Finally Meet

Sea God Island.

Bo Saixi stood before the temple, holding the Golden Scepter.

Her posture remained graceful and noble, yet her stunning face betrayed clear anxiety.

High above on the Sky Screen, Liu Yixue, the Empress of the Heaven Dou Empire and her "dear sister," had just appeared on the list.

Bo Saixi's lips twitched slightly; she knew better than anyone just how wild that woman was when cultivating with Brother Cao in their dreams.

Now, she had truly made the list.

With my strength...

Making the list is inevitable. If the Yin-Yang Reincarnation Technique is exposed, wouldn't that mean...

She dared not think any further.

The High Priestess of Sea God Island, the symbol of invincibility upon the ocean, the spiritual pillar for countless sea spirit masters.

She had cultivated the Yin-Yang Reincarnation Technique and engaged in dream-based exchanges with a young man more times than she could count?

If this were to get out, how could she face anyone? How could she face her believers? How could she face the Sea God?

Spirit Hall, Pope Palace.

Bibi Dong sat upright on the papal throne, a cup of clear tea in her hand, though her gaze was fixed blankly upon the Sky Screen.

Those scenes from her dreams flashed incessantly through her mind.

Interacting with Brother Cao in the Dream Space, exploring the origins of life, breaking through bottlenecks time and time again, each session more exhilarating than the last...

She felt her entire body burning, her cheeks flushed crimson, and she did not even notice when the tea spilled over.

"Mother?" A concerned voice came from beside her. "What is wrong? Why are your cheeks so red?"

Qian Renxue had approached her side at some point.

Bibi Dong snapped back to reality, her expression tightening as she feigned composure. "N-nothing. It is just a bit hot."

Qian Renxue looked suspiciously out the window. The sky was overcast and a cool breeze was blowing; how could it be hot?

Bibi Dong hurriedly changed the subject. "Why... why have you come?"

Qian Renxue did not press the issue, merely saying softly, "I haven't seen Mother in many days, so I came to visit."

She looked at her mother's flushed cheeks, a seed of doubt taking root in her heart.

This expression... why was it so familiar? The crimson cheeks, the hazy, unfocused eyes.

Was this not the exact expression she wore whenever she reminisced about Brother Cao?

It was identical!

Could it be... that Mother also...

Bibi Dong's mind was in total chaos.

It's over! With the Combat Power Ranking out, there is no way to hide the fact that I've been cultivating the Yin-Yang Reincarnation Technique.

How would she face her daughter, Qian Renxue, when the time came? How would she face her disciple, Hu Liena?

Mother and daughter were each lost in their own thoughts, and the great hall fell into a subtle, heavy silence.

Similar scenes were playing out all across the continent.

They all shared common traits: they were no longer young, held high status, and possessed formidable cultivation.

They had all engaged in deep exchanges with that mysterious man in their dreams, and they had all shed countless beads of sweat and tried countless positions to change their fates.

They had only wanted to grow stronger in secret; they never wanted it to become common knowledge.

Now that the Combat Power Ranking was out, how were they to face their families? Their husbands? Their children?

They could only pray that the number of women Brother Cao had guided far exceeded the fifteen spots on the list, hoping that perhaps they would not be ranked.

Ye Family Fortress, back courtyard chamber.

Cao Xiyu had just finished performing the one hundred and eight forms of the Spring and Autumn Staff Technique.

Ye Lingling lay limp on the bed, her eyes dull and her body drenched in sweat, as if every ounce of strength had been drained from her.

Cao Xiyu sat by the bedside, a faint smile hanging on his lips. "Madam, are you alright?"

Ye Lingling glared at him weakly. "You... are you trying to be the death of me?"

Cao Xiyu chuckled softly. "If Madam still has grievances, this husband can perform the technique once more."

Ye Lingling waved her hand hurriedly. "N-no! That is enough! Enough!"

She struggled to sit up, scrambling to tidy the bed, only then letting out a long breath and recovering a bit of her usual dignified demeanor.

"Husband."

She turned to look at Cao Xiyu, her eyes carrying a hint of teasing. "Those 'dear sisters' of yours are all coming. You shouldn't keep them waiting too long, or people might say that I, the First Madam, am prone to jealousy."

Cao Xiyu's heart stirred as he stood up.

Seeing his slightly nervous expression, Ye Lingling couldn't help but laugh. "Don't worry, Husband. They are just a few young girls; you can handle them with ease!"

She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, elegant and composed.

Those little hussies might be pretty and alluring, but so what?

She was her husband's legitimate wife.

As long as she was here, they would forever remain nothing more than concubines!

Ye Lingling walked side-by-side with Cao Xiyu out of the chamber, intending to head outside the fortress to welcome the two Zhu sisters.

The space before them suddenly rippled!

A pink figure appeared out of thin air in the middle of the courtyard.

It was a girl who looked like a young maiden, innocent and spirited, with long black hair styled into a scorpion braid that hung past her calves.

Her features were delicate and petite, and her large eyes sparkled with life.

Most eye-catching of all were her exceptionally long legs—straight, slender, and nothing short of perfect.

It was Xiao Wu, who had arrived using a Teleportation Talisman.

She spotted Cao Xiyu at a glance, and those large eyes of hers instantly lit up.

"Xiao Wu greets Brother Cao!"

She hurried forward, came to a stop in front of Cao Xiyu, and looked up at him.

Cao Xiyu nodded, the corners of his mouth curling upward slightly: "You've arrived."

"Wait here for a moment; there are a few more outside."

Xiao Wu nodded obediently, then turned her head to see Ye Lingling, who was standing to the side, watching her with a beaming smile.

She quickly ran over, her face full of smiles: "This must be the elder sister, right? You are truly a hundred times more beautiful than you looked on the Sky Screen! No wonder Brother Cao talks about you every single day!"

Ye Lingling was slightly taken aback, and a sense of affection for this girl, who looked so lovely when she smiled, immediately blossomed in her heart.

"Little sister is spirited and adorable, a rarity in this world; you are the truly beautiful one."

She took Xiao Wu's hand: "You must be tired, little sister? Come, sit down. Xiao Cui, bring tea!"

Xiao Wu took the teacup and gave a sweet smile: "Sister is truly as kind as she is beautiful! No wonder Brother Cao favors you above all others."

Ye Lingling smiled faintly: "Since you've come, little sister, then settle in and stay. Though my Ye Family Fortress is not as grand as the imperial palace, there is plenty of room to stay."

Xiao Wu quickly thanked her: "Then many thanks for taking me in, sister. Xiao Wu will be very well-behaved!"

Ye Lingling gently patted the back of her hand: "What a good girl."

The two women smiled at each other—one dignified and composed, the other obedient and sweet—as harmonious as if they had known each other for years.

Cao Xiyu stood to the side, watching this scene in silence without saying a word.

This was no display of sisterly affection; it was clearly the wife asserting her sovereignty.

By putting her status as the "legitimate wife" on display and adopting the posture of "taking her in."

Every word was telling Xiao Wu: You are the guest, I am the mistress; you may stay, but you must follow the rules.

And as for Xiao Wu?

She kept her posture extremely low, so obedient that no one could find a single fault. This was her way of telling Ye Lingling: I will not fight, I will not snatch, I only wish to stay.

Cao Xiyu sighed inwardly.

Women... they really are born actors.

He shook his head and turned to look outside the fortress.

Out there, the two Zhu sisters were still bickering, and the other girls were on their way as well.

This Ye Family Fortress was likely going to be quite lively from now on.