Heavens' Laughter

"Well… a good reason?" Mei Xue forced a strained smile despite the suffocating pressure weighing her down.

Her hand trembled slightly as she reached up, removing a delicate Storage Ring from her finger and holding it out:

"I can give you this Storage Ring."

Mei Xue pushed through, channeling her Qi to counteract the oppressive killing intent that made every breath feel like a battle.

The strain was clear in her movements, her chest rising and falling as she fought to maintain composure.

"Hmm~ interesting~." Feng Shen's lips curled into a faint smirk as he took the Storage Ring from the trembling hand.

Holding it up, his sharp gaze examined the ring closely.

Feng Shen's expression shifted slightly as he realized its quality:

'A Divine Treasure Grade…'

A ring of this level wasn't something just anyone could possess.

Channeling a small thread of Qi into the ring, Feng Shen peered into its vast storage.

It was larger than he expected—almost a miniature world within.

Shelves of treasures gleamed in Feng Shen's mind's eye:

Rare herbs radiating faint glows of spiritual energy, neatly stacked spiritual stones brimming with condensed power, an assortment of ancient scrolls, and so on.

"A generous offering," Feng Shen remarked, his voice smooth yet edged with cold amusement:

"I suppose I can consider this… acceptable."

Mei Xue let out a quiet sigh of relief, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly.

Even so, the weight of her actions lingered heavily in her mind. She had to admit, parting with the Storage Ring stung more than she cared to show.

The ring wasn't just a valuable treasure—it was a family heirloom, passed down through countless generations.

Its significance was immeasurable, a symbol of Mei Xue's lineage and status.

Yet, as she glanced at the young man's cold, golden eyes, she knew she'd made the right choice.

If Mei Xue hadn't surrendered something of such immense value, her head would already be on the floor.

There was no room for doubt in her mind about that.

"And~ what's the real reason for your visit to my room?" Feng Shen asked, his tone casual.

Sliding the Storage Ring onto the middle finger of his right hand, he noted how it fit perfectly, almost as if it were made for him.

The moment it settled, the ring tightened, locking securely against Feng Shen's skin.

He flexed his fingers, admiring the way the ring pulsed faintly with a hidden energy before shifting his gaze back to the woman:

"I doubt it was just about you wanting to sell your body~."

Feeling the oppressive killing intent lift, Mei Xue finally exhaled, her chest rising and falling as she steadied herself.

She shifted, sitting up on her knees with a cautious air, and lowered her head slightly, her voice softer now, almost reverent.

"The truth is…" Mei Xue began hesitantly, her words measured as though testing the waters:

"I would love nothing more than to be your wife… Or at least one of them—…"

Feng Shen simply rolled his eyes, silencing the woman with a sharp gesture of his finger.

A faint hint of mockery glinted in his golden eyes, as he let out a small laugh.

"Listen closely," Feng Shen began, his tone dripping with disdain:

"I already have a harem" He paused, spreading his arms out:

"It's made up of Power, Blood, Despair, Tears, and so on, my dear. Each one far more loyal and fulfilling than the pathetic illusions of love or lust you offer."

Feng Shen laughter faded, but his gaze remained piercing as he leaned forward slightly:

"I am a taken man," he declared with finality, his voice like steel.

There was no room in Feng Shen's heart for such trifling emotions, not when his ambitions reached far beyond such desires:

"So~ why don't you tell me the REAL reason you're here? I'm done playing~."

Mei Xue froze, her fingers instinctively clutching the hem of her robe, the delicate fabric crumpling under her tightening grip.

She swallowed hard, the sound audible in the tense silence, her throat dry.

Mei Xue knew she had crossed a line—one she couldn't afford to tread further.

"The real reason I'm here," she said, forcing herself to meet the young man's gaze, "is because the Guardian wishes to speak with you. She sent me to come and get you..."

Hearing these words, Feng Shen paused, his golden eyes narrowing in thought before he shifted his legs off the bed.

Slowly rising, he stretched his arms briefly before brushing down his robes. "I see…" he murmured, his voice calm but tinged with a hint of intrigue:

"Then it would be rude of me to refuse such an invitation."

With a practiced grace, Feng Shen adjusted his robes, the fabric falling perfectly into place.

He began making his way toward the door:

"Lead the way."

▬▬ι═══════ﺤ

"We're here," Mei Xue announced softly, her voice cutting through the silence as she halted before an imposing set of double doors.

The towering entrance loomed high above.

The man-made hallway was drenched in shadow, the pitch-black void stretching endlessly, save for the faint glow emanating from Mei Xue's Qi.

The soft illumination pulsed gently, casting eerie flickers against the smooth, obsidian surface of the doors and the walls around them.

Mei Xue glanced back. "Beyond these doors is where the Guardian awaits…"

With both hands, she pushed against the heavy doors, her muscles straining as she struggled to move them.

The hinges groaned in protest; the sound echoing ominously through the dark hallway.

Finally, the massive doors parted just enough to allow entry.

Mei Xue stepped aside, breathing lightly from the effort, and gestured forward with a respectful bow of her head. "Please, come in," she said, her voice steady despite the faint quiver in her fingers.

With his hands casually clasped behind his back, Feng Shen strolled into the room with an air of indifference.

His golden eyes scanned the space, and he couldn't help but be intrigued by his surroundings.

The entire room was constructed of pure blue crystals, their translucent surfaces glowing faintly with an ethereal light.

At the center of the room, perched on a mound of the same blue crystals, sat the Guardian:

"Vaarok thuur."

(AN: Translation: "Welcome")

The Guardian sat gracefully, her entire small form cloaked in a flowing, light blue veil that seemed to ripple with an ethereal glow.

The veil covered her from head to toe, concealing most of her features, leaving only the faint silhouette of her delicate frame visible beneath the fabric.

The only hint of the Guardian's true nature was the long, sinuous tail that emerged from behind her, its scales glistening with a faint sheen as it coiled around her.

Feng Shen's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze studying the Guardian as he took a step forward:

"To think the Guardian of the Soaring Academy hails from the Ancient Dragon Clan!" Feng Shen mused aloud, a curious smirk playing on his lips as his golden eyes gleamed:

"Now, what could a dragon possibly be doing in the Upper Realm?"

—

Feng Shen bared his teeth slightly.

Dragons, beings of immense pride and power, would never deign to step foot in such a lowly realm—at least not without a purpose.

Silence…

Seconds later…

The Guardian finally opened her mouth, despite it being very low and emotionless:

"To sahr-voth ahsaarish un draak thir nauk, thaan kul gash rathdo, iik uvaar sahzarnok, vaash khaazr zhahk, kriin ok-thaal orok."

(AN: Translation: "To satisfy your curiosity and the fact that I rudely invited you, a being of your status, I will answer simply: I was kicked out for being too weak as a child and ended up here.")

Feng Shen nodded thoughtfully, rubbing his chin as he regarded the Guardian with a hint of amusement:

"I see, I see… so, it seems you're already aware of my true identity?"

Feng Shen let out a soft chuckle.

He then strided forward with measured steps. He came to a stop just a few feet away from the Guardian:

"In that case, I'm guessing you want something from me, don't you?" Continue your saga on My Virtual Library Empire

No response…

The Guardian cast a brief glance toward the woman instructor, a silent exchange passing between them.

Understanding flickered in Mei Xue's eyes, and with a subtle nod, she turned and exited the room, closing the massive doors behind her with a soft thud.

A minute later…

"Vahlok..."

(AN: Translation: "Promise…")

"A promise?" Feng Shen raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharpening as a faint smirk tugged at his lips.

He exhaled a slow, almost exaggerated sigh, clearly unimpressed:

"If you truly know who I am, then you should know by now that I'm not a man who honors promises. My words are fleeting, and my actions are driven by what suits me at the moment. So, if it's a promise you're after, you might want to consider seeking it from someone else."

The Guardian slowly shook her head.

As she began to rise, the very air around her seemed to shift.

With each movement, the room itself trembled, as though it were not just responding to the Guardian but bending beneath her immense presence.

The ground beneath her feet seemed to ripple like the surface of water disturbed by a stone.

For a few heartbeats, the entire island felt as if it might break free from its foundations.

Then, just as quickly, the tremors ceased, and a profound silence fell over the room.

As the Guardian halted her movements, her entire form freezing in place.

With a sudden, graceful motion, she bowed her head deeply, lowering her entire body to the floor.

The Guardian's small form now lay flat against the ground:

"Ithaar. Vahr vosh zuul othar vaakahn khelir nahn drathul…"

(AN: Translation: "I know. But you're the only man in the entire cultivation world who can fulfill my wish...")

Seeing this, Feng Shen yawned, stretching lazily as he leaned back slightly. His indifferent gaze lingered over the Guardian, noting her posture with a hint of amusement.

After a moment, he flicked his wrist dismissively, his voice dripping with nonchalance:

"Well~ Seeing how you know your place, I suppose I'll entertain your little wish. Go on, then. I'm listening."