Ever since she helped deliver that egg—er, baby—Ivy Shen was so traumatized she dashed home like she’d just rage-quit a horror game.
On the way, Liam Willow called out to her several times, panting and confused, but she completely ignored him. The honest Liam was left totally baffled—she’d been fine just a moment ago, so why was she suddenly acting like a different person? Had he accidentally said something wrong?
So with Liam Willow’s confused face in the rearview mirror, Ivy Shen ninja-slipped back into the mansion, didn’t say a word, and vanished into her own courtyard like a stealth pro.
Afterwards, Liam only saw Lana being called inside. He waited for ages but she never came out again, so he finally gave up and went to rest.
[Inside Ivy Shen’s room. Cue dramatic zoom and meme-worthy suspense.]
"You’re not kidding, right?!" Ivy Shen shot up so fast she almost turned her chair into a flying saucer.
Lana nodded so fast her ponytail almost took flight. "Of course! We’re snakes, but not monsters. No three heads, no six arms, and we’re not cat-bosses with nine lives either."
"So you’re basically just humans with tails? And if someone went chop-chop, you’d be instant snake sushi?"
"Yep!" Lana nodded again, then puffed up like a proud pigeon. "I’ve never actually seen a human, but the elders say the only difference is our tails. And we’re way more advanced, because we’re Nuwa’s VIP descendants!"
Ivy Shen’s smile twitched. More advanced than humans? These critters seriously think they’re top-tier? LMAO, peak delusion. Somebody call Animal Planet!
"Miss? Miss?" Seeing Ivy Shen’s smile stretch like a broken emoji, Lana frowned and called out softly.
*Cough cough.* Ivy Shen quickly faked a cough to hide her cringe. "Right, about that Master Xuanluo you mentioned—does he actually exist?" Her whole vibe went from derpy to laser-focused. This was her ticket home!
"Uh... I’ve only heard rumors, but everyone swears he’s real and helps tons of people. They say he’s the only one in the Soaring Phoenix Realm who can hop between the Six Realms like it’s a subway ride, and he can even peek at your past and future lives!"
"For real? Does anyone have his location dropped?" Ivy Shen was practically vibrating with hype.
"Uh, no clue," Lana said, shaking her head. "People say Master Xuanluo is always world-hopping. Anyone lucky enough to bump into him gets a cheat buff or enlightenment. Tons of folks are hunting for him, but he’s like a legendary shiny—super rare. Even the Crown Prince is on the grind! Oh, and rumor is he’s basically a foodie gremlin who loves crowds and snacks."
Ivy Shen’s eyebrows did a full-on frown. So this legendary Daoist dude was basically a walking myth. Great.
Nope, not giving up. No matter how impossible it is, Ivy Shen was going to track down this guy—or she might as well start shopping for snake diapers.
"Lana, go tell the kitchen to make a feast—like, extra snacks, okay? Summon all four serpent husbands for dinner. Also, get Steward Liu and every servant in the house to the main hall—big announcement incoming at supper." Ivy Shen announced, looking dead serious.
"Yes, miss!" Lana hurried out to get things ready.
Once Lana left, Ivy Shen stood up, eyes blazing with anime-level resolve. "Today, I, Ivy Shen, am officially rage-quitting all four snake husbands. I want my body pure—no snakey nonsense, no egg-laying, ever!"
***