Another few years passed.

With the Fire Phoenix King's final unsuccessful assault on the Li Xiao Sect's grand array,

the demon race's main forces began to gradually retreat, taking the blood sacrifices they had reared over the years with them.

What they couldn't take, they set ablaze, leaving behind a scorched wasteland…

Though the outcome was tragic, the thirty-plus years of war finally showed a glimmer of hope for an end!

Victorious songs resounded on the front lines, and the long-fallen Linglong Immortal City was once again reclaimed, the situation looking very promising!

...

Qinghua Villa.

Wu Lingshuang sat by the window, dressed in a simple and elegant blue long skirt, with her hair meticulously styled, looking no older than in her thirties.

Having served as Chen Sheng's chief steward for many years and never lacking in heavenly materials and earthly treasures, along with her dedicated cultivation, she was now a late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, maintaining her youthful looks was not difficult.

The last account in the ledger was verified, and Wu Lingshuang closed the book.

Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind, and she remembered the tranquil little courtyard next door. She stood up, tidied her skirt, and soon arrived at the residence of Fang Mochou and her daughter.

The courtyard was not large, but it was well-kept, with several Condensed Dew Grass plants in the corners, their leaves dotted with sparkling dewdrops, emanating a faint spiritual Qi.

Fang Mochou was sitting on a stone stool in the yard. Upon hearing footsteps, she looked up and immediately greeted Wu Lingshuang with a gentle smile:

"Aunt Wu, why have you come? Please, come in."

Wu Lingshuang walked into the yard, her eyes sweeping over its neat appearance, speaking with an air of casualness:

"It's been some time since I last visited. Thinking of you and your daughter, I came to see how you're doing."

"Nothing much going on recently, right? The sect's monthly resources have all been received on time?"

Fang Mochou nodded with a smile, guiding Wu Lingshuang to sit down on the stone stool, personally pouring her a cup of Spirit Tea:

"Thanks to you and Uncle Chen, everything is well. Our monthly resources have never been lacking, and the sword embryos and talismans that Nianxi needs for her cultivation are all sent by your orders. We are deeply grateful."

Wu Lingshuang took the teacup, sipped gently. The tea's aroma was clear and mellow, it was indeed her usual Bixia Spirit Tea.

She looked at Fang Mochou, feeling a slight sense of compassion.

After the death of Fang Lingxiao and his wife, Fang Mochou's family fell into decline. Fortunately, Chen Sheng remembered his bond with his sixth senior brother and deliberately instructed Wu Lingshuang to take care of them.

Wu Lingshuang's two sons were both focused on the Golden Core Great Dao.

Fang Mochou and her daughter had grown up under her watchful eyes, harboring a sense of affection, and occasionally accompanying them in conversation brought her some relief from boredom.

Of course, what satisfied Wu Lingshuang most was Fang Mochou's 'discernment,' as she seldom appeared in front of Chen Yuquan.

Otherwise, should she hinder her own son's future, Wu Lingshuang would not spare any sentiment!

"You grew up before my eyes, there's no need for such formalities with me."

Wu Lingshuang set the teacup down, turning her gaze toward the backyard:

"Where's Nianxi? She should be practicing swordsmanship at this hour, right?"

No sooner had she spoken than the sound of "swish swish" cutting through the air was heard from the backyard, accompanied by faint thunder.

Fang Mochou's face showed a proud smile:

"Yes, this child is stubborn. She practices sword at this time every day, hardly missing a beat."

The two walked to the backyard door, where they saw a young Female Cultivator in a blue suit practicing swordsmanship in the yard.

Her posture was upright, her face resolute.

The longsword in her hand glowed with a faint golden light, each swing of the sword carried a sharp momentum, and the blade sliced through the air, producing subtle thunder sounds.

Wu Lingshuang couldn't help but exclaim in admiration:

"Good! Such excellent Sword Qi Thunder Sound!"

"Nianxi's Sword Dao has improved considerably since I last saw her. With such talent, she stands out among the younger generation in the Qinghua Sect."

Fang Mochou looked at her daughter's figure, her eyes filled with anticipation, speaking softly:

"She's inherited her grandfather's temperament, never giving up on what she sets her mind to."

"I only hope she can cultivate well and do something for her grandfather and grandmother in the future…"

Her voice gradually sank, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

In the first half of her life, she lived under the protection of her parents like a flower in a greenhouse, capricious and willful, always feeling that everything was as it should be.

Later, after many tribulations, even her parents' death, she harbored suspicions in her heart…

All these years, Fang Mochou had constantly regretted her past!

Unfortunately, her aptitude was mediocre; after years of cultivation, she was only at the early Foundation Establishment stage, incapable of avenging her parents, barely able to protect herself.

Fortunately, her daughter, Fang Nianxi, had a High Grade Gold Spirit Root and outstanding talent in the Sword Dao, becoming her only solace.

She placed all her resources and hopes on her daughter, wishing for her rapid growth, to become a true strong cultivator.

Over the years, Fang Nianxi had also successfully reached Foundation Establishment, gaining quite a reputation for her swordsmanship among her peers.

"Buzz—"

Fang Nianxi sheathed her sword, her movements as fluid as flowing clouds.

She turned, seeing Wu Lingshuang and Fang Mochou at the door, she smiled, approached quickly, and respectfully greeted:

"Granny Wu, mother."

"Good child, are you tired?"

Wu Lingshuang held Fang Nianxi's hand; the warmth in her touch, the palms of the young girl covered with calluses, were clearly from years of sword practice.

She took out a Jade Bottle from her Storage Pouch and handed it to Fang Nianxi:

"This is the Nourishing Vein Pill newly refined by your Uncle-Master Chen. It can nourish your meridians and benefit your sword practice. Take it."

Fang Nianxi looked at her mother, and upon seeing Fang Mochou nod, she accepted the Jade Bottle, respectfully saying:

"Thank you, Granny Wu."

Wu Lingshuang chuckled:

"No need for formalities with Granny."

...

Inside the Hidden Dragon Cave Mansion.

In the center of the cave, on a stone platform, there was a thick layer of Cloud Brocade Meditation Mat. Chen Sheng was sitting cross-legged with his eyes slightly closed, surrounded by a faint aura of mana.

He had just finished a round of cultivation, and there was still a trace of fatigue between his brows. However, upon hearing footsteps outside the cave, he slowly opened his eyes.

Wu Lingshuang came in carrying a food box, with faint steam rising from it.

She placed the food box by the stone table and took out spirit porridge and several dishes of exquisite small dishes, all of which were Chen Sheng's favorites.

In the past few years, Chen Sheng had been wholeheartedly focused on cultivation, unwilling to waste a single moment, relying entirely on Grain Avoidance Pills for sustenance.

After failing to break through to the Golden Core, he became more open-minded. Though still dedicated to his cultivation, he also carved out some time to enjoy life.

"You just finished cultivation, eat something while it's hot."

Wu Lingshuang picked up a jade bowl, served a bowl of spirit porridge, and handed it over. Then she sat down on the meditation mat opposite, chattering about her visit to Fang Mochou's house that afternoon.

"Nianxi, that child, is really becoming more and more accomplished. She's even managed to produce Sword Qi Thunder Sound, much stronger than her mother was back then."

Chen Sheng accepted the jade bowl and took a slow sip of the spirit porridge, listening to Wu Lingshuang's words, involuntarily recalling the figure of Fang Lingxiao in his mind.

That spirited Sixth Brother, who was exceptionally serious when it came to alchemy.

Back in those days at Pill Furnace Peak, the two often discussed pill formulas and tackled difficult problems together.

It's a pity that heaven gave him so few years.

If he were still around, Chen Sheng's alchemy skills might have improved even further.

He's been gone for decades now!

Chen Sheng sighed softly:

"Brother Fang's untimely death, having such an accomplished descendant can be considered some consolation."

Wu Lingshuang also sighed:

"Indeed."

"Nianxi, that child, is stubborn, much like her grandfather, completely different from her mother when she was young."

Chen Sheng put down the jade bowl, pondered for a moment, and said:

"Since she has some talent in the Sword Dao, we should send over a volume of the Sword Scripture. She has already reached Foundation Establishment, and there's not much more I can help with in her cultivation."

Wu Lingshuang nodded with a smile:

"You're thoughtful as always. I'll have someone send it over tomorrow."

She paused, then shifted the topic with a hint of anticipation in her voice:

"By the way, I heard from the guards that it seems the Demon Race is retreating. Are Guang'Er and Yuquan coming back soon?"

Chen Sheng nodded lightly:

"Considering the time, they should be back soon. The Demon Race seems to be genuinely withdrawing this time. After more than thirty years of conflict, no one can withstand it any longer."

Wu Lingshuang's face lit up with a joyful smile, but she quickly furrowed her brows, hesitantly asking:

"And what about the Demon Cultivators on that side... will they stay quiet?"

Chen Sheng put down the jade bowl, picked up a piece of Ice Crystal Wood Ear, and put it in his mouth, chewing slowly as he explained calmly:

"The White Bone Demon Sect has taken over the foundation of the Yue Ling Sect and now stands in a tripartite confrontation with our Qinghua and Li Xiao Sects."

"In the short term, there's only a standoff. Perhaps in the future, they might legitimize themselves and fully integrate into the Chu Country, replacing Yue Ling."

"A few days ago, the White Bone Demon Sect already sent an envoy, saying they want to negotiate and delineate their respective territories for a temporary ceasefire."

Wu Lingshuang was somewhat surprised:

"Negotiate?"

"Will they really behave so well?"

In her impression, demon cultivators were cunning and ruthless, unlikely to speak of peace easily.

Chen Sheng shook his head:

"Who knows. But the Sect Leader is cautious enough, only agreeing to talk but absolutely not letting our guard down."

"Fenghua Immortal City is still vacant, unused because of our fears that demon cultivators might pull some tricks."

Wu Lingshuang thought of another demon cultivator power:

"What about the Blood Refining Hall?"

"Venerable Black Demon is causing quite a stir in the Western Border; are they also willing to negotiate?"

Mentioning the Blood Refining Hall, Chen Sheng's expression darkened. Most of his old acquaintances had perished in the Western Border!

"The Blood Refining Dharma King hasn't appeared for years; no one knows his intentions."

"According to information we've gradually collected, the Blood Refining Dharma King's lifespan was originally running low. After being severely injured by the Qinghua Sect, he hasn't been seen all these years."

"He might have already passed away!"

Wu Lingshuang was skeptical:

"Passed away?"

"Could it be a trick? Deliberately spreading false information to lull us into complacency?"

Chen Sheng shook his head:

"It's hard to say."

"But whether it's true or false, as long as we hold our sect's gate securely and proceed steadily, we're not afraid of them playing tricks."

"Venerable Black Demon can't stand alone and is no threat!"

"Once Guang'Er and Yuquan return, after polishing their skills for a few years, they should reach Core Formation!"

Wu Lingshuang's eyes lit up upon hearing this:

"What about the Tier Three Demon Pill?"

Chen Sheng nodded lightly:

"Yuquan's share is already set; Guang'Er's achievements fall short, but I can make up for him, it's not a big issue!"

Wu Lingshuang, hearing this, was overjoyed. With both sons nearing Core Formation, she felt like the happiest person in the world.

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