The words, devoid of emotion, emanated from the Lord of Tongtian, causing the complexions of the assembled Sages to subtly shift...

Having mastered the Heavenly Dao for ages, they were privy to karmic threads unknown to others. That fellow, solely relying on a single ring, had achieved that final step in an astonishingly short time. His innate talent was far beyond the ordinary. Although he had not cultivated the Chaos Body, the very perfection of this unique cultivation technique was largely attributed to him. How could they possibly treat such an individual lightly?

“Brother Tongtian, are you not overly praising him? It is well if he refrains from reckless action, but should he truly dare to move, this Sovereign would not mind taking action personally!” At this moment, the Lord of Youming coldly snorted, a chilling aura erupting from within him.

Hearing the Lord of Youming’s words, Tongtian merely offered a faint smile, choosing to remain silent, instead watching the others with an intrigued gaze. While he knew he was absolutely no match for so many of them combined, restraining him would require at least four of them. If the Lord of Youming were to charge in alone? Heh heh… who would end up slaying whom remained an entirely different question.

Seeing Tongtian cease speaking and show no intent to act, the others held back. At their level of existence, they were beings beyond true death; killing Tongtian outright was virtually impossible. The only viable method was to surround and contain him. Since Tongtian was currently passive, why should they provoke a conflict?

“Yuanshi, let them act. Ye Jingyu rashly employed the divine power of tracing the past; his strength is almost entirely depleted. To fully recover, he will need at least several tens of days. Let us seize this period to decisively breach their defenses!” The Grand Supreme Elder glanced at the silent Lord of Tongtian, then addressed the Celestial Lord Yuanshi.

The Celestial Lord Yuanshi nodded deeply, while the face of the Lord of Tongtian betrayed a flash of horror, though a glint of cunning swiftly crossed his eyes, so subtly that no one could detect it.

Perceiving the expression on Tongtian’s face, Yuanshi immediately transmitted his decree: If they did not break through Yun Jing now, when would they ever get such an opportunity…

On Tongtian Mountain, Ye Jingyu exerted all his remaining strength, yet he could not pierce the veil of this Heavenly Dao. Instead, his hair had turned entirely white, and deep wrinkles covered his face, making him appear as if death was imminent.

Having expended so much power, his current physical body could barely endure the strain…

However, a cold smile surfaced on his lips. Although he had not completely seen through the barrier, he had glimpsed something. At the very least, he knew that Tongtian had once been besieged by five individuals whose cultivation was comparable to his own. Those who could match his level of power could only be those few Sages.

As long as Tongtian could keep those few occupied, surely he could handle the remainder? If he couldn't even deal with the rest, what qualification would he have to break the established order?

Moreover, he vaguely perceived some hidden messages left for him by Tongtian. Recalling the contingency plans Tongtian had laid out, and the arrangements made by those above, the smile on his face broadened…

The agitation in his heart gradually subsided. With a flash, his figure vanished from the spot…

Yao was deep in strenuous refinement within her private chamber. Now that she was married to Ye Jingyu, her long-held wish was fulfilled. Her greatest desire now was to diligently advance her cultivation and walk alongside Ye Jingyu step by step in this arduous world.

At that very moment, a figure materialized before her eyes—a figure with a head full of white hair and a face etched with wrinkles.

“Jingyu, why have you become like this?” Although the appearance was vastly aged, Yao instantly recognized him as her husband. Her body immediately rose, and she lunged toward Ye Jingyu, supporting him instantly.

“Yao, did Tongtian ever speak to you alone about anything?” Ye Jingyu’s gaze fell upon Yao’s voluminous bosom; after all these years, she was still so magnificent.

Yao blinked, and the words Tongtian had told her during their private meeting involuntarily surfaced in her mind: “If that brat Ye Jingyu truly marries you, you must not consummate the marriage on the wedding night…”

Recalling Tongtian’s words from that day, Yao had always found it peculiar. However, something else happened on their wedding night, and Ye Jingyu had never touched her since, so she hadn't brought it up. She hadn't expected Ye Jingyu to ask her about it now.

Seeing the dawning realization on Yao’s expression, Ye Jingyu understood. Tongtian had indeed made contingency plans long ago.

“You learned the Art of Seductive Charm from Hanba, and the Art of Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation from Tongtian. Now, are you willing to become my woman? A true woman…” Ye Jingyu knew clearly that Yao possessed the Pure Yin Meridian, a constitution naturally destined to bring calamity. If she cultivated an evil dual cultivation technique, any man who engaged with her risked having his life force drained. Yet, she cultivated the Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation Art passed down by Tongtian, the most orthodox method of dual practice. For her, a Pure Yin constitution practicing this art meant achieving double the results with half the effort.

By cultivating with her, he was certain he could restore his depleted strength in the shortest possible time, perhaps even drastically advancing his own power.

This was the contingency Tongtian had left for him. Although he felt this course of action did a disservice to Yao, Ye Jingyu could afford no hesitation now. Furthermore, he trusted that Yao must have already understood…

Indeed, Yao did understand. Although Tongtian hadn't explained everything explicitly that day, she had long suspected why he passed down the Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation Art to her. Yet, she held no reservations in her heart. To be able to dual cultivate with the man she loved, even if only for the sake of his cultivation, she was entirely willing…

Hearing Ye Jingyu ask if she was willing to become his woman, his true woman, her heart inexplicably quickened. Though already married to Ye Jingyu, she knew her standing in his heart could never compare to Ling'er or Jiufeng. Now, being able to do something for him, to help him at this critical juncture, she felt no resentment toward Tongtian’s arrangements; rather, she was deeply grateful… Women were like this; once they loved a man, they were willing to do anything for him.

Yao was a woman; she was no exception…

“I am willing…” Yao nodded with intense conviction. She had waited for this day for far too long…

Seeing the hazy look in Yao’s eyes, knowing she held no blame toward him, Ye Jingyu felt a surge of emotion. He wasted no more words, wrapping an arm around Yao, his lips immediately pressing against her soft, rosy mouth. His tongue aggressively plunged in, shamelessly tangling with hers in an intimate dance…

Yao had grown up in the Hundred Flowers Sect and knew countless methods for pleasing a man. Yet, due to her unique status, she had never had the opportunity to practice them. Now, facing Ye Jingyu’s ardor, the flames she had suppressed for years erupted completely…

Her fair, slender hands stroked Ye Jingyu’s body ceaselessly, touching nearly every accessible sensitive point. The technique was intoxicating; even Ye Jingyu, whose spirit was far firmer than ordinary men, utterly lost himself in the moment.

He allowed Yao’s captivating form to writhe against him…

Layer after layer of pink gauze robes fell away, revealing her exquisitely beautiful naked body. All manner of breathtaking, indescribably wonderful poses were presented before Ye Jingyu’s eyes. Even though his energy was utterly spent, his arousal remained potent…

The entire chamber was bathed in a pink hue, faintly carrying sounds that were both beautiful and deeply moving…

As Yao’s rosy lips traced a path over Ye Jingyu’s body, finally returning to his mouth while she slowly settled above him, he suddenly noticed a single tear glistening in her eye…

A tear carrying happiness, tinged with sorrow, mixed with shyness, and overflowing with infinite yearning…

In this moment, Yao was undeniably the most beautiful Yao. A saying suddenly flashed through Ye Jingyu’s mind:

There is a woman, Yao; a smile steals a city, a second smile overturns the nation. If one cultivates with this beauty, life and death shall be eternally entwined.

Indeed, to possess such a peerless woman, to embrace, kiss, and love such a breathtaking figure—what mattered life? What mattered death?

He tightly embraced Yao, allowing her to enact the dual cultivation technique, moving ceaselessly upon him. Ye Jingyu felt a wave of icy energy constantly transmitting from her into his own body…

And his previously empty core, stimulated by this influx of frigid energy, unexpectedly birthed a warm, gentle power. This power grew steadily, soon intertwining with the icy force, merging together to form the most fundamental Chaos Power—the Overlord Force he would attain upon cultivating the Chaos Body…

The two forces continuously fused, provoking a greater surge of energy. Ye Jingyu’s gaunt body rapidly recovered; his white hair swiftly turned black. The power within him grew stronger, more immense…

Yao, too, benefited from the nourishment of this Chaos Power, her physical body becoming tougher, and her cultivation rocketing skyward. She truly hadn't realized the Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation Art could be so potent, so utterly transformative?

However, this result was also entirely dependent on the recipient being Ye Jingyu, the Chaos Body. No other person could achieve such an effect…

Naturally, the most crucial element was that at this moment, the physical bodies and spirits of Ye Jingyu and Yao achieved perfect fusion…

As Ye Jingyu and Yao were intensely entwined, within Liang Xiaoke’s secret chamber, Gongsun Lu sat quietly before her, observing the still unconscious Liang Xiaoke. A look of deep reluctance washed over her face…