Three years passed in the blink of an eye.
The once solitary structure of Shenyan Hall had grown into the thriving heart of a bustling town. Streets paved with polished stone curved outward from the mighty hall, lined with inns, merchants, smithies, and training grounds.
Its unique geography made the area a hub: hunters streamed in from the nearby Star Dou Forest, merchants bargained over rare herbs and ores, and rogue soul masters lingered for opportunity. Wealth flowed like water.
For ordinary civilians, however, this paradise was a dream too costly. Properties and homes were monopolized by nobles, wealthy merchants, and wandering powerhouses. The only exception were a few modest houses generously distributed by Shenyan Hall itself.
But prosperity had drawbacks.
With wealth came chaos—and women.
Every week, rich beauties purchased rare flying soul beasts just to hover endlessly above Shenyan Hall, desperate for one glimpse of Subei, the hall master. Some loitered with banners of marriage proposals. Others swooned from the clouds calling his name.
Yet their adoration was not without price: the moment one strayed too low, bodyguards released the Cloud-Piercing Arrows. More than one "romantic admirer" was sent screaming out of the sky.
Still, ridiculous antics occurred without pause. Finally, unable to tolerate things spiraling further, Subei instructed his clever maid, Gong Zi, to codify strict prohibitions—a system of conduct that put a damper on the madness.
An Afternoon with Tea
On this particular day, Subei lounged comfortably upon the wide balcony of his chambers. A cup of steaming tea sat before him, fragrant and calming. With a practiced hand, he unwrapped a small yellow pill tucked inside his robes, dropped it into the tea, and swirled until it melted away.
The potion blended seamlessly into the liquid. Subei lifted it and sipped slowly, warmth spreading from throat to chest, easing every limb.
The Liuwei Shenhuang Pill.
Treasure among treasures, known in legends to cure all ailments, to rebuild essence and smooth soul power. Every once in a while, Subei allowed himself to indulge.
He exhaled deeply, a satisfied hum escaping.
So much had changed in just two years. His cultivation soared like a rocket.
Level 52.
At eleven years of age, Subei stood proudly as a Soul King. With the divine tricks at his disposal, even an ordinary Soul Emperor was within his grasp. His existence was more myth than reality now.
And it was not only himself. Through system rewards and careful nurturing, he had lifted many of the women around him as well. Dugu Yan, Liu Erlong, even Xiao Wu—talents considered mediocre before—now brimmed with strength. Who dared bully disciples or women of Shenyan Hall?
None.
Not while he stood atop its balcony.
Pajamas and Temptations
"Brother, it's time for a nap…"
A clear, sweet voice, ringing with barely hidden mischief. Xiao Wu padded into the chamber, wearing a set of loose pajamas.
Correction—his pajamas.
The oversized sleeves swallowed her arms, while the hem brushed mid-thigh, revealing those long pale legs, still glistening with beads of bathwater. Droplets clung like crystals along smooth skin, tracing delicate rivers down her thigh.
It was—objectively speaking—a very provocative sight.
Subei's throat hissed inwardly. The system had really trained his endurance these past years. Even so, desire scratched sharply at the back of his mind.
Xiao Wu tilted her head, pink cheeks glowing faint. "Brother, aren't you sleepy? Didn't you always nap after lunch before?"
Before he answered, she climbed straight into his lap, arms curling around his neck like a spoiled cat.
The faint scent of her shampoo reached his nostrils.
Heat surged in his body—before instantly derailing when her hand brushed against the "obstruction" under his robe.
"Brother…" Her eyes widened innocently. "What is that? You hid a… treasure under your stomach?"
Subei nearly spat blood. Hastily, he caught her little hand. "No! Not allowed! Not a toy!"
His heart hammered. Three years. Three years, highest penalty death if I take one step wrong!
Though Xiao Wu's spirit age was far older, in looks she was still a delicate girl. Self-control was his shield. Endure, endure…
Swallowing hard, he searched for salvation. Inspiration glimmered.
He produced from his storage ring a radiant treasure. Its pink-golden light sparkled like a moving rainbow, radiating divine aura.
"Look here. The legendary Golden Soul Radish. Specially chosen… for you."
Xiao Wu gasped, eyes immediately locked onto the spiritual vegetable. Drooling almost, her hands clasped it tight.
"Wow! Brother, you… This can strengthen my body, right? Mom once said with a golden radish, our clan could even evolve past limits! I can't believe you really…"
Subei smiled faintly. Saved from disaster.
Her happy shouts danced around the room, and for now, temptation was dodged.
A Different Journey – Zhu Zhuqing
Not far from the borders, another figure made fateful steps toward Subei's domain.
Under a dim, creaking carriage, Zhu Zhuqing sat quietly, her delicate hands folded in her lap. At thirteen, her cold beauty had already bloomed into striking shape, but her eyes betrayed scars far deeper: years of suffocating family expectations, unshakable destiny as nothing more than a chess piece.
By her side, the loyal old servant who had raised her finally spoke with trembling reluctance: "Young Miss, our journey ends here. Beyond this point, I must return. Zhu family law forbids me from serving you further. If I disobey, punishment falls."
Zhu Zhuqing's lashes trembled. She clutched his withered palm. "Uncle, stay. Qing'er doesn't need the family anymore, only you."
But he shook his head slowly. "For sixty years I've served. The Patriarch will not punish me, but… I cannot shield you beyond his reach. From here onward, your path must be your own."
Her heart clenched painfully as she released him. "Then… take care, Uncle. Next time we meet, I will be strong enough that even the family must look at me differently!"
The old man smiled faintly, fondly. Tears wet his old eyes as he drove the carriage away. Behind, young Zhu Zhuqing stood against a wide, foreign skyline, two fists clenched, whispering to herself. I will change my fate.
Beside her, loyal friend Zhang Yi scouted ahead. "Miss, first matter—lodging. Then we wait for the announcement of Tianjiao Class enrollment. Look there."
His finger pointed toward a towering, opulent inn adorned with bold painted characters:
Longmen Inn
Zhu Zhuqing blinked at the name. "…Longmen? Somehow, it feels… as if Lord Subei left it himself."
The Longmen Inn
Approaching, Zhang Yi admired its grand pillars, each carved with luminous dragon motifs. "Excellent spot, excellent view, excellent craftsmanship. Miss, this is high standard!"
But stepping forward, they were halted.
A female guard stood at the entry. Unlike ordinary attendants, she carried a gleaming halberd in hand, blade sharp, stance cold. Rather than welcome, her aura nearly shouted test first, talk later.
Zhang Yi frowned. "A guard with weapon at the inn door? Won't that scare away customers?" He sneered. "No wonder so quiet!"
The waitress's face didn't shift. Louder, she stated flatly, eyes scanning them both.
"She may enter. You cannot."
"What?!" Zhang Yi staggered back. "Why not? I am Zhang Yi, famed gentleman of Southern Chu! I carry money enough—" He poured a pouch of glittering gold soul coins into his palm, rattling it proudly.
The passers-by nearby burst into chuckles.
"Another fool thinks money alone buys passage?"
"Showing off wealth at Longmen Inn… hilarious!"
Zhang Yi flushed. "Why? Why can she enter and not me?"
The waitress finally answered, gaze locking on Zhu Zhuqing's frosty expression. "Admission requires three standards: Soul power, appearance, and age. Fail any, no entry to Tianjiao prospects. Your companion may qualify. You do not."
"Wha—appearance?!" Zhang Yi nearly dropped his coin pouch.
The waitress nodded toward a bold banner etched across Shenyan Hall's gate:
In Shenyan's domain, 'face' is might. Beauty leads—strength follows.
Smirks rippled among the crowd.
The meaning was clear: if you lacked beauty, no amount of brute coin or words mattered.
Zhu Zhuqing's heart shivered at the words, but her eyes burned steady. For the first time, perhaps fate had given her a door. Not through family ties. Not through arranged chains. Through her own face, her own effort.
Her delicate lips curved faintly. "Then let me take the test."
The guard stilled for a fraction, then stepped aside. "Proceed."
Within, the grand stage of the Tianjiao Class Enrollment awaited.
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