A flash of white light flickered.

Ye Honglian appeared before Ning Fan.

"How long has it been?"

Ye Honglian looked at Ning Fan with clear helplessness; this frequency of cultivation was far too intense.

"I have other matters to attend to. How can I possibly cultivate with you so frequently, especially during the day? Daytime is out of the question."

Ye Honglian had just been in a Sacred Land council meeting, discussing the exploration of a secret realm with several Elders, when the ancient jade suddenly grew burning hot.

It had startled her.

She quickly found an excuse to temporarily leave the Elder Court, sought out a quiet place, and the next moment arrived at Ning Fan's side.

"Fairy Sister, time is limited."

Ning Fan spoke plainly.

"Two days. There are only two days left. I must break through two layers to reach the Profound Extreme Realm, third layer. If I fail to do so-"

"Fairy Sister would not wish to be forced into cultivation with others, would you?"

"..."

Hearing Ning Fan's reminder, Ye Honglian closed her eyes. After a long moment, she had to admit that Ning Fan's threat struck at her core.

There was no choice.

The prospect of being forced into "cultivation" with others was something she simply could not accept.

"Hurry then. I still have significant matters to discuss with the Elders. Can we finish this in a quarter of an hour?"

Ye Honglian resigned herself to the negotiation.

Sigh.

How vexing. Ning Fan possessed exceptional stamina, and their sessions usually lasted over half an hour-it was far too taxing on her time.

"I will try."

Ning Fan replied.

About half an hour later.

The spiritual energy within Ning Fan had increased considerably.

Profound Extreme Realm, first layer: early, middle, late stages...

He broke through directly to the second layer of the Profound Extreme Realm!

A pillar of white light shot into the sky, enveloping Ye Honglian within it.

"You little lecher."

"Next time, remember to choose the night. If you dare to cultivate during the day again, be careful-or I shall castrate you!"

Ye Honglian's threatening voice rang out.

But at this moment, due to the lingering effects of the session, her voice sounded languid and hoarse; using such a tone to issue a threat could only be considered flirtatious.

"..."

Having finished the session, Ning Fan urgently wanted to rest.

But based on his calculations, it would likely take two more sessions to reach the third layer of the Profound Extreme Realm.

If he rested now, time might prove insufficient. He would inevitably have to double their sessions in a single day at some point.

Thinking this, Ning Fan gritted his teeth.

Ye Honglian had stipulated that the "next time" must be at night, but whether "this time" was truly over remained for Ning Fan to decide.

"Wife..."

Ning Fan looked at Yun Qingyao, who was lying beside him as if nothing had occurred, and a trace of determination flashed in his eyes.

"Hus-Husband?!"

Yun Qingyao was startled. Ning Fan's state was already one of extreme exhaustion; could he truly continue?

She felt deep concern.

But she read a firm resolve in Ning Fan's eyes.

His gaze told her-he could do it.

Yun Qingyao naturally would not refuse.

The next moment, a brilliant white light blazed as Ye Honglian appeared once more.

Upon her arrival, Ye Honglian was completely stunned. She looked at Ning Fan, her voice trembling slightly.

"What are you doing?"

"No... this cannot be."

She struggled to refuse, but she had only just finished with him.

How could they possibly do it again?

Was there to be no rest between sessions?

"Fairy Sister, this is all for the sake of cultivation!"

Ning Fan spoke.

His voice was already worn and unsteady.

"..."

Ye Honglian was helpless. At this moment, she could only comply, knowing full well that Ning Fan urgently needed to elevate his realm.

There was no choice. She would cooperate.

They began again.

Another half hour passed, but neither had reached the point of completion.

"What is happening?"

Ye Honglian sensed Ning Fan forcing his spirit and could not help but ask.

"I... I am somewhat drained."

Ning Fan had to admit.

"..."

Hearing this, Ye Honglian bit her lip.

The pace was too slow.

It would take nearly an hour to finish at this rate.

"Forget it."

"I shall lead!"

Ye Honglian made up her mind.

"Fai-Fairy Sister!?"

Ning Fan was startled.

This approach proved effective, and their efficiency increased significantly.

A quarter of an hour later, the spiritual energy of both burst forth.

White light blazed brilliantly.

The spiritual energy within Ning Fan surged again: Profound Extreme Realm, second layer: early, middle, late stages...

Yet, his realm remained stuck at the late stage of the second layer.

He was still just a hair's breadth short of breaking through to the third layer.

"..."

"Cultivation resources..."

Ning Fan checked his reserves by the bedside. They were sufficient; the two sessions had used over a thousand Spirit Stones each, leaving him with over two thousand remaining.

Resources were not the issue.

As for time...

Yesterday did not count. Today was the first day, and after the gambling and these two dual cultivation sessions, it was already nearing midnight. If he rested now, given his current state, he would likely fall into a deep slumber for a full day or more.

If he did not wake until the third day, the window for the final assessment would be far too narrow. Should he achieve the required realm but fail to present himself for the assessment in time, he would lose the Disciple Snatching Challenge-a prospect he would regret until his death.

As the saying goes-the first effort gives courage, the second flags, and the third is exhausted.

What harm could one more attempt cause?

"Husband."

"If you seek to commit suicide, you truly need not choose such a method."

Seeing Ning Fan's actions, Yun Qingyao whispered, her lips moving softly.