One of my fairy-like friends

Before I brought my aunt along, I didn't notice so many things. After my aunt came in, she seemed to have some special reactions, so the effect was surprisingly good. Even though there were two people welcoming, one Taiyi, and "Shenfeng", the effect was much better than two saint Taiyi. It was a bit unbelievable. After all, even if the one with Shenfeng was a saint, it shouldn't have such an exaggerated effect.

The actual effect was that Mingyan, who had just broken through to the second minor level, skipped two minor levels and reached the fifth minor level of Xuanji, not far from breaking through to Renying.

In addition, non-smoking also fulfilled some of my aunt's rather unique requests... My aunt can be quite cunning in certain situations...

After finishing his cultivation, Mingyan returned to his room and found that his older sister was also there, in addition to his mother.

“Mother, sister.” Mingyan walked over with a smile. Wang Qingchu said with a half-smile, “Mother may not like the smell on you. You’d better take a bath before coming back next time.”

Mingyan blinked, then lowered his head to smell the scent on his clothes. There didn't seem to be anything special... But after all, he had been cultivating with the four members of the Huang family for several days, so he probably had picked up their scent. It was just that he was used to it and it was quite faint, so he could hardly smell it.

“I understand…” Ming Yan looked at Ming Huiyin and nodded slowly.

Ming Huiyin frowned. "I didn't say anything like that. Whatever smell Yan'er has, it's all Yan'er. I don't dislike it."

After saying that, Ming Huiyin glanced at Wang Qingchu and said, "Yan'er, don't overthink it."

She had no interest in anything except Mingyan; she neither liked nor disliked anything.

Wang Qingchu smiled and changed the subject, "Yan'er, the Huang family has had a few new guests recently. Empress Yin Hanyan of the Holy Yuan Dynasty and Crown Prince Zhu Yuyan came to the Huang family. The head of the Huang family seems to have some urgent business, and the other managers who cultivate with you are also unavailable, so I went to see them in person."

"Thank you so much, sister." Mingyan said somewhat embarrassedly, "But, is there something urgent that they came here?"

"Bai Ze brought them here," Wang Qingchu said with a smile. "They're just here as guests, right? Or perhaps Bai Ze hopes they can help you?"

"Help me?" Mingyan raised an eyebrow.

“That’s right. After all, Yin Hanyan is a first-time bride, and Zhu Yuyan, although she’s a bit weaker, is also a first-time bride for her.” Wang Qingchu smiled.

"...Huh...?" Mingyan was a little confused. "My relationship with those two is just ordinary, so why would Senior Bai Ze bring them here to 'help' me?"

"Go and talk to them," Wang Qingchu said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Ming Yan looked at Ming Huiyin. He had originally planned to come and spend time with his mother and sister... His sister had even asked him to talk to them, which meant she didn't care much, but his mother...

Only after Ming Huiyin nodded in agreement, and neither of them objected, did Ming Yan finally nod.

In fact, during the time Mingyan returned, Huang Junru, who seemed to be busy with something and unable to leave, finally managed to meet with Yin Hanyan.

Huang Junru's status is actually higher, but she still came in person because this matter is related to her.

She chatted with Yin Hanyan for a while, showing her unique friendliness, and then left. She didn't go to Bai Ze because she thought that would put pressure on him. After all, she had already hinted at it to Bai Ze, and she should give him time to think.

Not long after, Mingyan also arrived.

Yin Hanyan and Zhu Yuyan's residence was naturally the same as Bai Ze, Gu Hanshuang, and Yu Mudan's.

When Mingyan arrived at the courtyard, he happened to see Yu Mudan and Zhu Yuyan walking side by side. Upon seeing this, he went over to them.

In fact, Yu Mudan was talking to Zhu Yuyan about her relationship with Mingyan.

She was so resolute back then, swearing confidently to Zhu Yuyan that she would never have a relationship with a man like Ming Yan, but now she's the one actively pursuing him...

Therefore, she invited Zhu Yuyan here in the hope of helping Zhu Yuyan develop a relationship with Mingyan, so as to make up for her own guilt.

She confessed her relationship with Mingyan to Zhu Yuyan. Although Zhu Yuyan was taken aback for a moment, she didn't seem to care much about it.

"What was I doing at the time..." Zhu Yuyan smiled slightly, "Mingyan and I haven't confirmed our relationship, and I'm not anyone to him, so why do you need to explain to me?"

Seeing that Zhu Yuyan didn't care, Yu Mudan breathed a sigh of relief. She sighed, "After all, I made a big promise back then, and my current actions contradict what I said back then... I can't help but feel uneasy."

"Don't worry, Mingyan has always had more than one woman around him. I was prepared for this. To be honest, when I first heard you say you weren't interested in Mingyan, I was secretly hoping to see you fail," Zhu Yuyan said with a slightly embarrassed smile. "I thought that one day you might even need me to help you develop a relationship with Mingyan, but I didn't expect you to realize it so quickly..."

"..." Yu Mudan was both amused and exasperated. What a good sister...

"I invited you here as a guest in the hope of helping you and Mingyan develop a... closer relationship." Yu Mudan calmed herself down.

"But why was Mother Empress summoned as well?" Zhu Yuyan asked curiously.

"This..." Yu Mudan hesitated, but still didn't tell Zhu Yuyan that dual cultivation was quite important to Ming Yan. Although she and Zhu Yuyan had a very good relationship, compared to Ming Yan, she was considered an outsider... It wouldn't be too late to tell Zhu Yuyan after she and Ming Yan developed a relationship, so she shook her head, "I'm not really sure either..."

"I see..."

"Peony, Yu Yan." Ming Yan's voice sounded from behind. The two were far inferior to Ming Yan in cultivation, so they did not notice his presence for a moment. Only after hearing Ming Yan's voice did they turn around.

"Mingyan!" Yu Mudan smiled. Her smile truly had the feel of a peony, generous and natural, exuding a noble air.

Chapter 279 I don't mind if something happens between us.

Zhu Yuyan smiled and gave Mingyan a slight bow. Unlike Yu Mudan, who was now his wife, she was still an outsider.

Mingyan chatted with the two of them for a while, without saying much, and then went to find Bai Ze.

After Ming Yan left, Zhu Yuyan asked curiously, "By the way, where is Gu Hanshuang? I heard that Gu Hanshuang is here too?"

“Yes, just like me, she’s also Mingyan’s Daoist partner.” Yu Mudan sighed. “But Gu Hanshuang and I have reconciled, haven’t we?”

"Oh?" Zhu Yuyan was a little surprised to hear this, then smiled and said, "That's a good thing, isn't it? Is it because of Mingyan?"

“Hmm…Mingyan seems to have persuaded Gu Hanshuang through some means, making her come to apologize to me. Given the situation, I have to give Mingyan face.” Yu Mudan nodded. “Sigh, it’s quite complicated. However, even though we’ve reconciled, we’re still in competition.”

"In bed?" Zhu Yuyan asked with a smile.

"..." Yu Mudan couldn't help but chuckle, "I guess so..."

"That's great. I think I can help you in the future. Compared to Gu Hanshuang, who's all alone, we have two people," Zhu Yuyan said with a smile.

Yu Mudan smiled without saying a word. "There are more than just two people; your mother might... come in too..."

Here, Mingyan found Bai Ze.

"Senior." Mingyan bowed to Bai Ze. Bai Ze looked helpless. She had told him many times not to bow, but he still did. Wasn't this shortening his own lifespan? She sighed and personally helped Mingyan up.

"I've told you so many times, I can't accept your bowing. What do you want from me?"

"...Senior, while I welcome Her Majesty the Empress and the Crown Prince as guests, your reason for bringing them..." Ming Yan spoke frankly, he hesitated for a moment, and said, "Is it because you think they can help me break through?"

“Zhu Yuyan has always liked you, and Yin Hanyan…” Bai Ze smiled slightly upon hearing this, “She has always felt that the Holy Yuan Dynasty owes you a great favor and has always wanted to repay it. I have never forced her. I just told her one way. As for how she does it, that’s up to her.”

Mingyan was silent for a moment, then said, "Even so, I don't like the feeling of forcing others."

"How do you know it was coercion?" Bai Ze shook his head. "Zhu Yuyan was definitely not coerced. As for Yin Hanyan, how do you know she was unwilling? She came to the Huang family this time hoping to talk to you in person so she could make a decision."

Mingyan sighed. While improving cultivation was indeed important, none of the women around him were currently with him solely for the purpose of increasing his cultivation...

"..." Bai Ze felt a strange mix of emotions upon seeing Ming Yan's reaction.

After all, she was also wondering whether or not she should help Mingyan.

Do you hate this feeling?

“I have no feelings for Zhu Yuyan or the Empress. We just cultivate together for the sake of cultivation…” Ming Yan shook his head. “I don’t like this feeling.”

Bai Ze pondered for a moment, then smiled slightly, "It's not that I can't understand you, but between you and Zhu Yuyan, it's just a matter of nodding your head, and with Yin Hanyan, it's not entirely impossible either. Or do you think that there's absolutely no possibility between you and either of them?"

In Bai Ze's opinion, it was actually a good thing that Ming Yan cared about this aspect, since he wasn't treating Zhu Yuyan and Yin Hanyan as tools. However, he seemed to care a little too much. After all, feelings can develop over time. Since Ming Yan had so many women around him, he must have some outstanding qualities. Given enough time, wouldn't Yin Hanyan develop genuine feelings for Ming Yan? This was different from when she became the nominal empress of the Shengyuan Dynasty to repay a debt of gratitude. For her, that was just a position. But with Ming Yan, it was not so simple.

Mingyan was silent for a moment, then said, "I'll go and have a talk with Her Majesty the Empress."

"Well... before that, I have something else to tell you." Bai Ze called out to Ming Yan, then said, "I can help too... I'm doing this voluntarily."

Ming Yan paused for a moment, "You mean?"

"Wouldn't a saint's first time be of greater help to you?" Bai Ze smiled and said, "I don't dislike you, nor do I mind what kind of relationship we develop in the future, so don't rush to reject me."

Mingyan's attitude won Bai Ze's heart, and she decided to help him.

Mingyan rubbed his temples. "Senior..."

"You don't need to say anything more. My mind is made up. Go find Yin Hanyan." Bai Ze pushed Ming Yan out the door and then closed it, leaving Ming Yan bewildered in the wind...

What's going on...?

Although he truly lacked powerful female cultivators to assist him in his cultivation, but...

He didn't really have many reasons to refuse. Just like Bai Ze said, although he didn't have any real feelings for either Bai Ze or Yin Hanyan at the moment, wouldn't feelings develop if he nurtured them more?

He shook his head and decided to go find Yin Hanyan first. Then, he arrived at Yin Hanyan's door and gently knocked on it.

"You must be my young friend Mingyan. Please come in."

Upon hearing Yin Hanyan's voice, Ming Yan stepped inside.

Yin Hanyan was dressed in a gorgeous palace gown. Perhaps because she was a fox demon, she always carried a subtle allure. She looked at Ming Yan and smiled faintly, "Young friend Ming Yan, it seems you went to see Senior Bai Ze just now, so you should know why I'm here, right?"

Mingyan nodded slowly, "Your Majesty, I don't want you to force yourself. I don't necessarily need help."

"It's not exactly unfair, after all, it's completely impossible to find a genius as outstanding as young friend Mingyan among the demon race." As the welcoming party, Yin Hanyan could naturally sense that Mingyan's cultivation had already reached the fifth level of the Xuanji realm. She sighed softly, "It hasn't been long, and young friend is already almost here... From now on, he won't be called young friend anymore, but fellow Daoist..."

"If Your Majesty the Empress is considering the so-called debt of gratitude the Holy Yuan Dynasty owes me, then there's no need for that," Mingyan said. "I..."

“Young friend Mingyan, when it comes to repaying a debt of gratitude, it’s not up to the benefactor to decide. If the benefactor says there’s no need to repay the debt, that’s because of their noble character. But if I truly don’t repay the debt, then it’s because I’m morally corrupt.” Yin Hanyan smiled and said, “I came to the Holy Yuan Dynasty because of the debt of being saved. Do you think I’m the kind of person who wouldn’t repay a debt of gratitude?”

Mingyan shook his head. "That's not what I thought..."

"The Holy Yuan Dynasty owes you a debt of gratitude that the old Holy Emperor can no longer repay. Logically speaking, it should be Yu Yan's turn to repay it. However, Yu Yan is devoted to you, and you might even become family in the future. So, it seems that only I can repay this debt of gratitude..." Yin Hanyan continued, "Actually, I'm quite lucky. After all, Young Master Ming is an exceptionally outstanding person, so I don't feel wronged at all..."

Yin Hanyan said this to Ming Yan, but also to herself...

"Let me repay this kindness and use it as a starting point for us," Yin Hanyan said with a smile. "I don't mind if something happens between Young Master Ming, okay?"

This line of reasoning is quite similar to Bai Ze's...

Mingyan sighed, "I don't think I... really have any reason to refuse?"

"That's right..." Yin Hanyan felt somewhat relieved. She had always felt indebted to Mingyan, and this feeling was not pleasant. Now that she had repaid the debt, she could find a suitable husband. What was wrong with that?

Chapter 280 Better to seize the day than wait any longer

After leaving Yin Hanyan's room, Ming Yan stood outside the door, slightly lost in thought...

Before I knew it, so many people were around me...

When Mingyan left Riyue Village a few years ago, he never imagined it would turn out like this.

He's not the naive, impulsive boy he used to be...

"So? What did Yin Hanyan say?"

As Mingyan was lost in thought, he heard Bai Ze's voice again. He snapped out of his reverie, looked at Bai Ze who had suddenly appeared beside him, and raised his hand to rub his temples. "I just felt..."

"What do you feel?" Bai Ze smiled slightly. "Do you feel guilty?"

"..." Mingyan couldn't quite describe his feelings either.