As was his custom after a great battle, Fang Cheng needed to unwind with a relaxing bath.

Ye Yan knew her husband’s habits. She wrapped her arms around his back and whispered, "Darling, let’s have Die’Er and Qing’Er prepare everything. We’ll join you for a bath to help you relax."

Fang Cheng chuckled. "My dear wife knows me best."

Hearing this, Die’Er and Dong Qing, who were standing behind them, immediately turned and went to prepare the bath.

Demon Lion Peak had also been attacked by the Fire Leaves of the Red Sun Divine Tree, but on the whole, the damage was superficial. Only some buildings and Spirit Fields had been lost, while the Spirit Veins and Cave Mansions on the mountain were largely unharmed.

Ye Yan and the other two women had been in seclusion, cultivating. When they sensed the cataclysmic battle raging outside, they had all rushed out in a panic. Their anxiety and worry were immense, especially when they couldn’t find Fang Cheng anywhere.

A disaster of this magnitude was a once-in-a-century event in the Abyssal Marsh.

Even in the five-thousand-year history of the Yinluo Sect, moments this perilous could be counted on one hand.

They all felt as if they were witnessing history in the making.

Soon, Fang Cheng was soaking comfortably in a warm bath, his three beautiful wives in his arms, recounting the story of the Flame God Palace’s assault.

In truth, Fang Cheng himself didn’t know the full story. He could only surmise that the Flame God Palace’s attack was related to the elders they had killed from the Haihan Feng Family.

He pieced together the events and shared his experience with Ye Yan and the others. The peril involved went without saying.

Halfway through his story, expressions of astonishment appeared on the women’s faces. They gazed at Fang Cheng, their beautiful eyes filled with adoration and love.

In the Cultivation Realm, the strong prey on the weak. As such, most Female Cultivators were drawn to power. The sense of security that came from being with a powerful man was unparalleled. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Die’Er gasped in amazement. "Young Master, your strength now... I bet it’s even greater than Madam’s!"

The "Madam" she spoke of was, of course, Ye Yan’s mother, Madam Ye.

Fang Cheng chuckled. "We’ve never fought, so I wouldn’t dare claim I could win."

Die’Er’s almond-shaped eyes sparkled. "Young Master, you’ve only been cultivating for a few years and you’re already this powerful!" she said in a sweet voice. "Does this mean you’ll become a Supreme Elder of the Yinluo Sect one day? I still remember what you were like back at the Sword Fighting Conference on Cangwu Mountain’s Cloud Viewing Platform. It truly feels like a dream."

The young woman made no effort to hide her excitement, acting as if she herself had just received some great heavenly opportunity.

Dong Qing, who was usually quiet, also snuggled gently against Fang Cheng. Her soft, fair body pressed against his as she whispered, "My Lord will surely become the Abyssal Marsh’s peerless Demon Monarch, the likes of which is seen only once in a thousand years."

Ye Yan laughed. "You two should think bigger. My husband has his sights set on the Dharma Realm! The Yinluo Sect and the Abyssal Marsh are nothing but a tiny speck of land in comparison."

The three women, with their flower-like faces and snow-white skin, their delicate, graceful bodies shimmering beneath the water’s surface. Their cheerful chatter as they stayed by his side brought Fang Cheng a profound sense of peace.

He had escaped the raging storm and returned to a peaceful harbor.

...

Four hours later, Fang Cheng received a Flying Sword Communication from Sun Fuguo. After tidying his robes, he emerged from Canglan Cave.

He rode his Escape Light, leisurely making his way to the Peak Master’s Cave Mansion at the summit of Demon Lion Peak.

His fellow disciples, his senior brothers and sisters, had all arrived.

Sun Fuguo sat in the master’s seat, his aura profound. A faint, unpredictable Sword Intent flowed around him.

The others sat on either side, arranged according to their seniority as disciples.

Cai Li, Huang Shen, and Feng Ziang sat on one side. Fang Cheng sat on the other, next to his fourth senior sister, Master Wanqing, and his fifth senior sister, Hua Yutang.

Sun Fuguo was always a strict teacher, demanding his disciples adhere to three core principles: first, to have ambition; second, to have insight; and third, to have perseverance.

Have lofty ambitions, revere the Celestial Dao, and persevere relentlessly.

As for the third tenet, Fang Cheng had once made time to practice his sword every day, never ceasing his efforts.

But as matters grew more complicated, and with his fondness for beautiful women and worldly pleasures, he had failed to keep it up.

’If Sun Fuguo decided to test my Sword Technique, I might not be able to bluff my way through.’

However, Sun Fuguo had clearly not summoned his disciples today to test their Cultivation.

He spoke slowly. "The Earth Abyss Demon disturbance has been quelled. Senior Brother Wang of Lotus Peak has returned, but he is gravely wounded. Six Inner Sect Elders and thirteen True Disciples have fallen."

His tone was level, betraying no emotion, as if he were discussing something utterly mundane.

He paused, then continued, "The Flame God Palace suffered grievous losses in their assault on our sect. But we are no different. It was a pyrrhic outcome for both sides. The mastermind behind it all was that nun who practices Demon Skills."

"Years ago, when the Supreme Elder fought a Tier Three Demon King in the Southern Mang Mountains, he was also ambushed by this same woman..."

Hearing this, everyone’s expression grew grim.

The thought of a Life Soul Realm cultivator hiding in the shadows for years, constantly plotting against the Yinluo Sect—and nearly succeeding—was enough to send a chill down one’s spine.

Fang Cheng recalled the rumors about the Demon Buddha and was secretly appalled.

’The most formidable ability of the Demon Buddha’s lineage,’ he mused, ’is supposedly summoning Celestial Demons to the Lower Realm and then using Buddhist Techniques to purify and absorb them, strengthening themselves in the process.’

’I wonder if that nun has mastered this Divine Technique...’

’Her goal probably isn’t as simple as just destroying the Yinluo Sect. There must be a much deeper scheme at play.’

Sun Fuguo’s gaze fell upon Fang Cheng, and a rare smile broke through his stern expression. "Fang Cheng, I have been in seclusion for several years, and your progress has truly impressed me. You deserve the highest credit for helping our Yinluo Sect survive this calamity."

His two senior sisters and his second senior brother, Huang Shen, still had no idea what Fang Cheng had accomplished. They all looked over at him, curious and secretly astonished that he had earned such high praise from their master.