After his morning practice, Yan Zhen enjoyed a steamy hot bath attended by the four women. Afterward, he headed alone to the Artifact Spirit society to collect the four Mystic artifacts he had ordered the day before.
They were all top-quality Tier 3 Mystic artifacts. Yan Zhen inspected them once over, paid the points without hesitation, and stowed them away. He brought them back to Yan Huang headquarters, ignited the Great Crimson Heaven Flame, and reforged each one. Only then did he hand them over to the four women.
Having been tempered by the Great Crimson Heaven Flame, the Mystic artifacts had improved even further in quality, with significantly enhanced durability.
The four women examined their new treasures and nodded in satisfaction.
Yan Meng’er suddenly spoke up. “Cousin, since you gave us these Mystic artifacts, why don’t you name them for us too?”
Mi Xue’er immediately chimed in with approval. “Great idea! These artifacts don’t have names yet anyway, so you do the honors, Little Brother Yan Zhen.”
Yan Ruyu and Xiao Xinyan both turned to Yan Zhen, their eyes filled with anticipation.
Seeing this, Yan Zhen didn’t refuse. He pondered for a moment and came up with four names in turn.
For the dual blades: Shadow Dream.
For the longsword: Red Jade.
For the hand crossbow: Blowing Snow.
For the long whip: Heartless.
The four women were delighted. They clutched their new Mystic artifacts close, murmuring the names Yan Zhen had given them over and over.
This was the first time Yan Zhen had formally gifted them anything. More than the artifacts’ value, the gesture held deep sentimental meaning.
“Little Brother Yan Zhen, I’ll treasure it always,” Mi Xue’er said.
Yan Zhen chuckled wryly. “What’s there to treasure? These are weapons—meant to be used properly. When I have time later, I’ll forge Tier 4 or even Tier 5 Mystic artifacts for you.”
“Really? Promise?”
“Enough talk—let’s test the feel of these artifacts. I’ll be your sparring partner. Who’s first?”
The four women exchanged glances. Then Yan Ruyu and Xiao Xinyan volunteered almost in unison.
“I’ll go first.”
They paused and looked at each other. Yan Ruyu said politely, “Senior Sister Xinyan, please go ahead.”
“No, you first, Ruyu.” Xiao Xinyan’s tone carried a deeper meaning. “After all, you’re always last.”
Yan Meng’er and Mi Xue’er burst into giggles, covering their mouths.
Yan Ruyu was known for her clinginess, so she was always last during their intimate nights with Yan Zhen. By the time she finished, the other three had recovered enough for a second round.
Yan Ruyu’s face flushed crimson, but she had no rebuttal. She silently stepped forward with Red Jade in hand, drew the sword, assumed a stance, and murmured, “I’m coming at you. Ready?”
Yan Zhen stood at ease. “Bring it.”
“You dare underestimate me!” Yan Ruyu bit her lip, bristling with defiance. “Don’t think being a Mystic General makes you invincible. Watch out—I might stab a hole right through you!”
“Come on~” Yan Zhen grinned. “If you can’t poke me, then it’s my turn to poke you.”
Freshly embarrassed, Yan Ruyu grew even more flustered. Fire mystic power surged from her body into Red Jade.
The originally dark red blade began to glow with a soft luminescence, resembling polished red jade.
She pulled the sword back, aimed the tip at Yan Zhen, and gathered mystic power at the point. With a thrust, she struck like a shattering force!
Sword Three: Momentum Breaker!
This was the version Yan Zhen had refined in his previous life!
Its power was already formidable, and with Red Jade’s enhancement, it could now threaten even a Mystic General.
Unfazed, Yan Zhen extended his right hand. Extreme Flame Mystic Power alone halted the sword’s advance until the mystic power on Red Jade was depleted.
He released his grip, letting Yan Ruyu withdraw her blade. A faint sting lingered in his palm as he commented, “Stronger power now. How does it feel, Cousin Ruyu?”
Yan Ruyu sheathed her sword with a light huff. “Smoother execution, less mystic power drain.”
“Probably infused with some decent-quality fire crystal stones,” Yan Zhen speculated. “As long as it feels right. Who’s next?”
Xiao Xinyan stepped past Yan Ruyu, Heartless Whip in hand, positioning herself before Yan Zhen. “Watch closely, Junior Brother Yan Zhen.”
Yan Zhen suppressed a laugh. “Lightning Five Consecutive Whips, right? Come on!”
Xiao Xinyan’s eyes sharpened. Crackling thunder mystic power erupted around her, coiling onto the silver whip.
Heartless Whip earned its name because, when infused with mystic power, it elongated, expanding its reach and obscuring its center of gravity and power source.
With a flick, Xiao Xinyan sent the lightning-flaring silver whip shooting forth like a striking viper. Midway, it abruptly curved, lashing viciously at Yan Zhen from the side.
Yan Zhen spread his spiritual sense and merely shifted his body to evade the strike perfectly. But the moment the thunder whip hit the ground, it rebounded, pursuing him relentlessly.
The “Five Consecutive Whips” relied on this “rebound” effect.
The elasticity allowed seamless transitions at blinding speed, overwhelming reactions. Even if the eyes kept up, the thunder mystic power’s numbing trait slowed the limbs, leaving one to take the hits helplessly.
Yet Yan Zhen unleashed Starry Sky Dance, stepping on points of starlight. In five fluid steps, he dodged all five whips without a single graze.
Snap! Snap! Snap! Snap! Snap!
The thunder whip struck five times beside Yan Zhen’s feet, leaving charred marks in a perfect pentagram.
The five strikes missed entirely. Yan Zhen emerged unscathed, while Xiao Xinyan’s arm began to ache.
This rebound technique burdened the user’s arm heavily—not ideal for a woman, despite Xiao Xinyan’s high cultivation. Her physique was still relatively frail; five or six consecutive uses would leave her arm too sore to lift.
She dispersed her thunder mystic power, reeled in Heartless Whip, and massaged her forearm. “Junior Brother Yan Zhen, what body technique is that? So elegant, fast, and elusive—my eyes couldn’t track it.”
Yan Zhen answered honestly. “Starry Sky Dance, a Saint-Tier body technique. Master it, and you can cross space itself.”
“S-Saint-Tier?” Xiao Xinyan gaped. “Using something like that is just bullying me.”
“We’re not sparring for real—just testing the artifact’s feel. No bullying here. How’s the whip handling?”
“Excellent. Great flexibility, pairs perfectly with thunder mystic power.”
Yan Zhen nodded and turned to the remaining two.
“My turn now.”
Mi Xue’er whistled sharply. The Tianshan Snow Eagle dozing on the roof snapped awake, soared into the sky, circled once, then dove like an eagle snatching a chicken. It seized Mi Xue’er and hoisted her into the air.
Mi Xue’er gripped one of its talons with her left hand and Blowing Snow Crossbow with her right. Ice Mystic force condensed an icy arrow on the bow, aimed at Yan Zhen.
“Little Brother Yan Zhen, come chase me! Catch me, and I’ll let you… mmph~”
Yan Zhen rolled his eyes and leaped skyward on starlight, closing in rapidly.
Mi Xue’er panicked briefly, triggered the mechanism to loose her ice arrow, and commanded the Tianshan Snow Eagle to retreat, widening the gap.
This was her signature Kiting Flow from her past life: retreat when the enemy advanced, advance when they retreated, poking until the foe dropped. Deadly effective against anyone below Mystic King Realm.
