To wait for them to deliver to the Heaven’s Punishment Forest? This... the variables involved seemed too numerous and too great. With any minor excuse, they could completely disavow Linglong! Now, Jun Moxie had absolutely no faith left in the "noble" character of the Holy Lands. How could he possibly wait for them to deliver? Even if they weren't playing dirty tricks, delaying things for three or five years... that alone would be enough to cause immense anxiety!

As for going to the Heavenly Saint Palace himself to retrieve it? That option was equally fraught with difficulty. It sounded good now: you won the battle, naturally you get the stake. But if he went to the Heavenly Saint Palace himself, what if that group of people suddenly reneged on the deal? Who knew how many ancient, decrepit figures might be waiting in that mysterious place, or what strange and unpredictable methods they might employ?

The act of reneging on promises—the Three Great Holy Lands had done that more than once... Jun Moxie had never trusted the credibility of these people an inch.

Though Jun Moxie was self-assured, he wasn't so arrogant as to believe he could resist the entire Heavenly Saint Palace single-handedly! Even with his recently advanced strength, that was still the case.

"Since I've already won, am I really going to give up the prize I won?"

The Fourteenth Young Master of Nine Nether spoke with a chilling tone, "Little Jun, there's no need for you to be so hesitant. I am the adjudicator of this battle, and I should accompany you to the Heavenly Saint Palace to claim that Linglong Lotus and conclude this wager! I'd like to see if they dare to refuse!"

He had been observing coldly from the sidelines. Seeing Qu Wuhui’s seemingly fair words, which were actually laced with treacherous intentions, had instantly angered him. Furthermore, Jun Moxie was the "descendant of an old acquaintance," so he stepped forward to intervene. Given his current standing, his involvement was entirely justifiable.

Jun Moxie was genuinely moved. "Senior Fourteenth Young Master’s kind intentions are deeply appreciated by this junior. However... given your status, if you were to go to the Heavenly Saint Palace, it might be... somewhat awkward."

The Fourteenth Young Master of Nine Nether had always been the greatest enemy of the Heavenly Saint Palace. If he went, it would be far more than just awkward? The Heavenly Saint Palace would likely mobilize every resource they possessed to ensure this madman was kept there forever!

Jun Moxie had always been reluctant to owe favors, so how could he allow the Fourteenth Young Master of Nine Nether to risk so much for him?

"Very well, make your own decision. It would indeed be inconvenient for this young master to go." The Fourteenth Young Master understood his meaning and didn't press further. "However, based on my personal experience, with the prestige of the Heavenly Saint Palace, they might not actually go back on their word regarding a child's wager like yours."

Jun Moxie smiled and nodded, then turned to Qu Wuhui, "Since Senior Fourteenth Young Master says so, I will go with you to the Heavenly Saint Palace!"

Qu Wuhui gave him a thumbs-up. "Good! Great courage! A true man!"

Jun Moxie chuckled inwardly. I only have absolute certainty of a clean retreat; it's not that my courage is truly that great, and I certainly won't stake my life on your promise.

He slowly returned to the front of the Remnant Heaven Soul Devouring squad and said to Mei Xueyan, "Xueyan, I'm going to get the Linglong Lotus, and I have a few other matters to attend to along the way... You've been away from Heaven’s Punishment long enough; it's time to go back and check things out. You should lead the people back from here."

"Okay, then... you must be careful."

Mei Xueyan looked at him with concern.

"Relax. Don't you know me? If I want to get away, who can possibly hold me?"

Jun Moxie murmured, slyly winking an eye.

Mei Xueyan recalled his magical tower and felt a sense of relief, nodding with a smile.

"When you return this time, you must hurry your family along to accelerate their self-improvement... For the two Spirit Vein Bodies I gave you, the previous method still applies: gently scrape a pinch of powder with a blade and ingest it with water. Although these aren't the Golden Dew or Jade Liquid, they are the essence of the Spirit Stone Immortal Milk. Remember strictly not to take too much; overconsumption carries grave dangers."

Jun Moxie instructed.

"Understood, I will be careful."

"Also, once you return, elevate Grandpa and Third Uncle's strength as quickly as possible. This matter must take precedence over everyone else; you must ensure that among everyone, Grandpa and Third Uncle are the strongest in our Jun Family, second only to you and me! As for the elixirs, distribute them judiciously as you see fit..."

"Mmm, I understand."

Mei Xueyan nodded solemnly. She understood and completely grasped Jun Moxie's reasoning. While Jun Zhantian and Jun Wuyi's current power levels were formidable in the mundane world, they would be relegated to the lower tiers in Heaven’s Punishment. Yet, they were the most critical figures in the Jun Family. Maintaining a dynamic where servants were stronger than masters for too long, even with Jun Moxie suppressing things from above, was not a long-term solution.

Therefore, the immediate priority must be to raise the strength of Jun Zhantian and Jun Wuyi! Even setting aside the issue of their current insufficient strength, this advancement would certainly grant them a substantial increase in lifespan.

"To be honest, I really miss Xiao Yi and Qinghan now, and Mother..."

Mei Xueyan’s face flushed slightly as she whispered softly.

"Don't worry. When it comes to prestige, in our Jun Family, you rank even higher than I do... When you go back this time, they'll cling to you, pestering you until you're sick of it. Let's see if you'll still miss them then..."

Jun Moxie flashed a deeply peculiar smile.

This statement wasn't baseless; it was absolute truth. Ever since Mei Xueyan had risked her life to save him last time, every member of the Jun Family had been completely won over by this future Young Madam. Mei Xueyan's popularity in the Jun Family had reached a terrifying level of absolute unity.

With arrangements concluded, Jun Moxie was about to turn away when he noticed Baili Luoyun shuffling hesitantly closer, opening his mouth but stopping short of speaking.

Looking curiously at the embarrassed expression on the face of this master assassin, Jun Moxie asked, "Luoyun, what is it?"

"Uh... it's just, Young Master, this time, I’d like to stay in ** City for a few more days to handle... some private matters, so I am requesting your permission."

Baili Luoyun stammered.

"This kid has seen his old flame and is getting romantic!"

At the side, Leng Ao let out a hearty laugh. Baili Luoyun’s face immediately turned crimson.

"Wow! Really?"

Jun Moxie exclaimed in surprise, then suddenly threw an arm around Baili Luoyun's neck, adopting a completely brotherly posture as he began to gossip, "That's great news! What's the specific situation? What's her name? What does she look like? Is she plump or thin? Tall or short? Which family is she from? What's her weight? What are her measurements? Do you have any nude photos to check out... uh..."

Baili Luoyun was utterly distraught. He begged for mercy, "Young Master, please spare me..."

"Her name is Zhan Duonen..."

"Someone from the Zhan Family?"

Jun Moxie's brow furrowed slightly. He immediately recalled that under his alias Dongfang Dashu, he had crossed paths with this beautiful and exceptional lady. However... he had just slain the Zhan Family's Ancestor, and now Baili Luoyun was involved with someone from the Zhan Family. While he didn't mind, the other party...

"Please rest assured, Young Master, I know what to do."

Baili Luoyun’s originally embarrassed handsome face twitched with a look of pain. "I will explain the whole truth to her. If she chooses her family and becomes your enemy... I won't force anything; we will part ways... But if she chooses me..."

Sweat beaded on Baili Luoyun's face. It took great effort for him to whisper, "If she ultimately chooses me... I ask Young Master... to... fulfill it!"

"Rest assured! It takes a hundred lifetimes to share a boat, and a thousand to share a pillow; if she is destined to be your wife, she will be your wife... Zhan Mubai was the Zhan Family Ancestor, figures from hundreds of years ago. Perhaps Zhan Mengdie doesn't hold much affection for him?"

Jun Moxie clapped Baili Luoyun on the shoulder, encouraging him, "Luoyun, man proposes, God disposes. Go fight for it! Things might not be as serious as you think! Wives are meant to be fought for! Forget whether she's willing or not; get the deed done first... See where she runs once she’s pregnant! Heh heh, if I weren't beaten by her strength plus reluctant to use force, I might have already..."

Suddenly, his ear throbbed—Mei Xueyan had seized it with her delicate hand, leaning close with a flushed face, and asked in a dangerously low voice, "What have you already done? What do you mean 'can't beat her' and 'use force'?" Jun Moxie immediately started begging for mercy, grimacing, "What I meant was... I long ago... I long ago..."

His eyes darted around, and in a flash of inspiration, he blurted out, "...I long ago admired you, but you were so powerful, I didn't dare confess for fear you'd hit me! Aren't you moved? Hee hee... Hah hah... Ga ga ga..."

A burst of forced laughter.

Everyone burst into laughter, and in that laughter, Baili Luoyun instantly felt much better.

"Luoyun, you go ahead. We all support you! Don't overthink things; you must grasp your own happiness!" Mei Xueyan said softly.

"Man... Young Madam," Baili Luoyun said gratefully. This address of "Young Madam" made Mei Xueyan blush deeply, and it made Jun Moxie feel utterly overjoyed.

"Why don't you take a few more people with you? Let Leng Ao accompany you, and then choose a small squad of Remnant Heaven members."

Jun Moxie declared with dominating authority, "If anyone dares to try and steal your wife, beat them to death or cripple them on the spot!"

Everyone broke into a sweat. This Young Master possessed the clear demeanor of a bandit seizing a bride; the legendary foremost wastrel truly lived up to his reputation in this moment.

After settling these matters, the group discussed a few more things, and finally, all arrangements were completely settled.

Jun Moxie watched as Mei Xueyan led her group away swiftly, like a dark cloud receding, while on the other side, Baili Luoyun led a few men toward the city in the opposite direction.

The battlefield, which had moments ago been a scene of fire and blood, now seemed strikingly silent and empty.

Jun Moxie turned around and saw the Fourteenth Young Master of Nine Nether standing with his hands behind his back, overseeing things like a supervisor. Qiao Ying and Cheng Yinxiao were watching the spectacle from the side. Meanwhile, Qu Wuhui was squatting on the ground with his rear end jutting out, looking deeply aggrieved, laboriously digging at the dirt with his long sword, seemingly searching for something.

"What on earth is he doing?"

Jun Moxie asked, pointing at the twenty or thirty wriggling earthworms already unearthed, utterly perplexed.

Upon hearing his question, Qu Wuhui's old face flushed red, but he remained silent, continuing to dig with clenched teeth, his expression a perfect picture of wanting to cry but being unable to, feeling life was worse than death, as if mourning a great loss.

Even if he were violated by a hundred Profound Beasts, Jun Moxie mused, it shouldn't provoke such an expression from this guardian.

(Uh, apologies. I overlooked something. The plan to go to the Illusionary Mansion today, as mentioned yesterday... seems impossible, because there's still that wager to settle... and I still need to retrieve the Linglong Lotus... So sorry, so sorry...

I wrote over seven thousand characters today, so I won't post it all at once; let me save some. In case some unscrupulous Great Gods get me drunk and I can't write later, brothers, what do you say? My capacity for beer seems very precarious...

That guy who was looking at my work yesterday asked me when I was going. He said he was waiting for me; I asked him, "What are you waiting for me for? Waiting for me to Violently Assault Your Posterior?"

The perverted, filthy guy jumped three feet high in the air and exclaimed happily, "You really are going to Violently Assault My Posterior? Then I need to prepare properly and wash up...")