Heading to the Imperial Capital (43k)

Yun Yun's expression froze. Who did he think she had dressed up so carefully for? This bastard...

With that plaintive look in her eyes, Yun Yun resembled a fairy who had descended into the mortal world and tasted its earthly warmth. Her former nobility and elegance had faded, replaced by a touch of girlish vulnerability.

"Judging by how you look, your external injuries have pretty much healed. Once you've gathered the medicinal ingredients on the list I gave you, come find me at the Mittel Auction House in Jia Ma Holy City. You have one month." Liu Yu turned around, formed Dou Qi Wings, and prepared to leave.

Yun Yun froze. He was leaving? Forgetting her reserve, she hurried forward and caught Liu Yu's hand. "I'm coming with you!"

"Hm?"

"My Dou Qi is sealed right now, and Snake-People sometimes appear in the Tagor Desert. If I run into a Dou Wang expert from the Snake-People Tribe..." Yun Yun explained softly, her beautiful eyes fixed on Liu Yu, looking utterly pitiful.

"Tsk, if you want me to escort you out of the Tagor Desert, you'll have to pay!" Liu Yu chuckled. They were on the outskirts of the Tagor Desert, where encountering Snake-People was practically impossible. Yun Yun's little scheme... Ah, I'm just too charming!

"Ding!"

"Congratulations, host, on unlocking the achievement 'Shamelessness.' Your reward has been deposited in the system space. Please check it yourself."

You mother**... You damned workhorse of a system! A warrior may be killed, but never humiliated! How dare you slander me? I'm suing you!*

Liu Yu felt that this system was nothing but a hater! Was there anything wrong with what he thought? Didn't everything Yun Yun did prove that she liked him? Damn it, you rotten system!

"Here. Take me to the Imperial Capital!" Although Yun Yun was speechless at Liu Yu's complete lack of romantic sense, she still took a Purple Gold Card bearing nine silver ripples from her Storage Ring.

Only experts at the Dou Emperor level were eligible to obtain this Purple Gold Card in the Jia Ma Empire!

Liu Yu accepted the Nine-Pattern Purple Gold Card without the slightest hesitation. Even brothers had to keep their accounts straight!

"Given my employer's excellent attitude, you qualify for VIP service—delivery by air!" Liu Yu looked at Yun Yun with a smile.

Yun Yun did not hesitate, though the tips of her ears flushed slightly. Seeing this, Liu Yu scooped her up, flapped his blood-colored wings, and soared into the sky, heading out of the Tagor Desert.

As he flew through the air with Yun Yun in his arms, Liu Yu cursed the system inwardly. You rotten system, open your eyes and take a good look! Hurry up and revoke that achievement! You can leave the reward, though. Consider it compensation for damaging my reputation! (Achievement System: ...)

Desert City.

A streak of blood-colored light came to a halt after approaching from afar and landed on the ground.

Liu Yu had intended to fly straight to the Imperial Capital, but the woman in his arms insisted on traveling there on foot from this point onward. She even had a perfectly reasonable excuse, dressing it up as gathering medicinal ingredients along the way.

What could Liu Yu do? He had taken her money, so he had to do the job. Whoever paid was the boss!

Meanwhile, Yun Yun reluctantly rose from Liu Yu's embrace. Lying in his arms had given her a sense of security she had never experienced before, and she found herself deeply attached to it.

"So, my esteemed employer, where are we going next?"

After a moment's thought, Yun Yun took a black robe from her Storage Ring and draped it over herself, concealing her face. Then she told Liu Yu, "Let's check the medicine shops first!"

Liu Yu understood why she had dressed like this. A beautiful woman could bring a flood of trouble, after all. This would spare them plenty of unnecessary complications.

Following behind Yun Yun, Liu Yu looked around Desert City and suddenly remembered that Ice Emperor Hai Bodong seemed to be living here in seclusion!

Still, he could not be bothered to disturb the old man. He would leave Little Yanzi to "take care" of him!

Time flowed leisurely by, and three months passed.

After enduring "a thousand hardships and ten thousand perils," Liu Yu and Yun Yun finally reached the Imperial Capital!

Recalling the hardships of their journey, Liu Yu cast a resentful look at Yun Yun, who stood beside him in a plain blue-green robe. They were supposed to be gathering medicinal ingredients along the way, yet she had dragged him into shopping for clothes and jewelry. Worst of all, she had made him pay!

Yun Yun merely answered him with a radiant Liu Yu smile.

Sigh! Liu Yu raised his head and swept his gaze over the magnificent city. It truly was spectacular. Of all the cities he had seen, including the Snake-People Human Race Holy City, Jia Ma Holy City ranked first in sheer grandeur and size.

As Liu Yu's gaze shifted, an immense, majestic mountain came into view. It crouched like a mighty dragon, faintly emanating spiritual energy that soared into the heavens!

"That's the Misty Cloud Sect!" Yun Yun looked at Liu Yu with considerable pride. Then a trace of reluctance surfaced in her beautiful eyes. "I have to go!"

She had been away from the sect for more than three months. Although she had sent word that she was safe during their journey, as sect leader, there were certain affairs she needed to handle personally.

"Mm." Liu Yu's expression remained calm.

Yun Yun had long since grown accustomed to Liu Yu's "indifference." She laughed softly and gazed at him, affection filling her beautiful eyes. "Liu Yu, I've been very happy during these past three months with you!"

Liu Yu fell silent. Could you not get so sentimental out of nowhere...?

Looking at the silent Liu Yu, Yun Yun moved forward and pressed a heartfelt kiss to his thin lips. Then she turned and left without hesitation.

Yun Yun's face was scarlet, but her heart brimmed with joy. She was not naturally someone who took the initiative, but the man she liked was a complete blockhead! Now that she understood her feelings, she had decided to make her move! If she liked him, she had to fight for him!

Watching Yun Yun gradually disappear into the distance, Liu Yu wore a complicated expression and gently touched his lips, where her warmth still lingered...

Liu Yu smiled bitterly. Fortunately, during their three-month journey, Her Majesty's Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python bloodline had undergone a breakthrough, sending her into a deep sleep. By then, Her Majesty's soul had already fused perfectly with Little Qi's. After appearing one night to warn him against "stirring up trouble," she had fallen asleep and had yet to awaken.

The next time she woke, her cultivation would probably reach an astonishing level!

With a soft sigh, Liu Yu cast aside his distracting thoughts and stopped dwelling on it. For now, he could only take things one step at a time.

Mittel Family Headquarters.

After entering the Imperial Capital, Liu Yu found his way straight to the Mittel Auction House by listening to conversations among passersby.

Once he stepped inside the auction house, the bustle and clamor outside were completely shut out. Only a few meters separated them, yet it felt like crossing into another world.

Expressionless, fully armed guards could be seen throughout the hall. The Mittel Family emblems on their chests clearly marked them as forces directly under the family's command.

When Liu Yu entered the hall, he sensed no fewer than twenty sharp gazes sweep over him, though they soon withdrew.

Liu Yu first examined the nearby crystal counters for a while. Finding nothing worthwhile, he looked away, casually stopped a guard, and displayed his Nine-Pattern Purple Gold Card. "Bring Ya Fei here!"

The guard froze in shock at the sight of the Nine-Pattern Purple Gold Card. As a guard of the Mittel Family, he naturally understood the significance of the card before him. Only a Dou Huang expert was eligible to obtain such a Purple Gold Card!

"My lord, please wait in the VIP room for a moment. I'll fetch Elder Ya Fei immediately!"

With a respectful expression, the guard hurriedly summoned a colleague to escort Liu Yu to the VIP room, inwardly cursing all the while. What the hell are those receptionists doing? If the higher-ups learn that they left an honored guest with a nine-ripple Purple Gold Card standing unattended, none of this auction house's staff will escape blame!

And so, another guard led Liu Yu into an extraordinarily lavish VIP room. Afterward, beautiful maids came in one after another to serve him tea and water.

Playing with the Nine-Pattern Purple Gold Card in his hand, Liu Yu's lips curved slightly. This card was rather handy!

Just then, a series of crisp, pleasant sounds reached him, like a string of beautiful musical notes.

Looking up, Liu Yu saw a familiar woman. She wore an elegant, exquisitely crafted red gown that hugged her body, perfectly outlining her stunning curves. A silver hair ribbon encircled her slender, willow-like waist, and dazzlingly white legs extended beneath her robe.

When the enchanting woman clearly saw who sat in the VIP room, her gaze abruptly froze, and her footsteps stopped short. Her alluring, seductive eyes rested blankly on the distinguished young man, revealing a hint of disbelief. The holder of the Nine-Pattern Purple Gold Card was actually him!

"What, it's only been a little over three months, and you don't recognize me anymore, Miss Ya Fei?" Liu Yu chuckled.

"How could that be? With your heaven-blessed bearing, young master, I could never forget you for as long as I live!" Recovering her composure, Ya Fei looked at Liu Yu with a bright smile and leaned forward slightly, exposing a deep, maddening cleft and a glimpse of snowy white skin before his eyes.

"I came this time to see how you're getting on with gathering the items on that list I gave you!" Amusement filled Liu Yu's crimson eyes. You think this is enough to test a cadre? Who are you looking down on?

Ya Fei drew a light breath and said helplessly, "Young master, the medicinal ingredients on your list are all far too precious. Even after mobilizing all the Mittel Family's resources, we've only managed to collect around seventy percent!"

This matter had left Ya Fei stunned for quite some time. After returning to the Imperial Capital, she had handed the pills and the list over to the family together. Later, she learned that nearly all the listed ingredients were used to refine fifth- or sixth-grade pills! Some might even be used to refine seventh-grade pills!

Seventh-grade pills! Even Pill King Gu He could not refine pills of that grade. Although this was merely the family's speculation based on the various ingredients listed, when Ya Fei considered the young master's mysterious nature, she felt that a seventh-grade master alchemist might very well be backing him!

A seventh-grade master alchemist! Such a person was a figure of legend in the Jia Ma Empire!

For that reason, her grandfather, Mittel Tengshan, the head of the Mittel Family, had entrusted her with a card made of crystal. It was the Mittel Family's highest-tier VIP card and was extraordinarily precious!

Her grandfather had instructed her to give the card to that young master the next time he visited the Mittel Auction House and to do everything possible to cultivate good relations with him. He had even hinted that if she could "win over" the young master, the position of Mittel Family head might not be beyond her reach!

Ya Fei had been overjoyed, yet she felt the chances were slim. The maiden had feelings, but the young man had none! Having learned to read faces and moods since childhood, she could tell that this young master had no interest in her. Those captivating crimson eyes held only indifference toward her!

Still, there was at least a sliver of hope. She did not expect to become his woman. As long as she could become a reasonably close friend, her standing within the family would rise like a boat lifted by the tide!

"Seventy percent? Not bad!" A faint smile appeared on Liu Yu's face. This truly exceeded his expectations. He had thought thirty or forty percent would already be good. Who would have imagined...

"Young master, this is our Mittel Family's highest-tier VIP card. I hope you'll accept it!" As she spoke, Ya Fei took a Crystal Card from her bosom.

Liu Yu did not refuse and accepted the Crystal Card quite naturally. Without realizing it, he was on his way to becoming the "Card King."

Seeing Liu Yu accept the card, Ya Fei felt a surge of delight and hurriedly said, "Young master, please wait a moment. I'll go fetch those medicinal ingredients for you!"

Liu Yu gave a soft acknowledgment, and Ya Fei left the VIP room, her graceful figure swaying.

Watching Ya Fei's retreating figure, Liu Yu felt a little anticipation himself. Which medicinal ingredients had the Mittel Family gathered for him? I hope they don't disappoint me!

While Liu Yu immersed himself in the excitement of what felt like opening a mystery box, Ya Fei quickened her pace after leaving the VIP room, almost breaking into a jog. Those in the hall felt heat rise in their chests at the sight, their throats bobbing involuntarily. Her bouncing fullness even made some men bend slightly at the waist to conceal their embarrassing reactions.

Misty Cloud Sect, council hall.

Dressed in a moon-white gown, Yun Yun sat at the central seat of a broad table. Her beautiful, dignified face, so rich in noble grace, wore a cold expression.

More than a dozen figures sat around the table. Most wore white robes with distinctive badges pinned to their chests, making it clear that they held considerable standing within the Misty Cloud Sect.

On the other side of the table, Pill King Gu He watched Yun Yun in the main seat with concern written across his face. Behind him stood a handsome young man, respectfully bowed. Much like his master's gaze, however, his attention lingered almost entirely on a Moon-Robed Maiden opposite him.

The Moon-Robed Maiden had hands as soft as tender shoots, skin like congealed cream, a delicate brow, and slender, moth-like eyebrows. Her lovely smile carried a faint air of otherworldly refinement, yet beneath its apparent gentleness lay a coldness that kept others a thousand miles away. A pair of green jade pendants hung from her tender earlobes. She was none other than Yun Yun's disciple—Nalan Yanran!

At that moment, Nalan Yanran's attention was entirely on her teacher. She had heard that Elder Gu He had invited her teacher to the Tagor Desert, yet in the end, only a rather bedraggled Elder Gu He had returned to the sect!

From Elder Gu He, she had learned that their visit to the Snake-People Tribe had been for a Heavenly Flame. To that end, he had also invited Yan Shi and Feng Li, two renowned members of the Jia Ma Empire's top ten experts, along with several other experts.

Moreover, Gu He had prepared generous gifts to exchange for the Heavenly Flame, which was of little use to the Snake-People Tribe. He had thought success was practically assured, only for the tribe's Dou Wang experts to attack them without a word the moment he proposed the exchange!

Later, an unknown Dou Huang expert from the Snake-People Tribe had even appeared! As far as they knew, Queen Medusa should have been the tribe's only Dou Emperor. Yet... even more astonishingly, Yun Yun, herself a Dou Huang expert, had been completely overwhelmed!

Had Yun Yun not held that Snake-People Tribe Dou Huang expert back, their entire group might have been buried in the desert!

At that moment, Yun Leng, a stern old man seated at the head of the elders, stared intently at Yun Yun and asked in a low voice, "Sect Leader, how is the Seal inside you?"

"It's nothing serious. How is the collection of the medicinal ingredients on that list coming along?"

Her cool voice, carrying a faint note of authority, echoed through the hall.

"Sect Leader, we've gathered two sets as you requested!" Yun Leng replied. He took a blue-green Storage Ring from his bosom, rose, and handed it to Yun Yun.

More than two months earlier, after receiving a letter and a list from Yun Yun, they had mobilized the entire sect to begin gathering the ingredients. Before receiving definite news of her, they had already been secretly investigating her whereabouts. Once they learned of her situation, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Brothers, please support me!