Chapter 19: Inner World
"It's you," Huang Nian said, surprised.
"I guess we're destined to meet, with me saving you again," Jun Mo Xie replied, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Thank you for saving me," Huang Nian said softly.
"It's nothing. Do you have a fiancé?" Jun Mo Xie asked, his eyes steady on hers.
"No," she replied, slightly taken aback by the question.
"That's good. Since you have no fiancé, you can be mine," Jun Mo Xie said, pulling Huang Nian into his embrace.
"Really? You want me to be yours?" Huang Nian flirted back, a playful glint in her eyes.
"You can actually marry me," Jun Mo Xie said, his tone serious yet tender.
"You're handsome, with long legs, hair black as ink, and lashes that fan out like feathers. But why should I marry you when I don't even know your name? How about I call you Mo Yesi?" Huang Nian teased.
"Anything you call me is fine, and I believe I'm the only one worthy of you, Nian Nian," Jun Mo Xie said, his voice filled with affection.
"So, you know my name," Huang Nian noted, intrigued.
"If you don't want me to call you by your name, then I'll call you my wife," Jun Mo Xie said, his charming smile making it hard for Huang Nian to resist.
"No problem," Huang Nian said, thinking, 'Since I'm not engaged to anyone, it's not so bad to let a handsome guy call me wife.'
"I'll get going, Mo Yesi," Huang Nian said, stepping back.
"Goodbye, wifey," Jun Mo Xie called after her, waving as she left.
---
Huang Nian returned to the Huang Mansion and retreated to her room. Closing her eyes, she found herself in her inner world, the Primordial Phoenix Palace. Since the Phoenix soul had merged with hers, she had never ventured here before. Moving forward, she pushed open the grand doors of the palace.
In the center of the hall, a golden chair caught her eye. "This must be the Primordial Phoenix Chair. It looks so comfortable," Huang Nian murmured as she sat down.
'This palace is enormous, yet there are no servants around,' she thought.
"Saintess," a lone voice called out.
"Who are you?" Huang Nian asked, looking around.
"Forgive me, Saintess, for not introducing myself earlier. I am Pei Wu Chen, your assistant," he said, bowing slightly.
Pei Wu Chen had served the Primordial Phoenix ages ago, preserved in a crystal coffin until Huang Nian inherited the Phoenix's power, making her his new master.
"Saintess, you don't have full access to the palace yet. Only the Phoenix Hall and the garden are available to you for now. You'll unlock more areas as your martial arts level increases. Allow me to show you the garden," he said, leading her outside.
"This is the Fiery Fruit," Pei Wu Chen said, pointing to a vibrant tree.
"The legendary Fiery Fruit?" Huang Nian asked, her eyes widening.
"It can enhance the potency of your Phoenix flames," he explained. He then led her to another tree with golden leaves. "This is the Foundation Fruit. It stabilizes your cultivation realm."
Moving on, he pointed to an azure-colored tree. "This is the Soul Condensing Fruit, which strengthens your soul."
"And this one," he said, gesturing to a tree with colorful leaves, "is the Elemental Fruit, increasing your control over fire, water, earth, wood, and metal."
Lastly, he showed her a tree with luminous fruits. "These are Healing Fruits. They can cure any injury."
"Saintess, you may only consume five fruits per person, so choose wisely," Pei Wu Chen advised.
There were many more fruits, but these were the most important. "You can plant fruits, flowers, and herbs in the garden, and its fresh air will help you cultivate faster," he added.
"What's that flower called?" Huang Nian asked, pointing to a pink, ten-leaved snow lotus.
"Saintess, that is the Ten-Leaved Snow Lotus. It aids in cultivation and is also a key ingredient in making elixirs," Pei Wu Chen explained.
"I will return now," Huang Nian said, closing her eyes and returning to her body.
---
"Young Miss, please wake up! You can't die now!" Ye Xiwu's voice trembled as hot tears rolled down her cheeks.
Huang Nian slowly opened her eyes, smiling at Ye Xiwu's worry. 'If I were a man, I'd marry this innocent, caring girl. I should find her a good husband in the future,' she thought.
Ye Xiwu looked up and saw Huang Nian's smile. "Young Miss, you're alive!" she exclaimed with relief.
"Ye Xiwu, why did you think I was dead?" Huang Nian asked, still smiling.
"I've been trying to wake you for the past three hours, and your feet were cold. I thought you were gone. But thank the heavens, you're not," Ye Xiwu explained, wiping away her tears.
"Don't worry, I won't die yet," Huang Nian reassured her, her smile growing wider.