Nangong Wu!
Age: Unknown.Talent: Unknown.Class: Phoenix Goddess.Title: President of Fengwu Nine Heavens Guild.Renown: The #1 Mage of the Dragon Kingdom.Ranking: Fifteenth on the Hundred Flowers List.
As soon as she appeared, a rush of information burst into Wang Xian's mind. It was automatic—instinctive, even. After all, as a man, he was more familiar with the Hundred Flowers List than the back of his own hand.
And Nangong Wu wasn't just on that list. She was a legend: the strongest mage in Long Guo, the president of its second-ranked guild, and a woman that made men feel like NPCs just by walking into a room.
And she was standing right in front of his beat-up electric tricycle.
The two women flanking her weren't nobodies either.
In his last life, they were part of the famed "Four Guardians" surrounding Cheng Yao—Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon.
These two? Wind: Feng Luoli.And Moon: Yue Rushuang.
As for their real names? That was anyone's guess.
"You know us," Nangong Wu suddenly said, stepping forward and fixing her gaze squarely on Wang Xian's face.
Wang Xian blinked.
Damn. Women's intuition really was terrifying.
"You're thinking up an excuse," she added coolly, before he could speak.
He nearly coughed blood on the spot.
"…Well, I just thought you were pretty and got stunned for a second," Wang Xian offered weakly, faking a sheepish laugh. "That's all."
Before Nangong Wu could ask more, he turned away, calling over his shoulder, "Yaoyao, everyone's here—let's get going."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned the trike around and revved the engine.
To his surprise, Nangong Wu didn't press the issue. She only gave a small nod, her brow slightly furrowed as though deep in thought.
"Cousin," Cheng Yao whispered, giggling as she leaned on Nangong Wu's arm, "You sure you don't know him? He knew you."
"Maybe he mistook me for someone else," Nangong Wu replied softly, patting Cheng Yao's hand with a graceful smile.
Then, she turned, leapt lightly into the back of the trike, and sat down like a queen descending her throne.
Feng Luoli and Yue Rushuang followed suit, hopping in one after another.
Cheng Yao puffed her cheeks, pouted, and jumped in with an exaggerated sigh.
Still standing were the two men who had come with them. Wang Xian looked at them pointedly.
"You two not coming?"
The men said nothing.
"Forget them," Nangong Wu said flatly. "Let's go."
Wang Xian raised an eyebrow. "Alright then."
He started the trike and drove off without a second thought.
Once they left the city limits, Nangong Wu finally spoke.
"I haven't introduced us yet," she said casually from the back. "I'm Nangong Wu. These are Feng Luoli and Yue Rushuang."
"Wang Xian," he replied, feigning ignorance despite knowing them all too well.
"The name 'Xian Wang' is quite famous," Nangong Wu added with a half-smile.
"Just call me Wang Xian," he muttered awkwardly.
Gods, that nickname was going to haunt him forever. Even if it had earned him prestige in his last life, it still felt like a huge flag for getting hunted by divine beings.
Right on cue, Cheng Yao chimed in with a mischievous grin, "Uncle, I thought your name was Brother Guang?"
"…People have alts, you know. Secret accounts. Nicknames. Stuff like that," Wang Xian said with a nervous laugh.
"Hmph!"
Cheng Yao crossed her arms but said nothing else.
Then came the bombshell.
"In that case," Nangong Wu said playfully, "how about I call you 'Uncle' too, like Yaoyao does?"
"…That's really not necessary—" Wang Xian began.
"Uncle!" Cheng Yao suddenly shouted with exaggerated cheer. "Since you're my uncle, that means you're also my cousin's uncle, right?"
"Uncle~," Nangong Wu followed up immediately, her voice like silk.
"Uncle~."
"Uncle~."
Even Feng Luoli and Yue Rushuang joined in, giggling as they echoed the title.
Wang Xian's soul briefly left his body.
What had he done in a past life to deserve this?
Still, he had to admit: being called "Uncle" by the president of the Dragon Kingdom's second-ranked guild and her top lieutenants felt… kind of amazing.
"Fine, fine," he said, putting on a deadpan expression. "Call me whatever you want."
As they rode, the group fell into an easy rhythm of conversation.
Wang Xian answered questions about digitization, boss-killing techniques, and leveling strategies.
Then Nangong Wu, her eyes glittering, asked, "What's your dream?"
Wang Xian blinked.
"To become a top powerhouse, of course."
"And how do you plan to do that?"
"Level up. Do quests. Kill bosses."
Nangong Wu smiled mysteriously but didn't press further.
The mood quieted. Even chatterbox Cheng Yao went silent, her eyes turned toward the road.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the village entrance.
Rather than drive straight home, Wang Xian pulled up beside a hotpot restaurant and parked.
"You all wait here for a bit. I'll go home and get things ready."
"Why not take us straight to your place?" Cheng Yao asked, tilting her head.
"Yeah," added Nangong Wu with a serene smile. "We'd love to see your home."
"…Alright, just don't mind the mess."
He hesitated, then relented.
After all, there were still seven or eight hours until the Ghost Gate opened—and, deep down, he knew.
This might be the most powerful party he'd ever had.
And they were all calling him uncle.