Eleventh Waterway, Sixth Pass, Xuan Lion Pass.

Between Shuitian, a majestic pass loomed in the distance, towering like a lion bowing its head to drink water.

Above and below Xuan Lion Pass, there was a dense gathering of Other Race Powerhouses, stretching as far as the eye could see, their numbers numbering well over millions.

On the warship, the morale of the Eastern Celestial Cultivators surged like a rainbow. Ning Fan had captured six Different Race Immortal Emperors in two consecutive battles, turning the Eleventh Waterway upside down. No one knew if a large number of Different Race Immortal Emperors would participate in the upcoming Xuan Lion Pass strategic battle, so everyone was prepared for a battle to the death.

However, as the warship continued to close in, more and more Eastern Celestial Cultivators relaxed and felt it was inconceivable: there was not even an Immortal Emperor stationed at Xuan Lion Pass...

In this case, under the crushing force of Ning Fan and three other Immortal Emperor-level warriors, the Other Race at this place had almost no power to resist, crumbling in one blow, with rivers of blood flowing.

Xuan Lion Pass, a battle to recover!

After that, Yanbing Pass, Ancient Elephant Pass, Tongyun Pass... each pass was lightened in succession, and strangely, all the way, Ning Fan never encountered large-scale retaliation from the Different Race.

That feeling was the same as waiting for the Dark Clan’s retaliation that never came, like punching with all one’s strength but hitting only air.

In the blink of an eye, months had passed.

The last pass of the Eleventh Waterway—Lingyun Pass, was eventually breached by Ning Fan’s team. This marked the complete recovery of all the passes in the Eleventh Waterway!

Each waterway has a main pass, which is the pivotal formation of that waterway. The strength of the main pass’s formation is the strongest among all passes.

Lingyun Pass was the main pass of the Eleventh Path, and the recovery of the main pass signified the complete success of Ning Fan’s team’s mission on the Eleventh Path. What Ning Fan was concerned about was the delayed retaliation from the Different Race.

This situation was unreasonable, and Ning Fan vaguely felt that the absence of revenge from the Different Race was merely the calm before the storm, hence he dared not be careless and remained highly vigilant.

However, True Monarch Lei Xian and others were convinced that the Different Race was terrified by Ning Fan, so they dared not retaliate.

Days later, a dispatch suddenly issued from Taiyuan Crossing, instructing True Monarch Lei Xian and others to evacuate Lingyun Pass and support other battlefronts.

Thus, the Immortal Emperor-level warriors at Lingyun Pass were reduced to only Ning Fan.

Ning Fan was not relocated from this place. The order he received was to continue guarding Lingyun Pass until all other waterways were recovered, at which point new arrangements would be made.

The Eleventh Path was the first of all waterways in the Eastern Boundary River to achieve full recovery of its territory. This was not only because of the formidable strength of Ning Fan’s team but also because the passes on the Eleventh Path were few, merely thirteen in total, making it a smaller undertaking.

Waterways connecting the West, North, and South Heavens had no fewer than hundreds of passes, naturally consuming considerable time for recovery. As for other stagnant waterways, most have recovered less than half of their passes so far, making their progress significantly slower compared to the Eleventh Path.

Ning Fan settled in Lingyun Pass.

Lingyun Pass’s formation was exceptionally strong. Once the complete reconstruction of this pass was finished, even an Immortal Emperor would find it difficult to break the formation head-on. With the automatic protection from the formation, Ning Fan’s life guarding the pass became quite relaxed. He didn’t need to constantly partake in the defense work at the pass. Occasionally, small numbers of Other Race attackers would be directly annihilated by the formation.

With this, Ning Fan had ample time to deal with his personal affairs.

After months of effort from Ning Fan, the light of Dragon Ancestral Saint Cloud was finally purged of all Saint Ancestor’s will.

Ning Fan began attempting to refine that strand of Dragon Ancestral Saint Cloud. As the Ancestor Cloud was refined bit by bit, Ning Fan’s Eternal True Body underwent minor changes, with slight Celebratory Cloud Patterns appearing on the surfaces of the Golden Flame Armor and the giant shield, significantly enhancing true self-defense.

At the same time, the Body-protecting Golden Light released by the Eternal True Body saw a change in its form.

Previously, Ning Fan’s Body-protecting Golden Light was an ordinary myriad of golden rays.

But now, within those myriad golden rays, some began to fog up, forming cloud-like shapes. When Ning Fan reused the Body-protecting Golden Light, specks of golden Celebratory Clouds faintly appeared in the golden light, greatly bolstering the defense of the Body-protecting Golden Light.

Just from refining a strand of Saint Ancestor’s Celebratory Cloud, his defense improved once again; this Dragon Ancestral Saint Cloud was indeed remarkable, regrettably, there was no more of it, or Ning Fan could have gained more benefits.

After refining the cloud, Ning Fan opened the Realm of Incense Offering and took out the Heavenly Dao Gold and Silver that the Xianghuo Disciples had mined during this period.

Then, he secretly used the ancient kingdom trading array to purchase several processed Innate Treasures from the Tongtian Sect, refining them into Divine Liquid with the Melting Refinement Furnace, and consumed them.

Since returning from the Dark Clan decades ago, Ning Fan had successively purchased over a hundred processed Innate Treasures from Tongtian Sect for refining Divine Liquid.

The reason he didn’t buy perfect quality treasures was due to the exorbitant cost, priced over ten times higher than processed ones, making them not worthwhile for refining.

The quality of Divine Liquid refined from perfect treasures does not differ greatly from processed ones. The focus is on the treasure’s grade rather than imperfections. In this way, Ning Fan naturally avoids spending unnecessary money.

Although Tongtian Sect has countless precious treasures, processed ones are only a small portion, not overly abundant; and the price isn’t cheap for all processed ones.

Ning Fan only buys the cheaper ones. Whenever he activates the ancient kingdom trading array, he would purchase all Innate Treasures priced under ten gold. Those more expensive, he does not buy. Despite having three gold, five silver, and eight Heavenly Dao mines, the mining speed has reached its limit and cannot be faster. The Heavenly Dao Gold and Silver in hand are limited and cannot be wasted, must be used rationally.

As days went by, more waterways were completely recovered, and frequent reports of success boosted the morale at Lingyun Pass higher each day.

After Ning Fan had almost used up the Heavenly Dao Gold and Silver in hand, he stopped refining treasures and entered the Xuan Yin Eastern Region to start treating Chongming Phoenix Emperor’s daughter—’Phoenix Consort’ Qi Yelan using the gathered Soul Healing Spiritual Medicine.

A promise, after all, must be fulfilled. Every time Ning Fan used the Treasure-searching Compass, he would recall the promise made to Chongming Phoenix Emperor, unwilling to delay the matter further.

It’s just unknown how long the healing process will take. Considering this, Ning Fan issued an order in advance: unless Lingyun Pass encountered an enemy that the formation couldn’t annihilate, do not notify him to come out and fight...

Xuan Yin Eastern Region, inside a certain lady’s boudoir.

Ning Fan summoned all seven Tianlan Phoenix Girls and informed them about the treatment.

These seven girls were naturally the result of Qi Yelan’s Demon Soul and Demon Body split into seven parts. Upon hearing that Ning Fan finally intended to save them, the seven girls couldn’t contain their joy.

However, they thought of the difficulty of uniting their Demon Souls, causing some unease, varying between joy and anxiety.

The seven girls had been imprisoned by Ning Fan for too long, their inherent pride had long been worn away by time. Upon seeing Ning Fan again, they were cautious, not daring to speak loudly.

"Don’t be afraid. Since I have made a promise with your father, I will not harm you in any way. In front of me, you need not be so cautious," Ning Fan said with a smile, his gaze slightly drifting away as he recalled the clumsy Chongming Phoenix Emperor who once hesitated at the riverbank.

That clumsy father who wanted to see his daughter but dared not, how is he now...

"You really can save me..." the seventh girl asked uncertainly.

"I can, but it will take some time... Your soul is divided into seven, each forming a body, and your demon body is also divided into seven. To reintegrate, we must first break and then rebuild, shattering the seven souls and bodies separately before fusing them again. Breaking the demon soul and body carries great risks and leaves no room for error. In the coming months, the only thing I will do is observe your demon soul and body, familiarizing myself with every inch of your soul and body composition... This process might offend you, so I hope you will cooperate a bit..."

"Brother Ning, rest assured, I understand the importance. As long as it’s beneficial for the soul fusion, I will cooperate with Brother Ning." The seventh girl replied straightforwardly.

But as soon as Ning Fan began his research, the seventh girl regretted it, yet she was already committed and could not stop...

"Take off your clothes."

"Brother Ning, aren’t you researching my demon soul and body? Why, why do I need to take off my clothes..."

The seventh girl was deeply ashamed, a tinge of reproach mixed with her embarrassment, blaming Ning Fan for being too frivolous and wanting to take advantage.

Since regaining their freedom, the seven girls had been living together with Ning Fan’s Cauldron Furnace in the Xuan Yin Eastern Region. It was at this moment that the seventh girl realized how enormous Ning Fan’s harem really was. In that Xuan Yin Eastern Region, the number of women with impure relationships with Ning Fan needed to be counted in tens of thousands. How terrifying, this man was simply a sex-starved monster unseen for millions of years...

The seventh girl remembered the moments when they were first captured by Ning Fan, having their bodies fully exposed to him.

She also recalled Ning Fan’s boastful declaration of wanting to make them Cauldron Furnaces...

[To me, absorbing the seven Shedding Void Stage Cauldron Furnaces is naturally less beneficial than absorbing the Eternal Cauldron Furnace. So I will find a way for your demon souls to reintegrate, and then I’ll absorb you...]

These were the words Ning Fan had personally said back then! What bold talk of absorbing...

This man kept promising not to harm them for the sake of an agreement, but what if he goes back on his word, what if he suddenly gives in to his lustful desires, how could they resist...

"Don’t let your thoughts run wild! I can see all your thoughts. What you are worrying about will not happen!" Ning Fan said in a serious tone.

The seventh girl’s thoughts were laid bare, her face reddening further, not daring to entertain wild imaginations, and reluctantly followed Ning Fan’s orders, taking off her clothes piece by piece, exposing her fair and smooth skin to the air without reservation.

"You, come over, don’t cover your chest, every inch of your skin must be exposed..."

"You, why are you squeezing your legs so tightly! This place is indeed shameful, but it must also be exposed..."

"You! Empty your mind, don’t let your thoughts wander, a chaotic mind will cause fluctuations in your demon soul’s power, making it difficult for me to record your soul power waves..."

"And you! Don’t curse me as shameless in your heart! If you don’t wish to be saved, then continue covering your body! I am not particularly eager to save you!"

Facing the alluring bodies of the seven girls, Ning Fan had no evil intentions, as his mastery of the bewitching technique had heightened his self-control. Still, he felt somewhat embarrassed...

The seven girls’ demon souls and physical bodies had been separated for some time, making reintegration exceedingly difficult and risky. Ning Fan had to understand every wisp of soul power, every inch of physical construction of the seven girls, otherwise, success would be almost impossible. He had to meticulously study the bodies of the seven girls, down to every organ, every inch of skin, every pore... He had to memorize their soul power fluctuations, blood flow rates, cell counts... He had to research them thoroughly, inside and out...

This process could only be described as shameful.

Such a meticulous study of the human body was not an easy task, exhausting the heart and mind, but fortunately, Ning Fan had God-Returning Rice Grain, replenishing himself whenever he grew mentally fatigued.

A day passed.

Two days passed.

Day after day passed.

The seven girls gradually realized that while Ning Fan was studying their bodies, his expression remained calm, genuinely without a trace of lust. They finally believed that Ning Fan had them assume these shameful poses and expose these embarrassing parts not out of a desire to tease them.

Yet, they still felt so ashamed...

The feeling of parting their legs, thrusting out their chests, allowing a man to examine each private part in detail, was indescribable...

While cultivators don’t hold purity in high regard, this was beyond the issue of purity, it felt like they were losing the dignity and nobility of the Phoenix Race, didn’t it!

In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.

The seven girls began to adapt to Ning Fan’s research, their every inch of skin had been etched deeply into Ning Fan’s mind, seen through to the point where nothing was left unseen.

Adaptation is truly a terrifying thing.

Now, when Ning Fan ordered them to assume various shameful positions, expose various embarrassing parts, they no longer resisted so much, because they had gotten... used to it!

The seven girls thought that having adapted to such a level of shameful play, they would no longer be embarrassed before Ning Fan.

But they were wrong, utterly wrong.

For the first half of the month, Ning Fan had only been looking.

In the following time, he started to touch and feel! Pinching here, squeezing there, poking here, prying open and looking there...

The most shameful part was, as normal women, being manipulated by a man in such a shameful manner, how could there be no physiological response! Every time this happened, the seven girls wished they could just die on the spot...

The pure water is clearer than the sky, sleeping in a painted boat listening to the rain... pfft, what nonsense poetry this is!

Ning Fan felt he had reached a new realm of invincibility, almost becoming expressionless. Deeply embarrassed inside, yet his face remained without any trace of emotion.

He felt that in this lifetime, he had never studied the anatomy of women so thoroughly, so thoroughly down to every single cell...

His eyes were covered in an azure glow, and with the celestial eye power, under extremely microscopic conditions, he memorized the souls and bodies of the seven women.

A month passed.

Two months passed.

In Ning Fan’s eyes, the bodies of the seven women were no longer mere beautiful forms. The countless cells constituting their bodies were like countless planets. Once configured, the human body became a starry sky...

All notions of beauty being perilous, allure as jade, or pink skeletons vanished completely.

At this moment, Ning Fan had ninety percent confidence in restoring the seven women’s souls.

For the remaining ten percent, he could only do his best and leave the rest to fate.

For two and a half months, the seven women had been completely observed and touched by Ning Fan, so how could their hearts remain unstirred or uncomplex?

Those emotions weren’t necessarily feelings but became habits, passive endurance transformed from shame, and longing...

Yet, when Ning Fan suddenly ceased all research activities, the seven women instead felt a sense of emptiness, and seemed reluctantly sentimental about Ning Fan’s touches... they found it hard to forget those moments of ecstasy, almost addictive...

"Chongming Phoenix Emperor was a scholar of celestial realms with unparalleled divination skills. I wonder if he foresaw his daughter would be researched by me this way. Nevertheless, this research process was indispensable... though my conscience is clear, in the end, it’s still somewhat disrespectful..."

Ning Fan truly began to revive the souls of the seven women.

He expertly shattered their demon souls and bodies into fragments. The bodies of the seven women burst, not into a blood mist, but into countless starlights, profound beyond words.

Turning bodies into starlight was something Ning Fan couldn’t achieve, but by studying the seven Phoenix Girls, he barely managed it this time.

The human body is the starry sky.

Every cell, every molecule and atom imperceptible, was a planet orbiting within the starry sky.

In Ning Fan’s eyes, the seven women’s bodies became a starry sky broken into seven parts.

He must merge these seven starry skies into one, reassembling them. This process could not allow damage to the planets or structure within the sky and required precision down to the restoration of each cell, a difficulty beyond imagination...

Reordering, recombining...

Another month passed, and Ning Fan finally merged the vast starry sky into one. A pure and transcendent naked woman walked out from the starlight. After dressing, she blushed deeply and lowered her head to Ning Fan, whispering, "Thank you..."

The words revealed an undeniable joy, for merging her seven souls as one had been her lifelong dream!

She never imagined that she could truly achieve the fusion of her seven souls one day!

Back then, her father told her that he had prophesied her savior’s position, yet she did not believe...

When Ning Fan captured her and claimed he could help her restore her soul, she likewise didn’t believe...

But now, she couldn’t help but believe in Ning Fan’s remarkable talent, achieving feats that neither her father nor many Demon Emperors of the Immortal Demon World could accomplish...

This man, although lustful, truly possessed exceptional skills...

"No need to thank me, I saved you merely to fulfill a promise to Senior Phoenix Emperor. Moreover, in the process of treatment, I was quite disrespectful to you; I sincerely hope you can forgive me..."

"Brother Ning had no choice but to do so. This matter, little sister... little sister has already forgotten, and I hope Brother Ning won’t mention it again..." Qi Yelan’s face blushed so deeply it seemed she could bleed.

She did not wish for Ning Fan to recall the embarrassing process of treatment.

She didn’t want to remember the moments of embarrassment repeatedly brought on by Ning Fan’s touch...

"..." Ning Fan, thick-skinned as he was, couldn’t hide his awkwardness.

"..." Qi Yelan wished she could dig a hole and disappear into it.

"Please take a good rest, miss... here are some expensive pills that might help you regain your power. I have matters to attend to, so I won’t stay longer. I promise to fulfill other promises and send you back to the Phoenix Race in the future."

Ning Fan took out some expensive pills and left them for Qi Yelan. His face revealed signs of fatigue, the continuous months of treatment had drained his mental and physical strength, and even after consuming God-Returning Rice Grain, he still needed a good rest.

Although Qi Yelan’s seven souls had merged, restoring her full cultivation would take time, and Ning Fan’s expensive pills were like a timely help.

Receiving the bottle of pills from Ning Fan, Qi Yelan’s face turned even redder, her fingers accidentally brushing against Ning Fan’s fingers... this perfectly normal bodily contact suddenly brought back a flood of embarrassing research memories in her mind.

These hands...

Opened her up again and again...

Made her, sensitive as she was, repeatedly experience overwhelming embarrassment...

She became absent-minded and forgot to thank Ning Fan for the medicine.

Once she snapped back to reality, she realized Ning Fan was nearly at the doorway, quickly calling out to him.

"What is it?" Ning Fan asked, puzzled.

"... Thank you."

"It’s just some expensive pills, miss, there’s no need to concern yourself."

"Brother Ning, you... you truly are a good person. Back then, when I attacked you in the Yellow River Labyrinth, please forgive me."

"I’ve forgotten the grudges of the past." Ning Fan’s expression remained unchanged, though he felt a bit speechless inside. How did he inexplicably get handed a good person card?

Soon after, he remembered something and reminded Qi Yelan, "Luckily, you stopped me. I almost forgot to remind you that although you’ve now unified your seven souls, it will still take some time for your Demon Soul to fully adapt. During this period, if you experience any soul rejection or power loss, you can pray with incense here in the Xuan Yin Treasure, and I will sense it and come to treat you."

"Ah? There’s, there’s more treatment?" Qi Yelan’s face flushed with embarrassment. Would she have to be manipulated by Ning Fan again in the future? How, how can it be...

Ning Fan’s mouth twitched, seeing through Qi Yelan’s unwillingness. Did he really want to exhaust so much energy treating her? His God-Returning Rice Grain wasn’t something he got for free...

Seeing Ning Fan seemingly displeased, Qi Yelan was a bit frightened and quickly said, "Brother Ning, please don’t misunderstand. I mean no offense. If Brother Ning still wants to treat me... I, I suppose I can endure it..."

Endure what? Endure the violation? She really does see me as some kind of scoundrel.

Forget it, I won’t explain.

Ning Fan suppressed his speechlessness, consoled Qi Yelan with a few words, and left, leaving Qi Yelan standing there alone, wanting to cry but having no tears, secretly praying that her soul power wouldn’t run wild; otherwise, she’d have to endure Ning Fan’s manipulations again...

...

After saving Qi Yelan, Ning Fan felt a weight lifted off his heart and felt much lighter.

Recalling the mysterious process of shattering Qi Yelan’s physical defense into stardust, he felt greatly enriched by the rescue, unexpectedly gaining a higher understanding of the human body.

Returning to Lingyun Pass, what awaited Ning Fan was the same calm and uneventful duty at the pass.

But this tranquility did not last long. The elemental elixir emperor, who held the position of chief commander, suddenly arrived with disciples from the Taiyuan Crossing. However, it was not for any other reason but to reward Ning Fan for his contributions.

"The Alliance Hierarch wishes to commend Ning Fan for capturing six emperors, and entrusted me with delivering these rewards to Lingyun Pass. Other Daoists have tasks at hand, but I happen to be free. I thought I could take this chance to grow closer to Daoist Ning and thus volunteered for this mission, making the special trip here..."

The rewards consisted of refining materials for innate treasures, which for ordinary Immortal Emperors could be considered precious, but to Ning Fan, they held little significance.

The Elemental Elixir Emperor explained the reason for his visit casually, sometimes revealing his intent to befriend Ning Fan.

On the surface, Ning Fan exchanged casual chats with the Elemental Elixir Emperor, but in his heart, he was wary of the man’s intentions.

He was well aware.

This Elder Yuan Dan had long coveted his Yin Yang Locket. During the chaos in Eastern Heaven instigated by Senluo, this person even asked Senluo for it...

As for this smiling face tiger, who secretly covets the Yin Yang Locket, Ning Fan obviously could not genuinely make friends with him, merely feigning politeness.

After secretly activating his divine talent for Communication with All Things, he heard the following words...

The Elemental Elixir Emperor’s clothes: "Kill Ning Fan, kill Ning Fan, kill Ning Fan!"

The Elemental Elixir Emperor’s storage pouch: "Kill Ning Fan, kill Ning Fan, kill Ning Fan!"

The Elemental Elixir Emperor’s shoes: "Kill Ning Fan, kill Ning Fan, kill Ning Fan!"

...

...

Ning Fan was speechless.

Just how much did this Elder Yuan Dan want him dead? To the extent even his clothes and shoes were drenched in killing intent. It was clear that behind the scenes, this person had indiscriminately targeted him numerous times...

Unfortunately, no matter how the Elemental Elixir Emperor tried to conceal his killing intent, it couldn’t be hidden from Communication with All Things.

"This person harbors killing intent toward me, with no sincere desire to make friends. He traveled a long way to Lingyun Pass, not to befriending me, but surely plotting something else; I must be careful..."

The Elemental Elixir Emperor believed he was masking his killing intent well, but little did he know, Ning Fan had already seen through everything.

Thinking back on how the Other Race hadn’t mounted a massive retaliation against him, and how coincidentally this Yuan Dan Emperor suddenly showed up, secretly harboring murder...

Ning Fan’s gaze flickered, as if he had a suspicion: If this person indeed had ulterior motives, he probably wouldn’t leave immediately after delivering the rewards...

Sure enough, after handing over Emperor Cang’s reward to Ning Fan, the Yuan Dan Emperor did not leave immediately. His warship conveniently encountered a malfunction, requiring ten days of repairs before it could be used again.

As a result, the Yuan Dan Emperor had to linger at Lingyun Pass, awaiting the repair of his warship.

Coincidentally, on the sixth day of the Yuan Dan Emperor’s stay at Lingyun Pass, three thousand miles to the west, a large omen of prosperity suddenly appeared, indicating the emergence of a rare treasure.

"Unexpectedly, there’s a treasure emerging near Lingyun Pass. Judging by the scale of this omen, it seems to be an Innate Treasure! I intend to go and have a look, but unfortunately, my warship hasn’t been repaired yet. I wonder if I could borrow Daoist Ning’s warship..."

Ning Fan seemed equally enticed by the sight of the treasure, not only agreeing to lend his warship but also requesting to accompany the Elemental Elixir Emperor.

The Elemental Elixir Emperor pretended to refuse, seeming unwilling to have Ning Fan accompany him, as if afraid Ning Fan would steal the treasure. But ultimately, having a request to make, the Yuan Dan Emperor had to compromise with Ning Fan, reluctantly agreeing that if they encountered the treasure during their trip, it would be up to their abilities to acquire it; he certainly would not share it evenly with Ning Fan.

Once the warship carried the Elemental Elixir Emperor and Ning Fan out of the range of Lingyun Pass’s formation, the Elemental Elixir Emperor’s heart couldn’t help but rejoice.

This kid, easily took the bait, indeed blinded by greed...

Lust drowns in the sea of suffering, incendiarism is the pit of fire. This principle, let me teach you well, as for the tuition, haha... it’s your life!