Chen Yu Yan nodded and replied, "I’ll remember. If anyone turns in the silkworm silk, I will bring it to you immediately."

As she spoke, she sent out the golden leaf. As expected, it flew high into the canopy, swaying brilliantly and drawing many gazes.

The two chatted for a while longer. Now that Fang Cheng’s Cultivation was approaching the Mid-Life Talisman Stage, even though he had restrained his aura, the faint Spiritual Pressure he exuded still made Chen Yu Yan feel instinctively reserved and awestruck.

So, Fang Cheng didn’t stay long. As he was leaving, he took out a bottle of Tier One Top-Grade Elixir and placed it on the table. "This is an elixir for advancing one’s Cultivation during the Sensing Stage," he said. "I have no use for it, so you should take it."

This bottle of elixir was from the Cultivators who had fallen at his hands. He had many Tier Two Spirit Pills and fewer Tier One, but all were of exceptional quality.

A look of gratitude appeared on Chen Yu Yan’s face. In a soft voice, she said, "Fellow Daoist Fang, thank you. I... I don’t know how I can ever repay you..."

Fang Cheng smiled breezily. "Take care," he said, then left the Immortal Residence.

...

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Fang Cheng had returned to Demon Lion Peak.

He remembered his appointment with Fifth Senior Sister, Hua Yutang, so instead of returning to Canglan Cave, he went to her Cave Mansion.

Hua Yutang’s Cave Mansion wasn’t far from Canglan Cave; the two of them were practically neighbors.

When he reached the entrance, he activated the Restriction Array. Before long, a young maid came out and, in a soft, pleasant voice, invited him in.

Hua Yutang’s Cave Mansion was spacious and brightly lit. The furnishings were both luxurious and elegant, imbued with the soft touch of a Female Cultivator, making the entire space feel exceptionally comfortable.

In the center of the Cave Mansion was a pool several yards wide, where two Golden Lotuses grew.

Beside the pool sat a stunningly beautiful woman. She wore a simple, form-fitting robe that revealed her every curve. Extending her long, shapely legs, she dipped a pair of jade-like feet into the clear water, a picture of exquisite grace.

"Senior Sister," Fang Cheng said, offering a respectful greeting.

Hua Yutang glanced back with a soft laugh. She lifted her pale feet from the water, rose, and walked over to him. "Junior Brother, you’re finally here," she teased. "Did the Supreme Elder give you any special rewards?"

As she spoke, she personally led Fang Cheng to a low table beside the pool, and they sat down as host and guest.

Fang Cheng smiled. "There were rewards, of course. Otherwise, the trip would have been for nothing."

Hua Yutang looked at him and said with feeling, "In the whole of the vast Yinluo Sect, the personal disciples and Inner Sect Disciples who get to see the Supreme Elder can be counted on one hand. Junior Brother, your future is truly limitless."

"Senior Sister, you flatter me," Fang Cheng said. "About the Spiritual Medicine you mentioned for healing the soul... what is it, exactly?"

Hua Yutang pointed to the Golden Lotuses in the pool. "It’s the seeds from these two Ninth-Grade Golden Lotuses," she said. "Once picked, the medicine’s effects only last for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. It must be consumed immediately to have any miraculous effect on healing the soul. That’s why I had you come here, Junior Brother."

Fang Cheng had indeed damaged his soul by using the Dream Spirit Secret Technique. Recovering on his own would have taken a very long time. It was truly a stroke of luck to now have a Spiritual Medicine that was the perfect remedy.

Of course, this was also related to his increased strength and the great service he had rendered to the Yinluo Sect.

Hua Yutang’s desire to build a good relationship with him was practically written all over her poised, yet alluring, face.

She likely wanted him to owe her a favor, laying the groundwork for the future.

Fang Cheng was well aware of this, so he didn’t bother with false pleasantries.

Hua Yutang took out a jug of Spirit Wine. She immediately plucked the seed pod from one of the Ninth-Grade Golden Lotuses, removed the seeds, and soaked all of them in the Spirit Wine.

"Junior Brother, drink this wine and get a good night’s sleep. Your soul will be fully restored."

Hua Yutang handed him the wine jug, her voice gentle.

Fang Cheng nodded, took the jug, and downed the Spirit Wine inside in a single gulp. He immediately felt a wave of tipsiness wash over him.

Unlike mortal liquor, the Spirit Wine of the Cultivation Realm possessed unique spiritual properties. It could intoxicate a person’s soul and Divine Sense, and the sensation was quite similar to ordinary drunkenness.

At this moment, after drinking the Spirit Wine, Fang Cheng felt his soul grow groggy and muddled. A wave of intoxication washed over him, yet within his sea of consciousness, all was calm. His soul was slowly recovering, a wonderfully comfortable sensation.

’It’s really working!’

He was overjoyed. Cupping his hands, he said, "Thank you, Senior Sister. If you ever need anything from your junior brother, you have only to ask."

Hua Yutang glanced at him and smiled, pressing her lips together. "Your words are enough for me," she said.

With that, she had the maid bring over a guqin and began to play softly.

The melody was graceful and flowing, long and tender, bringing a sense of peace to the listener’s heart.

Fang Cheng sat cross-legged on the jade mat by the pool, formed a hand seal, and began circulating his Demon Skill. All distracting thoughts vanished as he focused completely on his recovery.

In the blink of an eye, he entered a deep meditative state, becoming as still as a statue, as if he had fallen asleep.

In fact, Fang Cheng’s soul had indeed entered a deep slumber.

A miraculous power began to slowly and steadily heal his soul, making it feel as if it were soaking in a hot spring—warm, and wonderfully comfortable.

...

「An unknown amount of time passed.」

Fang Cheng slowly opened his eyes, leisurely waking up. A strange expression crossed his face. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

The Cave Mansion was quiet. There was no sign of Hua Yutang.

He was still seated on the jade mat beside the pool. The two Ninth-Grade Golden Lotuses in the water swayed gently, releasing a light, fresh fragrance.

Fang Cheng inspected his sea of consciousness and found that his soul, located in its center, was completely healed!

He stood up and swept his Divine Sense through the area. Sensing that only the maid was present in the Cave Mansion, he gave a light cough to make his presence known.

The maid immediately came out. "Sir, you’re awake," she said.

Fang Cheng asked, "How long was I asleep?"

The maid replied, "About twenty-six hours."

"When did my Senior Sister leave?" Fang Cheng asked.

The maid stood gracefully. "Shortly after you fell into a deep sleep, sir, my mistress returned to her Quiet Chamber to meditate," she said obediently. "She went out again about four hours ago."

Fang Cheng nodded. "I’ll be leaving now. When my Senior Sister returns, please tell her I will visit again another day."

"Farewell, sir." The maid escorted Fang Cheng out of the Cave Mansion.

Fang Cheng strolled leisurely toward Canglan Cave, a strange expression on his face as he kept replaying the dream he’d just had.

Strangely enough, while in Hua Yutang’s Cave Mansion, he’d had an erotic dream.

The events of the dream were even more shameful to recall—

In the dream, after he drank the wine made from the Ninth-Grade Golden Lotus seeds, he had become tipsy, his spirit groggy. Hua Yutang had then invited him to her bedroom to rest.

The dream version of Fang Cheng, for some reason, didn’t hold back and immediately agreed.

Hua Yutang led him to her private chambers and gently helped him lie down on a fragrant silk couch, attending to him with great care.

Drunk and hazy, Fang Cheng heard rain begin to fall outside the Cave Mansion. At first, it was a gentle spring drizzle, silently moistening the world.

Before long, the rain grew heavier, the pitter-patter sound becoming constant and filling his ears.

Then, it became a torrential downpour, raindrops hammering wildly against lotus leaves, producing a dense, unending, yet crisp pattering.

It continued until rainwater was overflowing, leaving the ground a muddy mess.

When he awoke, it felt like emerging from a grand dream. He was still sitting on the jade mat by the pool, not having moved an inch.

’It must have been just a dream,’ he thought. ’With my level of Cultivation, if it weren’t a dream, I would have been able to tell.’

’Could it be... because my soul was damaged, it gave rise to such a chaotic dream?’

As Fang Cheng’s thoughts turned, he recalled his Fifth Senior Sister’s behavior in the dream—all her charms and flirtatious attitudes, so different from her usual self—and it felt less and less like a dream.

’It was too real.’

’Besides, ever since I started on the path of cultivation, I’ve never had a dream like this...’

’I rarely had them in my past life, let alone now that I’ve cultivated Magical Power.’

’If it wasn’t a dream, then what was her purpose for doing that?

He frowned as a thought suddenly struck him.

’I should have taken a look at her bedroom before I left. I’ve never been inside it, after all. If it looks the same as it did in the dream, then I’ll have my answer!’

Unfortunately, it would be rather inappropriate to turn back now, re-enter Hua Yutang’s Cave Mansion, and inspect her private chambers.

He continued walking, and soon, Canglan Cave was just ahead.

Fang Cheng collected his thoughts and strode back into his own Cave Mansion.

As for the matter with Hua Yutang, he decided to put it out of his mind for now. Dream or not, the truth would eventually come to light.

...