SSS-Rank 10x Reward System: Accepting Disciples to Live Forever-Chapter 223: Return

With a single step, Wang Chen crossed thousands of kilometers and returned to the Phoenix and Dragon Dojo.

The familiar courtyard appeared before him.

The air there was calm and refreshing, carrying the gentle aroma of freshly grown herbs. The quiet serenity of the place stood in stark contrast to the chaos he had just left behind.

Nearby, a thin trail of clear smoke rose slowly toward the sky.

It came from Li Mie, who sat cross-legged in quiet cultivation.

Ever since her last conversation with Wang Chen, she had become completely engrossed in one goal—finding a method to push her Golden Core beyond the one-meter boundary.

Her intuition as a regressor was far from ordinary.

Through repeated attempts and instinctive experimentation, she had gradually formed a rough understanding of the path she needed to follow.

A faint soul-calming divine flame flickered at the tip of her finger.

With a small motion, the flame drifted upward and hovered above her head, gently illuminating the space around her.

But Li Mie was not the only one making progress.

Under the strict guidance of the young yet fierce Ming Yao, the two Fang sisters had advanced astonishingly quickly.

Both had successfully reached the Foundation Building Realm some time ago.

For them, it was an occasion worth celebrating.

Standing nearby, Fang Biyu stared absentmindedly toward the sky.

Her eyes looked slightly hazy, as if she were lost in deep thought.

Without realizing it, her fists slowly clenched.

In the past, a cultivator at the Foundation Building Realm had been someone revered within her family.

Only the elders of the clan had ever reached such a level.

Just one more breakthrough...

And she would stand at the same level as the family patriarch.

The realization stirred complicated emotions within her.

Her expression gradually turned cold.

A single word slipped quietly from her lips.

"Why...?"

She could not understand.

For such a small measure of power...

Why had her father been willing to go so far?

A strong gust of autumn wind suddenly swept through the courtyard.

Several golden leaves fluttered down onto the stone ground.

At the center of the courtyard, Fang Zhirou was sweeping the fallen leaves with a wooden broom.

The sudden wind scattered the leaves she had just gathered.

She immediately exploded like an angry little lioness.

"What is wrong with you, heavens?!"

Her voice rang loudly through the courtyard.

"Can’t you see how hard little Zhirou is working?!"

She stomped her foot angrily.

"Just you wait! Once I reach the Grand Ascension Realm, I’ll ascend and personally smack your red and blue bottom!"

With a loud yell, Fang Zhirou jumped up and pointed the wooden broom toward the sky.

It looked as though she truly intended to beat the heavens themselves.

Her dramatic display instantly shattered the quiet atmosphere of the courtyard.

Nearby, Ming Yao, who had been meditating peacefully, slowly opened her eyes.

A faint look of displeasure appeared in her beautiful gaze.

The moment Fang Zhirou noticed that look—

Her body froze.

The lively little troublemaker instantly went silent.

"Zhirou..." Ming Yao began to speak.

But before she could continue, Fang Zhirou quickly raised both hands and shook her head.

"No need to get angry, Teacher Yao!"

"I accept my mistake!"

"I’ll clean the library for one week!"

Hearing that, Ming Yao’s expression softened slightly.

A satisfied smile appeared on her face.

At last.

She had finally managed to discipline this silly girl.

For a moment, Ming Yao even felt a small sense of pride.

Perhaps...

She truly had some talent as a teacher.

However, as that thought crossed her mind, her gaze unconsciously drifted toward the empty space beneath the Bodhi tree.

That spot was usually occupied by Demon Queen Zi Han.

Thinking of something, Ming Yao’s expression darkened instantly.

Her face turned almost as black as charcoal.

"It’s been nearly a year already..." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Her voice carried obvious irritation.

"When exactly are those two planning to come back?"

A faint unease lingered in her heart.

Every time she thought about the two of them leaving together, regret filled her chest.

Perhaps...

She should not have let them go alone.

"This woman... there is definitely something wrong with her head."

Wang Chen muttered under his breath while watching Ming Yao’s increasingly twisted expression.

Although he could not read her thoughts directly, it didn’t take a genius to guess what kind of nonsense she was imagining.

The truth was simple.

He and Demon Queen Zi Han had already returned to the Phoenix and Dragon Dojo a few moments earlier. However, both of them were still hiding within a fold of space, quietly observing the courtyard.

Because of that, Ming Yao had absolutely no idea they were already back.

Just as Wang Chen was thinking about this, a familiar voice suddenly echoed inside his mind.

The tone sounded faintly amused.

"Little cultivator... now that I think about it, you really are quite impressive."

It was Mo Huyan, the Nether Empress.

"With that dragon included, there are already six beautiful women fawning over you."

"Huh?"

Wang Chen’s mind froze for a moment.

The sudden change of topic caught him completely off guard.

Why was she suddenly talking about something like this?

But just as he was about to dismiss it, another thought crossed his mind.

Six...?

A slow grin began spreading across his face.

"Hmm," Wang Chen said inwardly, clearly amused.

"If the number is six... then that must include you."

His grin widened.

"I never realized you were secretly fawning over me as well, Nether Empress."

"No wonder you’ve helped me so many times without asking for anything in return."

Of course, Wang Chen knew perfectly well that she was teasing him.

But if an opportunity to return the favor appeared, why would he waste it?

"...."

Mo Huyan fell silent for several seconds.

Then a soft chuckle echoed through his mind.

"Hehehe... as expected of you, little cultivator."

"It seems you also have some talent in comedy."

"Unfortunately, those six women do not include me."

Her tone shifted slightly.

"I was actually trying to warn you."

"There is an ancient spirit hiding within that Bodhi tree."

"And from the looks of it... you have no intention of entering it again."

The playful expression on Wang Chen’s face instantly vanished.

His gaze sharpened.

"So that loudmouth spirit is still here."

He had assumed the thing had long since disappeared.

"Hmm..."

Mo Huyan sounded mildly intrigued.

"You are already aware of its existence... and yet you still chose to remain here."

Before their conversation could continue any further—

The fold of space concealing them suddenly unraveled.

Reality shifted.

In an instant, Wang Chen and Zi Han appeared openly within the courtyard.

Everyone present immediately noticed them.

The moment Ming Yao came into view, a bright smile appeared on Demon Queen Zi Han’s face.

It was a warm, radiant smile.

So vibrant and genuine that it seemed completely at odds with her usual cold and distant demeanor.

"Sister Ming Yao."

Zi Han’s voice carried a soft warmth.

"Long time no see."

Ming Yao blinked.

For a moment, she was stunned by the sudden appearance of the two.

But the next second—

Her entire expression froze.

Because the person standing before her...

Was smiling.

Demon Queen Zi Han was smiling.

Warmly.

Naturally.

Something that had never happened before.

Ming Yao stared at her in disbelief.

A single thought echoed loudly inside her mind.

Did Senior Zi Han... catch some kind of illness?

There were countless things Ming Yao had been preparing to say after their return.

Accusations.

Complaints.

Questions.

But witnessing the Demon Queen smiling like a cheerful neighbor was definitely not on her list.