After Yan Xing and Zhou Chong left, Ye Wen exchanged a glance with Ning Ruxue before preparing to depart as well. Master Liao Tao, however, who was deeply indebted to Ye Wen for rescuing his sect's revered elder, insisted on keeping him for further discussion.

Though uncertain if this Liao Tao aimed to forge connections with Shushan Sect, Ye Wen had no patience to waste time there. He declined curtly: "I have pending matters to attend to, and my disciple is waiting anxiously for me back home."

With that excuse, he took flight northward alongside Ning Ruxue on sword beams. Initially, Elder Beihé Jushi offered to accompany them, but suddenly veered northwest - likely heading toward Kunlun Mountain after recalling something.

Ye Wen wasn't certain if the elder's abrupt turn meant reporting their Shushan connection to Kunlun Sect leaders. Either way, he welcomed widespread awareness of his sect since human curiosity would build momentum before his official emergence.

"Brother," Ning Ruxue said as they flew, "now that we've established our sect's reputation, it's time to cultivate disciples!"

Ye Wen knew the grand cultivation gathering occurred every twenty years - 2011 marked its next occurrence. With only five years remaining from their current position in late 2005, he wasn't sure how many apprentices they could train but resolved to maximize efforts.

"I believe cultivating Green Qi proficiency among seven-color Qi represents excellent aptitude," Ye Wen mused. "If we can produce a dozen such disciples, our sect will already be formidable!"

Though unsure about other great sects' standards, he and Ning Ruxue represented sufficient deterrence. Chris and Tommy's cultivation was nearly complete - with dark energy foundation, Tommy could become a capable disciple if breaking through Red Qi.

Regarding Absolute Territory... Ye Wen hadn't tested its potential yet. According to original records, its maximum power wasn't inferior despite lacking direct comparisons to seven-color Qi. Scratching his head, he realized Absolute Territory might need further breakthroughs beyond current capabilities to match seven-color Qi equivalence.

His contemplation drew laughter from Ning Ruxue: "What troubles you, Brother?"

Without hiding it, Ye Wen answered: "You've seen Tommy's seven-color Qi already. There exists another power system unrestricted by environment that can be mastered even without qi sensitivity!"

Though Absolute Territory didn't require traditional cultivation techniques, inherent sensitivity might unlock special maneuvers. Yet with actual power in place, detecting such sensitivity became easier - the real challenge lay in whether practitioners could break through existing limitations without ultimate forces.

Their combined strong cultivation had refined sword riding skills further. Though speed hadn't increased much, energy efficiency improved significantly from their recent aerial flights. Returning to Shu territory proved initially confusing until they reconnoitered Chengdu's layout via rapid orbitals.

As they descended home and dispelled concealment spells, Hua Yi rushed out anxiously: "Thank goodness you're safe! Disappearing without a word nearly drove me mad..."

Though both possessed formidable power, this world felt infinitely more perilous than their previous existence. "We encountered some affairs and couldn't get free immediately," Ye Wen reassured by patting her head.

"How's your Jīngjīn Divine Light progressing?" he asked next.

Hua Yi smiled without answering before a white aura flickered around her shoulders like ethereal ribbons. The unstable glow revealed she'd barely begun mastering the technique - true mastery required stabilizing that luminous field.

When completed, this golden light would render metal-based spells and artifacts ineffective while countering wooden systems through elemental opposition. Though not as comprehensive as Five-Color Divine Light's containment ability, it could at least trap or impede objects of these specific attributes depending on her cultivation level.

As the white-gold shimmer danced across Hua Yi's form, Ye Wen teasedly lifted her chin: "Practice diligently then - no more mischief tonight!"

Hua Yi blushed but waggled her eyebrows playfully: "I'm quite eager for Master to... misbehave again."

The flirtatious remark stirred his blood, but recent discipline was wise since cultivation required focus. Even this imitation spiritual power needed undivided attention.

After changing clothes and briefly tidying up together in their chamber:

"How do you assess the situation?" Ye Wen asked as Ning Ruxue wiped her damp hair, deliberately drawing out the moment while he watched indulgently.

"Ermeng Sect will likely move," she replied, snatching back the towel. "Our emergence threatens several sects teetering near Kunlun admission standards."

Taking the towel to dry her hair himself, Ye Wen continued: "Ermeng and Qingcheng will be our most direct competitors... The Armorer Guild and Alchemy Sect pose less immediate threats since their specialties don't conflict with ours."

Sliding his fingers through her silky black tresses, he analyzed further: "These three focus purely on weapon crafting and potion making - areas where we have no expertise. Even if we defeat them, established powers won't let us usurp their positions entirely."

Ning Ruxue narrowed her eyes as his fingertips massaged her scalp: "Therefore... they're the only ones we could actually replace!"

"Indeed," Ye Wen conceded before tossing the towel aside and pulling her onto his lap. "Moreover, I believe Ermeng will provoke Qingcheng to challenge us first."

From his knowledge base, Kunlun had limited capacity for cultivation practitioners - whoever entered would mean someone else's displacement. While Ermeng possessed strong resources and connections, Qingcheng seemed regressing despite their nominal status.

In truth, Qingcheng now functioned as a de facto vassal to Ermeng. With Ermeng shouldering most external pressures, Qingcheng focused solely on survival through concentrated efforts.

Therefore, Qingcheng bore the greatest immediate threat from our emergence - especially since Ermeng wouldn't idly watch Shushan's rise without some probing actions given their current dependence.

If Qingcheng initiated conflict and we easily resolved it, both sides would reconsider further challenges. Ermeng might deem engaging us irrational while Qingcheng would recognize their futility against a supported Shushan.

"This is ultimately about strength," Ye Wen declared as he yanked the blanket over them.

Ning Ruxue suddenly asked when she noticed Hua Yi's earlier flirtation hadn't been forgotten: "Aren't you supposed to 'misbehave' with Hua Yi?"

Ye Wen smirked, trailing his hand along her smooth forearm: "Tonight I'd rather misbehave with my beloved sister-in-law..."

Her flush deepened as she struggled between flustered embarrassment and a hint of irritation. Then came an unexpected expression shift that puzzled Ye Wen.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing," she hesitated before murmuring, "just... something."

When she finally asked: "Brother, do you think there might be something wrong with me?"

Taken aback, Ye Wen thoroughly examined her body before asserting confidently: "Absolutely not! Perfectly normal!"

She scolded his teasing but her voice carried uncharacteristic sweetness that made even herself blush.

"Maybe we should..." she began hesitantly.

Realizing the direction of her thoughts now, Ye Wen descended to her waistline and traced circles on her abdomen: "This isn't something you can control alone."

Her silence revealed deep-seated anxieties about not bearing children despite years of marriage. She still clung to traditional expectations even with modern knowledge while comparing unfavorably to Hua Yi's more uninhibited approach.

Coughing awkwardly, Ye Wen shifted the blame to himself: "Look at Hua Yi - she hasn't conceived either!"

Ning Ruxue remained thoughtful. Though she didn't deflect responsibility as easily, the idea of childlessness still troubled her deeply despite Ye Wen's rationalizations about their demanding cultivation path.

"Perhaps there is a way," he finally suggested when she seemed resigned to the issue: "But I need to consider some things first."

Her contemplative frown remained as they continued their intimate conversation under the shared blanket...