xian’er nor Long Ying remembered without coordinates.
To find it, they’d start with the Mirage Pavilion.
The simplest way? Raid the place.
The Mirage Pavilion’s core members were likely all in the Thousand Illusions Grotto-Heaven. Trouble here would draw reinforcements, whom they could capture and force to lead the way.
The Mirage Pavilion folks were sly old foxes. In his previous life, they’d frustrated him endlessly. Reborn now, he couldn’t wait to give them a thorough thrashing—at least, that’s how Yi Xian’er and Long Ying saw it.
The two women were already cracking their knuckles, raring to go.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
One Mystic Ancestor and four Mystic Venerables appeared in the skies above the main island, all cloaked in black robes like Demon Domain operatives.
Yan Zhen flipped his palm, igniting the Xuan Huang Dual Qi Flame in his hand. He slammed it down viciously on the spatial barrier below.
Boom!
The barrier shattered with a thunderous crash. The Mirage Pavilion members below cried out in alarm.
“Enemies attacking!!!”
