“Zhen’er, I’m heading off to rest first. Once the Evil Consort has gathered all the materials, you can go pick them up and bring them in. Then hurry back to the Holy Land soon.”
“Got it, Master. Rest well, and just call for me if you need anything.”
The “mother-in-law and daughter-in-law” dynamic between Chen Xi and Cai Lian remained somewhat awkward. Seeing her precious disciple getting cozy with his wife, Chen Xi tactfully withdrew, leaving the pair some private space.
It was also a perfect chance for her to recover properly. After all, she still had to refine a Ninth Tier Holy Pill, and even as the Flame Saint, she wouldn’t dare take it lightly.
Yan Zhen felt guilty toward both Cai Lian and Xian’er—especially Cai Lian. First, she had discovered an even deeper bond between him and his Beautiful Master. Then she learned that her husband, kidnapped by that wicked woman, still bore the woman’s influence even after his rescue, even speaking up for her…
It was too rough on her, really not fair at all.
But what was done was done. He still had to take responsibility where it was due, and make it up to them in other ways.
Yan Zhen sat on the stone bed where the demoness had lain earlier. He spread his arms wide, one wrapping around the Myriad Snake Queen’s supple water-snake waist, the other around the Thousand Fiend Queen’s proud peacock figure. With two beauties in his embrace, he was utterly content.
The intense crisis and aversion the Evil Consort had instilled in them probably made the other two look far more appealing now. Though their expressions suggested reluctance, they didn’t pull away.
Compared to the Evil Consort, the Snake Woman and Killing Woman were much more acceptable.
Yan Zhen naturally wanted to seize this chance to ease tensions between them, laying a solid foundation for blissful days ahead.
“By the way, Cai Lian,” he said as he hefted the “granary” of their daughter. From the weight of it, she had clearly eaten well. “Has Yan’er been eating properly lately?”
Cai Lian’s lovely face flushed. She quietly seized his wandering paw and said, “No need for you to worry about that. The girl’s a total bottomless pit—never skips a meal.”
How could she call their own daughter a bottomless pit?
The corner of Yan Zhen’s mouth twitched. “Yan’er might just be growing so fast that her body craves extra nutrition… Anyway, thanks for all the hard work, Cai Lian.”
The Sovereign Lady let out a haughty sniff.
Yan Zhen leaned close to his Snake Snake Wife’s ear and whispered, “Good Cai Lian, how about from now on you keep Yan’er fed to bursting, and I’ll keep you fed the same way?”
Cai Lian wasn’t some innocent little girl anymore. She instantly caught his meaning and flushed crimson, jabbing her elbow into his side.
“What about me?” Yi Xian’er suddenly chimed in from the side. “If I feed Yan’er, will you feed me too, Yan Zhen?”
“Uh?”
“Or do you want me to have your baby too? Do you prefer boys or girls?”
“Ahem, either’s fine.” Yan Zhen finally caught on. “As long as it’s yours, Xian’er, I’ll love it.”
Yi Xian’er eyed him skeptically. “Really? I hear fathers always favor daughters. What if I give you a son—would you not dote on him?”
“No, I’d love him just the same. Though I’d be a bit stricter with a boy.”
“Forget it, then. I’ll have a daughter too—give you another little padded jacket to warm your heart.”
“That works too,” Yan Zhen laughed. “But whether it’s a boy or girl is up to fate. Let’s just go with the flow, no need to force it.”
“Mm!” Yi Xian’er beamed sweetly. “You’re the best, Yan Zhen.”
“—Hmph. Before that, fix the drawbacks of your Fiend Body first.”
The Sovereign Lady cut in coldly, her words carrying a sharp edge. Yi Xian’er acted like she wasn’t even there, lost in her own world with Yan Zhen.
That Ah-Q spirit was everywhere!
Yan Zhen smiled wryly and planted a kiss on each of them before settling into a quiet, tender moment.
About half an hour later, Yan Zhen heard the Evil Consort’s voice. He activated the Star Shifting Fire Seal and departed the Fire Refining Starry Sky.
He hung the pendant back around his neck and turned to the Evil Consort. She had changed into her dignified and noble attire.
“Have you gathered all the materials, Evil Consort Master?”
The Evil Consort gave a faint hum of affirmation and handed him a Small Bone Ring.
“There are three portions inside. One successful refinement from Chen Xi will suffice.”
“Actually, two would be enough—one to refine, one as payment. Master never fails.”
“You have that much faith in her?”
“Eh, more or less. Three it is, then. Recovery pills are never in short supply, especially with battles ahead.”
“Mm…”
The Evil Consort glanced at Yan Zhen, hesitating a moment before saying, “Yan’er, are you heading back?”
Yan Zhen nodded. “It’s been over a month since I left—everyone must be worried sick. I have to go… Once you move Dead City near the Jialan Holy Land, Evil Consort Master, I’ll come back. Of course, you’re welcome at Holy Son Peak anytime. I’m still waiting to learn how the Death City Core works.”
Deep down, the Evil Consort was extremely reluctant to see him go, but she knew she couldn’t hold him back.
“Very well.” She produced his Holy Son Storage Ring from her sleeve. “Here. I haven’t touched anything inside—you can check.”
Yan Zhen took the ring and slipped it onto his left middle finger, right beside the Divine Son Storage Ring.
“No need to check. Nothing too precious in there anyway.”
Aside from his collection of long-trunked little elephant boxer shorts, which were a true treasure chronicling his growth from boy to man!
“Then I’m off, Evil Consort Master.”
The Evil Consort turned away. “Go on. Inject mystic power into the Death City Core to enter and exit Dead City freely. No need to see you off.”
Yan Zhen acknowledged her with an “oh,” summoning the Death City Core via the Yin Mo Death Seal. As he poured mystic power into it, he added, “I’m really leaving now, Evil Consort Master. See you later.”
Space twisted, and Yan Zhen’s figure gradually faded. The Evil Consort whipped back around, but his smile had vanished entirely. She reached out, grasping at empty air.
“Yan’er…”
Her hand closed on nothing, and so did her heart.
The Evil Consort clutched her hand tightly, sighing deeply after a long moment.
In her previous life, he had imprisoned and tormented her so. Reborn, and now he bound and tortured her heart in turn. Truly, he was her fated nemesis.
Another spatial ripple, and Yan Zhen appeared in the outside world. He scanned his surroundings, unfamiliar with the area, and pulled out his Holy Land Messaging Talisman.
Besides messaging, the talisman could also navigate the Holy Land.
Once he confirmed the direction to the Jialan Holy Land, Yan Zhen summoned his Holy Son’s Mount. He climbed into the driver’s seat, pressed down the Mystic Power Valve, and sped off.
Along the way, everyone emerged from the Fire Refining Starry Sky except Jiuyou, who remained in seclusion: Cai Lian, Yi Xian’er, Long Ying, and Yan Yan.
Three days later, they smoothly returned to the Jialan Holy Land. When their familiar mount appeared before the mountain gate, it immediately drew the attention of the guarding disciples.
“The Holy Son! Your Highness Holy Son is back!!!”
The entire Jialan Holy Land stirred to life.
