Even the ancient divine artifact known as Death City couldn’t block the heavenly tribulation. However, this tribulation posed no threat to his primordial spirit. On the contrary, it was like a baptism, making his primordial spirit even more complete and rounded.
After bathing in the lightning’s glow, Yan Zhen’s primordial spirit returned to his body. Yet he immediately sensed someone watching him from the shadows, and he frowned.
Whoosh!
Gray-black flames erupted where his gaze focused, the intense heat causing ripples in the surrounding space. An elderly figure emerged from the blaze.
It was an old woman with snow-white hair and a dignified posture—Granny Meng, the last of the Evil Consort’s dead soldiers!
She appeared utterly ordinary, but in truth, she was a Three-Turn Half-Saint powerhouse.
“Young Master Yan Zhen need not be alarmed,” she said. “This old one has no malicious intent. I merely sensed the heavenly tribulation and came to investigate.”
Yan Zhen blinked, recalling their first meeting. Back then, this Half-Saint powerhouse had called him “Young Master” so naturally. Clearly, the Evil Consort had already briefed her.
“Greetings, Granny Meng. My apologies for disturbing you.”
Granny Meng’s tone remained utterly calm.
“For Young Master Yan Zhen to advance to the Divine Soul True Realm at such a young age… the younger generation is truly formidable. You’re no less than the Evil Consort’s one and only personal disciple.”
Yan Zhen returned the courtesy.
“It’s all thanks to my master the Evil Consort’s guidance—oh, right, Granny Meng. Has anything unusual happened outside Divine Mountain lately?”
“Are you asking about the movements of Peacock Heavenly Monarch and his ilk?”
“Heh, nothing gets past you, Granny Meng.”
“Everyone from the Demon Domain, including Peacock Heavenly Monarch, has been quartered in Central City under the Central Divine Marquis’s hospitality. But that rabble couldn’t stay quiet for even three days before stirring up trouble. The local clansfolk are all thoroughly displeased now.”
According to Granny Meng, there had been clashes between the Dharma Kings of Peacock Demon Palace and the God Guards of the Evil God Clan. They’d agreed to a friendly spar, but when the Demon Domain scoundrels started losing, they resorted to dirty tricks. They even spouted nonsense about how true combat had no rules, lecturing away until the Evil God Clan’s members leaped in fury and called for reinforcements.
When the God Generals of the Evil God Clan stepped in to arrest the troublemakers, the Venerables of Peacock Demon Palace showed up too. What began as a dispute between Mystic Ancestors escalated into a clash between Mystic Venerables!
The matter only settled down after reaching the Central Divine Marquis.
Yan Zhen figured Peacock Heavenly Monarch had orchestrated it all on purpose.
For one, the Demon Domain rabble had never been ones for playing by the rules. If they acted too meek, it would seem suspicious to the Evil Consort.
For another, these sporadic frictions were meant to distract the Evil God Clan, giving his people cover to infiltrate Death City.
Everyone harboring their own schemes.
But both the Demon Domain Lord and Peacock Heavenly Monarch were thinking in terms of boiling the frog in warm water. Little did they know the Evil Consort planned to shut the gates and slaughter the dogs behind closed doors.
Yan Zhen snorted inwardly. This time, he was dead set on killing Peacock Heavenly Monarch and the whole Demon Domain crew—even if God Himself descended, it wouldn’t save them!
He bid Granny Meng farewell, then directed his primordial spirit back to his body.
With his primordial spirit returned, Yan Zhen leaped up from where he sat cross-legged on the Pure Lotus Platform. He landed on the shore, stripped naked, and took a refreshing bath before changing into clean clothes.
Lacking his long-trunked little elephant boxer shorts, he went commando instead—better an embarrassing mishap than settling for less!
The Divine Child Enfeoffment Ceremony was still nine days away. Before then, he needed to fuse the Xuan Huang Dual Qi Flame. Once he did, he’d be able to slaughter Mystic Venerables left and right!
Yan Zhen was about to activate the Star Shifting Fire Seal when he paused, hesitating.
“Hang on,” he muttered. “The Evil Consort’s been in seclusion refining the Death City Core for days now. Is she about to emerge?”
No, she’d scheduled the Divine Child Enfeoffment Ceremony for half a month from now, which meant refining the Death City Core would take at least ten days. Logically, she shouldn’t be out yet.
Of course, that was just a possibility. He couldn’t guarantee she’d stick to the plan.
Yan Zhen thought it over, then decided to head back to Demonic Flame Palace first before entering the Fire Refining Starry Sky—just in case the Evil Consort caught him red-handed upon emerging.
He took out a Cloud Heaven Palace communication talisman while rushing forward, attempting to contact Jiu Youyue. Then he recalled that the demoness had said her talisman had fallen into the hands of the Evil Consort, so he gave up. On the way, he changed direction and headed toward Nine Nether Palace.
Before he could even land, Jiu Youyue leaped up from the palace gates, nearly colliding with him.
“Jiuyou?!”
“Little Zhen Zhen!”
Jiu Youyue threw herself into Yan Zhen’s arms. The two clung tightly to each other midair, their lips meeting in a deep, tangled kiss that lingered for a good long while before they reluctantly parted.
“I thought you were overseeing the ceremony preparations and wouldn’t be back,” he said.
“Why would they need me personally for that? A mere external incarnation is more than enough. I’ve never left Divine Mountain from the start—I’ve been cultivating right here in Nine Palace the whole time. I didn’t dare look for you for fear of the Evil Consort noticing. The heavenly tribulation woke me just now—that’s why I came out. Little Zhen Zhen, how did you advance to the Divine Soul True Realm?”
“This? I used the Yellow Springs Water.”
“Yellow Springs Water? I see. The Evil Consort really does intend to mold you into the Flame Emperor of your past life~”
“Ahem, I was just taking advantage to fleece her a bit. She’s off in the Yellow Springs refining the Death City Core, so she won’t be out for a few more days. No need to worry for now.”
“No wonder she let Little Zhen Zhen come over.”
Hand in hand, the two descended gracefully and strolled into Nine Palace, looking for all the world like a pair of immortal lovers.
But the demoness wore a troubled expression. Things had spiraled far beyond her expectations.
Who could have imagined the Evil Consort was a reincarnator too—with fragments of future memories, no less!
“Little Zhen Zhen, I’ve had an idea.”
“What idea?”
“I’m thinking of having Master Chen Xi seal me away inside the Fire Refining Starry Sky.”
“Huh?”
Yan Zhen froze. Jiu Youyue sighed.
“As long as I’m sealed up, the Evil Consort can’t use me to threaten you anymore… I don’t want to see you letting her manipulate you for my sake again.”
“I told you it’ll be fine. Trust me, Jiuyou.” Yan Zhen cupped her face, making her meet his eyes. “Once I take down Peacock Heavenly Monarch, I’ll play along with Master and Saint Lord Master, then turn the tables and capture the Evil Consort. I’ll make her set you free.”
Jiu Youyue blinked.
“Saint Lord Master meaning Jialan Fairy? She’s here too?”
“That’s right. She’s in the Fire Refining Starry Sky—well, just a ‘lotus root incarnation,’ but with strength close to her true self. Come on, I’ll take you to meet her.”
“Sure.”
Yan Zhen wrapped an arm around Jiu Youyue’s slender waist and activated the Star Shifting Fire Seal. Together, they vanished into the Fire Refining Starry Sky, reappearing atop the altar.
The Beautiful Female Master and Saint Lord Master still sat across a small table from each other, a chessboard laid out between them as they played at an unhurried pace.
Yan Zhen was about to greet them when he sensed intense mystic power fluctuations from the distance. He couldn’t help glancing over.
Deep in the starry sky, space twisted wildly. A colorful scaled giant snake coiled atop one celestial body, while a yin feather peacock perched on another. Both emanated terrifying pressure.
“Cai Lian and Xian’er are about to break through to Mystic Venerable?”
Yan Zhen was astonished. Just a month ago, Yi Xian’er hadn’t even reached Nine-Star Mystic Ancestor, and Cai Lian had only just hit Six-Star Mystic Ancestor. How had they both advanced to the cusp of Mystic Venerable in so short a time?
