Chapter 1033 - Second Visit to the Spirit Jade Pavilion

Liu Wuxie had expected Xu Lingxue to explode in rage, but her calm attitude caught him off guard.

At first, he had worried that bringing several women together would spark conflict, but reality proved him wrong.

After leaving Xu Lingxue's room, Liu Wuxie understood her stance: she would only be with him if he married the other woman as well.

As he passed by Murong Yi's courtyard, he noticed the lights were still on.

He gently knocked on the door, and moments later, Murong Yi opened it. She gave him a complicated look, one that nearly shattered Liu Wuxie’s heart.

When he stepped inside, she quietly lay in his embrace. Neither of them spoke. They remained like that, savoring the rare moment of warmth and closeness.

"It’s been hard on you," Liu Wuxie whispered, caressing her cheek.

"Not at all!" Murong Yi smiled softly. She didn’t want to put any pressure on him.

"I’ll marry you openly when this is all over," Liu Wuxie promised, kissing her forehead. Her scent clung to him, sharp and unforgettable.

Two tears slid down Murong Yi’s cheeks as she buried her face in Liu Wuxie’s chest, sobbing. She had longed to hear those words for far too long.

After all, what woman wouldn’t want a proper status? Without it, they endured judgment from others just to stay by Liu Wuxie’s side.

After leaving Murong Yi's room, Liu Wuxie went to see Jian Xing'er, but an awkward silence loomed between them the entire time.

Neither of them could find the right words. Although the Abyssal Devils had once forced them into physical intimacy in the Abyssal Underground World, it was nothing like what he had shared with Murong Yi.

"I know what you want to say, but don’t say it," Jian Xing’er said first. She didn't want to burden him. Just being able to stay by his side was enough for her.

"I promise I’ll never let you down in this life," Liu Wuxie said solemnly.

And just like that, the two stood silently, facing each other without needing to exchange words.

"Alright, enough of that sappiness. I'll start crying if you keep talking," Jian Xing’er said, shoving Liu Wuxie out of the room and slamming the door behind him.

Then, she leaned against the door, tilting her head back as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Although she had followed Liu Wuxie for over a year, he had never spoken such affirming words to her until tonight. That promise finally brought her the peace and security she had longed for.

Compared to the others, Jian Xing'er was more blunt and easygoing as a result of her harsh upbringing. She had lost her mother at a young age, which had forged her independence; she always relied on herself.

Meanwhile, Chen Ruoyan hadn't gone to bed either. She sat alone in her room, staring blankly into space.

She ranked as the youngest among the four.

Although she had a fiery and energetic personality, she turned shy and obedient whenever Liu Wuxie was around.

So when the door suddenly opened, Chen Ruoyan jumped in fright.

"B-Big Brother Liu, why are you here?" she stammered, nervously fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. Her cheeks flushed, and she didn't know what to do.

"It's getting late. Why aren't you asleep?" Liu Wuxie asked. He sat down and motioned for Chen Ruoyan to join him.

"I couldn't sleep," she replied, her voice soft. She sat across from him with her head lowered, not daring to meet his gaze.

"You've been away from home for a long time now. Do you miss it?" Liu Wuxie asked gently.

Murong Yi's family was in the Western Barren, Xu Lingxue's parents were in the Central Plains, and Jian Xing'er's parents had already passed away. Only Chen Ruoyan's family remained in the mundane world.

Chen Ruoyan nodded, the longing in her eyes plain to see.

"I've already sent someone to bring your brothers here so you can reunite with them," Liu Wuxie said, rising to his feet.

Chen Ruoyan flinched at his sudden movement, her eyes going wide with nervousness. Her thoughts flashed back to the time poison had nearly claimed her life, when Liu Wuxie had stripped her and plunged her into a barrel of ice water to save her. From that moment on, their relationship had drifted into vague, uncertain territory.

"Really?" Chen Ruoyan asked, her face lighting up with hope.

"How will you thank me, then?" Liu Wuxie teased, flashing her a wicked grin, like a wolf closing in on its prey.

"I..." Chen Ruoyan stammered, her face turning crimson. She knew exactly what he meant, but couldn't find the words.

"I've already seen every part of your body. What's there to be shy about?" Liu Wuxie said, pulling her gently into his embrace.

It was their first real embrace. Their relationship had always been moving in this direction, and Liu Wuxie knew it was time to take the initiative.

Chen Ruoyan struggled for a moment before melting into his arms, resting her head against his chest.

"Big Brother Liu, will Lady Xu be angry if she finds out about us?" she asked softly, her eyes glistening with unease.

The moment she had seen Xu Lingxue, that question had been weighing on her heart.

"Don’t worry about it. She won’t be," Liu Wuxie said, giving her nose a playful flick. He lifted her chin and kissed her lips.

The kiss sent Chen Ruoyan's thoughts scattering. His touch emptied her thoughts, leaving her mind completely blank.

"ARGH!" Liu Wuxie yelped as a sudden sharp pain shot through his tongue.

"You're so bad!" Chen Ruoyan cried, having bitten him in retaliation. She slipped from his arms and scurried to the corner, cheeks flushed.

Liu Wuxie couldn't help but laugh at the sight. He had gotten what he wanted.

Satisfied, he left her room and returned to his own. His mood had never been better, and he was already preparing for the plans awaiting him tomorrow.

......

Everyone woke at dawn the next morning.

"Good morning, Lady Xu!" Jian Xing'er called out brightly. Strangely enough, the first thing she did upon waking was head straight to Xu Lingxue's courtyard.

Though they had greeted each other the day before, they hadn't truly spoken.

"Good morning, Big Sister Jian," Xu Lingxue replied with a gentle smile.

Jian Xing'er was the eldest among the four women, and Xu Lingxue affectionately linked arms with her.

A moment later, Murong Yi and Chen Ruoyan stepped out from their courtyards. Their eyes met, and they exchanged a warm, knowing smile.

After just a few conversations, they had grown much closer.

From a distance, Liu Wuxie stood silently, watching the four women laugh and talk together. Their harmony brought a rare sense of peace to his heart, and his expression finally relaxed.

"Wuxie, how did you manage this?" Yan Yu asked. "How did you get them to get along so well?"

She genuinely feared the four women would clash, but from what she saw, their friendship was sincere, not just forced politeness. It warmed her heart more than she had expected.

"That's a secret," Liu Wuxie said with a playful grin.

With that, he turned and left the Liu Clan alongside Liu Dayue, heading back to the Heavenly Dao Society.

......

By the time Liu Wuxie arrived, everyone had already gathered and waited in place.

The moment he stepped into the main hall, a heavy silence fell over the room. His gaze was icy, and the aura radiating from him surged and fluctuated with intensity.

Though Liu Wuxie was only at the third-level Spirit Profound Realm, the sheer weight of his presence made it difficult for many to breathe.

Once everyone took their seats, he scanned the hall with a sharp gaze until his eyes landed on Fan Zhen.

"Old Fan, is everything ready?" Liu Wuxie asked.

"All the pills, weapons, talismans, and array compasses are prepared," Fan Zhen replied. "As long as we get an invitation from the Spirit Jade Pavilion, we can join the commerce fair."

Liu Dayue had already briefed Liu Wuxie about the commerce fair during their return to the Liu Clan yesterday.

If the Heavenly Dao Society wanted to break into the Central Plains market, the Spirit Jade Pavilion would serve as their critical foothold. Unless they someday grew into a colossus themselves, they would need the pavilion's influence to carve a path forward.

"I'll handle the invitation," Liu Wuxie said, his voice icy and resolute. "In this counterattack, we may also need to use force, beyond just crushing the three clans' businesses."

A cold gleam flickered in his eyes. He understood all too well: if they lost this fight, both the Liu Clan and the Heavenly Dao Society would suffer devastating, irreversible consequences. And if they chose not to fight, the three clans would keep pressing until they backed them into a corner.

"Wuxie, the Heavenly Dao Society's foundation is still too shallow," Liu Dayue said bluntly. "We can't match the three clans in raw strength."

Even if the Liu Clan mobilized its experts, it still wouldn't be enough to counter the might of the three great clans.

Everyone shared the same worry. Even though strategy could help win battles, on the True Martial Continent, raw strength decided who lived and who died. No matter how clever they were, a stronger foe could crush them in an instant, and that was the brutal truth.

"Relax. A large number of experts will be joining us in a few days," Liu Wuxie said calmly and confidently.

Once reinforcements arrived, the Heavenly Dao Society's strength would double. As long as they didn't face anyone at the Heaven Profound Realm, Liu Wuxie feared no one. The three clans only had Earth Profound Realm cultivators at best, and if it came to that, Liu Wuxie could slaughter them without hesitation.

Excitement surged through the main hall as cheers broke out. The promise of new power lifted everyone's spirits.

"Old Fan, Bi Gongyu, come with me to the Spirit Jade Pavilion," Liu Wuxie ordered.

The three of them turned and left the hall without delay.

The trio reached the Spirit Jade Pavilion in less than an hour. The pavilion strictly enforced entry rules, turning away anyone below the True Profound Realm at the gates.

Fan Zhen and Bi Gongyu had lingered at the True Profound Realm’s peak for over half a year and were just one step away from the Spirit Profound Realm.

Though this wasn't Liu Wuxie's first visit, the sight of the towering, opulent pavilion still impressed him.

However, despite the splendor, the last time he had come with Han Feizi had left him with more than a few unpleasant memories.

Fan Zhen and Bi Gongyu had also visited before to study how the prestigious establishment operated from within.

Liu Wuxie made his way directly to the front counter.

The attendant at the counter bowed with polished grace and offered a warm smile.

"Welcome, Young Master. How can I assist you today?"

"I wish to speak with Elder Qin. Please notify him for me," Liu Wuxie said as he subtly slipped hundreds of spirit stones over to the attendant.

"This..." the young attendant hesitated.

Elders held a revered status within the Spirit Jade Pavilion, and ordinary visitors weren't allowed to request meetings on a whim. Moreover, the pavilion had strict rules forbidding staff from accepting bribes.

"I'm sorry, but I can't accept this," the attendant said, gently sliding the spirit stones back. "Elder Qin is currently occupied with preparations for the upcoming commerce fair and isn't receiving guests."

"Just tell him," Liu Wuxie said with a calm smile, "that the one who memorized all the materials has come."

Liu Wuxie had no doubt Elder Qin would remember. The incident had caused quite a stir throughout the pavilion, and Elder Qin had personally said they could keep in contact afterward.

Recognition flickered in the young attendant's eyes. A year ago, someone had memorized all the listed materials in one sitting, causing a sensation that had shaken the entire pavilion. He hadn't expected that person to be Liu Wuxie.