Qian Renxue's Mission, Tang Yuehua Takes Action

"Top-grade. They're all top-grade metals."

Taino's rough, broad palms brushed over those rare metals with near-reverence, his eyes blazing with passionate obsession.

For a blacksmith, being able to forge with such exceptional metals was the highest honor.

Taino suddenly looked up and pounded his chest in assurance.

"Young Master, seven days.

Just seven days. Come collect them then. If there's the slightest mistake, I'll write my name backward."

Lu Yan gave a slight nod.

He was quite satisfied with that efficiency. Just as he turned to leave, a nervous voice called out to him.

"W-Wait, Dream Master."

It was Tailong.

Though this muscular youth was built like a powerhouse, he now resembled a shy little girl, rubbing his hands together as his dark face flushed bright red.

"I... I'm Tailong." He gathered his courage and shouted, "I'll make you my goal. I hope you'll remember me."

Lu Yan stopped and turned back to look at this straightforward admirer, a gentle smile appearing on his face.

"Alright. I'll remember you, Tailong."

With that, Lu Yan vanished from the shop before Tailong could react.

In seven days, the hidden weapons would take shape.

When that time came, another deadly edge would be added to his trump cards.

Back at "Heaven."

Lu Yan went straight to Dugu Bo and asked for Green Phosphorus Snake Poison.

"This poison is vicious. Even a Soul Emperor will die if they get even a little on them.

You must be extremely careful when using it."

Dugu Bo warned him repeatedly as he handed it over.

Lu Yan nodded and accepted the jade vial.

But there was no fear in his heart. With Ice and Fire Body Refining, he had long since become immune to all poisons.

Though the Green Phosphorus Snake Poison was potent, it could not harm him in the slightest.

This would become his most terrifying means of killing enemies above his level.

Only two days had passed since the seven-day agreement to forge the hidden weapons when Lu Yan received another "visitor."

Snake Lance Douluo brought him to a secluded guest courtyard.

Lake Heart Pavilion.

Qian Renxue stood alone by the railing, her golden hair stirring in the breeze.

Even her profile alone was breathtakingly beautiful.

"Young Master, Lu Yan has arrived," Snake Lance said with a bow.

Qian Renxue turned around, her gaze landing on Lu Yan with almost tangible force as she got straight to the point.

"Lu Yan, tell me. How strong are you now?"

Meeting her gaze, Lu Yan spoke calmly, yet with absolute confidence.

"Below Soul Ancestor, I am invincible."

Qian Renxue raised a delicate brow.

Such wildly arrogant confidence, yet when it came from him, it carried a strangely convincing power.

She had not only heard of the Dream Master—she had gone to watch him herself.

He truly was strong.

"Very good." The corners of Qian Renxue's lips curled up. "I have a mission for you."

Lu Yan instinctively glanced at Snake Lance Douluo beside him, his eyes seeming to say:

Didn't you say Spirit Hall had no need for a Soul Grandmaster like me?

Snake Lance Douluo awkwardly shifted his gaze away, smiling bitterly to himself.

How could he possibly fathom the Young Master's thoughts?

Qian Renxue took in his little gesture but did not expose it, continuing instead.

"I want you to break through to Soul Elder within one year.

Then go to Spirit City and, fair and square—defeat someone."

Go to Spirit City? Defeat someone?

"Who?" Lu Yan asked.

"The Spirit Hall Holy Maiden, the Pope's only personal disciple—Hu Liena."

As she spoke that name.

An uncontrollable flash of ice-cold hostility and... resentment passed through Qian Renxue's golden eyes.

She did not understand. She truly did not understand.

She, Qian Renxue, was clearly Spirit Hall's most legitimate and most gifted heir.

Why... why did she not like her?

Qian Renxue wanted Bibi Dong to understand.

Through Lu Yan's hands, she would prove to that woman—

That even the disciple she had painstakingly raised could not defeat a youth under her command.

Lu Yan understood.

The tangled love and hatred between Bibi Dong, Hu Liena, and Qian Renxue stemmed from an ugly incident many years ago.

"If you succeed," Qian Renxue said, reining in her emotions as she threw out stakes that would drive any soul master mad, "I can promise you a Spirit Ring.

At any level. So long as you can absorb it, Spirit Hall will spare no effort to hunt it for you."

Even with Lu Yan's resolute will, his heart trembled at those words.

Though this offer carried less weight than Ning Fengzhi's promise, it was far more trustworthy.

"Alright. I'll go." Lu Yan did not hesitate.

At last, a genuinely delighted smile appeared on Qian Renxue's face.

Then she seemed to recall something, and her tone lightened.

"I heard you study at Moonlight Pavilion and that your zither skills are quite good.

Play a piece for me. Your reward will be a Spirit Nurturing Fruit."

There was such a good deal?

Naturally, Lu Yan would not refuse.

He took out a harp, his slender fingers gliding over its strings in nimble motion.

In an instant, melodious, winding music poured forth like flowing water, echoing through Lake Heart Pavilion.

Qian Renxue lightly tapped her fingers against the stone table in rhythm, her gaze falling on Lu Yan's focused profile.

There was a trace of barely perceptible appreciation in her eyes.

When the piece ended.

"Not bad." Qian Renxue nodded and flicked a Spirit Nurturing Fruit toward Lu Yan, reminding him at the same time, "However, while Spirit Nurturing Fruits are good, consuming too many within a short period can easily cause mental instability and backlash."

Lu Yan nodded.

He understood well that too much was as bad as too little.

Besides, he had only just absorbed Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, so he naturally would not use another Spirit Nurturing Fruit anytime soon.

After leaving the guest courtyard, Lu Yan walked down the street.

Qian Renxue's noble, proud figure flashed through his mind.

What a pity she was love-obsessed.

Lu Yan shook his head with a laugh, suppressing those tangled thoughts as he strolled back to "Heaven."

The moment he pushed open the door, a familiar, elegant fragrance curled around his nose.

He looked up.

Tang Yuehua was quietly seated in his lounge chair, as though she had been waiting for quite some time.

"A-Aunt Yue."

Lu Yan grew flustered and lowered his head, not daring to look at Tang Yuehua.

Tang Yuehua took in his innocent yet panicked appearance, the corners of her lips lifting into an indulgent smile tinged with satisfaction.

With Light Steps, she walked over to Lu Yan.

Tang Yuehua gently held his face in her hands and gazed into his eyes.

Xiao Yan... has such beautiful eyes.

Clear, carrying a hint of purple, and filled with the bashfulness unique to a youth.

Tang Yuehua sighed softly to herself.

"Xiao Yan," Tang Yuehua said, her voice so gentle it seemed ready to drip with water, "tell Aunt Yue... do you like Aunt Yue's outfit today?"

Lu Yan's gaze unconsciously followed her words.

Tang Yuehua had clearly dressed up with great care today.

A long azure dress outlined her full, graceful figure to perfection, its curves breathtaking.

Through the high slit of her skirt, her long jade-like legs wrapped in blue silk stockings appeared and disappeared from view, making her all the more alluring.

On her feet was a pair of exquisite silver high heels, accentuating her slender, enticing ankles.

Tang Yuehua keenly sensed it—

A burning gaze was openly and meticulously "sampling" her entire body from top to bottom.

Rather than getting angry, a secret delight and pride rose in her heart.

She... was very attractive to Xiao Yan.

She even adjusted her stance slightly.

Her perfect curves were displayed without reservation, allowing that gaze to linger as it pleased.

As if burned, Lu Yan abruptly averted his gaze, the tips of his ears turning red enough to bleed.

"N-No, you look beautiful... Aunt Yue, I won't do it again..."

Seeing his innocent appearance, wanting to look but not daring to.

The "delusion" in Tang Yuehua's heart grew wildly like creeping vines.

Her smile became ever gentler and more enchanting.

"Everyone loves beauty," Tang Yuehua said in a soft, seductive voice.

"This means our Xiao Yan has grown up. He's a real man now.

Aunt Yue... is very happy. Why would I blame you?"

"R-Really?" Lu Yan abruptly raised his head.

His eyes were filled with the delight of being forgiven, along with a trace of innocent longing.

"Of course it's true." Tang Yuehua nodded firmly, her smile gentle.

Yet in the next moment, her tone took on the earnest guidance of an elder.

"But Xiao Yan, liking is one thing, and appreciation is another."

Tang Yuehua extended a jade finger and lightly tapped Lu Yan's forehead, the gesture exceedingly intimate.

"You must not rely on your cultivation and strength to force or make things difficult for other women, understand?"

Though desire had already taken root in her heart, she still wanted to shape him into a true gentleman.

"I won't.

Aunt Yue, I absolutely won't."

Lu Yan promised excitedly, like a child eager for approval.

"Of course Aunt Yue knows," Tang Yuehua said softly, her words brushing over his heart like feathers. "Our Xiao Yan... is the most upright, good child in the world."

It was she who harbored improper desires. She was a... very bad woman.

But Xiao Yan was simply too good... and little by little, he had turned her into this.

He made her unwilling to let him leave.

She wanted his eyes to always hold her.