After taking another bath, Yan Zhen finally left the Fire Refining Starry Sky and returned to his cave residence.
Cai Lian and Long Ying were both in the room. When Yan Zhen emerged, Cai Lian was sitting in front of the vanity mirror, brushing Long Ying’s hair.
The two women had clearly just bathed as well—their hair was still slightly damp, their faces bare of makeup, and they were dressed in off-the-shoulder camisole nightgowns.
The same style of nightgown looked sensually alluring on Cai Lian, but exquisitely cute on Long Ying.
When they spotted Yan Zhen, both women’s beautiful eyes lit up.
Long Ying said happily, “Yan Zhen Zhen, you’re finally out!”
Cai Lian paused her brushing and sensed the aura emanating from her husband. Somewhat surprised, she remarked, “Nine-Star Mystic King? That’s a massive leap.”
Yan Zhen walked over and placed his hands on his wife’s exposed fragrant shoulders. “The Rootless Earth Spirit Fire ranks tenth on the Extreme Flame List. Refining it could propel someone straight to Nine-Star Mystic Ancestor without issue. I’ve already held it back to the bare minimum.”
In truth, Yan Zhen had always restrained himself to the minimum when refining Extreme Flames before, to avoid biting off more than he could chew.
Moreover, the benefits of refining an Extreme Flame went beyond just boosting cultivation. Early exposure to higher realm powers would aid his future practice.
Even something like the Tier 6 Gold-Silver Fire had deepened Yan Zhen’s comprehension of the Power of Heaven and Earth—that was why he could already harness a fair amount of it right after advancing to Mystic King.
In the future, when Yan Zhen broke through to Mystic Venerable Realm, his grasp of Spatial Power would outpace ordinary cultivators by a wide margin.
A flame like the Rootless Earth Spirit Fire could even pave the way for him to reach sainthood.
“…”
Cai Lian nodded slightly. She was intimately familiar with the might of Extreme Flames. After all, in their previous life, Yan Zhen had gathered all 108 of them, and their silly daughter had possessed a Companion Extreme Flame.
“My improvement was huge too,” Long Ying chimed in. “It won’t lose to yours, Yan Zhen Zhen.”
Oh? Yan Zhen swept his spiritual sense over her and was immediately stunned. “You… you’ve broken through to Mystic Ancestor?”
Long Ying let out a smug hum.
Yan Zhen smacked his lips. When he’d first met Long Ying, she was only at Mystic King Realm. It was only thanks to the Dragon God Clan’s innate power talent and the Spatial Talent awakened from consuming the Nirvana Fruit that she’d been able to stand toe-to-toe with a Mystic Ancestor.
Now this girl had somehow slept her way into Mystic Ancestor Realm. Didn’t that mean she could go head-to-head with a Mystic Venerable expert?
As if reading his thoughts, Long Ying declared confidently, “Next time we run into one of those old fogeys, I’ll be the one to teach him a lesson!”
She was probably referring to Grand Elder Ye Long.
Yan Zhen was skeptical. “A Nine-Star Mystic Venerable? You could take him?”
Long Ying balled her little fists. “Of course! One punch per creepy old man!”
“Ho ho, have you fully digested the Nirvana Fruit in your body?”
“Yep.”
“No wonder… The Nirvana Fruit really is amazing. If I get the chance, I’ll head to the Phoenix God Clan and snag one to eat. Wonder what talent it’ll awaken in me.”
Yan Zhen licked his lips greedily.
At those words, Long Ying and Cai Lian exchanged a glance in the mirror, both recalling the time in their previous life when the three of them had snuck into the Phoenix God Clan like thieves.
Long Ying said crisply, “Yan Zhen Zhen didn’t awaken any talent. You just underwent a Nirvana rebirth.”
After all, not just anyone could awaken a talent from eating a Nirvana Fruit. Long Ying had simply gotten lucky.
Yan Zhen’s face fell. He had the script (memories of his previous life), so of course he knew that.
The key was, Cai Lian had awakened an Illusion Talent, but he hadn’t. That just wasn’t cool!
He covered his ears and yelled, “Shut up, don’t say it—I don’t want to hear! The past is the past. This is now. First pull’s a dud? Doesn’t mean the second won’t hit.”
Cai Lian pursed her lips in a light smile.
Long Ying’s expression turned teasing.
Yan Zhen shot them both a glare.
—Can’t a guy have some fun anymore!
“I’m going to find Mentor Yu Xuan!”
Yan Zhen huffed childishly as he left the bedroom. He passed through the stone door into the living area on the other side, then knocked on Mentor Yu Xuan’s door.
The door opened quickly. Mentor Yu Xuan, dressed in a blue night robe, poked her head out and smiled. “I figured you’d be out of seclusion soon. Hmm? Your aura is so strong. What a huge improvement.”
Flattered, Yan Zhen grew a bit giddy. He wrapped his arm around his beautiful, mature mentor and entered her bedroom. “Did you miss me, Mentor?”
“Once or twice.”
“Just once or twice?”
Mentor Yu Xuan smiled playfully. “I’ve been focused on cultivation these past few days, trying to break through to Mystic King early.”
Yan Zhen eyed her. “Your aura feels very stable. You just need the right trigger.”
“Don’t worry, I have experience. I’ve already sensed traces of the Power of Heaven and Earth.”
“Once you advance to Mystic King Realm, I’ll give you a little gift.”
Her beautiful eyes sparkled. “A gift? For real?”
Yan Zhen grinned. “Of course it’s real. But it’s a secret what it is for now.”
“Fine, I’ll look forward to it then—oh, right.” Mentor Yu Xuan changed tack. “The Supreme is looking for you.”
“Yu Shizun?”
Yan Zhen hurriedly pulled out the Holy Land Messaging Talisman from his storage ring. Activating it revealed two messages.
The first was from three days ago.
【Yu Shishi: Recovered yet?】
The second was from two days ago.
【Yu Shishi: Are you cultivating?】
Over ten days had passed. Yu Shizun must want to dual cultivate with him. But with his recent cultivation surge, his Mystic Power was still churning wildly—not ideal for dual cultivation.
Yan Zhen thought for a moment, then sent a message explaining the situation.
Soon, Yu Shizun replied.
【Yu Shishi: In that case, settle your foundations first for a few days. Tell me if you need anything.】
Yu Shizun no longer referred to herself as “This Seat” around him.
Yan Zhen replied affirmatively, pocketed the Holy Land Messaging Talisman, and said to Mentor Yu Xuan, “How’s Cai Lian doing with her shift at the Misty Rain Pool?”
Mentor Yu Xuan blinked. “It’s just guard duty. She sits there cultivating. Nothing much to it. There used to be a few troublemakers stirring things up occasionally, but after someone made a huge scene at the Misty Rain Pool, I doubt we’ll see any for at least a year or so.”
“That’s perfect. Anyone who dares disturb Cai Lian’s cultivation, I’ll twist their fool head right off!”
“My fine student, such a doting husband. Your mentor is pleased.”
“Ahem, I dote on you too, Mentor.”
“How exactly?”
“Like this.”
Yan Zhen pulled Mentor Yu Xuan close and pressed his lips to her soft, moist cherry ones.
The pair kissed passionately, lingering for a long time before parting.
“Satisfied, Mentor?”
“Not yet.” Blushing, Mentor Yu Xuan said, “More.”
She took the initiative this time.
After five or six rounds of kisses, she finally released his lips with lingering reluctance, her voice husky with desire. “Should I go talk to Sister Cai Lian? Tonight, we can serve you together.”
Yan Zhen’s blood surged at the thought, but remembering his beautiful master’s warnings, he reined in his urges. “Later. I need to stabilize my Mystic Power first, then focus on body refining and soul refining.”
Mentor Yu Xuan teased, “Fine. You’re the one turning it down—don’t say I don’t know my place~”
“…”
“Oh, right—one more thing. The Listening Rain Festival is coming up for our Yu Family. Mother wants me to ask the Supreme for leave to take you back home for it.”
