Yuan Longxuan's cheat system was truly overpowered.
The only drawback was that once a spirit was bound, it couldn't be changed again.
So, without hesitation, he maxed out the quality of his first spirit and selected the dominantly fearsome Dragon God Martial Spirit.
With the support of the system, Yuan Longxuan's strength was firmly stabilized at the peak of Rank 99—just a step below godhood.
Without it, relying solely on his Dragon God spirit and the nine 990,000-year-old spirit rings it came with, he would've already ascended to the god level by now.
A sudden glint flashed in his golden eyes as he turned his gaze to a nearby ancient tree tangled in radiant blue-gold vines.
"Come out. There's no need to hide in front of me," he said calmly.
A delicate figure stepped out from within the ancient tree.
Her light footsteps stirred faint waves of spirit energy. Dressed in a flowing blue-gold gown, the ethereal beauty instantly dimmed the radiance of the surrounding Blue Silver Grass.
Her elegant presence was like a spirit born of nature itself.
Yuan Longxuan was momentarily stunned at the sight of her. But quickly, realization struck.
He could see a faint illusion of the Blue Silver Empress behind her—confirming her identity.
> [Name: Ah Yin]
[True Identity: 100,000-Year Blue Silver Empress, Human Form]
[Current Level: Rank 65 Spirit Emperor]
[Spirit Skills: Endless Vitality, Blue Silver Domain (Massive Range), Domain Teleportation, Nature's Reign]
She tilted her head, looking at him with curious eyes.
"You're a strange one. Just now you felt like a Spirit Ancestor, but now... I can't sense your cultivation at all."
As she stepped forward, her delicate feet hovered gently over her own domain—endless streams of Blue Silver vines cradling her path like a goddess of the forest.
Yuan Longxuan raised a brow. "Oh? So you're saying... you're not human?"
Startled, Ah Yin quickly waved her hands. "Ah? N-no! I'm human, just like you!"
Despite being a fully matured 100,000-year spirit beast in human form, Ah Yin dared to interact so casually with Yuan Longxuan because this was her territory.
She believed no human could possibly see through her true nature.
As for why she revealed herself?
Well… she couldn't exactly say it was because this handsome man looked too good to ignore, could she?
"I was just teasing you," Yuan Longxuan chuckled gently. "I should be on my way. Thanks for not disturbing my cultivation earlier."
He flashed a radiant smile—innocent yet devastating.
But he didn't realize just how lethal that smile was.
His appearance had already been enhanced to the peak by the system. That smile? Absolute heartbreak fuel for any woman.
Ah Yin, caught completely off guard, felt her thoughts swirl into chaos.
Is he leaving already? The outside world is so dangerous... Should I invite him to stay?
No, no! He's a human—humans are all bad, right?
But... he's so good-looking. Ah Yin really likes him!
She blushed furiously, steam practically rising from her blue-gold hair.
"Um, wait… can I…" she hesitated, voice barely above a whisper.
Yuan Longxuan stopped in his tracks, glancing back just as numbers floated above her head.
[Ah Yin's Affection +30%]
[Affection +50%]
[Affection +65%]
[Affection +75% – (Is this what falling in love feels like?)]
"…Can I go with you? Just to explore the outside world…"
"You want to come with me?" he asked with a playful smile.
"Mm! Mm-hmm!" she nodded enthusiastically.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"I'm Ah Yin. And you?"
"Yuan Longxuan."
Heaven Dou Empire – Capital City
The imperial capital had stood for nearly a millennium.
Since the Sea God's ascension, the Heaven Dou royal family had endured, though they no longer followed divine beliefs like before.
As they walked through the bustling streets, Yuan Longxuan and Ah Yin—both wearing masks—still drew attention.
Their elegant aura was impossible to hide. Ah Yin, wide-eyed and curious, eagerly explored every aspect of human society. Yuan Longxuan watched her, amused.
He never expected the proud Blue Silver Empress to act like such a sweet, innocent girl.
After wandering for a while, Yuan Longxuan stopped outside a grand building.
"Juxiang Pavilion… It's been a while," he muttered, eyes soft with nostalgia. "I wonder if the staff can still recognize me with this face."
He looked up at the elegant restaurant.
"Ah Yin, want to try some of the best food in town? It's my place."
"Mm!" she nodded immediately, smiling brightly.
Yuan Longxuan gave her a helpless glance. So naïve. Definitely a silly sweetheart. He mentally labeled her as certified soft girl.
"You're the best, Longxuan!" she chirped, clutching his arm and pulling him inside with childlike excitement.
He nearly stumbled from the soft pressure on his arm but quickly regained composure, eyes gleaming with mischievous intent.
Since I accidentally "kidnapped" the Blue Silver Empress… I can't just give her back to Tang Hao, can I?
Maybe I'll find him a two-meter-tall warrior woman later, give Little Tang San a wholesome childhood instead.
He gently patted Ah Yin's head as they stepped into the restaurant.
---
Juxiang Pavilion had once been an unfinished, abandoned building.
At thirteen, Yuan Longxuan bought it at a bargain and turned it into the most renowned restaurant in the capital.
He recruited chefs with incredible skill and gave them real stakes in the business—20% profit to the kitchen, 10% to the service team, and 70% for himself. With real rewards, everyone worked harder, and the restaurant prospered.
He didn't need to lift a finger; money simply flowed into his account each month.
That's what allowed him to wine and dine even the most demanding Spirit Hall members—and that's exactly why he was so well-liked in the organization.
When people owe you meals, they tend to return the favor when it matters.
Even when Yu Xiaogang secretly suppressed him for over two years, it had little effect thanks to Yuan Longxuan's connections.
He had even survived half a year in captivity and near-death, all due to a fake resignation letter from Yu Xiaogang and bribery.
No one dared question his disappearance.
Still, he didn't plan to take revenge just yet. Letting Yu Xiaogang live in fear was much more fun.
Right now, he just wanted a good meal—after months of captivity, he deserved it.
He pulled a few precious ingredients from his storage ring:
Thousand-Year Earth Dragon Tendon, Core of the Green Vine, and Gold-Spotted Tuna Belly…
"Boss Yuan?! You're finally back!" cried a young waiter named Xiao Li. "You've been gone for half a year—leave it to me!"
Even masked, Yuan Longxuan's golden eyes and voice were unmistakable.
"Same spot as always. Be quick," he said casually.
Xiao Li nodded fervently, then glanced at the masked beauty clinging to Yuan Longxuan's arm.
"Boss, this lady is…?"
"Not your business. Ask again and I'll dock half a day's pay," Yuan Longxuan replied.
"Yes! Understood! Boss lady has arrived—everyone, show some spirit!" Xiao Li shouted as he ran to the kitchen.
Ah Yin blushed furiously. She might've been naïve, but she understood the term "boss lady."
So when she heard Xiao Li say it, her cheeks turned scarlet under her mask, and steam puffed from her head once again.