"Young Master, I am willing, truly willing to be your handmaiden. You must not send me back to the princess again..." Lục Đậu, flushed with emotion, suddenly threw herself into Trương Bân's embrace, pressing her lips against his.

Her soft body clung tightly to his. Lục Đậu was clad in a half-transparent silk robe, which was now soaking wet. Her sudden embrace, in such a state, was undeniably tempting.

Trương Bân was startled for a moment, then his arms wrapped tightly around her waist, and he began to kiss her passionately. Lục Đậu, though inexperienced, responded with equal fervor.

Eventually, Trương Bân rolled over, pinning her beneath him...

Three hours later, the tempestuous battle finally ceased.

Lục Đậu lay languidly in Trương Bân's embrace, her smiling face radiating profound happiness and sweetness. Her beautiful eyes held a deep affection capable of melting even metal. At that moment, she felt herself to be the happiest and most blessed woman in the world.

Trương Bân emerged from the villa with a determined stride, then led his three companions out of the Four Immortal Towers.

"Greetings, Captain." Almost in unison, all the members respectfully saluted Trương Bân. Clearly, they had been swayed by his formidable strength and profound wisdom.

"Maintain your watch..." Trương Bân commanded, then stepped into Princess Bắc Tuyết's spatial artifact.

For the entrance to the spatial artifact remained open, clearly inviting him in.

In truth, Princess Ngân Bình and Princess Phượng Hoàng's spatial artifacts were similarly left open. However, Trương Bân would never enter their spatial artifacts to meet them unless he was completely concealed. Moreover, he was also concerned Princess Bắc Tuyết might harbor improper thoughts.

"Thiết Nhất, you're here..." Princess Bắc Tuyết greeted him, her presence accompanied by a faint, elegant fragrance. She clasped Trương Bân's arm, her expression one of absolute delight. Meanwhile, the entrance to the spatial artifact had, of course, already sealed shut.

"Greetings, Young Master." Hồng Đậu and Hương Đậu also came forward, bowing respectfully to Trương Bân. Such an address carried a profound ambiguity, hinting strongly that Trương Bân was free to do as he pleased with the two of them.

In the Immortal Realm, only handmaidens addressed their male master as "Young Master," and handmaidens were, by custom, considered the master's women.

Alas, Trương Bân was entirely unaware of the hidden implications behind such a title. Thus, he paid it no mind, merely regarding the two stunning beauties with an appreciative gaze.

Soon after, Princess Bắc Tuyết ushered Trương Bân into a lavish small parlor. She instructed Hồng Đậu to massage Trương Bân's shoulders and back, while Hương Đậu went to summon Đồ Viễn Trình.

"Greetings, Mister Đồ." Trương Bân initiated the greeting. He held profound respect for a high-level strategist like Đồ Viễn Trình, knowing he would require his assistance in many matters in the future.

"Thiết Nhất, you have endured much hardship during this time." Đồ Viễn Trình spoke courteously, his demeanor as gentle as a spring breeze. "With your assistance, the Princess's prospects of successfully contending for the Imperial Heir position will greatly improve." This polite remark, however, was a subtle probe, testing Trương Bân's true intentions. His gaze remained fixed on Trương Bân, carefully scrutinizing his every expression.

Princess Bắc Tuyết, too, shared the same sentiment, a hint of nervousness visible in her demeanor.

"As long as we unite our hearts and minds, and present a formidable front against all external challenges, the Princess will undoubtedly achieve her aspirations," Trương Bân declared with a ringing voice. A profound confidence, an exhilarating spirit, and an invincible aura radiated from him, compelling onlookers to feel an irresistible urge to kneel in reverence.

Had Trương Bân spoken thus before entering the Bone Tempering Cave, both Princess Bắc Tuyết and Đồ Viễn Trình would undoubtedly have found him distasteful, believing he was merely boasting and exaggerating.

However, witnessing Trương Bân's achievements over the past few months, they harbored not the slightest doubt that he was merely boasting. Instead, a profound joy surged within their hearts, filling them with extreme excitement and agitation.

For they now regarded it as a solemn commitment from Trương Bân: he would continue to aid Princess Bắc Tuyết in her contention for the Imperial Heir position and her ascension to the throne of Immortal Emperor!

"This truly is a great hero, a peerless sage. He has every right to speak with such unwavering confidence!" the two handmaidens silently exclaimed, their eyes fixed on Trương Bân with burning adoration, unable to tear their gaze away.

In truth, Trương Bân's words also contained an underlying message. While he pledged to assist Princess Bắc Tuyết in her bid for the Imperial Heir position, there was a clear precondition: absolute unity against all external adversaries. Should anyone plot against him or seek to harm him, his assistance would no longer be guaranteed.

After all, he had never regarded himself as Princess Bắc Tuyết's subordinate; he was merely repaying a debt of gratitude.

He had covertly entered the Immortal Realm, which was fraught with trouble as he lacked an identity token. Such tokens were inextricably linked to one's soul, preventing him from borrowing another's identity. It was Princess Bắc Tuyết who had resolved this predicament for him.

Even if, hypothetically, he could have found a way to acquire an identity token himself, without Princess Bắc Tuyết's aid, he would have been unable to enter the Bone Tempering Cave. To grow strong, he would have faced many more arduous trials and endured far longer years.

Given Trương Bân's proud nature, he could not tolerate languishing in obscurity for countless years. He needed to swiftly rescue Lôi Hà, who remained suffering within the cold palace.

Thus, he was compelled to aid Princess Bắc Tuyết in her successful bid for the Imperial Heir position, thereby repaying his debt of gratitude.

Of course, another reason existed: Trương Bân and Princess Bắc Tuyết shared a karmic bond, having once allied against foes in the mortal realm, even experiencing several ambiguous encounters.

Moreover, Princess Bắc Tuyết was exceptionally beautiful, like a blooming flower. Trương Bân naturally could not bear to witness such a beauty perish in the treacherous competition for the Imperial Heir title.

"Hahahaha... Excellently spoken. As long as our hearts beat as one, success shall be ours!" Đồ Viễn Trình burst into delighted laughter, his face alight with confidence, sparks of sharp intellect dancing in his eyes.

Princess Bắc Tuyết also smiled, her dimples blooming like flowers, as she cast a hidden, affectionate glance at Trương Bân. She found herself deeply drawn to him, harboring a growing inclination towards love.

Nevertheless, she remained perfectly lucid. She absolutely could not allow herself to love Trương Bân, for she was destined to choose a consort whose formidable power and influence she could leverage to successfully contend for the Imperial Heir position. Her future husband, if not an Immortal King, must at least be an extraordinarily powerful and talented Immortal Lord, and one who wielded true authority.

"Thiết Nhất, previously, we formulated a plan for after entering the Bone Tempering Cave, but we've since realized it was merely 'talking strategy on paper' – quite unsuitable. Would you perhaps share your own plan with us?" Đồ Viễn Trình finally ceased his hearty laughter and inquired tactfully.

Hitherto, when Đồ Viễn Trình and numerous strategists had formulated their plans, Trương Bân had largely remained uninvolved.

Of course, it was not mere 'talking strategy on paper,' but a rather excellent course of action. Originally, the leader of that plan was Princess Bắc Tuyết herself, not Trương Bân.

Yet, upon entering the Bone Tempering Cave, Trương Bân and all six subordinates he brought from the mortal realm successfully gained entry, whereas only a handful of the Princess's hundred guards managed to pass through. This disparity was a significant blow to Princess Bắc Tuyết.

Trương Bân, seizing the opportune moment, assumed overall command.

Thereafter, Trương Bân completely ignored the plans they had laid out, proceeding solely according to his own strategy. Yet, he achieved consistent victories, and their strength grew with remarkable speed. Furthermore, not a single life was lost.

This rendition of the ancient path, meticulously preserved, finds its true home only on truyen.free.