My Twin Sugar Mommies and Two Systems are 100 Years Late! Chapter 18.
A figure lay amid flowers, munching on fruits that looked like berries but exuded a peculiar energy that was neither Spiritual Qi nor anything that could truly be digested by cultivators.
This woman was green-haired and purple-eyed, two inches shy of six feet tall. She had particularly long, slender legs exposed through the slits of her sleeveless red dress and a face that would turn heads. Suddenly, she stopped eating and sat up calmly, then said to no one in particular, "Say, Sister [Myriad Worlds], won't our Host find us somewhat unreliable or untrustworthy once he discovers these stalkers' presence? We are Imperial-grade Systems, after all. If we say we could not detect a bunch of Soulshift ants hovering around him all along, even a brain-dead fool would not believe it."
Had Yan Anle been present, he would have instantly recognized the speaker's voice, as it belonged to his [Immortal Clan System].
Soon after, she received a reply as another lady's voice echoed into her garden-like domain: "What do you want to do then? Tell him that he is being shadowed by people he would not be able to resist no matter how hard he tried? You might just scare him into hiding in the Secret Realm like a white-faced turtle."
The Immortal Clan System pursed her soft-looking lips, her green brows slightly furrowed. "But that one-horned one has already spotted hints about the Immortal-grade Spirit Roots you gave him. Although you did a great job masking it from the detection of all living beings and artifacts, you forgot about the Laws."
Becoming an Immortal was all about gaining the ability to comprehend and potentially integrate with the Laws of Heaven and Earth—an attempt to live as long as and gain the power of the world itself. Immortal-grade Spirit Roots were defined by their immense compatibility with these Laws, which made it almost impossible for those who possessed them to not ascend, unless they lacked determination, were simply too unlucky, or died prematurely.
"Who asked our Host to be so extraordinary that he would attract the attention of such powerful figures from day one?" Myriad Worlds' voice came again, accompanied by a helpless sigh. "It's not that I did not consider it. I simply felt that with our joint help, by the time he provoked those at the peak of this world, he would already have sufficient strength to protect himself."
She paused for a few breaths before adding, "I could still mask the Spirit Roots from the Laws now, but that could raise suspicions. Besides, these ladies seem to be excited by it, making them cherish the Host more. Isn't this an unexpected boon?"
"Speaking of these ladies, I have yet to find out how they discovered the Host's extraordinary prospects." The Immortal Clan System swallowed a few more berries and lay back down. "As Demons, they traveled all the way from that war front to here specifically at this point in time, and they keep mentioning some damned prophecy. Yet, I can't find a single trace of anyone locking onto either the Host's Fate or Karma. It is truly too coincidental and strange!"
"I have investigated as well but found nothing. It is indeed worrisome," Myriad Worlds echoed. "I would have suspected that someone had ventured or peered into the River of Time, but this is a world that can't even contain Grand Unity or Mahayana beings."
The Immortal Clan System clicked her tongue. "It's such a shame that we are only Imperial-grade. Our abilities fall short, limited to those of a Zenith Heaven Immortal. If we were Divine-grade or Utmost-grade, we probably wouldn't have such a headache."
"The only thing we can do now is go with the flow while keeping our guard up," suggested Myriad Worlds.
"Indeed," the Immortal Clan System agreed. The two systems sighed in unison.
Outside the Systems' Dimension
Pan Ting returned to Yan Anle and Dou E's table after a little more than the time it takes an incense stick to burn.
"Dear guests, thank you for waiting patiently," she said, all smiles. "Your order will soon be ready."
Yan Anle glanced at her and offered his thanks, while Dou E all but ignored her.
"It is what I should do," Pan Ting said, shaking her head. "Actually, dear guest, I was wondering if you would be open to telling me your name? Mine is Pan Ting. I am a One-Crown Courtesan here."
"So, it's Miss Pan." Yan Anle took note. "My family name is Yan. You can call me Mr. Yan."
Dou E finally turned her head and flashed the lady a resentful glare. It seemed she wanted to ask: "Hey, why can't you just quietly leave after informing us of the impending arrival of the food and drinks? Why get familiar with us? Can't you see that my Young Master is up in years? As expected, girls and women in this type of place are no good. You won't even spare a centenarian!"
Of course, it wasn't that Dou E was the type to look down on others. It was just that a certain seductress with the surname Ji had been at loggerheads with her recently and had even schemed against her last night. Coupled with her indescribable feelings toward Yan Anle, her emotions were like oil in a pan.
Her blatant hostility did not go unnoticed by Pan Ting, but the courtesan showed no reaction to it whatsoever.
'Forget it, forget it. Why bicker with a young one like her? Compared to other troublesome customers who directly smashed things or did worse, she is actually a little cute,' was her thought process. 'Besides, she and this aged fellow have deep pockets. What sensible person hits a smiling face?'
"Ah, so it is Mr. Yan." Pan Ting nodded, the curve of her lips deepening as she grew more comfortable. As for suspecting him of being from the Great Yan Clan that lorded over this city and the surrounding areas, it did not even cross her mind. That surname was as common as weeds.
"Hmm, you said you are a One-Crown Courtesan? What does that mean?" Yan Anle suddenly posed a question.