Following the invitation from the Emperor, Wu Fa and Mu Chen Dong took their seats at the secondary table, with the Red Sand Main God and the Emperor seated at the head table above them.

Le Yi also received the same treatment as Wu Fa and Mu Chen Dong, and was seated beside Wu Fa. Watching a dumbfounded Mu Chen Dong, Wu Fa couldn’t conceal his smug pride.

Many Princes and Princesses came forward to offer toasts. The Princes sought to ingratiate themselves with the two men, for if they could forge a connection with the pair, they could secure their future succession to the throne. As for the Princesses and the daughters of the Imperial Palace’s high officials, they aimed to soar even higher. Although they were already of noble status, who would ever complain about their rank being too high?

Ye Fan, however, received no such attention, as no one seemed to care about him. He only wanted to find a place to sit and get through the tedious evening.

At that moment, the Red Sand Main God addressed Ye Fan. "Junior Brother, come join your Senior Brother for a drink!"

"Of course!" Ye Fan immediately walked over.

Everyone was shocked; even the Emperor was astonished. They had thought Ye Fan to be an inconsequential figure, never imagining that he was the true protagonist! He was the most venerable presence here. A wave of regret washed over the crowd for having missed the chance to curry favor with Ye Fan. Now it was too late. Yes, curry favor, not recruit. Who would dare try to recruit someone connected to a Main God, let alone the son of one? That would be asking for an early grave.

Watching the envious gazes of the crowd, Ye Fan was speechless. He had no liking for the spotlight and simply preferred to keep a low profile.

He took his place beside the Red Sand Main God, who then announced, "This is my Junior Brother, as well as the Junior Brother of the Evil Punishment Main God and, of course, the newly ascended Main God, Godslayer! And, in the future, he is the one to whom we will pledge our loyalty!"

The Red Sand Main God gave Ye Fan ample face.

Ye Fan quickly spoke with humility, "I dare not, I dare not!" Turning to the Emperor, he said, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The Emperor, just recovering from his shock, was reeling. This man was connected to three Main Gods and was the one to whom they would pledge their future loyalty. How could he possibly accept a bow from such an august figure? He hastily returned the gesture. By that account, Ye Fan’s status was far higher than his own.

Indeed, the Red Sand Main God had his reasons for saying this. It seemed the Emperor was not content with the night’s events, yet it wasn’t appropriate to intimidate him outright. He could only reveal Ye Fan’s identity to warn the Emperor to tread carefully. He must never provoke Ye Fan—now or in the future—lest the Red Sand Main God truly be unable to protect him.

The Main God then added, "Furthermore, he and the Seven-Colored Demon Empress are a Daoist couple!"

The Emperor nearly collapsed. Even as the sovereign who ruled over Shazhou, he was left dumbfounded by Ye Fan’s background. What a remarkable man.

Incredible, truly incredible. To be associated with four powerhouses on the level of a Main God... such a man is a true dragon among men.

Fortunately, no harm was done. He had indeed intended to embarrass Ye Fan to regain some face, but he now realized that offending two Main Gods was nothing compared to offending Ye Fan. After all, Ye Fan was the most terrifying one of all.

He committed Ye Fan to memory, resolving that even if Ye Fan were to act with impunity within the Red Sand Dynasty, he must not be offended. Furthermore, he had to be treated with the utmost respect. Thankfully, Ye Fan didn’t seem to be that kind of person.

Ye Fan said with a smile, "Glory is merely an external matter. Without my Senior Brothers’ care, I would not be where I am today! Come, let’s drink together!"

The three of them drank together. The Red Sand Main God and Ye Fan appeared relaxed, while the Emperor sat on pins and needles.

Initially, when he learned that Ye Fan was the one to whom three Main Gods would pledge their future loyalty, the Emperor had planned to betroth his most beautiful daughter to him. Even as a concubine, it would have significantly elevated his own status. However, upon discovering Ye Fan was in a Daoist couple with the Seven-Colored Demon Empress, he didn’t dare entertain such a thought. The Demon Clan, controlled by the Seven-Colored Demon Empress, was one of the three major powers of the Divine Domain. Such a person would surely not tolerate any sand in her eyes.

In truth, the Red Sand Main God also felt helpless. The relationship between Ye Fan and Mu Keqing was ambiguous, and he couldn’t afford to lose face by bringing the matter to light. All he could do was wait and see. Besides, would his daughter, the daughter of the Red Sand Main God, ever have to worry about finding a husband?

Finally, the banquet ended.

The Red Sand Main God left with his retinue, and only then did the Emperor breathe a sigh of relief. For him, it had been a terrifying banquet. The slightest misstep could have offended several of the most powerful individuals in the Divine Domain. For this reason, after the group had left, he promptly issued an order throughout the Red Sand Dynasty: if anyone saw Ye Fan, they were to tiptoe around him at all costs.

Upon returning to the Red Sand Immortal Mountain, the Red Sand Main God did not punish Mu Chen Dong, which surprised him. Ordinarily, he would have been disciplined without fail, but this time, he was spared. In reality, there was a reason the Red Sand Main God didn’t punish Mu Chen Dong: he had done the right thing. Brothers should face hardships together. He now had great confidence that the Righteous Divine Lineage would rise in this generation. With Ye Fan leading them, he felt very reassured.

「The next day.」

Ye Fan subjected Wu Fa and Mu Chen Dong to devilish training once more. While Ye Fan lay napping in the shade of a tree, Wu Fa and Mu Chen Dong hammered their bodies under the scorching sun. Ye Fan had doubled their training load, causing their legs to tremble. Yet, they dared not complain, fearing Ye Fan would beat them up. After all, Ye Fan had laid down the law: anyone who could defeat him wouldn’t have to train. They had tried numerous times, but each attempt ended with them being beaten to a pulp. Compared to that, they found the training to be a much better option.

As for Ye Fan, he was continuously consolidating his cultivation. He planned to undergo the Great Nirvana in half a month’s time. The path of cultivation is fraught with hardship, and in ancient times, there were geniuses who, after their first major realm, would make every subsequent breakthrough a direct leap to the next major realm. They would remain quiet if not breaking through, but when they did, it was an advancement of an entire major realm. Ye Fan aspired to follow the example of those ancient prodigies. Thus, he was solidifying his foundation; once it was stable, he too aimed for a breakthrough across a major realm, not a minor one.

At that moment, Le Yi was frantically fanning Wu Fa with a banana leaf.

Mu Chen Dong whispered, "Sister-in-law, isn’t there water over there? Get us some to drink!"

"Nonsense! That’s *Senior* Sister-in-law to you!" Wu Fa immediately cursed.

But Le Yi replied, "No way! Junior Martial Uncle said that you’re not allowed to drink water or eat until the time is up!"

"It’s fine, he’s asleep! You can just sneak it to us!" Wu Fa whispered.

Le Yi seemed hesitant.

But just then, the supposedly sleeping Ye Fan spoke up, "Don’t hesitate. Add another two hours to their training. If they can’t stay focused during training, they deserve to be punished!"

"Oh, come on!"

Both men rolled their eyes. It was impossible to guard against his vigilance.

Le Yi’s face filled with pity.

After several more days, Ye Fan made them carry fifty thousand jin up the Red Sand Immortal Mountain twice a day, with the frequency increasing by one trip each day. The two nearly collapsed, but they had no choice. In their free time, Ye Fan would provide guidance on their cultivation.

The Red Sand Main God, observing this, nodded with satisfaction. Although he was a Main God, he had never trained Mu Chen Dong to such an extent before. Ye Fan’s training methods were proving very effective, as he could see the two of them improving. If they kept up this pace, their level could potentially meet or even exceed that of the Evil God Lineage.

Wu Fa and Mu Chen Dong’s progress grew faster and faster. This wasn’t just progression in their realms but an overall improvement in their cultivation, and their flaws became fewer and fewer. Ye Fan was confident that, with a little more time, the two would definitely be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the talented Martial Artists of the Evil God Lineage.