Chapter One: I'm Innocent!

If there were even the slightest mistake made against Fang Qingyan today, the consequences would be unimaginable! However, since it was not a calamity, then it was a blessing!

With the relationship bestowed by the Grandmaster Ancestress, it was greatly advantageous for the registered disciples. Zhao Ziyang immediately snapped out of his daze, bowed deeply, and said, “Disciple was unaware that the Grandmaster Ancestress was present and has been negligent in the past. I humbly ask for your pardon!”

Among cultivators, aside from one’s Dao partner, addressing a worldly wife as “madam” is the utmost formality; one need not be overly reverent.

Yang Nan shook his head and smiled, “The Kunlun Sect’s rules are strict; there would never be any mistreatment of disciples. Those who caused trouble before have long been removed. I know clearly how you conduct yourself, so there is no need for excessive courtesy.”

Feeling as if granted a great pardon, Zhao Ziyang stood up, wiped the cold sweat from his brow, and took the few rare elixirs. Seeing Fang Qingyan looking like she had something to say, Yang Nan said, “Qingyan, since we acknowledge each other, why don’t we remove your name from the Kunlun registry and return to Spirit Beast Mountain to settle matters?”

This little wife had endured many hardships for him; how could Yang Nan not feel pity for her? From now on, he was determined to treat her well!

Fang Qingyan nodded, “Husband, in the past I was cared for by Senior Brother Da and Senior Brother Jing, but now that you show kindness, I hope you will care for me even more.”

She bore none of the arrogance expected of a Grandmaster Ancestress; instead, she recalled the kindnesses of others, and all her suffering seemed to vanish the moment she saw Yang Nan. In her heart, belonging to her husband meant being one, so there was no need for excessive formality.

Zhao Ziyang and the guiding disciples sweated nervously and hastened to reply respectfully, “Not at all, disciple is unworthy.”

“Fang Qingyan truly has outstanding character—gentle and generous!” Yang Nan nodded slightly, pondering for a moment before saying, “With these few elixirs, it won’t be hard for you to advance in your Dao realm. When one day you enter the Outer Sect, I will bring you to Spirit Beast Mountain. In the Jade Purity Hall, there will be a place for you. However, the Dao is boundless; how far you progress depends on your own fate.”

The two were overjoyed and bowed, “Thank you for your compassion, Grandmaster Ancestress! We will cultivate earnestly and not disappoint you!”

With a wave of his robe, Yang Nan smiled at Fang Qingyan, “Qingyan, does this arrangement suit you? Shall we go?”

Since she was now his wife, naturally he would decide matters. She had no objections and said softly, “Thank you, husband.” Neither of them expected such a great change in status at their second meeting. Though bound by parents’ wishes and arranged marriage, two strangers would still address each other as husband and wife. Fang Qingyan naturally accepted Yang Nan’s identity, and he felt a pang of guilt for her sincere heart.

Thus, the awkwardness and estrangement between them suddenly faded somewhat.

Yang Nan led his new wife beyond the Kunlun Heavenly Gate, then turned to the misty Kunlun mountains and said, “Qingyan, since we are husband and wife, there is something I must ask. The immortal and mortal realms differ; if you are willing to bear children for the Yang family, I will have you stay at Spirit Beast Mountain for some time. Once you have borne a son or daughter for the Yang clan, I will send you back to Qingming Mountain. If you aspire to the path of immortality, the matter of succession can wait. I will teach you cultivation. What do you think?”

Seeing Yang Nan’s gentle expression, Fang Qingyan was moved and bowed her head firmly, “I shall consider the continuation of the family line paramount. If fate allows cultivation, that would be wonderful; if not, it matters little.”

She had come thousands of miles east only to fulfill her grandfather’s command to bear heirs for Yang Nan. In her heart, filial duty outweighed any thought of immortal cultivation.

Yang Nan saw that even after witnessing the wonders of Kunlun, her resolve for “continuing the family line” remained unshaken. Cultivators were supposed to be detached and pure; matters of human relationships were not of great concern. In the coming years, he would not only train but also procreate, which was no easy task...

Yet, since Fang Qingyan was so resolute, he could not refuse. He nodded, summoned the Golden-Top Roc, placed his two servants Yang Da and Er into the Mountain and River Ring, and together with Fang Qingyan soared through the sky toward the City of Seeking Immortals.

---

Fang Qingyan sat on the roc’s back for the first time, gazing at the horizon. Fierce winds blew beneath her feet, landscapes grew small, and white clouds floated in the sky—a wondrous sight. Nervously, she clutched Yang Nan’s hand, her delicate body trembling slightly.

Seeing her fear, Yang Nan comforted softly, “The roc has divine powers. You could even somersault on its back without worry. There’s no need to be nervous.”

Hearing her husband’s gentle words, Fang Qingyan’s joy slowly replaced her anxiety. Upon arriving at the City of Seeking Immortals, a man greeted them with a smile, “Brother Yang, I predicted you would obtain your destined weapon within the month. It seems I was right!”

Yang Nan jumped down from the roc, returning the smile, “Brother Ren, you now oversee the City of Seeking Immortals. Things are very different from before. Congratulations!”

This man, Ren An, had a sharp, proud appearance but beamed warmly upon seeing Yang Nan.

After Li Yun’s cultivation was destroyed and he was expelled from Kunlun, the Li family’s power was uprooted, and the City of Seeking Immortals fell into Ren An’s hands. This city was the most prestigious position in Kunlun, wielding both authority and resources. Naturally, Ren An was delighted.

He was also secretly pleased that the stepwise void master had backed Yang Nan and struck with such overwhelming force, ensuring the Li family’s defeat. He knew he had bet on the right side and thus came to express his gratitude.

“Brother Ren, my manor was destroyed, but what of the steward and the dozen or so servants?” Yang Nan suddenly remembered that steward Chang Fu and the others had disappeared, Li Yun had sealed off the city, many residences were ruined, and Yang Lan was ruthless. Those mortals would surely have suffered.

Ren An smiled, “Don’t worry, Brother Yang. Though Yang Lan is cruel, she disdains killing mere mortals. They were merely knocked unconscious. Afterwards, I arranged for them to be housed in another manor. However, the hundreds of elite soldiers who attacked you all perished. If the stepwise void master hadn’t spared the seven masters, none would have survived to return to Chang’an.” Since Li Yun’s departure, Ren An was fully informed.

Yang Nan suddenly realized that stepwise void had been watching from the sidelines. With her ruthless methods, none of the attackers would have fared well. The hundreds of elite soldiers were certainly doomed! Yang Cheng, Yang Lan, and the others were merely tests left by stepwise void.

“Thanks very much, Brother Ren,” Yang Nan said, relieved to hear the steward and others were safe. The mortal and immortal realms were separate; he could abandon the city’s mansions and no longer needed to see Chang Fu and the others. With Ren An’s care, they could live out their days peacefully.

Ren An glanced at Fang Qingyan beside Yang Nan, surprised, “Brother, who is this?”

Yang Nan pulled Fang Qingyan forward and smiled, “This is my humble wife. We were betrothed in youth, later formally married by my grandfather’s arrangement. I’m taking her to Spirit Beast Mountain. She has the Dao’s innate bones but has yet to obtain a cultivation method. I’m troubled over this.”

From then on, Ren An’s relationship with Yang Nan changed. Yang Nan no longer kept formalities with him.

Ren An clapped his hands laughing, “So she is your sister-in-law! I see she is extraordinary, with the appearance of cloud and moon. She will surely achieve much. I happen to have a cultivation method called ‘Bright Moon Spirit Cloud Technique,’ an excellent method for women. Though it cannot lead to Supreme Sage status, it can achieve Grandmaster level. Brother, if you wish, I can pass it to your sister-in-law?”

Grandmaster was a third-tier cultivation method. Seeing Ren An’s generous offer, Yang Nan gratefully replied, “Brother, your kindness leaves me with no way to repay. Qingyan, go thank Brother Ren.”

Fang Qingyan had been at Kunlun for over a month and knew that a third-tier method was equivalent to a precious immortal fate. She happily bowed deeply, “Thank you very much, Brother Ren!”

Ren An had long wished to befriend Yang Nan, and now that it concerned his wife, it was perfect. Seeing her thanks, he said, “No need. Brother Yang and I are fellow disciples, like brothers. This method is only third-tier; no thanks necessary.”

With a hand seal, he summoned his divine sense and transmitted the Bright Moon Spirit Cloud Technique to Fang Qingyan. She suddenly felt countless cultivation paths flood her mind, as if memories became clear and vivid. The wonders of immortal arts were truly profound, filling her with both surprise and joy.

Seeing Ren An’s gesture, Yang Nan knew he wished to become close. Though shrewd and tactful, Ren An was not untrustworthy. Their conversation grew warm, and Yang Nan presented him with some spirit stones, spirit iron, and spirit herbs from Spirit Beast Mountain. Though it could not match the value of the technique, it was a token of gratitude.

---

Yang Nan went straight to the Pavilion of Wonders to collect his destined weapon from shopkeeper Qian. After being reforged by a master craftsman, the weapon’s sharpness greatly increased. With the Undying Yin Yang Wheel as its soul, it became even more formidable. Since the Pavilion of Wonders had not participated in the prior schemes against him, Yang Nan bore no grudge. After collecting the divine weapon, he bid farewell to Ren An with a clasped hands salute and, with Fang Qingyan, rode the Golden-Top Roc back to Spirit Beast Mountain.

Once back, Fang Qingyan’s status had greatly changed. Yang Nan gathered the women of the Fish Lady, old Crab, and other demon soldiers and generals, informing them one by one of Fang Qingyan’s background. From then on, Spirit Beast Mountain had a new mistress!

The women of the Fish Lady’s group were both shocked and delighted to see the mortal woman was indeed the young master’s lawful wife. They were astonished by her dignified aura that surpassed the others, and pleased that Fang Qingyan was gentle, generous, educated, and courteous—not the kind of woman who would be difficult.

Though Fang Qingyan had her rightful status, she knew her husband’s harem already had several established concubines. Coming from a wealthy family where many wives and concubines were common, she was accustomed to such matters. She treated the three daughters of the Fish Lady with respect and without airs, and their relations became more harmonious.

The four great commanders had spent these days sweeping across vast lands, devouring countless factions. Their fortunes were very different from before. Seeing a new lawful wife by their master’s side, they spared no effort in gathering rare treasures as tribute. This both amused and annoyed Yang Nan. These demons learned everything except how to behave properly, emulating the human officialdom’s ways. Truly, the world was declining and people’s hearts no longer as before...

Fortunately, the four commanders did not yet understand the new mistress’s nature and dared not send beauties to court her. Otherwise, the Jade Purity Hall would have been filled with even more beauties from the five tribes of flowers, birds, insects, fish, and beasts...

Fang Qingyan’s foundation had yet to be established, so Yang Nan summoned her to cultivate inside the Heavenly Origin Pure Void Divine Mansion, even calling on Yong’er to assist her. The two spouses cultivated diligently within the mansion. After a month, a bright moon rose above Fang Qingyan’s head, its brilliant light surpassing the stars—her foundation had truly been established!

With this progress, Yang Nan was pleased. Yet his own advancement slowed; even as a fifth-rank Battle Master, further progress was difficult. With all matters settled, he could only wait for the arrival of stepwise void, hoping for a sudden breakthrough.

Three months later, stepwise void finally arrived at the Jade Purity Hall on Spirit Beast Mountain. Yang Nan was joyful and gathered all inside to welcome her. Stepwise void seemed intent on settling here, bringing two young girls named Siyue and Wangyin—children selected from the foot of the mountain by the Kunlun Sect, both of exceptional cultivation and ethereal beauty, proud yet unworldly.

Stepwise void saw that the hall was filled with demons or women; even humans had become rare. A cold glint flashed in her icy eyes as she grabbed Yang Nan’s ear with a mocking smile, “Little brat, you’ve opened a fragrant garden here? Is this how a cultivator behaves?”

Though cultivators do not forbid sensuality, none had so many beauties under twenty years old. Stepwise void’s anger flared.

Yang Nan cried out in protest, “Master, I am innocent! I am still a virgin! See, my grandfather arranged a wife for me, and she is still pure. Master, if you don’t believe me, you can check!”

With his ear in pain, he could only plead. Should stepwise void lose her temper, this hall full of beauties might soon wither and perish...

Stepwise void’s divine gaze swept the women thoroughly, then she released him, saying coldly, “Cultivation does not forbid desire, but desire confuses the mind. If you focus on the heavenly way, you should cause less trouble.”

Seeing the master no longer scold, Yang Nan smiled mischievously, “I understand, Master. But these women’s backgrounds are unfortunate. If I turn them away, it would be like failing Bo Ren, who died because of me.” He then revealed their histories in detail.

The women trembled before stepwise void’s severe authority, as if treading on thin ice. Known throughout the world for killing without mercy, stepwise void’s reputation was well-known, even among these demons.

Yet Fang Qingyan calmly stepped forward, bowed gracefully, and said warmly, “Since Master has arrived, please allow us to serve you. If there is any neglect, we hope for your forgiveness.”

As Yang Nan’s lawful wife, she was poised and unafraid. Her aura, bright as the moon, caught stepwise void’s attention. After careful observation, she said, “Such a fine couple are well matched. Even as Dao partners, they would be perfect. Nan’er, your grandfather, Grandmaster Yang Pu, has excellent taste in choosing your wife.”

---