Chapter 55: Test
Not long after Hai Bodong left, the middle-aged steward returned with food and wine. The dishes were all vegetarian and rare to find in Yan City, prepared with great care—visually appealing, aromatic, and delicious.
The steward, accompanied by two maids, stood respectfully to the side and said softly, "Young Master, I hope these dishes are to your liking."
"They're excellent. Thank you."
Yao Yan tasted the food and nodded in satisfaction. He then waved toward Cai Die, signaling her to come eat. As for Ling'er, she had already latched onto the wine jar. If it weren't for the sealed cap, the little glutton would've started chugging.
The steward glanced at Cai Die and the Rank 2 Green Wood Fox, then lowered his head and continued, "Young Master, if you need anything else for daily life, please let these two maids know. They will remain just outside your door."
With that, he gestured for the two women to step forward.
"Greetings, Young Master."
The two maids bowed gracefully. Both were top-tier in looks and demeanor.
In a fantasy world without moral or legal constraints, strength was everything... Yao Yan looked at the two obedient maids and sighed inwardly. He understood the steward's implication, but he was no longer at an age ruled by hormones. A mature man usually knows what he wants.
He didn't send them away but instead spoke gently, "I'll be relying on you both over the next few days."
The two maids looked surprised. They clearly hadn't expected someone of Yao Yan's status to be so polite. Still, they were skilled at hiding their expressions and replied sweetly, "We wouldn't dare, Young Master. It is our duty to serve you."
Yao Yan nodded and said nothing more, lowering his head to continue eating.
"We'll leave you to your meal, then."
The steward could tell Yao Yan wasn't interested in the women, so he quietly led them out.
Once the door closed—
Cai Die wriggled her slender waist and gracefully slid over, her enchanting tail swaying as she sat beside Yao Yan. Her large, bright eyes blinked curiously as she asked, "Young Master, you don't like them? I could tell that man wanted to give them to you."
"If I accepted them, what would I need you for?"
Yao Yan casually removed his mask and asked, turning the question back on the suddenly sharp Cai Die.
"That's true~"
Cai Die beamed at his reply, gazing at him with warmth and declaring, "I'll serve you well, Young Master."
"Then I'll be watching."
Yao Yan smiled teasingly.
Cai Die nodded vigorously, eyes full of resolve. "You saved me, and I won't let you down."
"Alright, let's eat first."
Yao Yan gestured to the food on the table. He then snatched the wine jar from Ling'er, opened it, poured himself a cup, and handed the rest back to the little wine fiend with a chuckle. "Take it easy, or you'll get drunk again."
"Young Master, is that wine?"
Cai Die looked at him with wide, curious eyes.
Seeing her interest, Yao Yan poured her a cup as well. The three of them began eating together. Compared to the courtyard in Danding City, there was now a sense of home. Looking at Ling'er and Cai Die, Yao Yan couldn't help but smile more warmly, all while planning his next steps.
Unsealing Cai Die's strength would likely take half a month. After that, he could head to the Xiao Clan in Wu Tan City. On the way, he also needed to stop by the Magic Beast Mountain Range near Qingshan Town to retrieve the map of the Purifying Lotus Demonic Flame.
He was also curious whether the remnant map in his storage ring was related to the heavenly flame.
If he obtained the remnant map from the Magic Beast Mountains, he could compare them.
As for the one Hai Bodong supposedly had, Yao Yan wasn't sure if he still possessed it and didn't want to ask outright. Everything would have to wait until he got the map from Qingshan Town to plan further. As for the Green Lotus Core Flame in the Tagore Desert—he'd wait until he acquired the Flame Mantra before attempting that.
That newly born heavenly flame, still lacking full intelligence, was perfect for him.
As for Ling'er… Yao Yan wasn't sure if she would turn on him. Ranked fifth among the heavenly flames, and already possessing a flame spirit—even if she wasn't skilled in combat, she clearly wasn't something he could forcibly refine yet. Besides, they had built a bond. Forcing her would be too cruel.
Maybe in the future he could trick her into joining him voluntarily. He doubted she could resist the allure of a source flame formed by merging several heavenly flames…
With that thought, he glanced at the little fox chugging from the bottle and smirked mischievously. Knowing her gluttonous, curious nature, she'd never be able to hold back.
Just then—
Cai Die suddenly asked, "Young Master, do you… know who I really am?"
Her peach blossom eyes shimmered with a watery glow. Maybe because of the wine, her flawless face had taken on a faint blush, making her even more alluring. She bit her lips, looking hesitant—like she wanted to know but was also afraid to find out.
Her amnesia had erased everything. That emptiness gnawed at her. She longed to remember, but the scattered flashes that sometimes appeared in her mind frightened her.
Yao Yan nodded and gave her a straightforward answer. "Yes. You're Queen Medusa's younger sister. The current queen is your twin. The serpent-men race only allows one queen—so you became the sacrificial pawn. At some point, you must've used a secret technique to escape the palace, which led to your amnesia."
Cai Die froze, then suddenly clutched her head in pain as sharp memories surged back.
Smack!
Yao Yan flicked her forehead, snapping her out of it and stopping the flood of memories.
"Young Master…"
Cai Die looked dazed, unsure why he hit her. She was beginning to worry that repeated smacks would make her dumb.
Yao Yan rubbed her head gently and soothed her. "Don't force it. I'll help you unseal your strength in a few days—your memories will return naturally. Your amnesia was caused by spatial energy sealing your companion soul. Forcing it open now will only hurt you."
Then he could've just not told me… she thought with a pout.
The connection to her companion soul is still strong… Yao Yan noted to himself. He hadn't meant to provoke her—he just wanted to gauge the strength of the seal. That would determine his method for helping her break it. From what he just saw, he might not even need pills. He could force the seal open and awaken the sleeping soul, then let Cai Die refine the spatial energy herself.
…
…
Inside the auction house's inner courtyard—
Hai Bodong glanced at the returning steward, not even lifting an eyelid. "Failed?"
"That young man doesn't seem like someone who indulges in beauty."
The steward gave a wry smile. Who would've thought a young man wouldn't be tempted by women? He had carefully selected those two maids. They might not be as stunning as the serpent girl, but they were still premium choices. He didn't expect Yao Yan to reject them outright.
Hai Bodong wasn't surprised. True prodigies always had firm resolve—they wouldn't be swayed by mere beauty.
That night, Queen Medusa had deliberately used her charm. For serpent-women, their allure was like an aphrodisiac to men. Anyone with impure thoughts would've made a fool of themselves. But Yao Yan had stayed calm and conversed with her as if unaffected.
If that hadn't been the case, Queen Medusa never would've entrusted her sister to him.
Hai Bodong didn't continue the topic. He handed the steward the scroll containing the soul-imprinted herb list and ordered, "Prepare everything as soon as possible. If anything's missing, have it sent from the capital."
The steward accepted it respectfully.
(END CHAPTER)
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