Chapter 96: Xian Yuan’s Romantic Entanglements and a Shocking Revelation

“Ah, Junior Sister Xian Yuan, don’t forget, your Senior Sister is still waiting for you to explain your romantic entanglements.”

“What? Romantic entanglements?”

Leng Xi, Zhi Jiu, and Wang Zhe were momentarily stunned, their gazes unconsciously drawn to Xian Yuan.

Leng Xi, in particular, seemed exceptionally excited.

‘Who would have thought, Xian Yuan? You say one thing, but your body tells a different story, doesn’t it?’

Wang Zhe, on the other hand, had assumed Xian Yuan was also a woman, and the memory of sleeping in her embrace sent a shiver down her spine, raising goosebumps instantly.

Ye Zhiqu’s eyes widened considerably, a look of profound curiosity etched upon his face.

Murong Fier offered a wry smile from the side.

‘When Heaven brings disaster, one might still escape. But when one brings disaster upon oneself, there is no living through it. Xian Yuan, may you find your own blessings.’

In that instant, everyone’s gaze converged upon Xian Yuan without prior agreement.

‘Gossip is human nature, after all. If this life were only about cultivation, wouldn’t it be utterly dull?’

Xian Yuan felt a prickling sensation under their collective gaze, yet she feigned composure, stating, “There’s nothing of the sort.”

“Really now? You’ve already been exposed by Sister Wang Zhe. If you don’t tell the truth, I, your Senior Master Sister, will make this matter public.”

“Senior Master Sister, this is blackmail! I, Xian Yuan, will never yield!”

“Good, that’s the spirit of a Heavenly Gate Island disciple; your Senior Master Sister is very pleased.

However, should your door be besieged by those seeking retribution, I shall have my mother toss you out.”

“I was just teasing, I’m sorry.

Senior Master Sister, I spoke too loudly just now; please don’t abandon me!”

Xian Yuan capitulated instantly.

‘Her mood shifts with astonishing speed.’

‘Indeed, it does.’

‘Still, it’s quite charming. Xian Yuan seems to possess that mischievous, free-spirited nature.’

Wang Zhe, Leng Xi, and Murong Fier, however, rather appreciated her candid personality.

“Well then, quickly confess!”

With a casual wave of her hand, Liu Chenyan conjured plates of immortal fruits and bottles of wine onto the table, settling in as if to watch a grand performance.

Leng Xi, too, helped herself to a bag of potato chips from the counter and returned.

“Alright, alright, I’ll tell you, won’t I?”

Xian Yuan watched the ‘heartless’ trio indulge in their snacks and drinks, while she remained standing awkwardly by herself, letting out a helpless sigh.

From outside the door, the Mermaid King’s clan called out, “So, are we to remain standing here indefinitely! Could someone please see to our arrangements first!”

Xian Yuan recounted a portion of her romantic entanglements.

‘Why didn’t she disclose all of them? Because merely the ones from the Eastern Sea were troublesome enough.’

“Are you saying that Nangong Luoli of Shattered Star Island and Dugu Roufei of Penglai Island both have ties to you?”

Murong Fier and Liu Chenyan both regarded Xian Yuan with a hint of disbelief.

One must remember, Dugu Roufei and Nangong Luoli were both nearing a thousand years old; even in Shanzhou, they were almost a hundred, certainly qualifying as esteemed seniors.

However, recalling the forced marriage incident where Rou Jianqian, Xiao Yan, and Zhou Ci were all present, it suddenly seemed entirely plausible.

Ye Zhiqu, meanwhile, was lost in thought.

‘Nangong Luoli? That name sounds incredibly familiar.’

Ye Zhiqu gnawed at his fingernails, desperately trying to recall the identity of this person.

“And who is Huachuan?”

“Nalan Island. Who else could it be?”

“Never heard of it.”

“I’m talking about Huaman Zhou.”

“Understood.”

Liu Chenyan and Murong Fier finally understood Huachuan’s identity: she was the young mistress of the Eastern Sea Patrol Boat.

Huaman Zhou, a renowned wanderer of the Eastern Sea, spent most of her time drifting across the waters; Nalan Island was merely one of her ports.

Huaman Zhou also went by an alias, the ‘Floating Brothel.’

This moniker was universally acknowledged throughout the Qiyuan Realm, as the Joyful Union Sect’s chain establishments could not extend to the Eastern Sea region, leading them to strike an agreement with Huaman Zhou.

The female captain of Huaman Zhou, named Huapi, was a Dao Venerable powerhouse and a notorious ‘Cao Thief.’

She also had the epithet ‘Blossoming Wife,’ rumored to have cuckolded numerous married women—a true female scoundrel, indeed.

Her greatest pleasure lay in corrupting respectable women.

Many harbored a deep-seated hatred for Huapi, yet Huaman Zhou also served as a vast intelligence-selling organization, meaning anyone contemplating action against her had to first consider whether they could overcome the forces allied with her.

“Oh! I finally remember who Nangong Luoli is!” Ye Zhiqu exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement.

“Hey, Junior Sister, why are you shouting so loudly!” Liu Chenyan grumbled, rubbing her ears.

“Senior Master Sister, do you still recall the Zhuozhao incident?” Ye Zhiqu suddenly inquired.

“Of course, I remember. Why do you ask?” Liu Chenyan replied, a hint of confusion in her tone.

“That woman whose face you disfigured was Nangong Yueli, Nangong Luoli’s younger sister,” Ye Zhiqu revealed.

“Hmph, so what? As long as it’s not some troublemaker from Shattered Star Island, I have nothing to fear,” Liu Chenyan stated dismissively.

She was a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, after all, unafraid of any one-on-one challenge.

‘Even if someone from Shattered Star Island came for her, she wouldn’t be afraid.

She had crippled Nangong Luoli, and Shattered Star Island could only swallow their bitter loss; such was the privilege of a Saint’s second generation.’

Wang Zhe looked at Xian Yuan, her voice stern as she declared, “You still have numerous romantic debts to settle, especially with Zhu Yi’an.”

“I’m working on it,” Xian Yuan mumbled. “One has already been settled.”

“One settled? Who?” Everyone stared at her in astonishment.

“That speed was simply too astonishing!”

“It was my master, Shen Xiulan,” Xian Yuan announced triumphantly.

“What?” Everyone was utterly shocked.

“How could such a thing possibly occur between a master and disciple?”

“The Island Master? Are you serious?” Liu Chenyan asked, her disbelief palpable.

‘A romance between master and disciple? It was simply inconceivable!’

Aside from Liu Chenyan, Ye Zhiqu and Murong Fier also found Xian Yuan’s words hard to believe.

‘Defying one’s master, a rebellious disciple!’

These four words flashed simultaneously in their minds.

In an instant, all previous doubts dissipated.

It turned out that after Island Master Shen attended the wedding, Xian Yuan had remained on Heavenly Gate Island.

As the chief disciple, Liu Chenyan had often wondered why Island Master Shen had suddenly taken a disciple; now, at last, she understood.

‘During the day, the Island Master personally imparted teachings; at night, her lover offered recompense. What a truly devoted affection!’

“Have you ever considered that it might not actually be resolved?”

Liu Chenyan didn’t believe Xian Yuan had truly resolved anything.

If anything, after Shen Xiulan discovered Xian Yuan was a woman, why was her first instinct to protect her and keep it a secret?

Simply by revealing her female identity, most, save for a few extremists, would likely abandon this relationship.

Furthermore, Shen Xiulan bringing her back to Heavenly Gate Island undoubtedly provided an excuse for that extremist woman to attack.

‘For Shen Xiulan to become the Island Master, she couldn’t possibly lack such shrewdness.

It could only mean she was utterly blinded by love.’

“Impossible! Master herself said we would be good sisters!” Xian Yuan retorted.

Liu Chenyan sighed helplessly.

She could only hope Shen Xiulan genuinely thought so.

Throughout the history of the Qiyuan Realm, there had been many instances of female cultivators engaging in dual cultivation; wasn’t the most famous example currently Love Gate Master Ailing and her sister Aixin?

“Never mind, never mind, let’s not dwell on this.”

Liu Chenyan then turned to Xian Yuan and Murong Fier, asking, “What do you two plan to do next? Wait for the Secret Realm to conclude?”

“Yes, the outcome no longer matters,” Xian Yuan replied.

“You’re not planning to participate in the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden Competition?”

“I am not.”

Xian Yuan stated plainly.

In truth, Murong Fier had also intended to join the competition, but seeing Xian Yuan’s demeanor, she decided against vying for it.