My System, My Wife Feng Aotian [Transmigration] - Chapter 38.1

The great ship of Lanyang Palace soared into the sky, leaving behind new legends among the towering mountains.

Whether it was the Immortal Palace of Chongshan Secret Realm, the Palace Master of Lanyang Palace’s Contracted Spirit Beast breaking through to the Golden Core stage and advancing multiple levels in one go, or the divine artifacts of Autumn Water Pavilion, these tales would spread with the departing cultivators to every corner of the realm, captivating audiences until the next great legend arose.

Watching the spiritual energy in the air being absorbed by Feng Jue, 03 patiently waited. The moment Feng Jue opened her eyes, 03 shot forward with a whoosh. Before 03 could speak, Feng Jue immediately said, “This journey to the Secret Realm has been immensely fruitful. The insights gained from those life-and-death battles are profound. Upon returning, I’ll enter seclusion to fully comprehend them.”

“Understood, Feng…”

Feng Jue: “While I’m in seclusion, you can return to the System Realm and rest. Don’t say I never gave you time off.”

“Jue.”

03 said: “Alright, then—”

“If you return and I’m still in seclusion, feel free to explore the vicinity, but remember not to let outsiders discover me!” Feng Jue instructed.

03 remained silent, its matchstick-like eyes fixed on Feng Jue.

Feng Jue raised an eyebrow.

After a long pause, she clicked her tongue and snapped, “Speak!”

It could speak?

“You’re avoiding the issue,” 03 stated.

Feng Jue feigned ignorance, remaining calm even when 03 magnified the quest on the panel and held it right under her nose. “I haven’t rested properly yet,” she replied serenely.

03 stared at her intently.

Feng Jue rose and walked toward the inner chamber, stripping as she went. By the time she reached the screen, she was only wearing her undergarments.

03 hovered behind the bead curtain, watching the swaying pearls and listening to the water sounds beyond the screen. “Feng Jue,” it asked, “when is ‘later’?”

Standing by the bath, Feng Jue casually stirred the water with her fingers, her voice equally casual. “Later.”

“When is ‘later’?” 03 pressed.

Feng Jue drawled, “Later means after.”

The Bubble System angrily tossed its panel to the floor.

The Ball System’s main body drifted forward and stopped in front of the bead curtain.

The swaying beads brushed against its spherical form without touching it. Yet the woman behind the screen seemed to sense something and warned, “Don’t you dare come in!”

It didn’t enter.

03, holding two strands of beads, was just short of needing a bead door, window, and chain. The System’s dictionary didn’t contain words like “resign” or “give up.” 03 asked, “Host, please provide the System with an exact time.”

See? She wouldn’t even answer by name.

Feng Jue, submerged in the water, smiled. She turned, draping her arm over the edge of the bath, her chin resting on it. Steam rose in spirals, and her face, glistening with water, seemed stripped of its usual arrogance, leaving only a pure, unadorned smile.

She winked playfully, and a droplet of water slid from her eyelashes, landing softly on her pale arm. There, it joined other clear droplets, sliding down her smooth skin.

“After I come out of seclusion?” Feng Jue asked.

Not quite accurate.

03 confirmed with Feng Jue, “So, after you come out of seclusion, you’ll tell me about the cultivation technique? You won’t brush me off? Please, Host, don’t brush off the System.”

Look at this little clingy puppy.

“Mm,” Feng Jue replied lazily.

03, remembering her words, said solemnly, “Alright, then swear an oath.”

One sworn to the Heavenly Dao.

“Hiss.” Feng Jue drew in a sharp breath, straightened her body, and flicked a droplet of water from her fingertips.

The droplet pierced the screen and shot straight toward the System hidden behind the bead curtain.

03 casually raised the matchstick and split the droplet. The small bead of water divided into two, splattering with a pop below its eyes.

Two translucent smears remained, resembling blush.

The System calmly opened the System Mall and said, “I want to purchase a recording tool.”

“Stop! My word is law!” Feng Jue snapped, her embarrassment turning to anger. She slapped the water, creating a splash. “I said I’d emerge after my seclusion, and that’s final!”

03 closed the mall with satisfaction.

It slung the matchstick over its shoulder, adopting Feng Jue’s usual haughty tone. “Tsk, women.”

As a mature voice pack, its delivery carried the forced melodrama of a tycoon novel. Just moments ago, she’d promised to explain after her rest, but now she was backpedaling again. After this, after that—how many afters were there?

Feng Jue had never heard 03 speak in such a deep voice before. The clear, crystalline sound had thickened, settling heavily like compressed snow. A sudden tension gripped the back of her neck, and she tilted her head to look.

Through the hole in the screen, their gazes met.

03 lit up.

Feng Jue snapped back to her senses and hastily submerged herself. “Mind your own business, you… you female ball!” she snapped, her voice tinged with embarrassment.

The 03 Ball remained motionless and said, “03 also wants to wash. Can I bathe after you’re done?”

Blood from Feng Jue still stained its stick.

The System was no longer the same as before. Now that it had a physical form, hygiene became a priority.

Feng Jue, submerged in the water, raised her hand, sending several streams of water shooting towards 03. The 03 Ball hastily raised its matchstick-like body, even managing to turn around, and was thoroughly drenched from all angles by the cascading water.

“Thank you, Feng Jue,” 03 said gratefully.

Underwater, Feng Jue covered her face with her hands and released a stream of bubbles, refusing to speak.

Filled with gratitude towards Feng Jue, 03 gathered the scattered garments from the floor and piled them in a corner for Feng Jue to “tidy up.” After bathing and changing, Feng Jue glanced at the mountain of clothes in the corner, then extended a finger and released a wisp of flame. The bloodstained and soot-covered garments instantly burned to ashes.

On the Spiritual Ship of Lanyang Palace, disciples returning from the Secret Realm had entered the cabin to meditate and regulate their breathing. The ship’s guardians curiously observed the guests standing on the deck. Behind the Lanyang Palace ship followed a larger vessel, its maple leaf flag fluttering in harmony with the phoenix flag of Lanyang Palace.

Siyi smiled at the guests. “It seems Nanyang Continent is on a different path than ours.”

Qiu Shuangshuang’s eyes sparkled. “I’m going back to Lanyang Palace with Master! From now on, I’ll be part of Lanyang Palace too!” Her lively tone made Wei Yutong, standing behind her, sigh.

Even though Feng Jue had insisted that the sword energy incident had nothing to do with her, Qiu Shuangshuang remained steadfast in her determination to take Feng Jue as her master. The disciples of Autumn Water Pavilion indulged her, and even when Junior Sister Apprentice Xiaotao protested about “changing allegiances,” she had no choice but to follow.

Noticing Wei Yutong’s expression, Siyi smiled but didn’t comment further. Instead, she turned her gaze to the man standing slightly apart behind the two women. Xue Bufan looked visibly awkward.

“Young Master Xue, would you like someone to escort you back to Lianshan Sect?” Siyi asked.

Xue Bufan recognized Siyi’s dismissal, but he couldn’t publicly reveal his current status as Feng Jue’s junior brother apprentice. He bowed to Siyi. “Elder Siyi, I’d like to see Xiaotao.”

Siyi smiled. “She was injured in the Secret Realm and is currently recovering. If it’s urgent, perhaps I could deliver the message for you?”

Before leaving the Secret Realm, they had been together, and Xue Bufan had seen Xue Mengtao’s injuries. He bowed to Siyi again, then pulled several medicinal herbs from his Storage Ring. “These are herbs for refining Foundation Establishment Pills. Please, Elder Siyi, could you deliver them to Xiaotao?”

The herbs were of exceptionally high quality. Siyi’s eyes sparkled, and a smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she accepted them. “Since they’re from Young Master Xue, I’ll gladly deliver them. However, with Young Master Xue being so thoughtful, it’s no wonder Xiaotao thinks so highly of you.”

Xue Bufan’s smile grew even more awkward. He then produced an egg from his Storage Ring. Everyone’s gaze inevitably fell upon the egg, which was as long as a forearm, deep purple, and shimmered with a radiant sheen.

“I deeply offended Palace Master Feng earlier. This is my apology gift. Please, Elder Siyi, could you deliver it to her?” Xue Bufan said quietly.

Surprise flickered in Siyi’s eyes as she sensed the vitality within the massive egg. “Could this be the Thunder Bird’s lost chick?” she exclaimed, startled.

Xue Bufan arrived on the battlefield late, having missed the pre-battle standoff between the Thunder Bird and the Fire Rock Jiao Dragon. Under the curious gazes of the crowd, he explained, “It’s a Thunder Bird Egg, but I found it by accident in the Underground Maze—a discarded egg with no Thunder Bird guarding it. A Fierce Crocodile was trying to eat it.”

A moment of silence fell.

Qiu Shuangshuang’s mouth hung open, thinking about Xue Bufan’s restored Spiritual Root, the opportunities he’d seized, and now finding a Thunder Bird Egg… Thunder Birds were among the most exceptional Spiritual Beasts!

“A great opportunity…” she muttered, drool dripping from her mouth in envy.

03, perched on the railing, asked Feng Jue, “Are you tempted?”

Feng Jue, under the intense gaze of 03’s dark circles, replied coldly, “My fist is tempted.”

Satisfied, 03 released its grip and hopped onto Feng Jue’s skirt, clinging to her clothes and crawling upward. Perhaps being a ball felt different now; it no longer felt so weightless.

“…Why didn’t you simply exchange for a human form back then?” Feng Jue asked.

“At the time, it was urgent. Exchanging for a human form requires special customization from the Main System. Besides, whether it’s a human or a ball, it’s equally strong.”

This point is quite important.

03 attached itself to Feng Jue’s belt, allowing it to observe the deck. It asked Feng Jue, “Will you accept Xue Bufan’s gift?”

“Accept my ass!” Feng Jue scoffed, uncharacteristically un-ladylike for a Palace Master. “If I accept it, won’t I have to look at this damn egg every day? The mere thought that it’s Xue Bufan’s gift fills me with rage. Or are you trying to make me accept his things?”

Reject!

03 spoke with the air of someone who had seen it all. “Spiritual Beasts are best acquired by force.”

Take Lingshi, for example. Aside from being a glutton and taking up space, she has no other flaws—and she’s great at barbecuing! Truly an excellent Spiritual Beast.

Feng Jue: “……” As always, so logical.

On the deck, Siyi, having received Feng Jue’s telepathic message, smiled brightly as she rejected Xue Bufan’s apology gift. “The Palace Master says, in consideration of that person, your grievances against her are temporarily nullified.”

That person?

Temporarily.

Siyi savored the implications of Feng Jue’s words before addressing the senior sisters from Autumn Water Pavilion. “The Palace Master requests that you two return. Lanyang Palace is busy with affairs, and she is not considering accepting new disciples at this time.”

Of course, Feng Jue’s telepathic message wasn’t so polite. It was just two impatient words: “Get lost.”

Qiu Shuangshuang whimpered and threw herself into Wei Yutong’s arms, “Qiu Bukui” proving to be only a name. Wei Yutong felt a wave of relief. After patting Qiu Shuangshuang’s head, she gripped her by the collar, ready to haul her away.

Just as everyone was preparing to return to their respective ships, warning cries rang out from the watchtowers of both the Lanyang Palace and Autumn Water Pavilion vessels. The disciples on watch shouted:

“Elder Siyi! Several large ships are approaching from the west with hostile intent!”

“Eldest Senior Sister! Enemy attack!”

Before his cry had faded, the ships closed in aggressively, deliberately surrounding the two large vessels of Lanyang Palace and Autumn Water Pavilion. The disciples on the ships drew their weapons warily.

Siyi’s gaze swept across the scene. The ships belonged to different sects. The largest ship at the forefront flew a banner emblazoned with a deep azure cauldron pattern. Behind it were three merchant guild vessels, and the rest were smaller ships packed with cultivators, their occupants clearly there to watch the spectacle.

Wei Yutong pressed the curious Qiu Shuangshuang behind her and whispered, “Yuding Sect.”

Xue Bufan added, “The Yuding Sect is from the Central Continent. Why have you suddenly come here?” And why have you brought so many people from other sects?

Siyi pressed her lips together. Still clad in bloodstained robes from receiving guests after emerging from the Secret Realm, she discreetly glanced at the third-floor cabin. A curtain had mysteriously descended on the platform, blocking any prying eyes.

Behind the curtain, not a sound stirred.

Siyi’s lips curved into a smile. She clasped her hands in a respectful salute to the surrounding ships and said in a gentle voice, “May I ask why you have come to block Lanyang Palace’s path?”

An immediate shout came from the merchant guild’s flagship: “Fellow Daoist, please don’t blame us! The Chengxian Merchant Guild merely collects payment and rents out spiritual ships to transport passengers to this location. What they do beyond that has nothing to do with us! We absolutely will not interfere!”

Absolutely neutral!

Siyi bowed to the speaker, her gaze sweeping across the crowd on the ship. The excited cultivators who met her gaze quickly showed panic and averted their eyes toward the Yuding Sect’s spiritual ship.

Numerous disciples stood on the Yuding Sect’s spiritual ship. A disciple at the bow lowered a wide chair. As soon as it touched the deck, two figures flew out from the cabin and landed behind it—a young man and woman with delicate features, each holding a longsword, their expressions proud and aloof.

“Welcome, Master,” the pair said respectfully.

Behind her veil, 03 couldn’t help but remark, “This guy has an entrance effect.”

Feng Jue’s gaze pierced through the veil, landing beneath it: ?↑

What’s with that smile?

After the pair’s greeting, a beam of light descended from the Yuding Sect’s ship. The man with the entrance effect arrived, reclining in a jade throne. His narrow eyes swept across Lanyang Palace’s ship, his gaze filled with disdain as he looked at Siyi.

“Foundation Establishment Stage,” he said with even greater disdain.

Siyi maintained her smile, replying cheerfully, “May I ask who you are, distinguished sir?”

The woman behind him answered, “My master is Nie Xiu, personal disciple of the Yuding Sect’s Sect Master. He is known as True Person Wending.”

Those familiar with his reputation couldn’t help but gasp.

Xue Bufan also gasped, murmuring, “The Central Continent is crowded with sects and teeming with geniuses. The Yuding Sect is no small name, and Nie Xiu is its foremost prodigy. He’s not even three hundred years old, yet he’s already reached the Early Nascent Soul Stage!”

Wei Yutong added, “But Nie Xiu is cunning and unpredictable. He bullies others with his cultivation, even offending those he shouldn’t, secure in the Yuding Sect’s protection.”

Qiu Shuangshuang snorted, muttering, “Sounds like a bad apple. Three hundred years old? He’s just an old geezer!”

“Watch your tongue!” Wei Yutong covered Qiu Shuangshuang’s mouth, but then thought better of it and withdrew her hand, rubbing Qiu Shuangshuang’s cheek. “Save those remarks for when Master and Mistress aren’t around.”

Qiu Shuangshuang stood her ground, unapologetic.

What’s there to fear?

Master is here! As if an Early Nascent Soul cultivator could pose a threat!

Meanwhile, Feng Jue, who had never actually killed anyone, toyed with two jade beads in her hand. Her languid voice drifted lazily through the air as she drawled, “Long admired.”

Though her tone betrayed no genuine admiration.

“It seems the Central Continent has been rather turbulent lately. Fellow Daoist Nie, is that why you’ve come to the Eastern Continent for a leisurely cruise?”

Everyone present could hear the mockery in Palace Master Feng’s words. They had followed specifically to watch the spectacle and see if they could snag some advantage. Two major sects clashing like this was like watching a fire from across the river—thrilling.

Feng Jue continued leisurely, “Though your vessel seems rather antiquated, always crashing into places it shouldn’t.”

“Fellow Daoist Nie, traveling is commendable, but if you don’t take care, you might wreck your ship and be stranded. What then?”

“Hmph, what arrogance.” Nie Xiu’s lips curled coldly as his narrow, icy eyes swept across the surrounding fleet. He clasped his hands behind him, leaning back regally. “I’d like to see if anyone in this vast Eastern Continent can actually sink my ship.”

03 Ball lit up and just opened his backpack when Feng Jue lightly kicked his “butt” with her foot.

Little System clutched his small rear and looked up at Feng Jue.

Feng Jue glared at the ball, then turned to Nie Xiu and said, “Fellow Daoist Nie, you should know that the Eastern Continent hasn’t been peaceful lately. Who knows what might happen next?”

The two exchanged sharp words. Seeing that Feng Jue’s cultivation level was low but her arrogance was high, Nie Xiu sneered and demanded bluntly, “Enough with the evasive tongue! I’ll ask you only this: Did you steal the inheritance of the Chongshan Immortal Palace?”

The crowd fell silent.

Qiu Shuangshuang’s eyes widened as she locked gazes with Wei Yutong, who shook her head imperceptibly.

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