Night fell outside the Heaven Dou Grand Hotel. Chu Chengzhou stood quietly, waiting for Hu Liena to arrive.
He didn't wait long. A carriage bearing the angel insignia pulled up.
Sensing a familiar aura, Chu Chengzhou hurried forward to greet her.
"Hmph."
Stepping down from the carriage and seeing Chu Chengzhou grinning at her, Hu Liena's heart lifted—but the smile vanished just as fast. She forced a displeased snort.
Only she knew how mortified she'd been that night—and the culprit who put her in that position was standing right in front of her.
"Nana, don't be mad. Let's go up and talk."
Smiling, Chu Chengzhou took her hand and led her into the hotel.
A few minutes later, inside the reserved private room.
"I'm sorry."
Holding her slender hand, Chu Chengzhou offered a heartfelt apology.
"How are you going to make it up to me?" Hu Liena arched a brow.
"However you say. Even if you want a star from the sky, I'll pluck one for you."
He thumped his chest without hesitation.
"Is that so? Then pluck one now—I'd like to see."
Hu Liena's tone turned teasing. She didn't believe for a second he could hand her a star.
"Easy."
He triggered the Xumi Illusory Realm, drawing Hu Liena's consciousness into it.
Her vision shifted, and she found herself beneath a dome of stars.
The next moment, Chu Chengzhou smiled, lifted his hand, and a distant bright star sped into his palm.
In a blink, a sparkling "star," identical to those in the night sky, lay in his hand.
"Nana, I brought you a star."
He offered it to her.
"…"
The corner of Hu Liena's mouth twitched. That's your "star"?
Just then, the "star" burst apart and re-formed into three glowing characters: I love you.
"Nana."
Chu Chengzhou wet his lips and called to her softly.
Nothing more needed to be said. Soon, a fierce "battle" began in the starry illusion.
Until the four girls reached a consensus, Chu Chengzhou didn't dare "sneak a bite" in reality—he had no wish to bring back any telltale signs and trigger another storm at home.
Two hours later, he left the hotel, boarded a carriage, and returned to his residence.
As soon as he stepped inside, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing closed in, leaned in, and sniffed him up and down.
"Not bad. The scent we marked you with before you left is still there—so you didn't bathe. And there's no strange smell. Looks like you didn't sneak anything."
After a thorough check, Xiao Wu nodded, satisfied.
"…"
"You know me—I'm the most well-behaved," Chu Chengzhou said, nodding.
He earned three synchronized eye-rolls.
"Brother, did that fox agree to our conditions?" Xiao Wu asked. Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing pricked up their ears.
"What fox? Xiao Wu, you're the big sister. Nana will be your fourth sister in the future—don't call her that."
He made a point of reminding her.
"Tch. Just say whether she agreed."
"She did."
The affair had happened. For various reasons, Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong had little choice but to accept a new "sister" in Hu Liena.
Two out of three agreeing left Zhu Zhuqing outnumbered—and after Chu Chengzhou "disciplined" the big cat in the illusion more than once, plus a stream of sweet talk, she found herself accepting it too.
But acceptance came with terms.
Most importantly, Hu Liena must not live in their home.
Anyone else would likely refuse—what relationship could stand if it could never be acknowledged under the same roof? But Hu Liena was different. She was the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall and first in line to succeed the Pope. Unless she willingly abandoned that identity—and Spirit Hall agreed—she wouldn't be moving into the Chu estate anyway.
Even if the three girls invited her warmly, she'd at most visit as a guest, not live there as a fourth consort.
Hu Liena might be lovestruck, but giving up Spirit Hall was out of the question—not because the title mattered so much, but because she wouldn't betray the years of cultivation by her teacher, Bibi Dong.
Of course, Chu Chengzhou didn't tell her "the three won't let you move in." He did the opposite and warmly invited her.
As expected, she declined.
Different route, same destination.
"Good. And listen up—you are not to court any more girls. Or else…"
Xiao Wu's tone was mild, but the scissor-fingers she raised were nothing if not a warning.
"Mm. From now on, I won't go after any more girls."
Chu Chengzhou nodded quickly.
Key words: "from now on" and "more." Those already "involved" don't count. And anyone older than twenty-five isn't exactly a "girl," right?
"Big scoundrel, when are you marrying us?" Ning Rongrong asked.
In her view, his wandering heart came from the fact they weren't married yet. If he were already a married man, would a prodigy like Hu Liena really let herself be "hooked"?
"When you're sixteen. You're only fifteen now. After your sixteenth birthdays, let's get married."
He smacked his lips and decided.
They already lived together; better to formalize things sooner than later. But he wasn't a beast—too young wasn't right. Sixteen felt appropriate.
"You're awful."
Ning Rongrong's cheeks flushed.
For commoners, sixteen wasn't early; for gifted spirit masters, it was. In the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, few married that young.
"Awful? Just wait—there's something even 'awful-er' coming."
He flashed a smile that didn't look entirely virtuous.
It was late. Time to rest.
Months slipped by—eight in a blink.
Yuexuan, fifth floor.
In a quiet, elegant hall, romantic music wafted.
Seated behind Tang Yuehua, Chu Chengzhou wrapped his arms around her and, drinking in her light fragrance with half-closed eyes, plucked the strings in tandem with her. Together they played "Starry Romance."
"Starry Romance"—one of the continent's most famous love duets.
"Elder Sister Yuehua, what a beautiful piece."
When the song ended and he came back to himself, Chu Chengzhou sighed.
"Yes, it's beautiful."
Tang Yuehua's eyes were a little unfocused.
Of course, she wasn't thinking of the youth behind her—but of the person she shouldn't have loved.
If not for that bond of "siblings," and if he understood music—how wonderful that would be.
No—he was a blazing sun among the world's greatest, while she, a mere rank-9 spirit scholar, was dust at his feet. Even without the "sibling" tie, even had there been no blue-clad woman back then, they could never have been together.
"Elder Sister Yuehua, do you have someone you love?"
"Pfft."
She couldn't help laughing, then said with mock annoyance, "What's this, little Chu—have you fallen for your elder sister?"
"Why not? You're so beautiful—suitors could line up from Heaven Dou all the way to Spirit City."
"I'm a talentless cultivator—and time spares no one. I'm over forty."
She turned to glance at him and shook her head.
"Who says? You don't look a day over your twenties."
"Save the sweet talk for your little girlfriends. Don't tease me."
She meant to nip his intention in the bud.
She'd noticed the undertone in the youth's words. Regardless, she had resolved to live alone. Even without that resolve, how could she choose Chu Chengzhou? Her nephew Tang San was about his age. If anything happened, how could she face anyone?
"Elder Sister Yuehua, let me take you somewhere."
Chu Chengzhou triggered the Xumi Illusory Realm and drew her in.
Her vision shifted; she stood beneath a night sky strewn with stars.
"Where is this?"
"A realm of illusion. Everything you see and hear is false."
As he spoke, a rain of blossoms drifted down; "Starry Romance" began to play again.
Tang Yuehua lifted a hand and caught a petal. The feel in her palm and the fragrance in the air told her that although this was unreal, everything felt real.
"Yuehua—here in this illusion, let's put aside all restraints."
He took her hand.
She was about to refuse when, dazed, she caught a shadow of "that person" in him.
"Come, Yuehua. Let's forget everything that troubles us."
Something in his voice carried a strange pull, stirring her heart.
And with the youth before her seeming to merge with the one who lingered in her thoughts, Tang Yuehua went a little hazy.
Perhaps what is impossible in reality can become possible in a dream.
Against the power of the Xumi Illusory Realm, someone not even a formal spirit master stood no chance. As master of the illusion, Chu Chengzhou only needed to tweak his bearing and nudge her heart a little.
Not giving her time to hesitate, he drew the beauty into his arms and lowered his lips to her soft red ones.
Soon, the silver palace gown slipped away, and her graceful figure lay revealed before him.
With a shy cry, another woman in this world lost the purity of her soul.
Chu Chengzhou: In the father's name—achieved.
One word: smooth.
Two hours later, Chu Chengzhou left Yuexuan.
On the fifth floor, in her bedroom, Tang Yuehua hid under the covers.
"I actually…"
Remembering those scenes in the illusion, her cheeks flushed. She couldn't figure out how she had… Was she a shameless woman?
Three days later, at dusk.
Back on Yuexuan's fifth floor, the white-robed youth and the silver-gowned beauty had just stepped out of the illusion, and he kissed her deeply on the sofa.
Ever since that first time, Chu Chengzhou had visited every afternoon these three days.
Tang Yuehua welcomed him. Having tasted honey, the beauty could no longer bottle up her feelings—her mouth said no, but her body was honest.
Even so, she knew propriety. All abandon stayed within the illusion. In reality, she allowed only limited intimacy—no further—because she could not get past the barrier in her heart.
After all, what happened in the illusion was like a vivid dream. In the real world, they addressed each other as "elder sister" and "younger brother," and she was a generation older than he—plus he knew her nephew Tang San. Her reason told her she mustn't cross that line.
After a long while, their lips parted.
"You little rascal, bullying your sister again."
She pinched him, half-coquettish, half-annoyed.
"Oh? And does Elder Sister Yuehua like it?"
Her face reddened; she didn't answer—she pinched him again.
"You shouldn't come anymore. We're not meant to be."
Her tone suddenly turned firm.
"Why? If it's hard for you, we can keep it to the illusion."
"You're a rare genius of the continent. I, with no cultivation to speak of, am already old. In a few years I'll be an old woman. We… can't."
Before she could finish, he cut in. "Elder Sister Yuehua, believe me—age can't stop us."
She shook her head. She wasn't some naïve girl. Maybe he liked her now, but decades from now, when she was gray and wrinkled, how could a peerless talent still like her? Better to sever what shouldn't be, early.
"The limit of a martial soul isn't unbreakable. Reach Titled Douluo, and your lifespan far exceeds ordinary folk. Ascend to godhood, and you gain eternal life.
"What's a gap of twenty or thirty years, measured against centuries—or eternity?"
Tang Yuehua looked startled. "You have a way to break my martial soul's limit?"
"I can't promise absolute certainty, but I'm ninety percent sure."
Since Dugubo had taken the Black Jade God Bamboo for his granddaughter, three immortal herbs remained at the Ice-and-Fire Yin-Yang Well: the Odd Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, the Swan's Kiss, and the Fragrant Yearning Heartbroken.
The chrysanthemum was for Dugubo; the Swan's Kiss was a toxin amplifier—off-limits. But the Fragrant Yearning Heartbroken—usable.
Its main effect was anti-toxin synergy, but that didn't mean it couldn't be taken. Tang San had used it to lure spirit beasts; immortal herbs could raise talent. Even if it couldn't evolve Tang Yuehua's martial soul outright, it should at least break her current limit.
"Such a method must require a precious treasure. Don't waste it on me. I'm already over forty. It's too late to achieve anything."
She shook her head again. Without reaching Titled Douluo, her lifespan wouldn't be much longer than a normal person's. Even if she broke through the limit now, how far could she go? Spirit Elder? Spirit Ancestor? If not Titled, it solved nothing.
"Rest easy, Elder Sister Yuehua. If you can break your limit, you will become a Titled Douluo. I, Chu Chengzhou, give my word."
If she pursued cultivation the usual way, even with an immortal herb, starting in her forties meant she'd likely never reach Titled Douluo in one lifetime. Tang Hao, praised as the youngest Titled Douluo back then, still needed nearly forty years from awakening to Titled. Tang Yuehua had missed the golden years.
But that was true only for the normal path.
If talent is lacking—cheat.
As long as the Fragrant Yearning Heartbroken broke her limit, he could pile her to Titled Douluo within ten years.
Even before he reached the sixth ring, his spiritual power already rivaled a fresh rank-80 Soul Douluo. After breaking through the sixth ring and with One Thought Eternal cultivation, he was nearly at a fresh rank-90 Titled Douluo's spiritual strength. After he reached the seventh ring, he'd likely surpass ordinary new Titleds in spirit.
At that point, he wouldn't touch 100,000-year spiritual beasts—but other types? They wouldn't withstand the Xumi Illusory Realm.
With 100,000-year beasts offering up their rings, eight 100,000-year rings and six 100,000-year bones—how much time would that save on the road to Titled?
And not just Tang Yuehua—his grandparents could enjoy the same "benefits."
As for his girls, they wouldn't need it. When the time came for their next rings, they could visit Sea God Island and "collect" from the great benefactor there. God-gifted rings, perfectly attuned, would suit them better than hunted 100,000-year rings.
Helping Tang Yuehua become a Titled Douluo wasn't empty talk.
Her Auspicious Harmony Ring carried a natural domain; once unshackled, that martial soul would not be weak. "Evil mutations" in martial souls don't truly exist—only souls too weak to support a strong spirit, giving the illusion of a bad mutation. Just like his Summoning Banner once was—or Yu Xiaogang's Luo San Pao.
Looking at his earnest face, Tang Yuehua smiled, not taking it fully to heart—but ripples spread within her. If it all came true, what would it matter that he was decades younger?
If she remained a cultivation dead end, tongues would wag. But if she were a Titled Douluo—who would dare? Who would even think it? They would bow, because she would be a revered Titled Douluo.
"I'll be away for a while tomorrow. Wait for my return."
He kissed her lightly on the forehead.
"You're going to seek that treasure? Listen to me—if it won't work, don't force it."
She immediately assumed he was going after the item to break her limit and hurried to warn him. Such a treasure would be invaluable; she didn't want him risking too much.
"I know."
He smiled and nodded.
The Fragrant Yearning Heartbroken was right there at the Ice-and-Fire Yin-Yang Well—hardly difficult to obtain. And truth be told, tomorrow's trip wasn't just for the herb; he was heading into the Star Dou Great Forest to attach his seventh ring. The herb could come back with him.
He'd spent the last half year cultivating; with his earlier foundation, he had just broken through to level 70 the previous night. Only one seventh ring remained between him and the rank of Soul Sage.
T/N: For up to 30 chapters ahead on most of my translations, become a p@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle