Category: It turns out, they are the protagonists

Chapter 253: Mu Zhi’an: I’m Getting Married After the Ascension Ceremony! p2

Ye Qian had received the Jade Empress’s inheritance, Bai Ruoxi was the scabbard left behind by the Sword Palace Master, and Wei Mengrou was even more mysterious.

Although no one knew her true constitution, her monstrous cultivation speed and strength made her the strongest among them.

There were also the Lan sisters. Her senior sister was cold and aloof, with a strong sense of pride. She probably wouldn’t participate in the Ascension Ceremony.

But Lan Feiying… She didn’t know much about this alluring woman, but she had recently heard that her strength had increased significantly, shocking the elders of the main peaks.

Even Huang Manting had encountered numerous fortunate encounters and possessed unpredictable strength.

Do I really have to ask Brother Mu for the ninth life’s Spiritual Energy…?

Ye Lingxuan rested her chin on her hand, her delicate feet dangling in the air, her usually calm face filled with hesitation.

She took out a small, exquisitely crafted box.

If Mu Zhi’an were present, he would probably exclaim, “Isn’t that a ring box?”

Indeed, it was a ring box.

The Reincarnated Empress had taken the Holy Lightning Rock to be crafted into rings not long ago, and this box was meant to store them.

“After the rings are finished, I’ll go to the Garden of Heavenly Harmony and give him one…?” Ye Lingxuan murmured.

But even if she gave him the ring, how would she bring up the topic…?

“Brother Mu, I need the ninth life’s Spiritual Energy, so…”

Ye Lingxuan covered her face with her hands.

No, that’s impossible!

Just imagining the scene made her blush furiously.

“Sister…?”

Suddenly, she heard a sweet voice behind her. She turned around and saw Ye Qian standing there, her hands behind her back, her eyes filled with concern.

“Why are you so distracted, Sister? Is something bothering you?” Ye Qian asked gently.

It was unusual for her usually calm and elegant sister to be blushing and looking so worried.

Ye Lingxuan quickly composed herself, maintaining her older sister’s graceful demeanor. She shook her head and smiled faintly. “It’s nothing. I was just thinking about the Ascension Ceremony.”

However, upon hearing the words ‘Ascension Ceremony’, a flicker of panic appeared in Ye Qian’s eyes. She instinctively covered her storage ring and smiled. “Didn’t you say you weren’t interested in the Ascension Ceremony, Sister? Why are you…”

She looked at Ye Lingxuan intently.

Ye Lingxuan immediately noticed something amiss about her sister, who had grown up with her. She scrutinized her carefully.

“Could it be… you also received that letter?” she suddenly asked.

Ye Qian froze, her gaze meeting her sister’s.

“You too, Sister…?”

A paper crane appeared in each of their hands.

…

Two Polarities Peak.

Lan Mulian sat in the pavilion, seemingly lost in thought.

Opposite her, Lan Feiying, her alluring figure highlighted by a black cheongsam, played with her teacup in her hand. She looked at her cold and elegant sister and smiled seductively. “Is something bothering you, Sister?”

“Could it be… because of this?” Lan Feiying took out a paper crane from her storage ring and placed it on the table.

Lan Mulian’s eyes narrowed slightly. She looked up at her sister with a strange expression. “You received it too…?”

Lan Feiying rested her chin on her hand, her long legs crossed, her smooth and fair skin accentuated by the cheongsam and high-heeled sandals she wore. She smiled. “I received it while I was in seclusion today. It seems you also know about this, Sister?”

Lan Mulian rubbed her forehead. “Master sent it.”

“Master…? The Sect Master of the Two Polarities Sect?” Lan Feiying looked at her sister, surprised. “What is she planning…?”

Lan Mulian shook her head slowly. “I don’t know.”

“There are things even you don’t know, Sister?” Lan Feiying chuckled.

Lan Mulian remained silent.

The most talented and beautiful woman in the sect could usually understand most things, including the thoughts of the other cultivators, even Mu Zhi’an’s thoughts about her.

But she couldn’t understand her master’s intentions.

Is she trying to force me to participate in the Ascension Ceremony?

It wasn’t like her master to coerce others.

But she couldn’t think of any other reason for her master to suddenly add a ‘prize’ for a select few girls.

“Are you planning to participate, Sister?” Lan Feiying changed the subject.

“If you’re not, I’ll bring your junior brother back for you,” she said playfully.

Lan Mulian glared at her. “Don’t joke around. He’s just my junior brother.”

Lan Feiying smiled seductively, her gaze fixed on Lan Mulian’s beautiful face, seeing through her pretense but not saying anything.

If her sister also participated in the Ascension Ceremony, the outcome would be a foregone conclusion.

The Southern Wilderness and the Western Regions probably assumed that the geniuses from different realms were of similar strength, or perhaps even believed that their own geniuses were stronger…

However, they probably didn’t expect that a seemingly insignificant young cultivator would completely change the nature of the Ascension Ceremony.

…

Two days passed quickly.

During these two days, more young cultivators from all over the Nine Realms arrived at the Two Polarities Sect. Besides the scions of the Primordial Clans, there were also some exceptionally talented rogue cultivators.

That afternoon, Mu Zhi’an received another piece of news in the Garden of Heavenly Harmony.

The Great Qian Dynasty’s Princess Royal had arrived!

Princess Yongning had previously visited the Two Polarities Sect in a private capacity, asking Yan Ruyu about poetry. This time, she represented the Great Qian Dynasty.

Although the dynasty seemed to be declining, even the Primordial Clans didn’t dare to underestimate it.

The reason was the ‘power of the masses’ it possessed, the collective will of the common people.

This power wasn’t just an abstract concept; it could manifest as a tangible force.

The combined power of a dynasty’s populace, if used properly, could unleash an attack comparable to a Dao Integration cultivator.

And the current Imperial Advisor’s strength was unfathomable. Some speculated that he might be the only Earthly Immortal in the world who had comprehended a trace of Dao Rhyme.

Snowflakes fell outside, covering the ground in a blanket of white. Occasionally, a spirit crane would fly through the snowy sky.

Then, in the next instant, its fate would be sealed as a dragon snatched it by the scruff of its neck, carrying it towards the Garden of Heavenly Harmony amidst the “Aaa” of a certain foodie’s song…

Mu Zhi’an sat in the pavilion, sipping hot tea, his demeanor exuding the aura of a noble young master.

He seemed to be admiring the snowy scenery, but in reality, he was pondering his next move.

He was undoubtedly the strongest ‘combatant’ in the Ascension Ceremony.

Disregarding cultivation levels, he could suppress the girls around him without even using his Spiritual Energy.

He had even suppressed a Dao Integration cultivator before and given her a good ‘spanking’.

But if the girls took the ‘winner takes the Innate Celestial Furnace’ seriously and competed with all their might, he would be in trouble…

However, it wasn’t entirely hopeless.

In terms of pure strength, Mu Zhi’an was on par with, or even stronger than, the so-called geniuses from the Primordial Clans.

After all, he possessed the Chaos Body. Although he rarely fought, he had never lost a battle against someone at the same level.

The Ascension Ceremony had invited talented cultivators from all over the Nine Realms, but the true contenders for first place were limited to a few individuals.

Besides the monk from the Western Regions and the geniuses from the other two realms, most of the participants were people Mu Zhi’an knew.

In other words, as long as he eliminated those three, the remaining competitors would be familiar faces.

It would be much easier to manipulate the situation then.

His top priority now was to increase his strength as much as possible.

As for the method… he would have to consult Yan Ruyu again.

Besides that, he was also curious about the characters he had seen in the murals within the Sword Palace and the characters in the mirror within the Forbidden Zone. He wanted to know which dynasty they belonged to.

Yan Ruyu was erudite and well-read, a knowledgeable teacher… Perhaps she could decipher the ancient characters.

Seeing that Mu Zhi’an was about to leave, Wei Mengrou, who had been silently standing in the corner, said coldly, “The Ascension Ceremony is approaching. Aren’t you going to cultivate instead of going out?”

“I have some matters to attend to before I cultivate,” Mu Zhi’an replied with a smile.

Wei Mengrou raised an eyebrow, teasing him, “Is there anything more important than your safety after the Ascension Ceremony? Or have you already decided who you want to marry?”

Mu Zhi’an shook his head seriously. “The outcome of the Ascension Ceremony is important, but your matters are even more important, Mengrou.”

If he doesn’t want to tell the truth, fine… Wei Mengrou glanced at him and ignored him.

Mu Zhi’an smiled but didn’t say anything.

Sometimes, telling the truth only made people doubt you even more.

 

Chapter 253: Mu Zhi’an: I’m Getting Married After the Ascension Ceremony! p1

Mu Zhi’an stared at the letter, frozen in place like a statue about to crumble.

After a long time, he finally snapped out of his daze, a single word echoing in his mind: “What the f*ck?”

I thought of the Sect Master as my wife, and she stabs me in the back like this…

Is she trying to lead me to a bad ending?

Until now, his relationships with the girls around him had been ambiguous, like a thin sheet of paper separating them.

However, Shang Yanfei’s letter could change everything.

If the winner of the Ascension Ceremony was someone he didn’t know, it wouldn’t be a big deal. But if it was one of the girls close to him… it would be a disaster.

And the probability of one of them winning was quite high.

After all, he had been helping them all this time. They might not have all evolved into ‘sharks’, but they had grown significantly.

Each of them had a ‘cheat’ of some sort, their talent and strength far surpassing those of ordinary cultivators.

Initially, Mu Zhi’an had hoped the Ascension Ceremony would become a competition among them… That way, he could secure all three Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs.

But now…

He needed to change his plan.

Wei Mengrou noticed his unusual behavior and walked over to him.

A faint fragrance enveloped him as her shoulder brushed against his. She glanced at the letter, her eyes widening slightly.

After a moment of silence, a rare smile appeared on her usually cold and expressionless face.

She quickly suppressed her smile and pursed her lips, trying to contain her amusement. Maintaining her usual indifferent tone, she asked, “What are you going to do now?”

However, she couldn’t completely hide her amusement, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

Mu Zhi’an had already calmed down. He smiled faintly. “It seems I’ll have to take the Ascension Ceremony seriously.”

He had originally planned to remain behind the scenes as a kept man, the ‘female lead’ supporting the ‘protagonists’. But now, it seemed he had to step up…

Wei Mengrou raised an eyebrow, understanding his implication. “You’re actually planning to win the Ascension Ceremony?”

“Do you think it’s impossible, Mengrou?” Mu Zhi’an asked with a smile.

Wei Mengrou shook her head gently.

“I didn’t know you had so much faith in me,” Mu Zhi’an said, surprised.

A faint smile curved Wei Mengrou’s lips. “The Forbidden Zone, the Sword Palace, and even the Jade Pool Holy Land are all good options. You can start thinking about who you want to marry after the Ascension Ceremony.”

Mu Zhi’an: “…”

“If that happens, wouldn’t you become a dowry maid?” he retorted.

Clearly, his maid was enjoying his predicament.

After a moment of silence, Mu Zhi’an collected his thoughts and said, “Actually, I don’t necessarily have to win first place.”

“There’s a better way…”

He glanced at Wei Mengrou meaningfully.

Wei Mengrou frowned. “What way?”

“For example, you could win first place, Mengrou…” Mu Zhi’an suggested tentatively.

“Why would I help you?” Wei Mengrou scoffed, rejecting his idea immediately.

“Don’t be so quick to refuse.”

Mu Zhi’an paused, looking at her beautiful face. “Think about it, Mengrou. You’ve always been my maid, obeying my commands. If you win first place, our roles can be reversed. I can serve you tea, massage your shoulders, and even… warm your bed…”

“We can skip the last part,” Wei Mengrou said calmly.

But her eyes flickered slightly.

Although she wasn’t interested in Mu Zhi’an as a ‘prize’, she was tired of being teased by him every time she served him.

If he became her servant…

Wei Mengrou looked at him silently for a moment, then said, “I’ll think about it.”

“Are you confident?” Mu Zhi’an asked.

“As long as she doesn’t participate, there’s no problem,” Wei Mengrou replied.

Mu Zhi’an was confused at first, then he realized who she was referring to.

She was clearly talking about Lan Mulian, the recluse on Two Polarities Peak.

Logically, Nascent Soul cultivators shouldn’t participate in the Ascension Ceremony, but Lan Mulian was around the same age as them. They would have to wait for the official rules to be announced.

“Are you talking about Senior Sister…?”

Mu Zhi’an’s eyes held a thoughtful glint. “If necessary, I’ll have to suppress her myself.”

Wei Mengrou simply replied with a noncommittal “Oh”, pretending to believe him.

She paused, then continued, “More importantly, you need to deal with the people outside your door.”

“The aura from the Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb you just refined has stirred some unrest,” she added casually.

After the Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb was absorbed into his Innate Celestial Furnace, a faint trace of its aura had leaked out. Male cultivators wouldn’t be able to sense it, but some female cultivators at the Nascent Soul Realm might notice something.

“Let them be restless,” Mu Zhi’an chuckled.

However, looking at the letter in his hand, he couldn’t smile anymore.

Compared to the leaked aura from the Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb, this letter was the real problem…

Besides winning himself, he needed to come up with another plan…

A way to prevent the girls around him from winning while still obtaining the three Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs… Was it even possible?

Mu Zhi’an silently folded the letter and put it away in his storage ring.

He walked over to the window and looked at the snowy scenery outside, lost in thought.

…

As Yao Meng had said after waking up, refining the Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb itself wasn’t a problem.

However, Mu Zhi’an hadn’t anticipated that its fragrance would be so potent, so much so that even his Innate Celestial Furnace constitution couldn’t contain it completely. A faint trace of the herb’s aura had leaked out.

When Yu Ziyan, the peak master of Dao Peak, had refined the Soul Returning Pill for him, she had set up formations within her hall to prevent the fragrance from escaping.

However, this was the Two Polarities Sect. Even if some female cultivators suspected that there was an Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb in the Garden of Heavenly Harmony, they couldn’t do anything about it.

At most, they would try to approach him and subtly inquire about it.

As for any malicious intent… that was unlikely.

Firstly, Ling Long and the Jade Empress were both in the Garden of Heavenly Harmony… Although most people were unaware of this, it was a strong deterrent.

Secondly, there was also the Sect Master to consider.

Although an Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb was tempting, no one would dare to take such a risk.

By noon that day, the rumors of an Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb in the Garden of Heavenly Harmony had faded. After all, Mu Zhi’an hadn’t left his residence, and they couldn’t just barge in.

…

Dexin Courtyard.

Ye Lingxuan played with the paper crane in her hand, her chin resting on her hand as she looked at the snowy scenery outside the window, her mind elsewhere.

If Mu Zhi’an were present, he would probably be surprised.

The contents of this paper crane were identical to the one he had received. It was easy to imagine what was troubling the Forbidden Zone’s Holy Maiden.

The Reincarnated Empress left behind a trace of Spiritual Energy in each of her past lives. Once all nine traces were gathered within her body, the inheritance would be complete.

However, one trace was still within Mu Zhi’an’s body…

In the past, Ye Lingxuan wouldn’t have been worried. After all, when the time was right, the ninth life’s Spiritual Energy would naturally return to her body after being enhanced by the Innate Celestial Furnace.

However, this letter had disrupted her usual composure.

She couldn’t wait any longer.

Normally, possessing eight traces of Spiritual Energy was enough to secure victory in the Ascension Ceremony.

But this was a golden age, an era filled with talented individuals.

Chapter 252: It’s Basically a Holy Grail War 

Each Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb had unique effects. Some could even further enhance a cultivator’s techniques, even those that seemingly had no room for improvement.

Therefore, since ancient times, Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs had been one of the ultimate goals for cultivators.

Yes… one of the ultimate goals.

Heavenly Dao Energy, Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs, Rebirth Spiritual Energy from the Forbidden Zone… each of these was a sacred treasure that could drive people to madness.

And now, all of these resided within Mu Zhi’an’s Innate Celestial Furnace.

It was fortunate that most people were unaware of his secret. Otherwise, he would be bombarded with love letters wherever he went.

Even before his Innate Celestial Furnace was exposed, he would occasionally receive love letters… They were simply intercepted by Bai Ruoxi before they reached him.

After all, Mu Zhi’an’s looks were top-tier within the sect. Although good looks didn’t directly contribute to one’s strength, they were certainly helpful in social interactions, especially with women.

Even without the Innate Celestial Furnace, Mu Zhi’an was already attractive to many female cultivators. If they added the Innate Celestial Furnace to the equation… the effect on most female cultivators was predictable.

And now, Shang Yanfei had uttered the absurd words, ‘I’m going to offer your junior brother as a prize,’ leaving the usually composed and elegant Lan Mulian speechless.

She, as always, exuded an air of coldness, nobility, and grace. Even without looking at her beautiful face, her pure and untainted aura was enough to captivate countless gazes.

However, at this moment, Lan Mulian’s hand trembled slightly as she held her teacup, her expression uncomfortable.

She looked at her master and said calmly, “Don’t joke, Master. He’s a person, not a prize. And do you really intend to expose his Innate Celestial Furnace secret?”

Lin Ling looked from side to side, then raised the hand holding a chicken leg. “Aaaaa!”

Her meaning was clear: I also want to participate in the Ascension Ceremony!

Shang Yanfei took a sip of tea, her delicate eyebrows raised slightly as she looked at her disciple with a smile. “We can’t expose the Innate Celestial Furnace, but we can give those disciples a little… motivation.”

“What do you mean…?”

“There are girls in Boundless Sea Peak, Dao Peak, and other main peaks who are close to your junior brother, right?” Shang Yanfei asked casually.

Lan Mulian’s eyes were cold as she stared at her master, remaining silent.

“However, whether it’s that girl from the Forbidden Zone or the others…” Shang Yanfei looked at the most popular and aloof beauty in the sect and chuckled. “They all seem… unmotivated.”

“So you’re planning to offer him as a prize, Master?”

“Aaa!” Lin Ling opened her mouth slightly and shook her head, expressing her protest.

She was firmly on ‘Team Protect Mu Zhi’an’.

If the chef was taken away, wouldn’t she have to go back to Two Polarities Peak for food every day?

“I can’t participate in the Ascension Ceremony. It wouldn’t be appropriate,” Lan Mulian said.

She was around the same age as the other participants, but she had left the Lan family and joined the Two Polarities Sect much earlier. She had already reached the Nascent Soul Realm.

If an Earthly Immortal participated in the Ascension Ceremony, it would be a complete stomp, with no suspense whatsoever.

“A competition without suspense is meaningless,” Lan Mulian said calmly, her voice filled with confidence.

If Mu Zhi’an were present, he would surely be impressed by her charm.

The master and disciple duo had different auras. One wore a black dress, exuding an air of mystery, while the other wore a moon-white dress, her aura cold and noble.

However, their figures were similar, each a beauty in her own right. Together, their charm was amplified.

“Aaa.”

Lin Ling suddenly made a sound.

Lan Mulian turned to look at her and saw her holding up a cardboard sign, her beautiful red eyes fixed on her. The sign read: But the winner of the Ascension Ceremony can take your junior brother.

Lin Ling then turned to Shang Yanfei and tapped the sign again.

“He can’t leave the sect.”

“Senior Lin Ling is right. Please reconsider, Master. This idea isn’t very reasonable,” Lan Mulian said, her voice melodious.

“He won’t leave the sect. The additional reward is just motivation for some of the disciples to win first place.”

Shang Yanfei walked towards the courtyard, her black dress trailing behind her. She played with a strand of hair and looked at them with a smile. “Besides, haven’t you considered another possibility?”

Under their gazes, she continued, “What if… he wins first place?”

She turned around, twirled a strand of hair around her finger, and gently blew on it.

The strand of hair transformed into several shimmering paper cranes, carrying a strong immortal aura as they flew out of the pavilion, heading towards the Garden of Heavenly Harmony and other locations.

…

Garden of Heavenly Harmony.

Mu Zhi’an sat in his room, savoring the rich medicinal fragrance emanating from his Innate Celestial Furnace.

“It seems my guess was correct… My Innate Celestial Furnace absorbs everything good, whether it’s an Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb or something else.”

In the past, these treasures had been taken from him against his will, but this time, he had used his Innate Celestial Furnace to his advantage.

The success of this experiment meant he could refine more Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs in the future and share them with the women around him at the appropriate time.

Normally, refining an Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb would take a hundred years, but within his Innate Celestial Furnace, it took less than an hour.

Although the Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs don’t directly benefit me, my Character Role is the ‘cheat’ for the protagonists. It’s not bad to use this method to make the girls around me stronger, right?

Mu Zhi’an asked mentally, “Empress, do you need this medicinal herb?”

If Yao Meng needed it, he could give it to her…

“I’ve already consumed three Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs. It won’t be of much use to me for now. You should give it to your disciple or to Gong Lianyue,” Yao Meng’s voice echoed in his mind.

“Gong Lianyue?” Mu Zhi’an asked, puzzled.

“That was the Sword Palace Master’s name in the past. However, later generations only know her as the Sword Emperor and are unaware of her true name,” Yao Meng explained.

My wife has such a beautiful name… Mu Zhi’an asked, “Can a person only consume three Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs?”

“After three, you need to wait another ten thousand years before consuming more. Otherwise, there won’t be any effect. And there needs to be a gap of at least a hundred years between each consumption,” Yao Meng said.

“However, the Spiritual Energy within your Innate Celestial Furnace is much richer now. I can recover much faster within it,” she continued.

“I’m glad I could help, Empress,” Mu Zhi’an said with a smile.

Knock knock.

A soft knock came from the door.

“Come in,” Mu Zhi’an said, looking towards the entrance.

The door opened, and Wei Mengrou, the tall and aloof beauty in a yellow dress, stood there, her eyes filled with curiosity. “Why is the Spiritual Energy in your room so dense?”

Mu Zhi’an admired her alluring figure and explained, “I just refined an Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb.”

Wei Mengrou was stunned, her mind filled with disbelief.

“If you need it, Mengrou, I can give it to you,” Mu Zhi’an offered sincerely.

After a moment of hesitation, Wei Mengrou looked at him intently. “The Innate Celestial Furnace?” she asked, her voice cold.

Mu Zhi’an nodded slightly.

No wonder… Wei Mengrou finally understood.

Then, she looked at him strangely, observing his satisfied smile. “You didn’t actually refine the Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb yourself. Why are you so happy?”

In the past, Mu Zhi’an had always been frustrated whenever he obtained a treasure, like the Seed of Dao Realization or the Rebirth Spiritual Energy from the Forbidden Zone’s Rebirth Pool.

Because any treasure he obtained would ultimately be absorbed by his Innate Celestial Furnace.

Yet, this time, he seemed genuinely happy. It was strange.

Could it be that her young master had finally gone mad?

“I’m just happy that I can help you, Mengrou, even if it’s just a small contribution,” Mu Zhi’an said with a smile.

Wei Mengrou rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Get lost,” she said, raising her chin haughtily.

Mu Zhi’an remained silent for a long time.

Then, before she could speak, he continued, “Can you scold me some more, Mengrou?”

Wei Mengrou: “…”

For a moment, she wondered if he had developed some strange fetish.

Is this guy a masochist?

Mu Zhi’an chuckled, seeing her increasingly disdainful gaze.

He could roughly guess what she was thinking.

However, he wasn’t a pervert.

He simply felt a strange sense of pleasure whenever she scolded him… It would be even better if she wore those black and white silk stockings again.

Scolding him with a look of disgust while being forced to obey his commands… It was a delightful scenario.

Unfortunately, he could only imagine it for now.

“I’ll refine the other Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb later,” Mu Zhi’an said.

Gong Lianyue had given him two Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs. He could give one to Bai Ruoxi, which would also help Gong Lianyue awaken sooner.

However, although she claimed to be slumbering, who knew if she was just pretending like the Jade Empress?

“The Ascension Ceremony is approaching. Aren’t you concerned about your own situation?” Wei Mengrou reminded him.

Mu Zhi’an shook his head and chuckled. “Didn’t I say before? I don’t care. Reaching the top sixteen would be a success.”

He wasn’t particularly interested in the Ascension Ceremony.

After all, the strongest contenders were all around him. He would be happy with any of them winning first place.

Since he had chosen to be a kept man, he should stick to his role!

“Are you confident, Mengrou?” Mu Zhi’an asked, looking up at her.

“I’m not interested in the Ascension Ceremony,” Wei Mengrou replied indifferently.

“We’re truly compatible,” Mu Zhi’an tried to flirt.

Wei Mengrou scoffed and ignored him.

Mu Zhi’an took out the second Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb from his storage ring, wondering if he should refine it now or spend some time with the girls around him first.

Suddenly, he sensed a familiar aura approaching from outside.

He raised his finger, and a paper crane landed on it.

Wei Mengrou looked at it for a moment. “A paper crane from Two Polarities Peak?” she asked.

As his maid, she knew him better than even Bai Ruoxi.

After all, he never hid anything from her.

“It should be from Senior Sister,” Mu Zhi’an guessed.

He didn’t exchange messages with the Sect Master very often, but he frequently corresponded with Lan Mulian.

Although Mu Zhi’an kept telling himself not to be too intimidated by the Sect Master, his tone in the letters was still respectful.

After all, she was a Dao Integration cultivator, and she was one of the two people he couldn’t figure out. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe.

The other person he felt a sliver of awe towards was the Demon Realm Empress.

Of course, it was just a sliver.

Once they became closer, or once he ‘conquered’ their hearts, this awe would disappear.

Just like with Yao Meng. Initially, he had also felt intimidated, but after ‘suppressing’ her a few times and conquering her heart, the awe had been replaced by genuine affection.

Mu Zhi’an opened the paper crane and instantly sensed a familiar aura.

“It’s from the Sect Master…?” he murmured, surprised.

But this was a good thing. He could use this opportunity to improve their relationship… Mu Zhi’an smiled faintly and unfolded the letter, glancing at its contents.

“The winner of the Ascension Ceremony… can take Mu Zhi’an as a prize.”

Mu Zhi’an froze, then closed his eyes briefly.

He opened his eyes and reread the letter.

“…”

His smile slowly faded.

…

At the same time, paper cranes landed on the windowsills of Bai Ruoxi’s room, the Ye sisters’ room, and even Lan Feiying’s secluded chamber.

They were confused at first, then they picked up the cranes and slowly unfolded them.

Chapter 251: I’m Sorry, Ruoxi, I’m No Longer Pure p2

…

Upon returning to the Garden of Heavenly Harmony, Mu Zhi’an didn’t go back to his room. Instead, he went straight to Bai Ruoxi’s.

He quietly opened the door and saw the beautiful woman in a palace dress, her eyes closed as if she was still meditating. He breathed a sigh of relief.

He closed the door and walked over to the bed, sitting down beside Bai Ruoxi, preparing to meditate.

Suddenly, a gentle and melodious voice came from beside him, “Were you trapped in the Sword Palace today, Mu Lang? Why are you back so late?”

Bai Ruoxi had opened her eyes at some point, her gaze soft and tender.

However, for some reason, her gentle gaze made Mu Zhi’an feel a sense of danger.

After a brief hesitation, Mu Zhi’an decided to confess. “I went to see Lingxuan and discussed the matter of Rebirth Spiritual Energy with her.”

“Rebirth Spiritual Energy?” Bai Ruoxi, who had been planning to watch him ‘perform’, was now confused.

He actually confessed…?

She had already prepared to use the Heart-Binding Lock…

“Yes, I went to see Lingxuan because of the Rebirth Spiritual Energy.”

Mu Zhi’an subtly glanced at the Heart-Binding Lock peeking out from Bai Ruoxi’s sleeve, then looked at her tenderly. “Lingxuan received an inheritance in the Forbidden Zone, and she needs my help to complete it… That’s why I went to see her tonight.”

Normally, Bai Ruoxi would be meditating at this time. The fact that she wasn’t meant that Wei Mengrou must have told her about his whereabouts.

Since he couldn’t hide it, he had to explain.

That maid really wants me to get into trouble… She should have kept this a secret.

I was too lenient with Mengrou last time. After she lost the bet, I should have punished her more… Mu Zhi’an thought with a hint of regret.

But it seemed Ruoxi wasn’t planning to let him off the hook so easily… He noticed the cold chain silently emerging from her sleeve, as if trying to bind him.

“Ruoxi, look! What’s that behind you?!” Mu Zhi’an exclaimed, pointing behind her.

If it were anyone else, this beautiful woman wouldn’t fall for such a childish trick. But because it was Mu Zhi’an, it actually worked.

Bai Ruoxi instinctively turned her head. Seizing the opportunity, Mu Zhi’an grabbed the Heart-Binding Lock and reached for her wrist.

“Is there something behind me?” Bai Ruoxi turned back, but Mu Zhi’an was too quick. He used the Heart-Binding Lock to bind her wrists together.

Bai Ruoxi: “…”

She finally realized what had happened and glared at him, her face flushed. “Let go of me!”

“You secretly took out the Heart-Binding Lock. Weren’t you planning to play a game with me? Did I misunderstand?” Mu Zhi’an wrapped an arm around her shoulder and whispered in her ear.

“It came out on its own. It has nothing to do with me…” Bai Ruoxi’s eyes flickered with a hint of panic.

The Heart-Binding Lock was hers, and with her strength, it would be easy for her to overpower Mu Zhi’an. However, being held in his embrace made her heart race, and she didn’t know what to do.

Mu Zhi’an pressed his advantage, pushing her shoulders gently.

Bai Ruoxi fell back onto the bed, her gaze fixed on the ceiling beams and Mu Zhi’an’s handsome face, illuminated by the warm candlelight.

He pulled the blanket over them and slipped under the covers.

Bai Ruoxi was about to speak when she suddenly froze, her gaze falling upon the young man in her arms, her eyes filled with shyness. She reached out to push him away, but the Heart-Binding Lock made it difficult.

She bit her lip, seemingly trying to suppress a sound.

After a moment, Mu Zhi’an emerged from under the covers. He looked at her flushed face, gently caressed her cheek, and whispered, “Do you like it?”

Bai Ruoxi turned her head away, murmuring, “I hate it…”

However, the Heart-Binding Lock contradicted her words, indicating that she was lying.

Her face flushed even deeper. She hadn’t expected her chosen ‘Dao’ to betray her and side with Mu Zhi’an.

“What if she wakes up…?” Bai Ruoxi asked, resorting to ‘threats’.

Mu Zhi’an knew she was referring to the other consciousness within her body, the Sword Palace Master.

But he wasn’t afraid. He smiled and said, “Even if she comes, I’ll suppress her!”

They were both Bai Ruoxi anyway. And the Sword Palace Master wasn’t even as… well-endowed as her.

After all, a scabbard had to be bigger than the blade, right? Otherwise, how could it contain the sword?

Without another word, Mu Zhi’an pulled the blanket over them, burying his face in her bosom, contributing his part to the upcoming Ascension Ceremony.

In this cold winter, only Ruoxi’s warmth could comfort him.

…

The next morning.

A layer of snow covered the ground outside. The air was cold.

Mu Zhi’an woke up feeling refreshed. He got dressed and, after glancing at the seemingly tired Bai Ruoxi, left the room with a satisfied smile.

Although they hadn’t meditated last night, the effects were far greater than any cultivation session for Bai Ruoxi.

Mu Zhi’an sat in the courtyard, sipping tea as he gently clenched his fist. Then, he sighed softly.

Conquering a mountain with his bare hands was still too difficult.

As expected of Ruoxi.

He sat there for a while, lost in thought, then took out the two Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs, trying to unravel their secrets.

Cultivators from all over the Nine Realms had flocked to the Two Polarities Sect for the three Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs offered as rewards in the Ascension Ceremony. Yet, Mu Zhi’an already possessed two of them.

He had examined these herbs carefully. Extending lifespan was a common characteristic of all Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs. However, the one with purple petals seemed to have other effects.

He wasn’t sure about the specifics, but he felt it was somewhat similar to his cultivation technique, the Eight Chaos Dream Scroll. Perhaps refining it would enhance techniques related to dreams.

The other herb was a golden flower with a five-clawed golden dragon swirling within, occasionally roaring and moving about, its aura majestic.

“If I can unravel the secrets of these two Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs, perhaps I can further improve my strength,” Mu Zhi’an murmured.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t comprehend their secrets. He could only look but not use, which was frustrating.

Suddenly, a bold idea struck him.

Why not just refine them…?

Directly refining an Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb could extend one’s lifespan by an unimaginable amount.

However, the refining process would take nearly a hundred years.

So far, most of the cheats he had obtained had been absorbed by his Innate Celestial Furnace, enhanced, and then passed on to the girls around him.

This was the case with the Heavenly Dao’s energy from Ling Long, the Seed of Dao Realization from the Jade Empress, and the Rebirth Spiritual Energy from the Rebirth Pool.

If the Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs could also be enhanced within his Innate Celestial Furnace, or even directly refined…

Mu Zhi’an pondered for a moment, then set down his teacup.

“Let’s gamble!”

He had two Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs. Refining one would be enough to determine if his Innate Celestial Furnace could quickly absorb and refine them.

He walked towards his room and called out, “Mengrou, I’m going into seclusion for a while.”

Wei Mengrou silently appeared. Although she didn’t know what he was planning, she nodded slightly. “I’ll make sure no one disturbs you.”

Mu Zhi’an smiled at her. “If I succeed, it will also benefit you.”

Wei Mengrou’s eyes held a hint of curiosity.

Mu Zhi’an didn’t explain and entered his room. He sat down on the cushion and took out the golden flower.

The Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb radiated a powerful aura, like an ancient golden dragon. A rich medicinal fragrance filled the air, refreshing the mind.

If anyone saw this, they would surely call him a prodigal. One should comprehend the secrets of an Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb before refining it to maximize its effects. Yet, Mu Zhi’an was planning to refine it directly without any comprehension.

Mu Zhi’an hesitated slightly and tried to communicate with Yao Meng. “Empress, do you think it’s a waste to directly refine this Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb?”

However, there was no response.

Is she really sleeping, or is she pretending…? Mu Zhi’an wondered.

If Yao Meng didn’t respond, he could only rely on his own judgment…

He looked at the Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb, hesitated for a long time, then gritted his teeth and made up his mind.

Refine!

Even if it was a waste, he had to try and see how ‘greedy’ his Innate Celestial Furnace was…

Mu Zhi’an closed his eyes and absorbed the golden Spiritual Energy into his body.

An Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb, having matured for ten thousand years, couldn’t be refined easily.

Using conventional methods, it would take at least a hundred years.

But Mu Zhi’an chose to guide the first wisp of golden energy into his Innate Celestial Furnace, hoping to awaken it and let it handle the refining process.

As the golden energy flowed into his body, Mu Zhi’an felt an unprecedented sense of exhilaration. The rich medicinal fragrance and Spiritual Energy seemed to want to enter his own Vessel.

As expected, just as the golden energy was about to enter his Vessel, the Innate Celestial Furnace reacted. A mysterious force drew the golden energy inside.

Then, the golden flower, which had shown no signs of withering, suddenly began to wilt rapidly. A golden, dragon-like energy was swiftly absorbed by the rapidly rotating Innate Celestial Furnace.

It worked!

Mu Zhi’an’s eyes lit up with excitement. He closed his eyes and focused on guiding the process.

“Ah… mm~”

After about half an hour, as the golden energy continued to flow into his Innate Celestial Furnace, a soft and seductive moan echoed from within his body.

Then, Yao Meng slowly opened her beautiful green eyes.

“Empress, you’re finally awake,” Mu Zhi’an greeted her.

Yao Meng was confused at first, then, sensing the rich medicinal fragrance within the Innate Celestial Furnace, her eyes flickered. “Did you refine an Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb?” she asked.

Mu Zhi’an nodded slightly and explained his thoughts.

“It seems the refinement was successful,” he said.

“Indeed… The Spiritual Energy within your Innate Celestial Furnace is even more delicious now,” Yao Meng’s melodious voice echoed in his mind.

Then, she continued, “But you should have waited for me to wake up before doing this.”

“Is there a problem…?” Mu Zhi’an asked instinctively.

“No problem. In fact, it’s perfect. Even a Dao Integration cultivator might not be able to refine an Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb so perfectly.”

Yao Meng paused, then said, “However… it might cause quite a commotion.”

If Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs weren’t so useless to her now, she might even be tempted.

Normally, refining an Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb would take at least a hundred years, and during this process, the herb’s Spiritual Energy would gradually dissipate, a significant waste.

Under normal circumstances, a cultivator could only refine about 50% of an Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb’s potency. The rest would be wasted.

However, Mu Zhi’an’s Innate Celestial Furnace had absorbed and refined over 90% of the herb’s Spiritual Energy…

And now, he could directly share this refined golden energy with the women around him.

His Innate Celestial Furnace was already a great temptation for other female cultivators, and now, with the addition of an Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb… If word got out, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Faint golden Spiritual Energy, carrying a rich medicinal fragrance, seeped out of the room, forming a golden dragon that swirled above the Garden of Heavenly Harmony.

Outside the room, Wei Mengrou instinctively turned towards the closed door, her eyes filled with surprise.

“Such a strong medicinal fragrance…”

…

Two Polarities Peak.

Lin Ling, the adorable silver-haired, red-eyed older sister, was munching on a large chicken leg, enjoying the delicacies prepared by Sect Master Shang Yanfei.

Beside her, Shang Yanfei, dressed in a black dress that accentuated her curves, a white jacket draped over it, exuded an air of classic elegance. She was playing with a teacup in her hand.

“Aren’t you participating in the Ascension Ceremony?” she asked casually.

Lan Mulian, dressed in a moon-white dress, her aura cold and noble, shook her head gently. “I have no interest in fighting. Besides, it wouldn’t be fair to the others if a Nascent Soul cultivator participated.”

Most of the participants in the Ascension Ceremony were at the Core Formation Realm. Although Lan Mulian was around the same age as them, with her current cultivation level, there would be little suspense if she participated.

“That’s true. And you joined the sect a few years earlier than the others. It wouldn’t be appropriate…” Shang Yanfei said thoughtfully, not pressing further.

“Aaa?”

Lin Ling, who was munching on a chicken leg, suddenly looked up, as if she had smelled something even more delicious. Even the chicken leg in her hand lost its appeal.

She instinctively turned her head towards the Garden of Heavenly Harmony, sniffing the air, then licking her lips.

Did the chef secretly make something delicious…?

Lan Mulian also sensed something. She looked towards the Garden of Heavenly Harmony, her eyes sparkling. “What is he doing…?” she murmured.

The medicinal fragrance was incredibly potent…

“He refined an Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb,” Shang Yanfei said.

Lan Mulian was stunned, then looked at her incredulously. “It takes at least a hundred years to refine an Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb… How could he possibly…”

Suddenly, as if realizing something, she murmured, “The Innate Celestial Furnace…”

If it was the Innate Celestial Furnace, it wasn’t impossible.

After all, Mu Zhi’an had already caused quite a stir with his Innate Celestial Furnace.

However…

“He’s caused quite a commotion this time,” Lan Mulian said softly.

Shang Yanfei pondered for a moment, then smiled brightly. “Since he’s already caused such a commotion, some female cultivators might already suspect something.”

“Should we add another reward for the winner of the Ascension Ceremony?”

Lan Mulian’s eyes flickered as she looked at the tall and beautiful woman with long, flowing hair.

Shang Yanfei smiled mischievously.

“For example… the winner can take your junior brother. How about that?”

Chapter 251: I’m Sorry, Ruoxi, I’m No Longer Pure p1

Garden of Heavenly Harmony.

Bai Ruoxi slowly opened her eyes and glanced at the sky outside.

Snowflakes like ice crystals drifted through the night sky above the Two Polarities Sect. Inside, the candlelight flickered. She gently touched her chest and exhaled softly.

Bai Ruoxi left her room. The cold wind rustled her white palace dress, and her delicate face was as cold and pale as the falling snow, her gentle and aloof aura blending perfectly with the wintry scene.

As soon as she stepped outside, she saw her maid in a yellow dress standing in the courtyard, gazing at the falling snow.

“Mengrou, is Mu Lang not back yet?” Bai Ruoxi asked softly.

“He was back, but he left again,” Wei Mengrou replied, pouring a cup of hot tea and placing it on the table opposite her.

Bai Ruoxi walked over to the table, took a sip of tea, and asked, “Where did he go?”

“I don’t know,” Wei Mengrou said, shaking her head.

“He seems to be very busy lately.” Bai Ruoxi lowered her gaze, but her eyes couldn’t see her own feet.

“He came to see me earlier and asked me to cast a concealment spell on him,” Wei Mengrou added casually.

“A concealment spell…?” Bai Ruoxi tilted her head in confusion, then her eyes flickered.

Suddenly, as if realizing something, she glanced in the direction of Ye Lingxuan’s residence, her gaze hardening.

In the snowy night, a shadow of coldness flickered in her gentle eyes.

…

Meanwhile.

After confirming that Ye Siyu had left, Ye Lingxuan turned her attention to Mu Zhi’an, a hint of annoyance in her eyes. “When did you sneak into my room, Brother Mu?”

“And you didn’t even say anything. If I had mistaken you for an enemy and attacked without warning, you would have been taken to the Enforcement Hall.”

Thinking of this, she felt a surge of relief.

If she hadn’t been curious and scanned him with her Spiritual Sense, she might have actually sent him to the Enforcement Hall.

“It couldn’t be helped. If possible, I would have come to see you openly,” Mu Zhi’an sighed.

Ye Lingxuan’s eyes flickered as she looked at him.

“Is there something you can’t tell me?”

“You’ve been rejecting my invitations to chat every night,” Mu Zhi’an said.

“That’s because you always have ulterior motives, Brother Mu,” Ye Lingxuan retorted, rolling her eyes.

Mu Zhi’an had tried to stay in her room and get intimate with her a few times, taking advantage of the romantic atmosphere, but she had always rejected him, her awareness of potential dangers always high.

“I never had any ulterior motives. You’re misunderstanding me, Lingxuan,” Mu Zhi’an said helplessly.

Ye Lingxuan scoffed. “Do you dare to swear to the heavens, Brother Mu?”

Swearing would ruin the fun… Mu Zhi’an casually walked over to her, took her hand, and changed the subject, “Did you put on makeup?”

Indeed, Ye Lingxuan was wearing light makeup tonight. A faint fragrance, a mix of her natural scent and cosmetics, lingered in the air, intoxicatingly sweet.

Even without makeup, she was already breathtakingly beautiful. The light makeup added a touch of maturity to her appearance.

“Are you changing the subject, Brother Mu?” Ye Lingxuan saw through his attempt.

However, Mu Zhi’an didn’t respond. He gently caressed her smooth cheek, his finger tracing her soft, rosy lips.

A flicker of panic flashed in Ye Lingxuan’s eyes. She instinctively averted her gaze and murmured, “W-what are you doing?”

“Why are you wearing lipstick so late at night? Did you know I was coming?” Mu Zhi’an asked, a playful glint in his eyes.

“I just wanted to try out this new lipstick. I was about to wipe it off,” Ye Lingxuan replied, taking out a handkerchief.

But before she could wipe it off, Mu Zhi’an grabbed her wrist, his gaze fixed on her beautiful face, illuminated by the candlelight, and her glistening lips.

As she looked up at him in confusion, he took the handkerchief from her hand. “Let me help you.”

He was about to touch her lips with the handkerchief.

Suddenly, a sweet voice came from outside, “Sister, can I come in?”

Ye Lingxuan froze and exchanged a glance with Mu Zhi’an. Under his gaze, she replied as calmly as possible, “I-is there something you need?”

“I heard some noises and wanted to ask if everything was alright, Sister,” Ye Qian’s gentle voice came from outside the door.

Ye Lingxuan glanced at Mu Zhi’an and whispered, “It’s nothing… The Desolate Time Lock acted up while I was receiving the inheritance.”

The Desolate Time Lock peeked out from her sleeve, its shape transforming into a question mark.

Ye Qian didn’t seem to suspect anything. “I see…” she murmured.

“It’s getting late. Go back and rest. You just finished your inheritance today, but you haven’t comprehended the cultivation technique yet, right?” Ye Lingxuan said, her tone like an older sister lecturing her younger sibling.

She gently pushed away Mu Zhi’an’s hand, which was slowly moving down her waist, a hint of annoyance in her eyes.

Doesn’t Brother Mu know how to be discreet? How can he be so… inappropriate at a time like this…

Ye Lingxuan held her breath, her Innate Spiritual Body sensing Ye Qian’s presence. Only after she felt her sister’s aura disappear from the doorway did she relax and whisper, “You scared me, Brother Mu! Aren’t you afraid of being discovered by Qian’er?”

Although Ye Qian probably wouldn’t say anything, she might even be excited to see her beloved brother and sister being intimate…

Mu Zhi’an placed his hand on Ye Lingxuan’s leg again and said seriously, “I know what I’m doing. Don’t worry.”

“Stop it, Brother Mu. Why are you here tonight?” Ye Lingxuan gently swatted his hand away.

Normally, she would have used the Desolate Time Lock to throw him out without hesitation. However, feeling the warmth of his presence beside her, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Mu Zhi’an, sensing her reluctance, sat down beside her and wrapped an arm around her slender waist, pulling her into his embrace.

He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “You’ve been in seclusion for so long, Lingxuan. Can’t I come and see you because I missed you?”

“Didn’t you miss me?”

Ye Lingxuan looked up, meeting his tender gaze. The candlelight made her eyes sparkle.

After a moment of silence, she murmured, “Mm.”

“By the way, I have something for you.”

Mu Zhi’an suddenly seemed to remember something. He took out a special Spirit Stone emitting a purple glow from his storage ring.

It was about the size of a teacup, radiating a captivating purple aura in the dim light.

Ye Lingxuan looked up at him. “Holy Lightning Rock?”

“You know about this?” Mu Zhi’an asked, surprised.

As expected of the Forbidden Zone’s Holy Maiden, Ye Lingxuan was clearly knowledgeable about most special Spirit Stones and instantly recognized it.

Mu Zhi’an had only read about it in ancient texts. In the Eastern Realm, a Holy Lightning Rock of this size was worth at least 100,000 Spirit Stones.

Ye Lingxuan instinctively covered her storage ring and said with a smile, “I’ve seen it in ancient texts before.”

She paused, then continued, “Thank you, Brother Mu. I love it.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Mu Zhi’an replied with a smile.

He wasn’t going to make the same mistake thrice and give away all of his Aurora Crystals. His relationship with the Jade Pool Holy Maiden was platonic, something the girls around him knew, so even if she gifted him an Aurora necklace in the future, it wouldn’t be a big deal.

As for Lin Keyu, she was similar to Ye Qian, a naive and innocent young lady. She wouldn’t give him an Aurora necklace in public.

With Ye Lingxuan, he needed to be more tactful and choose a different gift.

After chatting with her for a while, Mu Zhi’an stood up to leave.

“Are you leaving already, Brother Mu?” Ye Lingxuan asked, looking up at him with surprise.

Her eyes held a hint of reluctance.

She had assumed he had come to her room secretly because of what the Reincarnated Empress had said about the ninth life’s Spiritual Energy being within his body… But it seemed she had misunderstood him.

Brother Mu respected her and wasn’t planning to use the inheritance as an excuse to force himself on her…

A wave of shame washed over Ye Lingxuan as she watched Mu Zhi’an prepare to leave. She lightly patted her cheeks.

He hadn’t tried to do anything inappropriate tonight. He had simply come to see her after obtaining some special Spirit Stones in the Sword Palace, wanting to surprise her. Yet, she had filled her head with all sorts of indecent scenarios…

She had imagined him whispering sweet nothings, pinning her down on the bed, teasing her, and then…

“When did I become such a lecherous girl…?”

The usually elegant and composed Ye Lingxuan looked at Mu Zhi’an’s serious expression and mentally cursed herself for her wild imagination. She wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.

As Mu Zhi’an was about to leave, he paused and turned to face her.

“Is there something else, Brother Mu…?” Ye Lingxuan asked softly. Meeting his gaze, she remembered her earlier fantasies and blushed, lowering her eyes.

“You said you wanted to help me wipe off the lipstick. I almost forgot,” Mu Zhi’an said with a smile.

He picked up the handkerchief and suddenly covered her eyes with it.

Before she could react, his lips captured hers, tasting the coolness and softness of her lips, infused with the rich Spiritual Energy of Rebirth Water.

My previous guess was right. Lingxuan is basically a miniature Rebirth Pool… Mu Zhi’an thought, admiring her beautiful face.

Ye Lingxuan finally came to her senses and pulled the handkerchief away from her eyes. She wanted to say something through voice transmission, but under his tender gaze, she held back.

She closed her eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly, her hand reaching out behind her.

After a moment, her hand found the back of his neck, and she pressed herself against the table, letting him savor the taste of her freshly applied lipstick.

The snow outside intensified, the wind howling against the windowpanes.

After a while, Mu Zhi’an released her. He looked at her flushed face, gently wiped away the remaining lipstick from her lips, and chuckled. “All clean.”

Ye Lingxuan glared at him, but her eyes, still moist from their kiss, held no anger, only a hint of playful annoyance.

Mu Zhi’an excused himself. “It’s getting late. I’ll come see you again tomorrow.”

“Mm.”

Although reluctant, Ye Lingxuan’s shyness prevented her from asking him to stay. She watched as he opened the door and stepped out into the snowy night.

After he left, she took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

The shyness in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by her usual calm and composed demeanor.

Only now did she resemble the polite, well-behaved, and somewhat distant goddess in the eyes of others.

Ye Lingxuan walked over to her desk, looked at the Holy Lightning Rock in her hand, then silently took out another one, the size of a human head, from her storage ring and handed it to the Reincarnated Empress, who had been silently standing in the corner.

“Keep this safe for now,” Ye Lingxuan said.

The Reincarnated Empress tilted her head slightly. “Why…?”

“It would cause unnecessary trouble if Brother Mu found out. Also, have this made into two bracelets for me in the next few days,” Ye Lingxuan said, handing her the smaller Holy Lightning Rock Mu Zhi’an had just given her.

“This one is too small. It might be difficult… A ring would be more suitable,” the Reincarnated Empress replied.

Ye Lingxuan pondered for a moment, then nodded. “A ring then.”

“If you want bracelets, we can use the larger Holy Lightning Rock,” the Reincarnated Empress reminded her.

“That’s different,” Ye Lingxuan said, her finger tracing her lips, as if savoring the lingering warmth.

“Why is it different…?” the Reincarnated Empress asked, tilting her head slightly.

Ye Lingxuan smiled. “It’s just different.”

“How could a gift from Brother Mu be the same as something I own? You wouldn’t understand.”

Chapter 250: Mu Zhi’an’s Fish Pond Plan p2

Xuanyin Temple.

Lin Keyu returned to her room, holding the shimmering Aurora Crystal. She placed the crystal, about the size of a teacup, on the table.

She stared at it for a while, her chin resting on her hands, seemingly lost in thought.

As if recalling something amusing, a faint smile curved her lips.

“Miss, what happened? You seem happy,” her maid asked curiously.

Lin Keyu gasped softly, then, seeing the maid behind her, she relaxed and said, “You scared me, Rou’er. When did you enter the room?”

“I called out to you several times, Miss, but you seemed to be lost in thought and didn’t hear me,” the maid replied, her gaze fixed on the special Spirit Stone on the table.

“An Aurora Crystal…? When did you buy this, Miss?”

“Someone gave it to me,” Lin Keyu replied.

The maid narrowed her eyes, intrigued.

Her intuition told her there was more to this story.

Lin Keyu blushed and coughed lightly. “By the way, what did you need?”

The maid finally remembered. “Oh, right. Master wants to see you. He asked me to come and find you.”

Lin Keyu nodded slightly.

Then, she handed the Aurora Crystal to her maid. “Have someone craft this into two necklaces and add two Frost Stones as embellishments. I have a use for them later.”

“Frost Stones? If I’m not mistaken, they’re as valuable as Aurora Crystals. And you want two necklaces…? Are you planning to give them to someone, Miss?” the maid asked curiously.

Unlike Aurora Crystals, Frost Stones, when crafted into accessories like rings, necklaces, or bracelets, could have a calming effect on cultivators who were ‘charmed’ or anxious.

However, Frost Stones were as difficult to obtain as Aurora Crystals and were only found in the region surrounding the Xuanyin Temple. Even after decades, they might only find a few.

Of course, the Xuanyin Temple, having existed in the Eastern Realm for so long, had some in storage.

If the Xuanyin Temple’s young lady requested two Frost Stones, it wouldn’t be a problem.

However, the phrase ‘two necklaces’… was intriguing…

“I was saved by someone in the Sword Palace. I just want to express my gratitude,” Lin Keyu said demurely.

The maid looked at her meaningfully, then smiled. “I understand. I’ll have someone prepare them right away. Do you have anything you want to say to this person, Miss? We can embed your message within the Aurora Crystal. He’ll be able to hear it when he receives the necklace.”

Lin Keyu hesitated for a moment. “I’ll think about it after the necklaces are finished.”

“Then I’ll go make the arrangements, Miss,” the maid said, bowing slightly before leaving the room with the Aurora Crystal.

After a while, Lin Keyu patted her cheeks and headed towards the main hall.

Although she rarely left the Xuanyin Temple, she was somewhat interested in the Two Polarities Sect’s Ascension Ceremony.

It was time to see the outside world, wasn’t it?

And it would be a good opportunity to give him her ‘thank-you gift’.

…

Two Polarities Sect.

Unlike previous days, Mu Zhi’an saw many unfamiliar faces as he returned to the sect on his sword. Apart from the sect disciples, some people wore clothes that weren’t from the Eastern Realm.

With the Ascension Ceremony approaching, the Two Polarities Sect was much livelier than before.

It wasn’t surprising. Cultivators from other realms had naturally arrived at the Two Polarities Sect.

Mu Zhi’an flew on his sword, casually observing the cultivators passing by in the sky.

He noticed two cultivators in cloud-embroidered robes. The woman wore a sea-blue jacket over a white inner garment and a flowing skirt, her aura captivating.

Beside her was a young man with an imposing presence, his aura restrained yet powerful.

“If I remember correctly, they should be from the World Sea…?” Mu Zhi’an thought to himself.

The World Sea bordered the Two Polarities Sect. It was a vast expanse of water, and crossing it to reach the Northern Realm was almost impossible for ordinary cultivators.

Even with a Sky-Soaring Ship, it would take over a month to cross.

It seemed the three Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs were truly tempting, attracting even forces from the normally peaceful World Sea.

However, this had nothing to do with him. He was more concerned about Lingxuan…

The Ascension Ceremony was fast approaching, and her inheritance wasn’t complete yet. He needed to find time to visit her tonight.

Mu Zhi’an returned to the Garden of Heavenly Harmony and entered his maid’s room, finding Wei Mengrou just as she was about to start meditating.

“What is it?” she asked, looking up at him, her cold eyes filled with curiosity.

“I need your help with something.”

Under her questioning gaze, Mu Zhi’an whispered something.

…

Night. Dexin Courtyard.

After meditating for the entire afternoon, Ye Lingxuan left her room, wanting to relax.

As soon as she stepped outside, she saw two familiar figures.

It was Ye Siyu, a member of her clan from the Forbidden Zone.

And sitting beside Ye Siyu was Ye Qian, her pure yet alluring aura captivating.

Ye Qian’s aura was clearly much stronger than before. She was chatting with Ye Siyu.

“Sister Siyu, why are you here?” Ye Lingxuan asked in surprise.

Ye Qian looked up and smiled charmingly. “Sister, you’re done meditating?”

Ye Lingxuan nodded and sat down beside her sister.

“Ye Qian and I arrived today. We wanted to visit you earlier, but you weren’t here,” Ye Siyu said with a smile, looking at her older sister’s daughter.

She observed Ye Lingxuan for a moment, then said with admiration, “Your aura is much stronger than before.”

“Your strength has also improved significantly, Sister Siyu,” Ye Lingxuan replied.

Ye Siyu’s aura and demeanor were much more refined than before. This was the benefit of receiving the inheritance in the Forbidden Zone’s ancestral land.

“I’m still far behind you, Sister Lingxuan,” Ye Siyu said, glancing at her. Then, she added casually, “Ye Qian came with me this time, seemingly because of the Ascension Ceremony and… your matter.”

“Oh.”

Ye Lingxuan responded indifferently, clearly not interested in the talented young man from her clan. She changed the subject, “Since you’re here, Sister Siyu, why don’t you stay here for a few days? I’ll give you a tour of the sect tomorrow.”

Ye Siyu’s eyes twinkled. “Alright, I’ll impose on you for a few days then.”

“By the way, where’s your little boyfriend? I’ll visit him tomorrow,” she continued.

“…”

Ye Lingxuan’s composure vanished in an instant.

She glanced at Ye Qian nervously. Seeing that her sister’s expression hadn’t changed, she said, feigning annoyance, “What are you talking about, Sister Siyu?!”

Then, she continued, “It’s getting late. Let’s go back and rest.”

Ye Siyu narrowed her eyes, looking at Ye Lingxuan meaningfully. She had clearly learned something about Mu Zhi’an from her conversation with Ye Qian.

“I wonder if Brother Mu is back. It’s been a while since I last saw him,” Ye Qian said, a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

“Even if he’s back, he’s probably with Sister Ruoxi now.”

Ye Lingxuan scoffed, remembering the scene after Bai Ruoxi woke up, where Mu Zhi’an’s gaze kept drifting towards her ample bosom. Her mood soured.

In terms of beauty and talent, Ye Lingxuan was no less than Bai Ruoxi. However, being younger, her development wasn’t as… impressive.

Although she didn’t say anything, Ye Lingxuan couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.

However, she didn’t show it. After chatting with Ye Siyu and her sister in the courtyard for a while, she excused herself and returned to her room.

Lighting the candle on her table, she sat down before her vanity mirror and looked at her reflection.

The mirror showed a young lady in a light purple dress, her face delicate and flawless.

The sixteen-year-old girl picked up a lipstick and gently bit on it, adding a touch of alluring red to her lips.

A few strands of hair framed her delicate face. Her eyes were large and bright, her lips small and rosy. Her features were exquisite, giving her a pure and innocent appearance.

However, she was still far from the ‘maturity’ of someone like Bai Ruoxi.

It was clear that Mu Zhi’an preferred mature women. Ye Lingxuan could tell from his past behavior.

Even if she tried to dress up and act mature, she still lacked… certain assets…

She wasn’t even as developed as Qian’er…

Ye Lingxuan sighed softly, her long, slender legs pressed together. Recalling the day’s events, she took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

Clearing her mind, she stood up and stretched lazily, about to meditate on her bed.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, she turned her head, her gaze fixed on a corner of her desk. “Who’s there?!” she called out softly.

The shadowy figure clearly hadn’t expected to be discovered so quickly. It stirred slightly, attempting to slip away unnoticed.

However, the Desolate Time Lock shot out from Ye Lingxuan’s sleeve, binding the ‘shadow’ before it could escape.

“I didn’t expect there to be thieves within the sect. What are you doing hiding in my room?”

Ye Lingxuan looked down at the bound figure, her eyes cold.

A concealment spell hid the shadow’s face, but sneaking into a girl’s room in the dead of night couldn’t mean anything good.

“If you don’t dispel the spell, I’ll have to take you to the Enforcement Hall,” Ye Lingxuan said coldly.

She formed a hand seal, tightening the Desolate Time Lock’s grip.

As the ancient aura of the Desolate Time Lock emanated from the room, Ye Siyu, who was nearby, sensed the commotion. Passing by Ye Lingxuan’s room, she asked, “Lingxuan, what’s going on?”

Ye Lingxuan glanced at the shadowy figure, about to answer.

At that moment, the concealment spell silently dissipated, revealing a face that made her freeze.

Then, she stammered, “N-nothing…”

Looking at the young man standing before her, his gentle gaze fixed on her in the candlelight, Ye Lingxuan instinctively averted her eyes.

“Go to bed early, Sister Siyu… I’m going to rest too.”

T/N: I’ll return the translation for ‘My dear’ or ‘Dear’ that Bai Ruoxi says to “Mu Lang”.

The term ‘Lang’ basically means ‘dear’ or ‘darling’, a term of endearment.

Chapter 250: Mu Zhi’an’s Fish Pond Plan p1

After Bai Ruoxi regained consciousness, Mu Zhi’an released Ye Lingxuan’s hand and turned his attention to Bai Ruoxi.

She was once again dressed in her usual white palace dress adorned with plum blossoms. Even the dress couldn’t conceal her ample bosom, and her beautiful eyes held a hint of vulnerability.

She and the Sword Palace Master are truly two different types of beauties… Even though he had seen Bai Ruoxi countless times, Mu Zhi’an couldn’t help but admire her.

“Ruoxi, is the Sword Palace inheritance complete?” he asked.

Bai Ruoxi nodded slightly. “It’s complete, but it might take some time for me to master that first-grade cultivation technique,” she replied softly.

Her gaze softened as she looked at Mu Zhi’an.

Thinking back, from Tianxuan City to now, she owed everything to him. He had helped her selflessly, even facing danger and trouble for her sake.

And now, she finally had the strength to protect him.

Bai Ruoxi walked towards him and said softly, her eyes filled with tenderness, “I’ve caused you so much trouble in the past. From now on, let me protect you.”

If Ye Lingxuan weren’t present, Mu Zhi’an would have pulled Bai Ruoxi into his arms and showered her with affection. However, he was a fish pond master with self-control. He maintained a gentle smile and said, “There’s no need to be so polite between us, Ruoxi.”

“Let’s leave the Sword Palace first. We’ve been away from the sect for too long. The peak masters must be worried.”

They were both valued disciples. Moreover, Mu Zhi’an had just recently been in danger. Being away for too long would worry the peak masters, who cared deeply for their disciples.

Bai Ruoxi nodded slightly, then turned to Ye Lingxuan and said softly, “I’m sorry, Sister Lingxuan, for causing you so much trouble.”

Ye Lingxuan shook her head and smiled. “It was the Sword Palace Master who acted on her own, not you, Sister Ruoxi. There’s no need to apologize.”

Bai Ruoxi smiled faintly and fell silent.

The relationship between the two women was complicated. Ye Lingxuan knew about Bai Ruoxi’s relationship with Mu Zhi’an. After all, Bai Ruoxi had revealed it once before, even calling him ‘Mu Lang’.

However, Bai Ruoxi was still unsure about the relationship between Mu Zhi’an and Ye Lingxuan.

The reason was that whenever Mu Zhi’an was in bed with her, he would occasionally mention Ye Lingxuan, always saying: She’s just my younger sister.

Many people within the sect were fond of Ye Lingxuan, who was beautiful and innocent.

Therefore, Bai Ruoxi had a vague idea about their relationship but couldn’t be sure.

Mu Lang has been busy lately. It feels like we haven’t had a proper conversation in a while… Bai Ruoxi looked at Mu Zhi’an with a gentle gaze, her thoughts racing.

Perhaps I should use the Heart-Binding Lock tonight and ask him about his feelings for Lingxuan and the Jade Empress…

“What’s wrong, Ruoxi?” Mu Zhi’an asked, noticing her gaze.

“It’s nothing.”

…

“It’s nothing,” Bai Ruoxi replied softly, shaking her head slightly. Her gaze shifted to Wei Mengrou, who was still concealed.

“Let’s go back and talk,” she said.

Mu Zhi’an nodded and prepared to leave with them.

Before departing, he scanned the Sword Palace with his Spiritual Sense one last time, checking for anything he might have missed.

Having been granted access by the Sword Palace Master, Mu Zhi’an, who now controlled the palace’s formations, could easily sense everything within.

After confirming that he hadn’t missed anything, he was about to withdraw his Spiritual Sense.

Suddenly, he paused. His Spiritual Sense scanned a certain cave within a mountain peak repeatedly, a strange expression appearing on his face.

“What’s wrong?” Bai Ruoxi, noticing his unusual behavior, couldn’t help but ask.

“You two should head back first. I’ll join you later,” Mu Zhi’an said.

“Do you have other matters to attend to, Brother Mu?” Ye Lingxuan asked, her eyes filled with curiosity.

“The Jade Pool Holy Land’s Holy Maiden is trapped in a Celestial Realm within the Sword Palace. I need to modify the formations to release her,” Mu Zhi’an explained.

He had just discovered, while scanning the Sword Palace with his Spiritual Sense, that Yao Yue had somehow entered a sealed Celestial Realm. He didn’t know what she had obtained inside, but she was clearly trapped.

The Sword Palace was filled with complex Celestial Realms. If he didn’t help her, she might still be trapped there by the time the Ascension Ceremony ended.

After informing Bai Ruoxi and Ye Lingxuan, Mu Zhi’an flew towards a Celestial Realm on the south side of the Sword Palace.

The Celestial Realm on the south side was an ancient-looking hall, flanked by vibrant, unknown flowers and two glowing golden swords.

The massive doors of the hall were tightly shut. Mu Zhi’an tried to push them open, but they wouldn’t budge.

He closed his eyes and searched his mind for information about the formations within this Celestial Realm and how to unlock them.

“This Jade Pool Holy Maiden’s talent in formations is quite impressive. She actually managed to decipher such a complex formation on her own…” Mu Zhi’an thought, impressed, as information about the hall’s formations flooded his mind.

Even he, knowing the structure of the formation, would need at least an hour to unlock it. Yet, the Jade Pool Holy Maiden had managed to decipher it with her own talent and obtain the treasures within.

However, she probably hadn’t expected the formation to reseal itself after she entered, trapping her inside.

No wonder he hadn’t seen her in the Sword Palace. She was trapped here…

After about two hours, Mu Zhi’an opened his eyes and touched the glowing sword on the right side of the hall.

At the same time, he formed a hand seal, channeling his Spiritual Energy into the glowing sword on the left, altering the formation’s flow.

Clank…

The heavy, ancient doors slowly creaked open, revealing the figure of the Jade Pool Holy Land’s Holy Maiden within the dimly lit hall.

Yao Yue looked up, and upon seeing Mu Zhi’an, she froze, clearly surprised to encounter him here.

“Holy Maiden Yao Yue, long time no see,” Mu Zhi’an greeted her with a smile.

“Young Master Mu, what are you doing here…?” the Holy Maiden asked, her lips parting slightly in surprise.

Even in the dim light, her fair skin radiated a crystalline glow, a hazy mist swirling around her ethereal form. Her voice was melodious, like a gentle spring breeze, soothing the heart.

“Let’s talk outside, just in case the formation seals itself again,” Mu Zhi’an said with a chuckle.

Yao Yue snapped out of her daze and gracefully walked out of the hall, her movements like a fluttering butterfly.

Rumble.

The massive doors silently closed behind her, as if no one had ever entered.

The Holy Maiden’s eyes flickered, and she expressed her sincere gratitude. “Thank you for saving me, Young Master Mu. I would have missed the Ascension Ceremony otherwise.”

“There’s no need for thanks between us, Holy Maiden,” Mu Zhi’an replied, shaking his head.

His words seemed somewhat ambiguous, but not inappropriate.

After all, Mu Zhi’an’s relationship with the Jade Empress was unique, and the higher-ups in the Jade Pool Holy Land were aware of it. Yao Yue naturally didn’t find anything strange about his words.

“Why are you here, Young Master Mu? Are you also seeking opportunities?” the Holy Maiden couldn’t help but ask.

Her growth since their last meeting was remarkable. Although she hadn’t received the benefits of the Innate Celestial Furnace, her voice now contained a stronger Dao Rhyme, even more melodious and captivating than before.

And the hazy mist swirling around her ethereal form made it difficult for even Mu Zhi’an, with his Innate Spiritual Body, to discern her cultivation level.

This Holy Maiden’s progress is no less than Ruoxi’s. Perhaps the Jade Pool will have a second Dao Integration Empress in the future… Mu Zhi’an thought, impressed, then smiled. “I was about to leave when I suddenly sensed your presence here, Holy Maiden, so I decided to come and check. I didn’t expect to actually find you.”

“Perhaps it’s fate.”

The Holy Maiden clearly didn’t believe his words about a ‘coincidental encounter’. She smiled demurely. “If you don’t want to tell me, Young Master Mu, that’s fine. I’ll remember your kindness. If you ever need my help, I’ll do my best to assist you.”

Although she was inexperienced in love, she wasn’t naive. A less worldly girl like Lin Keyu might have believed his words.

Mu Zhi’an didn’t mind. He chuckled and said, “You should also leave this place soon, Holy Maiden. The Sword Palace will seal itself soon, and outsiders won’t be able to enter.”

The Sword Palace’s reappearance was part of the Sword Palace Master’s plan. Once the two bronze fragments were reunited, the Sword Palace would awaken.

And now that Bai Ruoxi, the ‘scabbard’, had received the Sword Palace’s inheritance, the palace would temporarily close its doors to outsiders.

The Holy Maiden nodded, then suddenly remembered something. “Young Master Mu, how is Senior Jade Empress? Our elders want to invite her back to lead the Jade Pool.”

“She’s still slumbering within my Vessel. I’ll inform her about this later,” Mu Zhi’an replied.

However, judging from Yao Meng’s previous behavior, she didn’t seem interested in leading the Jade Pool. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have left.

After exchanging a few more words, Mu Zhi’an prepared to leave.

“Are you also participating in the Ascension Ceremony, Young Master Mu?” the Holy Maiden asked.

Mu Zhi’an nodded slightly and smiled. “I’ll consider it an experience. I’m not aiming for first place. After all, there are so many talented individuals this time, and I don’t like competition.”

“Reaching the top sixteen would be a success,” he added, setting a small goal for himself.

“You’re very talented, Young Master Mu. There’s no need to be discouraged. You’ve only been in the sect for less than six months. You’ll surely amaze everyone in the future,” the Holy Maiden said encouragingly.

“Thank you,” Mu Zhi’an replied with a faint smile.

“By the way…”

Seemingly remembering something, Mu Zhi’an took out an Aurora Crystal from his storage ring and handed it to the Holy Maiden.

“I noticed you seemed interested in the Aurora Crystal earlier, Holy Maiden Yao Yue. If you don’t mind, please accept this as a gift.”

The Holy Maiden hesitated.

As the Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool Holy Land, she had countless admirers. Many had given her gifts in the past, but she had always refused them to avoid any misunderstandings.

However, Mu Zhi’an… was a special case.

Even disregarding his connection with the Jade Empress, he had shared a life-or-death experience with her in the Jade Pool Holy Land.

Moreover, he seemed to be highly valued by Lan Mulian…

As one of Lan Mulian’s few close friends, even setting aside the Jade Empress, the Holy Maiden had a favorable impression of Mu Zhi’an.

“If you feel uncomfortable accepting it, Holy Maiden, you can have it crafted into a necklace or other accessory and give me the remaining portion,” Mu Zhi’an said.

The Holy Maiden looked up, meeting his sincere gaze.

After a moment of silence, she smiled, her smile as warm and gentle as a spring breeze.

“Alright, it’s a deal.”

Chapter 249: Mu Zhi’an: I Shall Suppress the Reincarnated Empress!

The Desolate Time Lock tore through space, creating a bottomless void.

From within the void, Ye Lingxuan emerged, accompanied by the breathtakingly beautiful but chillingly cold puppet, the ‘Reincarnated Empress’.

As if sensing Mu Zhi’an’s gaze, Ye Lingxuan looked at him. After a few seconds, a faint smile curved her lips. She gripped the Desolate Time Lock in her hand and pulled!

Whoosh!

Mu Zhi’an felt himself being pulled towards the void.

Clang!

The Sword Palace Master raised her hand and formed a hand seal. The glowing sword behind her transformed into dozens of golden blades that shot down from the sky, pinning the Desolate Time Lock to the ground, preventing Ye Lingxuan from stealing her man right before her eyes.

Ye Lingxuan didn’t seem surprised. She gracefully leaped from the void, her skirt billowing like a blooming flower.

The Sword Palace Master remained silent, her gaze fixed on the young woman who had suddenly appeared and the emotionless woman beside her.

The woman wore a loose white robe and white undergarments. Although she was cold and aloof, her partially concealed figure added a touch of alluring beauty.

The ‘Reincarnated Empress’ hadn’t spoken a word, but the Sword Palace Master knew that this woman was her greatest opponent.

Although it was just an emotionless puppet, it possessed the power of a Dao Integration cultivator.

After all, this puppet represented one of the Reincarnated Empress’s past lives. Its strength couldn’t be underestimated.

As for the girl beside the puppet… she couldn’t be ignored either.

Ye Lingxuan’s current strength didn’t pose much of a threat to her, but the ancestral artifact she wielded and her own charm were significant ‘threats’.

Sensing her gaze, Ye Lingxuan clasped her hands behind her back and looked up with a bright smile. “Sister Ruoxi, if I remember correctly, you said we weren’t enemies, right? Why have you suddenly changed your mind and decided to keep Brother Mu in the Sword Palace?”

She scrutinized the woman before her.

From her appearance and aura, she seemed different from Bai Ruoxi. Bai Ruoxi was more like a delicate and innocent young lady, while this woman was more imposing, exuding the aura of an Empress sitting on her throne.

The only thing that remained unchanged was her impressive cleavage.

Ye Lingxuan frowned slightly, staring at the Sword Palace Master. “Wait… You’re not Sister Ruoxi. I should address you as “Master”, shouldn’t I?”

The Sword Palace Master raised an eyebrow and smiled. “You can call me whatever you like.”

She paused, then continued, “More importantly, why have you suddenly visited the Sword Palace, Sister Lingxuan?”

Ye Lingxuan smiled sweetly. “It’s nothing important. Brother Mu and I made a promise that he would leave with me after my inheritance is complete.”

Despite the overwhelming aura emanating from the Sword Palace Master, Ye Lingxuan stood before her, unfazed, her beautiful eyes sparkling with amusement.

Mu Zhi’an opened his mouth, wanting to say: Can you guys please unchain me before you start chatting…? Are you planning to recreate the ‘Sealed Dark Mage’ scene?

As soon as the Desolate Time Lock bound his wrist, the Sword Palace Master had silently summoned the Heart-Binding Lock, binding his other wrist, seemingly afraid that Ye Lingxuan’s Desolate Time Lock would take him away.

The Sword Palace Master wasn’t planning to back down. She smiled gently and said, “Is there a misunderstanding between you and dear?”

“He already promised to stay in the Sword Palace with me for a while. How could he possibly make another promise with you?”

Ye Lingxuan tilted her head in confusion. “Sister Ruoxi is the one who has a connection with Brother Mu. Master, you’re a senior who has lived for countless years. Why do you want to keep him in the Sword Palace?”

She emphasized the word ‘senior’, mocking the Sword Palace Master for being an old cow eating young grass.

The Sword Palace Master smiled brightly. “In a sense, Bai Ruoxi and I are the same person. We’re just two different consciousnesses within the same body.”

“And he just promised me that he would explain things to you—”

Mu Zhi’an, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, quickly interrupted, “Master, I still have many things to attend to in the Two Polarities Sect. And when I obtained the second bronze fragment, I made a promise with someone. I need to fulfill it as soon as possible.”

“You obtained the second bronze fragment from someone else?” the Sword Palace Master asked in confusion.

Mu Zhi’an nodded slightly. “I made a deal with her. I was planning to fulfill it after returning from the Sword Palace, so…”

The Sword Palace Master looked at him with a gentle gaze. “So you’re planning to return to the Two Polarities Sect with Sister Lingxuan?”

Mu Zhi’an shook his head and said softly, “We’ll go back together after your inheritance is complete.”

“The inheritance is already complete. I’ll be entering slumber within the scabbard soon,” the Sword Palace Master replied.

“Since you insist on returning to the Two Polarities Sect, I won’t stop you. You may leave,” she continued.

Mu Zhi’an was overjoyed, surprised that she had agreed so readily. She had been so domineering just moments ago. Perhaps she was compromising because of Lingxuan’s presence, or maybe, having obtained Ruoxi’s memories, she also felt sympathy for him and didn’t want to make things difficult?

However, at that moment, he heard a voice transmission in his ear, “When are you planning to explain things to them so you can be with me?”

“…”

Mu Zhi’an’s expression remained calm as he glanced at the Sword Palace Master.

She was dressed in a dark dress with black and white patterns, highlighting her fair and flawless skin. Her lips curved into a gentle smile, her eyes fixed on him with a knowing glint.

This ancient sea dragon is still thinking about the fish in my pond… She’s definitely different from Ruoxi. She’s very possessive. But during her slumber, Ruoxi and the others can interact and develop their feelings. The Sword Palace Master will inherit those memories, and once their bond is strong enough, she shouldn’t be fixated on this anymore…

“Lingxuan is my beloved sister, Master. You’ve misunderstood,” Mu Zhi’an transmitted his voice.

The Sword Palace Master clearly didn’t believe him. “What about Ye Qian?”

“…Qian’er is a good girl. I’ve always treated her like a younger sister.”

“If I remember correctly, you also have a senior sister, and you seem quite close,” the Sword Palace Master said, her voice transmission filled with tenderness and affection.

“Lan Mulian is my respected senior sister, and Feiying is like a kind older sister to me.”

“I only have a clear Dao Companion relationship with Ruoxi. Isn’t that enough proof?” Mu Zhi’an replied.

Throughout their conversation, the Sword Palace Master hadn’t mentioned Ling Long or Yao Meng.

Out of all the women around him, Ling Long was the least threatening. She was a foodie, and her priority was always food.

As for Yao Meng… Bai Ruoxi might have suspected something between them, but it was just a suspicion.

“I hope you’ll return to the Sword Palace with me when I wake up next time. Otherwise, it would be quite troublesome,” the Sword Palace Master transmitted her voice softly.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to keep Mu Zhi’an in the Sword Palace, but her consciousness was fading, and she was about to enter slumber.

The Sword Palace Master and Ruoxi’s personalities seemed to be complete opposites. Although Ruoxi had a bit of a yandere side, it wasn’t this intense… Despite the Sword Palace Master’s compromise and her gentle gaze, Mu Zhi’an couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat.

The Sword Palace Master slowly closed her eyes, her consciousness fading as she switched places with Bai Ruoxi.

The Heart-Binding Lock on his right wrist silently released its grip.

Suddenly, the Desolate Time Lock pulled Mu Zhi’an towards Ye Lingxuan.

Then, the chain enveloped them in a faint golden glow.

“What were you talking about with Master, Brother Mu? It seemed like you were using voice transmission,” Ye Lingxuan asked, her voice as sweet as a songbird, her eyes filled with curiosity.

Lingxuan’s awareness of potential threats has also increased… Mu Zhi’an thought, smiling. “I was discussing my return to the sect with the senior. She has agreed.”

He discreetly tried to remove the Desolate Time Lock from his wrist, but it only tightened its grip.

This thing is really troublesome… I need to find a way to deal with it. Otherwise, I won’t even be able to escape if it binds me.

Mu Zhi’an thought to himself.

However, breaking free from the Desolate Time Lock was incredibly difficult.

This ancestral artifact was related to time. Within the area it enveloped, time flowed much slower than in the outside world.

Ye Lingxuan frowned slightly, glancing at the tall and elegant woman in the palace dress. “You should decide where you want to go, Brother Mu. Why do you need to discuss it with her?” she said, her voice tinged with jealousy.

Seeing that the Sword Palace Master’s eyes were still closed, Mu Zhi’an boldly took Ye Lingxuan’s hand.

She blushed and glared at him playfully. “We’re in the Sword Palace, Brother Mu. Can’t you be more discreet?”

If you weren’t so jealous that you’re about to turn into a yandere, I wouldn’t risk doing this in front of the Sword Palace Master… Mu Zhi’an said softly, “Is your inheritance complete?”

“Didn’t you say it would take more than half a month? It’s only been a few days…”

Ye Lingxuan let him hold her hand as she looked at the Sword Palace Master. “The Desolate Time Lock can manipulate time, so the inheritance process can’t be measured by ordinary time.”

“You can already control time to such an extent at the Core Formation Realm?” Mu Zhi’an asked in surprise.

Ye Lingxuan shook her head and pointed to the woman beside her. “Most of the time, she’s the one using the Desolate Time Lock.”

Standing nearby was the tall and beautiful woman in a loose white robe, her aura cold and indifferent. She remained silent, her expression emotionless.

“Is that the puppet you created? It’s quite convenient…” Mu Zhi’an commented.

“She has feelings too, so don’t stare at her, Brother Mu. If you anger her, I won’t save you,” Ye Lingxuan warned, her voice laced with displeasure.

It was clear that, compared to a beautiful young lady, Mu Zhi’an preferred beautiful older women. He had been subtly glancing at the ‘Reincarnated Empress’s’ alluring figure.

“The puppet has feelings…?” Mu Zhi’an was surprised.

“Some puppets even possess human emotions. It depends on how the Dao Integration cultivator designed them,” Ye Lingxuan explained.

Mu Zhi’an nodded, understanding.

Then, he changed the subject. “Let’s return to the sect now. Since your inheritance is complete, you can focus on cultivating and preparing for the Ascension Ceremony.”

“I’ll listen to you, Brother Mu,” Ye Lingxuan said, her beautiful eyes sparkling with a sweet smile, like an obedient younger sister.

However, at that moment, the Reincarnated Empress, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke, “Her inheritance isn’t complete yet.”

Before Mu Zhi’an could react, she continued, “The ninth life’s Spiritual Energy is within your Innate Celestial Furnace. The inheritance won’t be complete until you give it to her.”

Speaking of which, the Reincarnated Empress did store one of her past lives’ Spiritual Energy within my Innate Celestial Furnace… Could that be why Lingxuan came to find me today?

Ye Lingxuan glared at the woman beside her. “Don’t talk!” she hissed.

Then, she looked up at Mu Zhi’an, her eyes filled with shyness and urgency. “Brother Mu, she’s just talking nonsense. Don’t listen to her!”

Mu Zhi’an’s eyes flickered as he looked at her. The usually calm and collected young lady was blushing furiously, her delicate beauty even more captivating than her usual elegance.

He quickly regained his composure and nodded with a smile. “Yeah, I understand.”

A Dao Integration cultivator talking nonsense… And it was the Reincarnated Empress, who knew everything about Ye Lingxuan’s inheritance progress… Even a fool wouldn’t believe her explanation.

However, as a competent fish pond master, he had to save face for Ye Lingxuan, who was easily embarrassed. If he startled her now, how could he return the ninth life’s Spiritual Energy to her?

Despite her usual composure, Ye Lingxuan was just a young lady with little experience in love. Her strength and talent might be exceptional, but… when it came to matters of the heart, Young Master Mu was the expert.

He felt time slowing down as he looked at the sleeping Bai Ruoxi. “Let’s return to the sect after Ruoxi wakes up.”

Mu Zhi’an wrapped an arm around Ye Lingxuan’s slender waist and gazed at her blushing face.

“As for the other matters, we’ll discuss them later.”

Chapter 248: The Sword Palace Master Wants to Use Public Transportation for Private Purposes p2

Xuanyin Temple.

The Xuanyin Temple’s Sect Master seemed to have anticipated his daughter’s return and was already waiting in the main hall. Seeing the young man beside her, Lin Jing raised an eyebrow in surprise.

His daughter had brought a male cultivator back…?

And it had only been a few days since she went to the Sword Palace?

“Father!”

Lin Keyu walked gracefully into the hall, her delicate embroidered shoes clicking against the floor.

Lin Jing clasped his hands behind his back and glared at his daughter. “You finally decided to come back?”

Lin Keyu stuck out her tongue playfully, knowing she had been wrong.

Lin Jing’s gaze shifted to Mu Zhi’an, his eyes filled with curiosity. “And this young friend is…?”

Although he had heard of Mu Zhi’an, he had never met him before. It was no wonder he didn’t recognize him.

“I am Mu Zhi’an. I coincidentally encountered your daughter in the Sword Palace, and after some… incidents, I decided to accompany her back,” Mu Zhi’an said respectfully, cupping his fists.

“Mu Zhi’an…?”

Lin Jing’s eyes flickered, and he looked at his daughter with a strange expression.

Hadn’t she run away because she opposed his arranged marriage? And now, after going to the Sword Palace, she had met the person he had intended to propose to…

And it seemed she had developed feelings for him…

Even he, the leader of a top faction in the Eastern Realm, didn’t know what to say.

Seemingly unable to bear his meaningful gaze, Lin Keyu suddenly said, “Father, I met Young Master Mu because…”

Under his gaze, she explained what had happened in the Sword Palace. To his surprise, Lin Jing remained calm after hearing her story.

“Those two scoundrels wouldn’t have dared to attack Keyu on their own. There must be other forces involved,” Lin Jing said slowly.

He looked at Mu Zhi’an. “Young friend Mu, can you leave those two to me?”

Mu Zhi’an nodded slightly and released Qian Chen and his cousin from the Eight Chaos Dream Scroll.

They were caught off guard. Seeing Mu Zhi’an, they were instantly enraged, their Spiritual Energy surging.

“Hmph!”

Lin Jing snorted coldly and slammed his hand down, suppressing them with a wave of his hand.

Then, he looked at Mu Zhi’an, his expression softening. “I’ll handle this matter properly and ensure it won’t cause you any trouble, Young friend Mu. If you don’t mind, you can stay at the Xuanyin Temple for a few days. We’ll treat you well.”

Mu Zhi’an wasn’t interested in the power struggles between these factions. He cupped his fists and said, “I have other matters to attend to, so I’m afraid I have to leave…”

Although Lin Jing wanted to persuade him to stay, seeing his determination, he could only ask Lin Keyu to see him off.

They walked through the plaza in front of the main hall. The winter wind blew, rustling Lin Keyu’s dress and tousling her hair. She turned to look at Mu Zhi’an, her voice soft. “Are you sure you can’t stay for a few days, Young Master Mu? I haven’t properly thanked you for saving me…”

Mu Zhi’an shook his head and smiled. “There will be other opportunities. I truly have urgent matters to attend to, so I can’t stay.”

Disappointment flickered in Lin Keyu’s eyes, but she quickly concealed it.

They soon reached the end of the plaza. Mu Zhi’an cupped his fists. “You don’t have to see me off any further, Miss Lin. This is far enough.”

Lin Keyu opened her mouth slightly, wanting to say something as she watched him leave.

To her, Mu Zhi’an’s appearance and departure felt like a dream. They hadn’t spent much time together, but he had left a deep impression on her. His mysterious aura was also quite attractive.

For a young lady with romantic fantasies, Mu Zhi’an possessed all the qualities of an ideal Dao Companion.

However, they were barely acquaintances. Being shy by nature, she couldn’t bring herself to ask him to stay.

Mu Zhi’an paused, turned around, and smiled. “By the way, Miss Lin, you helped me a lot. I should give you something in return.”

Under her gaze, he handed her a beautiful Aurora Crystal.

“I wanted to give you a necklace, but I didn’t have time to have it crafted. You can have it made yourself, Miss Lin. The Aurora Crystal can also enhance your cultivation.”

Lin Keyu’s eyes widened as she looked at the Aurora Crystal, then at Mu Zhi’an. “This… is enough for two necklaces…” she murmured.

Mu Zhi’an pondered for a moment, observing her delicate features and her beautiful eyes. He smiled gently.

“You’re participating in the Ascension Ceremony, right?”

Lin Keyu hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly.

“Then have someone craft it into a necklace, and give me one when you come to the sect,” Mu Zhi’an said with a smile.

Lin Keyu was stunned for a moment, then she lowered her gaze.

“Alright.”

…

After leaving the Xuanyin Temple, Mu Zhi’an returned to the Sword Palace, his mood lifted. He admired the two Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs he had obtained and patiently waited for Bai Ruoxi’s inheritance to be complete.

Each Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb took ten thousand years to mature. Even Dao Integration cultivators were reluctant to consume them directly.

If one could unravel their secrets, it would be immensely beneficial to their cultivation.

The Sword Palace Master is truly a generous rich lady, even giving me these… I almost feel bad for leeching off her.

Mu Zhi’an looked at the purple petals of one of the Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs, sighing inwardly.

A day later, the glowing blades outside the Sword Palace completely dimmed. Deep within the palace, the curtains fluttered silently, framing the Sword Palace Master’s beautiful face.

A tremor shook the hall. Sensing a familiar aura coming from the depths of the Sword Palace, Mu Zhi’an instinctively looked up and saw the Sword Palace Master, dressed in a dark white dress, walking towards him.

He immediately stood up to greet her. After glancing at her chest, he confirmed that it was indeed the Sword Palace Master, not Bai Ruoxi.

“Isn’t the inheritance complete yet?” Mu Zhi’an asked, puzzled.

Logically, shouldn’t she be ‘slumbering’ after the inheritance was complete?

“Or did something go wrong with the inheritance?” he asked again.

The Sword Palace Master shook her head and smiled. “The inheritance is complete.”

A dazzling golden sword seemed to be floating behind her. It was the result of the 108 Glowing Blades merging into one. With a flick of her finger, it could transform into countless blades.

Then why aren’t you sleeping…? Mu Zhi’an wondered inwardly.

As if reading his thoughts, the Sword Palace Master smiled. “I have something to discuss with you.”

“Please speak freely, Master,” Mu Zhi’an said.

The Sword Palace Master played with a strand of hair, then looked up at him. “Have you considered staying in the Sword Palace for a while?”

Mu Zhi’an was stunned, then he shook his head and chuckled. “You’re joking, Master. The Ascension Ceremony is approaching, and I’m worried that my friends in the sect will be concerned if I don’t return—”

The Sword Palace Master smiled gently. “If you’re referring to your ‘sisters’, I’ve already spoken to them.”

Mu Zhi’an was confused. “You… who did you speak to?”

“I sensed a mysterious expert observing you secretly, so I explained the situation to her,” the Sword Palace Master replied with a charming smile.

A mysterious expert?

The Jade Empress?

Or… the puppet by Ye Lingxuan’s side?

“It was a puppet created by a Dao Integration expert. People used to call her the Reincarnated Empress,” the Sword Palace Master chuckled.

Mu Zhi’an hesitated for a moment, then his eyes widened as if realizing something.

“You told Lingxuan?!”

“I spoke to her puppet,” the Sword Palace Master said, gently caressing his handsome face.

“What do you think about staying in the Sword Palace for now, Dear~?”

Her voice suddenly became as gentle and melodious as Bai Ruoxi’s, captivating his attention.

Mu Zhi’an wanted to refuse, but as he looked up, he saw her alluring cleavage and her tender gaze.

So big and white…

He hesitated, unable to utter a word of refusal.

Thinking about it, staying in the Sword Palace until the Ascension Ceremony wouldn’t be a bad idea, right? It was only ten days away.

If he could enjoy the Sword Palace Master’s… company during these ten days… it would be a worthwhile experience.

The Sword Palace Master smiled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “It seems you have no objections. Then it’s settled—”

Suddenly, as if sensing something, she turned her head towards the outside of the Sword Palace.

A faint rattling sound, like chains colliding, echoed through the hall.

Whoosh!

An ancient aura filled the hall, and a golden chain shot out from the void, wrapping around Mu Zhi’an’s wrist.

Then, a melodious voice echoed through the hall, “I’m sorry, but if he has to stay somewhere, it should be with me in the Forbidden Zone, not in the Sword Palace.”

The Sword Palace Master stared at the golden chain, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“…The Desolate Time Lock?”

Chapter 248: The Sword Palace Master Wants to Use Public Transportation for Private Purposes p1

Deep within the Sword Palace.

Bai Ruoxi sat on a soft cushion, her eyes closed, her ample bosom straining against the fabric of her palace dress. The curtains partially concealed her, creating an alluring silhouette.

To an outsider, it would seem she was simply meditating, but in reality, she was receiving the 108 Glowing Blades of the Sword Palace’s inheritance from the Sword Palace Master.

Every half hour, one of the golden blades surrounding the Sword Palace would transform into golden Spiritual Energy and enter Bai Ruoxi’s chest.

This was the Sword Palace’s legacy.

…

Once all 108 Glowing Blades had transformed into Spiritual Energy and entered Bai Ruoxi’s chest, the Sword Palace’s inheritance was complete.

“You seem restless. Are you thinking about him?” a voice suddenly echoed in Bai Ruoxi’s mind.

Bai Ruoxi slowly opened her eyes. Before her stood a woman who resembled her in appearance but exuded a more mature and alluring aura.

The Sword Palace Master, or rather, Bai Ruoxi’s other consciousness.

Bai Ruoxi nodded slightly. “Wouldn’t this be too much for my dear… Not just me, but Lingxuan and Qian’er also like him. If we ask him to do this…”

She had naturally heard the conversation between the Sword Palace Master and Mu Zhi’an. Although she wanted to have him all to herself… asking him to break things off with the others made her feel guilty.

Besides, it would also cause him a lot of trouble.

The Sword Palace Master, with a faint smile, observed Bai Ruoxi, then slowly shook her head. “You don’t need to worry about this. I will handle it and ensure he stays with us.”

Bai Ruoxi was kind and innocent, but too naive. If those cunning women outside discovered the special nature of the Innate Celestial Furnace, they would undoubtedly try to monopolize it for themselves.

And Mu Zhi’an, a young man full of vigor, how could he resist such temptation?

She couldn’t allow him to have ambiguous relationships with other women.

“Focus on receiving the inheritance. I will take care of this,” the Sword Palace Master assured her.

Bai Ruoxi hesitated. “What are you planning to do…?”

The Sword Palace Master didn’t answer directly, a playful smile curving her lips. “I have my plans.”

She needed to slumber within the ‘scabbard’ for a while. Having access to the Innate Celestial Furnace during this time would allow Bai Ruoxi to reach the Nascent Soul Realm faster, thus awakening her from her slumber sooner.

But if she let him return to the Two Polarities Sect… she wouldn’t be able to be with the Innate Celestial Furnace every day.

After all, based on Bai Ruoxi’s memories, Mu Zhi’an had quite a few admirers.

However, if they kept him in the Sword Palace… there wouldn’t be so much trouble.

The Sword Palace Master’s eyes narrowed as she looked towards a certain direction within the palace, her gaze seemingly penetrating through countless walls, landing upon the young man in the hall.

Then, as if sensing something, she instinctively turned her head.

Someone else was also observing him secretly…?

Her eyes flickered as she gazed towards the Two Polarities Sect. Within her vision, the figure of a young woman in a purple dress appeared.

As if sensing her gaze, Ye Lingxuan slowly opened her star-like purple eyes and turned to the puppet beside her.

“What happened?” she asked softly.

The ‘Reincarnated Empress’ explained everything that had just transpired, from secretly observing and protecting Mu Zhi’an to being discovered by the Sword Palace Master.

“What should we do next? Continue watching him?” the puppet asked.

Ye Lingxuan turned to the puppet and smiled brightly.

“Continue watching… If anyone tries to do anything, use this to bring Brother Mu back.”

The Desolate Time Lock peeked out from her sleeve, seemingly eager to act.

…

Time passed silently, and three days flew by.

During these days, Lin Keyu and the others explored the Sword Palace, discovering Spirit Mines in several locations. After infusing them with Spirit Stones, they unlocked the formations and obtained various special medicinal herbs.

Although it was costly, the disciples from the Primordial Clans didn’t mind.

After all, the medicinal herbs and pill formulas within the Sword Palace were priceless and couldn’t be bought with Spirit Stones outside.

“As expected of scions of Primordial Clans. They’re truly wealthy, carrying over a million Spirit Stones with them.”

Mu Zhi’an examined the special Spirit Stones in his hand, sighing with admiration.

A pile of various special Spirit Stones had accumulated before the formation. Some were emerald green, others a vibrant red. These were all rare and valuable stones.

Among them, Mu Zhi’an even spotted a translucent Spirit Stone with a golden thread running through it, emitting a faint, shimmering glow.

Aurora Crystal!

This was a special Spirit Stone only found in the Forbidden Zone. Someone had once tried to trade it for Bai Ruoxi’s Nirvana Silk, but Mu Zhi’an had snatched the silk away.

“This person must have an extraordinary background to possess Aurora Crystals…” Mu Zhi’an thought, impressed.

Most cultivators wouldn’t trade such special Spirit Stones. Instead, they would craft them into necklaces and gift them to their loved ones.

And here were three Aurora Crystals, large enough to create six identical necklaces.

Mu Zhi’an picked out the three Aurora Crystals, then, after a moment of thought, he selected a few other special Spirit Stones suitable for crafting necklaces.

It’s been a while since I’ve given the girls gifts. I should show them some affection.

“Including the thirteen Spirit Mines Mengrou wasted, this has been a bountiful harvest…” Mu Zhi’an thought, glancing at his tall and beautiful maid.

He had asked Wei Mengrou to cut open thirteen Spirit Mines, but every single one had been empty…

Even when he chose the Spirit Mines himself and had her cut them open, there was nothing inside.

It seemed his maid wasn’t cut out for this kind of game.

Sensing his gaze, Wei Mengrou glanced at him coldly. “What are you looking at?”

“Nothing… I was just thinking that your luck seems to be quite bad, Mengrou,” Mu Zhi’an chuckled.

Wei Mengrou turned away, only showing him her beautiful profile. “It’s just a coincidence,” she muttered, her voice lacking conviction.

She couldn’t help but lower her gaze, feeling a mix of disappointment and insecurity.

Thirteen empty Spirit Mines in a row… Even a fool could tell that the problem wasn’t with the rocks, but with her luck.

“Don’t worry, Mengrou. Even if you have no Spirit Stones, I’ll still take care of you,” Mu Zhi’an said, trying to comfort her.

Wei Mengrou glanced at him disdainfully, a hint of amusement in her eyes. “With the Spirit Stones you’re leeching off others?”

“So you’re saying I can use my own Spirit Stones?” Mu Zhi’an caught her slip of the tongue.

Wei Mengrou: “…”

After a moment of silence, she gave him another disdainful look and scoffed. “Always playing with words.”

“How many Spirit Stones have you collected this time?” she asked, changing the subject.

“Roughly over three million?” Mu Zhi’an said with a smile.

Even he was surprised by the amount. Although he knew the Primordial Clans were wealthy, he hadn’t expected them to spend so many Spirit Stones on these Spirit Mines.

“It seems the allure of a first-grade cultivation technique is truly powerful. They’re willing to pay any price,” Mu Zhi’an sighed.

Unfortunately for them, the first-grade technique wasn’t hidden within the Spirit Mines.

Even if they found it, no one would be able to learn it.

The technique was created by the Sword Palace Master, and the first requirement for learning it was to control all 108 Glowing Blades.

This requirement alone eliminated 99% of cultivators.

Of course, Mu Zhi’an wasn’t a heartless businessman. He wasn’t going to scam these talented cultivators out of all their Spirit Stones. Apart from the Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs, he had left some treasures within the Spirit Mines.

These opportunities were originally meant for these cultivators. He had simply acted as a middleman, collecting their Spirit Stones after ‘processing’ the opportunities.

“Over three million Spirit Stones… If I use them for cultivation, I could probably reach the fourth-grade Core Formation Realm in a short time,” Mu Zhi’an said, impressed, as he stored the special Spirit Stones in his storage ring.

However, after storing about a million Spirit Stones, he encountered a new problem.

…His storage ring was full.

“Mengrou, can I borrow your storage ring?” he asked.

However, Wei Mengrou shook her head. “Mine is also full.”

Storage rings were ranked from ninth-grade to first-grade. The higher the grade, the more items they could store.

A first-grade storage ring could even store a person.

Mu Zhi’an’s Eight Chaos Dream Scroll had a similar function, but if he stored special Spirit Stones within it, they would be immediately absorbed, as the scroll could evolve.

It could evolve by either dual cultivating with fairies or other Holy Maidens, or by ‘feeding’ it Spirit Stones.

However, evolving it once required an astronomical amount of Spirit Stones, so Mu Zhi’an wasn’t considering that option for now.

“To think I would be stumped by a small storage ring…”

Mu Zhi’an pondered for a moment.

In the end, he decided to ‘feed’ the remaining special Spirit Stones that he couldn’t store to the Eight Chaos Dream Scroll.

Then, he continued to patiently ‘fish’, watching the special Spirit Stones slowly accumulate within the formation, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

Another half day passed, and the rate at which the special Spirit Stones appeared within his modified formation slowed down considerably.

This meant that the disciples from the Primordial Clans had nearly exhausted their Spirit Stones.

It seems it’s time to wrap things up and send them on their way… Mu Zhi’an thought, looking at the dazzling array of special Spirit Stones.

As he expected, after spending more than three days exploring the Sword Palace, the cultivators had almost depleted their Spirit Stones. However, they were satisfied with their harvest.

Although they hadn’t found any first-grade cultivation techniques, they had obtained some of the Sword Palace’s medicinal herbs, and some had even found second-grade techniques.

Overall, it wasn’t a loss.

However, three cultivators had died during this exploration, and the two from the Qianyuan Sect had been trapped by Mu Zhi’an, seemingly with some kind of magical artifact…

If this news got out, it would definitely cause a commotion.

After all, Qian Chen was a highly valued genius within the Qianyuan Sect, and his cousin was also from a prominent faction in the Eastern Realm.

Of course, this had nothing to do with them.

Another day passed.

Sensing a dangerous aura emanating from the Sword Palace, the cultivators remembered the Sword Palace Master’s words and left with their spoils.

Lin Keyu followed them, pretending to leave as well. However, after watching them depart, she turned back, intending to find Mu Zhi’an.

Suddenly, Ye Yu’s voice came from behind her. “Miss Lin, do you need me to escort you back?” he asked with a gentle smile.

“I noticed you’ve used up quite a bit of Spiritual Energy these past few days. It might not be safe for you to travel alone.”

Lin Keyu looked at him in surprise, wondering how he knew about her condition.

Due to her previous injuries, she wasn’t feeling well. If it weren’t for the Returning Essence Pill, she would probably be unconscious by now.

However, she still shook her head politely and refused. “Thank you for your concern, Young Master Ye, but it’s unnecessary. The Sword Palace isn’t too far from the Xuanyin Temple, and I’m used to traveling alone.”

Ye Yu frowned, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

It would be difficult to find another opportunity to approach a beauty like Lin Keyu… Moreover, rumors claimed that the Xuanyin Body could greatly benefit dual cultivation partners.

But she was the Xuanyin Temple Sect Master’s beloved daughter. No matter how dissatisfied he felt, he couldn’t press further. He cupped his fists and flew away on his sword.

Although he had lost nearly 500,000 Spirit Stones, it wasn’t a complete loss… He had at least obtained two sixth-grade medicinal herbs.

Thinking about his own gains and then about Mu Zhi’an, who had vanished after drawing the Bronze Ancient Sword, a sense of satisfaction filled Ye Yu’s heart.

Back in that mysterious hall, Mu Zhi’an’s Spiritual Energy had fluctuated wildly after drawing the sword. He must have lost consciousness afterwards.

Everyone else had obtained treasures from the Sword Palace, but Mu Zhi’an had come for nothing… If the Sword Palace disappeared, he might even disappear along with it.

This thought brought a smile to Ye Yu’s face as he clutched the sixth-grade medicinal herbs in his hand, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

He would use these herbs to refine pills that could accelerate his cultivation, preparing himself for the Ascension Ceremony!

…

Meanwhile, after watching everyone leave, Lin Keyu’s eyes flickered as she turned to re-enter the Sword Palace.

However, as soon as she turned, she saw the young man who had saved her walking towards her.

He handed her an ordinary storage ring and smiled. “Miss Lin, these are the special Spirit Stones you spent on the Spirit Mines. Count them and make sure the amount is correct.”

His previous aloofness had vanished. Lin Keyu smiled brightly. “There’s no need to count. I trust you, Young Master.”

Mu Zhi’an pondered for a moment. “I’ll escort you back.”

“Or do you prefer to travel alone?” he asked, a playful glint in his eyes, clearly having overheard her conversation with Ye Yu.

Lin Keyu was stunned for a moment, then realized what he meant. She pursed her lips and rolled her eyes, her gesture surprisingly playful.

As they chatted, they unknowingly left the Sword Palace and flew towards the Xuanyin Temple.

“By the way, I still don’t know your name, Young Master,” Lin Keyu suddenly said.

The situation had been urgent when she was being pursued, so she hadn’t had the chance to ask his name. She had only remembered it now.

However, there weren’t many disciples in the Two Polarities Sect who could suppress two Core Formation cultivators at the third-grade Core Formation Realm…

As she pondered, she suddenly heard a familiar name.

She froze and looked at the young man beside her.

“Mu Zhi’an…?” she asked, her eyes wide with surprise.