Chapter 25: Ye Honglian: I Owe You a Favor

Due to the nature of their dual cultivation, Ye Honglian had refined the Tianxuan Heart Sutra to the mid-seventh layer. However, to advance further, she needed to supplement her store of the Five Elements Qi. Earth, Water, Wood, and Fire were manageable; as the Saintess of the Tianxuan Holy Land, her sect provided the necessary rare treasures to assist her, and she possessed her own substantial reserves.

Only the Gengjin-the Metal Qi-remained a stubborn barrier. Without it, she would be unable to progress further in her cultivation of the Tianxuan Heart Sutra.

"Unable to elevate the Tianxuan Heart Sutra-does this mean..."

Ye Honglian bit her lip.

Did it mean she had been 'cultivated' by that little lecher for nothing?

Enduring Ning Fan's 'cultivation' for the sake of her own strength was a compromise she could barely accept. But if she had been forced to share this connection with Ning Fan in vain, the sheer humiliation would be unbearable.

Just as she entertained this thought,

"Buzz-"

The jade pendant reacted once again.

Ye Honglian felt a wave of frustration.

In theory, she had no desire to respond to the jade pendant, but she had resisted before, and it was entirely futile.

Indeed, even if she refused to channel her energy into the pendant, it would trigger on its own.

"Boom-"

A familiar white radiance flooded the tent. When the light faded, the unmistakable figure of Ye Honglian appeared before Ning Fan, who had grown accustomed to this occurrence.

They were once again immersed in their 'cultivation.'

"L-little lecher."

As soon as Ye Honglian arrived, she felt a surge of energy wash over her, and her voice trembled slightly.

For some reason, she sensed something strange about Ning Fan. Unlike before, he now exuded a palpable pressure, his expression far more grave.

It reminded her of herself not long ago-that desperate, gnawing urgency to improve her strength.

"Fairy Sister."

"Come."

Ning Fan turned his palm over, revealing two glossy fruits. They were the Vermilion Jade Fruits he had acquired earlier; using them during dual cultivation could elevate the realm of both parties.

"This is... the Vermilion Jade Fruit!?"

Upon recognizing the fruit in Ning Fan's hand, Ye Honglian was momentarily stunned. Her eyes narrowed sharply, shock coloring her features.

This Vermilion Jade Fruit was the very source of the Fire Qi within her own body, a rare treasure that had required the combined resources of her entire sect to locate.

Yet Ning Fan could produce it so easily?

And two of them, at that?

"Consume them immediately. Use the Vermilion Jade Fruit to raise your cultivation. We must reach the Half-Step Profound Extreme Realm during this session!!"

Ning Fan commanded.

"Mm."

Ye Honglian cooperated, and both consumed the Vermilion Jade Fruits. The unique spiritual energy within the fruit circulated through their bodies, blending and merging seamlessly.

A vast surge of spiritual energy gathered within Ning Fan.

In an instant, he broke through his realm-

Yellow Extreme Realm, Ninth Layer!!

However, when Ning Fan attempted to push his cultivation further, he found that the energy fed back from Ye Honglian was not mere spiritual energy, but a unique aura-hot and soft. Under its nourishment, his meridians seemed to toughen significantly.

Ning Fan did not understand the nature of Fire Qi, but he knew this was a boon, and he allowed the warm energy to circulate through his meridians.

Spirit stone after spirit stone vanished, devoured by the pair as they absorbed the essence.

"Little lecher, tell me."

"Have you been sustaining injuries frequently of late?"

Mid-cultivation, Ye Honglian suddenly asked.

"I... I suppose so."

Ning Fan felt a pang of guilt.

He knew his rapid recovery from injuries was entirely due to Ye Honglian shouldering the burden of the damage. Now that the person involved was questioning him, he could not help but feel shamed.

"I am warning you."

"I am not immune to pain, and if something were to occur at an inopportune moment, it could have grave consequences for me. You must learn to restrain yourself."

Ye Honglian cautioned.

"As you command, Fairy Sister."

Ning Fan said, feeling awkward.

"Tell me."

"Where did you obtain that Vermilion Jade Fruit?"

Ye Honglian's gaze flickered. If Ning Fan could secure two such rare treasures, could he also acquire the material containing the Gengjin she so desperately needed?

"I found them in the mountain behind the sect," Ning Fan replied.

Hearing this, Ye Honglian's eyes shifted. After a moment of thought, she spoke tentatively.

"Have you ever heard of 'Echoing Thunder Grass'?"

"I have heard of it, and I have seen it," Ning Fan answered.

"Truly!?"

"Of course."

Ning Fan answered. Echoing Thunder Grass was merely a Yellow-Grade High-Grade treasure. While gathering resources the day before, he had personally watched Shao Hong obtain two stalks.

"Can you obtain it for me? If you can get me two stalks-no, even one stalk, or a single leaf of Echoing Thunder Grass would suffice."

"If you can do this, consider it a favor I owe you," Ye Honglian said solemnly.

"Mm, I will do my best," Ning Fan promised.

Had Ye Honglian spoken earlier, he could have simply asked Shao Hong. But now... Shao Hong.

Thinking of him, Ning Fan gritted his teeth.

Shao Hong had initially looked upon Yun Qingyao with desire, yet he never crossed the line; in the end, he had even stayed behind to cover their retreat.

He likely would not survive.

To repay a debt of kindness, Ning Fan knew he could not simply abandon him.

Strength. It all came down to strength!

Seeing Ning Fan agree so readily, Ye Honglian's mind raced. It seemed that the Echoing Thunder Grass, which she guarded like a jewel, was quite common in Ning Fan's region.

She had searched every classical text and found no major power that utilized dual cultivation as their primary path, suggesting that their respective regions were separated by a vast distance, explaining the disparity in available materials.

"Fairy Sister, can you help me rapidly increase my strength? Half-Step Profound Extreme Realm will suffice."

Ning Fan asked. He had a premonition that their dual cultivation would stall at the Ninth Layer of the Yellow Extreme Realm, and he found this pace far too slow.

"This cultivation technique is already heaven-defying. I warn you, if your cultivation speed is too rapid, your foundation will become unstable."

"Furthermore, spirit stones are finite. Without sufficient reserves, the effectiveness of our training will be limited," Ye Honglian replied.

Ning Fan fell silent.

She was right. The consumption of this session had been significant, especially the drain on his spirit stones while her aura nourished his meridians. He had essentially exhausted his entire stock.

Spirit veins. It all came down to spirit veins.

"Boy, remember this."

"The excessive pursuit of strength can lead to a dark path. I have said all I will say; consider it well."

Ye Honglian's voice faded.

The next moment, a white light enveloped their bodies. Then, Ye Honglian's figure vanished, and Ning Fan slipped into a deep slumber.

The next morning, at dawn.

Ning Fan opened his eyes. He instinctively reached for his side, but his heart jumped in alarm-

Empty!

Yun Qingyao, who should have been beside him, was gone.

Ning Fan bolted upright.

He did not even pause to dress, rushing straight out of the tent.

"Wife!"

Ning Fan shouted.

Could something have happened to Yun Qingyao?

That made no sense. He had been sleeping beside her; if she were in danger, there was no reason he would have remained undisturbed.

Stay calm. He had to stay calm.

Ning Fan took a long, steadying breath, slowly exhaling. Just as he regained his composure, a nearby thicket rustled sharply.

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