Zhou Kai felt an overwhelming, bone-deep satisfaction.

He had fantasized about this “Vile Servant Disciplines the Haughty Mistress” scenario for ages. The taste of reality? Tsk tsk. Absolutely exquisite.

Inside the cave abode, Chen Ziyi, Lin Zhiwei, and Wang Qiaoqiao stood in a row. Seeing him enter, their eyes flickered with lingering fear.

Zhou Kai’s heart softened instantly. That perverse satisfaction melted into genuine heartache.

He waved his hand, and the stone door to a quiet chamber deep within the cave swung open. A heavy scent of burnt herbs wafted out. Chen Ziqing sat paralyzed beside a pill furnace, her small face smudged black with soot, tears swimming in her eyes.

Zhou Kai grabbed at the empty air. A gentle, invisible force lifted Ziqing off the ground and pulled her directly into his embrace.

“Ziqing, even your husband couldn’t refine a Second Grade pill using only mortal fire,” he said softly, smoothing her messy hair. “I didn’t realize you couldn’t channel your mana yet. Forget the pills. Don’t refine anymore.”

Ziqing’s delicate body trembled. She looked ready to struggle out of his arms and kneel in apology.

Zhou Kai’s reaction was lightning fast. With a thought, the Mysterious Nether Precious Mirror shot out—Whoosh!

It hovered in mid-air, instantly expanding until it was taller than a man. The mirror’s surface rippled like water, releasing a halo of soft, milky-white light that drifted down over the four women like spring rain.

Bathed in that gentle radiance, all four women shuddered.

Chen Ziqing reacted first. Perhaps she had been suppressing it for too long, but she suddenly let out a loud “Wah!” and buried her face in Zhou Kai’s chest, wailing uncontrollably.

Her small fists hammered against his chest—half-acting, half-genuine—as she cried through a thick nasal whine.

“Big Brother Zhou! Wuwuwu… When you get stronger later, you have to take me with you! We have to find that stinky woman surnamed Li and… and stuff her into the latrine pit!”

Zhou Kai’s eye twitched.

This girl… she really dared to dream!

Stuffing her in a latrine might be a bit much, he thought, amused. But the image of that arrogant Grand Miss crying and begging for mercy? Now that is something to look forward to.

Chen Ziyi’s eyes were also brimming with tears, but she bit her lip, refusing to make a sound, only clutching Zhou Kai’s sleeve tightly.

Lin Zhiwei’s red-rimmed eyes lost their fear, replaced once more by a look of deep attachment and admiration.

Wang Qiaoqiao took a deep breath, a smile of immense relief breaking across her face before she turned her head away, slightly embarrassed.

“Alright, alright, no more crying.” Zhou Kai patted Ziqing’s back.

Once her sobs subsided to sniffles, he explained the true nature of the Spirit Platform Fuel Fire Talisman. He detailed the “break and then stand” effect—how, after three to five years of dormancy, their cultivation would soar.

The four women listened, shocked and overjoyed.

“You mean, not only can we help our Husband, but our future cultivation will actually be smoother?” Chen Ziyi’s beautiful eyes sparkled with strange colors.

“Of course!” Zhou Kai smiled arrogantly. “How could Zhou Kai’s women be mediocre?”

Lin Zhiwei whispered, “So… this is actually a blessing in disguise?”

Wang Qiaoqiao’s eyes darted around. “Will I still have my Thunder Spirit Root?”

Ziqing lifted her tear-stained face from Zhou Kai’s chest. Her eyes were shimmering pools of water, her voice soft and sticky like glutinous rice.

“Big Brother Zhou… it’s been so long…”

Zhou Kai laughed heartily, hoisting Ziqing up onto his shoulder while his gaze swept over the other three.

” The spring night is short! All of you, follow me!”

A night of warmth, intimacy, and the tossing of dragon and phoenix needs no further description.

The next day, the sky was just turning a pale grey.

Zhou Kai emerged from the cave abode, feeling refreshed and invigorated. He found Fish Baibai first, instructing her to return the Mysterious Nether Precious Mirror to Li Youci, then headed straight for the Outer Sect.

Last night, Chen Ziyi had updated him on Fang Lizhe’s situation.

In a spacious courtyard within the Outer Sect, five figures were breathing in the morning Spirit Qi.

Zhou Kai stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze sweeping over them. Fang Lizhe was among them.

Seeing a Foundation Establishment Senior Uncle suddenly descend, the other four Qi Condensation disciples stiffened. They scrambled to stand and bowed, their attitudes incredibly respectful.

“At ease. Go about your business,” Zhou Kai said indifferently.

His eyes landed on Fang Lizhe. The kid seemed less block-headed than before; his eyes held a new steadiness.

“Big Brother Zhou!” Fang Lizhe exclaimed, surprised and delighted. He hurried forward to usher Zhou Kai into his room.

“Qi Condensation, Second Layer. Not bad.” Zhou Kai looked him over, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. “Eh? You kid… you’re actually walking the Body Cultivation path? Meridian Opening, Second Layer?”

Fang Lizhe chuckled, scratching his head. “Big Brother Zhou, I figured if my body is stronger, I’ll be better in a fight!”

“I’m planning to take you to my cave abode to cultivate. The Spirit Qi is denser there, and there are fewer mundane annoyances. Are you willing?” Zhou Kai cut straight to the chase.

Unexpectedly, Fang Lizhe hesitated. He looked bashful, his eyes involuntarily darting toward the backyard.

Zhou Kai’s Divine Sense was sharp; a quick sweep and he grinned.

In the backyard, a girl slightly younger than Fang Lizhe was training her tendons and bones. She wore a clean, sharp set of green martial clothes that outlined a physique far more athletic than most girls her age.

Her punches and kicks generated wind—fierce, wide, and open. She carried the aggressive air of a military veteran.

“You kid, you’ve got a situation, huh?” Zhou Kai teased.

Fang Lizhe blushed crimson. “Big Brother, don’t make fun of me… That’s Junior Sister Duan.”

“Oh? Junior Sister Duan?” Zhou Kai raised an eyebrow. “If you want to protect your little lady, you can’t slack on your own strength. Come with me. You can only protect her if you’re strong, right?”

Fang Lizhe turned redder but nodded, realizing Zhou Kai was right. “Big Brother Zhou, let me go tell Junior Sister Duan and introduce you.”

Moments later, Fang Lizhe led the girl in martial attire to Zhou Kai.

“Big Brother Zhou, this is Junior Sister Duan Tietang.”

“Junior Sister Duan, this is Senior Uncle Zhou Kai. The Big Brother I always tell you about!”

Duan Tietang looked at Zhou Kai. Her eyes were clear and bright, lacking any trace of shy maidenly affectation. She bowed solemnly.

“Disciple Duan Tietang greets Senior Uncle Zhou.”

“No need for formalities, Martial Niece Duan.” Zhou Kai praised her silently. This girl had excellent bone structure and a physique far surpassing ordinary men. A perfect seedling for Body Cultivation. With some polish, her future was limitless.

He didn’t beat around the bush. “Martial Niece Duan, I intend to take Lizhe to a new cave abode for cultivation. Are you willing to go with him?”

Duan Tietang didn’t hesitate for a second. Her answer was crisp. “This disciple is willing! Wherever Senior Brother Lizhe goes, I go!”

Zhou Kai nodded inwardly. A straightforward girl with a refreshing personality. She was clearly devoted to Lizhe.

The three set off immediately, arriving at the cave abode where Chen Ziyi and the others had previously lived.

The Spirit Qi here was abundant and the environment secluded—worlds apart from Fang Lizhe’s previous shared courtyard.

“Big Brother Zhou, where is Sister-in-law?” Fang Lizhe asked habitually, noticing Chen Ziyi’s absence.

Zhou Kai gave a brief explanation of the current situation, then his expression turned serious.

He was focused on the matter of the Cicada Raiment Art.

“Lizhe, your great-grandfather was an Immortal Senior. Do you know where he traveled during his lifetime?”

Fang Lizhe thought for a moment. “Big Brother, when I was little, I read some travel logs my great-grandfather left behind. Let me think…”

He picked up a tree branch and began to draw a crude map on the dirt floor of the courtyard, relying on memory.

Zhou Kai watched intently.

When Fang Lizhe marked the approximate locations of the Great Zhou Kingdom and Broken Wood Bay, Zhou Kai’s pupils constricted slightly.

According to Fang Lizhe’s drawing, the last clearly recorded journey of his great-grandfather started near Gazing River City, passed through Broken Wood Bay, and finally returned to the Great Zhou Kingdom!

Gazing River City… The Golden Copper Dock’s Fu Family… The Yin Ruins Sect…

And the ‘Cicada Raiment Art’ and ‘Cicada Song Art’…

Zhou Kai frowned, his mind racing. Does the Cicada Raiment Art really have ties to the Demonic Path? The Fu Family destroyed the Lin Family for the Cicada Song Art, and the Yin Ruins Sect attacked Gazing River City… Could their true target be these two techniques?

This matter was significant. He needed to question Lin Zhiwei thoroughly about her ancestors when he returned.

Suppressing his doubts, Zhou Kai saw that Fang Lizhe’s cultivation of the Wordless Scripture was decent but average. He offered a few pointers on the trickier aspects.

Since Zhou Kai cultivated the authentic Lawless Wordless Heaven Scripture, guiding someone on the simplified Wordless Scripture was as easy as looking down from a mountain peak.

Leaving behind some Qi Gathering Pills and Body Tempering Powder, he instructed Fang Lizhe and Duan Tietang to cultivate diligently, then drifted away.

The connection to the Cicada Raiment Art had to be reported to Li Youci.

Taiji Peak. The Small Pavilion outside Fish Baibai’s Cave Abode.

A gentle breeze rustled the bamboo shadows.

Li Youci, dressed in a long black dress, reclined languidly on a beauty’s bench, idly toying with the Mysterious Nether Precious Mirror. Fish Baibai stood obediently by her side, pouring clear tea.

Zhou Kai arrived below the pavilion and spoke clearly.

“Subordinate Zhou Kai greets the Grand Miss.”

Li Youci didn’t even lift her eyelids. She merely let out a soft, dismissive snort through her nose.

“What is it, Zhou Kai? Tired of your gentle haven already? Or did you run over here just to flaunt your ‘true love’ and loyal women in front of me?”

Zhou Kai ignored the sarcasm entirely.

“Grand Miss, this subordinate is here regarding the Cicada Raiment Art.”

He concisely relayed his speculation: the potential link between the Cicada Raiment Art, the Cicada Song Art, the Yin Ruins Sect, and the Fu Family of Gazing River City.

“Near Gazing River City, is it…” Li Youci pondered for a moment. “Then we shall make a trip. I will arrange the details. You go and cultivate properly for now.”

With that, Li Youci stood and returned to her cave abode, dismissive as ever.

Zhou Kai turned to Fish Baibai.

“Baibai, what did the Grand Miss want with you?”

Fish Baibai blinked. “The Young Miss was testing my Spirit Root.”

“Oh?” Zhou Kai’s eyes flashed with excitement. He grinned. “I have a premonition. It won’t be long before our Baibai’s Water Spirit Root breaks through to the High Grade!”

With a flip of his wrist, he summoned the Spirit Boat.

He scooped Fish Baibai up by her waist.

“Yah!” She let out a surprised squeak, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Let’s go! Senior Brother is taking you to Huicheng for a feast!” Zhou Kai leaped onto the Spirit Boat. “And on the way back, we’ll stop at the Falling Star Moon Grasping Platform to enjoy the evening breeze and watch the stars!”