With a low shout, Fang Cheng’s hands flashed through a series of seals. One after another, Spirit Light Talisman Seals landed on the restrictive barrier of the Gu Pit, blocking the path of the two Vajra Gu.

But the two Vajra Gu, having just broken through to the next tier, still rammed about wildly, ceaselessly trying to escape the Gu Pit. The light of the restrictive barrier flickered, looking as if it might collapse at any moment.

Fang Cheng slit his finger and, with a few flicks, sent two drops of his essence blood landing on each of the Vajra Gu. The blood vanished in an instant.

"Settle!"

He formed a hand seal, and the two Vajra Gu immediately fell silent. They stopped their struggling and dropped to the bottom of the pit like two golden walnuts.

Fang Cheng continued to refine them remotely for a while, solidifying the connection he felt with the Vajra Gu. Only then did he disperse the Gu Pit’s barrier and beckon with his hand, calling the two Vajra Gu to fly over and land on it.

The two Vajra Gu were about the size of walnuts. The golden color of their carapaces was deeper now, giving them a texture that was like both gold and jade.

The Spirit Patterns on the Gu Insects’ bodies were more intricate and distinct. Their mandibles were sharp and menacing, and their bean-sized, blood-red eyes glinted with ferocity. The wings on their backs were as thin and sharp as blades.

"Tier Two Early Stage!"

Fang Cheng was in high spirits. After successfully creating the Tier Two Poison Gu, he had now managed to refine two Tier Two Vajra Gu at once. He had even more trump cards at his disposal.

Just then, the clear ring of a Jade Chime sounded from outside his Cave Mansion.

He put away the Vajra Gu and strolled out of the stone chamber, only to see Ye Yan walking into the Cave Mansion, humming a little tune with a smile on her face.

His lovely wife had a graceful figure, her long skirt fluttering as she walked. Her eyes danced with mirth, a clear sign of her excellent mood.

Fang Cheng couldn’t help but ask, "What has you so happy?"

Ye Yan rolled her eyes at him and huffed, "I’m not telling you."

With that, she tapped her storage pouch. Amidst a swirl of spiritual light, several sets of elegant and exquisite furniture flew out and settled on the floor of the Cave Mansion’s main hall.

She said, "I bought some furnishings in the market city. I’m going to spend the next few days decorating this Cave Mansion. Shopkeeper Wen from Xuanzhen Studio promised to give me a Defensive Array. Why don’t you go and pick it up for me, dear husband?"

’Xuanzhen Studio, Shopkeeper Wen?’

’Isn’t that Wen Qianqian?’

Fang Cheng was taken aback. He looked at Ye Yan, wondering what she was up to. "Yan’Er, what is this...?"

Ye Yan gave him a playful pout. "Well, hurry up and go!"

Then, she gave him a sly wink.

Fang Cheng chuckled, at a loss for words. He strode over, wrapped an arm around Ye Yan’s slender waist, and planted a kiss on her fair, delicate cheek. "With a wife like you," he said, "what more could a man ask for?"

Ye Yan pushed him out of the Cave Mansion, then reached out to straighten his collar. "I’ll give you three days," she said softly. "Just remember to come home afterward."

With that, she turned and went back into the Cave Mansion, and the Stone Sect slowly closed behind her.

Fang Cheng summoned his Escape Light and shot into the sky, heading for the market city.

Since Ye Yan was clearly giving him her blessing, he decided not to be indecisive and to just follow his heart.

’It’s common for powerful cultivators to have many wives and concubines!’

’Especially for someone practicing a Demon Path Cultivation Method; it’s necessary to balance body and mind.’

It was now evening.

The sun was setting, sinking into the Daze. The brilliant colors of dusk blazed like fire, dyeing the western sky and the surface of the water a brilliant gold.

A gentle evening breeze drifted by as waterfowl circled low overhead, their calls echoing melodiously.

As he flew within his Escape Light, Fang Cheng faced the gentle breeze blowing off the water. He gazed out at the vast, boundless Daze, its surface shimmering with golden waves.

Before long, he arrived at the island where the market city was located.

He saw powerful waves crashing against the reefs on the shore, sending up thousands of droplets that danced in the air as they fell. They caught the light of the setting sun, creating a magnificent and beautiful scene that sparkled with golden light.

After entering the market city, he asked for directions and learned that Xuanzhen Studio was located in Purple Gold Alley in the southeastern district. It was quite far from the main street and rather remote.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he arrived at Purple Gold Alley. The alley was long, winding, and quiet, about ten feet wide and flanked by estates with high gates and large courtyards.

Some residents had converted the side rooms flanking their main gates into storefronts to do business. As night fell, the lights in the alley were few and far between, suggesting that business was not booming.

Fang Cheng followed the stone-paved road until he stood before Xuanzhen Studio.

The small shop was already closed for the night. Bamboo curtains covered the door and windows, over which the light of a restrictive barrier flowed, giving off a faint sense of repulsion.

Fang Cheng flicked his finger, sending a beam of sword light to strike the shop’s restrictive barrier.

DING!

Rings of light rippled across the barrier, producing a pleasant, clear chime.

A moment later, the shop door creaked open, and Wen Qianqian emerged, her movements fluid and graceful.

Seeing Fang Cheng before her, she offered a captivating smile. "You’re here. Please, come in."

Perhaps because she was at home, she was dressed in a moon-white silk robe. The garment was soft, comfortable, and perfectly tailored, clinging to her enchanting figure and accentuating her unique, mature charm.

Fang Cheng followed Wen Qianqian inside. She closed the door, reactivated the barrier, and then led him through the shop into the rear courtyard.

The courtyard was quiet and elegant, laid out like a traditional courtyard home. The east and west wings each contained three rooms, and the two-story main house had a quaint, antique charm.

Wen Qianqian led Fang Cheng to the West Wing, which served as her private chambers. The interior was warm and elegantly furnished, filled with a faint, pleasant fragrance that made the space feel comfortable and inviting.

Fang Cheng surveyed the furnishings with interest, noting that the central area was a living room for receiving guests, the room to the left was a study and Quiet Chamber, and the one to the right was her bedchamber.

Wen Qianqian brewed a pot of Spirit Tea for Fang Cheng. A delicate, refreshing fragrance filled the air, soothing the mind and spirit.

"I picked and roasted these tea leaves myself. Please, have a taste." Wen Qianqian’s pretty face was slightly flushed as she sat down at the table with him.

From Fang Cheng’s vantage point, he could see that while her waist was slender, it was also sensuously full. Her curves were tight and firm, from her ample bosom above to her rounded buttocks below. Her entire figure was a picture of graceful, exquisite lines.

Fang Cheng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said with genuine appreciation, "This is excellent tea."

He sipped his tea slowly. Neither of them spoke for a moment, and an intimate ambiguity settled over the room.

Wen Qianqian bit her lip and whispered, "I’ll go wait for you in the other room."

As she spoke, she started to rise and head for the inner chamber.

Fang Cheng set down his teacup, grabbed the beautiful woman’s wrist, and pulled her into his lap. "You were so bold back on the Yinluo Flying Ship," he asked with a laugh. "Why so shy now? You’re like a completely different person."

Wen Qianqian blushed. "That was then, and this is now. Back then, I knew you wouldn’t... but today is different."

Her tone revealed a hint of nervousness about what was to come.

"Wouldn’t what?" Fang Cheng feigned ignorance, pressing her with a serious look on his face.

At first, Wen Qianqian refused to answer, but under Fang Cheng’s relentless questioning, she finally broke. With a pouting blush, she said, "Do bad things, of course! You... can you stop bullying me?"

Her voice was so coquettish and sweet it could make a man’s bones melt.

Fang Cheng gazed at her flower-like face and thought that the ancient description was a perfect fit: "Brows, like misty hills, that seemed to frown yet did not; eyes, full of feeling, that seemed to smile yet did not."

He laughed. "So, you were deliberately trying to seduce me back then, weren’t you?"

Wen Qianqian blinked her beautiful eyes, looking at him with an innocent expression, unwilling to admit it.

Fang Cheng feigned anger. "You little vixen! Let’s see how I punish you!"

With that, he cupped her flower-like face and sealed her luscious lips with his. He forcefully parted her teeth, taking her soft, slick tongue into his mouth and sucking on it wantonly.

"Mmph..."

Wen Qianqian’s eyes flew open. Her expressive, watery eyes stared at Fang Cheng, her face a captivating mixture of shyness and embarrassment.

Her small, jade-white hands pushed weakly against Fang Cheng’s shoulders.

Her ten slender, beautiful fingers trembled, alternately clenching and uncurling. As Fang Cheng’s kiss grew more aggressive, her gaze became hazy, as if veiled by a thin layer of mist.

Gradually, her arms wound around Fang Cheng’s neck like vines. She tilted her head, closed her beautiful eyes, and began to shyly return his kiss.

Her soft, slick tongue intertwined with his, playfully chasing and teasing, mischievous to the extreme.

After a long moment, their lips parted.

A faint blush colored Wen Qianqian’s pretty face, and she seemed to glow with a newfound radiance.

Fang Cheng reached out, gently traced the line of her delicate nose with his finger, then lifted her smooth chin. He said:

"That was just a small punishment. From now on, you’re going to be just as obedient, all right?"

"I never knew you were so wicked!"

Wen Qianqian shot him a look of shy indignation, covering her full, firm breasts with her hands.

But this only made her flat stomach, the beautiful curve of her waist, and her long, straight, utterly seductive legs seem all the more provocative, enough to make one’s blood boil.

...