Chapter 320-321 On How to Conquer System Fairies and Make Them Your Wives 320-321 |
Hearing that familiar voice, Shen Shuanglian felt a wave of relief wash over her.
Chen Yin’s presence always had a calming effect.
She turned around, her eyes sparkling with joy. “Chen Yin! You came for me…”
“Of course,” he said, his arms wrapping around her from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder, “your husband came to rescue you. Aren’t you touched? Don’t you want to give me a big kiss?”
Shen Shuanglian blushed, then looked down shyly. “I’m sorry… did I… cause you trouble again?”
“It’s not trouble,” he said, gently stroking her nose, his voice filled with a gentle reproach, “but you’re too reckless, venturing into the depths of the Heavenly Path Perilous Domain alone. What if I hadn’t arrived in time?”
Shen Shuanglian lowered her head, her lips pressed together tightly.
“I’m sorry…”
She rarely spoke, always quiet and obedient in his presence.
Chen Yin’s heart softened, and he ruffled her hair gently.
“It’s okay, I’m not blaming you. I just don’t want you to be in danger when I’m not around. But since we’re here, let’s see what secrets this place holds.”
“Speaking of which,” Shen Shuanglian said, “there is something at the heart of this mist. But I was discovered by those demons before I could reach it. They said it’s forbidden territory and that I have to stay here forever.”
Forbidden territory? Chen Yin was intrigued.
Had the Immortal Venerable hidden something here?
“Then let’s go and see.”
“But your sword…” Shen Shuanglian hesitated, tugging at his robe, her voice filled with concern, “it’s not repaired yet, and those demons—”
“Don’t worry,” Chen Yin grinned and flicked her forehead playfully, “I’m not completely useless without the Eternal Light Sword.”
He drew a simple bronze sword.
“It’s not as good as the Eternal Light Sword, but it will do. At least, it’s enough to deal with these Grand Clarity Realm demons.”
The sword, called “Bronze,” was from the System Shop. He had countless copies of it, and although it wasn’t as powerful as the Eternal Light Sword, it was durable and easily replaceable.
He casually swung the sword, and the mist before them parted, revealing a path leading to the heart of the Domain, a faint shimmering barrier in the distance.
Surprised voices echoed from the mist.
“How…? His formation…”
Chen Yin recognized the formation. It was a powerful illusion array, even by human standards. It was unlikely that demons could create something like this on their own.
It must have been created by a human.
And the only person he knew who was obsessed with formations was…
…the Immortal Venerable.
“It seems this formation wasn’t just meant to trap the demons,” Chen Yin said, a thoughtful expression on his face, “but also to hide something. That Immortal Venerable… he’s full of surprises. I wonder what he’s hiding.”
As they walked towards the barrier, a figure suddenly appeared before them.
The black dragon, now in its human form.
“Stop, human,” he said, his gaze fixed on Chen Yin. “You cannot go any further.”
“Why not?” Chen Yin chuckled. “Are you guarding something for him? This is getting more and more interesting. What did Gu Changliu leave behind?”
The black dragon hesitated, then shook his head. “Humans might break their promises, but we demons do not. I promised that human boy I wouldn’t let anyone near this place. And I intend to keep my promise.”
The mist thinned slightly, and as the surroundings became clearer, Shen Shuanglian’s body tensed, her hand instinctively reaching for her sword.
They were surrounded.
Towering figures, their auras powerful and menacing, loomed over them, their eyes fixed on them with a predatory intensity.
A Kirin, its grey scales crackling with lightning. A massive rhinoceros, its hide like solid rock. A giant black serpent, its body coiling and uncoiling menacingly.
More than a dozen ancient beasts, their combined presence blotting out the sky.
Shen Shuanglian was about to draw her sword, but Chen Yin gently placed his hand on hers, stopping her.
His expression remained calm, his gaze fixed on the black dragon.
“Are you that determined to stop me?”
“Breaking a promise to a human is a grave insult to us demons,” the black dragon said proudly, his hands clasped behind his back.
“What price are you willing to pay to stop me?”
“And what price can you possibly make us pay?”
Chen Yin’s answer was swift and decisive.
Before the black dragon could even react, the bronze sword in Chen Yin’s hand had pierced through his shoulder.
The other demons froze, their eyes wide with surprise, then they let out a chorus of roars and growls, their bodies tensing, ready to attack.
But the black dragon just looked at Chen Yin, his expression a mixture of shock and… respect.
He hadn’t even seen the sword move.
None of them had.
It had been like a blade of grass sprouting from the earth, so insignificant, so easily overlooked.
But it had pierced his flesh, a deep, searing pain radiating through his body.
He knew Chen Yin hadn’t aimed for his heart. He hadn’t intended to kill him.
“…After all these years…” he murmured, his voice filled with a strange mixture of awe and resignation, “you humans… you’re still producing such monsters. I thought that little girl, lasting so long against us, was the strongest human cultivator of this era. But you… you’re on a completely different level.”
“Thank you for the compliment,” Chen Yin grinned. “I have to protect my woman, don’t I?”
Shen Shuanglian glanced at him, a faint blush on her cheeks.
The bronze sword remained embedded in the black dragon’s shoulder, his dark blood flowing freely.
The other demons growled and snarled, eager to avenge their leader, but he just shook his head slowly.
“…It’s pointless. We’re too old to compete with you youngsters. I can’t stop you. But what you seek… isn’t there.” He looked at Chen Yin intently.
“How do you know what I seek?”
“Human cultivators… you only seek power, treasures, and immortality. There’s nothing like that in there. And we’re not just guarding this place for that human boy anymore.”
Chen Yin was puzzled.
“You’ll understand… when you see it.”
The black dragon’s gaze was fixed on him. “Go. We’ll be watching. If you try anything… we’ll stop you, even if it means our lives.”
His cryptic words made Chen Yin even more curious.
…What could possibly be so important?
He exchanged a look with Shen Shuanglian, then stepped into the mist.
The scenery shifted and changed, and Chen Yin felt a wave of fresh, clean air wash over him, the scent of grass and flowers filling his senses.
Beneath his feet was soft, velvety grass, cool and inviting.
The sky was a pale, golden yellow, a perpetual twilight.
Butterflies danced among the flowers, birds sang in the trees, their melodies the only sound in this peaceful sanctuary.
A simple wooden hut stood in the center of a clearing.
…Someone lived here?
Chen Yin immediately thought of Ephemeral Mountain.
Had the Immortal Venerable left an avatar here as well?
Was this another opportunity for future generations?
He walked towards the hut and bowed respectfully. “Is anyone there? Chen Yin of Mount Yu requests an audience.”
There was no response.
He noticed that the door was slightly ajar.
He exchanged a look with Shen Shuanglian, then pushed the door open.
The hut was simple and sparsely furnished, almost bare, no signs of human habitation.
Another door, slightly ajar, led to an inner room.
“Excuse me…” he pushed the door open.
And froze.
Shen Shuanglian gasped and quickly covered his eyes.
“Don’t look…”
But it was too late.
He had already seen her.
A young woman, lying naked on the bed, fast asleep.
It was a simple, sparsely furnished room, with nothing but a bed and a window.
The bed was just a wooden plank, no mattress, no blankets.
Chen Yin couldn’t imagine how anyone could sleep on such a hard surface.
But the young woman was sleeping soundly, completely unaware of their presence.
Her unguarded vulnerability made Chen Yin feel slightly awkward.
He turned away, and Shen Shuanglian, after a moment of hesitation, removed her hand from his eyes, her lips pouting slightly.
“…You saw?”
“…It wasn’t intentional.”
Shen Shuanglian didn’t say anything, just pushed him out of the room and covered the girl with her cloak, then called out softly, “Miss? Wake up.”
The girl stirred in her sleep, but just turned over and continued snoring softly.
Shen Shuanglian: “…”
She couldn’t bring herself to wake her, so she turned to Chen Yin, a helpless look on her face.
Chen Yin coughed. “We have to wake her up. She’ll catch a cold sleeping like that.”
“I can’t… you do it.”
Shen Shuanglian glared at him playfully, then reached out to gently shake the girl. “Miss—”
Chen Yin suddenly frowned and grabbed her hand, but it was too late.
“Ow!” Shen Shuanglian winced as a thin cut appeared on her finger.
“That’s…”
“…Sword Qi,” Chen Yin murmured, his brow furrowed, “pure, unadulterated Sword Qi.”
He had never sensed such pure Sword Qi from anyone besides himself.
Sword Qi wasn’t rare. Purity was.
Humans were complex creatures, their emotions and desires clouding their thoughts and actions, even the most dedicated Sword Cultivators unable to achieve complete purity of intent.
Chen Yin had spent countless years honing his swordsmanship in the scroll’s space to achieve such purity.
He hadn’t expected to find it in this seemingly harmless young woman.
But the sharp sting of the Sword Qi had woken her up.
She sat up, rubbing her eyes sleepily, her voice soft and sweet.
“Who’s there…?”
Chen Yin finally got a good look at her.
Her body, as smooth and white as milk, was partially covered by Shen Shuanglian’s cloak.
And her eyes, a rare and striking amber color, were clear and bright, filled with an innocent curiosity.
The more he looked at her, the more he felt a strange sense of… wrongness.
…She was too pure, too innocent.
Even a celestial being wouldn’t be so… unblemished.
Shen Shuanglian, seeing his stunned silence, tugged at his sleeve and said gently, “Miss, what’s your name? Why are you here alone?”
The girl looked at her, tilting her head slightly, as if confused. “I’ve always lived here. My name…?” She thought for a moment, then said, “Little Girl.”
Chen Yin: “?”
“That’s what Grandpa Black Dragon and the others call me. Isn’t your name whatever people call you?”
Chen Yin wanted to argue, but he couldn’t find a suitable retort.
Grandpa Black Dragon? The black dragon from outside?
So the demons were protecting her.
That’s why they had been so wary of him, so protective of this place.
“Do you live here alone? Where are your parents?” he asked gently, trying to sound friendly.
The girl shook her head.
“I don’t know. Maybe I met them before, but I don’t remember.”
…You forgot your own parents? Chen Yin was speechless.
“I’m always alone. There’s no one else here. Except for Grandpa Black Dragon, Auntie Purple Python, Uncle Rocky Rhino…” She recited the names of the demons outside, as if they were the only people she knew. “They can’t come in, but I can hear them. I haven’t seen anyone else. Except for you. What are your names?”
“I am Chen Yin of Mount Yu. This is Shen Shuanglian of the Mist Spirit Sect,” Chen Yin said, bowing slightly.
The girl looked at them, then said, “Hello, Yu Shan Chen Yin, Mist Spirit Sect Shen Shuanglian.”
Chen Yin: “…”
“There’s a slight misunderstanding. My name is Chen Yin. Yu Shan is a place, not a name.”
“But you said it yourself,” the girl blinked at him innocently.
Chen Yin realized she was as innocent and naive as she seemed.
Completely clueless.
“Miss… have you always lived like this?” Shen Shuanglian asked, glancing around the sparsely furnished room. “And… why aren’t you wearing any clothes?”
“Why would I wear clothes?”
Shen Shuanglian was speechless and looked at Chen Yin, who shrugged helplessly. I can’t keep up with her logic.
The girl suddenly noticed Shen Shuanglian’s cloak around her.
She looked at it curiously, then started to take it off, making Chen Yin and Shen Shuanglian exclaim, “No! You can’t be naked in front of a man! It’s not proper!”
“Why not?”
Shen Shuanglian didn’t know how to explain, so Chen Yin said, “It… hurts our eyes.”
“Why can’t I hurt people?”
“Because hurting people is wrong.”
“So I can’t do wrong things?”
“Yes.”
The girl nodded, as if memorizing his words.
Chen Yin breathed a sigh of relief, then she asked, “But how do I know if you’re telling the truth?”
…Seriously?
Back to square one.
Chen Yin, exasperated, said through gritted teeth, “I’m telling the truth. Just trust me.”
“Why?”
“Because I said so! If you don’t trust me, then what?”
The girl looked at him, her amber eyes clear and bright. “Can you use a sword?”
Chen Yin paused.
“If you can break through this Sword Qi, I’ll believe you.”
She raised her hand, and a faint, almost invisible, Sword Qi emanated from her fingertips.
Chen Yin’s expression turned serious as he looked at it.
…So pure.
It was pure, unadulterated Sword Qi, without a trace of impurity.
And what was even more surprising was that she didn’t even have a sword. The Sword Qi seemed to emanate directly from her body.
That was incredibly difficult, something only the most skilled Sword Cultivators could achieve.
He couldn’t believe this seemingly harmless young girl possessed such mastery of the Sword Dao.
But fortunately, it was his specialty.
He didn’t draw his sword, but simply extended his finger towards the Sword Qi.
Like a bubble bursting, his finger met hers, the Sword Qi dissipating harmlessly.
“…Huh?” The girl’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’re strong.”
“You’re not bad yourself,” Chen Yin said sincerely. “Among the people I know, your Sword Dao is definitely in the top three.”
The first was the Immortal Venerable, the second Ye Huang.
The girl smiled, her earlier suspicion gone. “Okay, I’ll believe you now. People can lie, but swords don’t. You can’t cultivate the Sword Dao with a dishonest heart.”
…She might be naive, but she’s not stupid.
Chen Yin, relieved, said, “First things first, put this on.”
He handed her a dress from the System Shop.
This time, she didn’t ask any questions, just put it on obediently.
The light, flowing fabric complimented her figure perfectly.
“Second,”
Chen Yin hesitated, “calling you ‘Little Girl’ isn’t very practical. We need to give you a name. Do you really not remember your name?”
She shook her head. “I don’t even remember if I have parents. But Grandpa Black Dragon said everyone has parents, so I probably do.”
…Such a devoted daughter.
Chen Yin sighed. “Then I’ll call you… Sword Maiden.”
Sword Maiden didn’t seem to care, just nodded at everything he said.
Chen Yin was slightly exasperated.
The Immortal Venerable had gone through so much trouble to hide this… and it was just a girl.
It was a bit of a letdown.
But he couldn’t just leave her here.
As he was pondering what to do, Sword Maiden suddenly sniffed the air, like a small animal, her head tilting slightly, then she started crawling towards him.
Before Chen Yin could react, she was in his lap, her head buried in his chest, sniffing him like a puppy.
“Wait—”
Shen Shuanglian, her eyes wide with surprise, reached out to stop her. “Miss, what are you doing?!”
“Huh?” Sword Maiden looked up at her, her amber eyes clear and bright.
“You smell… nice.”