The moment Chen Xi achieved sainthood, the heavens split open, and the tribulation lightning arrived right on schedule. Bolts of thunder lit up the sky, filling the hearts of everyone in the holy land with unease.
Facing the seemingly endless sea of lightning, Chen Xi remained utterly calm. After all, she had tempered herself in the Fire Refining Starry Sky for far too long. A mere tribulation like this couldn’t touch her.
Her Starlight Domain had already evolved into the Glazed Grotto-Heaven. As she unfurled it, the grotto-heaven blocked out every law and force.
The lightning crashed against the grotto-heaven, relentlessly tempering this newborn little world.
It wasn’t just the holy land—people across the central region of Jialan Continent witnessed the spectacle, their hearts gripped by overwhelming shock. The heads of super forces and their ancestors emerged from seclusion one after another, floating into the sky to gaze up at the grotto-heaven amid the thunder.
At last, the lightning faded, the rift in the heavens sealed shut, and the world returned to its usual state.
Now a saint, Chen Xi had a colorful halo behind her head, lending her an even more ethereal, fairy-like air.
She withdrew the Glazed Grotto-Heaven and reined in her overwhelming saint might, then descended to land before Yan Zhen.
“How was it, Zhen’er? Did you see everything clearly?”
“Yeah, I did,” Yan Zhen said with a smile. “Congratulations on becoming a saint, Master. That colorful halo looks amazing.”
Chen Xi smiled faintly.
“It’s no mere ornament—it’s the mark of a Mystic Saint expert.”
Yan Zhen nodded.
“Master Holy Lord and Evil Consort Master have them too, but in different colors. Is there some special meaning behind that?”
“The Holy Dao Halo simply reflects one’s mystic power attributes. That’s all there is to it.”
“Gotcha.”
The other women came forward to offer their congratulations as well, and Chen Xi acknowledged each one with a nod.
The Jialan Seven Sages soon appeared, bowing respectfully to Chen Xi. Yu Shizun and Snow Supreme were especially enthusiastic. Even Ancestor Jingang and Ancestor Changsheng, who had vowed to remain in seclusion, poked their heads out to chime in with congratulations for Technique Saint Lord’s advancement to Mystic Saint.
Chen Xi returned their courtesy graciously.
Jialan Fairy said happily, “Chen Xi is a guest elder of our Jialan Holy Land, and her becoming a saint is a blessing for us all. Pass the word: Starting tomorrow, the holy land will host a grand feast for seven days. Every disciple can join in the fun.”
The holy land’s disciples erupted in cheers at the Holy Lord’s words.
For seven straight days, Jialan Holy Land rang with laughter and celebration.
As Jialan Fairy’s good friend, Chen Xi had a cave residence on Jialan Peak, but she chose not to live there. Instead, she stayed on Holy Son Peak.
Inside Jia Flame Cave, Yan Zhen had his own room, Cai Lian and Yan Yan shared one, Long Ying had another, and one stood empty for Zi Ji.
Chen Xi insisted she couldn’t take her precious disciple’s wife-to-be’s room, so she bunked with her baby disciple instead. She could always retreat to the Fire Refining Starry Sky for cultivation anyway.
The women’s expressions turned a bit odd at that. Chen Xi really wasn’t willing to let Yan Zhen out of her sight for a second.
Jialan Fairy chided her playfully. “Isn’t that a bit much, Chen Xi? It looks like you’re trying to hog Yan’er all to yourself.”
Chen Xi replied calmly, “I’m not hogging anything. I’m just keeping things as they were.”
“Then what’s the point of breaking out?”
“There’s a difference between not being able to come out and choosing not to.”
“You should give Yan’er some personal space now and then.”
“I know what I’m doing.”
“You have to listen when I say so.”
“Jialan, you’re getting awfully naggy. Getting old, are we?”
“I’ve always been older than you.”
“. . .”
Evil Consort Master scoffed inwardly at the exchange. Whenever she wanted time with Yan Zhen, she’d just whisk him off to Dead City and do as she pleased. Was she supposed to settle for scraps like that?
Not to mention, she’d already fleeced two real prizes.
Shaking off her thoughts, Evil Consort Master said coolly, “Lately, Yan’er seems preoccupied. He zones out during cultivation sometimes. Do you two know why?”
Chen Xi’s expression grew serious. “He’s probably missing Zi Ji and her daughter.”
Jialan Fairy sighed. “The Seven Continents Tournament is still two years away. Yan’er must be getting impatient. He shone so brightly there that the Heavenly God Clan’s higher-ups took notice and proposed a marriage alliance with our Jialan Holy Land.”
Evil Consort Master snorted. “Yan’er is Heaven’s Proud Son with the makings of an emperor. How could he not be good enough for the Heavenly God Clan’s goddess? In this palace’s view, we should just go straight to their door and propose.”
Chen Xi nodded slightly in agreement.
“You’re right. And there’s Ling’er’s situation too—if we drag our feet, something might go wrong. Still, it depends on Zhen’er’s decision.”
“Why don’t we just talk to Yan’er directly?” Jialan Fairy suggested. “We can’t let him keep stewing. For something like this, us elders need to take the lead.”
The three women exchanged looks and nodded in unison.
Soon, Yan Zhen stepped out of a spatial rift at their summons. He blinked curiously at the sight of all three masters gathered together.
“It’s rare to see all three of you masters in one place. What’s up?”
Chen Xi spoke first. “Zhen’er, you’ve seemed burdened lately. Are you missing Zi Ji and Ling’er?”
Yan Zhen froze for a moment, then rubbed his cheek sheepishly. “Masters saw right through me. Yeah, I do miss them a bit. I—”
Chen Xi cut in. “—Zhen’er, are you thinking of going to the Heavenly God Clan to propose?”
Yan Zhen’s face flushed red. He explained, “I’m in the Mystic Venerable Realm now. I could hold my own against a Supreme if needed, so I think I can pass their tests and marry Zi Ji. But unlike my past life, I have so many confidantes now. I’m worried their higher-ups might use that against me.”
“They wouldn’t dare!” Evil Consort Master snapped, her reaction a bit triggered. “Just a bunch of stuck-up old fossils.”
Jialan Fairy stepped forward and patted Yan Zhen’s head soothingly. “Don’t worry. Chen Xi, Evil Consort, and I will have your back. The Heavenly God Clan is strong, but they wouldn’t ignore three Mystic Saints.”
“I remember their clan leader isn’t the stubborn type,” she added. “If you want to go, Zhen’er, we’ll go with you.”
Yan Zhen’s eyes lit up. “Really, Master?”
Chen Xi ruffled her precious disciple’s hair. “Of course, you silly boy.”
Yan Zhen turned to the other two masters, who smiled and nodded at him. The gloom in his heart vanished in an instant, replaced by deep gratitude.
“Thanks, Masters—Holy Lord Master and Evil Consort Master.”
The three beautiful masters watched him beam like a kid, their hearts softening. They clustered around their shared disciple, petting him affectionately like a favorite pet.
That night, Yan Zhen returned to Jia Flame Cave and shared the big news with the women.
They felt a pang of reluctance at the thought of him leaving the holy land again, but they understood his feelings.
Cai Lian, Long Ying, Yi Xian’er, and Jiu Youyue all insisted on coming along.
Yan Zhen hesitated. “I’m going with the three masters to propose. Wouldn’t it be weird if you all tagged along?”
Cai Lian said coolly, “This queen is just stopping by the Snake God Clan.”
Long Ying added, “I need to head home too.”
Yi Xian’er and Jiu Youyue had their own reasons.
Yan Zhen had no choice but to agree, though he stressed they could only stay inside the Fire Refining Starry Sky for now.
Five days later, everything was ready. Yan Zhen set off for the Eighth Continent alongside his three beautiful masters.
