The Fire Refining Starry Sky was rumored to be a supreme treasure forged by the Ancient Seven Saints. It could capture the Heavenly Extreme Flames of heaven and earth, turning them into one’s own power.
Lady Chen Xi had managed to refine two Extreme Flames precisely because of the Fire Refining Starry Sky’s aid.
No wonder this young man named Yan Zhen had refined three Extreme Flames even before reaching the Mystic Master Realm. It had to be thanks to the Fire Refining Starry Sky.
But what were those three Extreme Flames he’d refined called again?
Yu Shizun recalled the information that the Family Head Yu Lu had sent her about Yan Zhen. It had emphasized that he possessed three Extreme Flames and wielded formidable spiritual power, suggesting he might have considerable Technique Refining Talent.
The unspoken implication was that she should assess his aptitude. If he impressed her, she could teach him the Art Refining Path, giving the Yu Family another Pill Refiner son-in-law.
Those three Extreme Flames were named Gold-Silver Fire, Great Crimson Heaven Flame, and Evil Spirit Dragon Breath Flame.
Yu Shizun narrowed her eyes.
Gold-Silver Fire—that was one of the Extreme Flames under Lady Chen Xi’s command. The medicine cauldron she used had been forged from it as the core material, serving as her signature item!
However, Gold-Silver Fire ranked at the bottom of the Extreme Flame List. It occasionally emerged deep in mine veins due to the resonance between heaven and earth. There might be more than one fire seed, so Yu Shizun didn’t immediately connect it to Lady Chen Xi.
But for both Gold-Silver Fire and the Fire Refining Starry Sky to appear on this young man named Yan Zhen… There could only be one explanation. Lady Chen Xi must have met with misfortune, and this youth had obtained her legacy!
At that thought, Yu Shizun’s expression shifted slightly. She furrowed her brows tightly, and the heart that had always remained aloof now stirred with unease.
She quickly regained her composure.
No, Lady Chen Xi was no ordinary figure. Even if disaster had befallen her, she would surely have left contingencies.
Yu Shizun turned her gaze back to the pair frolicking intimately inside the stone chamber.
Yan Zhen had lowered Mentor Yu Xuan’s legs. He pulled her upright and onto his lap, so they sat facing each other, pressed close. Mentor Yu Xuan wrapped her legs tightly around her lover’s waist and eagerly sought his lips, their passion burning hot.
Yan Zhen cupped Mentor Yu Xuan’s rear, about to move, when a ripple stirred in the space before him. From it emerged a stunning figure shrouded in watery blue light, her face veiled in white gauze. Her jade feet touched down silently amid splashes of water, and she looked down at him imperiously.
Yan Zhen blinked, wondering if he was hallucinating. Then a voice rang directly in his mind:
“Stay quiet. This Seat has a few questions for you.”
Yan Zhen froze for a moment. Then his already flushed face turned an even deeper crimson, his ears burning as if scalded.
Holy crap, Yu Shizun! No way! When had she returned?
“Rain—”
He tried to speak, but no sound came out. Yu Shizun’s voice continued in his mind:
“Don’t call out. Carry on with what you were doing. Just answer This Seat’s questions truthfully. Depending on your answers, This Seat might consider overlooking your offense.”
Yan Zhen’s heart pounded wildly. He felt utterly numb.
Getting caught red-handed doing something like this in an elder’s cave abode—what an embarrassment.
But Yu Shizun didn’t seem too angry. What was going on?
“Yan Zhen?”
Her lover had suddenly stilled, leaving Mentor Yu Xuan puzzled. She opened her eyes to see his adorably flushed face, which only stoked her desire further. Assuming he wanted her to take the lead, she twisted her hips vigorously. She had no idea that Yu Shizun stood right behind her, watching.
Yan Zhen didn’t dare move or warn Mentor Yu Xuan. He could only let her continue her fervent motions.
Yu Shizun fixed her gaze on Yan Zhen and transmitted with her spiritual power:
“Where did the crystal pendant around your neck come from?”
Hearing that, Yan Zhen understood at once. So Yu Shizun had recognized the Fire Refining Starry Sky.
The script had a scene just like this—but not now. It happened after Yan Zhen entered the Jialan Holy Land.
By then, he was already the Yu Family’s “prospective son-in-law.” Introduced by the family and thanks to his top score in the assessment, he smoothly joined Rain God Peak—one of the Seven Peaks—and became an Upper Peak disciple. He trained under a kindly elder.
Though he received plenty of favor, he rarely saw Yu Shizun.
That changed during one incident. While Yan Zhen was practicing Body Refining alone, he clashed with someone. Though he won the fight, his opponent had ties to the Enforcement Team and called them over. They tried to haul Yan Zhen away without a word, only for him to beat them down too.
The commotion grew, alarming Yu Shizun, who had just emerged from seclusion.
Yan Zhen had been shirtless at the time, so Yu Shizun spotted the crystal pendant around his neck—the Fire Refining Starry Sky that had once belonged to his Beautiful Female Master.
He had planned to play dumb, but the Beautiful Female Master projected herself and acknowledged Yu Shizun.
That was when Yan Zhen learned Yu Shizun was an old acquaintance of his Beautiful Female Master.
…
Yan Zhen snapped out of his reverie. Enduring the intense pleasure, he glanced at Yu Shizun, his eyes thoughtful.
The plot had advanced so much. Should he answer honestly or try to bluff his way through?
In the script, he played dumb until the Beautiful Female Master revealed herself.
But things had diverged from the script. She hadn’t projected even once since the beginning. Instead, Yan Zhen had entered the Fire Refining Starry Sky to receive her guidance.
What if she didn’t come out? Should he summon her? But he was in the middle of having a good time with Mentor Yu Xuan, and his Beautiful Female Master was jealous of her. It could get messy.
Seeing him silent, Yu Shizun seemed to ponder, then continued transmitting:
“They say you have a spatial secret treasure on you. Is that this item?”
Yan Zhen’s hands steadied Mentor Yu Xuan’s slender waist, slowing her movements. He still hesitated on whether to admit it.
Yu Shizun stared at him sharply:
“You don’t have to say anything. This Seat recognizes it. This item is called the Fire Refining Starry Sky, a secret treasure forged by the Ancient Seven Saints. It can gather the Heavenly Extreme Flames of heaven and earth for one’s use. The Fire Refining Starry Sky was originally ownerless. The first to claim it was the legendary female Pill Refiner from the Eighth Continent, Lady Chen Xi. It stayed with her ever since. Little one, what is your connection to Lady Chen Xi?”
Yan Zhen felt a flush of embarrassment. After a moment’s hesitation, he timidly transmitted back:
“Lady Chen Xi is my master.”
Somehow, invoking his Beautiful Female Master’s name in this situation felt disrespectful to her.
Something like:
Lady Chen Xi’s disciple is such a lecher!
“Your master…”
Yu Shizun thought, As expected. She wasn’t sure if Yan Zhen had formally been taken as a disciple or merely inherited her legacy, but that wasn’t the key point.
“Do you know where Lady Chen Xi is now or how she fares?”
Yan Zhen replied warily:
“Does Yu Shizun know my master?”
Yu Shizun nodded slightly:
“Lady Chen Xi saved This Seat’s life and gave This Seat enlightenment. This Seat has always wanted to see her again and repay the debt. But she vanished from the world years ago. With the vastness of the lands, This Seat had no way to find her.”
The wariness faded slightly from Yan Zhen’s face. After hesitating, he transmitted:
“Actually, Master is inside the Fire Refining Starry Sky.”
“What? Inside the Fire Refining Starry Sky?”
Shock flickered across Yu Shizun’s face, softening her usual detachment. Her cold gaze settled on the crystal pendant, a hint of agitation gleaming in her eyes.
Lady Chen Xi is here?
