“Well then, Mother-in-Law, we’ll be heading back now.”
Yan Zhen sat in the driver’s seat and waved to the Family Head Yu Lu and the others who had come to see them off.
A flicker of reluctance passed through the Family Head Yu Lu’s eyes, but she was no fool when it came to knowing her priorities. She nodded and said, “Take care on your journey. And remember, don’t do anything to upset Yu Shizun when you head out to sea.”
“Got it. You’ve told me that plenty of times already, Mother-in-Law.”
“I’m just worried you won’t listen.” The Family Head Yu Lu paused, then softly asked, “Will you come back for the Listening Rain Festival this year?”
“If I have time, I’ll come with Mentor.”
“. . .”
“Alright, we’re off! See you later, Mother-in-Law!”
“Mm.”
As her daughter, sister-in-law, elder sister, and younger sister waved goodbye to her, the corners of the Family Head Yu Lu’s mouth curved into a subtle smile. She watched as the Holy Son’s Mount rose into the air and vanished into the distance.
Yet her heart would never again sink into that former silence and chill. A warmth now burned within her, chasing away the cold.
From the moment she had inherited the position of family head, Yu Lu had been bound to this island. She had no freedom, no hopes or dreams—only the unyielding drive to revitalize the clan and elevate the Yu Family to true super force status.
But that was the duty of the family head, not the desire of Yu Lu herself.
She had been like a puppet, living solely for the family, with no place in the world beyond Rain Heaven Island.
Now, everything was different. Someone waited for her beyond the island’s shores.
Whenever she wished, she could go to him. Whenever she wished, he would come to her. . .
Wherever he was, that was her true home.
And there were her daughter, her sister-in-law, her elder sister, and her younger sister—the family she held dearest.
Lost in these thoughts, she felt a sudden heat on her wrist. The Family Head Yu Lu lifted her wide sleeve and saw the bracelet glowing brightly. It slipped free of its own accord, shrinking down into a ring that settled onto her ring finger.
Her heart trembled with an indescribable surge of emotion. She quickly looked up, searching for Yan Zhen, but the luxury speedboat had already plunged into the sea of clouds and disappeared from sight.
“. . .”
She had only just seen the boy off, and already she longed to seek him out.
Yan Zhen had no idea that his little trick had stirred such a strong reaction in the “Family Head.” Carrying the four women, he first returned to the Holy Land Academy, dropping off Big Aunt Yu Yan and Little Aunt Yu Qing. Then, with Mentor Yu Xuan and Aunt Shui Bailan, he headed back to Holy Son Peak.
Jia Flame Cave.
When Yan Zhen mentioned his plan to venture out to sea in search of the Azure Sea Tide Birth Fire, Cai Lian, Long Ying, Yi Xian’er, and Jiu Youyue all insisted on going with him.
They were all Mystic Venerable experts now, and with their memories from their past lives restored, only a Mystic Saint could pose a real threat to them.
Still, if too many people came along, Yu Shizun might feel uncomfortable. After all, she was an “outsider,” while the four women were “insiders.”
“How about this: Cai Lian, Long Ying—you two head into the Fire Refining Starry Sky and keep Yan Yan company. You can bring her out when it’s safe.”
Cai Lian was reluctant but agreed for the sake of her daughter.
Long Ying pouted, her face brimming with a proud, haughty expression. “I’m all grown up now. I don’t want to keep playing with that little kid Yan Yan all the time.”
Yan Zhen’s mouth twitched. Weren’t you two having a blast earlier?
“You go into the Fire Refining Starry Sky so Master can check if something’s wrong. She said you’d regain your original form after breaking through to the Mystic Venerable Realm, but there’s been no change at all.”
The loli dragon girl’s eyes lit up. “Does Yan Zhen Zhen really prefer the big me? I can change back, you know.”
Yan Zhen was speechless. “What’s the point of forcing it? Be good and let Master take a look later. It’s for your own good—just in case.”
Long Ying grumbled a reluctant “Fine.”
Yan Zhen ruffled her little head, his palm tingling from the rub of her fleshy horns.
Unhappy, she shook her head to show she wasn’t a kid anymore, then leaped onto his back and playfully ruffled his hair.
Yan Zhen smoothly activated the Star Shifting Fire Seal, teleporting into the Fire Refining Starry Sky with the loli dragon girl in tow. He handed her off to his beautiful female master and slipped away.
Since they were leaving tomorrow, Yan Zhen wanted to check on Meng’er and the others. But they were all in secluded cultivation, pushing themselves hard to grow stronger and not let him down—though Meng’er had probably been dragged into it.
So he headed to Gold Jade Cave to find Sister Ji Ya. Aunt Mu answered the door. Inside, he saw Jin Tong and Yu Nu, who were on guard duty, sharing a lollipop during their break.
It wasn’t just any candy—it was a Fifth-Tier Mystic Pill, one Yan Zhen had refined himself.
With ample cultivation resources, the twin sisters had reached Nine Star Mystic General over the past two years, just one step from the Mystic King Realm.
Back then, Ji Ya had barely anyone reliable under her command. As her personal guards, they had burned through their potential for rapid advancement, which meant their path would hit a dead end after reaching the Mystic King Realm.
But for the current Yan Zhen, that was no big issue. A couple of Seventh-Tier Mystic Pills would fix it easily.
Since they were his now, he wouldn’t treat them poorly.
Jin Tong and Yu Nu greeted Yan Zhen sweetly. He casually patted their heads, only for them to drop to their knees and start undoing his belt. It embarrassed Aunt Mu so much that she scolded them with a flushed face.
Realizing Little Uncle hadn’t meant that, Jin Tong and Yu Nu went back to their candy.
Yan Zhen felt a bit awkward, but they were all family, so he let it slide.
In the living room, Sister Ji Ya was holding a “video conference” with her subordinates via the Reflecting Light Mirror. Not wanting to disturb her, Yan Zhen pulled Aunt Mu onto the couch beside him to watch. He couldn’t help but admire the poised, capable aura she exuded while working—like a sharp female CEO. It was a sight for sore eyes.
Speaking of which, Sister Ji Ya has broken through too.
With her Cauldron Constitution, Ji Ya’s solo cultivation talent was the lowest among the women. But with dual cultivation, she faced no bottlenecks before the Mystic Sovereign Realm—she could just charge right through.
In her past life, her cultivation had lagged because a certain someone refused to see her as more than a sworn sister. Now that he accepted her feelings and frequently “nourished” her, she had swiftly advanced to the Mystic King Realm.
Once the meeting ended, Ji Ya shed her CEO persona. With a coquettish smile, she sidled up to Yan Zhen, looping her arm through his. “Back so soon, Little Brother Yan Zhen? Sister thought you’d stay a few days and really stuff yourself~”
Blushing at the tease, Yan Zhen pulled his good big sister into a deep kiss, silencing her.
When their lips parted, the fox-like beauty in her striking red qipao was flushed and limp in his arms, ripe for the taking.
Tonight would surely be another sleepless one.
The next day, while Jin Tong and Yu Nu still slumbered, Yan Zhen was up, washed, and dressed—with help from Sister Ji Ya and Aunt Mu. He gave each a goodnight kiss and left Gold Jade Cave, heading to the plaza in front of Jia Flame Cave.
The women were already waiting.
After sending Cai Lian and Yan Yan into the Fire Refining Starry Sky, Yan Zhen finally brought out his mount. Under the reluctant gazes of Mentor Yu Xuan and Aunt Shui Bailan, he carried Yi Xian’er and Jiu Youyue to Rain God Peak to pick up Yu Shizun.
With a ripple of spatial fluctuations, Yu Shizun appeared directly in the rear compartment. She wasn’t surprised to see the two women beside Yan Zhen, but since they weren’t close, she didn’t greet them.
“Alright then… let’s set off.”
Yan Zhen hit the throttle, and the luxury speedboat shot forward.
