When Yan Zhen arrived at the sleeping palace of his three beautiful masters, he found them seated around a table, staring each other down with wide eyes. The atmosphere wasn’t particularly harmonious.
The Evil Consort Master had a cold expression on her face, the Saint Lord Master looked kindly and benevolent, and the beautiful master was leisurely sipping fragrant tea. Though they sat together, they might as well have been strangers at a bus stop, each minding their own business.
The tense atmosphere eased a bit upon seeing Yan Zhen arrive, and even the Evil Consort Master’s expression softened somewhat.
“Yan’er, you’ve arrived just in time. This Palace has something to ask you.”
Yan Zhen took a seat across from the beautiful master. “What does Evil Consort Master want to ask?”
“What are you planning to do about that old woman’s conditions?”
“Of course, I’m rejecting them. We have no need for a marriage alliance right now.”
Hearing this, the Evil Consort Master smirked, shooting a smug glance at Chen Xi and the Jialan Fairy, like a proud black swan.
The Jialan Fairy smiled faintly. “Rejecting is the right call, but you need to handle it nicely. I’m talking about the Qingling Goddess, of course. It’s clear that girl has feelings for you, Yan’er. She’s probably been waiting a long time. A blunt rejection like that would surely hurt her deeply.”
Yan Zhen scratched his head. “You’re right. I’ll go explain things clearly to her in a bit.”
After all, she was practically his sister-in-law at this point. He could tell that Cai Lian was very fond of the Snake God Maiden.
Chen Xi took a sip of her tea and chuckled. “That girl Qing’er is pretty great, Zhen’er. Aren’t you even going to consider her?”
“Master, why are you saying that too? I’ve already said I don’t like marriage alliances, and there’s no need for one anyway.”
“Silly child, this teacher isn’t talking about a marriage alliance.”
Yan Zhen blinked. “I only just met Qing’er. There’s nothing to consider yet.”
Chen Xi gazed at her precious disciple’s handsome face. “Zhen’er, have you recovered any of your past-life memories at all?”
“Just some scattered fragments now and then, mostly from childhood.”
Like the times Meng’er would sneak into his courtyard when she couldn’t sleep, wanting to share his bed.
Or how Cousin Ruyu would always stare at him intently during group cultivation sessions, like a proctoring teacher keeping watch.
“That might be a sign your memories are about to fully return, Zhen’er.”
“I’m not sure…”
Truth be told, it didn’t matter much whether they returned or not. His memories had already been “written down,” after all.
The real question was, why could they be recorded but not awakened?
Did he truly have to ascend to the Emperor Throne before they could return?
Yan Zhen sank into thought.
Thinking she had stirred up trouble for her precious disciple, Chen Xi quickly comforted him. “If you can’t remember, that’s fine. Don’t force it. As long as we’re all well and happy together, that’s enough—oh, right.”
Chen Xi abruptly changed the subject. “Since we can’t get our hands on the Thousand Feathers Phoenix Immortal Fire for now, this teacher will give you the Starlight Glazed Fire first. Once you refine it, Zhen’er, you can keep pushing your cultivation higher.”
Yan Zhen shook his head. “The Starlight Glazed Fire is important to you too, Master. I can’t accept it.”
Chen Xi couldn’t help smiling. “You fool. For this teacher, nothing is more important than you, Zhen’er.”
“But—”
“No buts. Haven’t this teacher’s words made it clear? You are the most important.”
“Master…”
“Believe me, Zi Ji will pass on the Jade Firmament Purple Dome Flame to you later as well. With your cultivation of the Emperor Flame Technique, Zhen’er, only you can bring out the true power of Extreme Flames!”
Moved by the beautiful master’s serious expression, Yan Zhen nodded vigorously. Then, a bit shyly, he added, “But it’s not convenient here. Let’s talk about it after we get back, Master.”
What transmitting a flame entailed went without saying between master and disciple.
Chen Xi gave a shy smile in return. “This teacher understands. For now, go find Qing’er.”
Once Yan Zhen had left, the Evil Consort Master spoke up. “Chen Xi, by ‘transmitting the flame,’ you don’t mean you’re going to… dual cultivate with Yan’er, do you?”
Chen Xi remained utterly composed. “What’s it to you?”
“Shameless.”
“If you’re envious, you could do it too. But you don’t have the guts, do you?”
Chen Xi stared at the Evil Consort Master. “The one you love most has always been yourself. You’re afraid to give yourself completely to Zhen’er.”
“Nonsense!” the Evil Consort Master shot back at once. “Don’t act like you know everything about This Palace. How arrogant!”
“Of course I know.” Chen Xi adopted the air of someone experienced. “You’re only a little better than Jialan, who won’t even admit her own feelings.”
Unable to sit still any longer, the Jialan Fairy interjected. “You two quarreling is one thing—why drag me into it?”
Chen Xi shot her close friend a sidelong glance. “Then let me ask you, Jialan: Do you like Zhen’er?”
The Jialan Fairy didn’t hesitate. “Does that even need asking? Yan’er is so adorable—who wouldn’t like him?”
Chen Xi let out a light sigh. “You can spout grand philosophies one after another like you’ve grasped the true meaning of life, but when it matters, it all falls apart. To use Zhen’er’s words, you’re an ‘all-talk champion.'”
“What are you even saying, Chen Xi? Everyone defines ‘like’ differently. We should respect each other’s feelings.”
“Save it. I’m not letting you casually revert Zhen’er to his childhood self. If you don’t rein it in, one day you’ll push him too far and really anger him. Good luck coaxing him back then.”
“It’s rare to get a lecture from you, Chen Xi.”
“…”
Listening to the two of them go back and forth so fearlessly, the Evil Consort Master felt an inexplicable surge of irritation.
By now, Yan Zhen had reached the main hall of the Goddess Palace. He planned to clear things up with the Snake God Maiden and pick up his playful daughter Yan’er along the way.
The hall was mostly empty, save for a few snake servants.
These snake servants were beautiful snake-women, with human torsos atop serpentine lower bodies. Their faces were a strange blend of human and snake features, giving them an air of not being the sharpest tools in the shed.
Yan Zhen had a snake servant go announce his arrival. After quite some time, the Snake God Maiden finally emerged to greet him.
“Y-Yan… Yan Zhen, s-sir. G-good e-evening.”
The Snake God Maiden kept her head slightly lowered, her face flushed bright red. She was dressed in a somewhat revealing cyan nightgown. Though the hem draped long, it rode up to expose nearly her entire thighs as she walked. The collar hung slightly open, revealing a deep, alluring cleavage like an endless abyss. Even the fabric was semi-sheer, barely covering certain areas while letting the skin beneath peek through.
Stunned, Yan Zhen quickly turned his face away. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you were about to retire for the night, Qing’er. I’ll come back tomorrow.”
With that, he turned to leave.
Panicking, the Snake God Maiden grabbed his arm. “W-wait, Yan Zhen sir. D-do you have something to say? Qing’er has time right now. It’s no trouble at all.”
Truth be told, if he hadn’t come, she would have gone to find him—using Cai Lian as an excuse, of course. Her real aim was to chat with Yan Zhen sir, get familiar, then take the initiative and confess her feelings.
If once didn’t work, she’d try twice; if twice failed, three times—until he agreed.
That was how Sister Cai Lian had taught her.
Though the Snake God Maiden had no confidence whatsoever, she had no choice but to follow through, grasping at that sliver of happiness that might be hers.
