Your heart skipped a beat as you instantly appeared beside Jiao Mingxu. Grabbing his shoulder, you commanded, "Let's go!"

With Jiao Mingxu in tow, you abruptly ascended into the sky, swiftly flying toward Youtong County at the mountain's base. The airborne Jiao Mingxu was utterly astonished. "Senior brother, you...?!"

As a Marrow Washing realm cultivator, Jiao Mingxu fully understood what flying through the air signified. His mouth opened and closed wordlessly for a long moment.

You glanced at him calmly. "I'm at peak Essence Refining, just with a special martial technique." You chose not to mention your breakthrough into Ultimate Path Essence Refining - such earth-shattering news would only cause unnecessary trouble.

Jiao Mingxu finally relaxed with an understanding nod, though his expression suggested he only partially comprehended.

Soon, you and Jiao Mingxu arrived at Bai Chen's residence. Upon landing, you suddenly felt rather superfluous - all two hundred of Bai Chen's ex-girlfriends had gathered.

They packed the central courtyard completely, representing every age from eighteen to eighty - truly a gathering of all talents, suitable for both young and old. Yet when you appeared, the crowd automatically parted to make way. Some recognized you and knew of Bai Chen's deep respect for you, influencing the others to step aside respectfully.

Walking through the parted crowd, you entered the main house directly. Tap-tap - your crisp footsteps echoed as you entered Bai Chen's chamber.

On the bed, the listless Bai Chen seemed to sense your presence and slowly turned his head toward you. You paced to his bedside and sat down.

The eighty-three-year-old Bai Chen appeared gaunt with sunken eyes. The true qi surrounding him, like his life force, was dissipating continuously. This erosion had stripped away his ability to maintain a youthful appearance - black hair turned white, wrinkles covering his face.

His two hundred ex-girlfriends watched helplessly as the once-debauched playboy withered into a frail old man. That thing called death wasn't even leaving him with final dignity.

"Se-senior brother..." Bai Chen managed a weak smile.

After studying him quietly, you asked, "Anything you'd like to say?"

Bai Chen pondered briefly before replying serenely, "This life has been enough... what more is there to say..."

You smiled, and Bai Chen responded with a feeble chuckle of his own. Suddenly remembering something, he whispered, "Though I do still owe senior brother a meal at that high-class restaurant."

"Those expensive dishes you always disdained - now you finally want to treat me?"

Wrinkles creased into a sly smile across Bai Chen's face. "Still not treating you!"

You couldn't help laughing. "What about taking me to a brothel then?"

"Senior brother's expenses - I'll cover them all!"

"Hahahaha..."

"Hahaha..."

......

......

"The family head has passed—!!"

"Wuwuwu..." The two hundred ex-girlfriends burst into collective sobs. Bai Chen's descendants wailed openly or wept silently as grief enveloped the entire Bai residence.

In the following days, white mourning decorations filled the Bai household. Having no children of his own, Bai Chen's nephews and nieces handled the funeral arrangements according to the will he'd prepared long ago, leaving them his entire estate.

After Bai Chen's burial, you returned to Danxia Sect. For several days you felt heavy-hearted before finally readjusting your mindset and resuming pill refining.

The results weren't ideal initially, so you devoted half a month solely to pill-assisted cultivation. Signs of breakthrough began appearing in your peak Essence Refining cultivation.

You then refocused on advancing your eighth-grade pill proficiency.

Two months later

With composed expression, you lifted the cauldron lid. Four years of accumulation came to fruition as five eighth-grade pills appeared before you - your eighth-grade pill refinement had reached minor mastery!

Yet you felt little excitement, having anticipated this outcome from your prolonged dedicated efforts. You didn't inform Hu Zhongxuan, planning to further increase your proficiency for better success rates.

You weren't worried about the Earth Source dissipating - if that were truly happening, Hu Zhongxuan would certainly come find you in greater urgency than your own.

One day while concentrating on pill refining, Wan Qingluan came looking for you. Appearing in your courtyard dressed in a snow-white gown, her usually cool voice carried a hint of shyness: "Good friend, I've come to see you!"

Hearing Wan Qingluan's voice from the refining chamber brought lighthearted joy to your face. You deliberately took your time appearing in the courtyard.

"If it isn't my absolute best friend in the whole world!" you beamed brightly.

Wan Qingluan glided forward on lotus steps, stopping before you with an adoring smile. You pulled her slender waist close - feeling your vigor return instantly.

"Senior brother!" Ruan Bai chose that moment to appear.

Your calm glance made Ruan Bai's eyelids twitch. He immediately scratched his head and smoothly changed direction: "Huh? How did I get lost? Danxia Sect is simply too big..."

Ruan Bai vanished in a puff of smoke.

Wan Qingluan blinked. "Who was that?"

"Just some passerby."

"Oh."

You grinned. "Did you need something?"

"Nothing really," Wan Qingluan replied with cool yet coy affectation.

"Good, because I need something from you."

"What?"

"Ah~"

Suddenly sweeping Wan Qingluan up, you positioned her legs around your waist, gently supporting her soft bottom. "You'll find out inside!"

Carrying the fragrant, pliant Wan Qingluan toward the bedroom, you felt her nestle her head against your broad shoulder, content to be taken wherever you wished.

Soon, sounds emerged from the room:

Clangs and bangs, creaks and squeaks, giggles and moans...

Three days and nights later

In the room, you lay embracing each other in sleep. Wan Qingluan's face radiated satisfaction, while you had thoroughly reclaimed masculine dignity.

Mutual victory.

After sharing post-coital smoke, you both calmed down. Wan Qingluan mentioned Great Qian and Jin Yue Nation were at war again.

"Fighting again? Has another Earth Source appeared?" you asked.

Wan Qingluan nuzzled into your chest. "No, this time Great Qian initiated the attack suddenly. No one knows why."

Your brow furrowed slightly. "Great Qian actively attacking Jin Yue..." you mused silently.

Last time, due to Li Anlong's poor decisions, the martial world's Ultimate Grandmasters had realized they couldn't work with him, so none came to assist now. Yet despite this, Great Qian's offensive was shockingly fierce, displaying confidence suggesting intent to annihilate Jin Yue entirely.

"Where is Li Anlong getting this confidence?" you murmured.

"Unknown. But recently our sect leader has been holding frequent secret meetings with other sect leaders - they're definitely plotting something."

Your eyes showed puzzlement. "Li Anlong suddenly attacks Jin Yue while the Ultimate Grandmasters secretly conspire... feels like something major is coming!"

You sensed this situation would explode into something massive, likely affecting you and Hu Zhongxuan.

"No more delays. Starting tomorrow, I must focus on advancing pill refinement!" you resolved.

Next day:

Indulged in shameless activities with Wan Qingluan

Third day:

"No more wallowing in feminine charms! Must refine pills!"

Fourth day:

Wallowed in feminine charms

Fifth day:

"He Yu! How could you sink so low! Have you forgotten your pill refinement plans?"

Sixth day:

Indulged... indulged...

Seventh day:

Wan Qingluan considerately left to avoid further distraction. You finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Before departing, you asked again what wish she'd made to Yan Zhixue that time. When she still refused to answer, you administered a disciplinary spank to her backside.

As she left, her gaze upon your retreating figure was profound and unreadable, pupils trembling slightly.