As expected, only a portion of the Cloud Heaven Palace disciples and elders agreed to head to the Holy Land Academy for advanced studies. The rest refused to leave the sect grounds, particularly the older ones.
“This old man is already living on borrowed time,” one of them declared. “As long as the sect endures, so do I. If the sect falls, I’ll be buried right here alongside it. Palace Lord, there’s no need to persuade me further.”
Yun Xiu felt utterly helpless and was about to say something more when the space beside her suddenly ripped open. Yan Zhen and Huangfu Wenqing stepped through.
Seeing Yan Zhen pull off such a feat left the other palace lords and elders in the hall stunned.
Tearing through space to travel required at least the power of a Mystic Venerable expert.
How many years had passed? Their Young Sect Master’s fiancé had suddenly grown to such terrifying heights?
“Yan Zhen…”
Yun Xiu hesitated, words catching in her throat, but Yan Zhen raised a hand to silence her. He swept his gaze across the assembled crowd and spoke evenly.
“I understand. Some of you refuse to abandon the sect. But once the Demon Domain extends its reach here, Cloud Heaven Palace—as the National Guardian Divine Sect of the Garo Kingdom—will be their prime target. Staying behind would make you sitting ducks. You might see it as honorable, but to me, it’s sheer folly.”
Yan Zhen paused before continuing.
“You have your convictions, and I have my considerations. I won’t let you fall into the Demon Domain’s hands to be used as leverage against Yun Xiu—not even as corpses. If you won’t go willingly, I’ll make you go by force. Right now, in this place, my word is law!”
He stamped his foot lightly, and his Domain gradually unfurled, enveloping the entirety of Cloud Heaven Palace. The pressure of a Half-Saint powerhouse shook the spirit of every disciple and elder present.
Those in the hall trembled in body and soul. Someone was the first to bow low, offering a respectful salute.
“This old man shall obey Your Highness Holy Son’s command.”
One voice sparked the rest. The others followed suit, even the most stubborn old fogeys falling silent.
Yan Zhen nodded slightly and turned to Yun Xiu, giving her a playful wink.
Yun Xiu’s eyes brimmed with emotion.
She had grown up in Cloud Heaven Palace, and most of these elders were her seniors. It was hard for her to be as forceful as Yan Zhen.
A short while later, Yan Zhen summoned a small warship. He had the Cloud Heaven Palace disciples and elders line up to board.
Yun Xiu and Huangfu Wenqing climbed aboard as well, but Yan Zhen said, “I still need to make a trip to Silver Moon City. You go on ahead—I’ll catch up soon.”
Silver Moon City? Yun Xiu and Huangfu Wenqing exchanged a glance, quickly understanding.
“Be careful,” Yun Xiu replied. “We’ll slow our pace for you.”
Yan Zhen nodded and tore open space once more, vanishing from sight.
Moments later, he appeared high above Silver Moon City. Gazing toward the Mystic Academy on the hillside in the distance, a wave of nostalgia washed over him.
He remembered setting out from Martial Tang City with his cousin and Meng’er, sailing here to Silver Moon City. That’s where they met Senior Sister Xue’er, Senior Sister Xinyan, and Mentor Yu Xuan. The six of them had shared that little courtyard in the north of the city, living through so many unforgettable moments.
After a moment’s thought, he pinpointed the Mi Family’s location and performed an Instant Shift, materializing at the gates of the Mi Mansion. He addressed the two middle-aged guards on duty.
“Gentlemen, if you would, please announce that Yan Zhen has come to pay a visit.”
The Mi Mansion’s guards hadn’t even noticed how he’d appeared, nearly jumping out of their skins. Taking in his extraordinary bearing, they hurriedly agreed, sending one of them inside to report.
Before long, the Mi Family members rushed out, Madam Mi among them. She regarded Yan Zhen with a complicated expression, and then they all bowed slightly in formal greeting.
“We pay our respects to Your Highness Holy Son!”
Yan Zhen made a lifting gesture with his hand.
“No need for such formalities, everyone. I’ve come to speak with you.”
The Mi Family Head said deferentially, “Your Highness Holy Son, please come inside.”
In the parlor, Yan Zhen sat across the table from the Mi Family Head. Madam Mi personally brewed and poured tea for them, while the other Mi Family elders sat in tense silence, scarcely daring to breathe.
It had been years since they’d last seen him. That green boy had become His Highness Holy Son, his cultivation unfathomably deep—likely surpassing the Mystic Ancestor Realm.
With such status and achievements, the Mi Family could no longer dream of being worthy.
The Mi Family Head ventured hesitantly, “May we ask what brings Your Highness Holy Son here?”
Yan Zhen smiled and retrieved a Reflecting Light Mirror from his storage ring, placing it on the table.
“Senior Sister Xue’er heard I was coming back and recorded this message overnight for me to deliver to you both.”
The Mi Family Head’s hand trembled slightly as he held his tea.
Madam Mi couldn’t hold back any longer. “How is Xue’er doing now?”
Yan Zhen grew serious. “Rest assured, Madam. Senior Sister Xue’er is cultivating on my Holy Son Peak and is on the verge of reaching the Mystic King stage.”
Mystic King… The Mi Family elders lit up with joy, thinking that mischievous girl Xue’er had finally made something of herself.
Madam Mi swelled with pride for her daughter but hesitated before asking again, “Does Your Highness Holy Son still share the same relationship with Xue’er as before?”
The Mi Family Head startled and coughed twice, signaling his wife to tread carefully, but Madam Mi ignored him, fixing her gaze on Yan Zhen.
Yan Zhen scratched his cheek, a touch sheepish. “It’s grown even closer than before. Once things settle down, I’ll formally propose marriage to you both.”
Propose marriage… The Mi Family members exchanged looks, then sighed in collective relief.
Madam Mi and the Mi Family Head now regarded Yan Zhen with newfound warmth.
“Xue’er’s judgment was spot on,” Madam Mi said, a rare smile gracing her face. “You truly are a fine young man.”
Yan Zhen felt a bit embarrassed. “Senior Sister Xue’er is at a critical point in her cultivation and can’t return just yet. If you’d like to see her, you can come with me to the Holy Land.”
The Mi Family Head wavered, tempted—the Holy Land was every cultivator’s dream. But Madam Mi shook her head.
“If she’s cultivating seriously, we shouldn’t disturb her.”
Yan Zhen nodded in understanding, then produced a storage ring out of thin air and set it on the table.
“In that case, please accept this. Should any mishap occur, the contents will safeguard you both and the entire Mi Family.”
The Mi Family Head frowned and glanced at his wife. Madam Mi shook her head again. “We can’t accept your gifts.”
“What kind of son-in-law visits empty-handed?” Yan Zhen chuckled lightly. “Please take it. Part of it is from Senior Sister Xue’er for you, and the rest is from me.”
Hearing this, the Mi Family Head picked up the storage ring, intending to inspect it. But Madam Mi snatched it from his hand quicker than lightning.
Yan Zhen’s mouth twitched at the corner. Having delivered his gifts, he soon rose to take his leave. Before departing, he infused a strand of Rootless Earth Spirit Fire into the foundations of the Mi Mansion, shielding the entire estate.
—The Mi Family was only a minor clan; the Demon Domain wouldn’t notice them. Still, better safe than sorry.
Once he was gone, the Mi Family Head and the other elders could hardly wait to see what was inside the storage ring. Madam Mi relented and took it out, emptying its contents.
Whoosh!
Dazzling radiance lit up the entire parlor: high-grade Mystic Artifacts one after another, bottles of elixirs, and piles of Mystic Crystals that nearly blinded them.
Madam Mi gave the treasures a cursory glance before turning her attention to the Reflecting Light Mirror. She channeled mystic power into it, activating the projection.
On the light screen appeared her daughter’s image—more beautiful and alluring than ever, matured in poise, and above all, beaming with a happiness that lit up her face…
“Xue’er.”
Madam Mi reached out, her hand landing on the projection as if truly caressing her daughter’s cheek.
