Ye Tinglan paid a heavy price for her demon.

“Shishu” ordered his Shizhi Nü, the sect leader, to keep her legs together. After hundreds of sessions of “clipping the boat,” they both collapsed onto the bed, resting in each other’s arms.

“Is there something wrong with you…?” Ye Tinglan nestled into his shoulder, caught between tears and laughter. “Most people facing this kind of ethical dilemma would hesitate at least a little, but you just get more excited!”

“Our situation is different!” Lu Xingzhou declared, his voice full of righteousness. “Before, you had so many identities, it was complicated. Now, no matter who you are—whether you need to act like the Shengzhu in public, or you’re Ye Zhuoyu, a teacher at the Alchemy Academy, or even Shimei Yan Jun Yuan Muyu—I can now simply call you Shizhi Nü. It’s simple and doesn’t strain my brain. Feng Lao truly is a good person! Oh, by the way, who is he…?”

“He’s already accepted you as an unregistered disciple, yet you don’t even know who he is!” Ye Tinglan burst out laughing. “Feng Shishuzu’s name is Feng Ziliu. It’s said that in his youth, he was also a prominent and extravagant figure. Later, for some unknown reason, he became disillusioned and retired very early on. Since then, he has only managed the Sutra Repository and asked nothing else. No one knows what his current cultivation level is, but there’s no need to test him. If he’s a First Grade, his lifespan should be nearing its end. If he can continue to live longer, then he’s undoubtedly an Ultra Grade.”

“A man with a story…” Lu Xingzhou sighed. “Good thing the Qing generation isn’t his.”

Ye Tinglan: “?”

Lu Xingzhou whispered, “We met by chance, and he helped me this time. I will definitely repay him.”

Ye Tinglan’s eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled. “It’s good that you have that thought, but you just broke through to Third Grade, and your Heart Demon tribulation still needed Shizhi Nü to help you dispel it. Thinking about repaying an Ultra Grade for no reason, hmph hmph.”

Lu Xingzhou then laughed and reached for Tianyao Peak. “Don’t Ultra Grades need help? At least to relieve an itch, right?”

“Get lost, no good deed goes unpunished.”

Lu Xingzhou knew that Ye Tinglan’s seductive behavior had a purpose. For example, this time she brought him into her bedchamber to deal with the after-effects of the Heart Demon, not because she was itchy.

He worried whether the thought containing the little white hair had truly been resolved. After countless attempts at introspection, it genuinely seemed to be fine, and he finally felt relieved, sighing, “It’s good to have backup. If I were a rogue cultivator and didn’t notice my own after-effects, something bad would happen sooner or later.”

Ye Tinglan hummed twice, proudly. “That also depends on what kind of backup it is.”

The world’s number one backup is here. That little hussy at your home is still clamoring to be your backup. Is she even qualified?

Lu Xingzhou, of course, knew who she was referring to and buried his head in her chest, a wry smile on his face. “My夫人 is the best…”

“Not Shizhi Nü anymore?”

“As it is…”

“Zongzhu.” Someone reported from outside the door, “The disciples’ sparring matches have concluded, and the other two alternate contestants have also been chosen.”

Ye Tinglan sat lazily in front of her dressing mirror, with Lu Xingzhou combing her hair from behind. Hearing the report, she tried to adopt a cool, detached tone. “Oh? Who are they?”

“One is Xiao Qingya, and the other is Lu Nuonuo.”

Lu Xingzhou’s hand trembled, almost pulling out one of Ye Tinglan’s hairs.

Ye Tinglan was also very surprised. “Although Lu Nuonuo is extremely talented, she is only a Fourth Grade Upper Tier. Previously, the elders all insisted on Third Grade cultivators. What happened to that principle?”

“They said that just serving as a mascot would be enough for our Holy Land to showcase its prestige in front of others.”

“…How vulgar. Does our Holy Land need such a display of prestige?”

“Uh… then should I reject it?”

“If we truly want to display prestige, it must at least be a Third Grade. Pass on my order, let Lu Nuonuo enter the Yaochi Secret Realm for three days of cultivation.”

“…Yes.”

Lu Xingzhou quietly said, “You let Qingli cultivate for three days, then you let Anuo cultivate for three days. What are your intentions?”

Ye Tinglan hummed, “My heartfelt concern and love for my disciples.”

Lu Xingzhou didn’t believe a single word.

Of course, from Ye Tinglan’s tone, the so-called Yaochi Secret Realm should be one of Tianyao Holy Land’s most renowned cultivation secret places. It should be a great fortune for Anuo. Naturally, he wouldn’t ungraciously refuse on Anuo’s behalf; perhaps Anuo’s Third Grade fortune lay within.

So he said, “What about me? Can I also have a secret realm?”

Ye Tinglan glared at him. “Is the spiritual energy here not enough for your cultivation?”

Lu Xingzhou embraced her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. Together, they admired their reflections intimately in the mirror.

“In terms of spiritual energy alone, there are many places to cultivate, such as the Danxia Secret Realm, and even the Sutra Repository from earlier. But I want other unique challenges, like Qingli’s Myriad Sword Tomb; it sounds perfect for honing her sword intent. Tianyao Holy Land has deep foundations; there must be something suitable for me?”

Ye Tinglan couldn’t resist her young man’s persistence and finally said, “Yes, yes, yes. A place to deduce the power of the Five Elements and harmonize the forces of water and fire would suit you. However, this Five Elements Ruin is adjacent to the Myriad Sword Tomb. You must be careful not to accidentally enter the Myriad Sword Tomb’s range. That kind of sharp sword intent is not very suitable for you; it could easily cause you harm.”

Lu Xingzhou said, “Qingli is there, so we can always look out for each other. How could there be such a problem?”

“Precisely because Qingli is there.” Ye Tinglan in the mirror rolled her eyes. “Today, she inexplicably challenged you publicly. I think it’s because our relationship has made Qingli seethe with anger and she’s been wanting to beat you up for a while, which is why she couldn’t hold back. Go into the Sword Tomb alone to her side, but don’t get beaten up. In today’s fight, you were clearly inferior to her, and in a place like the Myriad Sword Tomb that suits her performance, no one can save you if you get beaten.”

“If she wants to beat me, at most I’ll let her beat me once and she’ll calm down…”

“I hope so.” Ye Tinglan examined her reflection in the mirror, satisfied, and stood up. “That’s enough. I dragged you into trials, but you didn’t really learn anything. Now that we’re at Tianyao Holy Land, the main purpose is to make up for the lost cultivation time. Many places here are opportunities for you; cultivation level isn’t the only thing. You need to seize this well and not waste any more time on…”

“Waste time on what?”

Of course, she meant wasting time on matters of the heart. But here, “matters of the heart” specifically referred to her romantic affairs with Ye Tinglan. If she were to truly say it, it would be akin to saying, “Don’t be with me these past few days,” and how could Ye Tinglan say that?

Moreover, today’s intimacy was clearly initiated by Ye Tinglan herself, who brought him into her bedchamber and even laid the groundwork for pleasing the Dragon Ao Divine Beast, which was precisely so he could return in the future…

Ye Tinglan’s face flushed. She could only snap, “Why are you cutting me off? Anyway, if you get beaten during the Grand Competition because you’ve been thinking all sorts of things these past few days, don’t blame me for not letting you touch me!”

“Are you really letting me go to the Grand Competition?”

“Why not? Are you not a member of my Tianyao Holy Land? Even if we count from Yuan Muyu, you are.”

“…En, I am.” Lu Xingzhou hugged her, smiling. “If I get beaten, I’m not allowed to touch you… but what if I beat others?”

Ye Tinglan’s face was crimson. Although there was no one else in her bedchamber, she still furtively glanced around like a thief, then lowered her voice. “If you can perform outstandingly, help Tianyao Holy Land regain its prestige in the East Sea, and protect my reputation… then when you return, Shifu will reward you with an additional progression.”

Lu Xingzhou blinked. At first, he didn’t quite understand what kind of reward this was, but after a moment of thought, he realized what “progression” referred to.

Many innocent things had already happened between them, even the “sailing between her legs” had just occurred… if there was another progression, what could that be?

Lu Xingzhou felt a surge of adrenaline and immediately made a military pledge. “I guarantee to complete the mission! If I lose, I’ll bring my head to you!”

“What would I want your head for? If you lose, it would be more fitting to cut off your *other* head and bring it to me.”

Lu Xingzhou was speechless. “That seems to affect your happiness.”

“Go away.” Ye Tinglan pushed him towards the door. “Quickly leave. You’ve been here too long, it might cause suspicion. I’ll avoid any appearance of impropriety with the Five Elements Ruin and won’t take you there myself. A disciple will guide you.”

Just as the door was about to open, Lu Xingzhou pointed to his face. “A farewell kiss.”

Ye Tinglan pouted her red lips and kissed his face.

The soft touch vanished quickly. Soon, the bedchamber door opened, and the Shengzhu had already put on her veil, covering her red lips, resuming her cold, indifferent majesty. “Have you remembered what was said today?”

Lu Xingzhou nodded and bowed, following behind her. “I remember, thank you for the teachings. Your disciple awaits the day of even greater progress.”

Ye Tinglan clenched her slender hands, almost wanting to smash his dog head.

The disciples beside them, however, bowed with envy. “Zongzhu.”

Ye Tinglan was expressionless. “This is Lu Xingzhou, Feng Shishuzu’s unregistered disciple, and also a member of my Holy Land. He will soon represent my Holy Land in the Grand Competition in the sea. You all are to take him to the Five Elements Ruin, introduce him thoroughly, and make no mistakes.”

The disciples bowed in unison. “Yes.”

An ancient voice echoed from the air. “They don’t need to lead him. I will lead him personally.”

A figure flashed, and Feng Lao Shifu, Feng Ziliu, appeared before everyone.

Ye Tinglan politely bowed to him. “Shishuzu has always reclused in the Sutra Repository, not bothering with worldly affairs. Why today do you even have time for a small matter like guiding the way…?”

“He is my disciple; if I don’t lead him, who will?”

Ye Tinglan couldn’t help but blurt out, “What did Shishuzu see in this person?”

“To save or to harm, he chose to save. When confronting Qingli, he clearly had more violent options, but he chose healing.” Feng Ziliu sighed softly. “More importantly, this person carries the art of Fuyao. Do you think I’m so old my eyes are dim that I can’t see it?”

Wait, who is Fuyao?

Lu Xingzhou didn’t react for a moment, then heard Ye Tinglan say faintly, “Her current name is Yuan Muyu.”

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

Poor him, having known her for over ten years, this was the first time he learned Yuan Muyu’s true name.

He had even thought they were once a couple, yet he hadn’t noticed such obvious aloofness. Love truly makes people stupid.

“I don’t care what kind of fish she is,” Feng Ziliu said. “Your sisters have been at odds for ten years, and the impact on Tianyao Holy Land cannot be understated. Now that there’s an opportunity for reconciliation, I won’t let you two carelessly miss it.”

Ye Tinglan was silent for a moment, then sighed. “Shishuzu, you’ve gone to great lengths.”

Feng Ziliu waved his hand and, taking Lu Xingzhou’s arm, soared into the clouds.

Mid-air, Lu Xingzhou was about to thank him when Feng Ziliu spoke first. “What’s with the Qi of Channü Xuan Gong Dual Cultivation on you?”

Lu Xingzhou’s scalp tingled. Was that something he could talk about?