Chapter 6: Brother Is Here  

This little brat got into character too quickly—one moment he was still hesitant, the next he dared to pat her head and call her “little sister.”  

Qin Miaoyan, on the other hand, felt like she was the one being taken advantage of. She stomped on Li Fuguang’s firm thighs a few times while he lay unconscious on the ground before finally feeling satisfied.  

But she was also somewhat puzzled—what kind of upbringing could have fostered such an audacious personality in this brat?  

Just two days ago, he had learned she was the Valley Master of Avici Land and immediately kowtowed to her.  

Yet despite addressing her as “Your Excellency” these past two days, his words and actions showed not a trace of fear or propriety.  

With a junior like this, wouldn’t the elders in his family have beaten him to death by now?  

Of course, Qin Miaoyan didn’t know that Li Fuguang’s elders had indeed wanted to beat him—they just couldn’t catch him…  

Still, even if the process had deviated slightly from her expectations, she had ultimately achieved her goal.  

And it hadn’t even required much effort.  

So she began, with full justification, to mold Li Fuguang into the image of her former lover.  

Haste makes waste—aside from his appearance, there wasn’t a single thing about Li Fuguang that aligned with Qin Miaoyan’s preferences.  

Eating him now would be impossible.  

She’d have to shape him into something closer to the Li Xi in her memories before she could even consider taking a bite.  

Thus, early the next morning, Qin Miaoyan started by correcting Li Fuguang’s eating posture.  

At first, she offered suggestions gently and tactfully.  

But it didn’t take long for Li Fuguang to wear down her patience, exposing her true nature.  

“Stop eating so fast—were you a starving ghost in your past life?!”  

“I can’t believe this—three bites for a whole bowl of rice? Is your mouth a bottomless pit?”  

“Does shoving that much food in there actually feel good? Don’t you bite your cheeks?!”  

“Brother! Could you please stop wiping your mouth with your sleeve? Do you even know what you’re wearing? This is Silk of the Merfolk! A single foot of it is worth a fortune in the Cultivation World—priceless and impossible to buy! It could pay for nineteen of you!”  

Qin Miaoyan’s words grew increasingly cutting, her frown betraying none of the inner demons she supposedly carried.  

But no matter how blunt or harsh her words were, Li Fuguang just chuckled in response, seemingly unfazed.  

Qin Miaoyan suspected he didn’t even have a heart.  

The way he looked at her still held reverence and clarity, even with a touch of newfound familiarity.  

Qin Miaoyan felt exhausted. She hadn’t spoken this much in a single day in years—let alone with such emotion.  

She even began considering whether it would be easier to just turn him into a Puppet. Aside from his face, there wasn’t a shred of resemblance to the man in her memories.  

After all, wasn’t it just his face she was after? Dead or alive, did it really matter?  

Just as she was wrestling with this thought, Li Fuguang—after being scolded—set down his half-eaten meal and abruptly stripped off his robe.  

Due to his convalescence, his hair was half-tied, and he wore only a close-fitting inner garment—the very Silk of the Merfolk Qin Miaoyan had mentioned.  

With that layer removed, he was left bare-chested. The broad, youthful expanse of his back and his smooth, flawless skin suddenly crashed into Qin Miaoyan’s line of sight without warning.  

His skin was pale and unblemished, clearly the result of meticulous care—likely the pampered young master of some prestigious immortal sect.  

Yet his shoulders and back were far from frail. Given his height and his cultivation, his muscles were well-defined and full of vibrant, vigorous vitality.

Qin Miaoyan’s murderous intent was instantly scattered to the winds.

Her first thought was that this little brat was trying to seduce her.

But she quickly dismissed the idea. If this fool knew how to seduce, then pigs could fly—and perform sword dances while at it!

She reckoned that even if she stripped his pants off right then and there, he’d probably think she was looking for some birthmark similar to her brother’s.

So Qin Miaoyan asked curiously, “Why are you taking your clothes off?”

Li Fuguang picked up his bowl and continued eating, his cheeks stuffed with food as he spoke with that impossibly handsome face, “You said this is Silk of the Merfolk. It’s too precious. I don’t need to wear something so valuable. Let Xiao Chun put it away later.”

Quite impressive—ever since he became her “brother,” he’d even dropped most honorifics, addressing her casually as “you.” It made Qin Miaoyan feel repeatedly offended.

He said it so matter-of-factly, even managing to flash her a silly grin in between bites. His cheek dimples didn’t show, though, stuffed as they were with food.

Qin Miaoyan thought coldly, *Hmph, Puppet silk could probably fill in those dimples too, since rice can do it.*

Perhaps she’d been offended so many times that she was growing numb. Listening to his words and staring at his untouched pair of Vermilion Berries, she even found the mood to tease him playfully, “The pants are also made of Silk of the Merfolk. Why don’t you take those off too and let Xiao Chun put them away?”

Li Fuguang froze for a moment, then a faint blush crept onto his face.

Seeing his bashful expression, Qin Miaoyan perked up, thinking he’d finally caught on to her teasing. She was about to reach out and flirt with him when he blurted out, “My leg hair’s too thick. I was afraid it’d ruin your appetite.”

Qin Miaoyan: “…” *Might as well turn him into a Puppet after all!*

Li Fuguang then grinned at her again, his dimples deepening, looking utterly brainless.

*So damn annoying!*

Qin Miaoyan glared at him, gritting her teeth. “Stop smiling. When you smile, you don’t look like him anymore!”

Li Fuguang obediently wiped the smile off his face.

But some people—even when they seal their lips—let their laughter spill from their eyes, wild and unrestrained, burning holes everywhere.

Qin Miaoyan’s head throbbed from the sheer mirth radiating from his eyes.

Watching Li Fuguang’s blissfully ignorant demeanor, she seriously considered giving him something to grieve over—just to stop him from giggling all day like he’d snorted Giggle Powder.

Right then, Xiao Chun entered, kneeling respectfully on the floor. “Valley Master, Qin Hongfei requests an audience.”

Xiao Chun had the appearance of a young girl but was, in truth, a soulless, mindless Puppet.

Qin Miaoyan nodded, and Xiao Chun left.

Glad for the excuse to stop looking at Li Fuguang, she stood and said, “My eldest disciple is here to see me. I’ll go meet him.”

“Oh.”

Li Fuguang stood up too, following her. Hearing his footsteps behind her, Qin Miaoyan turned to ask what he was doing—only for him to crash into her when she suddenly stopped.

Instinctively, he reached out to steady her, pressing her face against his chest.

Less than a finger’s width away from his little berries.

Qin Miaoyan stared at the small red spheres up close, her teeth itching.

His chest was indeed quite ample—soft when not tensed, almost comparable to that of an ordinary woman. Qin Miaoyan had had many lovers, but she had never paid attention to this particular aspect of theirs.  

After all, those “little things” who knew her identity only dared to follow her orders.  

…No one would ever dare to press her against their chest like this.  

If she didn’t know that Li Fuguang was hopelessly stupid, she would have suspected he was trying to seduce her.  

But the truth was, he didn’t even realize what Qin Miaoyan truly thought of him.  

“What are you doing?!” Qin Miaoyan glared at the bare, flushed fruit of his chest right before her eyes.  

Li Fuguang steadied her by the shoulders, almost as if embracing her.  

In fact, he did wrap his arms around her briefly, then patted her head like an actual older brother.  

He didn’t foolishly call her “little sister” this time.  

But then he asked, “How’s your inner demon? Should I go with you?”  

Qin Miaoyan had no idea how his brain worked, but she also knew better than to be subtle—he wouldn’t understand anyway.  

So she said bluntly, “I won’t die from being away from you for a while. Just stay put.”  

“Oh.” Only then did Li Fuguang seem to grasp her meaning.  

But he didn’t let go of her immediately. After a moment, he patted her head twice more.  

Then, he uttered, “I’ll be here waiting for you to come back.”  

“Your brother will be here.”  

His tone was too solemn, too earnest.  

Qin Miaoyan had been seething with anger, ready to smack him, but hearing the sincerity in his voice, the vibration of his chest, she inexplicably deflated.  

She had once lied to him, telling him that during the palace coup, her brother had promised to escape with her—but she never saw him again.  

Now, somehow, she found herself on the same wavelength as this idiot’s brain. She understood what he meant.  

He was trying to tell her that this time, he would be here.  

Her brother would be here.  

If Qin Miaoyan hadn’t never had a real older brother, she might have been moved to tears—yeah, right.  

But her anger did inexplicably fade, even though she still disliked the way his deep Cheek Dimples appeared when he smiled.  

“Got it.” For the first time, she hugged Li Fuguang back—without a trace of lust.  

She also patted his smooth, resilient back dismissively. “Just wait here for me. Don’t wander around—there are formations in the courtyard.”  

As she let go and turned away, she couldn’t help adding, “Go back to eating. Don’t starve to death later.”  

Every time he ate, it gave Qin Miaoyan the impression that he was a starving ghost reincarnated—as if delaying his meal by even a breath would kill him.  

Li Fuguang chuckled and asked, “Are you gonna finish your food?”  

Without turning back, Qin Miaoyan snapped, “You eat it!” She had long noticed him eyeing her bowl.  

Every day, no matter how much Xiao Chun brought, he devoured it all. Qin Miaoyan truly wondered—just how much could this man eat?  

After Qin Miaoyan left, Li Fuguang indeed finished everything.  

Truth be told, he had been holding back—he hadn’t been eating his fill these days.  

He had always had a big appetite, one that could be called astonishing.  

His personal record was eating two Spirit Deer legs in a single meal.  

But here, as a guest in someone else’s home, eating their food, drinking their wine, receiving treatment and medicine, he couldn’t bring himself to make too many demands.  

He licked his lips and called for Xiao Chun to clear the dishes. Then, he took off his Silk of the Merfolk trousers and handed them to her, asking for a change of clothes.

“I don’t need anything this nice,” Li Fuguang felt communicating with Xiao Chun was somewhat difficult. Perhaps because she was a young girl, she was quite shy and never looked him in the eye when speaking.

Li Fuguang wasn’t the slightest bit embarrassed by Qin Miaoyan’s exposed chest—he addressed her as “Esteemed Elder” and truly revered her as a senior in his heart.

But Xiao Chun was a young girl in his eyes, so after giving her clothes and having no other replacements, he would wrap himself in blankets to talk to her, too embarrassed to even glance her way.

Xiao Chun spoke softly, shaking her head without words.

Li Fuguang raised his voice slightly, craning his neck to say, “Just change it to another fabric! The Silk of the Merfolk is too precious—I’m afraid I’ll stain it with oil while eating!”

Xiao Chun lowered her head, silently gathering the dishes.

Li Fuguang got out of bed, shuffling over wrapped in blankets, and said, “Could you give me—”

Xiao Chun suddenly looked up and blurted, “The Silk of the Merfolk undergarments in my Bedchamber are the lowest quality—there’s nothing else!”

Li Fuguang froze.

At that very moment, all the elders of Avici Land in the grand hall were equally stunned.

They stood silent, exchanging bewildered glances, utterly clueless as to why the Supreme One—who had been sitting with her eyes closed, massaging her temples in apparent displeasure—had suddenly uttered such words.

Only Qin Hongfei knew the reason.

He understood Qin Miaoyan was speaking through Xiao Chun to that “little thing” she had hidden away in her Bedchamber.

She seemed quite displeased. That “little thing” must be wearing out her patience soon.

Qin Hongfei felt inexplicably tense. Qin Miaoyan’s interests were always fleeting—a night’s passion was the norm. This time, it had already been several days. Why hadn’t she grown bored yet?

Could she be planning to take on another new disciple?

He stepped forward respectfully to extricate his master from the awkward situation.

“Esteemed elders, our master’s meaning is that this matter is not open for discussion.”

“The rule of Nether Valley has always been ‘might makes right’—each must rely on their own strength.” Qin Hongfei’s features were strikingly handsome, yet his demeanor was frostily aloof.

Standing not far from Qin Miaoyan’s side, his every word and action mirrored hers perfectly.

“If the elders have objections to the territories allocated to your disciples and wish to claim the merfolk’s lands for yourselves, by all means, go and seize them.”

“As long as you can slaughter the merfolk, you’re welcome to drag them back and boil them for supper.”

After speaking, Qin Hongfei glanced back at Qin Miaoyan.

Qin Miaoyan had always been quite satisfied with this eldest disciple. Qin Hongfei excelled at reading her moods—in the over ten years he’d been by her side, he’d never forced her to waste a single extra word.

Unlike a certain fool.

Who still couldn’t tell that Xiao Chun couldn’t independently respond to overly complex statements, forcing her to speak up during an assembly.

In her haste, she’d even forgotten to mimic Xiao Chun’s tone.

But if she hadn’t responded, she had no doubt that idiot would have kept pestering Xiao Chun about new clothes.

The elders in the hall fell silent after Qin Hongfei’s words.

Two who were discontent wanted to argue, but seeing Qin Miaoyan’s clear approval of Qin Hongfei’s stance, they dared not speak—only dark resentment flashed in their eyes.

This so-called disciple who’d only entered the valley a little over ten years ago, weak as a chick, actually dared to strut about and piss on their heads like this!

They viewed Qin Hongfei and Qin Miaoyan like a fox borrowing a tiger’s might.

Yet no matter how resentful any of them felt, none dared challenge Qin Miaoyan.

Because they had all witnessed the might of the Valley Master of Avici Land back when they were still heretical sects shunned by the Cultivation World.  

In those days, the righteous sects treated them, the heretical cultivators, as if they were demons and monsters—everyone sought to eliminate them.  

These people had all sought refuge in the valley back then, desperate for shelter and protection. Whenever the righteous cultivators came knocking to kill them, it was always Qin Miaoyan who drove the enemies back.  

Not only was she skilled in Puppetry, but she also excelled in Witchcraft. Her methods of stealing fates and altering destinies were even more terrifying than her Cocoon Soul Realm cultivation.  

Once, a valley elder had defied her, provoking her with words. Knowing she had once been involved with the previous Valley Master, he even dared to leer at her with undisguised contempt.  

That man later… rotted from his tongue all the way to his eyeballs, yet remained alive. Qin Miaoyan had people feed him ginseng soup and high-grade elixirs to prolong his suffering. He wailed in agony for over seventy days before finally dying.  

After death, his corpse transformed into countless flying insects, their wings shimmering brilliantly, swarming through Avici Valley for dozens of summers without dispersing.  

His soul had been shattered, turned into moths, trapped within a confined space, enduring the torment of a fractured spirit for years.  

Anyone who witnessed such methods would be chilled to the bone.  

From then on, no one dared to challenge Qin Miaoyan again.  

Seeing the silence among the crowd, Qin Miaoyan lazily spoke, “The elders have more and more disciples under them—that’s a good thing.”  

She raised her hand, and Qin Hongfei scurried forward like a eunuch to support her arm.  

Leaning on him, she stood like an emperor surveying his domain, gazing at the dozens of old faces she couldn’t even remember. “Now that sects across the land are eager for talent, if any elder feels Avici Valley is too small to accommodate all your disciples…”  

“You may come and go as you please. This Sovereign will not force you to stay.”  

The unspoken message was clear: stay if you want, leave if you don’t.  

The crowd broke out in cold sweat.  

They could indeed leave Avici Land and join another sect, as Qin Miaoyan suggested.  

But… in the current Cultivation World, was there any sect that could rival Avici Valley?  

Moreover, Avici Valley had an unwritten rule, much like the law of the strong: once you left, you were no longer one of them.  

Avici Valley disciples who encountered former members would show no mercy—killing, looting, and erasing all traces of their existence would go unchecked.  

And Qin Miaoyan herself had always been in cahoots with Mo Ze, the leader of the Yin Lotus Sect, the largest heretical sect in the world.  

Offend the wolf, and the hyena would come for them too.  

Entering Avici Valley was like stepping into the true eighteen layers of hell. To escape, one would have to shed eighteen layers of skin, torn and bloody, flesh separated from bone—only then could they leave.  

No one dared to utter another word. Qin Miaoyan shrugged in boredom, ready to return.  

She wondered what that fool was up to now.  

But as she released her grip, she felt a finger—light as a feather yet impossible to ignore—hook against her palm.  

A delicate, ticklish sensation.  

Her brow arched as she turned to look at her eldest disciple.