After several days of flying on their swords, the group finally arrived at the Broken - Soul Mountain today.

During this trip of traveling abroad, Ding Hao had reaped great rewards. Not only had his cultivation level improved significantly, but he also had gained a profound understanding of the cultivation world. He was no longer an ignorant novice. As he was about to return to his sect, an inexplicable sense of anticipation welled up in his heart.

Although the Wuji Demon Sect was now in a far worse state than before, having fallen on hard times, it was, after all, his own cultivation sect.

Upon reaching the Broken - Soul Mountain, the usually lively Feng Xingran became reticent. The elders were aware of her state of mind and refrained from pointing it out.

Seeing that he was approaching his own sect and had fulfilled his promise to Feng Xingran, Ding Hao halted and addressed the others, "Since you have reached the Broken - Soul Mountain, there's no need for me to linger. During this journey, you have shown me great care, for which I'm truly grateful. Well, without further ado, farewell!"

"Young master, you're being overly courteous. During this journey, we provided you with no assistance. In the end, it was your array that saved us. You have been kind to us. Moreover, both I and Xingran have benefited much from you. The three promises that Nie Tian made to you can be fulfilled at any time. Since you have business to attend to, we won't detain you. I hope we can meet again in the future!" Nie Tian said with an air of leisure. The other two elders nodded in assent. Only Feng Xingran remained silent.

Seeing their stance, Ding Hao said no more. Just as he was about to take off on his sword, Feng Xingran said, "Little thief, come with me. I have something to tell you in private."Ding Hao's expression shifted. He thought to himself that the inevitable had come, and there was no escaping it. The others all smiled knowingly as they watched the two depart with curious expressions.

After leaving the group, Feng Xingran remained silent and sped forward. Ding Hao had no choice but to follow. After a while, Feng Xingran stopped at a deep pool. Her back was to Ding Hao. When he saw the pool, his countenance changed again. This was the very pool where he had first spied on her while she was bathing nude.Slowly, Feng Xingran turned around to face Ding Hao. Looking directly into his eyes, she said softly, "When do you plan to marry me?"Though her tone was calm, these words were like a thunderclap. A blush then suffused her snow - white, swan - like neck."Lady, what do you mean? There's no affection between us. Moreover, we have always been foes rather than friends. How can you speak of marriage?" Despite the shock in his heart, Ding Hao remained composed as he spoke.Feng Xingran's expression darkened. She looked up and glared at Ding Hao angrily, "If we were enemies, you wouldn't be alive today. How can you claim there's no affection between us... " Her voice trailed off until it was barely audible.After a pause, she whispered again, "Furthermore, you've seen my entire body. Also... during the Treasure - Gathering Sect meeting, you... you touched my... my thigh. If you have no feelings for me, why did you repeatedly molest me?"Ding Hao cursed himself for his moment of lechery. For a moment, he was at a loss for a rebuttal. After a while, he summoned his courage and said, "You pinched me first. I was merely retaliating. I had no intention of molesting you.""How dare you argue! If you were just retaliating, why did you keep rubbing my thigh? If I hadn't stopped you, you little rascal, who knows what you would have done. Anyway, you must take responsibility for me!" Feng Xingran immediately lashed out in anger upon hearing Ding Hao's words.With this, Ding Hao was rendered speechless. He couldn't fathom how Feng Xingran could utter such words.Seeing Ding Hao at a loss, Feng Xingran smiled smugly. Her expression was bewitchingly charming as she stared at Ding Hao with a smile and said, "Well, tell me, how do you plan to handle our relationship?""Both of us are cultivators. Our focus should be on cultivation. We should not delve deeply into emotional matters. Besides, my cultivation level is low, and my background is humble. I fear I'm unworthy of you!" At a loss, Ding Hao hardly knew what he was saying.Feng Xingran laughed in disbelief, "So you're worried about this. It doesn't matter. My father dotes on me the most. You needn't worry."At this point, Ding Hao realized what he had just said. Hearing Feng Xingran's words, he was stunned, knowing she must have misunderstood him.Immediately, he said gravely, "Lady, I appreciate your kindness, but I have no intention of seeking a Taoist partner at present!" Looking around, he continued, "Please convey my apologies to the elders. Farewell!" With that, he hastily took off on the Heaven - Defying Demon Sword."Little thief, remember to visit me at the Purgatory Demon Sect once a year. Otherwise, I'll never forgive you!" Feng Xingran's coquettish shout rang out in the distance.

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Just as Ding Hao was still vexed by Feng Xingran, the mountain gate of the Wuji Demon Sect came into view. Perhaps because the sect master had ordered everyone to travel independently, the already sparsely populated Wuji Demon Sect seemed even more desolate. Along the way, he encountered only a few people. When they saw Ding Hao return, they merely nodded in greeting, their expressions cold. Ding Hao paid no heed. Instead, he felt a tinge of sorrow in his heart. In their eyes was a look of desolation, a sense of despair deeper than heartbreak.With the centennial tribute looming, the hasty preparations of the Wuji Demon Sect seemed so feeble that the disciples, who had already lost faith in the sect, were plunged into complete despair. If they couldn't overcome this obstacle, they would lose the right to reside on the Broken - Soul Mountain.Ding Hao deliberately employed the "Breath - Concealing Technique" to keep his cultivation at the early - stage of Fusion. Although it was an improvement compared to when he left, it was not entirely unacceptable. Once inside the sect, he made straight for the library.Hu Shuo was still sitting cross - legged listlessly in the library. But when he saw that it was Ding Hao, his previously cloudy eyes lit up with a sharp glint. He rose to greet him, looking excited yet remaining silent.Ding Hao took one look and knew that Hu Shuo had advanced his cultivation to the early - stage of Enlightenment within just one year. He surmised that Hu Shuo must have used extraordinary means. Otherwise, he couldn't have reached this level so quickly. This raised his opinion of Hu Shuo.Ding Hao didn't pry into Hu Shuo's personal affairs. He simply asked Hu Shuo to recount the recent events, big and small, within the Wuji Demon Sect.After a while, when Hu Shuo finished, Ding Hao learned that due to the sect master's arrangement of the training expedition, several sect disciples had been lost, and two of them had died under mysterious circumstances. However, the gains from the training seemed negligible. The two of them sighed. Having achieved his objective, Ding Hao didn't linger. After leaving about a dozen high - grade crystals, he took his leave.Upon entering his room, he found Chen Ling already there. When Chen Ling saw Ding Hao, he said coldly, "Good disciple, you didn't come to pay your respects to your master first after returning to the sect. Instead, you made your master come to you. You're truly disrespectful to your elders!"Ding Hao chuckled and said, "Master, your words are truly amusing. I just entered the sect and hadn't had time to visit you. You were so eager to come to me, yet you blame me. It doesn't make sense, does it?"Seeing Ding Hao's response, Chen Ling didn't mind. He studied Ding Hao for a moment and then smiled, "Good disciple, you're truly remarkable. Your cultivation has improved again. Although I'm curious about your experiences, I know you won't share them. However, as master and disciple, if the disciple is outstanding, the master also gains honor. I assume you won't treat your master poorly when you achieve success, right?"Ding Hao understood Chen Ling's meaning. He smiled slyly and said, "Of course. Master, you have been so kind to me. You introduced me to the cultivation world. How could I forget your kindness?" As he spoke, he presented several high - grade crystals.Chen Ling's usually gloomy face managed to show a semblance of kindness. He was greatly comforted and said, "Good, good. It's not in vain that I've cultivated you!" Before he finished speaking, he had already grasped the crystals with both hands.After pondering for a while, Ding Hao said to Chen Ling, "I have a request. I hope you'll agree.""Just say it. As long as it's within my ability, I'll agree. However, it's rather strange that you have something to ask of me." At this time, Chen Ling was in an excellent mood and was quite amiable towards Ding Hao."I wish to participate in this year's Soul - Refining Sect Conference. I hope you can introduce me." Ding Hao said earnestly."Oh, is that it? I can introduce you to Ma Feng. But you're aware of the sect's current situation. It's hard to say whether we can pass the tribute. Even if we do, we still need the sect master's approval. This matter is extremely difficult!" Chen Ling looked troubled when he heard this.Ding Hao had long known the difficulty of this matter. He took out crystals one by one from his storage bag and placed them on the table in front of him. After some thought, he also retrieved the storage bracelet he obtained from Jiang Ruyun, but left the one given by Feng Xingran untouched. After a while, he said, "Master, do you think these are sufficient for you to manage? Of course, these items are not for the sect's tribute. You should know how to use them."Ding Hao's actions left Chen Ling momentarily stunned. After a while, he bowed his head in thought. After a moment, he looked at Ding Hao with a strange glint in his eyes and said, "If our sect can survive this tribute crisis, I promise to secure your qualification to participate in the Soul - Refining Sect Conference."Ding Hao nodded and said solemnly, "I trust your capabilities, master. Of course, I won't let you work in vain. When you pave the way for me, I'll have other rewards for you. I won't disappoint you."Chen Ling sighed and said, "You've already given me many benefits. Whether you believe it or not, I no longer bear any ill will towards you. I hope you can truly regard me as your master."After a pause, Chen Ling cleared the items from the table, rose, and said, "Since I've promised, I won't let you down. Take care of yourself."Watching Chen Ling's departing figure, Ding Hao began to reevaluate their master - disciple relationship.