This side effect had originally been just a minor issue. As Yan Zhen’s cultivation grew stronger, it would gradually fade away on its own.
But not long afterward, he would be forced into a situation where he had no choice but to refine the Great Crimson Heaven Flame. In other words, while still in the Mystic Master Realm, he would consecutively refine two Extreme Flames in a very short time.
The strain proved too much for his body to handle. His Mystic Power went berserk, nearly causing him to explode from the inside out.
Fortunately, the Great Crimson Heaven Flame itself possessed the power to temper the physique. By sheer luck, Yan Zhen managed to preserve his life—and his Body Realm received a tremendous boost as well.
However, that explosive growth in his Body Realm made his vitality surge far beyond normal limits. This, in turn, amplified the side effects of the Evil Spirit Dragon Breath Flame. When confronted by the naked and weakened Myriad Snake Queen, his reason utterly failed to rein in his primal instincts, leading him to do what he did.
Cough, cough. In any case, it was a plot necessity, so there was no need to dwell on it for now.
Yan Zhen did his best to put on a show of “I’m really fine,” even casually pulling out a pack of sour plums to munch on.
Chen Xi, however, wasn’t convinced. She knew all too well that his current state was like dry tinder to a spark—one little flame, and everything would ignite.
“Zhen’er, come here.”
“Oh, alright.”
Yan Zhen stowed away the sour plums and obediently scooted over to sit before his beautiful master. He knelt properly, his face adorably cute.
Chen Xi carefully studied her disciple’s face. Though he had been exposed to the desert sun, his skin remained fair and clean. His features were still a touch youthful—better described as delicate and handsome than ruggedly striking. The only real change was in his eyes: the flames flickering in his pupils had taken on a subtle vertical slit, like a dragon’s, and they occasionally gleamed with an eerie light.
Fortunately, Yan Zhen’s nature was pure and kind. That eerie aura couldn’t tamper with his will; instead, it tempered his spiritual power, forging it stronger.
She gently stroked his head and said mildly, “Zhen’er, have you been intimate with Yun Xiu again these past few days?”
Yan Zhen hadn’t expected his beautiful master to ask so directly. His face flushed bright red, and he admitted guiltily, “Once.”
Chen Xi let out a soft sigh. “Couldn’t hold back even that much?”
Yan Zhen honestly owned up to his mistake, without mentioning that it had been Yun Xiu who initiated. “I’m sorry, Master. I must have disappointed you.”
“It’s not entirely your fault, Zhen’er. With the dragon’s power boosting you, it’s only natural to lose control sometimes.” She paused, then continued, “Why don’t you stay here with me for a while? If the urge strikes, Master can help you take care of it. Would that be alright?”
Ah, this…
“No need, Master. I’m really fine.”
“What, is Master not good enough?” Chen Xi narrowed her eyes. “But Yun Xiu is?”
“N-No, that’s not it at all! It’s just… I have things I need to do. Actually, I heard that the Great Crimson Heaven Flame is in the Red Sand Scorpion Lord’s lair. I’m planning to sneak in and steal it once the time is right.”
Yan Zhen had expected his beautiful master to be surprised, but her reaction was utterly calm—as if she’d known all along.
“In that case, we’ll just have to distract you another way.”
“Master, are you going to teach me something?”
Chen Xi smiled faintly. “Do you remember me telling you to forge the Gold-Silver Fire into a natal weapon?”
Yan Zhen’s eyes sparkled brightly. “Master, are you going to teach me artifact forging?”
“Your spiritual power has already reached the Manifest Realm, and you’ve mastered the true Condense Fire into Sword technique. You meet all the basic requirements for forging.”
“Then teach me—quick!”
“Don’t rush. Listen carefully. Forging an Extreme Flame into a sword is different from simply condensing fire into a blade. You’ll need to purchase specific materials and fuse them into the flames, allowing them to blend perfectly. Only then can you create a true sword. Once it’s formed, the sword will be perfectly attuned to your mind, responding like an extension of your own arm—and it’ll be far easier to give birth to a sword spirit.”
“What materials do I need? I’ll go buy them right now.”
“I’ll write down the list of materials for you later. First things first: you need to shape the fire seed of the Gold-Silver Fire into a sword embryo. And for that, you’ll need the aid of a third symbol.”
“Which one?”
“Take a guess, Zhen’er.”
“Uh… Metal Symbol?”
“Wrong.”
“Wood Symbol?”
“It’s the Water Symbol,” Chen Xi said. “Where water and fire meet, it’s like the fusion of yin and yang—only then can the sword embryo take physical form. Go ahead and draw the Water Symbol now, Zhen’er. With the strength of your Manifest Realm Divine Soul, it should only take you two or three days.”
【Ding! Key plot triggered】
System-chan issued the task “Draw the Water Symbol.”
Although Yan Zhen’s spiritual power had reached the Manifest Realm—enough to handle a third symbol—the nine symbols of the Ancestral Symbol Scripture grew progressively harder to draw. More precisely, they were difficult to stabilize; they would form only to scatter immediately afterward.
This time, Yan Zhen didn’t use a brush. Instead, he directly manifested his spiritual power and drew the symbol in the void.
He kept at it until evening, when his mind began to grow hazy, before finally stopping.
It would probably be complete the day after tomorrow.
“Master, I’m feeling a bit dizzy.”
“Lie down on Master’s lap right away. I’ll give you a head massage.”
Yan Zhen obediently lay back, pillowing his head on his beautiful master’s plump, lustrous jade legs. The soft, yielding flesh felt like clouds cradling the back of his skull. Simply resting there was pure bliss.
Under her gentle massage, Yan Zhen drifted off to sleep in no time.
He didn’t know how much time passed before his consciousness slowly stirred. The dizzy, bloated feeling in his head was gone, replaced by waves of delightful pleasure rising from below—enough to make him sink into a haze of bliss.
It was the grip of five fingers wrapped around him, the friction of a warm palm sliding from base to tip, then back down again. Each stroke sent a jolt of electric ecstasy racing through his limbs.
Yan Zhen opened his eyes and found a luscious, ripe red fruit dangling right before him, instantly perking him up even more.
“M-Master…”
“You’re awake, Zhen’er?”
As she spoke, Yan Zhen felt his head being lifted by his beautiful master’s arm. The tender fruit moved toward his lips of its own accord.
“Eat up. Once you’re full, you’ll have your strength back.”
Breathing in his beautiful master’s intoxicating fragrance, Yan Zhen opened his mouth and took hold of it. He closed his eyes again, his entire body slowly relaxing.
Meanwhile, deep into the night, in the sleeping palace.
The Myriad Snake Queen and Yun Xiu had bathed and changed into loose sleeping robes before returning to the bedroom. They sat on the bed, waiting for Yan Zhen to emerge.
The two women glared at each other, each wearing an expression that said, “Look who’s embarrassed now.”
But they waited and waited, with no sign of Yan Zhen coming out.
“Looks like he’s worried you’ll feel awkward, so he stayed put. How thoughtful of him.”
“What’s there for me to feel awkward about? He’s clearly concerned you won’t be able to handle it.”
“Still acting tough… Fine, then. This Monarch will send Yan’er to call him out. I hope you don’t run off later.”
The Myriad Snake Queen released the seal on her Sea of Consciousness. There she saw her daughter squatting in a corner, muttering to herself while drawing circles on the ground.
“Yan’er—”
“—La la la, not listening! Tortoise chanting scriptures!” Yan Yan clamped her hands over her ears. “Mother Concubine is a big dummy!”
“Cough, cough. Yan’er, go into the Fire Refining Starry Sky and find your Ancestor Chen Xi. Tell your father emperor to come out and go to sleep.”
“No—huh? Fire Refining Starry Sky? Ancestor Chen Xi?” Yan Yan’s big, watery eyes—which so resembled Yan Zhen’s—sparkled brightly. “Okay, okay! I’m going in right now!”
