The next day, Yan Zhen slept until the sun was high in the sky before finally rising. After getting up, he dragged Yun Xiu along for a leisurely breakfast.
As noon approached, the Snake Woman commander of Southern Bastion arrived at their door with two subordinates, exactly as described in the script. She bowed toward Yan Zhen and said,
“I am Ye Mei, the highest commander of this bastion. Many thanks for your assistance last night, Little Brother Yan Zhen. Without your help, this lady might have died at that scorpion’s claws. This place would have fallen to the Sand Scorpion Army, and the consequences would have been unimaginable.”
Yan Zhen put on a bashful expression.
“I only lent a small hand. The Purple King Scorpion was slain mostly thanks to Commander Ye Mei’s all-out effort.”
Ye Mei giggled, her narrow, beautiful eyes shimmering with allure.
“Little Brother Yan Zhen is too modest. That wasn’t a small help—it was the strike that decided the battle. I still haven’t asked for Little Brother Yan Zhen’s esteemed name.”
“I am Yan Zhen—Fire from Fire Yan, Pure from Pure Zhen.”
“Yan Zhen… what a fine name. This lady has prepared a small token of appreciation. Please accept it, Little Brother Yan Zhen.”
Ye Mei turned and took a brocade box from one of her subordinates, then lightly opened the lid.
Inside lay a fiery red crystal stone, brimming with intense fire attribute.
Yun Xiu, standing nearby, was somewhat surprised.
“A Fire Element Heart?”
The Fire Element Heart, like its water counterpart, was a specialty of the Great Marsh Desert—a true treasure for Mystic Cultivators who trained in Fire Mystic Power.
Ye Mei glanced at the veiled Yun Xiu, secretly speculating about her relationship with Yan Zhen. Smiling faintly on the surface, she nodded.
As a practitioner of Fire Mystic Power herself, Ye Mei had brought out this prized possession from her own collection to thank Yan Zhen for his aid.
Yan Zhen blinked, then said shyly,
“The Fire Element Heart is indeed a rare treasure, but… could I exchange it for a Water Element Heart? I can pay extra.”
Ye Mei and her two subordinates froze for a moment before the Snake Woman commander asked in confusion,
“Little Brother Yan Zhen cultivates Fire Mystic Power, doesn’t he? Why would he want a Water Element Heart?”
Yan Zhen scratched his head.
“To be honest, I am a Pill Refiner, and I urgently need a Water Element Heart to brew a medicine.”
“You’re a Pill Refiner too?”
Ye Mei’s small mouth fell open in astonishment. At fifteen or sixteen years old, a Three-Star Mystic Scholar who wielded such exquisite Mystic Techniques—and now a Pill Refiner as well?!
She quickly realized her gaffe and smiled awkwardly, her gaze lingering on Yan Zhen.
“Little Brother Yan Zhen is truly gifted beyond measure. One can’t help but admire him… However, this lady cultivates Fire Mystic Power and has no use for a Water Element Heart. I don’t have one on hand.”
“Then never mind.” Yan Zhen looked visibly disappointed. “I’ll go buy one myself in the City of Water.”
“Element Hearts are rare items—you can’t just buy them whenever you want. They usually appear only at auctions, and most are reserved for nobles first.”
“Oh…”
Ye Mei smiled faintly.
“Conveniently, this lady is heading back to the City of Water soon to report last night’s attack. Why doesn’t Little Brother Yan Zhen come along? Visit this lady’s residence. Once I’ve handled my affairs, I’ll procure a Water Element Heart and gift it to you as a token of thanks. What do you say?”
This was exactly the line Yan Zhen had been waiting for.
“It won’t trouble Commander Ye Mei, will it?”
The commander shook her head with a smile.
“This lady lives alone—no trouble at all. So it’s settled? Does Little Brother Yan Zhen have any other matters to attend to? If not, we can set off immediately.”
Yan Zhen nodded in agreement.
Yun Xiu sensed something off but said nothing, silently following along.
They reached the central hub of the bastion, where a massive bird perched in the plaza.
According to the script, this was a Giant Sand Eagle, the superior species among sand eagles and great sand eagles—a Third-Tier Mystic Beast equivalent to an “airplane” in the desert.
Yan Zhen suppressed a powerful urge to retort and followed Ye Mei, mounting the Giant Sand Eagle alongside Yun Xiu.
With Ye Mei needing to hold the reins and Yun Xiu unwilling to press too close to a stranger, Yan Zhen ended up sandwiched between the two women.
The Giant Sand Eagle flapped its wings and shot almost straight into the air before streaking out of the bastion.
High in the sky, the blazing sun scorched everything, while the heat and fierce winds made for Mystic discomfort.
Ye Mei, seated at the front, suddenly turned her head and said,
“If Little Brother Yan Zhen can’t sit steady, you can hold onto this lady~”
Yan Zhen flushed at the teasing and insisted he was fine.
Ye Mei giggled again, clearly finding the teasing amusing.
Yun Xiu’s brows furrowed deeper. After a brief hesitation, she wrapped her arms gently around Yan Zhen’s waist. Her ample chest pressed deliberately against his back, flattening into soft cakes. She even rested her head on his shoulder.
—No one would see them up here, after all.
Yan Zhen’s body stiffened in surprise. A reassuring softness transmitted from his back, while her tender cheek pressed against his neck. Her breaths occasionally brushed his sensitive earlobe, quickly stirring his desires.
The Second Master gradually stirred from slumber, gripping his Crescent Moon Blade, ready to charge into battle.
Ye Mei sensed it first. Her delicate frame trembled lightly as a blush colored her stunning face. Thinking Yan Zhen might be interested in her too, her heart fluttered with both shyness and delight. She secretly anticipated what might come.
The Snake Descendants revered the strong and the beautiful—Yan Zhen possessed both. After his “heroic rescue” last night, she naturally intended to claim him swiftly.
After leaving the bastion, they could already see the sole oasis in the Great Marsh Desert from the air. Its verdant hue stood out starkly amid the yellow sands, like a mirage, almost unreal.
But as they drew nearer, the temperature dropped, the air grew less parched, and lush forests and broad rivers revealed vibrant life. Even their moods brightened.
They arrived at their destination before dusk.
Nestled amid encircling mountains, a vast lake cradled a beautiful city.
From above, rivers and canals crisscrossed the city, lined with docked ships—even shops afloat on boats. It was a scene of thriving prosperity.
One could enter via elevated walkways or directly by water, paths parallel and interconnecting everywhere.
Towering above the sprawling metropolis was the tallest building—the royal palace of the City of Water’s ruler, the Myriad Snake Queen.
Ye Mei guided the Giant Sand Eagle straight into the city. The gate guards recognized the bird’s markings and let them pass without hindrance.
The massive bird landed before a luxurious mansion in the inner city, where maidservants promptly emerged to greet them.
The three dismounted. Ye Mei instructed the servants to stable the Giant Sand Eagle, then led Yan Zhen and Yun Xiu inside. She arranged two adjacent guest rooms for them.
“The day grows late. You two should bathe in your rooms first. This lady has already ordered a banquet prepared. We’ll dine together shortly.”
With that, Ye Mei winked at Yan Zhen and sauntered off, her waist swaying like a water snake.
Yun Xiu caught the Snake Woman’s little gesture, a spark of irritation igniting in her heart.
This Snake Woman clearly had designs on Yan Zhen!
