After leaving the Mi family, Yan Zhen made another stop at the Xiao family in the same district.
Though he had never visited the Xiao family before, everyone there knew him. He had once defeated Xiao Mie in a fight across cultivation levels, and later triumphed over the Silver Moon City Lord, causing quite a stir.
Inside the grand Xiao family manor, the atmosphere was inexplicably tense.
The Xiao Family Head stood attentively to one side while Yan Zhen spoke with Xiao Xinyan’s parents.
He first reported on Xiao Xinyan’s current situation, then handed over a storage ring containing modest gifts to the couple.
“Th-this… is this the betrothal gift?”
Xiao Xinyan’s parents were both delighted and at a loss, glancing uncertainly at the Family Head’s expression. But Yan Zhen spoke up:
“No, it’s not betrothal gifts. It’s just a small token from Senior Sister Xinyan and me. Please accept it… The formal proposal will have to wait a while longer. Right now, she’s focusing on her cultivation, and I have my own matters to attend to.”
With that, Yan Zhen turned to the Xiao Family Head:
“Xiao Mie is doing well in the Holy Land. He’s on the verge of breaking through to the Mystic King realm!”
On the verge of Mystic King? The Xiao Family Head’s face lit up with joy. He quickly said:
“Your Highness the Holy Son, for Xinyan’s sake, please look after my unworthy son a little.”
Yan Zhen smiled, gesturing for the Family Head to relax.
He declined the Xiao family’s hospitality and left in haste. Before departing, he infused a strand of Rootless Earth Spirit Fire beneath their manor.
For defense, the Rootless Earth Spirit Fire was unmatched. Yan Zhen’s own Holy Son Peak had been tempered by it, allowing it to withstand even a Supreme Powerhouse’s invasion in his absence.
Once finished, Yan Zhen tore open space and caught up to the long-departed small warship, rejoining Yun Xiu and Huangfu Wenqing.
Upon arriving at Holy Land Academy, he worked with Big Aunt Yu Yan and Little Aunt Yu Qing to settle the Cloud Heaven Palace disciples and elders.
Afterward, Yan Zhen accompanied Yun Xiu and Huangfu Wenqing to pick up the luxury speedboat and escort the Huangfu family elders to the Yan residence in Pilgrimage City.
Huangfu Xiong’s arrival was a massive surprise for Yan Lie.
The Yan family hosted a modestly grand family banquet.
It was Yun Xiu’s first time at the Yan family home, and she seemed a bit reserved. Yan Zhen openly declared his relationship with her, startling the two family grandfathers so much that they choked on their tea, nearly coughing up a lung.
The last time he had admitted that the Thousand Fiend Queen and the Myriad Snake Queen were both his lovers, it had already been outrageous enough. Now even the National Advisor—
Yun Xiu and Huangfu Wenqing both kept their heads slightly lowered, their faces flushed. After all, such matters were rather shocking by conventional standards; things weren’t supposed to happen this way.
Yan Zhen, however, maintained a perfectly serious and unwavering attitude.
He wasn’t seeking anyone’s permission—he had simply made his decision and was informing his family, nothing more.
Yan Lie and Huangfu Xiong exchanged helpless looks but said nothing.
Yan Zhen was now the Jialan Holy Son, with the Jialan Saint Lord as his master. The Saint Lord outranked them and had greater authority over him. If the Saint Lord approved, they wouldn’t interfere.
After the banquet, Yan Zhen brought Yun Xiu and Huangfu Wenqing back to his courtyard for the night. The next day, he returned to Jialan Holy Land.
Yun Xiu and Huangfu Wenqing went back to Cloud Heaven Cave, while Yan Zhen headed to Four Leaves Cave to update Mi Xue’er and Xiao Xinyan on their families’ situations.
“Uncle and Aunt didn’t want to come, so I had to protect them from the shadows.”
The two women still wore traces of worry on their faces. Xiao Xinyan comforted herself:
“The Mi and Xiao families are just minor clans in Silver Moon City. The Demon Domain shouldn’t target them.”
Mi Xue’er nodded:
“Nothing happened to them in my previous life either, so it should be fine.”
Yan Zhen pulled both of them into his arms and said gently:
“I’ve left spatial markers there. If anything happens, you can tear open space and teleport over anytime. No need to worry too much.”
The two murmured their assent and nestled against him, showing a rare glimpse of vulnerability.
Yan Meng’er and Yan Ruyu sat beside them, offering silent comfort.
Several days later, while in secluded cultivation, Yan Zhen sensed a summons from his Beautiful Female Master. He arrived at the Glazed Grotto-Heaven, only to find that the altar in the air held not just her, but Yu Shizun as well.
Both women’s auras were much stronger than before—they had clearly broken through successfully.
Seeing Yan Zhen arrive, Yu Shizun moved to take her leave, but Chen Xi pulled her back.
“Lady Chen Xi?”
Yu Shizun looked puzzled. Chen Xi smiled faintly:
“We’re all family now. No need to be so formal.”
Yu Shizun felt her face heat up instantly. She lowered her head, unable to meet Chen Xi’s gaze.
“I’m sorry, Lady Chen Xi…”
“Silly girl.” Chen Xi patted her head, then turned to her precious disciple. “Zhen’er, come up here.”
Yan Zhen leaped lightly into the air, landing on the altar before his Beautiful Female Master and Yu Shizun.
“Master. Yu Shizun.”
Chen Xi gave him a playful glare:
“Still calling her Yu Shizun?”
“Because if I call her ‘Shishi,’ Yu Shizun will get shy.”
Yan Zhen grinned mischievously, as if he were having his cake and eating it too. Yu Shizun murmured in protest:
“Even so, I’m older than you.”
“Alright, alright.” Yan Zhen didn’t push it. “Call her whatever you like, as long as Yu Shizun doesn’t avoid me.”
Yu Shizun ducked her head again, looking every bit like a shy little girl—devoid of her usual calm poise.
Even Chen Xi had never seen Yu Shizun like this before. She found it novel and amusing, her gaze unconsciously shifting to that of a mother-in-law appraising her son’s bride.
The three sat around the stone table. Chen Xi got straight to the point:
“It’s time to pass the Starlight Glazed Fire to you, Zhen’er.”
Yan Zhen blinked:
“No rush, right? Wouldn’t it be better to wait until I’ve reached Nine Turns Half-Saint, then use the Starlight Glazed Fire’s power to advance to Mystic Saint?”
“With your foundation, Zhen’er, how could a single Starlight Glazed Fire propel you to Mystic Saint? You’d need a flame in the top five of the Extreme Flame List—like Pseudo-God Tribulation Fire.”
“…”
“Zhen’er, your master understands your intentions. I hope you’ll understand mine as well, alright?”
“Alright.”
Yan Zhen scratched his head, cheeks reddening. In front of Yu Shizun, being doted on so excessively by his Beautiful Female Master felt embarrassing. And since she was passing him the flame and keeping Yu Shizun here, could it be that she intended—
The thought had just crossed his mind when his Beautiful Female Master said to Yu Shizun:
“Little Yu’er, stand guard for us.”
Yu Shizun, not yet grasping the specifics of the flame transmission, nodded solemnly.
“Shishi obeys.”
Yan Zhen’s eyes lit up with excitement.
Yu Shizun blinked in confusion. Was it really something to get this thrilled about?
Only when the transmission truly began did Yu Shizun realize what was happening. She wanted to flee but didn’t dare, forced to watch wide-eyed as master and disciple joined together. By the time the flame transfer finished, Yan Zhen had dragged her over as well, stripping her bare in a few swift motions and laying her atop Chen Xi.
“L-Lady Chen Xi…”
Chen Xi gently stroked Yu Shizun’s hair:
“Zhen’er can’t refine the full power of the Starlight Glazed Fire right away. The excess will go to you, Little Yu’er. Accept it properly.”
