Three times married to Yama

Seeing the president's slightly red eyes, I was completely taken aback.

What does she mean by that?

"You are Lan Yin...?" the president asked, his voice trembling slightly.

I nodded slightly and greeted her politely, "Yes, President, I am Lan Yin."

The president's gaze lingered on me for a moment before she slowly spoke, "I'm sorry, I lost my composure. You really do look too much like your father."

Upon hearing this, I understood immediately; it seemed the chairman was an old friend of my father's.

"It's alright, President. But you mentioned my father. Are you acquainted with him?" I asked.

Before the president could answer, the vice president's rough voice came from the side.

"Hahahaha, she's more than just acquaintances; she even tried to woo your dad back in the day!"

Upon hearing this, the room fell into an eerie silence. The president, who had been lost in memories, froze.

Sang Yinhe and Fan Zhixing's jaws nearly dropped to the ground.

Is this...is this something I can hear? The president of the Mystic Arts Association was once my father's suitor?

The president took a deep breath, then looked at the vice president beside her and said with a half-smile, "If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute."

She then looked at me, lowered her voice, and said, "Actually, it's nothing. The vice president is right. I did pursue your father when I was young, but he rejected me."

She sighed as she spoke, "I've rarely heard from your father since he got married. The last time I saw him was three years ago at the Xuanshu Exchange Conference. He came in a hurry and left in a hurry. I only saw his back from afar."

"Lan Yin, come, sit down." The president said, pulling my hand and making me sit down next to her.

After sitting down, she looked at Sang Yinhe and Fan Zhixing, who had brought me here, and said, "Alright, you two can go out now."

"Yes, Chairman."

In the room, only the president, vice president, and I remained.

I didn't say anything, waiting for the president and vice president to speak. They couldn't have just invited me over to catch up, could they?

After a few seconds of silence, the president finally spoke.

"Actually, there's something I need to tell you about your father," the chairman said.

When I heard it was about my dad, I immediately became serious.

"President, please speak."

The president looked at the vice president beside him and said, "He spoke to you, and the item was given to you. You can speak to him now."

Something? My dad left me something?

Suddenly, I feel a bit excited.

The vice president then said, "Three years ago, your father came to Lingyu Mountain and left something behind. He said that if you came to participate in the Xuanshu Exchange Conference three years later, he would give this thing to you."

"However..." the vice president paused and said, "there is one more condition."

"What are the conditions?" I asked.

The vice president said, "If you win first place in this exchange competition, you can't have this item."

I:"?"

There are other conditions?

This is forcing me to get first place.

"Can you tell me what my father left behind on Lingyu Mountain?" I asked softly.

"We don't know either; we can't open that thing," the vice president replied.

It seems they tried to open it, but failed?

I originally just wanted to casually come here to exchange some metaphysical knowledge, but now I have a reason to take first place.

I wore a faint smile and appeared quite calm, but inside I was already complaining. I didn't really want to be number one; I didn't want to be the one who stood out.

"Okay, I'll try my best." I smiled.

The president smiled slightly upon seeing this, "The little girl is quite calm, unfazed by praise or criticism, just like your father."

"It's all thanks to my dad's good teaching."

Actually, I was quite surprised, but I couldn't show it.

Next, the president invited me to stay and have dinner with him. I have to say, the food at Lingyu Mountain was better than any I had eaten before. I don’t know if it was because of the chef’s skill or because of the spiritual energy here.

After finishing the meal and exchanging pleasantries, I said goodbye and left.

I went straight back to my residence. In front of the courtyard gate, Yan Jinyue stood there like a gatekeeper.

"Why are you standing here? Like a door god?" I walked over and couldn't help but tease.

Hearing my voice, Yan Jinyue smiled. "The gatekeeper is someone else. I'm just here waiting for you to come back."

Are you waiting for me?

I walked up to him and said, "You don't need to stand at the door and wait."

Yan Jinyue replied, "I think when you come back, the first thing you'll see is me."

"Scheming!" Yun Fu's voice arrived before she did.

The next second, Yun Fu darted out of the courtyard and appeared in front of me.

Regardless of their scheming or not, as long as they're willing to put in the effort for me... cough, that's enough.

"Master, where did you go? Did those people give you any trouble?" Yun Fu asked.

I shook my head. "No, he just told me some things."

As I spoke, I walked into the courtyard. There used to be two strangers living there, but they were both eliminated today, so it has now become the exclusive courtyard for our group.

"My dear niece! You're back? Does the chairman have something good to tell you?" Ji Fengya came over, his expression full of gossip.

I replied, "It's nothing, I just told them a few things, and that I have to get first place this time."

Upon hearing this, Ji Fengya was taken aback for a moment, then his face lit up with an excited and radiant smile.

"Are you really determined to take first place?"

Before this, I didn't want to get first place, but after learning that my dad left something in Lingyu Mountain and that only I could get it if I got first place, I decided that I was determined to get first place.

I nodded firmly to Ji Fengya, "Yes, really."

Ji Fengya was smiling like a cunning fox. I squinted at him. I knew what kind of shit he was going to poop the moment he stuck out his butt.

In the finals, this guy will probably bet his entire fortune on me to win.

Seeing that he was still grinning foolishly, I ignored him and went back to my room. Yan Jinyue followed me to the door.

"Ah Yin, may I come in?" he asked me from the doorway.

Very good. Ever since that incident, he has to ask me first before entering my room.

"Okay," I replied.

Back in my room, I sat down on the sofa and looked up at him. "Lord Yama, is something the matter?"

"Hmm." He nodded, pondered for a moment, and then said, "It's about the elixir you mentioned before that can increase lifespan."

Upon hearing his words, I couldn't help but sit up straight.

"Did you make any discoveries?" I asked.

Yan Jinyue sat down next to me and said, "There are no elixirs in the mortal world that can increase lifespan. If there really are, there is only one possibility."

"What's possible?"

Yan Jinyue's expression darkened slightly. "To extract the lifespan of others to increase one's own."

I frowned. "If that's the case, then you in the Netherworld should know about it, right?"

Since Lingyu Mountain was willing to offer a longevity-enhancing elixir as a reward, it must know where the elixir came from, or perhaps it was actually a elixir that Lingyu Mountain created itself.

Aren't you afraid the underworld will investigate?

Yan Jinyue's expression turned cold, and she tapped her fingers lightly on the armrest of the sofa.

"Logically speaking, the netherworld should know about such things that go against the laws of nature."

"But what if there's a traitor within the underworld?"

His words stunned me; a traitor from the underworld…

Yes, it's not impossible that the people of the underworld collude with others to extract lifespans from others to make elixirs that increase lifespan.

The thought of this gave me goosebumps. If even the underworld is corrupted by such things, then it would be too dark.

Do ordinary people still have their fates told?

What about my life for the first twenty years? Could it be that my dad killed me in this way?

I suddenly felt guilty. If that were the case, wouldn't I be indirectly harming someone?

Suddenly I started sweating profusely.

"Ah Yin? Why are you sweating a little?" Yan Jinyue suddenly asked me. "What's on your mind?"

"No, it's just a little hot," I denied.

Although Yan Jinyue has given me ten years of lifespan so far, I am a little worried about how I got the first twenty years of my life.

My dear father, please don't do such a foolish thing!

Yan Jinyue chuckled softly, "So that's how it is."

He paused for a moment, then added, "After you win the championship, I will return to the Underworld to investigate the matter of the Longevity Elixir and the traitor."

"Do you need to go back in person?"

Yan Jinyue nodded, "Yes, the clone needs to guard the Underworld River. I need to investigate this matter personally."

I hesitated for a moment, then said to him, "The matter of extracting lifespan is urgent. You can return to the Netherworld now; you don't need to wait for me."

Upon hearing this, Yan Jinyue raised an eyebrow. "You want me to return to the Netherworld that much?"

I couldn't help but glare at him. "You're the Lord of the Underworld. You must investigate this matter that violates the rules of the Underworld as soon as possible, so that there will be fewer victims in the human world."

Yan Jinyue's lightly tapping fingers paused slightly. He looked at me and suddenly smiled seriously.

"Okay, I'll listen to you. I'll head back to the Underworld now and celebrate with you when I get back."

I nodded. "Okay."

Yan Jinyue got up to leave, but turned back at the door. He stood in front of me, leaned slightly forward, and looked at me. "Ah Yin, are you also a little reluctant to part with me?"

Oh, I feel a little embarrassed to be asked such a question all of a sudden.

I looked up and met his gaze. Thinking about what had happened these past few days, I still felt a little shaken.

"Well, I'm a little embarrassed by your bluntness."

"Is that so?" Yan Jinyue tilted his head slightly, his gaze still fixed on me. "I've heard people say that when it comes to matters of the heart, one should be direct and frank, and not be hypocritical or ambiguous, lest misunderstandings arise."

"I will be just as honest from now on."

I:"……"

I really can't stand people expressing themselves so bluntly.

"Okay, okay, you should go back to the Underworld now," I replied.

However, Yan Jinyue did not move. "You haven't answered my question yet."

I stood up and pushed Yan Jinyue out, not wanting to answer his question.

Despite being locked out, Yan Jinyue's voice still reached inside.

"Ah Yin, can't you be as frank as I am?"

I laughed at his laughter, and now I've become the one who's not being honest.

Seeing that I didn't answer, Yan Jinyue stood outside for a while before leaving.

The next day.

The first round of the competition was held yesterday. There were a total of 101 people, and including me who didn't get a bye, a total of 51 people advanced.

The second round of the competition was a free-for-all with groups of 10 people.

The lottery is conducted using the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Ten people who draw the same element form a group, and only two people from each group advance. The person who draws the special lot will directly advance to the finals.

Therefore, 11 people will eventually enter the final.

I went straight up and drew a card. I was lucky last round and drew the last odd number, but I probably won't be so lucky this round. But it's not a big deal. A free-for-all would be quite fun.

I wonder if I'll get to face Sheng Weilan in this round; I'm really looking forward to it.

When I eagerly pulled out the colored metal tag from the lottery tube, I was stunned.

The five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth) each have corresponding colors, but the color of the fortune stick in my hand is... multicolored!

Isn't this cheating?

Looking at the colorful card in my hand, I couldn't help but fall silent. Was this really something the president and the others did to get me into the finals?

I felt the gazes of those around me again, and Sheng Weilan walked over to my side with great interest.

"Lan Yin, this time it's a free-for-all with ten people in each group, and we're very likely to be in the same group, you..."

Before she could finish speaking, she saw the colored cards in my hand, and her expression froze.

The words of those around them also reached them.

"Something's not right. Wasn't this person also one of the lucky ones from the last round? How come she drew a special draw again this time? And got a bye again?"

"Isn't there some kind of shady dealing going on? Couldn't they just put the extra person into any group?"

"Just randomly put her into one of the groups? I disagree. It's best this way. But she's so lucky, she got a bye again and directly qualified for the finals. It's truly enviable!"

"..."

Listening to what the people around me were saying, I couldn't help but rub my temples.

Sheng Weilan said helplessly, "It seems we can only meet in the finals. But the finals are where we can truly show our strength, and I look forward to competing with you."

I smiled helplessly and said, "See you in the finals then."

The second round of competition is tomorrow; everyone can rest today.

After drawing lots, I planned to explore Lingyu Mountain. Anyway, I didn't have to compete or rest tomorrow. I just had a strange feeling in my heart.

I sent Yun Fu to sneak around Lingyu Mountain to investigate, while Ji Fengya, Xia Zheng, and the little princess stayed with me.

After holding it in for a while, I couldn't help but ask Ji Fengya beside me, "Hey, do you think I really pulled some strings? I still don't quite believe my luck; could I really have drawn a special lot twice?"

Ji Fengya chuckled, a blade of grass dangling from his mouth. "Can't it just be that you were lucky? Having a back door is a kind of luck too, niece. Don't doubt yourself. Whether you used a back door or not, first place will always be yours. Don't I know your abilities?"

"Since you don't care what other people think, why think so much?"

Xia Zheng also chimed in, "Master Mad Duck is absolutely right! I have complete faith in Master's abilities! Master, please don't doubt yourself!"

Of course I didn't doubt myself; I just found it strange.