The next morning, the curtains were drawn tightly, and a faint glow of daylight seeped through the缝隙, casting the room quiet and dim. Guan Ya gradually awoke, instinctively reaching out her arms toward her lover beside her on the bed—only to find him gone. Still half-drowsy, she furrowed her brows slightly, then her dense eyelashes fluttered as she opened her beautiful eyes. The pillow was empty. In that single glance, the serene morning atmosphere seemed to fade, and her mood suddenly soured. Yet then, as if sensing something, she turned over and faced the desk. A figure sat there, the soft blue glow of the screen illuminating his face against the surrounding darkness. His face was handsome and fresh, clear and deeply defined. Guan Ya’s calm, elegant mixed-race features instantly came alive with peace. Her voice, sweet and languid, carried a gentle chuckle: "You've already entered the Sage's hour this early?" "Woman, you're playing with fire again—did you forget last night when someone was crying out, 'Brother, please save me'?" Zhang Yuanqing turned his head, chuckling. He saw Guan Ya sitting up with the quilt wrapped around her, her two long, beautiful legs extended out, stepping lightly on the floor as she bent down to pick up the nightgowns scattered at the foot of the bed. In that pose, Zhang Yuanqing clearly caught the smooth, flowing curves of her back. The skin was fine as top-grade silk, not the delicate, bone-thin quality of a young girl, but rather the full, mature richness characteristic of a woman. Fairy... Zhang Yuanqing took a deep breath, shifted his gaze, and returned to his computer. Guan Ya fastened the nightgown and walked over to the desk, wrapping her arms around his neck from behind. "You're reading the副本 guide, aren't you... Oh, you've been rushing through the dungeons lately—I'm thinking... are you doing a group dungeon this time?" Zhang Yuanqing nodded. "The guide for the Taimei dungeons isn't really useful, but I still go through it—just in case I need it this time." Given his performance in the sea at Cliffs Mountain, the worst-case scenario for the next chapter would be facing a 6-versus-4 situation. The next tier down would be 5-versus-4. The most optimistic outcomes would be S-tier chapters. Imagine, if your equipment and reserve cards can effortlessly defeat four-tiered saints and engage in combat with five-tiered saints, and even manage to hold their own against early-stage six-tiered saints—would the Realm of Spirit still allow you to thrive comfortably within chapters matching your current tier? The Realm has a balancing mechanism. While a 6-versus-4 situation is rare in the matchmaking system, its rarity does not mean it doesn’t occur—likely because most players’ accumulated points are still insufficient. When your hidden points are high enough, facing higher-tier saints may become the norm. However, such a phenomenon is probably known only to a very few extraordinary talents, such as the Marshal and the Magus who have rapidly ascended and reached the Master stage within a short span. Guan Ya pressed her sharp jaw against his shoulder, speaking softly, “Safe return!” "Once my rating improves, who knows—maybe I'll be matched with you again for the same instance." Since she decided to focus on upgrading, she no longer deliberately held back on level progression. Through her outstanding performance in combat instances, Guan Ya's rating has now stabilized around A-level. To her, A-level instances are ones that require her to risk her life to complete—during the last "Lin'an Mystery," she faced three near-fatal crises and came close to falling. It's hard to imagine how Yuan Shi managed to survive so many S-level instances in the past. "I've got so many treasures now; even against a Level 6 powerhouse, I can hold my own," said Zhang Yuanqing, turning her head and gently kissing her lips. The two began to passionately kiss, their breaths growing heavier. At that moment, a soft chime sound came from the table—her phone, adorned with constellation stickers. Guan Ya tilted her head, reached for the phone, and checked the message, her expression suddenly changing. "My mom is coming to Songhai tomorrow." That's quite fast, isn't it? I still thought my mother-in-law would act like a villain boss, looking down her nose and giving me all the time in the world to develop... Zhang Yuanqing instinctively gritted her teeth, then rolled up her sleeves: "The first step toward happiness begins with defeating my mother-in-law." Guan Ya: "...” …… Seven thirty in the evening, at the entrance of Fu Family Bay villa community. A black executive car arrived at the gate. Sitting in the back seat, Yin Ji heard a sharp honk from outside the window. She rolled down her window and turned to look. There, a blue sports car was parked by the roadside, with a handsome young man seated at the driver’s side. The young man smiled warmly at her: "Beautiful, get in—our celestial sovereign is taking you for a drive." Yin Ji found his natural, easygoing demeanor a bit uncomfortable, yet the cheerful expression on his face somehow lightened her usually gloomy mood. She nodded slightly and opened her car door. Zhang Yuanqing examined the business sedan beneath her, and greeted the magus's widow who had come to meet her. As always, she wore a layered black silk gown, its hem adorned with exquisite lace patterns. Her hair flowed like a waterfall, veiled in black silk, her eyes calm and graceful—elegant, ethereal, and subtly noble, like a spirit of the black moon. The warm glow of the orange streetlights softened her features, adding a touch of earthly warmth. Then Yin Ji gently reminded, "Your emotions will face some turbulence in the near future." Zhang Yuanqing started the car, merged into the traffic flow, and remarked, "My mother-in-law and future father-in-law have opposed my engagement to my girlfriend." Yin Ji was momentarily taken aback, smiled, "Given your status and standing, it's hard to imagine the girl's family would object." "Because they have better options," Zhang Yuanqing said, turning the steering wheel as the car entered the elevated highway, with a sense of resignation. "My girlfriend is from the main line of the Fu family. Originally, the Fu family intended for her to marry into the Miller family of Tianfa. As Fu Qingyang put it, this would be a billion-yuan project with high returns and low risk. "In contrast, I'm a grassroots person—without assets, without influence, without financial backing. All I have is intangible potential, which comes with high risk and slow returns. If I were to pass away in the spiritual realm, the returns would effectively be zero. "On the other hand, with the Miller family, even if that young man were to pass away, it wouldn't matter. Their real goal is to collaborate with the Mil Upon hearing this, Yin Ji furrowed her brows, expressing a decidedly pessimistic view of Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun's intentions. As a member of a powerful family, she came from a prominent lineage where marriage alliances were not imposed on members—though she had never personally eaten pork, she had certainly seen pigs running around. The marriage arrangements among the spiritual realm families were far from the dramatic, emotionally charged scenes portrayed on television, where one could move heaven and earth to win over future mother-in-laws. As Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun himself pointed out, such alliances were major undertakings, deeply intertwined with the development of families and power networks, involving interests that were difficult to quantify—how could one simply choose not to marry simply because they didn’t wish to? In front of the family, most members lacked negotiation power, unless they were exceptional talents. While Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun held immense promise, as he had noted, his path carried significant risks, with a slow return on investment, and there was even a possibility of complete loss. In comparison, the Milé family offered lower risk and higher returns. As an investor, which choice would be more logical? By this point, the matter should have concluded and no further discussion was necessary. Yet, for some reason, Yin Ji felt an urgent impulse to probe further and asked, "Then, what are your plans?" Zhang Yuanqing replied calmly, "I will certainly fight to the end." "But fighting doesn't guarantee a favorable outcome—it might even burden you," Yin Ji said. "What's there to fear? I'm a representative of the official side. How can Fu Family harm me? I'll first ensure Lady Guan's pregnancy, turn their potential objections into reality, and then they'll have no choice but to accept it with resignation." Zhang Yuanqing spoke with strong conviction, adding, "Though her mother has considerable experience and has already seen through my true intentions, refusing me any further opportunities. She's already planning to come to Fei Songhai tomorrow. I haven't yet decided how to handle her." "Indeed, you have official status—you truly do." Yin Ji murmured softly, realizing that what they faced was not a matter of life and death, but one of emotion. The voice of the teacher’s stern reprimand seemed to echo once again in her ears: "If you wish him dead, simply continue to accompany him. Watch next time when the other elders come to visit—will they leave him alive?" After a moment of silence, she couldn’t help asking, "What about her? Won’t she worry about dragging you down? The Fu family elders are famously strict. Even if she doesn’t mind the burden on you, how will she resist the family’s demands?" Yin Ji had spoken more than usual today… Zhang Yuanqing responded calmly, "Once they’ve decided to be together, they naturally share the risks. She said, if the Fu family truly intends to intervene forcefully, she’ll make herself an orphan." Yin Ji was momentarily stunned. After that, she said nothing, merely gazing blankly at the scenery along the street, the night breeze tugging at her flowing hair and rustling her dress, as if the delicate, sorrowful osmanthus flowers had finally settled upon her. Half an hour later, the blue sedan departed from Songhai and entered the territory of Jinshan City. "Stop for a moment," Yin Ji finally broke her silence. Zhang Yuanqing parked his vehicle by the roadside and watched as she retrieved a turtle shell from the display rack, offering it to him. "Shake it three times to the left, three times to the right, and it will predict your fortune and misfortunes in the coming days." This divination tool complements astrological practices, adding an extra layer of assurance. She should have brought it out at the beginning, but her conversation with Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn stirred memories from the past—memories that only surfaced at this moment. "Having said that, Yin Ji once again opened her star-eyed gaze, examining Yuan Shi Tian Zun's facial features and found the Er Gu Palace clear, with no signs of blood-related disasters. The star-reading art and the hexagram divination now appear in conflict. Honestly, how come I'm always in danger again? Can I just have a few days of peace? I've only just started sharing a bed with Guan Ya—Zhang Yuanqing is thoroughly frustrated. The prophecy from the Destiny Mirror remains unresolved, and now the turtle-shell divination adds another blow. Zhang Yuanqing doesn't consider the turtle-shell divination to be incorrect. The Taiyi fragment has its own 'mind'—it will reveal hidden truths when necessary, just as it did during the battle campaign, when senior figures observed from outside, and it automatically masked the full moon seal. But most of the time, it remains passive. That means, indeed, he will face significant crises in the near future. Yin Ji picked up the turtle shell, shook it left and right, poured in the bronze coins, and the hexagram revealed by the coins caused her to furrow her brows once more. Her own hexagram reads: peace. That is, only Yuan Shi Tian Z Yin Ji pondered for a few seconds, analyzing: "The crisis probably isn't stemming from tonight's meeting; otherwise, I'd be just as concerned as you are. Astrology can only reveal short-term fate—no more than one day—while the divination indicates a longer-term threat, extending further into the near future. Have you recently been planning to enter a quest realm?" "Yes!" Zhang Yuanqing nodded with sudden clarity. Could the major crisis be originating from the quest realm? Hmm—perhaps it could also be linked to his mother-in-law's hired murder plot. He added that thought silently to himself. Yin Ji's expression immediately turned filled with concern. "Let's first meet with the southern faction representatives. We can discuss the quest realm matters later," Zhang Yuanqing said, suppressing his heavy emotions and offering a composed smile. "Every time I enter a quest realm, it's been a matter of life and death. I've grown accustomed to it." Yin Ji hesitated to speak, but Zhang Yuanqing didn't give her the chance—she simply pressed down on the accelerator and resumed their journey. Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the agreed-upon location: the office of a small logistics In a modest office space, parcels were piled haphazardly, with only two chairs available. On those chairs sat Xiao Yuan, bright and elegant with a pale, refined complexion, and Xiao Kòu, composed and commanding, sitting with the posture of a seasoned club leader, ready to lead negotiations. The true star of the show—the plump, well-liked young man—stood quietly by, obedient and composed. When Zhang Yuancheng entered, Kòu Beiyue spoke first, his gaze sharp and his tone low: "The success of this negotiation hinges entirely on Taimei's sincerity..." As he finished speaking, Zhang Yuancheng stepped forward, caught Kòu Beiyue by the collar and swung him aside. "Move along! Adults speak when they have something to say—children, take your place." Kòu Beiyue stumbled slightly, fortunately steadied by the plump young man, and managed not to fall. He glared at Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn, furious yet unable to speak. Zhang Yuancheng invited the Yin Ji to take a seat, then turned to the one he hadn't seen in days—Xiao Yuan—and smiled warmly. "Ms. Xiao Yuan." She's still as beautiful and poised, with a strong presence—just sitting there, she exudes the grace of a noble matron, and even the gentle, kind Yin Ji is overshadowed by her. Seeing Xiao Yuan appear here, he feels a weight lift from his chest. It means Master Wuhen is also paying close attention to this negotiation. The master remains reliable—he doesn't believe in the southern school's integrity, so he sent Xiao Yuan to oversee it. It's also possible that Xiao Yuan heard about this negotiation and came on purpose to be present. She holds the Jade Symbol of Dreaming, so her arrival signifies Master Wuhen's presence as well. Xiao Yuan keeps her face cold, paying him no attention. What's wrong with her now? I haven't done anything to upset her lately—this woman is truly inconsistent. Zhang Yuanqing suddenly feels that perhaps it's the master who's reliable. If Xiao Yuan genuinely cares about his safety, why does she still give him the cold shoulder? Yin Ji turns to Xiao Yuan and speaks softly, "What plans does your southern school have?" At that moment, the plump young man raises his hand timidly, "Actually, I'm the envoy from the southern school." Yin Ji looked at him, a question mark flashing in her eyes: "...?"