Chapter 161: Chapter 1: Si Hu Studio Master of Demon Lion Peak

Inside the Jade Tower on Cyan Demon Cliff.

Madam Ye sized up her son-in-law, marveling, "You’ve only just entered the Life Talisman Realm, yet your Magical Power is so profound it’s nearly caught up to mine... The Holy-Grade Celestial Dew truly has the miraculous power to defy fate and creation!"

She was a Mid-stage Life Talisman cultivator, just a hair’s breadth away from the late stage. And yet, Fang Cheng had only just broken through to the Life Talisman Realm, and the sheer depth of his Magical Power already rivaled her own. It was truly unbelievable!

Considering her son-in-law’s attainments in the Sword Dao, a thought crossed Madam Ye’s mind: ’I might not even be a match for him.’

What she didn’t know was that Fang Cheng had first received Wen Qianqian’s help in expanding his Qi Sea, then used the Holy-Grade Celestial Dew to reconstruct his foundation. Combined with the Upper-Grade Spirit Stones and the celestial phenomenon that accompanied his breakthrough, the cumulative effect had elevated his strength to a monstrous level.

Among cultivators of the same realm, he could likely claim the top spot for both the profundity of his Magical Power and the sharpness of his Sword Technique!

With this, Fang Cheng had finally transformed his status, leaping from a low-level cultivator in the Abyssal Marsh into the ranks of the powerful elite.

His current status and strength put him on equal footing with the highest-ranking members of the Ye Family Elders’ Council.

He could now command a portion of the Ye Family’s resources as he saw fit.

Fang Cheng was deeply grateful for all of Madam Ye’s support. Even now, successful in his Cultivation and filled with joy, he remained humble and conducted himself with the proper deference of a junior in her presence.

As for Ye Yan and Die’Er, it went without saying they were even happier than if they themselves had broken through to the Life Talisman Realm.

The four of them sat in the Jade Tower, gazing at the beautiful scenery below the mountain, chatting and laughing cheerfully.

Just then, a streak of Escape Light flew from the interior of the island, heading straight for the Jade Tower on Cyan Demon Cliff.

Upon seeing the Escape Light, Madam Ye’s expression shifted slightly, and she immediately rose to greet the visitor.

Fang Cheng and Ye Yan followed her outside.

"Grand Elder, what brings you here in person?"

Madam Ye stepped outside the Jade Tower and performed a deep curtsy to the figure within the Escape Light.

The Escape Light quickly dissipated, revealing a venerable, silver-haired elder.

He was dressed in a magnificent, wide-sleeved Magical Robe and had a remarkably healthy complexion, carrying a natural air of authority.

Fang Cheng looked at the elder and saw that the man was also sizing him up. He cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Greetings, Patriarch."

The Grand Elder smiled, pleased. "Excellent. Truly a Dragon-riding Immortal Son-in-law. Qingyao, with this brilliant move, you’ve allowed our Ye Family to surpass the other three great families."

Madam Ye said gently, "You flatter me, Elder. Please, come inside so we may talk." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

With that, she invited the Grand Elder into the Jade Tower.

This Grand Elder was nearly three hundred years old. He had weathered the vicissitudes of time, and his Cultivation had reached the Peak of Life Talisman, but unfortunately, he had never been able to take that final step to the next realm.

He walked into the Jade Tower and took the seat of honor. Fang Cheng and Madam Ye sat on either side of him, and after Ye Yan served tea, she took a seat next to Fang Cheng.

After a few pleasantries, the Grand Elder got straight to the point. "Qingyao, Sun Fugai, the Peak Master of Demon Lion Peak, sent me a Flying Sword Communication personally. He wishes to take Fang Cheng as his disciple and entrusted me to come here and ask about it."

Madam Ye was startled at first, but her expression soon turned thoughtful as she glanced at Fang Cheng.

Fang Cheng knew very little about the upper echelons of the Yinluo Sect. This was the first time he had ever heard the name "Sun Fugai," so he couldn’t help but look to Ye Yan.

Ye Yan wore a peculiar expression as she whispered, "Peak Lord Sun is the number one expert in the Yinluo Sect’s Life Talisman Realm. He’s the cultivator most likely to break through to the Life Soul Realm within the next century."

Madam Ye asked the Grand Elder, "What is your recommendation, Elder?"

The Grand Elder leisurely sipped his tea. "Among the nine Peak Masters of the Inner Sect and its many Elders, Sun Fugai is second to none when it comes to Sword Technique," he said. "However, with Fang Cheng’s talent, Celestial City Peak is also a viable option."

"I was just weighing that very matter," Madam Ye sighed softly.

The Peak Master of Celestial City Peak was the current Sect Leader of the Yinluo Sect, the personal disciple of a Supreme Elder, and wielded immense authority within the sect.

Celestial City Peak also boasted the greatest number of Inner Sect Elders and True Disciples among the Nine Peaks; it was truly teeming with talent.

The phenomenon accompanying Fang Cheng’s breakthrough to the Life Talisman Realm had been so astounding that it wouldn’t be long before word reached the Sect Leader’s ears.

Knowing the Sect Leader’s disposition, how could he possibly overlook a talent like Fang Cheng?

But of all people... it had to be the Peak Master of Demon Lion Peak!

Madam Ye then turned to Fang Cheng. "My dear son-in-law, Peak Lord Sun’s Sword Technique is unparalleled; he would undoubtedly be an excellent master. However, if you could become the Sect Leader’s disciple, the benefits would be just as great, if not greater. Ultimately, you must make this decision yourself."

Fang Cheng understood. Sun Fugai was formidably powerful, with a strong chance of reaching the Life Soul Realm in the future.

The Sect Leader, on the other hand, held the most power, controlled the most resources, and had the broadest network of connections. For the time being, he was by no means an inferior choice to Sun Fugai.

Fang Cheng said, "There’s no rush on this matter. I need some time to think it over."

The Grand Elder nodded. "I’ve known Sun Fugai for many years, so I am familiar with his temperament. He deeply cherishes talent and would be a good master. When you make your choice, you needn’t worry that picking one will offend the other."

Although he didn’t state it outright, the very fact that he had come in person showed that he was here to speak on Sun Fugai’s behalf.

The Grand Elder drank a few more cups of tea and shared some advice with Fang Cheng regarding cultivation in the Life Talisman Realm. His words were calm and sincere, clearly intended to guide a junior and help him avoid potential pitfalls.

Fang Cheng listened humbly and thanked him repeatedly.

Finally, the Grand Elder rose to leave, and Fang Cheng, Madam Ye, and Ye Yan saw him out of the Jade Tower.

When they returned, Ye Yan had a mischievous smile on her face. She said to Madam Ye, "Mother, doesn’t Peak Lord Sun have a nickname? Something like the ’Si Hu Studio Master of Demon Lion Peak’?"

Madam Ye gave her daughter a soft glare and chided, "Don’t speak such nonsense! If anyone outside our family were to hear you, it would surely lead to trouble."

Ye Yan pouted and made a cute face at Fang Cheng.

Fang Cheng asked curiously, "Why does Peak Lord Sun have a nickname like that? Is he a tiger enthusiast, perhaps?"

Ye Yan snuck a glance at Madam Ye. Seeing that her mother remained noncommittal, she began to explain to Fang Cheng in a hushed voice.