A Miteer family elder, looking anxiously at the approaching Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, turned toward the luxuriously dressed elder at the front and said with some apprehension,
"Elder Tengshan, the beast is getting closer…"
"Don't worry, it's just Ya Fei returning."
The elderly man in ornate robes at the front of the group—one of the Ten Great Powerhouses of the Jia Ma Empire, Miteer Tengshan—narrowed his eyes slightly and added with a faint smile,
"Looks like she brought someone back with her as well."
"Someone?"
The elders behind Tengshan all wore expressions of surprise.
As the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King drew nearer, one of the elders among them, Leo, suddenly froze, his pupils contracting in fear. Even his voice trembled slightly.
"It's... it's him! That guy!"
"Him?"
All eyes turned toward the beast. On its back, behind Ya Fei, sat a white-robed young man with an arm around her waist. That face…
Several elders instantly recognized him, and their expressions darkened with astonishment.
"Isn't that the one who caused that disturbance at the auction last time?!"
Ya Fei gracefully jumped down from the lion's back as it landed in the clearing in front of the Miteer Auction House. She greeted Tengshan and the other elders with a warm smile.
"Ya Fei greets Grand Elder, Second Elder, and all the uncles present."
The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King let out a low growl, its ferocious aura making many elders instinctively step back in alarm.
Those who had previously looked down on Ya Fei or kept their distance were now the first to step forward enthusiastically to respond.
Given the circumstances, it was clear the beast was now on her side.
The white-robed youth also leapt down, smiling politely as he addressed the elders.
"I am Chen Mo, Ya Fei's companion. Greetings to all the uncles."
He then turned toward Tengshan and bowed slightly.
"Grand Elder."
"Good, good! A handsome young man. Ya Fei is quite fortunate." Tengshan's previously furrowed brows smoothed out as he smiled warmly.
He could see the intent clearly: despite Chen Mo's polite demeanor, arriving on the back of a powerful beast with such fanfare was meant as a warning—a display of power.
No one would ride a Sixth-Tier Magical Beast like the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King into the skies above the Miteer Estate and have it growl unless making a statement.
Ya Fei giggled softly and wrapped her arm around Chen Mo's.
The elders couldn't help but glance at one another in astonishment.
"Ya Fei."
Tengshan's expression turned kind as he looked at her with approval.
"Your performance in Wu Tan City has been acknowledged by all. You've done very well. From today forward, you will officially oversee the headquarters of the Miteer Auction House."
His gaze was sharp. Although he was surprised that the fearsome Lion King would allow a human to ride it, he also understood what this meant.
To subdue a Sixth-Tier Magical Beast, Chen Mo must have some extraordinary power behind him.
And more importantly, he was a Tier-3 Alchemist at just nineteen.
For a merchant, befriending such a talented alchemist—and possibly the influential faction behind him—was more than worth entrusting the auction house's future to Ya Fei.
Tengshan was even considering backing her as the next clan leader in the future.
"Thank you, Grand Elder."
Even though she had somewhat expected it, Ya Fei was still caught off guard by the sudden promotion. She hadn't even unpacked yet and was already entrusted with such an important role.
"Alright, don't just stand around out here. Come inside." Tengshan smiled and had servants begin preparing accommodations.
"No need, Grand Elder. Chen Mo and I will be… staying together."
Feeling Chen Mo's fingers poking at her waist mischievously, Ya Fei blushed as she spoke.
Tengshan paused for a moment, thinking: So things have already progressed to that point?
He arranged for the couple to stay in a luxurious estate, complete with a small mountain nearby so the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King and its cub could rest.
Inside the Estate
Ya Fei glared resentfully at Chen Mo, who was sprawled out lazily on the bed like a lord.
"This is all your fault! Now the entire clan knows we're living together. They're probably gossiping behind our backs already."
Chen Mo immediately sprang up and strode toward her, pulling her into his embrace and pinning her onto the bed.
Looking at the stunning beauty beneath him, after months of self-restraint, he couldn't hold back any longer. Breathing heavily, he whispered,
"Well, isn't this better than sneaking into your room in the middle of the night for a secret rendezvous?"
"W-What secret rendezvous? Nonsense!" Ya Fei blushed furiously and scolded him, pushing against his chest in an attempt to sit up.
But Chen Mo wouldn't budge.
"W-What are you doing?"
"Just admiring you."
He lowered his head and sealed her lips with his own.
—Mmm, tastes like Fire Sun Fruit.
The kiss lasted for more than ten minutes before Ya Fei pushed him again, her face bright red.
"Get up… I haven't even bathed yet."
"No point bathing now. You'll need one later anyway." Chen Mo grinned as he slipped his arms around her, beginning to unfasten the buttons on her red qipao.
"Come on, darling. Let me hear you call yourself 'this humble concubine.' It adds to the mood."
Ya Fei scowled at him adorably.
"No way!"
"If you don't, I'll have to spank my beloved concubine~"
After hesitating briefly, Ya Fei finally gritted her teeth, closed her eyes, and adopted a submissive tone:
"This humble concubine is frail. Please, Your Majesty… be gentle."
"Permission granted. You little minx, watch as this Daoist subdues you."
"Aren't you playing an emperor now?!"
Rustling sounds filled the room as the candles were snuffed and the bed curtains fell.
[Ding! Favorability +3. Cultivation increased by one rank. Intimacy Bonus triggered: Acquired Flame-type Skill—Heaven-Burning Array Diagram.]
[Ding! Host has reached Level 4. Eligible to bind a new Goddess. Scanning nearby…]
[Scan complete. Within a hundred li, eligible targets: Yun Yun, Yao Ye, Nalan Yanran. Please select one to bind within the next three days.]
Afterward
"You okay?" Chen Mo gently held Ya Fei in his arms once more, his voice full of concern.
Tears welled up again in Ya Fei's beautiful almond eyes.
"You bastard! You liar! This is all your fault—you promised me you'd wait…"
With that, she bit into his shoulder.
****
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