As Fēng Zikāng sipped the fine wine, his gaze fixed on the bashful young maiden, the answer bloomed instantly in his mind.

"Senior Brother, what is your assessment of the current state of the world?"

Even in a moment of utter delight, the topic the Empress managed to conjure was exactly this. Fēng Zikāng smiled faintly, gently setting down his wine cup.

"The world today,"

Lì State now holds one third of the realm, possessing enough capital to truly contend with the Great Táng. If the cultivation world were to remain entirely uninvolved in this conflict, it would be the natural outcome for Lì State to replace the Great Táng within ten years.

But in this current world, the key issue no longer lies with secular warfare.

It resides above the mundane realm, in the struggle between those lofty cultivators.

This war between Lì State and the Great Táng appears on the surface to be a clash between the Three Teachings and the Nine Streams, yet one cannot know how many hidden forces are stirring, ready to strike. Until the very end, no one knows who will emerge as the successful fisherman profiting from the conflict.

It could be the influence of the Sea Demon Clan from Bù Guī Hǎi, or the long-concealed forces of the Demonic Path, perhaps even the powers belonging to the Seventy-Two Upper Sects beneath the Nine Streams, like Old Mother Piāo Shān. All are subtly positioning themselves, using this war to vie for the Fortune of Heaven and Earth.

"This war could rightly be called the Second Investiture of the Gods, and indeed, it is far from simple."

This seemingly ordinary rebellion has managed to ensnare every major cultivation faction in the world, a development Fēng Zikāng himself had not entirely foreseen, though he was secretly pleased by the chaos—the muddier the water, the better.

"So, you're saying Lì State’s future is uncertain?" Wǔ Mèi lowered her head. Though she was currently radiating the Aura of the Dragon, she was still young, not yet fully embodying the role of an Empress. Her words betrayed deep concern for her father’s prospects.

"Not entirely so,"

Fēng Zikāng shook his head. Regardless of what the future held, judging by the present, the Three Teachings had been thoroughly defeated on the secular front. In any case, the Great Táng seemed incapable of stopping Lì State’s advance.

Especially seeing Wǔ Mèi in her current state, one could imagine just how weakened the Dragon Qi of the Táng Emperor must be.

The secular war was merely a matter of time; its outcome already seemed decided.

However, the ultimate extent to which the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth would develop remained truly unpredictable.

"Then, Senior Brother, what are your plans?"

Wǔ Mèi asked eagerly. She hoped Fēng Zikāng would remain in Lì State for a long time, but he shook his head, causing her to look disappointed.

"The situation between Heaven and Earth is still unclear. My individual power is limited. I have decided to return to Dragon Tiger Mountain for secluded cultivation until I can achieve another breakthrough in strength. Only then will I emerge."

"Secluded cultivation?" Wǔ Mèi was momentarily stunned. "May I ask, Senior Brother, how long you intend to cultivate in seclusion?"

"How long?"

Fēng Zikāng pondered for a moment. "A minimum of three to five years, perhaps as long as several decades. We cultivators do not concern ourselves overly with the passing of days and months, nor do we become overly attached to them."

"That long?" Wǔ Mèi’s expression shifted. Although she was now a disciple under Old Mother Piàn Shān, what she had received so far were merely simple methods for circulating Qi. To this day, she had only reached the Qi-Induction stage. Her state of mind was still vastly different from those truly devoted to cultivation.

Having worldly attachments, she naturally could not possess an iron heart.

The only reason she pursued cultivation was to remain closer to Fēng Zikāng. In her heart, she longed for companionship, not cold, isolating seclusion.

"If Senior Brother cultivates for a bit longer, the war in Lì State will already be over."

Wǔ Mèi blushed, disappointment clouding her beautiful eyes. "If that is the case, I wonder if there will ever be a day for our reunion."

Fēng Zikāng smiled faintly. "Now that Junior Sister has also begun cultivating, what is such a stretch of years? If fate allows, there will naturally be a time for us to meet again."

Hearing this, Wǔ Mèi’s eyes instantly brightened. She knew she could not keep him, but since she had set foot on the path of cultivation, at least there was hope of waiting.

"Since Senior Brother says so, then I shall eagerly await the day we meet again!"

She raised her wine cup and drained it in one gulp, a charming flush spreading across her face.

The very next day, Fēng Zikāng bid farewell to the people of Lì State and returned to Dragon Tiger Mountain. Having acquired the Demon-Summoning Banner, he was eager to begin his cultivation within the Profound Realm.

The Turtle Boy was profoundly moved upon seeing the Demon-Summoning Banner.

"Brother Turtle, have you seen this Demon-Summoning Banner before?" Fēng Zikāng was not surprised that the Turtle Boy recognized it, given that he was an ancient species surviving from primordial times, possessing broad knowledge.

"More than just seen it,"

The Turtle Boy gently stroked the Demon-Summoning Banner, sighing. "This treasure was left behind by the Great Divine Mother Nǚ Chāng. All of us of the Demon Race must obey it. When it first appeared, it was miraculous beyond measure. To think I have the fate to see it again today, truly..."

He remembered companions who had seen the banner alongside him in the past, now long gone, and a pang of emotion caught in his throat, making him momentarily choke up.

"I see," Fēng Zikāng nodded. "Does this treasure have any use for my Profound Realm?"

"Use? It has immense use!"

When discussing the development of the Profound Realm, the Turtle Boy immediately became animated again. "With the Demon-Summoning Banner, coupled with the continuous expansion provided by the Breather Earth, we will have land and we will have people. The development of this Profound Realm will surely be swift. In my estimation, without even three years, this Profound Realm will have transformed entirely, teeming with vibrant life!"

"Excellent!"

Fēng Zikāng was overjoyed. "Then we shall wait three years!"

He instructed Lóng Quē and the others that he would enter three years of seclusion. This time would serve both to await the development of the Profound Realm and to further advance his own cultivation.

The situation was now clear, with various factions vying for position. To involve himself in the grand affairs of the world now would only waste time and might not yield any good results; he preferred to wait and be the final oriole after the heron and the mantis.

When the others heard he was immediately going into seclusion upon his return, they were all reluctant to part, especially Immortal Fairy Tiān Fú and the Fox, who clung to him, refusing to let go. Fēng Zikāng had no choice but to spend a few more days amusing them within the Profound Realm before finally closing the door to cultivate.

His Demonic Body was now complete, and his Golden Core was condensed. His next objective was the Nascent Soul transformation!

To refine the Nascent Soul and the Demonic Infant simultaneously would require an enormous effort!

In the quiet chamber, Fēng Zikāng took a deep breath, sinking his consciousness into the Twelve Cities across the Five Floors of his Dantian. He saw the Golden Core spinning rapidly, interacting with the essence of his fully tempered Demonic Body, growing ever more condensed and heavy.

"During these three years, I must continuously strengthen this Golden Core until it matures, shattering to give birth to the Infant!"

Fēng Zikāng made up his mind. After three years, there were too many matters awaiting him; if he could not significantly raise his cultivation, he feared he would remain constrained.

High-level figures like Master Yuányuán, and his master Yè Tiānshēng, whose whereabouts were unknown—these problems were all waiting for him to resolve.

"Begin!"

He suddenly snapped his eyes open, a sharp, brilliant light shooting forth!