Ao Ningyan stood with her chin raised, exuding a domineering, fiery aura as the proud Crimson Dragon. Faint red scales occasionally glinted beneath her luxurious silk clothing, reflecting the dragon race's unrivaled pride. To her, Liu Caixi was simply another addition to We Yan's collection, and although she was completely subservient to her husband, her piercing gaze seemed to challenge anyone to prove themselves worthy of standing on her level.
Feng Xiuyi provided a calming contrast with her elegant Blue Phoenix presence. Her every movement was as smooth as a breeze, and the pale blue aura surrounding her brought tranquility to all who were near her. As the manifestation of the phoenix, symbolizing purity and eternity, she displayed no superficial jealousy; instead, she greeted Liu Caixi with a faint, measured smile, displaying the dignity of a celestial queen who had transcended worldly concerns.
Zi Lan, the seductive Ancient Fox, regarded Liu Caixi with a gaze that seemed to reveal one's deepest secrets. With her tail hidden but a magical aura alluring, she played with the ends of her hair while leaning back in a pose that emphasized her beautiful curves. For her, the presence of a new woman was a welcome distraction in the static eternity, and she didn't hesitate to exude her charms just to see how the new empress would react under the pressure of her ancient fox race's allure.
Lan Xiyi stood as still as a sword fresh from the forge, a cold and sharp image of the Sword Goddess. No emotion could be read on her snow-white face, and her slender hand was always within an inch of the hilt of the sword hanging at her waist. The sword intent she radiated was so pure that the air around her prickled at her skin; to Lan Xiyi, words were a waste, and she would only acknowledge Liu Caixi if the empress possessed a steel-sharp resolve.
Yao Moli, the Sage Alchemist, mediated all these clashing energies with a mature composure. Dressed in robes scented with rare medicines and divine essences, she was the mastermind behind the Pagoda's health and distribution of cultivation resources. Her eyes radiated profound intelligence, viewing Liu Caixi not as a rival, but as part of a larger ecosystem she must manage to maintain harmony under Wei Yan's absolute will.
The tense atmosphere in the pavilion square slowly began to thaw as Wei Yan gave a slight nod, giving his women permission to interact. Yao Moli stepped forward first, a soothing herbal scent emanating from her robes as she gently took Liu Caixi's hand. "I am Yao Moli, in charge of health and alchemy here. Don't worry, your new constitution is still adapting, and I will prepare some essence pills to stabilize it," she said in a wise tone that instantly eased Liu Caixi's nerves.
Before Liu Caixi could express her gratitude, Zi Lan had already moved to her other side, whispering in a seductive tone. "And I am Zi Lan, the Ancient Fox who will teach you that in this place, pleasure is part of cultivation. You have a beautiful face, Empress, but you seem too stiff," she joked with a chuckle, causing Liu Caixi to blush. Ao Ningyan, standing not far from them, snorted, crossing her arms in front of her proud chest. "I am Ao Ningyan of the Dragon Race. Remember your position, newcomer. Under Wei Yan's wing, only those with wills as strong as steel can survive, not just beauty or a blushing face," she said in a haughty tone but not one that actually drove her away.
Feng Xiuyi immediately intervened, her voice as melodious as the chirping of a celestial bird. "Ningyan always talks like that, but she's the one who most often takes care of the pavilion's security. My name is Feng Xiuyi, of the Blue Phoenix race. Welcome to our new home, Liu Caixi," the Phoenix greeted with extraordinary grace, exuding a genuine calm. In the corner of the room, Lan Xiyi simply nodded curtly, her sword vibrating gently as if responding to the sword aura within her. "Lan Xiyi. My sword will protect you as long as you remain loyal to Wei Yan," she said curtly, sharply, and matter-of-factly.
Liu Caixi took a deep breath, trying to process all the extraordinary personalities now surrounding her. "Thank you... I am Liu Caixi. Honestly, I still feel like I'm dreaming. In my previous world, I was a betrayed empress, but here... I feel like I've just begun to learn to breathe," she replied honestly. Hearing this, Wei Yan, who had been observing, finally spoke up, "You all have your roles to play. Don't let Liu Caixi feel like an outsider for too long. Empress, they are your new family now, and each of them has skills that will help you transcend your former limits."
The lighthearted conversation continued, from Yao Moli explaining the types of coarse grains Wei Yan planted to Zi Lan teasing Liu Caixi about how Wei Yan's "unique preferences" worked. Amidst the laughter and warm yet dignified chatter, Wei Yan stood a little aloof, observing the harmony he had painstakingly cultivated—a peaceful scene that stood in stark contrast to the chaotic, destructive universe he had left moments ago.
"Remember, Caixi, you still have two other sisters, but they're very busy with crucial matters in the isolated zone, so don't feel neglected," Wei Yan said curtly, to which Liu Caixi nodded obediently.
Watching the enthusiastic conversation among his women, a sudden sense of melancholy gripped Wei Yan, dragging him back to a time when he was just an office worker who died of exhaustion after buying an antique pagoda souvenir. The pagoda was actually the Myriad Void Pagoda, which once served only as an interstellar teleportation tower before evolving into a priceless treasure. As he breathed his last, the pagoda recognized his ownership and intervened profoundly by reincarnating his soul.
The reincarnation process took him into his mother's suffering womb. There, from the darkness of the womb, Wei Yan silently witnessed all the humiliation and pain his mother endured due to her illegitimate pregnancy. This experience fueled Wei Yan's drive to speedrun, accumulating power, wealth, and experience through the pagoda's primary function. By splitting his soul in two, his consciousness migrated to the fragment that traveled across the multiverse and formed temporary bodies there, while his main soul remained secure in its original location. Every treasure and knowledge from the other dimension was absorbed into the fragment like a data storage device, which was then brought back home.
For his safety, after birth, he was placed in an orphanage by his mother, while his first two wives were released into the real world to struggle in silence, building a power base and protecting their mother-in-law from the shadows. This grand plan came to fruition when he was four years old, when his first wife took him in as his legal 'adoptive mother.' Since then, Wei Yan has continued to accumulate wealth and interdimensional artifacts into his Myriad Void Pagoda, while maintaining the image of a normal, inconspicuous teenager to this day.
Wei Yan's gaze slowly returned to the warmth of the pavilion's plaza, sweeping over the faces of its women, who seemed so alive. He approached Liu Caixi and handed her a small jade key as a symbol of ownership of one of the finest pavilions. Then, with a nearly imperceptible wave of his hand, he performed a precision spatial manipulation. The brief movement instantly reset the synchronization of time within the Pagoda's dimension to align with the real world, ensuring his energy transition was undisturbed as he crossed back.
"Get some rest, I have to go soon," Wei Yan said flatly before his figure began to fade, dissolving into particles of light that penetrated the dimensional barrier. In an instant, Wei Yan's consciousness returned to his minimalist bedroom, feeling the chill of the morning air against his skin. He sat for a moment on the edge of the bed, allowing his extraordinary aura to subside completely and even his apperance also change drastically until he looked like an ordinary teenager, ready to assume his role as an honor student heading to school in his neatly arranged uniform.
Wei Yan glanced at the clock; it was still 6:30 a.m.
"There's still an hour and a half before class starts. Let's stop by Uncle Wang's stall across the street for some cold noodles."
With that, she began to pack up, left the house her "adoptive mother" had given her, and left.
Just a few steps away, she saw Uncle Wang already selling his wares.
"Uncle... as usual," Wei Yan called out to Uncle Wang familiarly.
Seeing Wei Yan arrive, Uncle Wang enthusiastically replied, "Come sit, sit."
Uncle Wang quickly took a portion of cold noodles and the hot tea he had made. He handed them to Wei Yan.
"Oh, thank you, Uncle Wang."
"You're welcome, Xiao Wei."
After Uncle Wang replied, Wei Yan devoured the dish with gusto. Once satisfied, she immediately paid Uncle Wang 20 yuan.
"Here, Uncle, I'll get the change later." With that said, Wei continued to go to school.
----
After Wei Yan left, the atmosphere inside the Pagoda didn't become quiet; instead, it became very formal and full of anticipation. Yao Moli stepped up to Liu Caixi and patted her on the shoulder, his expression solemn but his eyes sparkling. "Empress, don't be too fixated on the beauty of this place. You must prepare quickly, because in three days, Wei Yan will turn sixteen in the outside world. That is the moment when he officially enters adulthood," Yao Moli said in a voice that trembled with respect and obsession.