Chapter 520 – Taking in the Seventh Wife, Dragon Vein Cracking, Flame-Tipped Spear - Part 1

“So, what is it you want, Senior? Whatever it is, as a show of sincerity, I’ll tear it off the Eastern Sea’s Immortal Domain for you with my own teeth.”

In the dim cave, the face of Ying Zhuoyao shimmered like it was stitched together from flickering light and shadow, dancing between clarity and blur.

What had once been a face of innocence now twisted into a chilling, distorted smile that hit like a slap to the senses.

Outside, the night wind swept across the hills, making the wild grass ripple like waves in the dark.

Silence fell inside the cave.

Of course, Li Yuan wasn’t about to reveal what he truly desired. Especially when the throwing out of a term like

Outerborn

might be nothing more than a test.

Without warning, he lifted his hand, hooked a finger under the chin of the woman before him, the leader of the Green Lotus Cult, and met her twisted smile with one of his own.

The twisted grin on Ying Zhuoyao’s face slowly faded, returning to its original, deceptively pure look.

Li Yuan let go of her chin and said casually, “Then bite off a piece of flesh you think I might need.”

With that, he ended the conversation. No use saying more; it would only give him away. But he also didn’t rush to leave. That would’ve made him look rattled. Instead, he simply spread his legs a little, leaning back in a relaxed posture.

Ying Zhuoyao’s eyes dropped between his legs, and for a moment, her gaze turned hazy. She gently touched her lips with one fingertip.

But Li Yuan only waved his hand lazily, dismissing her.

She smiled again, gave a slight bow, and turned to leave.

Just as she reached the mouth of the cave and was about to step out, she suddenly spun around. Her pale eyes locked sharply on Li Yuan, who still lounged in the back.

Too bad all she found were his greedy eyes, calmly watching her.

“I forgot to ask, Senior. What kind of flesh do you want? Skills? Resources? Someone in particular? Or...something else?” she asked, voice silky.

“I’ll leave that up to your imagination,” Li Yuan replied, waving his hand impatiently.

Ying Zhuoyao bowed once more before finally departing.

Once she left the cave, the silence returned.

Li Yuan’s expression shifted. His greedy eyes vanished, and he propped his chin on one hand, deep in thought.

There’s plenty to chew on from tonight. The Dragon Vein, Eastern Sea’s Immortal Domain, and Deathless Tomb...I can wrap my head around those. But Outerborn...? I have no idea where that came from.

Still, people don’t offer help without reason. That Northern Dipper Hammer crafted the Red Sleeve Blade for me. There’s nothing wrong with the hammer itself. But that blade...that blade is a silent killer. Even the strongest would fall if they weren’t on guard.

If I didn’t have Eternal Youth, swinging it a few times might’ve drained my life dry. I didn’t die. That’s the only reason Ying Zhuoyao came to me, playing nice. The world’s getting more dangerous by the day. I need to get stronger. Fast.

After confirming there was no one spying nearby, Li Yuan shifted his appearance several times as he moved through the hills, darting between shadows. Only after several transformations did he slip quietly back into his residence in Silver Creek.

The moment he returned, he headed straight for the side room.

He’d only just built this wooden lodge a few days ago for Xie Wei to live in.

Knock, knock, knock!

He struck lightly on the door.

It opened to reveal his sister-in-law, hair still damp. Her calm, intelligent eyes gazed at him quietly from the doorway.

Li Yuan lowered his voice. “It’s urgent.”

His sister-in-law gave him a once-over, blinking slowly. Then she stepped aside and said, “Well...come in, then.”

Li Yuan stepped in quickly and shut the door behind him.

She stood there, a little stiff, her gaze fixed on him. “Want some tea?”

“No,” Li Yuan replied softly. “What happened in the Jade Capital...there’s something behind it. And not just anyone, it looks like someone truly formidable is pulling the strings. So, Sister-in-law, even though you've already disguised yourself, it’s not enough. You need to go a step further.”

Her expression changed as soon as they got down to business. After a brief pause, she asked, “Go a step further how? You mean Yin makeup? But I’m not a jade husk; I'd barely be able to maintain it even if I forced it.”

“No need for Yin makeup,” Li Yuan said after a moment of thought. “That kind of trick isn’t good in the long run. We just need to...”

He leaned closer and whispered a few ideas, nothing fancy, just practical tricks like darkening her face with charcoal and padding her clothes to throw off her figure.

Xie Wei was nothing if not decisive. She considered it briefly, then nodded. “Alright.”

Just as they were speaking, both of them suddenly froze, reacting at the same time.

“Who's there?!” Xie Wei snapped.

A shadow flitted past the door.

Interestingly, Li Yuan didn’t give chase. He simply glanced at Xie Wei.

“I must’ve startled Yu’er. If it had been your turn to talk, you’d have been the one dragging her out of the bushes.” Xie Wei sighed. Then she added with mock annoyance, “And really... Right in the middle of the night, instead of staying with her, you sneak over here. You think she wouldn’t come spy on us?”

“Alright, out you go. You shouldn’t be here.” She stood and began pushing him toward the door. But as she pushed, her body suddenly trembled, like she’d been struck by lightning.

Li Yuan’s solid, warm chest met her palms, and something in her shifted. Underneath her ivory sleep robe, her long legs weakened, trembling slightly. Especially in the quiet stillness of this late-night moment, everything seemed to slow and intensify.

Li Yuan could see something wasn’t right. But he didn’t dare ask.

This woman, once the Empress Dowager, who had ruled with iron dignity, had shed her burdens, but her commanding presence still clung to her like a second skin.

Now, that strength was wrapped in soft flesh, gently veiled by her pale sleepwear.

Her breathing suddenly quickened, chest rising and falling beneath the silk.

Truthfully, the only man she had ever truly allowed into her heart was him.

For a fleeting moment, selfish thoughts flickered in her mind. But they were quickly smothered by something stronger.

“Go,” she whispered, breathless. Panic and urgency crept into her voice as she pushed him again. “Go, now!”

But her body gave out mid-motion, collapsing toward him.

Li Yuan caught her without thinking.

Their bodies met.

The next instant, Xie Wei recoiled as if burned, tearing herself away.

Li Yuan quickly slipped out the door without another word.

˙·٠✧🐗➶➴🏹✧٠·˙

That night.

Beneath the autumn blankets, Xie Yu lay curled up, her breathing slow and steady...but clearly still awake.

Her tiny mouth was puckered in a pout, and her expression made one thing obvious. She was not happy.

Li Yuan thought for a moment, then gently pulled Xie Yu into his arms from behind. In a soft voice, he told her everything about what had happened in the Jade Capital—who might be behind it all, and why Xie Wei needed to alter her disguise even further. He explained everything patiently, down to the smallest detail.

Only then did Xie Yu’s mood visibly ease.

She turned around and took his hand, her eyes sincere. “I...I was eavesdropping outside earlier. Husband, I shouldn’t have doubted you...”

Li Yuan held her tighter. “Don’t overthink it.”

As they spoke, there was suddenly a rustling under the blanket. Li Yuan blinked in surprise. “What are you doing?”

In a gentle voice, she replied, “I don’t want you to suffer.”

Startled, Li Yuan quickly pulled her hand out from beneath the covers and stroked her hair. “Just rest. I’m fine, really.”

“Nope,” she murmured sweetly.

Li Yuan held her hand tightly to stop her mischief, but she suddenly leaned in close and whispered in his ear, “Or...how about I try something I’ve never done before? Hehe...”

Her voice got softer and softer, and her cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red.

“Absolutely not.” Li Yuan answered without hesitation. Then he turned her around, gently but firmly, and laughed. “None of that nonsense. Time to sleep.”

“Alright...” she finally agreed, snuggling down obediently.

Her tousled hair tickled Li Yuan’s nose, but he didn’t move away. He understood; his sweet little wife had been worried he’d feel lonely and empty during these tense times. That’s why she’d been trying everything she could think of to comfort him. Even things she used to be too shy to offer, she was willing now.

But Li Yuan felt just as deeply for her. He didn’t want her to force herself or feel like she had to give anything out of pity.

˙·٠✧🐗➶➴🏹✧٠·˙

The next morning.

Bright and early, Xie Wei was already at work. She stuffed padding into her clothes to reshape her figure and added a touch of grey dust to her face, deepening her disguise.

Then, as usual, she joined Xie Yu for their morning cultivation.

Li Yuan, meanwhile, headed to the wilderness to train alone. He began trying to infuse his Great Spiral and Great Restraint with withered flame.

He failed. Repeatedly. But even so, he kept at it with unwavering focus.

In between sessions, he kept a close watch on all channels, tracking movements of Ying Zhuoyao, Sheng’er, and others. Staying ahead of the web forming around him.

And just like that, three months passed.