Although the Fire Refining Starry Sky was sealed off, that didn’t stop Yan Zhen from leaving via the Star Shifting Fire Seal. After all, the Beautiful Female Master had granted him the highest level of access.
Space twisted slightly, and Yan Zhen reappeared in the Consort God Palace Bedroom—that is, the Evil Consort’s private chambers.
The Crystal Orb hovered above the bed, trembling constantly and sending out waves of energy ripples that whipped up a gust of wind in the room.
Fortunately, the Evil Consort’s bedchamber had its own restraint seals in place. When the energy ripples crashed against the walls, they disappeared without a trace, like a clay ox plunging into the sea, without leaking to the outside world.
Moreover, Granny Meng was in secluded recovery at the moment, healing her wounds. She wouldn’t notice anything unusual in the Consort God Palace for a short while.
As these thoughts ran through his mind, Yan Zhen summoned the Rootless Earth Spirit Fire and shaped it into a triangular prism, sealing the Crystal Pendant inside to block its astonishing aura.
Once that was done, he flopped onto his back on the bed and stared up at the unfamiliar yet familiar ceiling in a daze.
The massive bed felt empty with only him on it.
He could still faintly feel the warmth of the Evil Consort’s body lingering in the sheets, and a faint whiff of her unique fragrance lingered in his nostrils, mingled with a subtle milky scent.
Memories of the past month flashed through his mind:
Waking up in the Demonic Flame Palace, refining the Solar Essence Flame in the White Bone Grotto-Heaven, her struggling to handle his coquettish antics, so she slipped into his dreams. Then the Demon Domain Lord suddenly appeared, making him jealous. To soothe him, the Evil Consort gradually gave ground—
After recovering his memories, Yan Zhen continued to play his role, learning a Supreme Mystic Technique from her: the Flying Fire Meteor Sword.
It seemed that from then on, the Evil Consort’s attitude toward him grew increasingly intimate—until recently, when it had turned almost obsessive…
The energy surges inside the triangular prism produced deep thumping sounds, like the heartbeat he could hear whenever she fed him. It felt so real.
Had she been shy back then? The word just didn’t fit with the Evil Consort.
Yan Zhen closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep without realizing it.
When he awoke, night had fallen outside, and the thumping from within the triangular prism had ceased. Things had likely settled down.
Yan Zhen thus dispelled the prism, activated the Star Shifting Fire Seal once more, and vanished into the Fire Refining Starry Sky, reappearing atop the altar.
The Beautiful Female Master, the Saint Lord Master, Cai Lian, Xian’er, Long Ying, Yan’er—they were all there. Even Jiu Youyue was awake. The group was either sitting or standing, gathered together and chatting about something, but they fell silent the moment Yan Zhen arrived.
Yan Zhen walked over calmly and greeted them.
“Masters, Saint Lord Master—are you all alright?”
He could tell their auras were still a bit unstable. Clearly, the battle had just ended not long ago.
“We’re fine. Sit down and we’ll talk.”
Chen Xi gave a faint smile, pulling Yan Zhen to sit beside her before continuing.
“Your master and Jialan joined forces to seal the Evil Consort away on the Rootless Earth Spirit Star. She won’t break free for at least ten years.”
“Ten years…”
“Ten years is plenty,” Jialan Fairy said coolly. “Even if the Evil Consort escapes after that, she won’t dare act out again. Yan’er, you can handle her with ease now.”
“Will it affect Jiu Youyue?”
“Don’t worry. The Evil Consort can’t move, but she’s unharmed. It won’t impact Jiu Youyue.”
Jiu Youyue smiled as well.
“I’m fine, Little Zhen Zhen. You don’t need to worry about me constantly.”
Yan Zhen returned her smile.
“Good to hear. I promised to protect you, even if it was my two masters who had to step in.”
“Little Zhen Zhen, you’ve already done more than enough. I’m thrilled~”
“Then from now on, marry me along with Cai Lian, Xian’er, and the others.”
Her words made Jiu Youyue flush red. Under the gaze of the other women, she fidgeted a bit but whispered her agreement. Inwardly, she grumbled about why he’d pick this moment, this place, to say it.
But that tiny bit of resentment evaporated the instant Yan Zhen pulled out a box. Inside was his proposal ring.
It was just a fifth-tier Mystic Artifact, but he’d refined it himself—a genuine article shaped like a black crescent moon. The inside of the band was inscribed with “To my beloved Jiu Youyue.” It utterly melted the demoness’s heart.
If not for the two esteemed elders present, she probably would’ve kissed his lips swollen.
Jiu Youyue had finally gotten her wish, and all the women were happy for her—even Yan Yan.
In her previous life, she had occasionally seen her father emperor murmuring all sorts of disjointed words to a spirit plaque inscribed “For My Beloved Wife, Jiu Youyue.” He had been reminiscing about their time together.
Though Yan Yan had only dimly understood back then, she knew Aunt Jiu Youyue must have been an incredibly important person in her father’s heart.
“What next?” Cai Lian asked. “According to plan, do we send people to attack the Dead City?”
“If we’re doing it, the sooner the better,” Yi Xian’er chimed in. “The Dead City just went through a major battle and is at its weakest. Perfect time to strike while they’re vulnerable.”
Chen Xi and Jialan Fairy exchanged a glance, then both turned to Yan Zhen and asked at the same time:
“What do you think, Zhen’er/Yan’er?”
Yan Zhen scratched his cheek, hesitating for a long moment before speaking.
“I want to go see the Evil Consort first before deciding. Is that okay?”
The women all froze.
“Are you sure, Yan’er?” Jialan Fairy frowned slightly. “The power in this avatar of mine is nearly spent. If something goes wrong, Chen Xi alone might not be enough to suppress the Evil Consort.”
Yan Zhen lowered his head.
“I-I know it’s a bit selfish of me, but I feel like I can’t just part ways without saying anything… I learned swordsmanship from her, so I owe her something in return.”
“Zhen’er, if you want to go, then go,” Chen Xi said, her heart aching at the sight of her precious disciple suppressing his feelings like this. “You’re right—it’s necessary to clear the air with her properly. Otherwise, the knot in your heart will hinder your future cultivation.”
“Master… am I causing you trouble?”
“Silly boy, what are you saying? Between us, there’s no such thing as trouble.” Chen Xi ruffled his hair. “But Zhen’er, be careful if you’re going to see the Evil Consort. We didn’t tell her you’ve recovered your memories, but I suspect she has a vague idea.”
“I know, Master. I’m mentally prepared.”
“Alright then, go ahead.” Chen Xi smiled warmly. “The Evil Consort is locked in the planet’s body. Use the Rootless Earth Spirit Fire’s earth-burrowing ability, and you can slip right in.”
Yan Zhen shot to his feet, transforming into a streak of starlight as he burst from the Array Disk Plaza. He sped past celestial bodies one by one until the tenth blazing planet, where he descended. Wrapping himself in the Rootless Earth Spirit Fire, he burrowed into the ground until he neared the Star Core. There, he finally spotted the suppressed Evil Consort.
She was still clad in her original black silk lace nightgown, though the front was disheveled, her ample breasts nearly spilling out. From the waist down, she was sunk into the crystalline Star Core. Rune chains bound her arms to either side, her head hung low with disheveled hair, her aura feeble and weak. She looked rather disheveled overall.
Sensing his familiar presence, the Evil Consort quietly opened her eyes and lifted her head to gaze at Yan Zhen as he approached slowly. A faint light sparked in her dark eyes.
“Yan’er?”
Her tone held a question.
“Evil Consort Master.”
Yan Zhen replied.
