“Huuu~”
Soaking in the scalding hot water, Yan Zhen let out a long breath, as if expelling all his weariness in one go.
When he opened his eyes, he saw the four women, clad in sheer gauze garments, slipping into the bath after him. Two in front, two behind, they surrounded him completely.
Yan Meng’er and Mi Xue’er sat one on each of his thighs up front, each taking one of his arms to wash it meticulously. Meanwhile, Yan Ruyu and Xiao Xinyan worked on his back from behind, their delicate hands gliding over his skin, gradually easing the tension from his body.
At this rate, he might just turn into a total slacker… It felt way too good.
“Little Brother Yan Zhen, did the Yu Family agree to let you marry your master on that trip?”
“Not yet. I just tricked them by saying I’d join their family as a live-in son-in-law.”
“The Yu Family is matrilineal; they never let their heirs marry out. It might be pretty tough.”
“Tough or not, I’ve got to push for it.”
“You’re right. I’m sure your master has made up her mind too.”
“Did they give you a hard time at least?”
“Nope, or else I wouldn’t have gotten this Yu Family waist token—Anyway, enough about that. How’s your cultivation coming along?”
“Hee hee, Meng’er hit Three-Star Mystic Scholar!”
“Nice.”
“Little Brother Yan Zhen, your big sis is a Three-Star Mystic Scholar too!”
“Not bad.”
“Sorry, Junior Brother Yan Zhen… I-I’m only a Two-Star Mystic Scholar.”
“Keep at it.”
“I’m at Four-Star Mystic Scholar now.”
“Hm?”
Yan Zhen twisted his head to look back, only for Yan Ruyu to push his face forward again. He asked in surprise, “Cousin, weren’t you at Three-Star Mystic Scholar?”
“To avoid trouble, I hid one star. Xue’er did the same.”
“Ah?”
“Heh heh, habit.” Mi Xue’er gave an awkward smile. “Actually, I’m Four-Star too.”
“???”
Rising two stars in a month was already impressive—how were they jumping three stars? Their talents weren’t that monstrous. Back in the day, even he hadn’t surged three stars in a month… well, except that one time he did, so whatever.
No, wait. As the protagonist, he was supposed to be ahead. They were just the heroines—how could they keep up?
Senior Sister Xinyan rising one star in a month was the most normal!
“Rising too fast isn’t always good. Your mystic power feels a bit unstable.”
“Yeah, so I’ve been practicing movement techniques with A-Zhen lately.”
“I’ve been sparring with others too.”
“Once you’ve fully stabilized your mystic power, keep cultivating. I’ve prepared some Major Yuan Pills for you, plus leftover Fire Crystal Ore. Meng’er and Cousin, take them. Shame there’s no Ice Crystal Ore or Thunder Crystal Ore; we’ll have to substitute something else.”
“No need to go to such trouble. The pills are plenty.”
“I’m focusing more on Mystic Techniques now. Cultivation can come step by step—no need to worry about me, Junior Brother Yan Zhen.”
“And you, Yan Zhen?”
“I’ve advanced a bit quick too. I’m at Six-Star Mystic Master now, almost Seven-Star. I want to hold it back, wait past this month. I crave getting stronger fast, but for the long term, better to play it safe.”
“Smart thinking. That’s the best mindset.”
Yan Ruyu nodded in agreement, followed by Yan Meng’er and Mi Xue’er chiming in. Only Xiao Xinyan stayed quiet—she was the sole non-reincarnator here, lacking the experience and insight of the powerhouses, so she had nothing to add on this.
“Alright, enough talk. You’re rubbing me so good I’m gonna fall asleep and turn into a salted fish~”
Yan Zhen leaned back, caught in a crossed embrace by Yan Ruyu and Xiao Xinyan on either side. He spread his arms in turn, looping them around their slim waists. The two women nestled in obediently, filling him with Mystic satisfaction.
The wet gauze clung to their supple skin like a second layer—or none at all—silky to the touch while visually accentuating their alluring curves.
Heat stirred in Yan Zhen’s chest. With his arms around the pair on his sides, his gaze fixed greedily on Yan Meng’er and Mi Xue’er in front.
“Meng’er, Senior Sister Xue’er, scoot closer.”
The two were already perched duck-sitting on his thighs. At his words, they bent their knees and inched forward.
Yan Zhen felt himself sinking into a paradise of tenderness, succumbing bit by bit until he melted fully into the embrace of all four women…
Night deepened, the bright moon hung high. In the independent dormitory, only the central room on the second floor glowed with light. Any passerby would spot flickering shadows dancing across the window.
Inside, the bathwater had turned murky; its occupants had migrated to the bed at the room’s far end.
The commotion didn’t die down until the moon reached its zenith.
Yan Zhen glanced at the four women sleeping peacefully on the bed, tucked them in, then poured himself a cup of water at the table and downed it in one gulp.
A lingering heat still burned inside him, the dragon mark glowing bright and scorching—it clearly craved more.
Yan Zhen sighed, wondering if he was a power fantasy protagonist or an erotica game lead. Had he veered into the wrong kind of “braver with every battle”?
—Should he head to the Fire Refining Starry Sky?
A little coquetry and cuteness, and his beautiful master would surely help… but that’d disrespect her!
Another sigh. He held back, gave his body a quick wipe-down, and climbed into bed.
—Time for a dream. Off to find the mature Zi Xunyi.
In the Purple Flower Sea Dream Realm, Yan Zhen sent out a mental call for Zi Ji.
Soon, ripples spread through the dream space, and the mature Zi Xunyi appeared. Seeing her husband after so many days, joy flooded her heart.
“Husband, you’re back? Young me said you went to the Yu Family—did it go smoothly?”
Yan Zhen pulled the mature Zi Xunyi into his arms, greedily inhaling her fragrance.
“I’ve missed you, Zi Ji.”
