“Within days, Yun Zeng will be nothing more than my Puppet. But first, that old dog, Ju Shou, must die!” A cruel glint flickered in Liu Ruyan’s eyes. Ju Shou, Yun Zeng’s Ya Fu, had poured all his ambitions into the prince. He would undoubtedly discover her plans to turn Yun Zeng into her Puppet and thwart her. And lately, Ju Shou seemed to have already sensed subtle changes in Yun Zeng. Any delay would invite trouble! Ju Shou had to be eliminated. Without Ju Shou, Yun Zeng would be like a lame, blind man – utterly helpless, and her mere toy. With that thought, Liu Ruyan feigned a moment of hesitation. “Yun Zeng,” she murmured, “your Ya Fu has been asking to speak with me privately these past few days. Why do you keep stopping him?” Yun Zeng leaned in, pressing a kiss to Liu Ruyan’s soft neck. “It’s not that I distrust my Ya Fu,” he began, “it’s just... he’s never been close to a woman in his life. I worry that...” He trailed off, unable to finish. A beat of silence stretched between them. Liu Ruyan’s delicate hand rose, gently caressing Yun Zeng’s cheek. “Yun Zeng, please, tell me,” she said, her voice soft and reassuring. “I won’t be angry. Your Ya Fu, after all, only has your best interests at heart.” Yun Zeng’s hand covered hers, his thumb tracing the smooth skin. “But... but do you know what Ya Fu told me? He wants to personally verify... if your Primordial Yin Body is still intact. He actually doesn’t believe it.” Liu Ruyan’s heart clenched, and she cursed inwardly, That old dog! He’s still trying to ruin me! Yet, a gentle smile graced her lips. “What’s there to fear, my love? Ya Fu is family. If he wishes to check, let him. It’s merely a matter of shedding a few layers and allowing him to perform his secret art.” Yun Zeng shook his head vehemently. “No! You are my Reverse Scale. From this moment on, no one is permitted to approach you. Not even my Ya Fu.” Liu Ruyan’s gaze sharpened, and she asked abruptly, “Yun Zeng, if a day comes when your Ya Fu and I are at odds, whose side will you take?” Yun Zeng faltered, his expression uncertain. Liu Ruyan offered a captivating smile, then leaned up to press a soft kiss to Yun Zeng’s cheek. “Of course, you must side with your Ya Fu,” she purred. “Think of all you’ve achieved; without his assistance, you...” She didn’t even finish her sentence before Yun Zeng’s face twisted into a furious snarl. “Enough!” he roared, his chest heaving with barely contained rage. Whispers had always followed him, claiming that without Ju Shou, he would still be nothing more than the useless Sixth Prince. Even his discovery of the Ancient Dragon Vein, they said, he wouldn’t have been able to keep. He’d secretly investigated, and the rumors were rampant. Even his own brothers shared this dismissive opinion. Damn it! He was a true Dragon, destined for greatness! He could rise without Ju Shou’s help! This conviction blazed fiercely within him. A tense silence descended. Yun Zeng turned to Liu Ruyan, his eyes accusing. “Ruyan, do you also believe that? Why are you siding with Ju Shou?” Tears welled in Liu Ruyan’s eyes, cascading down her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Yun Zeng,” she choked out. “You must remember, a Ya Fu is irreplaceable! But I, Liu Ruyan... even if I were to die, you would always find someone better.” At her words, Yun Zeng suddenly pulled Liu Ruyan into a tight embrace, burying his face against hers, and began to weep himself. “No! No...” he sobbed. “Ruyan, you are one of a kind! In this entire Star Sea, no one could ever replace you! Your heart is too vast, too noble! If only Ju Shou were like you, then there would be no disagreements between us!” Liu Ruyan wept, “Yun Zeng, remember this: for your grand ambition, I would gladly die for you! I would do anything!” Yun Zeng’s cries turned into a heart-wrenching wail. “No! No! No! You’re so foolish, Ruyan! So incredibly foolish!” Pain contorted Liu Ruyan’s face, but inwardly, she sneered. Fool! Her true adversary was Ju Shou. Playing games with Yun Zeng? Child’s play. The boy was so childish, like a three-year-old, utterly incomparable to the men she’d dealt with before! In her heart, Yun Zeng held not an ounce of significance. Over the years, she had encountered all manner of people on her arduous path. She had endured more suffering than Yun Zeng had eaten meals. She had crossed more bridges than Yun Zeng had walked roads. This insignificant being, Yun Zeng, was nothing more than a tool. Of all the men she had encountered in her life, only Dao Yi held even a sliver of importance in her heart. He, after all, had been the one to help her ascend to the heavens and reach the Tai Chu Realm. Watching Yun Zeng’s tear-streaked face, Liu Ruyan felt a surge of amusement. Is this what passes for a man? Yun Zeng, you don’t even qualify as an opponent. A moment later, Liu Ruyan suddenly adopted a look of profound worry. “Yun Zeng,” she whispered, “I’m so afraid. I keep feeling that your Ya Fu... he wants to kill me. I’m scared...” Yun Zeng stared, dumbfounded. “Why?” Liu Ruyan’s voice was barely audible. “If I were gone, you could focus entirely on your grand ambition. Perhaps... perhaps I deserve to die.” “No! No!” Yun Zeng cried out, distraught. Liu Ruyan remained silent, letting her words hang in the air. Suddenly, Yun Zeng pulled an Ancient Long Sword from his robes. “This is a Spirit Weapon my father gifted me,” he declared, his voice firm. “It can slay even High-star Myriad Phase Realm cultivators. If anyone dares to lay a hand on you, use it to cut them down! Even if it’s Ya Fu!” Liu Ruyan, subtly tucking away an Ancient Jade Slip she had been holding, whispered weakly, “Alright.” Just then, a knock echoed from outside the room. “Ahem, ahem!” Ju Shou’s voice called out. “Yun Zeng, step out for a moment. I have urgent matters to discuss!” Liu Ruyan pressed a quick kiss to Yun Zeng’s lips. “Go,” she urged softly. “You and your Ya Fu have become a little distant these past few days.” Yun Zeng hesitated, then stepped out. Outside, Ju Shou waited, a faint smile on his face. “Yun Zeng, let’s take a walk,” he suggested. “It’s been too long since we strolled together, hasn’t it? Do you remember? Back then, we were like father and son.” Hearing those words, Yun Zeng felt a sudden, intense wave of aversion wash over him. His heart recoiled. The two walked further and further away, their figures receding over a shimmering, cold lake. Ju Shou droned on, recounting cautionary tales of the Red Face of Disaster. Yun Zeng’s resentment mounted with every word. He finally cut in, “Ya Fu, what do you truly think of Ruyan?” Ju Shou was blunt. “She is a formidable woman, Yun Zeng. You cannot control her.” “She is my capable consort!” Yun Zeng retorted, his voice rising in anger. “Why would I need to ‘control’ her?” Ju Shou’s tone remained even. “Yun Zeng, you and Liu Ruyan are worlds apart. Your life, though it saw some mockery and slight, quickly led you to discover the Dragon Vein. You’ve walked a path of relative ease. Liu Ruyan, however, clawed her way up, step by arduous step, from beyond the Fourth Star Ring all the way to the First Star Ring.” “Such a woman is more terrifying than any man. Understand this, I am trying to save you, but Liu Ruyan... she is leading you to your doom!” “As the old saying goes, ‘youthful triumph often blinds.’ Yun Zeng, you stumbled upon this heaven-defying opportunity, the Ancient Dragon Vein, which spared you countless trials. What seems like a blessing is, in truth, a curse. You simply lack the matching temperament and resolve! Compared to Liu Ruyan, you are nothing more than a flower in a greenhouse!” His words hung in the air. Yun Zeng froze, his face contorting into a mask of pure fury. He snarled, abandoning all deference, “Ju Shou! Am I truly so worthless in your eyes? Are you saying that if I hadn’t met you, I couldn’t have held onto this Ancient Dragon Vein?”