Because of Yi Xian’er’s meddling, Ji Ya had to endure several extra rounds of pounding during that evening’s treatment. Her most debauched side was laid bare before the people closest to her, leaving her mortified beyond measure.
Even Aunt Mu, who had initially held onto her dignity as an elder, had no choice but to drop her reservations. She worked together with Jin Tong and Yu Nu, doing everything in her power to ensure Yan Zhen provided reverse nourishment to their Eldest Miss.
Once it was over, Ji Ya passed out into a deep slumber, not waking until the sun was high in the sky the next day.
By then, Yan Zhen had already entered the Crystal Stone Space to begin his movement technique training. Ji Ya was the only one left on the bed.
She summoned Jin Tong and Yu Nu to help her bathe and change clothes.
After freshening up, she slipped into the more modest red qipao she wore for work, draping a fluffy shawl over her arm. With a fierce air about her, she stormed into the dining hall—only to find Yi Xian’er leisurely sipping tea and nibbling on snacks.
That picture of utter relaxation only fueled Ji Ya’s irritation.
“Little Sister Xian’er, what exactly did you do to Little Brother Yan Zhen yesterday?”
“I didn’t do anything at all,” Yi Xian’er replied with wide-eyed innocence. “Has something happened, Sister Ji Ya?”
“Playing dumb won’t get you anywhere.”
“Oh, I see. Judging by that limp in your step, he must have worn you out completely, huh?” Yi Xian’er feigned sudden understanding. “Sister Ji Ya, you’re so lucky to have such a strong, virile little boyfriend. You’ve got Little Sister green with envy~”
Ji Ya’s eyebrows twitched, a throbbing vein of anger bulging on her forehead.
“Little Sister Xian’er, we had a deal—no more interfering. If you break it, I’ll have Aunt Mu ship you straight back to Greenwater Town.”
Yi Xian’er dropped the pure little flower act and let out a mocking chuckle.
“Sister Ji Ya, we agreed daytime was mine and nighttime yours. I haven’t broken any rules, have I? Or are you planning to rip off the mask and show everyone you’re a promise-breaker?”
The two women locked eyes, their glares colliding like sparks about to ignite the air between them.
—The clash of their petty drama was terrifying indeed!
A ripple or two stirred their otherwise calm routine, and just like that, five more days slipped by. Ji Ya had refined most of the medicinal power in her body. Even if it flared up now, the danger was minimal, and they could finally breathe easy.
That final ten percent, however, hid deep within her, making treatment far trickier. What should have taken an hour dragged on for a full hour and a half.
It was a strain on both Yan Zhen and Ji Ya.
Dual cultivation let them nourish each other and grow more spirited with practice, but even that had its limits. Push too far, and they needed time to recover.
After talking it over, they adjusted the schedule: twice every three days—normal treatment on days one and two, rest on day three. In roughly ten days, the medicine would be fully purged from her system, far quicker than the “over a month” scripted in the plot.
Body Fusion Dual Cultivation simply outpaced Medicine Pool dual cultivation in efficiency.
In the meantime, Yan Zhen’s movement training made clear strides. Building on his foundation in the Shadow Following Step, he grasped the basics in just three days. Progress slowed after that, shifting to sparring sessions where he honed how the technique shifted combat dynamics.
Sparring with his Beautiful Female Master was unavoidable, of course. Touching her counted as passing.
Naturally, she first suppressed her cultivation to match his level.
It took a full five days of sparring before Yan Zhen barely snagged the hem of her garment—only for her to yank him into her arms and pat his head in approval.
His face sank into the lofty peaks of her chest, her unique fragrance filling his nose. The tension melted from his body, and sheer exhaustion sent him straight to sleep.
That night happened to be a rest day, so Yan Zhen lingered in the Fire Refining Starry Sky until morning. He excused his absence as soaking in the bath for recovery.
The two women suspected nothing and ate their breakfast in peace.
Yan Zhen munched on the breakfast the new maid had bought while claiming his quest reward for the movement training.
【Special Trump Card: Wuhu Takeoff: Once activated, utter “Wuhu” during its duration to blast off from a standstill. Fly higher for greater aerial combat boosts—up to triple at max height.】
【Note: Cannot exit the domain.】
—Perfect!
Mystic Generals fought primarily in the air to begin with. Mystic Kings and above zipped around everywhere—without flight, you were outmatched. This Special Trump Card gave him real confidence for thrashing those Demon Domain punks later.
But first, he had a duel with Good Big Sister’s top suitor.
By his count, today was the day the Divine Dream Palace Young Sect Master—goaded by the Second Shopkeeper and Third Shopkeeper—would show up to challenge him.
“Little Brother Yan Zhen, I’ve wrapped up most of the chamber’s business. Sister’s got some free time—want to head out for a stroll?”
—Yep, Good Big Sister just jinxed it. Definitely today.
Sure enough, they hadn’t even stepped outside when they got blocked.
Unlike last time, the Second Shopkeeper and Third Shopkeeper stayed away. Instead, three members of the Divine Dream Palace arrived.
At the lead was a young man in dark samurai robes and light wooden clogs.
He wasn’t much older than Yan Zhen, his face sharply angular, eyes piercing enough to make anyone weaker avert their gaze.
A tachi hung at his waist, sheathed with a six-petaled snowflake guard and diamond-patterned hilt wrapping for grip.
This was none other than the Divine Dream Palace Young Sect Master: Lin Qizhu, a genius sword cultivator. At just twenty, he was already a Six-Star Mystic Scholar who had grasped a wisp of Blade Intent.
Flanking him was a twin-tailed girl in a riotously colorful kimono, dressed flashy enough to remind Yan Zhen of a delinquent gal back on Earth.
She too bore a tachi at her waist. Linzaki Sayoko, his half-sister—nineteen years old, a One-Star Mystic Scholar.
Linzaki Sayoko despised Ji Ya and staunchly opposed her brother chasing what she called the Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce’s vixen. She always tagged along to stir trouble.
The issue was her hero-worship of her brother, so she never lashed out at him—instead dumping all her bile on Ji Ya.
Ji Ya held no particular grudge against the straitlaced Lin Qizhu at first, but Linzaki Sayoko’s overbearing rudeness soured her on the brother too.
Alongside Linzaki Sayoko stood an elderly man in a kimono, hands tucked into his sleeves—Lin Qizhu’s protector, a Seven-Star Mystic King.
His cultivation fell short of Aunt Mu’s, but his Draw Blade Technique was perfected to the point where she might not prevail in a straight fight.
The two groups bumped into each other right at the entrance.
Lin Qizhu greeted her courteously.
“Miss Ji Ya, it’s been too long. I’ve been in seclusion these past days and couldn’t visit—my deepest apologies. Please accept this as a token of amends.”
He extended the gift box in his hands.
