167 Meeting Mother-in-Law Again
Arriving at Yu Tian Island again, Yan Zhen followed the familiar route, led by the head housekeeper, to Ting Chao Pavilion, where Clan Head Yu Lu awaited.
Tea and pastries were already prepared. The Clan Head gestured for her sisters, sister-in-law, and son-in-law to be seated. This time, however, Yan Zhen wasn’t seated separately, as if on trial, but right beside the Clan Head, a position of honor.
“So, Son-in-law Yan Zhen has reached the top ten of the Rising Star List?” A hint of surprise touched Clan Head Yu Lu’s cold, beautiful face. She turned to Yan Zhen. “Able to defeat a seven-star Mystic General as a mere seven-star Mystic Master?”
Yan Zhen scratched his cheek and said modestly, “Just lucky, I guess.”
“It was only because of that flame sword,” Younger Aunt Dean interjected. “Before that, he was being completely dominated.”
This childish woman… Aunt Head Instructor quickly smoothed things over. “The moment Yan Zhen unleashed his flame sword, he won the duel instantly. I was stunned. Is that sword a secret treasure bestowed upon you by Alchemist Saint Chen Xi?”
Yan Zhen shook his head and replied truthfully, “It’s my Natal Sword, forged from the Gold and Silver Fire.”
Hearing this, the four beautiful elders looked surprised. This was clearly beyond their understanding.
Grand Elder Great Aunt asked curiously, “You mean… you forged a physical sword from an ethereal Extreme Flame?”
“Yes, it took me over six months to forge it. This was its first time being used.”
“No wonder,” Clan Head Yu Lu nodded. “What’s the sword’s name?”
“Extreme Tyrant Sword,” Yan Zhen said, a bit embarrassed. “‘Extreme’ as in Extreme Flame, ‘Tyrant’ as in… tyrannical.”
“What a good name,” Grand Elder Great Aunt praised. “Extreme Tyrant, the ultimate tyranny. A sword of ultimate power, truly living up to its name.”
—So embarrassing, Great Aunt, please stop repeating it. I just chose that name because it was in the script!
Yan Zhen blushed, wondering why his script self chose such a cheesy, chuuni name. So embarrassing!
“Ahem, Mother-in-law, how is Instructor doing at the Sacred Ground?”
“I visited her once. Xuan’er’s cultivation has reached three-star Mystic General. She’s doing well, though she clearly misses you.”
“For some reason, my communication talisman can’t send messages there.”
“There’s a barrier around the Sacred Ground. You need a special talisman to communicate. Just be patient. At your current rate of progress, you’ll graduate from the academy and enter the Sacred Ground within a year at most.”
“I understand, Mother-in-law.” Yan Zhen coughed twice, finally getting to the point. “How is Mother-in-law’s… condition?”
The atmosphere immediately became tense. The four beautiful elders paused, their gazes fixed on their second sister/sister-in-law.
Clan Head Yu Lu quickly recovered, calmly took a sip of tea, placed her cup on the table, and then replied, “It’s nothing serious. There’s no need to worry, Son-in-law Yan Zhen.”
“I came here for the second treatment session. If your condition acts up again, Mother-in-law, please don’t hide it.” Yan Zhen took Grand Elder Yu Yan’s hand, placed it on the table before him, and pulled back her sleeve. “Great Aunt’s symptoms were initially the mildest. Normally, two treatments would be enough. But because of a problem during her cultivation, it seems to have worsened, now similar to Mother-in-law’s.”
Grand Elder Yu Yan, one hand held by Yan Zhen, the other supporting her chin, narrowed her eyes and feigned a troubled expression, looking rather cute.
“A problem during cultivation?” Younger Aunt Dean asked with concern. “Elder Sister, are you alright?”
“Don’t even mention it. I was just trying to break through to six-star Mystic Ancestor, but I almost suffered Qi deviation. Although I managed to suppress it in time, the… water leakage has worsened.”
“Th-that’s terrible! I’ve also been trying to reach three-star Mystic Ancestor recently.”
“It’s not just bad luck,” Yan Zhen said seriously. “It’s best not to attempt a breakthrough before your conditions are completely cured. Otherwise, the chances of failure are very high.”
“Why?”
“Because prolonged circulation of Mystic Power will exacerbate the symptoms, causing distractions, like after each cultivation session.”
“…”
Younger Aunt Dean fell silent, not wanting to give Yan Zhen any opportunity to embarrass her further.
Aunt Head Instructor secretly chuckled.
Their gazes returned to Clan Head Yu Lu, who, after a long hesitation, said softly, “I’ve had… five episodes in the past two months. Much better than before. It’s just that… every time it happens, I feel a tingling sensation… and I remember… breastfeeding Xuan’er.”
A faint blush colored Clan Head Yu Lu’s cheeks.
Great Aunt, Younger Aunt, and Aunt looked at her with puzzled expressions. Only the pure and innocent Yan Zhen blinked, then instantly understood.
Remembering breastfeeding meant… she missed the sensation of being… suckled.
—Ahem, no wonder Mother-in-law found it difficult to say. He had been a bit too forceful, making her reveal such a private matter.
“Then… let’s not delay any further. Let’s begin the co-cultivation… Although my Mystic Power has increased, I still need the White Jade Spring to replenish it.”
“I’ve already instructed the housekeeper to fetch some,” Clan Head Yu Lu said, her expression returning to its usual indifference. “We can conduct the co-cultivation in the outdoor bathroom. No need to go to the back mountain.”
“I’m fine with that.”
Yan Zhen looked at Grand Elder Great Aunt and Younger Aunt Dean. Neither of them objected.
After about fifteen minutes, the head housekeeper, the elderly woman, brought the White Jade Spring water in her storage ring and poured it into the bathtub in the outdoor bathroom.
Yan Zhen looked around, puzzled. “No partition this time?”
Clan Head Yu Lu shook her head. “It would be burned by the Great Crimson Skyfire. I considered preparing a Tier 5 Cold Jade partition or a blindfold, but I was worried it might affect your performance. And since we’re all family, there’s no need for such precautions.”
Yan Zhen’s heart warmed slightly, sensing a change in Mother-in-law’s attitude, a newfound closeness.
—Hehe, I’m a little happy~
“Don’t worry, Mother-in-law. I definitely won’t peek!”
Clan Head Yu Lu nodded, and Grand Elder Great Aunt patted his head with a smile. Younger Aunt Dean, however, glared at him suspiciously, her arms crossed.
With the White Jade Spring prepared and the formation drawn, the three Yu sisters stepped aside.
Yan Zhen, assisted by Aunt Head Instructor, undressed down to his elephant-print boxer briefs and quickly stepped into the bathtub, submerging himself in the milky-white spring water.
Then, Aunt Head Instructor smiled and said, “Yan Zhen is ready. Yu Qing, Yu Yan, Sister-in-law, who’s going first?”
Younger Aunt Dean blushed and said, annoyed, “Stinky Bai Lan, can you not phrase it like that? As if we’re going to… gang up on him!”
Aunt Head Instructor blinked, thinking, Isn’t that exactly what you’re going to do? Taking turns co-cultivating with him? Even with the White Jade Spring replenishing his energy, he’ll be completely drained by the time you’re finished.
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