Zhouyang naturally had no idea that Wang Qian, who had framed him, ended up meeting such a tragic fate. After leaving the Valley of Forgetfulness, he discovered that the Golden Core Stage Cultivator who had brought him here was still waiting at the same spot. This allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief. Although the Valley of Forgetfulness was an independent territory within the Haoyang Sect, it was still located within the Haoyang Sect’s mountain gate. If no one was there to guide him, he truly wouldn’t know how to leave. The Golden Core Stage Cultivator, upon seeing him emerge with a woman he didn’t recognize, first had a flash of surprise in his eyes. But when he noticed the "Profound Light Ring" on Zhouyang’s hand, his expression subtly changed, clearly recognizing the token’s origin. His expression quickly returned to normal, and he smiled warmly at Zhouyang, raising his hand in congratulations: "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Zhou, on gaining an excellent master. From now on, you and our Haoyang Sect are family!" An excellent master? Could that old lecher Guo Jinhong be worthy of this title? Zhouyang sneered coldly in his heart. Yet he humbly replied, "It’s merely the ancestor’s favor. I will need guidance from esteemed seniors like you in the Cultivation Realm in the future." "Fellow Daoist Zhou is too modest. With your achievements of slaying three peers in the Death Arena, once you achieve Core Formation, even I, Luo, might not be your match, let alone offer guidance!" "By the way, Fellow Daoist Zhou, you don’t need to address me as ’senior’ and so on. Since you’ve apprenticed under Elder Guo, we are peers now. My name is simply Jing. If you don’t mind, you can call me Senior Brother Luo!" Luo Jing waved his hand repeatedly as he spoke, that warmth in his words making Zhouyang quite uncomfortable. Luo Jing clearly didn’t know the true relationship between him and Guo Jinhong, only thinking that Guo Jinhong valued his potential and sincerely wanted to take him as his disciple, while he was earnestly willing to accept Guo Jinhong as his master. This was the expected reaction one should have when chosen as a disciple by a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator. If Luo Jing inferred based on this situation, his friendly interactions with Zhouyang now wouldn’t be out of place. After all, given the potential Zhouyang had exhibited, his chances of becoming a Golden Core Stage Cultivator were much higher than those of ordinary cultivators. Coupled with the fact that he now apprenticed under a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator, this probability increased even more. Once Zhouyang achieved Core Formation, with a Nascent Soul Stage mentor like Guo Jinhong shielding him, and his own mastery of the Minor Achievement "Qianyang True Flame" Divine Technique, he would undoubtedly be a prominent figure among Golden Core Stage Cultivators in the Anti-Light Alliance. In such a scenario, establishing a good relationship with him before his Core Formation might make it much easier for Luo Jing to request his assistance in the future. Unfortunately, the nominal master-disciple relationship between Zhouyang and Guo Jinhong was destined not to thrive, and he wouldn’t forge deep ties with any Haoyang Sect cultivator. Thus, faced with Luo Jing’s goodwill, he remained emotionally unmoved, only complying verbally as he said, "Since Senior Brother Luo has put it that way, I’ll take the liberty." Hearing himself addressed in this manner, Luo Jing smiled continuously and said, "No need to be polite, no need to be polite. We’re all fellow disciples; there’s no need for formality. I’ll escort you back to reunite with your wife now!" With that, a red cloud of light rose beneath his feet. He reached out and grabbed the sleeve of Zhouyang’s robe, intending to take him away. However, at that moment, Qin Yue’Er, who had been quietly observing their conversation, looked at Zhouyang with tearful eyes and softly called out, "Husband, are you abandoning your concubine?" Luo Jing was taken aback, staring with wide eyes at Qin Yue’Er and Zhouyang, seemingly unable to believe what he had just heard. Qin Yue’Er had walked out from the Valley of Forgetfulness, and Luo Jing was well aware of the status of women from within the valley. Now that Qin Yue’Er was addressing Zhouyang as her husband, how could this not shock him? As for Zhouyang, inwardly, he certainly had no desire to bring Qin Yue’Er along. But he knew that whatever intentions Guo Jinhong had in gifting this woman to him, he certainly wouldn’t allow him to casually cast her aside. So upon hearing Qin Yue’Er’s words, although he was very reluctant, he still had to explain to the clearly shocked Luo Jing, "It’s a long story. Just bring her along, Senior Brother Luo." Luo Jing hesitated, still incredulous, as he said, "Is this... really okay?" "Rest assured, Senior Brother Luo. The ancestor has already bestowed Yue’Er to husband as his concubine. From now on, Yue’Er belongs solely to him," Qin Yue’Er explained, her face flushed with embarrassment. Hearing this, Luo Jing said no more. He gave Zhouyang a look of envy, expanded the size of the cloud under his feet to accommodate Qin Yue’Er as well, and then flew directly towards Haoyang Immortal City. When they returned to Haoyang Immortal City, Xiao Ying was still waiting at the same spot. Zhouyang watched as Xiao Ying rushed up to him with a beaming smile upon seeing his safe return. His lips moved as if wanting to say something, but he couldn’t figure out how to start. Xiao Ying, however, flung herself into his arms, murmuring, "Husband, please forgive me. I believed you would surely be safe, so I took it upon myself to stay here and wait for your return." "If you are angry, then punish me severely if you must. I am willing to accept the punishment!" Zhouyang was instantly at a loss. What can a man do when a woman is being charming? He could only admit defeat and comfort her! Seeing this, Luo Jing perceptively took his leave and said to Zhouyang, "Junior Brother Zhou, I have completed Elder Guo’s instructions, so I’ll take my leave now. If you ever need my help, you are welcome to find me at the Haoyang Sect. I will certainly not refuse if I can assist." "Thank you, Senior Brother Luo. Safe travels." Zhouyang responded absent-mindedly, but his eyes couldn’t help but drift toward Qin Yue’Er standing not far off. There was still a big problem waiting to be resolved here! How to explain the situation with Qin Yue’Er to Xiao Ying was a top priority for Zhouyang. Read full story at 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡✶𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚✶𝙣𝙚𝙩 He understood his Dao Companion Xiao Ying’s temperament; she would certainly not be jealous because he took in a concubine but would be happy to have another sister to talk with and relieve boredom. He couldn’t help it; she was just that kind and simple. But Zhouyang didn’t want Xiao Ying to get too close to Qin Yue’Er because he feared that if they became too close, Guo Jinhong might do something to Xiao Ying through Qin Yue’Er. He also worried that if Xiao Ying developed feelings for Qin Yue’Er, she might stop him when he needed to deal with Qin Yue’Er in the future. "What kind of situation is this!" Looking at his Dao Companion in his arms, Zhouyang sighed inwardly, feeling truly troubled. Other men rack their brains to keep their harems united, but he, who never intended to maintain a harem, is forced to create one and now has to go out of his way to turn the two women against each other. It’s really too difficult! Just when Zhouyang was feeling torn about how to explain, Xiao Ying noticed Qin Yue’Er as if finally realizing her presence. She tilted her head, looked at Qin Yue’Er, and asked Zhouyang, "Husband, is this fairy also someone who came with you? Why don’t you introduce her to me?" "Um, uh, this, this..." Zhouyang nodded slightly, his mouth moving to say "this" for a long time without knowing how to explain. It was Qin Yue’Er who took the initiative to step forward, salute, and say, "Hello, sister. My name is Qin Yue’Er, and I am the concubine granted to Husband by Elder Guo. In the future, I will certainly serve Husband and sister well!" Xiao Ying exclaimed in surprise, her beautiful eyes widening, and then she looked at Zhouyang with an astonished face, "Husband, is what this sister said true? Is she really the concubine given to you by Elder Guo?" When Zhouyang heard her refer to Qin Yue’Er as "sister," his eyelid twitched, and he had no choice but to nod and say, "It’s a long story, Ying’Er, listen as your husband explains slowly." After speaking, he glanced at Qin Yue’Er and said solemnly, "You keep quiet first, just stay by my side." Immediately, the three of them left Haoyang Immortal City, and Zhouyang released the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle that hadn’t been out for a long time. The three of them stepped onto the broad eagle’s back and flew toward Cangyuan Immortal City in Yu Country. On the way, Zhouyang recounted to his Dao Companion Xiao Ying the details of his trip to Valley of Forgetfulness to see Elder Guo, including how Wang Qian seduced and framed him when entering the array. He did not hide any of it, except for concealing Qin Yue’Er’s original identity as "Situ Xuan Yue." After being married for many years, Zhouyang knew his Dao Companion’s temperament well. If he revealed Qin Yue’Er’s original identity and background, even if she cared about his safety and did not disclose the inside story to Qin Yue’Er, she would certainly pity and sympathize with Qin Yue’Er even more, which would be entirely contrary to his original intention of wanting the two women to be at odds. After explaining everything, he looked at Xiao Ying with a serious face and earnestly warned through voice transmission, "Ying’Er, your husband knows you are naturally kind-hearted and cannot bear to hate anyone. But this Qin Yue’Er is by no means a good person; don’t be deceived by her outward appearance. Don’t treat her as family, or confide everything in her, as that would leave endless troubles!" "Husband, rest assured. I am not foolish. The matter of the Teleportation Array is of great importance. Without your permission, I won’t reveal a word to anyone!" Xiao Ying blinked her beautiful eyes, obediently agreeing. Seeing this, Zhouyang frowned and repeatedly cautioned, "It’s not just about the Teleportation Array. Now situations have changed. On this trip to Cangyuan Immortal City, we can only meet and connect with Guangxiang. We must not expose any relationship with Tong Yue and the others. You must also watch your words on this matter; do not let anything slip, or Tong Yue and the others will certainly be captured and undergo Soul Search!" His continuous and solemn reminders finally made Xiao Ying realize the seriousness of the situation. She finally adopted a serious demeanor and solemnly replied, "I understand. Regarding anything about the Zhou Family and the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm, I will not reveal even a single word." Seeing her in this manner, Zhouyang finally felt relieved.