Below the Nine Heavens Palace, on the mountain gate square shrouded in mist and clouds, a vivid flash of red stood quietly.
Zhu Siyao lifted her head, her red dress fluttering gently in the breeze.
She stared blankly at the horizon, watching Qin Qingyue’s familiar figure dart past first, followed by Jiang Huai, whom she always kept in her thoughts.
When she saw Jiang Huai walking side by side with her mother, Zhuxin, and the two of them naturally holding hands as they talked, a trace of complicated emotion flashed across the girl’s delicate face.
Yes, he is my… stepmother.
This realization made Zhu Siyao press her lips together, a faint bitterness rising in her heart.
Yet that touch of sorrow was quickly replaced by an even stronger emotion.
A nearly twisted sense of unwillingness.
Why did fate have to arrange things this way? Why was there always an insurmountable chasm between her and him?
She stared at the group as they gradually walked farther away, finally disappearing between the three Main Halls suspended in midair, before she silently lowered her head.
Her mother had warned her sternly again and again that place was the Sect’s forbidden ground.
Even as the Master Sister, even as Zhuxin’s daughter, she must never trespass.
In the increasingly rule-abiding Nine Heavens Palace, some boundaries were becoming clear, some rules required everyone’s obedience.
Last time, when she barged into Longyin Hall, Zhuxin had warned her not to ever do so again, or her legs would be broken.
But Zhu Siyao still had her doubts. She clearly had a Token in her hand—was it the rules that didn’t allow her in, or just her mother?
“Flying in midair—he’s already at the Golden Core Stage.” Zhu Siyao muttered to herself, her fingertips unconsciously digging into her palm.
“With his talent, he could probably fight against those in the Nascent Soul Stage right now, couldn’t he?”
“And then there’s the Saintess of the Red Dragon Clan.”
That thought made her heart even more chaotic, a cloud of gloom settling over the girl’s bright face.
She had to become stronger. Stronger, stronger, strong enough that no one could surpass her.
Otherwise, what awaited her would be to watch her mother and Jiang Huai ascend to the Immortal Realm, while she could only grow old in this Nine Heavens Palace.
“This won’t do. This absolutely won’t do.” Zhu Siyao suddenly drew the Sword at her waist, the cold glint reflecting the sudden determination in her eyes.
“I’m going with you to the Immortal Realm.”
She murmured softly, as if making a vow:
“I didn’t have one before, but now I have a complete family.”
Just how much of these words came from true desire, and how much was merely self-deception—even she couldn’t tell.
At that moment, a disciple hurriedly approached to report.
Zhu Siyao composed herself, instantly resuming her usual dignified and steady Master Sister demeanor.
“What is it?”
“Reporting to Master Sister, a new Secret Realm has been discovered nearby. According to our probing, only those above the Golden Core Stage may enter.”
“Should we notify Elder Zhu?”
Zhu Siyao swiftly sheathed her Sword and replied seriously:
“I’ll go investigate. No need to trouble my mother for a Secret Realm at the Golden Core Stage.”
At this moment, she seemed to press all her chaotic thoughts to the bottom of her heart.
A Master Sister must act like a Master Sister!
Inside Longyin Hall, however, the atmosphere was completely different from the grim tension below.
Chi Lian stood awkwardly in the center, feeling as if everyone’s gaze was fixed on her, making her wish she could crawl into a crack in the ground.
Qin Qingyue studied the plain Red Dragon Clan red dress she wore, her brows slightly furrowed.
That fabric truly didn’t suit the status of the Nine Heavens Palace.
At the very least, it wasn’t worthy of the status of Concubine No. 003.
She glanced at Jiang Huai, a hint of puzzlement in her eyes.
Back at the Red Dragon Clan, he clearly had the chance to choose the real Saintess, Chihuang.
So why did he pick this timid Chi Lian instead?
To be fair, she admired Chihuang’s bold spirit more.
Compared to the girl before her who blushed at the slightest thing, Chihuang was much easier on the eyes.
As for talent? For a Dao Companion with the Yin-Yang Body, dual cultivation was the best way to cultivate—no talent could compare to Jiang Huai, who was basically a walking Ling Mai.
“Alright, change your clothes.” Qin Qingyue said, taking out a few dazzling and luxurious outfits from her Storage Ring.
“Take them off.”
Chi Lian froze, her cheeks instantly flushing red: “R-right here?”
“Mhm.” Qin Qingyue nodded as a matter of course.
“Don’t worry, we’re all family here. You don’t even have to wear anything if you don’t want to.” She patted the pile of gorgeous garments.
“Hurry up, try them on.”
Chi Lian’s face turned even redder, but with Qin Qingyue’s urging, she—never good at refusing—could only shakily untie her sash with trembling fingers.
Her clothes fell away, revealing a shapely and well-proportioned figure.
The crimson carpet was a bit messy.
“You should really tidy up.” Qin Qingyue gave a light sweep and offered her blunt assessment.
“I-I’ll tidy up tonight…” Chi Lian replied in a daze, feeling like she was about to combust.
“I’ll help you tidy up! I know all sorts of shapes.” Su Yingman chimed in cheerfully, only restraining herself a little after getting a look from Zhuxin.
What an unruly Huanhuan Sect Female Cultivator.
Chi Lian felt extremely embarrassed, being scrutinized by so many women—but on second thought, this seemed reasonable, too.
She accepted the outfit Qin Qingyue handed her: a Dragon Pattern Palace Dress embroidered in deep gold thread.
When she put on the luxurious gown and tied the sash at her waist, her entire demeanor changed.
She looked less timid, more dignified.
Jiang Huai walked behind her and gently patted her back.
“Straighten your back, have some confidence.” His voice was gentle.
“Didn’t you always admire Chihuang?”
Thinking of the Saintess’s heroic figure, Chi Lian subconsciously nodded.
As Chihuang’s personal maid, she had always quietly admired that dazzling presence.
“Then be a good Saintess yourself, don’t get distracted.”
“S-Saintess? I’m not the Saintess, you know that, Young Master Jiang, I’m not…”
“Call me husband.” Jiang Huai corrected her softly.
He found himself increasingly fond of this pure and shy girl wrapped in a mature shell—a sort of clumsy wife’s charm.
Chi Lian paused, then became shy, her lovely face turning pink: “Husband, I’m really not the Saintess…”
“If I say you are, you are.” Jiang Huai said calmly, fastening a Sword inlaid with a red gemstone at her waist.
“From now on, you are the Saintess of Nine Heavens Palace.”
“But my talent isn’t enough…” Chi Lian quickly said.
“Don’t worry about talent.” Jiang Huai finished tying the Sword, studying her carefully.
“I told you, I’ll help you become whatever you want to be.”
His gaze was resolute.
“You won’t be any worse than Chihuang. You are the Saintess.”
Chi Lian looked at Jiang Huai in front of her, then around at everyone else.
Qin Qingyue looked away but did not object, Su Yingman’s eyes held a kindly smile, and Zhuxin nodded ever so slightly.
A wave of warmth surged in her heart, an unprecedented sense of comfort blossoming inside her.
She nodded gently, lowered her head to look at the long Sword at her waist, and softly replied: “Alright, husband.”
In this moment, the fake Saintess became the real Saintess of the Nine Heavens Palace.
Qin Qingyue turned away, feeling dissatisfied, but ultimately did not voice her complaint.
Such a big decision, and he didn’t even discuss it with her first? It looked like her self-willed husband needed to be “disciplined” properly.
After all, she still had quite a few different “necklaces” made from various materials tucked away in her Storage Ring.