Beauty Fu had returned.
The ruins of Zhenyang Palace had appeared for thirty-six days before disappearing again, and the powerful figures from every faction returned one after another.
Beauty Fu had survived as well.
The Zhou Family patriarch, however, had died.
Accounts of what had happened inside the ruins varied wildly. Beauty Fu neither described her experiences nor revealed what treasures she had obtained.
But her cultivation had risen to the Upper Realm.
"Do you intend to return to your sect, Beauty?"
Chen Lin sat opposite Beauty Fu, sounding out her intentions.
He had not expected her cultivation to break through.
That introduced a new variable. She was now an Upper Realm expert, qualified to become Red Thirteenth Lady's formal disciple, and might no longer be willing to remain in Ningxuan City.
"No."
Beauty Fu's answer was decisive.
"My master's disciples are all extraordinarily gifted. I can't compete with them there, so I might as well stay in Ningxuan Prefecture and be a carefree sect leader."
"Won't your master summon you back?"
Chen Lin asked in puzzlement.
"My master doesn't bother with such things. She lets her disciples roam free, and our standing rises automatically with our cultivation realm. Even without returning, I count as a formal disciple. Being a local emperor here in Ningxuan Prefecture suits me just fine."
A smile appeared on Chen Lin's face at her answer.
"Then I can rest easy. With you staying here, Beauty, I won't have to wander from place to place either. I'll be counting on your protection."
"No problem."
Beauty Fu was in an excellent mood.
She promised generously, "You rendered a great service by helping me seize the Black Crow Sect. I'll appoint you Great Elder. As long as you don't offend the other Sage Realm disciples, you can do