Although Xuanwei's intentions were good, her sudden decision to make Xiao Fan her master came from a place of pity for his past suffering and a desire to help him forget those painful memories. However, her approach was far too extreme.
Everything had to go her way. For instance, despite the fact that Xiao Fan was already feeling overstuffed, Xuanwei continued to force-feed him celestial fruits. Seeing her trying to shove yet another fruit into his mouth, Xiao Fan finally couldn't take it anymore.
He raised his hand to stop her. "Enough! I don't want to eat anymore."
"What did you just say?" Xuanwei's previously joyful expression turned icy in an instant.
"Don't be ungrateful. These celestial fruits were picked by me personally!" she snapped. "You're going to eat them, whether you like it or not!"
Xuanwei's eyes narrowed as she glared at Xiao Fan with a fierce intensity.
In the past, Xiao Fan might have chosen to gently persuade her, using soft words to guide Xuanwei. But after all this time, she still hadn't changed. She would turn hostile the moment something didn't go her way. Xiao Fan realized he couldn't continue like this.
As her master, it was his duty to teach her, even if she was a difficult disciple.
"Xuanwei, is this how you speak to your master?" Xiao Fan scolded her, his voice stern as he stared into her fierce eyes.
This was the first and last time he intended to be so strict with her. If Xuanwei still didn't respect him as her master, then their relationship was nothing more than a joke. The force that had been calling to him was growing stronger by the day. He had wanted to investigate it, but Xuanwei had refused to let him leave the immortal island even for a moment.
If he couldn't change Xuanwei's behavior, then he would rather abandon this body and leave than continue this farce.
Xiao Fan's sudden outburst caught Xuanwei off guard. She blinked, looking at him with a strange, almost bewildered expression. For a moment, Xiao Fan couldn't read her reaction. He had expected her to fly into a rage, but instead, she was strangely quiet.
It made Xiao Fan wonder if he had been too harsh. But since he had already spoken, he decided to stand his ground.
"Where's your respect for your elders? Where's your sense of propriety? Do you even consider me your master?" Xiao Fan continued, his voice firm.
To be honest, he wasn't entirely confident. Xuanwei was unlike any disciple he had ever had. In the past, his power had always exceeded that of his students, so teaching them had never been an issue. But now, Xuanwei was a true fairy, and his current body was one she had crafted for him. If Xuanwei didn't acknowledge him as her master, then he had no authority over her.
The decision was hers, not his.
Just as Xiao Fan braced himself for Xuanwei to lash out, she suddenly knelt in front of him, gazing up at him with an expression of pure admiration.
"Master, you're so domineering. I like it!" Xuanwei's eyes sparkled, her face filled with adoration. "Master, please scold me more in the future! I promise I'll be a good disciple and listen to everything you say."
Xiao Fan: "…"
Xiao Fan was utterly stunned. This was the last reaction he had expected. He had never imagined that Xuanwei responded better to firmness than gentleness. If he had known, he would have taken a stricter approach from the beginning.
Outside the Vast Heaven Mirror.
Everyone was equally shocked. They could hardly believe what they were seeing.
They had thought the God Clan Empress was a fearless queen who commanded respect. Who could have guessed that she had this side to her…?
The crowd's gaze naturally shifted toward the God Clan Empress, only to find that at some point, she had once again hidden her face behind divine light. It was clear that she had already recalled the events playing out in the mirror and, not wanting to be the subject of ridicule, had retreated behind the light.
It might have been a futile attempt to shield herself, but it offered her some small comfort.
But in reality, it did nothing to alleviate the embarrassment she felt. Xuanwei was mortified, her whole body tingling with shame.
As much as she hated to admit it, she really did have this odd quirk back then. And who said fairies couldn't have a few peculiar habits? For all anyone knew, the always-composed Jade Pool Empress might have even stranger inclinations!
With that thought, Xuanwei's gaze drifted toward the Jade Pool Empress high above.
Although the God Clan Empress's face was hidden, the direction of her gaze was unmistakable. The crowd's attention followed her line of sight, locking onto the Jade Pool Empress.
Speculation ran wild among the onlookers. Why had the God Clan Empress suddenly looked at the Jade Pool Empress? Could it be that the Jade Pool Empress had similar tendencies?
This…
The crowd's imagination began to run wild.
The Jade Pool Empress, sensing the shift in attention, was furious. This was a clear attempt to divert the crowd's focus away from herself. But she couldn't defend herself. If she suddenly spoke up, people would wonder why she felt the need to explain herself. Wouldn't that just make her seem guilty?
So, despite her seething anger, she had to swallow it down.
Seeing that most of the attention had shifted from herself to the Jade Pool Empress, Xuanwei felt a bit more at ease.
Witnessing this diversionary tactic, Leng Ruoxue and the others couldn't help but find it amusing. Sure, the God Clan Empress's peculiar habit was hard to understand, but as long as it embarrassed the Jade Pool Empress, it was all good. Even if they weren't all united, they were certainly aligned in their opposition to the Jade Pool Empress.
After this brief distraction, everyone refocused on the scenes within the Vast Heaven Mirror.
Inside the mirror.
Xiao Fan was still processing the fact that getting Xuanwei to behave was so simple. If only he had known, he would have taken a firmer stance sooner. But it wasn't too late now.
Though Xuanwei's request to be scolded more often was a bit strange, Xiao Fan decided to go along with it if it meant he could teach her better.
"Xuanwei, listen carefully. Since you've acknowledged me as your master, you can't continue acting so recklessly!" Xiao Fan said, his tone stern. "From now on, we're setting some ground rules!"
"First, no more crude language!"
"Second, no more forcing others to do things against their will!"
"Third, no more restricting my freedom!"
"Do you understand?" Xiao Fan demanded, his voice firm.
"But, Master, you only raised your voice. You didn't really scold me," Xuanwei said, pouting as she furrowed her brow, clearly dissatisfied.
To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8