What a disgrace, truly a disgrace.
Jiang Huai lay sprawled across Qin Qingyue’s plump thigh, playing dead, his ears burning bright red.
He wished he could dig a hole and disappear on the spot.
But he really couldn’t be entirely blamed for this—the position of the Red Dragon Mark and the White Dragon Mark were simply too close together, and the icy and fiery Dragon Yuan just happened to converge and clash right at his tailbone.
The forces of extreme cold and burning heat surged and tangled through his meridians, making him shudder uncontrollably and even black out for a moment.
Even the corners of his eyes were tinged with red.
Qin Qingyue was clearly stunned.
She lowered her gaze to the limp Jiang Huai on her lap, then looked up at Chi Hong across from her.
The room was so quiet you could hear the soft sound of drops falling.
Chi Hong stared at a few drops that had splashed onto the back of her hand, then slowly stood up, her beautiful eyes narrowing.
With cultivation at her level, what she saw was of course different from ordinary people—how could this be any ordinary man?
The aura contained within was impossibly pure, faintly circulating with the brilliance of Dao Rhyme and the perfect balance of Yin and Yang.
“It seems Palace Master Qin is rather skilled at training her own husband,” she said, lips curling with a hint of teasing as her gaze drifted between Qin Qingyue and the “dead” Jiang Huai.
“I imagine you beg for mercy in her hands all the time, don’t you?”
“It’s not like that…” Jiang Huai’s voice sounded as though it was squeezed out from between his teeth.
The momentary loss of control just now was absolutely not an act—he really had been rattled to his very soul by the clash of two completely opposite Dragon Yuans, and had briefly lost consciousness.
For some reason, when Qin Qingyue heard this, her beautiful eyes flashed with an almost imperceptible pride, but her lips merely chided,
“Useless thing, can’t you see what sort of situation this is?”
Ling Huai suddenly shot to her feet, fumbling with her belt in a panic.
She shot Qin Qingyue a glare and all but fled in a fluster.
Watching his frantic retreat, Chi Hong laughed softly and shook her head, secretly thinking:
This Palace Master Qin is certainly generous—no wonder she’s willing to take a concubine for Jiang Huai herself.
She was just about to step forward, but suddenly her legs went weak beneath her, the heels of her shoes making a crisp “clack clack” on the floor.
“Are you alright?”
Qin Qingyue hurried to help, her fingertips brushing Chi Hong’s arm and sensing a faint tremor from exhaustion.
Chi Hong held her forehead, her face noticeably paler than before, and said with a wry smile,
“I’m nothing like you or Wu Zhaohua in terms of cultivation. This level of Dragon Mark with essence blood really drains the spirit.” Her breath was unsteady, clearly showing how much she’d expended.
Immortal Jade Marrow: “Quick, replenish yourself.”
Understanding instantly, Qin Qingyue drew a jade box from her wide sleeve, opening it to reveal several luminous, radiant treasures brimming with spiritual energy.
She’d supervised the process the entire time, so she knew well how much source blood Chi Hong had spent.
That Red Dragon Mark was truly exquisite, blazing with vitality. Though just a bit less than her own Black Dragon Mark, it was not far off from the White Dragon Mark at all.
Chi Hong accepted without ceremony.
She had indeed spent a lot of energy this time—there was no sense in refusing good medicine.
Jiang Huai hurriedly changed into a new pair of pale moon-colored pants in another room, forcibly suppressing the flush on his face.
With a blank expression, he walked toward the outer corridor where Chihuang and the Ancestor of the Red Dragon were conversing.
Outside, the world was painted a vivid red by the brilliant red-flame coral in full bloom.
“Chihuang,” he called softly.
The red-robed girl started, then haughtily lifted her chin. “What is it?”
Beside her, the Ancestor of the Red Dragon looked Jiang Huai up and down with a cheery smile.
“That’s quite the unusual spot for a mark. If I had more energy these days, I would have insisted on carving it myself.”
Jiang Huai sighed inwardly.
At this rate, he didn’t know how many more marks would be added to his body.
Now, just pulling down his pants was almost like showing off a Dragon Totem display.
He respectfully saluted the Ancestor of the Red Dragon.
“Ancestor, I have a request.”
“Don’t call me Ancestor! I was young and beautiful once too!” she grumbled.
“What’s your request?”
Jiang Huai hesitated a moment, then lowered his voice. “About my Yin Yang Constitution—please, I ask that you both keep it secret.”
If word got out, endless trouble would follow.
If that happened, every female cultivator under the heavens would probably hunt him down.
After all, a lifetime of bitter cultivation might not yield as much as a single dual cultivation session with a Yin Yang Constitution.
The young Red Dragon immediately understood.
Nowadays, there were no previous generation Yin Yang Constitutions left in the world, and the threat of the Outworld Heavenly Demon was temporarily at bay.
Jiang Huai’s identity was certainly awkward and dangerous.
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell. She won’t either.” She glanced at Chihuang.
Chihuang frowned slightly and turned her face away. “Of course I’ll keep it to myself. I never wanted to know you anyway.”
A weight finally lifted from Jiang Huai’s heart.
He cupped his hands in thanks. “Thank you both.”
“Will you ascend to the Immortal Realm someday?” the young Red Dragon suddenly asked.
“I don’t know yet,” Jiang Huai answered honestly.
“If you don’t ascend, once you reach the Grand Perfection stage, maybe you can unite the Five Great Dragon Clans. Both Bai Lu and I would support you.” Though she hadn’t yet asked Bai Lu, she believed her old friend would make the same choice.
“That… let’s talk about it later. After all, my wife’s status among the dragon clan is rather… special.”
Just then, Qin Qingyue and Chi Hong—looking a little tired but clearly satisfied—came walking out together.
Soon after, Chi Lian was brought over to say her goodbyes to Chihuang.
Chi Lian hurried over to Chihuang, her eyes red-rimmed. “Miss….”
Chihuang turned her head away with a proud air, though her voice softened. “Once you’re at Nine Heavens Palace, cultivate well. If anyone bullies you, tell me—I’ll back you up!”
“Just like before.”
“I know, I promise,” Chi Lian said, bowing deeply. When she looked up, her eyes were already brimming with tears.
“If you hadn’t helped me back then, I’d have…”
Chihuang finally turned and gently wiped her tears.
“If you miss me, come visit. If you’re wronged, speak up.” She shot a glance at Jiang Huai.
When everyone left the main hall, they unexpectedly found Wu Zhaohua waiting outside.
Qin Qingyue ignored her, leading everyone straight onto Nine Heavens Palace’s Flying Pellet.
Wu Zhaohua didn’t come forward, simply following from a distance—clearly waiting for the right moment to take Jiang Huai away.
As soon as they entered the flying boat’s cabin, right in front of Su Yingman and Chi Lian, Qin Qingyue suddenly reached out and tugged at Jiang Huai’s belt.
“What are you doing! This is all your fault for having the mark placed there! How embarrassing do you think this is!” Jiang Huai gritted his teeth in protest.
“Get off me.”
Qin Qingyue chuckled softly; to her, his resistance was just coquettish play.
In no time at all, Jiang Huai was pressed onto the soft couch, revealing three gleaming Dragon Marks.
The three marks were arranged so artfully, even a little provocatively, as if he’d been made into the dragon clan’s personal treasure.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Qin Qingyue happily hugged Jiang Huai’s waist, giving his bottom two light pats, showing him off to Su Yingman and Chi Lian.
“Qin Qingyue!”
Chi Lian’s face turned so red it was almost bleeding; she quickly turned her head away.
So this was the legendary Nine Heavens Palace?
Why did it feel… so strange?
Su Yingman covered her lips and laughed softly, her gaze lingering thoughtfully on the three Dragon Marks.
The Flying Pellet started up slowly, carrying a boatful of hidden passions, slicing through the clouds and speeding straight toward Nine Heavens Palace.