Seven days later, Fang Ling slowly opened his eyes.
He had completely refined the medicinal power of the Bodhi Vajra Pill.
His physical strength had doubled outright, reaching an extraordinarily powerful level.
He already possessed a Chaos Saint Body bolstered by the Undying Heart, giving his body a capacity for growth that ordinary creatures could not match.
Moreover, since descending the mountain, he had devoured the life essence of quite a few creatures, making his body even more formidable.
Doubling his strength on top of that foundation had brought him to a level that simply should not exist in his realm.
If I faced Jin Buhan in my current state...
Even if I stood still and let him attack, he would struggle to hurt me.
His terrifying physical resilience was coupled with his heaven-defying ability to recover.
The speed at which Jin Buhan inflicted damage might not even keep pace with his body's natural regeneration.
Hmm? Why is she here?! Suddenly, he looked toward the west courtyard in surprise, sensing someone familiar.
Inside a guest room in the west courtyard.
Yun Shuiqing sat cross-legged on the bed, her complexion poor as she rested and regulated her breathing.
Suddenly, she seemed to sense something and snapped her eyes open.
Seeing Fang Ling appear before the bed, she was overjoyed.
She hurried to the edge of the bed, put on her boots, and approached him before dropping to one knee. "Greetings, Church Master!"
Fang Ling gave a quiet acknowledgment, then immediately asked, "Why is your aura unsettled? How were you injured?"
"Church Master, I have failed you. I couldn't complete the task you entrusted to us..."
"What exactly happened? Where are the others?" Fang Ling asked gravely.
"After leaving Heavenbreak Mountain that day, we split up to recruit our former subordinates and call upon our fellow church members," Yun Shuiqing explained in detail.
"Since I was on good terms with Eagle Venerable, I volunteered to seek her out."
"She is an extremely proud woman. After Lord Mo passed away, the Heavenly Net Church became a flock of dragons without a head and fell apart."
"She took her followers away and established her own organization, the Flying Eagle Gate."
"With her profound cultivation and formidable methods, she developed the Flying Eagle Gate into a major sect in just two hundred years."
"But she kept an unusually low profile, and the Flying Eagle Gate rarely involved itself in the Southern Sun Kingdom's cultivation world, so few people knew about it."
"I knew she was doing this out of loyalty to our old ties, hoping to return to the Heavenly Net Church someday, so I set out full of confidence."
"But when I found her and explained the situation, she refused."
"I was very surprised, and I wasn't willing to give up, so I stayed near the Flying Eagle Gate, hoping to persuade her a few more times."
"But I soon discovered why Eagle Venerable had refused so firmly. For some unknown reason, her Flying Eagle Gate had come into conflict with the Six Harmonies Sect."
"The Six Harmonies Sect is extremely powerful, a first-rate sect in the Southern Sun Kingdom."
"At its peak, the Six Harmonies Sect ranked among the top five in the Southern Sun Kingdom."
"Only then did I realize that Eagle Venerable didn't want to bring her own troubles upon the church."
"Our Heavenly Net Church may have fallen apart after Lord Mo died."
"But when an outside enemy appears, we still stand by one another."
"I told Tiger Venerable and the others about the situation here. They immediately led their followers over to help and joined forces with the Flying Eagle Gate."
"We all thought we would soon finish off the Six Harmonies Sect and come to Dragon City to meet you."
"But what we never expected was that the Six Harmonies Sect had a mysterious power backing it."
"After several vicious battles, not only had we failed to finish off the Six Harmonies Sect, but we had suffered devastating losses."
"Of our original three hundred and seventy thousand followers, only a hundred and fifty thousand remained when I slipped out of the Flying Eagle Gate to seek help..."
"Python Venerable and the Water and Fire Guards were gravely wounded. Master Qingmu was assassinated in the camp."
"Jin Facai, the Gold Guard who had just returned to the church, and the merchant association under him were also attacked."
"Not only were his assets plundered, but he lost his life as well..."
After hearing her account, Fang Ling finally understood why they had been delayed for so long.
The Gold and Wood Guards had actually been killed, which filled him with regret.
"You should have come to me sooner," he said.
Yun Shuiqing felt ashamed. They had been brimming with confidence at first, and by the time they realized what was happening, they had already lost the initiative.
She herself had nearly lost her life breaking through the Six Harmonies Sect's layers of encirclement.
After reaching Dragon City, a little investigation had revealed that Fang Ling was at the White Estate.
But when she arrived, Fang Ling was still in secluded cultivation. She had not dared disturb him rashly, so she had taken a room there first.
"When did you arrive?" Fang Ling asked.
"At sunset yesterday," Yun Shuiqing replied.
"Come with me. We'll find someone to help, then leave immediately to reinforce them," Fang Ling said gravely.
"Yes!" Yun Shuiqing answered, obediently following behind him.
Fang Ling led her out of the room, then took several turns until they reached Dou Qin's door.
He knocked lightly a few times, and Dou Qin's disciple opened the door.
Shi Xiaobi blinked, looking curiously at Yun Shuiqing behind Fang Ling.
"Young Master Fang!" Seeing him arrive, Dou Qin greeted him with a graceful bow.
Then she noticed Yun Shuiqing standing behind Fang Ling.
"Oh? Sister Yun, it's been so long!" she said in delighted surprise.
Since they were both from the Southern Sun Kingdom, Fang Ling was not surprised that they knew each other.
When Yun Shuiqing saw that Dou Qin was the person Fang Ling had come to find, she thought it quite a coincidence.
"Sister Dou, I hope you've been well!" A faint smile appeared on her face as well.
When they were young, Yun Shuiqing had saved Dou Qin once.
Afterward, Dou Qin had helped treat Yun Shuiqing's injuries several times.
Through these exchanges, they had formed a friendship.
But after Yun Shuiqing joined the Heavenly Net Church, neither had sought the other out again.
The Heavenly Net Church was considered a demonic sect in the Southern Sun Kingdom, while Dou Qin's Medical Immortal Valley was firmly aligned with the royal family and belonged to the righteous path.
They had stopped meeting and contacting each other to avoid causing trouble for one another.
"Since you two are old acquaintances, there's no need for lengthy explanations."
"You can treat her injuries on the way!"
As Fang Ling spoke, he turned and walked into the courtyard, then whistled. The Netherworld Beast immediately came bounding over.
He leaped onto the Netherworld Beast's back, then looked toward Dou Qin and Yun Shuiqing.
Dou Qin and Yun Shuiqing exchanged a glance before climbing on as well.
"My mount runs very fast. Sit tight," Fang Ling said.
"All right!" the two women answered, settling their weight securely.
Just as Fang Ling was about to set off, Bai Jiang hurried over.
"Church Master Fang, wait!" Bai Jiang shouted.
"Our White Family is willing to lend your church a hand!"
"My second brother has nearly finished gathering our forces. They'll be ready to depart shortly."
After Yun Shuiqing arrived yesterday, Bai Jiang had naturally learned of Fang Ling's current identity.
He had been deeply shocked to discover that Fang Ling was now the master of the Heavenly Net Church.
The White Family had an extensive intelligence network, and he also knew what had happened recently.
Thus, he and his younger brother Bai Bo had met with their ancestor overnight to discuss the matter.
They had unanimously agreed that they should lend their strength at this moment, and preparations had begun that very night.
"My thanks to the White Family!" Fang Ling cupped his hands toward Bai Jiang in gratitude.
Although he did not need the White Family's help, he certainly would not refuse another friend.
Yun Shuiqing had been worried that even Fang Ling's return alone might not be enough to turn the tide.
But hearing that the White Family was also willing to help immediately eased her heart somewhat.
"The situation is urgent, so I'll go on ahead!"
As Fang Ling finished speaking, the Netherworld Beast raced toward the horizon and vanished from sight...
Before you continue