Normally, entering Jialan Holy Land required passing the annual Graduation Trial.
There were exceptions, however, for prodigious students who had reached the Mystic King Realm. They could join the Holy Land directly upon their mentor’s recommendation, skipping the trial altogether.
Someone like Yan Zhen, with his connections, was even less of an issue. Yu Shizun had already reserved a spot for him on Rain God Peak.
After returning to Holy Land Academy, Yan Zhen spent one night in Yan Huang Tower. The next day, under Elder Yu Yan’s guidance, he set off for Jialan Holy Land, accompanied by Long Ying.
Jialan Holy Land wasn’t far from Holy Land Academy; a vast forest separated the two, and crossing it led straight to the Holy Land’s back gate.
The Holy Land boasted ten Inverted Peaks. Seven of them belonged to the Jialan Seven Sages, while the remaining three were claimed by the Jialan Saint Lord and the reclusive Grand Elders who rarely emerged from seclusion.
Each of the seven Suspended Peaks had corresponding disciple peaks and elder peaks attached. The latter two were not inverted but ordinary mountains.
Disciples in the Holy Land were divided into three tiers: Lower Peak, Middle Peak, and Upper Peak, corresponding to the Mystic General, Mystic King, and Mystic Lord Realms respectively. The chief disciple of each peak could vie for the position of Saint Son, though it generally required Mystic Ancestor cultivation to stand a real chance.
As for Elder Peak, each had ten elders assisting the peak lord in managing affairs, with deacons handling the specifics in a clearly delineated division of labor.
Rain God Peak, one of the seven peaks, belonged to the Yu Shizun. Fine rain fell there year-round, clearing only occasionally.
The flying skiff carrying Yan Zhen, Long Ying, and Elder Yu Yan came to a gentle halt atop Rain God Peak. As soon as the three disembarked, they hurriedly erected shields of mystic power to ward off the rain.
Surprisingly, the moment they raised their shields, the rain stopped.
Elder Yu Yan smiled warmly. “It seems the Supreme has sensed our arrival and stopped the rain especially for us—or rather, for you, Little Yan Zhen. Hurry and pay your respects.”
The trio ascended along the stone steps and arrived at Rain God Hall.
Within the grand hall, the Yu Shizun sat poised on the main seat, her face veiled and her demeanor cool and aloof. Standing attentively at her side was Mentor Yu Xuan, whom Yan Zhen hadn’t seen in some time.
Mentor Yu Xuan wore a flowing water-blue gown befitting Rain God Peak. Her black-outside, blue-within hair was styled in princess braids. She’d removed the decorative glasses, and her blue eyes fixed intently on Yan Zhen, the corners of her mouth twitching upward as she struggled to contain her joy.
They hadn’t seen each other since their night of intimacy, and even messaging talismans had failed to connect them. Her heart had ached with longing.
After the formal greetings, the Yu Shizun looked Yan Zhen up and down before speaking. “You are Lady Chen Xi’s disciple. This Seat has no qualification to teach you, but I can offer some guidance nonetheless. From now on, stay on Rain God Peak and cultivate alongside Xuan’er. Once you reach the Mystic Lord Realm, you can compete for the chief disciple position.”
Yan Zhen nodded. “Thank you for your favor, Yu Shizun.”
Yu Shizun inclined her head slightly. “Go now. When you have the chance, convey This Seat’s regards to Lady Chen Xi.”
Yan Zhen clasped his fists in salute, then turned to Mentor Yu Xuan.
Unable to wait a moment longer, Mentor Yu Xuan pushed off with her toes and threw herself into her lover’s arms, right in front of the Yu Shizun and Elder Yu Yan.
“Yan Zhen!”
Yan Zhen opened his arms with a laugh, catching Mentor Yu Xuan securely.
The two embraced tightly.
“I’ve missed you so much, Yan Zhen.”
“I’ve missed you too, Mentor.”
They held each other for a good long while before reluctantly parting. Had the setting been more private, they surely would have shared a deep kiss first.
Noticing the Yu Shizun and Elder Yu Yan watching them, Mentor Yu Xuan’s pretty face flushed. She took Yan Zhen’s arm and said, “Come on, Yan Zhen. I’ll show you to your quarters.”
Yan Zhen murmured his assent, took Long Ying’s hand, and they headed out together.
Long Ying eyed Mentor Yu Xuan, finally recalling her identity. “Sister Yu Xuan, are you a reincarnator too?”
Mentor Yu Xuan replied gently, “Yes, I am. Hello, Your Highness Long Ying.”
Long Ying asked warily, “W-What’s your relationship with Yan Zhen Zhen?”
Mentor Yu Xuan chuckled. “Me? I’m Yan Zhen’s fiancée now.”
Fiancée?!
Long Ying stared in shock. In her previous life, Sister Yu Xuan and Yan Zhen Zhen hadn’t been anywhere near this close. She must have used her reincarnator advantage to get close to him.
Everyone seemed to be doing the same.
The problem was, whether it was the green-haired bad woman or these other unfamiliar sisters, they’d all succeeded. Yet she, who had been especially close to Yan Zhen Zhen in her past life, was still treated like a child, making zero progress compared to before.
Something had gone terribly wrong!
…
Mentor Yu Xuan could tell that Long Ying’s feelings for Yan Zhen were anything but ordinary.
She remembered how, in their previous lives, Yan Zhen and Long Ying had been nearly inseparable. Logically, that should have sparked some jealousy in her, yet she felt no threat at all, so she responded with genuine warmth.
The three arrived at Mentor Yu Xuan’s residence—not some ornate pavilion, but a simple yet stately cave dwelling.
“Here we are.”
Mentor Yu Xuan placed her hand on a nearby stone stele, and the cave entrance rumbled open.
They entered, passing through a tunnel into a spacious cavern. It was bright, clean, and elegantly furnished with every amenity.
In the center of the room bubbled a Spirit Spring, where white lotuses floated, releasing faint wisps of mystic qi.
This was a perk reserved for chief disciples of each peak.
Mentor Yu Xuan still hadn’t let go of Yan Zhen’s arm. Smiling, she said, “This is my room. There’s another one next door, connected by the stone door in between.”
Following her gesture, Yan Zhen and Long Ying spotted the stone door in the wall. They approached, turned the mechanism, and opened it to reveal an identically furnished chamber.
“I’ve already prepared everything. Yu Shizun arranged for us to share quarters, so we can look out for each other. What do you think, Yan Zhen?”
“Of course,” Yan Zhen replied with a smile. “This way, we’ll be able to see each other often. No more separations.”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking.” Mentor Yu Xuan leaned against Yan Zhen like a demure little bird. “We have the Supreme to thank for considering us so thoughtfully.”
Watching the pair murmur sweet nothings, Long Ying pouted, far from pleased.
She had no issue with familiar big sisters like Cai Lian, Zi Xunyi, Ji Ya, or Yi Xian’er—in fact, she’d quietly learn from them. But strangers like the Demoness or this Mentor Yu Xuan? They felt like they were stealing her Yan Zhen Zhen away.
Yan Zhen ruffled the Loli Dragon Girl’s hair and said warmly, “So, do you like it here? We’ll be staying for quite a while.”
Long Ying crossed her arms and huffed in an exaggeratedly mature tone. “This one has no particular demands for lodging.”
As long as she was with Yan Zhen Zhen, that is.
“No demands for living quarters, but sky-high standards for food, right?” Yan Zhen teased. “You’re in luck, then. Mentor Yu Xuan’s cooking is top-notch.”
Long Ying blinked at Mentor Yu Xuan, who gave her a gentle smile in return.
