As for why Mentor Yu Xuan chose to bring Yan Zhen instead of one of the four girls, she had already prepared a perfect excuse.
No matter which one of them she brought along, someone else would feel slighted and accuse her of favoritism. Bringing Yan Zhen sidestepped the issue entirely.
Logically speaking, Yan Meng’er, Yan Ruyu, Mi Xue’er, and Xiao Xinyan should all have stayed obediently at home. However, the reborn Yan Meng’er and Mi Xue’er had anticipated this. Yesterday afternoon, they had gone to the Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce and, leveraging Yan Zhen’s name, secured invitation letters from Fatty Nian.
After all, Yan Zhen was a Supreme VIP of the Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce—a fact they had known since enrollment. Combined with his identity as the mysterious Pill Refiner, obtaining a couple of invitation letters was a piece of cake. In this way, all four girls could attend the auction.
Not long after Mentor Yu Xuan and Yan Zhen departed, the four girls quietly followed suit.
The night air was slightly cool as lights flickered to life across Silver Moon City, blending with the moonlight.
Mentor Yu Xuan had dressed with particular care. Her long black hair with blue undertones was combed straight, accentuating the elegant earrings dangling from her small ears.
A exquisite water-blue evening gown hugged her graceful figure, adorned with sparkling diamonds. The deep V-neckline was modestly veiled by a layer of translucent gauze, offering a tantalizing hint of allure rather than outright exposure. The sheer fabric extended to cover the upper half of her back and formed the long sleeves that concealed her flawless, snow-white arms.
The nearly floor-length skirt featured layered tiers of lightweight chiffon, giving it a rich texture while remaining airy and easy to move in.
Beneath it, a pair of delicate feet slipped into crystal heels.
She looked every bit the beautiful princess from a fairy tale.
Of course, given Mentor Yu Xuan’s status, she was far more exalted than any ordinary princess.
Stepping down from the carriage, Mentor Yu Xuan ignored the various gazes directed her way and affectionately linked her arm with Yan Zhen’s, strolling into the Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce like a couple.
Yan Zhen felt a bit embarrassed. Among the onlookers were familiar faces from the academy—both mentors and students. The former had come for the spectacle, while the latter tagged along with elders to broaden their horizons.
Spotting Yan Zhen and Mentor Yu Xuan, they greeted them enthusiastically, though their eyes held a peculiar glint.
The atmosphere between the two was simply too couple-like, far from the usual student-mentor dynamic.
But Yan Zhen already had Yan Meng’er and Yan Ruyu. The idea that he had also won over Mentor Yu Xuan? They wouldn’t believe it if you beat them to death.
Mentor Yu Xuan was the campus belle of Mystic Academy, a stunning goddess whom countless mentors, students, and even city bigwigs had pursued in vain. How could she fall so easily to Yan Zhen?
Impossible. Absolutely impossible!
Even as these thoughts raced through their minds, they plotted to spread rumors of a scandalous student-mentor romance around the academy tomorrow and gauge the reactions.
“Mentor, aren’t we being a bit too conspicuous like this?”
“I’m not worried. What do you have to fret about?”
Mentor Yu Xuan turned to Yan Zhen with an amused smile, prompting a sheepish grin from him.
“I’m just concerned for you, Mentor.”
“Spare me. Just keep me company tonight. You promised we’d go out together, and it’s taken you long enough to make good on it.”
Yan Zhen obediently fell silent. After all, it was his own promise, and he’d already kept her waiting far too long.
He just hoped Good Big Sister wouldn’t see them.
Thanks to her precognitive dreams, Good Big Sister clearly intended to develop a romantic relationship with him. Spotting this intimacy with Mentor Yu Xuan would surely upset her.
Yan Zhen didn’t want to displease Good Big Sister, but he couldn’t bear to disappoint Mentor Yu Xuan either.
Both women treated him so well that favoring one over the other felt impossible.
A headache.
What gave him the biggest headache, though, was Good Big Sister’s treatment.
He didn’t know the formula and couldn’t concoct a substitute for the body fusion medicine pool. That left dual cultivation with her as the only option!
Doing so would derail the script’s path, steering toward the precognitive dream route. Role-playing failure meant starting over.
But what then? Without the formula, he was helpless.
Three restarts, all failures—oh ho, world collapse, game over for everyone.
System-chan, do you know how to brew a substitute medicine pool for body fusion?
【Aba aba aba】
“…”
This damn system is useless.
The auction venue was located underground. After handing their invitation letters to the front-desk attendant and receiving their numbered tags, Yan Zhen and Mentor Yu Xuan found their seats.
Yan Zhen glanced at the “69” on his tag, an old quip stuck in his throat, unsure whether to voice it. Instead, he rotated it ninety degrees to resemble the Cancer zodiac symbol.
【Ding! Key Plot Activation】
【Current Plot Progress—Chapter 140: Auction House Turmoil】
【Role-Playing Requirements: ① At the auction, get outbid pettily by Lan Ke, then retaliate in kind and snag the item he wants; ② After the auction, get ambushed by Lan Ke and his crew, wipe them out, and dispose of the bodies cleanly】
【Completion: 0%】
No sooner had the system issued the tasks than Yan Zhen spotted Lan Ke trailing behind a middle-aged man with frosted temples, heading straight toward him and Mentor Yu Xuan.
That man was none other than Lan Ke’s father, the ruler of Silver Moon City.
The Silver Moon City Lord took the initiative to greet them.
“Mentor Yu Xuan, it’s been a while. You remain as stunningly beautiful as ever.”
Mentor Yu Xuan inclined her head slightly in acknowledgment.
“You’re too kind, City Lord.”
The Silver Moon City Lord knew full well that Mentor Yu Xuan appeared gentle as water but treated everyone with the same cool indifference. He paid her response no mind and turned to Yan Zhen instead.
“And this must be Mentor Yu Xuan’s prized student, the current top of the Nine Stars Ranking—Young Friend Yan Zhen?”
Yan Zhen nodded curtly, not bothering to stand. He knew this old fox had long coveted Mentor Yu Xuan and had no intention of wasting courtesy on him.
“I’ve seen City Lord.”
The Silver Moon City Lord’s brow furrowed faintly, though he said nothing.
Lan Ke already disliked Yan Zhen; witnessing his attitude only fueled his ire. He sneered snidely.
“What an ill-mannered brat.”
Yan Zhen shot him a glance.
“Introducing yourself out of the blue?”
Lan Ke froze for a moment before realizing the jab, his face flushing with humiliated rage.
“What did you say? How dare you speak to me like that?”
“Lan Ke!”
Hearing his father’s sharp rebuke, Lan Ke quickly composed himself. Noticing Mentor Yu Xuan’s displeased expression, he shot Yan Zhen a venomous glare and clamped his mouth shut.
The Silver Moon City Lord plastered on a smile once more.
“The auction is about to begin. It’s crowded and chaotic down here. Why not join this City Lord in a private box, Mentor Yu Xuan?”
Mentor Yu Xuan shook her head gently.
“I appreciate the offer, City Lord, but we’re fine right here.”
“Very well, then. We’ll take our leave.”
With that, the Silver Moon City Lord strode purposefully toward the VIP boxes overlooking the venue, Lan Ke casting Yan Zhen a disdainful look before following.
Yan Zhen curled his lip. In the script, he attended alone without Mentor Yu Xuan. Lan Ke would have mocked him outright with brain-dead taunts. This version was downright restrained.
