Jialan Fairy had spent these past few days researching medicinal recipes and conditioning techniques.
Ordinary methods were naturally simple for her, but achieving the same effortless control as Chen Xi proved quite challenging.
Despite her vast knowledge of ancient and modern lore, Jialan Fairy was not very familiar with technique refining. She could only explore step by step, and after nearly ten days, she had just completed a rough prototype that still required further refinement.
When she saw Yan Zhen arrive, she quickly put away her books and notes to keep him from noticing anything unusual.
This was the surprise she had carefully prepared.
“…Yan’er, what brings you here?”
Yan Zhen explained the matter of his status as the Yu Family’s live-in son-in-law to his Holy Lord Master.
His mother-in-law had already shown him great leniency, requiring only that he leave three bloodlines for the Yu Family before becoming the Saint Son. But now he had become the Saint Son ahead of schedule, and Mentor Yu Xuan had yet to conceive, so their agreement was void.
The Jialan Holy Land would not permit the Saint Son to have illegitimate children outside; all offspring had to be brought back to the Holy Land for upbringing. The Yu Family simply lacked the qualifications to raise the Saint Son’s descendants.
Jialan Fairy had known about this matter earlier and had even been angry at Yan Zhen over it, forbidding him from having snacks.
“The negotiations fell through unexpectedly, so we can only compensate the Yu Family… Yan’er, do you have any ideas?”
Yan Zhen analyzed the situation earnestly.
“The Yu Family’s foundation lies in the Holy Land Academy, with the Yu Shizun as their backer. Compared to other super forces, their only shortcoming is the lack of a Mystic Venerable expert in the clan. Holy Lord Master, could you dispatch one or two female Mystic Venerables to garrison the Yu Family for five to ten years? Within a decade, Grand Aunt and Little Aunt will surely achieve Mystic Venerable Realm, and then they won’t need to rely on patrons.”
“If it’s merely a matter of needing a Mystic Venerable expert, there’s no need for such trouble.”
“Why do you say that, Holy Lord Master?”
Jialan Fairy turned to one side, beckoned with her hand, and called softly.
“You few, come here.”
The Lotus Root People who had been peeking at Yan Zhen from the corner heard their mama’s summons. They all poked their heads out and circled around Jialan Fairy with cute chirps.
With a lift of her jade hand, Jialan Fairy sent the Lotus Root People floating into the air. They performed big cartwheels right in front of Yan Zhen.
“The Lotus Root People I created are divided into two grades: Silver Lotus Root People and Golden Lotus Root People, corresponding to Mystic Ancestor Realm and Mystic Venerable Realm respectively. These shiny golden children are all at Mystic Venerable Realm. Their intelligence may be low, but they can distinguish between enemies and friends, good and evil. They’re perfect for guarding a household.”
Yan Zhen’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the chirping creatures before him. These Lotus Root People, who didn’t even reach his knee, were Mystic Venerable experts?
He thought back carefully and recalled that the script did mention them. The Lotus Root People of the Bitter Sea World were all pseudo-life forms created by his Holy Lord Master—essentially incarnations of laws. It wasn’t strange for them to possess Mystic Venerable cultivation.
“Yan’er, pick three of them to take with you to the Yu Family.”
“Holy Lord Master, you choose. I can’t tell them apart.”
At her words, Jialan Fairy blew a gentle breath. The Lotus Root People landed one after another, leaving a short and plump one, a tall and skinny one, and one of average build. She then introduced them like prized treasures.
“From left to right: Meat Baby, Bamboo Baby, and Spirit Baby. Each has unique abilities…”
The time it took to drink a cup of tea later, Yan Zhen returned to Holy Son Peak with three chibi-style Lotus Root Person pendants dangling from his waist.
At noon, the women returned from touring Holy Son Peak. Upon seeing Yan Zhen, they took seats one after another on the benches.
“How did it go, Yan Zhen?” Mentor Yu Xuan asked. “Did the Holy Lord approve?”
Yan Zhen displayed the three Lotus Root Person pendants for them to see and repeated his Holy Lord Master’s explanation. The four women brightened with delight in their beautiful eyes.
Lotus Root People were far more reliable than patrons—at least they wouldn’t put on airs or scheme against them.
The Yu Family had avoided hiring patrons precisely because they were so hard to manage.
“This way, Mother might not be angry anymore,” Mentor Yu Xuan said, her voice filled with excitement. “In that case, there’s no time like the present. Let’s head back to the Yu Family right away. The longer we delay, the more she’ll overthink things.”
“I was thinking the same thing. But it might be better if I go alone. Otherwise, Mother-in-law might think we’re conspiring to deceive her.”
“That’s true, but you by yourself?” Mentor Yu Xuan looked worried. “Won’t there be problems?”
“It’s fine. Mother-in-law isn’t the unreasonable type.”
“…”
“Xuan’er,” Shui Bailan interjected. “Leave this to Yan Zhen. He can shoulder the responsibility. We need to trust him.”
“Aunt, I understand. Then go ahead, Yan Zhen. Be careful.”
Yan Zhen flashed an OK hand gesture.
“Then I’m off. Wait for my return.”
That last part was directed at Grand Aunt and Little Aunt.
Moments later, Yan Zhen piloted the Saint Son’s exclusive luxurious airship away from Jialan Holy Land. He headed toward Heavenly Water Lake and arrived at the lakeside at dusk.
Heavenly Water Lake was enveloped by the Empty Mountain Misty Rain Array, shrouded in a perpetual misty drizzle that disoriented intruders. When fully activated, it could even trap Mystic Venerable experts.
However, Yan Zhen possessed the Yu Family identity token given to him by the Family Head Mother-in-law. Once activated, a unique water Mystic force enveloped his body, rendering the array ineffective against him.
The luxurious airship pierced the curtain of rain and landed at the landing plaza on Rain Heaven Island.
No sooner had he stepped out than Yan Zhen saw the Family Head Mother-in-law approaching with an expressionless face, leading the Yu Family high-level members. They bowed deeply and respectfully to him.
“Yu Family Head Yu Lu and the Yu Family members humbly welcome Your Highness the Holy Son!”
The rest of the Yu Family members chorused in unison.
” We humbly welcome Your Highness the Holy Son! “
Yan Zhen scratched his head and gave a wry smile.
“Mother-in-law, there’s no need for this. I can’t possibly accept it.”
Yu Lu, the Family Head, straightened up and spoke flatly.
“Your Highness the Holy Son holds a noble position. This is only proper etiquette—please, Your Highness, come inside.”
Her overly formal tone made Yan Zhen uncomfortable. His sharp brows furrowed, and his lips pouted.
“Mother-in-law, please just call me by my usual name…”
Yu Lu, the Family Head, fell silent for a long moment before finally relenting.
“Come inside, Son-in-Law Yan Zhen.”
Only then did Yan Zhen’s face light up with a grin. “Got it!” he replied cheerfully, falling into step beside the Family Head Mother-in-law as they headed toward the main residence.
The procession advanced slowly. Yan Zhen glanced at the stiff distance between them and closed the gap on purpose. When the Family Head Mother-in-law showed no reaction—not even a glance in his direction—he edged closer still until his arm brushed her elbow.
Still no response. She was clearly ignoring him deliberately.
Yan Zhen blinked and boldly hooked his arm through hers, adopting the innocent expression of a dutiful junior.
At last, Yu Lu, the Family Head, reacted. She turned her head to stare at him.
Yan Zhen flashed a bright smile and made a cute face.
Yu Lu, the Family Head, said nothing more. She turned back to face forward, allowing Yan Zhen to hold her arm.
The Yu Family high-level members trailing behind exchanged awkward glances. They knew the two shared a close relationship, but wasn’t this a bit too intimate?
