Chapter 285-286 On How to Conquer System Fairies and Make Them Your Wives 285-286 |
Chen Yin woke up in the middle of the night.
Beside him, Nan Xiaoxiang was watching him, her eyes filled with a mixture of resentment and amusement, like a pet waiting for its owner to return.
He realized they were both naked, their bodies entangled.
The bathwater was still warm.
“Uh… Miss Nan?”
“You’re… awake,” she said, her voice tight with suppressed anger.
Chen Yin chuckled awkwardly. “How long was I asleep?”
“I started my bath at noon.”
Chen Yin glanced at the dark sky outside and coughed.
“Was I… holding you like this the whole time?”
“What do you think?” Nan Xiaoxiang’s gaze was cold and steady.
Chen Yin wisely chose to remain silent.
…Your skin isn’t even wrinkled. How can a mortal soak in hot water for so long without turning into a prune?
“You have a strange scent. My skin feels smoother and softer after being so close to you.” She glanced at his chest, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
Chen Yin remembered the azure spiritual energy flowing through his veins and chuckled.
So it had a beautifying effect as well.
“Was I sleeping that soundly?”
“You were dead to the world! I couldn’t wake you up no matter what I tried! That cultivator’s protective aura is so annoying!”
“And… you… you weren’t exactly… still…” her voice trailed off, her cheeks flushing crimson.
Chen Yin glanced down and understood.
…It’s not my fault! Any man would react the same way, being so close to such a beautiful woman.
“Ahem… I didn’t actually… do anything. It’s fine.”
Nan Xiaoxiang glared at him, wanting to hit him, but she knew she couldn’t.
“Look on the bright side,” he said, trying to lighten the mood, “what if I had sleepwalked and… done something inappropriate… while I was asleep? You wouldn’t have been able to stop me.”
Nan Xiaoxiang fell silent, considering his words.
Chen Yin sat up, his eyes widening slightly.
“Did I… really do something?” he asked cautiously.
“…No,” she looked away, “you were just talking in your sleep.”
Talking in his sleep? Chen Yin was curious.
But Nan Xiaoxiang didn’t tell him what he had said.
He had been murmuring a name.
“Little Ling’er.”
His voice had been soft and filled with sadness, his brow furrowed.
Nan Xiaoxiang knew who it was. But it didn’t matter.
…It wasn’t her.
“You can let go now,” she said coldly, her tone suddenly distant.
Chen Yin, surprised by her sudden change in demeanor, released her, and she quickly got out of the bath and wrapped herself in a towel.
She turned to him, her gaze cold and distant.
“It’s getting late, Young Master Chen. You should get some rest. You’ll be leaving tomorrow, to find Immortal Yu Ling, I presume.”
Chen Yin nodded, surprised that she had guessed his intentions.
“But the night is long. If you’re afraid of the dark, Miss Nan, I can offer you my… companionship.”
Nan Xiaoxiang paused, then looked at him, her eyes filled with a strange mixture of amusement and pity.
“…Perhaps you should save that offer for yourself, Young Master Chen. Try to… sleep well tonight.”
Chen Yin was silent.
“What… what did I say in my sleep?” he asked suddenly.
“I don’t think you want to know,” she said softly, her eyes downcast.
She had never seen him like that before.
She didn’t even know how to describe it.
“Get some rest. If you can’t sleep, I can keep you company.”
It was a blatant invitation. With that, she left.
Chen Yin sat there for a long time, lost in thought.
Finally, he shook his head and returned to his own room.
—
As dawn broke, Chen Yin opened his eyes.
He had spent the night sorting through his thoughts and memories.
He was definitely at the Grand Clarity Realm now.
He had mastered both the Sword Dao and the Dao of Life and Death, his cultivation soaring to the peak of Grand Clarity.
He could feel it.
The threshold to the Immortal Realm was within reach.
Just like that day, a thousand years ago, standing before the gate to the Upper Realm.
One step, and he would be an Immortal.
But he couldn’t ascend yet.
He still had unfinished business here.
The most pressing matter was the upcoming Triennial Heavenly Tribulation.
Last time, there had only been two of them: a bronze-armored soldier and the silver-armored general, Ding Chen.
He didn’t know Ding Chen’s status in the Upper Realm,
But judging by the soldier’s subservient attitude, he was likely a powerful figure.
And the Upper Realm wouldn’t take their deaths lightly.
He also remembered the gaze from the other side of the gate, watching him as he left.
This time, the Triennial Heavenly Tribulation would be far more dangerous. He didn’t know what they were planning,
But he was ready.
He would face them, whoever they were.
And even if they didn’t come, he would eventually ascend.
He had a score to settle, a debt of blood to repay.
He wouldn’t forget.
He took out the Eternal Light Sword.
It was as dull and lifeless as ever.
He had initially chosen it because it was durable, a perfect match for his powerful swordsmanship.
But now he knew,
Even the Eternal Light Sword wasn’t enough.
…During his fight with Ding Chen,
He had almost destroyed the sword with a single strike, the full power of his two Daos flowing through it.
It wasn’t strong enough.
But it was the best he had.
And his biggest concern was still the scroll.
It had been dormant ever since he used it to comprehend the two Daos.
Although the System Shop still functioned, the scroll’s space was dark and empty.
The statue and the crystal skull, which had once made the Heavenly Dao Fragments tremble, were now dull and lifeless, like discarded toys.
He didn’t know what had happened inside the scroll when he comprehended the Dao of Life and Death.
But the scroll had always been his greatest trump card.
And now it was useless.
It made him uneasy.
…If the scroll had been active that day on Mount Buqi… perhaps they would still be alive.
He pushed the thought away, forcing himself to focus on the present.
He couldn’t change the past.
But he still didn’t understand the scroll’s true nature.
Even the Immortal Venerable, who had given it to him, didn’t know what it was.
He had only said,
“If even I don’t know,”
“Then it must belong to my Master.”
The Immortal Venerable’s Master. A figure shrouded in mystery.
Chen Yin knew nothing about him.
But as he was cleaning the Eternal Light Sword, two orbs of light suddenly emerged from its blade.
Silently, they floated towards him, then disappeared into the scroll.
Chen Yin noticed a faint glow emanating from the scroll.
…What was this? He stared at the orbs, a strange sense of familiarity washing over him.
He recognized them.
They were the two child-like figures who had been with him and the Immortal Venerable on Ephemeral Mountain.
Mo Cen and Fuyu.
He had asked the Immortal Venerable about them, and he had simply said they were pets, given to him by his Master for companionship.
But Chen Yin knew better now.
Mo Cen was the Daoist priest from Ephemeral Mountain, and Fuyu was the spirit of the Water Palace.
Fuyu had promised him a reward after he completed the trial.
He hadn’t known what it was at the time.
Now, looking at the faintly glowing scroll, he felt a strange sense of fate, as if everything had been preordained.
He touched the scroll and smiled faintly.
“…Thank you,” he whispered.
The scroll glowed brighter, as if two voices were answering him.
It was functional again, and Chen Yin felt a sense of relief. He looked at the brightening sky and smiled.
“It’s time to see her.”
He had so much to tell her,
And so much he wanted to hear from her.
This time, he had time.
He would make sure she finished her story.
With a flash of sword light, he vanished.
After he was gone, a window in the next room opened, and Nan Xiaoxiang, leaning against the windowsill, her eyes filled with a strange longing, watched him go.
The city of Qinglian.
It was still as rainy and misty as when he first saw it, a mountain city shrouded in a gentle veil of rain.
But unlike his last visit, there was no tension in the air. This time, Chen Yin didn’t even sense the presence of the city’s protective formation.
He entered the city without any hindrance.
Everything in the mountain city seemed unchanged, just as it was when he last visited a thousand years ago.
Chen Yin made his way to the main hall, familiar faces greeting him along the way.
He even saw Ya Ya, who brightened up when she saw him.
“Big Brother Chen!”
“It’s been a while! Do you know where Luo Luo is?”
“She might be in the main hall?” Ya Ya said uncertainly. “She’s been locked up by Senior Mei Niang these past few days. I don’t know what’s going on.”
Locked up? Chen Yin was curious.
As he approached the main hall, he sensed two powerful auras, as if two cultivators of immense power were engaged in combat.
And he recognized both of them.
He quickly made his way to the training grounds behind the main hall.
—
In the training grounds, two figures, one green and one blue, clashed, their movements swift and deadly.
The figure in green was fierce and ruthless, her attacks laced with a chilling killing intent. The blue figure was agile and graceful, her movements ethereal and flawless.
Their battle was a whirlwind of Dao energy, the surrounding formations barely containing their power.
The two figures fought for a long time, their battle growing more intense, the formations around them threatening to collapse.
Finally, as their swords were about to clash for the final time, they both stopped, their blades inches from each other.
A man stood between them, sighing in exasperation.
“Seriously, do you have to fight so intensely just for practice? Do you know you’re about to destroy the place?”
The figure in green, startled, immediately jumped into Chen Yin’s arms.
“Senior Brother! You’re finally out of seclusion!” Xiang’er, her earlier cold and ruthless demeanor vanished, her face now flushed and filled with joy, hugged him tightly, her arms around his neck.
“Good girl,” Chen Yin ruffled her hair. “Did you miss me while I was gone?”
“I didn’t miss you at all,” Xiang’er mumbled, playing with the hem of her dress, pouting slightly. “It was only a few days. Why would I miss a smelly Senior Brother like you?”
Chen Yin chuckled and pinched her cheek playfully.
He turned to the other figure, Shen Shuanglian, whose eyes were filled with a mixture of surprise and longing.
“You… you’ve broken through?” she asked softly.
“I did,” Chen Yin said, stretching lazily. He glanced at her, then, seeing that she was standing at a distance, he reached out and pulled her into his embrace.
“What are you doing standing so far away?”
“I… I was going to…” She blushed and lowered her head. “You and Junior Sister Xiang’er haven’t seen each other in a while, so I thought—”
“Stop that,” Chen Yin said seriously. “You’re both my wings.”
Shen Shuanglian blushed even harder, and Xiang’er glared at him, then bit his shoulder.
“You’re so corny!”
Chen Yin chuckled and changed the subject. “Did Master ask you to spar with each other?”
“Yes. Master said our cultivation levels are high enough, but our combat skills need improvement. She asked me and…” Xiang’er glanced at Shen Shuanglian, her voice softening, “…Sister Shen to spar and learn from each other.”
Chen Yin had an idea. …A threesome with these two… what would that be like?
But he kept the thought to himself.
“Speaking of which, you’ve both comprehended the Dao,” he said. “How about you two fight me together? It might be good practice.”
Xiang’er and Shen Shuanglian exchanged surprised glances.
“But…” Shen Shuanglian hesitated, while Xiang’er tugged at Chen Yin’s nose playfully.
“Don’t look down on us, Senior Brother! We’re both Dao Comprehending cultivators now! Even if you’re strong, how can you fight against two Daos at once?”
Shen Shuanglian added, “I know you comprehended the Sword Dao early, and one-on-one, none of us are your match. But facing two Daos at once…”
Chen Yin grinned. “Are you scared? If you’re scared, just say so. Then go and wash up tonight, pick a position, and wait for me in bed.”
His words made Xiang’er’s face flush, and even Shen Shuanglian looked away, embarrassed.
“Fine! Let’s do it!” Xiang’er said, her competitive spirit ignited. “If you lose, you’ll have to do something embarrassing!”
“And if I win?” Chen Yin asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“What do you want, Senior Brother?”
“You should already know.”
Shen Shuanglian blushed, but Xiang’er, although flustered, said, “Fine! Let’s do it!”
Shen Shuanglian wanted to say something, but she held back, a part of her… curious.
Chen Yin grinned. “Then let’s begin.”
—
Half an hour later…
“I’m not fighting anymore!”
Xiang’er threw her sword on the ground and stomped her foot in frustration.
“This isn’t fair! You’re cheating!”
Shen Shuanglian sheathed her sword and stood silently, her expression calm.
…It was impossible.
Two Dao Comprehending Grand Clarity Realm cultivators, their combined power, their two Dao Rhythms working in tandem…
…and Chen Yin had casually deflected all their attacks, his sword movements effortless, his defense impenetrable.
The Sword Dao. The Dao of Life and Death.
Two Daos were not simply one plus one equals two.
It was a fundamental, qualitative change.
Chen Yin smiled. “A bet’s a bet. Tonight, wash up and wait for me in bed. You don’t have to wear anything. I’ll bring the… outfits.”
Xiang’er: “?”
“W-wait, that’s not fair! Let’s go again!”
She tried to pull Shen Shuanglian into another round, but the latter just lowered her head, her face flushed.
“See? Even Senior Sister agrees,” Chen Yin teased, approaching Xiang’er. “Are you going to welch on our bet?”
“I… I didn’t…”
She glared at him, her ears red. “Fine! Just… just don’t… don’t expect me to… to just lie there!”
“The tougher the better,” Chen Yin grinned.
He turned to Shen Shuanglian. “Where’s Master?”
“Immortal Yu Ling and Senior Qing Mei Niang are discussing something in the main hall,” Shen Shuanglian said softly.
Chen Yin ruffled her hair, then leaned down and kissed her cheek.
“I’ll be waiting for you tonight.”
He then left, leaving Xiang’er fuming behind him.
“You… you…! Come back and fight me again!”
—
The main hall was empty, as usual.
Chen Yin stood at the entrance, hesitating.
…Master had gathered everyone here, so it must be important.
It had been going on for a while, so it must be serious.
Would he be interrupting something important?
He slowly pushed open the door.
And immediately regretted it.
…I was wrong.
I shouldn’t have expected these two to be serious.
The main hall was littered with empty wine jars.
On the main seat, two beautiful women, one large and one small, were sprawled on the table,
Each holding a jar of wine, their arms around each other’s shoulders, laughing and talking loudly.
“That dress from the Ten Thousand Fragrance Pavilion is gorgeous! But it’s so expensive! Can’t you ask Wan Yunhai to give me a discount?”
“Why ask for a discount? I’ll just give you one!”
“Really? You’re the best, Little Ling’er~”
The alluring fox demon, Qing Mei Niang, was about to kiss Yu Ling when the latter kicked her away.
“You horny fox! Get away from me!”
“Aww, Little Ling’er, let’s cuddle~”
“Find a cucumber if you’re horny! Leave me alone!”
Having finally managed to kick away the drunken Qing Mei Niang, Yu Ling, her figure petite, her dress loose and revealing, her eyes bright and piercing, turned towards the entrance and saw Chen Yin.
He stood there, watching her.
They stared at each other for a long moment, the silence stretching between them.
Time seemed to stand still.
Her figure filled his vision.
“Look at you,” Yu Ling finally said, a smile breaking across her face.
Her voice was soft, filled with a gentle warmth.
“I know you have a lot to say.”
“But…”
“…It’s good to have you back.” She closed her eyes, a faint smile on her lips.
Like a gentle rain, washing away all his worries and anxieties.