Long Ying, who had woken up long ago, didn’t dare utter a word.
—What the heck? Is the Green-Haired Woman actually fooling around with Yan Zhen Zhen? Should I, should I stop her?
—No way, that’s way too embarrassing, way too scary. The Green-Haired Woman really is a total jerk!
—Yan Zhen Zhen, don’t you dare lose to the Green-Haired Woman!
Though Long Ying had grown over a dozen years and gained a trace of the Dragon-Phoenix Divine Beast’s domineering presence, she was still an innocent novice in matters like this. Believing Zi Xunyi had seen through her disguise, she felt more than a little intimidated facing Huangfu Wenqing, another reincarnator just like her.
The reason Long Ying hadn’t been upfront with Yan Zhen was that she wanted to get close to him naturally under her loli guise. If he saw through it, he might start keeping his distance.
Long Ying fretted anxiously, but Huangfu Wenqing was completely immersed in the delight of “bullying” Yan Zhen. She meticulously replicated the techniques from her memories of her master’s lessons, just as she had received guidance during their usual training sessions.
With her exceptional talent, Huangfu Wenqing quickly mastered the skills. Her fingers and palm moved rhythmically, even incorporating Wind Mystic Power to assist.
The light and nimble Wind Mystic Power brought a softness like clouds, gradually stripping away Yan Zhen’s ability to think straight.
—This sensation feels just like Yun Xiu’s technique from before!
The thought sparked four big characters in his mind, sending a massive thrill through Yan Zhen’s heart. In that instant, he lost all control.
“Wenqing!”
“Mm~”
Feeling a sudden heat on her hand, Huangfu Wenqing finally stopped. She looked down, her beautiful eyes sparkling with curiosity.
—So this is Yan Zhen’s…
She raised her hand to her face and examined it intently, even giving a little sniff.
It wasn’t as gross as the books described. The intense scent was intoxicating, like savoring fine liquor.
—Master did this afterward, I remember…
Huangfu Wenqing blinked, then took out a handkerchief from her person and wiped her hand. She tenderly cleaned up Yan Zhen from top to bottom, her movements gentle and meticulous, like a devoted little wife caring for her husband.
“Is this okay now, Yan Zhen?”
Yan Zhen gave a helpless, bitter smile.
“Don’t do that again—at least not here.”
Huangfu Wenqing smiled shyly.
“Then we’ll wait until we’re alone together.”
“Ahem, I… I’m going to meditate.”
“Mm.”
An hour later, Yan Zhen finished regulating his breathing. His Mystic Power had recovered to about seventy or eighty percent, and he opened his eyes again.
Long Ying was already awake. The three women sat at the table, enjoying freshly made pastries.
The Loli Dragon Girl was just about to stuff a pastry into her mouth when she heard Yan Zhen getting out of bed. She whipped her head around first, beaming happily.
“You’re better now, Yan Zhen Zhen?”
Yan Zhen walked over and ruffled Long Ying’s little head.
“Pretty much. Thanks for last night—I didn’t know you were that strong.”
Long Ying lifted her little chin proudly.
“Of course! I am the one and only Dragon-Phoenix Divine Beast in the world. A few Mystic Kings are nothing to me!”
“Good, good—the world’s only Dragon-Phoenix Divine Beast. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to the dining hall for a feast.”
“Really? Promise you won’t go back on it!”
Yan Zhen glanced at his fiancée and his future wife, sensing the awkward tension in the air.
“Uh…”
Huangfu Wenqing shot to her feet and said to Yan Zhen, “Now that your injuries have healed, we should head back. No need to keep bothering them here.”
Zi Xunyi could clearly hear the shade in her words. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she replied coolly, “Wen Canglan will definitely come after you again. My advice is to stay here for now until the Grand Elder returns.”
“No need. I’ll move in here with Yan Zhen. If that Wen guy dares show up, he’ll regret it!”
“With your Six-Star Mystic Master cultivation?”
“Of course it’s more than that.”
Huangfu Wenqing formed a sword with her fingers and swiped at her storage ring, summoning a small flying sword about as thick as her finger.
The little flying sword hovered in the air, radiating powerful Mystic Power fluctuations.
“This is a special Wind Sword Talisman from Cloud Heaven Palace. Once activated by a secret method, it unleashes a strike rivaling a Mystic King powerhouse’s full force.”
Zi Xunyi scoffed and released her Mystic Power seal, unleashing the domineering aura of a Mystic King powerhouse. “I am a Mystic King!”
“Even if you’re a Mystic Lord, it won’t matter!” Huangfu Wenqing snorted. “You were right there last night, but Yan Zhen still got hurt, and that Wen guy walked away scot-free. Even this rice bucket is stronger than you!”
Long Ying, mid-bite on her pastry, froze.
—Me?
“Don’t give me that—you weren’t even there. What right do you have to say any of this?” Zi Xunyi remained unmoved. “Even Little Long Ying rushed over first to save the day. You? You knew nothing, but you’ve got plenty of armchair criticism.”
Long Ying swallowed her pastry and furrowed her little brows, looking displeased.
—Fight if you’re gonna fight, why drag me into it?
Yan Zhen patted the Loli Dragon Girl’s head, signaling her to just keep eating peacefully. But both women turned to him in unison and asked,
“Yan Zhen, where are you going to stay?”
Yan Zhen was put on the spot. His fiancée on one side, his future wife on the other—picking either felt wrong.
“How about I just go cultivate in the Firmament Nine-Story Tower?”
Fights broke out occasionally in the tower, but no one dared escalate, or the guarding elders would handle it strictly. Even Wen Canglan wouldn’t risk it.
“No way. Tomorrow’s the day the General Star List updates. Since you beat White Fang’s Fu Cheng, you’ll take his spot, and all sorts of trouble will come knocking. Your wounds aren’t fully healed—better not show your face yet.”
“I’m worried Wen Canglan might send his gang to harass you. Alone, it’ll be a hassle. Stay here with me.”
“No, Yan Zhen should live with me.”
“It’s safer here.”
Yan Zhen ruffled his hair in frustration.
Long Ying couldn’t stand it anymore and piped up, “How about a compromise? Let the Green-Haired Woman move in here with us. Problem solved!”
Both women froze for a moment, then blurted out almost simultaneously,
“No way!”
Long Ying rolled her eyes at them. “If this won’t work and that won’t work, Yan Zhen Zhen will be super troubled!”
This… The two women looked at Yan Zhen and saw his genuinely troubled expression. Their hearts instantly softened.
Huangfu Wenqing thought to herself that she currently held the advantage. Even Zi Xunyi, the biggest winner from her previous life, couldn’t stir up much trouble now.
Zi Xunyi figured Yan Zhen was destined to be hers—they even had a daughter together. She could let this so-called fiancée bounce around for a bit.
“Since Little Long Ying put it that way, let’s each compromise a step,” Zi Xunyi said graciously. “There’s plenty of rooms in the building anyway.”
Huangfu Wenqing bit her lip. Her line had been stolen, making her seem petty by comparison.
“Fine, compromise it is—as long as Yan Zhen is happy!”
Yan Zhen breathed a sigh of relief and shot Long Ying a grateful look.
Though the rice bucket loli turning into a sensible one felt a bit off, being sensible had its perks. She even spoke up for him at the key moment.
Still, with his fiancée and future wife living together, Yan Zhen had a bad feeling about this.
He hoped the Grand Elder would return soon.
