Seeing Yan Zhen’s worried expression, Mentor Yu Xuan felt a little speechless.
“You don’t need to overthink things. Mother wouldn’t make you serve her or anything like that.”
Yan Zhen naturally knew as much, but what about Elder Great-Aunt? She clearly hadn’t told Mentor Yu Xuan yet, and Yan Zhen had no idea how to bring it up. But if he kept it hidden on purpose…
And then there were Dean Little Aunt and Mentor Aunt, who had inexplicably declared their fondness for him. This whole development felt downright bizarre—especially Dean Little Aunt. They’d clashed the moment they met. Where on earth was this “like” coming from?
She probably just liked picking fights with him, more like a stubborn contrarian.
“Yan Zhen!” Mentor Yu Xuan called out, her voice tinged with grievance. “You… you don’t have feelings for Mother too, do you?”
Yan Zhen was instantly speechless.
“What are you talking about, Mentor? Am I that kind of guy? I only have respect for my mother-in-law!”
“All right, I misunderstood you.” Mentor Yu Xuan nestled into her lover’s arms, her little hand gently rubbing his belly. “Does this feel good, Yan Zhen?”
“It would feel even better if you went a little deeper.”
“Give me a kiss first, and I’ll help you out.”
Yan Zhen smiled and planted a light kiss on Mentor Yu Xuan’s lips. But she responded boldly, teasing him with initiative. Naturally, Yan Zhen wasn’t one to back down. He counterattacked right away.
The young couple exchanged saliva in a passionate, honey-sweet kiss that felt even more intoxicating than the banquet wine.
Mentor Yu Xuan was a total little juice extractor, delighting in sucking down every drop of fluid Yan Zhen secreted—even his sweat didn’t faze her. Kisses like this always left his mouth parched.
For his part, Yan Zhen had picked up a naughty habit amid their repeated intimacies. During kisses, his hands would wander mischievously, kneading her supple body until it melted and her heart fluttered.
When the kiss finally ended, Mentor Yu Xuan gazed at Yan Zhen’s handsome face with eyes full of seductive allure. The more she looked, the more she adored him.
In the past, she would have already climbed onto his lap by now, silently signaling her desire without a word.
But Yan Zhen was gearing up for body refining and needed to conserve his energy. It was best to hold back on their lovemaking for now.
Mentor Yu Xuan pouted coquettishly.
“After you finish body refining, you have to make it up to me, okay?”
Yan Zhen inhaled the fragrant scent wafting from Mentor Yu Xuan’s hair and chuckled.
“What kind of compensation does the Mentor want?”
“Hmph~ You figure it out.”
“The Mentor is so naughty.”
“I’m only naughty for you—one more kiss.”
Yan Zhen grinned mischievously.
“Call me ‘husband,’ and I’ll kiss you, Mentor.”
“Good husband, your wife wants a kiss.”
Mentor Yu Xuan put on a deliberately cutesy voice, mimicking Meng’er. It made Yan Zhen’s bones feel two ounces lighter.
“Let me grab a drink of water first…”
“I’ll feed you.”
With a wave of her jade hand, Mentor Yu Xuan used water Mystic force to summon the jade teapot from across the room. She parted her red lips slightly, poured some water into her mouth, held it there, and leaned in to kiss Yan Zhen.
Yan Zhen obediently drank down his mentor wife’s “imported spring water.” It tasted even sweeter than usual—after all, with her water Mystic force cultivation, every fluid in her body was like premium spirit spring.
His kiss with Elder Great-Aunt last time had been literally sweet in the physical sense too.
“Is it tasty?”
“Very tasty.”
“Want more?”
“If the Mentor offers it, I’ll drink.”
“Good boy.” Mentor Yu Xuan praised him. “But now I’m thirsty.”
“…”
Yan Zhen blinked with an innocent expression. “Then let me feed the Mentor?”
He took the teapot from her hand, making as if to pour it into her mouth.
Mentor Yu Xuan let out a soft huff, flicked the teapot aside, and kissed Yan Zhen again—as if determined to suck back every drop of tea she’d just given him.
After some more affectionate cuddling, they straightened their clothes and composure, then decided to step out for a stroll.
Yan Zhen had visited the Yu Family five or six times by now, but he’d never properly explored it.
The entire Yu Family sprawled out like a city unto itself. The main residence served as the equivalent of a city lord’s mansion and was usually home only to the Family Head Yu Lu and her direct lineage. Other direct descendants lived in the eastern, western, southern, and northern courtyards, while branch families resided on nearby islands.
Take Cousin Sister Yudie and her Rain Swallow Guard Captain, for example.
As for the live-in sons-in-law, the vast majority weren’t even on the island. They were assigned to manage the family’s external businesses and only returned for holidays or special occasions.
Branch family sons-in-law came back more often, but direct-line ones were fortunate to visit once or twice a year. Someone like Yan Zhen, who could stay as long as he pleased? That was basically unheard of.
Many sons-in-law kept mistresses stashed away outside, and the Yu Family typically turned a blind eye.
But if any dirty scandal broke out, they’d strike the offender’s name from the clan registry and boot him out. In severe cases, they’d chop him to pieces and feed him to the fish.
Matrilineal families were worlds apart from conventional society, that much was clear.
Mentor Yu Xuan led Yan Zhen to the top of a tower. From the edge of the rooftop, they had a sweeping view of the entire Yu Family, the misty beauty of the back mountain’s clouds, and the hazy rain drifting beyond the island.
With the Listening Rain Festival tomorrow, the Yu Family had already decked itself out in festive decorations, radiating holiday cheer.
Stewards, maids, and cooks hustled about busily, shuttling supplies back and forth between courtyards. They all looked utterly exhausted.
Musically gifted clansmen practiced dances in their own little courtyards, determined to shine during tomorrow’s performances.
A row of painted boats—large and small—bobbed at the eastern docks. All of them were prepped for tomorrow’s Listen-to-Rain Boat Meeting, with groups of maids decorating the vessels under the stewards’ directions.
It felt like the whole world was busy except for the two of them, which was rather embarrassing.
Yan Zhen and Mentor Yu Xuan exchanged a glance and slunk sheepishly back to their room, hiding away.
Before long, the Family Head Yu Lu summoned Mentor Yu Xuan to discuss the next day’s ancestor worship ceremony. Left alone and bored, Yan Zhen activated the Star Shifting Fire Seal and entered the Fire Refining Starry Sky.
Chen Xi looked at him curiously.
“Zhen’er, aren’t you at the Yu Family for the festival? What brings you to see your master?”
Yan Zhen got straight to the point.
“Master, I want to learn artifact forging.”
“Artifact forging?” Chen Xi paused, then quickly understood and nodded. “You’re right—the Tier 6 Extreme Tyrant Sword is starting to lag behind your current cultivation. But don’t worry; it can be strengthened further. Just fuse the phosphorus fire you acquired into it. That was your idea from your past life, after all…”
“Uh, no, that’s not it.” Yan Zhen flushed a little and clarified his true intent. “Master, I’m not talking about the Extreme Tyrant Sword. I want to use the Rootless Earth Spirit Fire to extract earth power and condense supreme jade stone, then forge a few rings for marriage proposals.”
Rings for marriage proposals? Chen Xi’s heart skipped a beat as an image flashed in her mind: her precious disciple down on one knee, presenting her with a ring. Her lovely face gradually warmed.
“Oh, I see… With your Nether Realm divine soul cultivation, forging Tier 3 or 4 Mystic artifacts wouldn’t be difficult. You just need to grasp the process.”
“Tier 3 or 4 might be a bit low. My minimum goal is Tier 5. Tier 5 Mystic artifacts can autonomously draw in heaven-and-earth mystic qi, so they’ll last much longer.”
“Very well. Your master will teach you. We’ll use the Gold-Silver Fire for the demonstration. Come closer.”
“Mm!”
Yan Zhen studied with full attention.
