Chapter 178: The Odd Family

After sending Yuanba back to the Blue Wind Profound Palace's courtyard, Yun Che noticed a shadow sneaking towards the Frozen Cloud Asgard's section. His keen senses told him that someone was here to meet someone important, potentially setting off a chain of events that could set the course of the main story. Sensing an opportunity to intervene, Yun Che decided to seize it.

Approaching the Imperial courtyard where they would stay for the duration of the tournament, Yun Che spoke softly, his eyes glinting with purpose. "Girls, why don't you go ahead and freshen up? I have a little errand to take care of."

Retsu, ever perceptive to his intentions, nodded understandingly. She knew that look in his eyes well – it meant he had unfinished business that he intended to see through to the end.

"Where are you off to?" Cang Yue inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"Just tying up some loose ends," Yun Che replied cryptically, a hint of determination in his voice. Mio and Retsu exchanged a knowing glance, while Nemu looked on with puzzled curiosity.

"Please come back soon, Danna-sama. I'll be waiting for my cuddles," Mio expressed her affection with a tender smile.

"Stay safe, Yuu-sama," Nemu chimed in, her concern evident in her eyes.

"Return swiftly, Yun Che," Cang Yue added, her voice filled with genuine concern.

"Have a safe journey," Retsu whispered, planting a gentle kiss on his cheek before he departed. With a flash step, Yun Che vanished from sight, concealing his presence as he set off to address the impending disturbance.

As he faded into the shadows, a smirk tugged at Yun Che's lips. "Looks like it's time to tip the scales in our favor."

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"Ling Yuefeng, here to see Fairy Chu Yuechan," the villa master announced with authority as he arrived at the gate leading into the courtyard of the Frozen Cloud Asgard.

"I am sorry, she doesn't want to see anyone. Neither are allowed to see anyone. Asgard Mistress's order," the guardian disciple firmly replied. She knew the rules well – even though this was Heavenly Sword Villa's territory, Chu Yuechan's commands were absolute.

"You… you didn't even move to tell her," Ling Yuefeng snarled, his frustration evident as he sensed the guardian's unwavering resolve.

"Please leave, or I will call upon the Asgard Mistress to…" The guardian disciple began, but her words faltered as a presence halted her. Turning her head, she beheld Chu Yuechan's approach. Ling Yuefeng, too, was taken aback by her ethereal beauty, unchanged even after three decades. He found himself gawking at her, mesmerized by her radiance.

However, beneath her captivating exterior, Ling Yuefeng sensed a palpable difference. There was warmth in her demeanor, a glow that surpassed her former allure. She was more stunning than he remembered, yet something about her seemed unfamiliar, even unsettling.

"Fairy Yuechan," the guardian disciple addressed her before Chu Yuechan herself spoke, her voice soft yet commanding.

"Can you leave us?" she requested, her tone leaving no room for refusal.

"Yes," the guardian disciple nodded obediently before retreating to a nearby spot, leaving Ling Yuefeng and Chu Yuechan alone. It was now a private meeting between the beautiful fairy and the villa master of Heavenly Sword Villa.

As Chu Yuechan scrutinized the man before her, she felt a stirring within her new heart. It recoiled at the sight of Ling Yuefeng, a visceral reaction that took her by surprise. Whatever this new heart of hers was, it harbored a deep-seated disdain for him.

"Fairy Yuechan," Ling Yuefeng began, his voice trembling with excitement at the opportunity to finally speak with her, but he was swiftly cut off.

"That is Chu Yuechan. What do you want, Ling Yuefeng? Skip the pleasantries that come from that foul mouth of yours," Fairy Chu Yuechan retorted with a sharpness that pierced through his facade of false courtesy.

"Please, why won't you accept me? I have to know," Ling Yuefeng pleaded, abandoning the pretense of formalities in his desperation to understand why he had been rejected.

"How delusional are you? You, a married man with two offspring, wanted me? Who in the world do you think you are?" Chu Yuechan's words dripped with contempt, her cold tone slicing through the air like a blade. It irked her to even have to entertain him after all these years of unwanted attention. Ling Yuefeng's obsession with her had been nothing short of infuriating. When he was twenty, he had seen the fifteen-year-old Chu Yuechan and foolishly fell hopelessly in love. For a decade, he had relentlessly pursued her, visiting the Frozen Cloud Asgard seventy times in vain attempts to win her favor.

"Please, I couldn't get you out of my mind. I've waited thirty-one years to talk to you. You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen," Ling Yuefeng pleaded, his desperation evident in his voice as he tried to coax her into reciprocating his feelings. But Chu Yuechan's response was swift and merciless.

"I don't want to hear it. Leave me be and vacate the Asgard's courtyard. Whether you are an emperor of this Empire or the lord of this continent, you will never have my heart," Chu Yuechan spat, her tone leaving no room for negotiation or further discussion.

As Ling Yuefeng pulled out a small vial containing a pink potion, his intentions became transparent. "I have this potion to elevate cultivation—" he began, but before he could finish his sentence, Chu Yuechan's instincts screamed at her to reject it. With a swift motion, she smacked the vial away from his hand, shattering it upon impact and releasing a foul but sickly-sweet aroma. Her Observation Haki tingled with alarm as she sensed the danger emanating from the potion, prompting her to turn towards him with a frigid expression.

"Attempting to poison me with Eternal Love Potion? Do you wish to offend the Frozen Cloud Asgard?" Little Fairy's voice rang out, filled with accusation and disdain. She was well aware of the sinister effects of such a potion, having witnessed the havoc it wreaked upon countless disciples of the Frozen Cloud Asgard in the past. It was a dark chapter in their history, one she was determined not to allow Ling Yuefeng to contribute to.

Caught red-handed, Ling Yuefeng's eyes widened in shock as his deceit was exposed. He attempted to stammer out an apology, but before he could utter a word, he was forcefully pushed away by an unseen force emanating from Chu Yuechan's hand, sending him stumbling several meters backwards.

"Shut your mouth!" Chu Yuechan's voice cut through the air like a whip, her aura pulsating with unmistakable hatred. She had no patience for Ling Yuefeng's treachery and deception. "Leave me and never approach me again, or I'll be sure to make your life a living hell."

With a dejected expression clouding his features, Ling Yuefeng retreated, the weight of his failure heavy upon him. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, a shadow lurked in the background, observing the encounter with keen interest.

As Chu Yuechan made her way back into the sanctuary of the Frozen Cloud Asgard's courtyard, she turned towards the gate, her gaze steely and resolute. "My heart belongs to someone, and you will never have it," she muttered to herself, a vow of defiance against those who sought to manipulate and control her.

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The shadow was revealed to be a servant from the Heavenly Sword Villa, assigned to follow Ling Yuefeng's every move. Seeing the encounter with the Frozen Cloud Asgard's fairy confirmed his mistress's suspicion.

"I have to report this to the villa mistress." Before the servant could even utter another word, he heard some sort of silenced explosion in the distance so he paid no mind to it. However, a sudden flash of vibrant aqua tore through the air, piercing his heart with lethal precision. His eyes widened in shock before he crumpled to the forest floor, his lifeblood staining the earth crimson.

Perched atop a windswept mountain, a lone figure cast a watchful gaze over the sprawling expanse below—the Heavenly Sword Villa standing as a silent sentinel against the backdrop of the distant horizon. It was here, amidst the rugged terrain and the whispering winds, that Yun Che found himself, his keen eyes scanning the landscape with unwavering focus.

"Guess he didn't that coming." With a satisfied smirk, he pulled the bolt of his weapon and ejected a silver bullet casing marked with Quincy's crest.

"Damn, the recoil of this thing." Yun Che complained as he rubbed his shoulder.

Yun Che adjusted the sleek silhouette of his newly acquired weapon—a Quincy-based HDR or Hadir's Right Hand Sniper Rifle—An extremely powerful, custom-made, long-range anti-material, bolt action sniper rifle crafted with deadly precision and armed with a high-powered zoom variety scope, a bipod and a tactical suppressor that whispered promises of silent death. It was a weapon born of his Quincy heritage, a testament to his ingenuity and resourcefulness in the face of adversity.

He had engineered the weapon to accommodate a specially modified 12.7x108mm round, engineered to pierce targets up to 1000 meters away. At present, he found himself perched atop a mountain, peering down at the Heavenly Sword Villa below. Despite the suppressor fitted to the rifle, the report of the bullet still reverberated like a silent explosion when fired. Without the suppressor, the entire villa would be jolted into high alert with its explosive noise. In the future, if he intended to use the rifle without the suppressor, he would need to caution his fiancées and companions, as the sharp crack of the bullet could still cause discomfort to their ears. Not to mention the recoil because of the modified bullets.

Originally, he crafted the sniper rifle using a blueprint obtained from the system and integrated it with Quincy-based technology, drawing inspiration from the reboot Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, a century-year-old video game from his original world. Through meticulous tinkering and the use of Quincy materials, he transformed the rifle to support modified bullets capable of reaching targets at 1000 meters, surpassing its original range of 600 meters. These bullets were enhanced to pierce through the bodies of cultivators at the Emperor Profound Realm, but their effectiveness was limited to long-range attacks. While the HDR proved formidable in distant engagements, it lacked the agility to handle swift close-range opponents in this world, particularly cultivators proficient in high-speed movements.

Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and precision engineering, it boasted unrivaled accuracy and devastating power, capable of reaching targets at extreme distances with lethal precision.

While the Ginrei Kojaku and the Automatic Crossbow served him well in most situations, Yun Che occasionally found himself in need of a weapon capable of executing extremely long-range stealth attacks—something that could strike with precision from afar. It was during one of his bouts of tinkering with the Quincy Rifle and blueprints from the system that inspiration struck, leading him down a path of creativity and innovation.

As he admired his creation, Yun Che couldn't help but marvel at its efficiency, the faint wisps of smoke curling from the barrel a silent testament to its lethal capabilities. Yet, despite its undeniable power, Yun Che knew that he couldn't rely solely on long-range tactics—not when his true calling lay on the frontlines, in the heat of battle.

"Looks like I've found myself a useful addition," he mused silently, his thoughts drifting to the need for a skilled Quincy ally—a fellow warrior who could match his prowess in ranged combat and provide the support he needed to achieve his goals as he realized that he does not tend in long-range attacks unless it's necessary.

But as he pondered his next move, a silent hope stirred within him—a hope to summon a companion who shared his long-ranged vision, a fellow Quincy whose skills and expertise would complement his own on the battlefield.

So, a Quincy in his group is indeed necessary. Where he can pass the HDR sniper rifle to a Quincy that is capable of killing targets at a long distance.

Having swiftly dispatched the meddling servant, potentially linked to Little Fairy's should be mysterious disappearance later in the story, Yun Che's mind raced with the complexities of the situation. Despite the absence of the rumored pregnancy of his child in this world, the animosity harbored by the mistress toward Little Fairy persisted. Yun Che's knowledge of their tumultuous history in the original painted a picture of familial discord and unrequited affection.

The mistress of the Heavenly Sword Villa, the wife of Ling Yuefeng and the mother of Ling Yun and Ling Jie, Xuanyuan Yuefeng.

A thorn in the original story and the supposed one who will set the chain of events that befalls Little Fairy.

As Yun Che remembered, Xuanyuan Yufeng's growing disdain for Frozen Cloud Asgard in the real novel, fueled by her son's love for Xia Qingyue and now diverted to Retsu and Mio, a sly smirk danced across his lips. It wasn't merely amusement at the thought of her offending the two top Yandere in his life, but rather a recognition of the potential hidden within her.

In Xuanyuan Yufeng, Yun Che saw more than just a woman consumed by jealousy and resentment. He saw an opportunity—a chance to manipulate the intricate web of power within the sect to his advantage, perhaps even directly influencing the sacred ground itself. With her at his side, he could tip the scales in his favor, wielding her influence like a weapon to shape the future of the sacred ground.

With a calculating gleam in his eyes and storing the HDR back in his inventory, Yun Che set his plans into motion, knowing that the game of manipulation had only just begun.

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Xuanyuan Yufeng, daughter of Xuanyuan Jue, the esteemed 9th Elder of the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region, and niece to Ling Kun, a figure of considerable influence within the sect. Despite her noble lineage, she defied expectations by falling in love with Ling Yuefeng, a man her father vehemently opposed.

Her strength of Early Emperor Profound Realm proves her to be a worthy adversary knowing her link and connection to Mighty Heavenly Sword Region.

Their union was a testament to her fierce independence, yet beneath her graceful exterior lurked a heart seething with insecurity and jealousy. Ling Yuefeng's past dalliance with Chu Yuechan haunted her, casting a shadow over their marriage and fueling her relentless pursuit of his affections.

With each passing moment, Xuanyuan Yufeng's beauty radiated like a beacon, captivating the hearts of men who dared to gaze upon her. Yet her eyes, like twin flames, remained fixed on her beloved husband, her love for him eclipsed only by her burning hatred for any woman who dared to capture his attention.

As she waited in the courtyard, a sense of unease gnawed at her heart. Ling Yuefeng's sudden disappearance, coupled with the presence of Frozen Cloud Asgard within their villa, fueled her suspicions. Determined to uncover the truth, she dispatched a servant to shadow her husband's movements, his every step reported back to her with unwavering diligence.

As Xuanyuan Yufeng sipped her tea, a chilling voice suddenly shattered the tranquility of the courtyard, causing her to jump in surprise. Spilling her tea, she rose to her feet with a nervous tremble, her eyes darting around the empty space in confusion.

"Who's there?! Show yourself!" she demanded, her voice tinged with fear and urgency. Yet, no figure emerged from the shadows, only the disembodied voice echoing ominously.

"Such a foul mood you're in," the voice continued, its tone dripping with malice. "Do you think your dear husband would approve of your hidden wickedness?"

Xuanyuan Yufeng's heart pounded in her chest as the voice mocked her, taunting her with its unseen presence. Desperate, she called out for the guards, but silence greeted her plea, confirming the enchantment that imprisoned her within the courtyard.

"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and defiance.

The voice chuckled darkly before revealing its purpose. "I am but an observer, intrigued by your personal vendetta against Chu Yuechan."

Xuanyuan Yufeng's eyes widened in shock at the mention of her rival's name, her grip tightening on her teacup as memories of jealousy and resentment flooded her mind.

"Why do you care about her?" she snapped, her voice laced with venom.

The voice chuckled again, relishing in her discomfort. "Ah, jealousy is a powerful motivator, isn't it? But tell me, why do you despise her so? Is it because she stole your husband's attention, even though she never once reciprocated his feelings?"

Xuanyuan Yufeng's jaw clenched as the voice struck a nerve, exposing the depths of her bitterness and insecurity. "She's nothing but a heartless wench who dared to tempt my husband away from me," she hissed, her resentment bubbling to the surface.

"Jealous and spiteful indeed," the voice mocked, its tone dripping with disdain. "You cling to your husband like a possessive tyrant, using your so-called love as a leash to control him. Yet, despite your efforts, he remains fixated on Chu Yuechan, a woman who never once returned his affections."

The mention of Chu Yuechan's name stoked the fires of Xuanyuan Yufeng's hatred, reminding her of the woman who had haunted her thoughts and fueled her insecurities for years.

"Why chase after someone who never cared for him?" the voice prodded, its words like salt on a wound, exacerbating Xuanyuan Yufeng's turmoil.

Gritting her teeth in frustration, Xuanyuan Yufeng clenched her fists, her anger boiling over at the mere mention of her rival. Memories of countless women disappearing at her command, all because they had caught her husband's eye, flashed through her mind, fueling her hatred even further.

"Who are you? What is your connection to her?" she demanded, her voice laced with fury and desperation.

But the voice only chuckled darkly in response, reveling in her torment. "Ah, my dear, I am merely a spectator, a witness to the tangled web of jealousy and obsession that surrounds you. As for my connection to Chu Yuechan, well, let's just say I have an interest in her." the voice echoed through the darkness, leaving Xuanyuan Yufeng bewildered and uncertain. "But enough about me. Do you want to know why I'm here? To deal with you."

The weight of the threat hung heavy in the air, sending shivers down Xuanyuan Yufeng's spine. "Deal with me?" she echoed, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and defiance.

The mysterious assailant's words dripped with malice as he revealed his intentions. "You may prove to be a thorn in my side in the future, you and that uncle of yours," he explained, his tone chillingly matter-of-fact. "So I've decided to use you to exact my revenge on the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region and for targeting my Chu Yuechan."

Xuanyuan Yufeng's bravado faltered as she realized the gravity of her situation. "Are you here to kill me?" she challenged, her voice tinged with desperation. "Do you not fear the repercussions from the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region?"

But her threats were met with dismissive amusement from her assailant. "Oh, I bloody hate them, actually," he scoffed. "And you, my dear, are nothing more than an opportunity—a beautiful puppet to dance to the tune of my whims."

"Puppet!?" Xuanyuan Yufeng's voice rose in indignation, but before she could protest further, a figure emerged from the shadows, his presence commanding and unmistakable.

"You... You're Yun Che from the tournament," Xuanyuan Yufeng gasped, her eyes widening in recognition.

"It seems you know of me," Yun Che remarked, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Your presence was easy to detect. You've been watching your husband from the shadows, haven't you?"

Since the Frozen Cloud Asgard is here, she was bound to do those things. Before Xuanyuan Yufeng could react, Yun Che's hand closed around her throat, lifting her effortlessly into the air.

"Arrgghhh… let me go…" Xuanyuan Yufeng's voice choked out as Yun Che's grip tightened around her throat. She was the catalyst for everything, her involvement with the sacred ground setting events into motion. Killing her now could end future turmoil, but Yun Che had other, more intricate plans in mind.

Xuanyuan Yufeng's eyes widened in disbelief as she struggled against his grasp. His strength should have been no match for hers; she was a master of the Emperor Profound Realm, her prowess legendary. Yet here she was, unable to break free from his chokehold. How could this be? Could it be that his strength surpassed even hers?

As she gasped for air, her mind raced with questions. Who was this man that held her so effortlessly in his grip?

"*Giggle... well, why should I?" Yun Che's tone was chillingly casual as he stifled her protests. "A piece of information you should know: your son has fallen in love with my women. And knowing you, you'd likely seek to harm them if you found out who they are."

"I'll give you three choices. How you want your end to be depends on what choice 'I' will choose." He presented her with three choices, each more sinister than the last, sending a shiver down her spine. "One," he began, his voice dripping with malice, "I'll defile you right here, sullying your honor and breaking your mind over and over again until you willingly betray your family for me. You'll become nothing but a toy and a slave to my desires."

The second option was equally horrifying. "Two," Yun Che continued, his words laced with sadistic pleasure, "I'll break each of your fingers, one by one, before healing you and repeating the process. I'll revel in your screams of agony all night long."

Tears of fear welled in Xuanyuan Yufeng's eyes as she faced the unbearable choices laid before her. But just as despair threatened to consume her, Yun Che's demeanor shifted, his smile sending shivers down her spine.

"Luckily for you," he grinned, "I'm not inclined toward such barbarity. I'll choose the third option—a more lenient approach."

With a cruel twinkle in his eye, Yun Che revealed his true intentions. "As for the third option," he explained, his voice dripping with malice, "I'll make you a puppet. Direct control of your mind, erasing all memories of this encounter. You'll live your life as if nothing ever happened, unaware of the strings I hold over you. And one day, you'll unknowingly betray your own sacred ground, dancing to my tune as if it were your destiny."

"Go to hell!" Disgust and defiance welled up within Xuanyuan Yufeng, and in a final act of defiance, she spat in Yun Che's face. 

Seeing her resistance, Yun Che chuckled as the spat didn't even faze him. "That's it, that's the spiteful woman I know."

"Scum!" Xuanyuan Yufeng's voice rang out with defiance, her gaze ablaze with fury. "I will never betray my husband and family."

Yun Che's response was chilling in its calmness. "I am not asking you to betray them," he stated matter-of-factly, sending a shiver down her spine. "I am asking you to betray yourself."

The realization struck her like a thunderbolt, her resolve faltering in the face of Yun Che's manipulative tactics. "You won't even realize the extent of what's happening to you," he continued, his words weaving a web of dread around her. "You'll be dancing in the palm of my hand, unwittingly aiding in the destruction of your sacred ground in the future."

Fear gripped her heart as Yun Che's eyes transformed before her, the Sharingan blazing with malevolent intent. "From tomorrow onward," his voice was a sinister whisper, "you are my spy. A sleeper agent under my command, your every move is dictated by my will. Unknowingly."

"What's worse," Yun Che's voice echoed with a chilling edge, his smirk widening as he locked eyes with Xuanyuan Yufeng, "is that you will never allow that husband of yours to touch you ever again. Including other men."

With each word, he implanted the thoughts into her mind like insidious seeds, rooting themselves deep within her subconscious. It was a cruel twist of fate, a punishment for her past transgressions and a means to further solidify his control over her.

She felt her world crumble around her as Yun Che laid out his cruel plans, her pleas for mercy falling on deaf ears. "Consider it punishment," he sneered, relishing in her despair. "For your husband's obsession and your sins following after."

Tears welled in her eyes as she begged for her life, her words desperate and pleading. But Yun Che remained unmoved, his grip tightening on her fate. "Your life and death," he declared coldly, "are in my hands alone."

He was implanting his order for her not to commit suicide.

"Please, Lord Yun, spare me!" Xuanyuan Yufeng's cries echoed in the empty space, her voice filled with anguish and desperation. But her pleas fell upon deaf ears.

"If you were merely a woman who loved her husband," Yun Che's voice dripped with disdain, his Sharingan swirling ominously, "you would seek to win him back, not resort to senseless violence. But alas, you prove yourself to be a different breed altogether."

With a flick of his wrist, Yun Che lifted Xuanyuan Yufeng into the air by her garments, her pleas for mercy falling on deaf ears. The Sharingan glowed with an eerie intensity as Yun Che imposed his will upon her, the spinning Tomoe amplifying its effects until her cries were silenced by the overwhelming force of his command.

"Forget everything," his words reverberated through her mind, a chilling decree that echoed in the depths of her consciousness. "You belong to me now, Xuanyuan Yufeng."

A blood-curdling scream tore through the air as her mind was reshaped, her identity twisted and distorted until she existed only as a vessel for Yun Che's desires. Resetting her back to her original settings. Once a thorn in his side in the real novel, she was now a weapon to be wielded against her own sacred ground—a cruel irony that did not escape Yun Che's notice.

The main culprit responsible for setting in motion the chain of events that threatened the future of Little Fairy and Frozen Cloud Asgard was no more. In her place stood a formidable weapon poised to strike against the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region—a force to be reckoned with in the battle for power and supremacy.

With Xuanyuan Yufeng now firmly under his control, Yun Che had transformed her from a pawn of obsession into a weapon of vengeance. The desire to unleash his wrath upon her surged within him, fueled by the memories of her past misdeeds. He entertained the notion of subjecting her to 72 hours of torturous punishment, a fitting retribution for her crimes. However, a twinge of restraint held him back.

Tsukuyomi, his ultimate Dojutsu technique of torment, remained locked within him, inaccessible for now. Moreover, despite her transgressions in the real novel, Xuanyuan Yufeng was, in essence, still innocent of any current crimes in this timeline. He couldn't bring himself to unleash his full fury upon her without justification.

Instead, he opted for a different form of punishment, one that violated her mind and twisted her thoughts until she became naught but a puppet dancing to his whims. It was a punishment fitting for her future crimes, a fate worse than any physical torment he could inflict upon her.

"Well now, let's see what secrets you hold," Yun Che mused as the Sharingan was not also commanding her, but scanning her memories for secrets.

In the depths of Xuanyuan Yufeng's memories, Yun Che uncovered a dark and twisted truth hidden in a locked memory that sent a chill down his spine.

It was a tale of manipulation and deception woven by Ling Yuefeng, her husband, who had ensnared her heart with a vile concoction known as the Eternal Love Potion. Driven by an insatiable desire to possess her similar to his desire to possess Little Fairy, Ling Yuefeng had resorted to desperate measures to ensure her affections, including coercing her into marriage through the potion's influence despite her father's objection and even bore him two children.

As Yun Che delved deeper into the memories, he witnessed the tragic transformation of Xuanyuan Yufeng from a spirited young woman to a docile obsessive puppet, her love for Ling Yuefeng warped and manipulated by the potion's dark magic. She had been forced into a marriage she never truly desired, her every emotion bound to Ling Yuefeng's will. Shaping her into a graceful, but wicked and arrogant person.

But even as Xuanyuan Yufeng played the role of the devoted wife, her husband's heart belonged to another woman—Little Fairy or Chu Yuechan. Since then, her obsession had only amplified her hatred.

In the real novel, this resentment deepened further upon discovering that her eldest son harbored affection for Xia Qingyue. From then on, her fixation turned toward decimating Frozen Cloud Asgard, going as far as dispatching assassins from her sacred ground to hunt down Little Fairy. This forced her into hiding within the Phoenix Clan.

Yun Che shook his head as he realized the extent of Ling Yuefeng's depravity. To force someone into such a twisted semblance of love in the desire to obtain her was nothing short of monstrous. And yet, even under the influence of the potion, Xuanyuan Yufeng's true nature simmered beneath the surface, her heart a cauldron of suppressed hatred and resentment for more than twenty years.

But fate had a cruel twist in store for Ling Yuefeng in the real novel. The effects of the Eternal Love potion, sensing Xuanyuan Yufeng's growing jealousy and rage toward Little Fairy, turned against its creator, amplifying her obsessive tendencies to dangerous levels, to the point of involving the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region and refusing to help the Frozen Cloud Asgard when it was attacked.

In his quest to maintain his marriage and his standing within the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region, Ling Yuefeng had sacrificed his dignity, honor, and integrity, allowing his wife's whims to dictate his actions. He had become a slave to her obsession, powerless to defy her will. Her obsession with love became an obsession of hatred.

"Looks like karma caught up to him in the end," Yun Che muttered, a bitter edge to his tone as he surveyed the aftermath of Ling Yuefeng's twisted manipulation in the later chapters of the real novel. Xuanyuan Yufeng met a tragic fate as she chose to end her own life in the later chapters. The current Yun Che saw it as a way to end her forced obsession or more like an end that wouldn't affect his friendship with her youngest son, Ling Jie.

Yun Che's heart was heavy with the weight of his discovery. With a mixture of pity and revulsion, he administered the Ancient Potion to cleanse Xuanyuan Yufeng of the Eternal Love Potion's debuff that clouded her for two decades. She was already ensnared by his Sharingan, an unwilling pawn in his intricate game of manipulation, and there was no need for her to suffer from its effect any longer.

Moreover, he was cleansing her because of another thing.

"I can't have her turning her obsession toward me, hatred or not." Yun Che murmured to himself, his gaze lingering on Xuanyuan Yufeng's now serene expression. She may have been a pawn in Ling Yuefeng's twisted game, but she had unknowingly become a tool in his own quest for vengeance against the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region.

As for Ling Yuefeng, he had plans for him later. Leaving Xuanyuan Yufeng to her slumber, he removed the Kido mute barrier before disappearing from the area.

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Ling Yuefeng's heart clenched with worry as he discovered his wife lying unconscious on the ground of their courtyard. Rushing to her side, he knelt beside her, his voice laced with concern.

"My wife! Why are you sleeping here? What happened?!" he exclaimed, his words echoing in the stillness of the morning air.

But his wife remained unresponsive, her slumber unbroken. With a furrowed brow, Ling Yuefeng gently lifted her into his arms, cradling her close as he carried her back to their room.

Little did he know, however, that beneath her peaceful exterior, a storm was brewing—a storm of manipulation and deceit that threatened to shatter the fragile peace of their once-forced happy home. As Yun Che's insidious influence took root in her mind, the seeds of discord were sown, setting the stage for a confrontation that would change the course of their lives forever.

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Ling Yun stepped out of his room, hoping to clear his head. It had been two weeks, yet the memory of Retsu and Mio lingered in his mind like an enchanting melody. Their sudden appearance back at the Imperial Palace had stirred something deep within him, igniting a fire of desire that refused to be extinguished. Even within the confines of the tournament, their veiled faces had tantalized him, leaving him yearning for more. It was as if their mere presence had turned him into a bumbling fool, consumed by jealousy at the thought of others praising their beauty.

He couldn't deny the allure of their jade-white skin, their lips as red and rosy as freshly bloomed roses, their eyes reminiscent of the vast, captivating sea, and their hair flowing like strands of silk. It was a combination of beauty and charm so exquisite that it left him spellbound. And to his delight, there were not one, but two of them. The intensity of his feelings was unprecedented, rendering him unable to focus on anything else, even his cultivation.

During the tournament's first round, he had secretly hoped for Retsu and Mio to cast their gaze upon his battle arena, but to his disappointment, they remained indifferent. The longing in his heart grew with each passing moment, driving him to seek their attention at any cost.

As Ling Yun made his way stealthily towards the Blue Wind Imperial Family's courtyard, his mind seethed with jealousy and desire. He couldn't shake the image of Retsu and Mio's veiled faces from his thoughts, nor could he quell the burning need to see them again. The sight of them fawning over Yun Che during the tournament only fueled his envy, intensifying his resolve to steal another glance at them.

Entering the courtyard with caution, Ling Yun moved like a shadow, slipping through the darkness unnoticed. He was driven by memories of the day he had encountered Retsu and Mio in the palace, where his uncontrollable lust had led to a humiliating incident. The memory of their disgusted expressions only fueled his determination to see them once more, to prove himself worthy of their attention.

As he approached the small pavilion in the center of the fishpond, his heart raced with anticipation. But to his surprise, he was met not by Retsu and Mio, but by another figure—a woman of ethereal beauty, akin to a fairy descended from the heavens. She bore a striking resemblance to the celestial beings he had seen behind the heavenly goddess during the tournament, her presence captivating and enchanting.

Caught off guard by the woman's unexpected presence, Ling Yun's mind raced with questions. Who was she, and what was her connection to Retsu and Mio? With a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, he watched from the shadows, his desire to uncover the truth outweighing his sense of caution.

She was sitting at the edge of the pond all by herself, her graceful movements captivating Ling Yun's attention. She seemed at one with the serene surroundings, her presence exuding an air of tranquility. As he observed her, Ling Yun's heart fluttered with an unfamiliar emotion, a longing he couldn't quite place.

The woman was slender and youthful, her green eyes holding a depth that drew him in. Her long, black hair was pulled back into a braid, framing her delicate features. Clad in a simple pink yukata, she radiated a natural beauty that left Ling Yun breathless. She appeared as if she had descended from the heavens itself, her ethereal aura reminiscent of the fairies Retsu and Mio.

Unable to resist the pull of her gaze, Ling Yun stepped out from the shadows, revealing himself before the woman. His heart pounded in his chest as their eyes met, his words stumbling out in a clumsy attempt to speak to her.

"D-dear fairy… what… is… your name?" he managed to stutter, his voice barely above a whisper.

The woman regarded him with a hint of confusion, her demeanor calm and composed. "Unohana Nemuri, desu," she replied simply, her tone gentle yet enigmatic. She seemed unperturbed by Ling Yun's presence as if she held secrets of her own that she was not yet ready to reveal.

Ling Yun's heart raced with excitement as he gazed upon this Unohana Nemuri, feeling a surge of affection that rivaled what he felt for Retsu and Mio. The realization that there was now a third enchanting woman in his life filled him with both delight and uncertainty.

"Unohana… are you perhaps… her sister?" he ventured, his voice trembling with anticipation.

"Hai... May I ask who you might be?" the fairy responded, her serene demeanor contrasting sharply with Ling Yun's flustered state.

Struggling to compose himself, Ling Yun found himself overwhelmed by the woman's presence, his heart pounding in his chest. He stumbled over his words, his mind racing as he attempted to convey his feelings.

"Sculptured from the heavens itself… Lady Unohana… will you have the honors of becoming my..…" he began, his voice trailing off as he searched for the right words.

"Ara… Who might you be?"

Before Ling Yun could finish his declaration, he was interrupted by a familiar enchanting voice, causing him to turn in surprise. To his astonishment, he saw Retsu and Mio standing before him, their veils removed to reveal their stunning features. Retsu was dressed in a dark pink yukata adorned with a light pink haori, while Mio wore a simple white yukata. Their natural beauty was breathtaking, leaving Ling Yun momentarily speechless.

With Retsu carrying cups and a teapot, and Mio holding a plate of rice crackers, they appeared entirely at ease, as if they were unaware of the effect they had on him or they were aware of it judging from their first encounter. Ling Yun's heart raced with a mixture of awe and longing as he beheld their radiant forms, his mind swirling with emotions he struggled to comprehend.

Ling Yun trembled with a mixture of awe and nervousness, his eyes fixed on the breathtaking sight before him. Retsu and Mio, adorned in casual attire, exuded an otherworldly beauty that left him speechless. He had never seen them in such a state of natural elegance, and the sight was enough to overwhelm his senses.

Unable to tear his gaze away, Ling Yun found himself lost in admiration as Retsu let her hair cascade down her back, her beauty enhanced by the simplicity of her attire. And Mio, with her graceful demeanor and ethereal presence, only added to the enchantment of the moment.

However, his reverie was abruptly shattered by Retsu's cold voice, reminding him of their previous encounter and the disdain they had shown him.

"You again? Do you have business with my little sister this time? Haven't you humiliated yourself enough?" Retsu's words cut through the air like ice, her tone tinged with unmistakable hostility.

"Maybe I should feed him to the spiders back then." Mio's sigh only served to underscore the tension in the air, her suggestion of feeding him to spiders sending a shiver down Ling Yun's spine.

"Lady Ret…"

Summoning his courage, Ling Yun attempted to address the three heavenly beauties before him, but before he could speak, Retsu interjected with a sharp rebuke.

"It's Lady Unohana… Please don't ever use my first name," she commanded, her words dripping with disdain.

"Heavenly…" Ling Yun tried again to address Mio, only to be met with a disdainful rebuke that pierced through his hopes like a dagger.

"It's Lady Butterfly. You are unfit to call us by our first names," Mio declared, her voice carrying a firmness that brooked no argument. She had learned the significance of names from the Japanese culture infused into her consciousness, understanding the importance of preserving the sanctity of such personal identifiers. Her name, bestowed upon her by her beloved, was not something to be tossed around lightly by someone unworthy.

Retsu echoed her sentiment with a sigh, her patience wearing thin with Ling Yun's persistent attempts to breach their boundaries. His delusions were becoming increasingly intolerable.

Hearing their refusal to even allow him the privilege of using their names, Ling Yun gritted his teeth in frustration. "Then, am I not dear to you?"

Retsu's exasperation was palpable as she responded in a tone that matched her sister's coldness. "What kind of question is that? Yes, our answer is yes. Now, please leave before I am forced to employ necessary force to remove you."

"Unless you wanted to faint again," Mio added.

Mio's threat hung in the air like a heavy cloud, reminding Ling Yun of his previous humiliation when he had fainted in their presence. It was a memory he wished he could erase, but one that they seemed all too eager to bring back to the forefront of his mind.

Ling Yun has officially turned cuckoo. He started to view himself as someone worthy of their affection. Even so far as getting jealous of whoever talks about them. He even beats up several disciples for praising Retsu's beauty. "Lady Unohana…Lady Butterfly… Why… just why I don't deserve your affection? Am I not worthy?"

"You never were and never will be," Retsu declared with disdain, her words cutting through Ling Yun's feeble attempts at asserting his status.

Ling Yun, grasping at straws, tried to assert his position as the young master of the Heavenly Sword Villa, hoping it would earn him some respect. "But… I am the Heavenly Sword Villa's young master…"

"We don't care. Now, leave before I beat you up for speaking to my little sister," Retsu retorted icily, her patience worn thin by Ling Yun's persistence.

Mio, equally unimpressed by his attempts to flaunt his status, issued her own threat. "If you dare come again, I'll make sure you properly court death." Ling Yun recoiled at the intensity in her gaze, recalling the terrifying power that had overwhelmed him before.

Realizing he had overstayed his welcome, Ling Yun beat a hasty retreat, unwilling to face the wrath of the formidable women before him. As he departed, he could hear Mio grumble about their arrogance, while Retsu shifted her attention to Nemu, assuming a protective stance.

"Nemu-chan… you mustn't give your name easily like that," Retsu admonished gently, her sisterly concern evident in her voice.

Nemu bowed her head in apology, acknowledging her mistake. "Hai… Nee-sama… My deepest apologies. Who is that man?"

"He's nothing but a big pervert," Retsu replied with a sigh, her irritation palpable. "Mou… and again, It's nee-chan. Now then, shall we have tea…? Mio-chan, don't finish all the snacks by yourself, for the second time."

"I can't help it. The rice crackers are delicious. Retsu-chan, tea?" With a playful smile, Mio continued munching on the rice crackers, her enjoyment evident as Retsu poured her a cup of tea.

Moments after emerging from the ancient-style baths, Yun Che, clad in a pale blue yukata, expressed his ongoing struggle with the unfamiliar facilities. Sensing the presence of a peeping tom, he decided to leave it to his girls, knowing well their intolerance for such behavior, especially considering past incidents in the palace. "Sorry girls… I never understand how ancient bathrooms work."

"Yuu-kun...Please join us. We poured one for you as well," Retsu beckoned with a beautiful smile, her warmth radiating as if welcoming her future husband.

Yun Che gratefully accepted the offered teacup and savored its contents, finding solace in the warmth of the tea amidst the night. "Don't mind if I do. So, I assume the pest is taken care of?"

Retsu confirmed, her expression tinged with frustration. "Yes… He was targeting our Nemu. *Sigh… bunch of perverts."

Curious about Cang Yue's whereabouts, Mio inquired, setting down the plate of rice crackers, though she had already helped herself to half. "Where's Little Yue?"

"She's gathering Moon Energy since tonight is a full moon. Might be up all night," Yun Che explained before noticing Retsu and Mio leaning against him, each claiming a shoulder, while Nemu boldly settled herself onto his lap, resting her head against his chest. He welcomed the affection, though he couldn't help but wonder if Nemu was taking cues from someone else.

Meanwhile, Ling Yun, still lurking in the shadows, seethed with jealousy upon witnessing Yun Che's intimate moment with the three heavenly beauties. Gripping his fist tightly, blood trickled from his clenched fingers as he vowed revenge. "Yun Che… I will kill you and take those beauties off your hands."

Determined to confront Yun Che in the upcoming rounds, Ling Yun harbored dark intentions, convinced that victory would grant him ownership of the women he desired.

--------------------------

As dawn broke and the morning sun cast its golden rays upon the tranquil courtyard, Xuanyuan Yufeng stirred from her slumber, the remnants of her obsessive personality fading like dissipating mist. But as she rose from her bed, a sense of disorientation washed over her, as if waking from a strange and unsettling dream.

Gone was the all-consuming love she once harbored for Ling Yuefeng, replaced by a cold detachment that chilled her to the bone. The memories of her obsession with Little Fairy and her relentless pursuit of vengeance against her felt like fragments of a distant past, a twisted reality she could scarcely comprehend.

As she moved through the main villa, the familiar sights and sounds felt oddly foreign, as if she were seeing them for the first time. Her gaze lingered on Ling Yuefeng, her husband, but the warmth and affection she once felt were now replaced by a hollow emptiness—a cruel twist of fate orchestrated by unseen forces.

"My wife, what happened to you?" Ling Yuefeng's voice carried a note of concern as he gazed upon Xuanyuan Yufeng, his brow furrowed with worry. "Why did you sleep in the courtyard? I had to carry you in after my meeting with the sect elders last night."

But despite his gentle inquiry, Xuanyuan Yufeng's gaze remained distant, her eyes clouded with an emptiness that sent a shiver down Ling Yuefeng's spine. It was as if the woman before him was a mere shell of the wife he once knew—a phantom haunting the halls of their once-happy home.

"My wife?" Ling Yuefeng reached out to touch her, his hand trembling with uncertainty, but she recoiled as if his touch burned like fire. The gesture was instinctive, a silent rejection that cut deeper than any words could convey.

Confusion etched itself across Ling Yuefeng's features as he tried again, only to be met with the same cold distance.

Meanwhile, Xuanyuan Yufeng sat at the table, her movements mechanical as she ate her breakfast in silence. The weight that had once shackled her heart seemed to have lifted, leaving behind a sense of liberation she had never known. The memories of her obsessive love for her husband felt like distant echoes, fading into the recesses of her mind like whispers on the wind.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Xuanyuan Yufeng felt free—free from the chains of her own obsession, free from the suffocating grip of the Eternal Love Potion that had bound her to Ling Yuefeng's will.

Unbeknownst to her, the Sharingan's insidious command lay dormant within her mind, a ticking time bomb waiting to be triggered by its master's will. She would go about her days, unaware of the puppet strings that bound her actions to another's bidding, her every move dictated by forces beyond her control.