Longyin Hall, Vast Sea Residence
When Jiang Huai finished handling matters concerning Zhu Siyao and returned to the “Vast Sea Residence” where he and Qin Qingyue lived, the sight that greeted him made him pause in surprise.
He saw Qin Qingyue and Wu Zhaohua, for once, sitting side by side at the Jade Marrow Table in the main hall.
Qin Qingyue was dressed in a palace gown of dark black with golden dragon patterns, her lush and graceful figure outlined to perfection.
As she leaned lazily, the tip of her Dragon Tail, covered in fine black scales, could be seen beneath her skirt, unconsciously tapping lightly against the floor.
Wu Zhaohua, on the other hand, wore a plain white robe.
She sat upright, her cold face veiled with an intangible chill.
Though her curves were equally alluring and her form full, she radiated an aura of sword intent so forbidding that strangers dared not approach.
Both wore solemn expressions, occasionally speaking in hushed tones.
The air in the hall was heavy with a tension unlike any other day.
This Vast Sea Residence was the private domain of Jiang Huai and Qin Qingyue; even those closest to them, like Su Yingman and Zhuxin, rarely set foot here—let alone Wu Zhaohua, who had old grievances with Qin Qingyue.
Such a scene could not help but rouse Jiang Huai’s suspicions.
“Did something happen?” Jiang Huai hurried forward, unable to keep from asking.
For these two to set aside their differences and sit together so peacefully—surely it was no trivial matter.
When Qin Qingyue saw Jiang Huai return, the severity on her face softened a bit.
The corners of her lips lifted in a habitual smile as she asked, “So? Did you finish coaxing her?”
“Yes.” Jiang Huai nodded.
“If I’d known it would be such a bother today, I should’ve just ‘invited’ her along from the start.” Qin Qingyue raised the Spiritual Tea at her side and took a sip, her tone half-mocking, half-serious.
Back then, she hadn’t considered taking them both; her focus had only been on Zhuxin.
Wu Zhaohua glanced coldly at Qin Qingyue, a strange light flashing in her eyes, but in the end she said nothing.
She snorted inwardly. No matter what, it seemed impossible to really get along.
Jiang Huai naturally sat beside Qin Qingyue, concern written on his face as he asked again, “From your expression just now, something seems wrong. Did you encounter some difficulty?”
Qin Qingyue set down her tea, hesitated briefly, and the playful look in her Dragon Eye turned serious as she spoke in a grave tone:
“There’s definitely something off.”
“Both Sect Master Wu and I have sensed, faintly, that the Rules of Heaven and Earth are undergoing some indescribable change. The pattern is bizarre and obscure, making it impossible to grasp.”
She frowned slightly and continued,
“But one thing is certain—this is only the beginning. I fear it will trigger even greater, unknown upheaval.”
Such subtle shifts in the Rules of Heaven and Earth were initially extremely faint.
Only those of her and Wu Zhaohua’s cultivation could sense them. Ordinary Great Ascension cultivators like Zhuxin likely had no awareness at all.
Thinking back to the threats left by the Heavenly Demon before vanishing, Qin Qingyue’s heart grew uneasy.
That was why she’d invited Wu Zhaohua to discuss matters.
No matter how much she disliked Wu Zhaohua, or held onto old grudges, in the face of a crisis threatening the survival of the Five Provinces, the other woman was undeniably top-tier combat power.
She had no choice but to hold her nose and cooperate.
Clearly, Wu Zhaohua thought the same—thus the rare scene of apparent harmony now.
“Changes in the Rules of Heaven and Earth?” Jiang Huai, upon hearing this, instinctively reached out to sense his surroundings.
But with his Golden Core Stage cultivation, all he felt was the usual flow of spiritual energy—nothing amiss.
“Sigh, if only I were stronger.” He couldn’t help but feel a little discouraged.
Wu Zhaohua spoke up suddenly, her voice still cool but with a note of reassurance:
“You haven’t cultivated long, and already you’re at Golden Core Stage. That’s an astonishing rate of progress.” “I’ve heard the Red Dragon Clan’s old ancestor mention your speed. It’s even faster than the last Yin-Yang Body, perhaps because you’re a man.”
She paused, then got to the main point:
“Given the uncertain situation, I may stay at Nine Heavens Palace for some time. Wenxuan Sect will also send some disciples and elders here as a precaution.”
No one could say what the Heavenly Demon was plotting.
Now, with the only two Tianxian-level cultivators in the Central State both present at Nine Heavens Palace, each sect was best protected. Wu Zhaohua thought it necessary for Wenxuan Sect’s safety, while Qin Qingyue felt that with two Tianxian-level experts in residence, even if the Heavenly Demon had schemes, they could cope.
With their own goals, the two women again reached a reluctant cooperation.
Jiang Huai’s gaze shifted between Qin Qingyue and Wu Zhaohua, surprise flickering in his heart.
Was this… a sign of warming relations?
Longyin Hall, secret chamber.
“Mother, I really am almost fully recovered!” Zhu Siyao leaned over the edge of a massive wooden tub, listlessly stirring the last bits of milky-white Spiritual Liquid inside.
She truly didn’t want to soak in the Medicine Bath all day anymore—especially with Zhuxin hovering at her side every moment, making her feel utterly ill at ease.
Nothing ever changed; Zhuxin would always have the upper hand.
Zhuxin carefully examined the flow of her daughter’s internal energy, confirming that Zhu Siyao’s damaged Original Source had stabilized, even growing more refined and robust as a result of her ordeal.
At last, she nodded slightly: “Hmm. Your qi and blood are full, your soul stable—you may come out.”
She reached out her jade-like hand, gently stroked Zhu Siyao’s head, then slowly lifted her arm.
A soft force supported Zhu Siyao, lifting her weightlessly from the wooden tub.
The young girl’s delicate figure was revealed, her skin, after prolonged soaking in Spiritual Liquid, becoming even more lustrous and pure, like the finest white jade.
The liquid trickled down her long, straight legs and slender waist, outlining every breathtaking curve.
Zhuxin waved her sleeve, and a warm breeze swept over Zhu Siyao, instantly stripping all the lingering Spiritual Liquid from her skin and returning it to the tub.
In the blink of an eye, she was fresh and dry, as if the mess of moments before had never occurred.
Zhu Siyao felt light all over, her Spirit Platform clear, and even the slight blockages she’d always had in cultivation were suddenly smoothed away.
Her cultivation had even improved without her noticing.
She landed softly on the Bed of Soft Jade, stretching out in comfort, arms and legs sprawling without the slightest concern for decorum.
Watching this, Zhuxin frowned repeatedly.
Zhu Siyao sprawled carelessly, yawning, her tone carrying an almost unnoticeable hint of hope as she mumbled, “Why isn’t he here yet?”
“Some disciples from Wenxuan Sect are staying at Nine Heavens Palace for a while, so there’s much to do.
He’s probably busy,” Zhuxin said, averting her gaze, unable to bear seeing her daughter act so undignified. She sighed inwardly.
But then, remembering how tangled the relationships had become, she thought, This girl can hardly be considered just a daughter now. Oh well, let her be.
She was planning to have another one anyway.
Just then, the secret chamber’s door was pushed open, and Jiang Huai strode in, as immaculately dressed as always.
“Hm? You’re out already? Seems your recovery went well.” Jiang Huai’s eyes lit up as he saw Zhu Siyao standing by the bed.
The moment Zhu Siyao saw Jiang Huai, she bolted like a startled rabbit, rolling to the far side of the bed and wrapping herself tightly in a brocade quilt, leaving only a pair of fair, dainty feet peeking out.
Zhuxin glanced at her daughter’s obvious attempt at hiding and addressed Jiang Huai calmly:
“She’s fine now. Next, as planned, you’ll help her improve her innate talent.”
“I’ll go outside for a bit.”
There was no need to explain the method of improving innate talent.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Siyao immediately poked her head out from under the quilt and hastily pleaded:
“No, Mother! Stay! Why do you have to go?” She clung tightly to Zhuxin’s sleeve, refusing to let go.
Zhuxin’s beautiful eyes flashed with embarrassment and irritation as she snapped, “What more do you want? Don’t tell me you want me to stay and join in too?!”
Even as she said it, she felt her face flush.
Zhu Siyao pouted, muttering under her breath, “Can’t I? I don’t know how to do anything…” It was true; she’d only ever watched, never done it herself.
Seeing the two about to argue again, and catching the glance Zhu Siyao shot him, Jiang Huai braced himself, stepped forward, and gently took Zhuxin’s other hand, speaking softly:
“Zhuxin, don’t argue. It’ll spoil the mood.”
He paused, lowering his voice, “Besides, I’m at Golden Core Stage now—you could also take another step forward.”
Zhuxin was so flustered by his words that her chest heaved and her fingertips trembled.
“You… you…”
She glared at Jiang Huai’s handsome, earnest face and felt the warmth of his grip on her wrist.
She was torn between sense and desire, but in the end, she let him lead her to the edge of the bed, half resisting, half yielding.
Reason told her this was ridiculous—she ought to leave at once.
But deep down, suppressed feelings and hopes she could barely admit to herself wrapped around her like vines, holding her fast.
Zhuxin closed her eyes. Countless images flashed through her mind, then all faded into a single sigh.
“So I couldn’t escape this fate after all?”
Resigned, she relaxed and let herself fall back onto the soft bed.
Seeing Zhuxin’s acquiescence, Zhu Siyao’s eyes sparkled with excitement, even more eager than Jiang Huai.
She hurried forward, enthusiastically tugging at the ornate red palace dress Zhuxin wore, her hands working even faster than Jiang Huai’s.
Her heart brimmed with a strange happiness and anticipation—she couldn’t wait to see her usually stern, cold, and dignified mother in a completely different, unguarded state.
Feeling her daughter’s actions, Zhuxin’s eyes snapped open, her cold gaze sharp as ice, full of authority.
She raised her hand—smack! smack!—and landed two crisp slaps on Zhu Siyao’s round, perky backside, leaving clear red handprints.
“Ow! Why’d you hit me?” Zhu Siyao yelped, aggrieved.
“Because you’re such an unruly girl!” Zhuxin snorted, then stretched out her long leg and, with practiced ease, kicked Zhu Siyao to a corner of the bed.
Then, bracing her waist, she abruptly sat up and, like a hunter capturing prey, pulled the still-bewildered Jiang Huai over and pinned him where she’d just lain.
A Great Ascension cultivator handling a Golden Core Stage was like catching a chick—effortless.
“I… By rights, I should be on top,” Jiang Huai protested feebly, struggling a bit.
He was the husband, after all, and she was the concubine.
Zhuxin gazed down at him, her eyes blazing with a mix of long-repressed emotions and sudden recklessness. Biting her teeth, she murmured,
“I’ve put up with your wandering ways for long enough, you shameless rake.”
“Just see how I’ll teach you a lesson.”
With that, she pressed Jiang Huai’s shoulder with one hand and, with irresistible strength, forced his head…
She glanced at Zhu Siyao, curled in the corner, eyes wide with shock and secret excitement.
And so, under Zhu Siyao’s wide-eyed gaze, the light in the secret chamber flickered wildly, shadows dancing across the wall—a wild, chaotic black silhouette, kindling a fever in her heart.
She crawled forward, only to be kicked back to the corner by Zhuxin.
After being kicked aside, Zhu Siyao crawled back, only to be kicked away again.
“Why are you like this?”