Within the Sword Tower of Desolate Ancient City.

Xiao Chen suddenly opened his eyes. He had been cultivating inside the Sword Tower for an entire year. The sword intents derived from the sword principles of the twelve sword souls had already been completely mastered by him. Using those intents, he had cultivated his own sword intent to perfection.

The twelve sword souls sensed the change in Xiao Chen’s aura and couldn’t help but reveal a trace of surprise.

The Pure Yang Sword Soul said, “Xiao family boy, congratulations on stepping into the Path Union realm.”

Xiao Chen stood up and cupped his hands toward the twelve sword souls. “Thank you, seniors, for your guidance. This junior has gained much and was able to bring his sword intent to perfection.”

The Breaking Sky Sword Soul smiled and said, “No need to flatter us old fellows. Your strength and comprehension—we’ve seen it with our own eyes. I can say you're the most outstanding sword cultivator we’ve ever seen in this Sword Tower. Now that you've passed our test, you have two options.”

Xiao Chen replied, “Please speak, senior.”

“The first is to advance to the next level and witness the sword dao of the Sword Tower Spirit. The second is to let us old fellows send you out.”

After Breaking Sky Sword Soul finished speaking, all the sword souls looked at Xiao Chen with anticipation, waiting to see what choice the young man would make.

Without hesitation, Xiao Chen said, “Seniors, I wish to go upstairs and witness that senior’s sword dao.”

The sword souls seemed to have expected this answer and exchanged knowing smiles.

The Pure Yang Sword Soul said, “Very well. Since you wish to go up, we shall open the path for you. But be prepared—his temperament is quite different from ours.”

“Thank you for the reminder, senior.”

As Xiao Chen spoke, a trace of anticipation appeared in his eyes.

Twelve rays of light radiated from the sword souls. Immediately after, the stone steps leading to the seventh level of the Sword Tower appeared before him.

Without hesitation, Xiao Chen stepped toward the stairs.

———

On Miao Miao Mountain.

Chu Feng was practicing swordsmanship with Bing Yan when a system notification echoed in his mind.

“Disciple Xiao Chen has broken through to the Path Union realm, sword intent perfected. Rewarding host with eighty years of cultivation and +8 to Great Dao truth.”

Upon hearing the sound, Chu Feng sheathed his sword.

Across from him, Bing Yan noticed and looked puzzled. “Husband, did something happen?”

Chu Feng smiled. “Nothing. I was just thinking about Xiao Chen. I wonder how they're doing in Desolate Ancient City.”

Over the past year, he had gradually received notifications of other disciples breaking through.

Currently: Cao Youqian—Spirit Nurturing Stage 7, Qin Qin—Spirit Nurturing Stage 5, Wang Baole—Spirit Nurturing Stage 2, Ye Beixuan—Spirit Nurturing Stage 1, Xu Caichen—True Fate Stage 9, Han Ping—True Fate Stage 7.

In addition, that rascal Fang Mu had made some progress in cultivation. The disciples collectively gave him several hundred years of cultivation, pushing him past the four-thousand-year threshold.

Among those who entered Desolate Ancient City, only Chu Caiyi, that little girl, had yet to show any activity.

He had no idea what kind of trouble she might have encountered.

Seeing a trace of worry flash across Chu Feng’s eyes, Bing Yan spoke to comfort him, “Husband, there’s no need to worry. Though Desolate Ancient City holds many dangers, they have Uncle Yishan as their protector, and your gifted sword jades as well. Nothing will happen to them.”

Chu Feng nodded slightly. “You're right. I just miss them, having not seen them for so long. Alright, let’s continue cultivating.”

“Alright!”

Bing Yan resumed swinging her treasured sword and charged at Chu Feng.

———

In the Imperial Concubine’s underground palace of the Desolate Ancient City Royal Court.

Chu Caiyi had already been in meditation for nearly three months. Beside her, Qin Qin watched as she still hadn’t opened her eyes. Though a bit anxious, she didn’t dare to interrupt her junior sister’s cultivation.

While standing guard for Caiyi, she cultivated as well. Within this underground palace, they had discovered many rare treasures and saint-level and divine-level techniques.

One of the divine-level techniques, titled Funeral Melody of the Demon God, had captivated Qin Qin completely. She had been immersed in comprehending the piece these past days. If she could grasp the essence of the melody, her cultivation would undoubtedly advance to the next level.

Meanwhile, Chu Caiyi was continuously absorbing the memory fragments within her mind. As they merged into her, she vaguely sensed that she was about to establish contact with another Demon God.

Having successfully communicated with a Demon God once before, Chu Caiyi now remained calm, patiently awaiting the right moment.

Inside the Myriad Books Pavilion.

Xu Caichen had finally finished reading all the books on the second floor. He faintly felt his literary intent had risen again and could step into the next realm at any moment.

His gaze fell upon the artifact spirit nearby, and he cupped his hands respectfully. “Senior, this junior has finished reading all the books on the second floor and intends to move up to the next level.”

“So soon?”

The artifact spirit was momentarily stunned. Over the past days, it had been focused on studying the two essays written by Xu Caichen. After absorbing the literary aura from those two works, its soul body had grown noticeably stronger.

Xu Caichen said, “Yes, there are countless books here in the Myriad Books Pavilion. This junior has learned much and wishes to use this opportunity to perfect my literary intent.”

The artifact spirit felt a surge of envy. Stroking the illusionary beard it had conjured, it said, “Alright. But those two essays—you must let me continue studying them.”

Xu Caichen smiled. “Of course. If senior doesn’t mind, I’ll entrust those two essays to your care.”

“A deal this good?”

Only after speaking did the artifact spirit realize it had let something slip, and it gave an awkward but courteous smile.

“What I meant was—it might not be proper.”

Xu Caichen’s lips curled slightly. “There’s nothing improper about it. Senior is merely safeguarding the essays for me.”

The artifact spirit instinctively gave a thumbs-up. “Caichen, you rascal, truly a scholar through and through. I bet that mouth of yours has tricked quite a few girls, hasn’t it?”

Xu Caichen replied with utmost seriousness, “This junior is a very devoted man. In this lifetime, I’ve only had two wives.”

???

The artifact spirit stared at him, question marks all over its face, thinking, You call that devoted?

But on second thought, considering how all geniuses had multiple wives and concubines, this kid having only two could indeed be considered faithful.

“Go on upstairs. You might find exactly what you’re looking for there.”

“Farewell, senior.”

Xu Caichen said, then proceeded toward the third floor.

Meanwhile, in another part of the estate—

Wang Baole was in the kitchen, flipping a wok, while Mushroom Head tended the fire beside him.

Outside the house, Han Paopao and Mandala were tilling a spiritual field together.

Mandala looked at the sweat-drenched Han Paopao and, without thinking, took out her embroidered handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

Han Paopao didn’t refuse and kept working diligently. Seeing that he hadn’t rejected her gesture, Mandala thought to herself, So Han Gongzi does have feelings for me after all... But how should I hint to him to take the initiative and bring it up with me?

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