Within the unnamed realm, three humans and two beasts basked in silence and varied, complex emotions
Anu was content to an unreasonable degree. The feeling of watching Han Xei's spiritual form being shredded, bitten, crushed, clawed, and slammed was cathartic to the point that it almost caused orgasmic shudders. Moreover, it wasn't so easy to die in his Internal World. By request, Anu had a Temporal Reversion formation inscribed across his Internal World. While he couldn't execute it himself, the act of fueling it and targeting Han Xei was there. All the azure dragon, or any dragon within for that matter, had was pump the formation with his bloodline energies containing mystic energy
Han Xei, always when he was on the verge of destruction, was forcefully revived. It wouldn't be a slow end. Only after every grievance built on the thousands of years of pain, suffering, and despair that they felt was properly returned could this bastard experience the completeness of death. Whether that would take days or years, Anu didn't care
Wei Wuyin, of course, had other plans for the Divine King
Bai Lin was observing the gorgeous palace constructed with jade in the distance with a mischievous look in her eyes. It was illustrious and calming yet majestic and pure. An extremely relaxing sight
"Go," Wei Wuyin smiled as he urged, fully knowing Bai Lin's thoughts. She loved to explore, and he had no problems allowing her to do so. Unlike before where she was captured by the Beast-Taming Sect all those years ago, the entirety of the eighteen regions were within his control. Even the arrays and formations long since inactive or insidiously hidden by the former owners were within his hands
Kree
Excitedly, Bai Lin soared upwards. She was already making her way over to the largest tower of the palace, planning to mark her territory
With a gentle, warm smile, Wei Wuyin was once again reminded that the world kept moving after one's vengeance or blood debt was over. When he had gotten his revenge, his Heart of Cultivation was largely lost without any goals. All the effort, pain, and thoughts toward cultivation and the future had somehow vanished altogether, leaving him without a clear objective
There was a time when he thought of meeting his older brother in the next life. The thought of seeing him again had brought him to a dark, sinister edge. A time in his life when things were as foggy as could be
It was only thanks to Mei Mei's interference that his will to cultivate was renewed back then, that he was inspired to traverse a little further down his life path. He was timely reminded that his young life still contained many hidden goals and his beating, living heart contained many dreams
Looking back, if he had told his younger self in the Scarlet Solaris Sect that one day he would rule over eighteen stellar regions and the powerful beings living there that could distort the causality of time, traverse millions of miles in mere moments, seize planets with a pull, and snuff out stars with a snap of their fingers, he might have, no-he would have laughed all the way to bed
But here he was
The thought brought him adrift in a sea of a myriad of memories.
He could still remember the bloody trek to the Scarlet Solaris Sect. The feeling of having no shoes on his feet, no family to his name, no home to return to, and no hope in his heart. Besides the breath in his lungs and the sound of his heart beating like a hollow drum, he was left with nothing. Slowly but surely, that changed.
He found Du Ling.
He found Wei Si.
He found Mei Mei.
He found Su Mei.
As he traversed further down the path of cultivation and survived obstinately, all for the sake of single-minded purpose, he bought new shoes, discovered family, made a home, and ignited his hope.
No one, not even the Black Skeleton, fully understood the thoughts within his mind when he saw Long Chen end his life with a single swing of his sword. Everything that he had painstakingly acquired back had been taken away mercilessly by a single young man that he didn't even know for reasons he was unaware of. All his plans, his arduous efforts of cultivation, and his intelligence led to that moment. The feeling was gut-wrenching, soul-crushing, and heart-shattering.
"..." Wei Wuyin felt the rising nostalgia in his heart. Divine King Han Xei was a major figure with a significant impact on his younger self, a hearty and stable goal to aspire to become, an icon of legend that he worshiped at some point, yet this very same man had met his end at his hands. It was hard not to recall those days. It was hard not to feel those old, buried emotions once more.
"Master Wei," A gentle voice as soft as cotton reached Wei Wuyin's ears, stirring his heart once again. While he had been reminded of his past by the tragic end of the Divine King, he had similarly been reminded of his present by the soft calling voice of Lin Xianxian, the nominal Sect Master of the True Element Sect and his first official maidservant.
He wasn't that little kid with no shoes, trekking the dirt path with bloodied feet, severely dehydrated, and hungry to the point of eating bark anymore.
Turning around, he saw a bright-eyed, upright Lin Xianxian standing beside a shy-faced Lin Xianxei with ravishing beauty that was slightly superior to her mother. Zhang Ziyi's brows were furrowed as the remnants of a spiritual transmission lingered between her and Lin Xianxian in his eyes. Clearly, the Radiant Jade True Queen was admonishing Lin Xianxian for interrupting his thoughts with thoughtless consideration.
However, Lin Xianxian seemed to pay this Earthly Saint little mind despite the vast disparity in power and might. Moreover, the disregard could only be accepted by Zhang Ziyi.
Wei Wuyin couldn't help but recall Yang Chaoyue and the rumors around her. Whether they were men or women, the way they acted upon having a backer was amusing to see. He didn't know whether it was a good thing or a bad thing that he'd never experienced such a thing before. All of his support and prestige were directly gained from his own feats and achievements, not once had there been anyone shielding him from the might of a powerful being, allowing him to be disrespectful or neglect the difference in cultivation bases and status.
But he had to admit: the maid of the Ascendant Emperor of Neo-Dawn was of considerably higher standing than Zhang Ziyi, especially today of all days. While those like Su Nianzu would likely slap Zhang Ziyi to death without a single ounce of hesitation if she was disrespectful, they would be respectful and tolerate Lin Xianxian's behavior as long as she didn't touch their bottom lines. To add, they wouldn't dare to take her life without careful consideration.
It was because of this that he deeply respected Na Xinyi's Heart of Cultivation and choice of a path to venture without his protection, and respected Xue Yifei slightly more. While Na Xinyi sought to establish her own prestige backed by her own feats, achievements, and path, Xue Yifei stood beside him, seeking to maximize the potential of his prestige and elevate himself and those around him using all of it. They took two different paths but both were commendable in his eyes.
Kree! Kree! Kreeee!
Bai Lin was playing around the palace. She had already taken a few precious things by breaching some formations that not even the Divine King had been able to enter. She didn't hold back at all in plundering the palace. Anu was already sneaking over after noticing that Wei Wuyin was absentmindedly floating in the sky earlier. It didn't take long before a Phoenix and a dragon made a mess of a jade palace.
Walking toward the trio of women with a casual gait, Wei Wuyin revealed to them a smile. "Both of you feeling alright?" The question caused Lin Xianxian's eyes to glisten. In her mind, each word was dropping with care and emotion. After all, she had heard about how Wei Wuyin had saved Yue Songli against Trueborn, waging war against them and teaching them an unforgettable lesson.
The former Number ONE Beauty then directly declared herself as his to the entire world, bringing forth envy to who knows how many men and women. She would be lying if she said she didn't want to be a damsel, saved by a dashing, handsome cultivator of outstanding power. Moreover, she had! The feeling was as euphoric as the stories suggest!
While it was brief, she gathered that the Nine-Divine Elementus King had conspired against them for an evil scheme and that Lin Xianxei's discipleship was nothing more than a pretense to fulfill this. In fact, her cultivation base might have been deliberate as well. She could distinctly remember the support Han Xei had given her, allowing her to reach the Soul of Mysticism level and establish herself as the nominal Sect Leader.
"Mn," Lin Xianxian strongly nodded to indicate her well-being. "Is it over?" She followed up as if taking a page from those stories' dialogue.
Wei Wuyin nodded, "Han Xei will no longer be an issue. He won't be able to hurt either of you again in this life."
Lin Xianxian touched her ample chest, breathing a sigh of relief. "If not for you..."
Zhang Ziyi felt an urge to throttle this woman. However, she held back with every ounce of her willpower. She decided to change the subject, "What about this realm?"
Wei Wuyin inclined his head slightly upward to see the unique spatial energy that enveloped this secret realm. "I'll relocate it to the Neo-Dawn Starfield's World Dawn for now. I'll allow the True Element Sect's members to enter after organizing some things. This place has a few distinct opportunities. Moreover, there are cultivation grounds extremely suitable for those who cultivate Jade Energy."
Zhang Ziyi's eyes brightened like two jade lamps. She had felt how nourishing this place was to her cultivation and Mystic Physique. It was why she had asked about this unnamed realm's fate, hoping to get some benefits while being here. As a cultivator who has had her aspirations reignited, she wanted to seize every opportunity she could.
"..." Lin Xianxei's golden eyes were watching Wei Wuyin unblinkingly. She seemed to want to say a thousand different things, ask a thousand questions, and do a thousand more.
Wei Wuyin could feel the heat emanating from her stare. He chuckled, lowering his head, and finding her eyes matching his own. Her shy-faced expression had slowly faded away, replaced by a type of determined look. Unbeknownst to Wei Wuyin, the words spoken to her by the Grand Seer on that day had never once left her thoughts. However, her heart was palpitating with fear of a potential outcome-an outcome of rejection.
"Lin Xianxei, I'll send you to the Origin Dawn Palace. You can rest there until I've finished up some things. What do you think?" Wei Wuyin's words caused Lin Xianxei to jump slightly. He continued, "You have a lot of questions. I'm sure. I'll answer all that I can for you. You deserve answers at least."
Ba-Dum. Ba-Dum.
Lin Xianxei's heart was pounding.
Lian Xianxian's eyes were slightly odd. She, as his maid, fully understood the fate of women who entered the Original Dawn Palace. After all, she had thoroughly enjoyed that fate earlier until her consciousness left her, and her soul was sublimated on levels she didn't think existed. Moreover, besides the female Ascendants, no woman had ever left without needing the sheets cleaned. And she was the one to clean them!
Knowing this, how could she not think this way?
"Xianxian, assist Lin Xianxei in breaking into the Mystic Ascendant Realm while there. She can use the resources and the Neo-Dawn Vortex-Zone pellets that I've left behind in the storage to cultivate," Wei Wuyin issued an order, and instinctively, Lin Xianxian replied respectfully: "Yes, Master."
After the words left her lips, she immediately understood the implications! Was this no different from asking her to...
"Make sure to not slack off on your cultivation, and teach her everything she needs to know about the Original Dawn Palace." Wei Wuyin instructed and Lin Xianxian nodded once again.
Lin Xianxei was taken aback, but she didn't know what to say with her thoughts jumbled.
Wei Wuyin saw her confusion and pressed his hand against empty space. A dark Void Portal was conjured beside him a few feet away. "I'll be clear to ensure that there's no misunderstanding: Entering this Void Portal means that from now on, you, Lin Xianxei, will be my woman. After you reach the Mystic Ascendant Realm, I won't hold back in making sure you know that. That your entire body and soul knows that, just like your mother's."
"..." Lin Xianxei.
"..." Lin Xianxian.
"..." Zhang Ziyi.
"Of course, you can refuse." Wei Wuyin pointed out, "Or you can enter."
Zhang Ziyi was stunned. Wei Wuyin wanted both mother and daughter! Moreover, he was extremely clear about that! Extremely clear!
However, what astonished her even more was the reply!
Whoosh!
Without a single word, Lin Xianxei entered the Void Portal! It was as if on the other side was a heaven opportunity she didn't even need to think about to grasp!
Lin Xianxian was struck dumb, her eyes dazed to an extreme.
Wei Wuyin chuckled. With a flick of his finger, Lin Xianxian was sent into the Void Portal with a whoosh.
"..." Zhang Ziyi was speechless. Then again, if she was given the choice, would she have chosen any differently? The question came with a quick answer: ABSOLUTELY NOT! She might have been faster. How good was it to be a young beautiful virgin? Even divine figures like Wei Wuyin would be open to accepting you, changing your entire life with a few sentences.
As for her? She had long since established a family, lived a full married life, and outlived her husband, even a few of her children, grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She didn't have much hope for such a possibility. Unfortunately for Zhang Ziyi, she didn't know Wei Wuyin.
Fortunately for Zhang Ziyi, she didn't know Wei Wuyin!
"Let's explore the jade palace a little. A few hours should do," Wei Wuyin stretched his arms out as his dragon bloodline stirred. "I'll show you a few good places I've discovered."
Zhang Ziyi didn't refuse, naturally. However...the palace wasn't the only thing Wei Wuyin intended to explore in these few hours.
