Category: It turns out, they are the protagonists

Chapter 496: Princess: Sorry, Luo Tan

According to palace rules, anyone entering Luo Tan’s bedchamber had to wait outside the hall until Luo Tan granted permission.

But in the vast Yu State, there were two exceptions.

One was the Princess, who had saved Luo Tan’s life in the past, and the other was the recently prominent Mu Zhian.

Unlike the Princess, Luo Tan had specifically instructed that Mu Zhian shouldn’t be stopped no matter where he went.

That’s why Mu Zhian could appear before this bedchamber so smoothly.

However, probably no one would have expected that the person currently in the bedchamber wasn’t Luo Tan, who had made the appointment with Mu Zhian, but the Princess of Cloud Province.

At ‘Luo Tan’s’ gesture, Mu Zhian sat down beside the soft couch, enjoying the quiet of the night. Sensing the Empress’s gaze on him, he said demurely, “By the way, Your Majesty, why is it so quiet tonight? I only saw a few servants on my way here. Where did everyone go?”

“I had them all leave the bedchamber,” the Princess said with a faint smile.

She didn’t know Luo Tan’s specific instructions to the servants, but she hardly saw any maids or attendants when she entered the bedchamber, so she made this guess.

“You should know why this Seat summoned you tonight, right?” The Princess casually posed a question.

This seemed like a question, but it was actually to figure out why Luo Tan had Mu Zhian come to her bedchamber for no reason tonight.

Mu Zhian nodded slightly: “I know.”

The corner of the Princess’s mouth twitched upwards, a playful smile appearing.

He was just a little cultivator who hadn’t experienced much. She just cast a little bait, and he took it.

“Tell me,” she said, imitating her best friend’s usual noble and elegant demeanor, her tone casual and graceful.

Unexpectedly, Mu Zhian hesitated slightly and asked, “Is Your Majesty truly ready?”

The Princess blinked her charming eyes and asked softly, “Ready for what?”

“Well…” Mu Zhian glanced at the beautiful Empress, hesitating slightly.

“Well, what? Just speak frankly,” the Princess’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, her tone brooking no argument, her beautiful eyes gazing intently at Mu Zhian.

Mu Zhian shook his head: “You’re right, being so hesitant isn’t like me.”

The Princess’s delicate eyebrows raised slightly, about to speak.

But just then, she suddenly felt a warm hand enveloping her small hand.

The Princess’s heart trembled, and she almost instinctively wanted to pull her hand away.

After all, from the past until now, not even the Great Peng Emperor, the ruler of Cloud Province, had ever touched her hand. Being held so tightly by a strange young man now, it was natural for her to feel flustered and shy.

“Your Majesty…?” Mu Zhian called out tentatively, secretly observing the woman before him.

The mature, sexy, and beautiful woman sat on the soft couch, her eyes flickering. A hint of panic appeared in her usually noble and elegant demeanor, a shy blush coloring her beautiful face.

“What are you doing?” the Princess asked, trying to maintain a calm tone.

Although she had long known about the close relationship between Mu Zhian and Luo Tan, seeing him hold her hand so boldly still made her feel somewhat shy.

Mu Zhian shook his head: “Nothing, I just couldn’t get closer to Your Majesty in the garden earlier, so I couldn’t help but miss Your Majesty after returning to my room.”

“Aren’t you worried about being discovered by the Jade Empress?” the Princess asked in a low voice.

“If she discovers my intimacy with Your Majesty, I have no regrets,” Mu Zhian held the beautiful woman’s soft small hand and gazed at her affectionately.

The Princess silently looked at Mu Zhian, not saying a word.

So this is how he deceived Luo Tan with sweet nothings? But countless cultivators had pursued Luo Tan in the past. That Pill Emperor wasn’t some naive little girl who would be fooled by such words.

Seeing that ‘Luo Tan’ didn’t resist much, Mu Zhian became bolder, wrapping his arm around the Empress’s slender waist, pulling her voluptuous body into his embrace.

Then, he lowered his head and whispered in her ear, “Your Majesty… Tonight, then.”

The Princess’s heart trembled slightly, her beautiful legs beneath her magnificent white dress involuntarily pressing together, her slender hands subconsciously gripping the hem of her skirt.

She originally just wanted to trick him into revealing his secrets, but who would have thought that this little cultivator would be so bold from the moment he entered the bedchamber?

He actually… actually dared to embrace ‘Luo Tan’ so boldly?

Even if a Dao Integration Realm expert restrained their aura, they would still subconsciously emit a sense of pressure, like a bloodline suppression… Yet Mu Zhian didn’t seem to feel any pressure at all, even being intimate with her?

She couldn’t act out of character for ‘Luo Tan’ now… After all, Mu Zhian’s current actions were probably tacitly approved by Luo Tan.

If she pushed him away now, wouldn’t she have gained nothing, and even let this guy take advantage of her for nothing?

“It seems you do know why I summoned you to the bedchamber tonight,” the Princess took a light breath, preventing any intense emotions like shyness from appearing on her alluring and cold face.

Her shoulder pressed against Mu Zhian’s, and she could faintly smell the young man’s unfamiliar yet warm scent.

This scent gave her an inexplicable sense of security, making the Princess involuntarily close her eyes slightly.

And at this moment, Mu Zhian’s voice also came from beside her ear: “I naturally know… Your Majesty summoned me tonight, it should be for the agreement between us, right?”

Agreement? What agreement does Luo Tan have with a little cultivator?

The Princess slowly opened her eyes, a charming blush coloring her face, and said softly, “It’s good that you still remember that agreement.”

“Naturally. Only by our Innate Celestial Furnaces complementing each other can we both benefit. However, I’m curious, if we continue being intimate, can we create an endless cycle, continuously providing each other with vast amounts of Spiritual Energy…?”

The Princess didn’t hear what Mu Zhian said afterward. Hearing the words ‘Innate Celestial Furnace’, her eyes widened slightly, staring at Mu Zhian in astonishment.

At this moment, it was as if a long-sealed door in the Princess’s heart slowly opened. Connecting the events of today, she suddenly had a moment of clarity.

There was definitely no problem with her disguise tonight. Even a Dao Integration Realm expert couldn’t see through her identity, let alone Mu Zhian.

In other words, he wasn’t lying… He truly possessed the Innate Celestial Furnace.

She just didn’t know what method Mu Zhian used, even she hadn’t sensed the Innate Celestial Furnace within this young man’s body.

Innate Celestial Furnace… So he possesses the Innate Celestial Furnace.

No wonder Luo Tan cares so much about him… This little cultivator has a second cauldron!

Thinking of this, besides the sudden realization, the Princess’s curiosity towards Mu Zhian grew even stronger.

She recalled asking Mu Zhian to refine the Minor Rejuvenation Pill today.

The Minor Rejuvenation Pill Mu Zhian refined today contained ordinary Nine Provinces Spiritual Energy.

So the question was… which cauldron’s Spiritual Energy did he use when refining the pill?

The Princess’s beautiful eyes flickered, countless thoughts racing through her mind, pondering the events of today.

Her Majesty is acting strange today… Mu Zhian was doubtful, secretly observing the Empress in his arms.

Her attire was the same as before, a luxurious snow-white dress with gold and silver threads. Her long hair cascaded down, her full, rosy lips slightly pursed, only showing a breathtaking side profile.

But for some reason, she seemed to have lost some of her noble and elegant aura, replaced by a mature charm that could captivate any man.

And this mature and alluring aura was most attractive to younger men… At least, Mu Zhian was currently involuntarily drawn to ‘Luo Tan’s’ captivating beauty.

Mu Zhian’s face slowly approached ‘Luo Tan’s’, gazing at the beauty in his arms, wanting to finish what he couldn’t in the garden during the day.

At the same time, the Princess was slightly lowering her eyelids, trying to piece together the ‘Innate Celestial Furnace’ and the various clues she discovered today.

Just then, she suddenly felt the young man’s warm breath on her face. The Princess snapped back to reality as if from a trance. Looking up, she saw the young man’s handsome face slowly approaching hers.

What is he trying to do…?

The Princess’s heart trembled, and she subconsciously raised her hand to push Mu Zhian away.

However, she was too late. The moment she reached out, Mu Zhian grabbed her wrist, then slowly lowered his head and captured her soft lips.

“Mmm…”

Just as the Princess was about to push Mu Zhian away, a special kind of Spiritual Energy quietly flowed from Mu Zhian’s Innate Celestial Furnace into hers.

…Just like the Minor Rejuvenation Pill Luo Tan gave her today, this was Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy!

A hazy mist gradually filled the Princess’s eyes as she looked at Mu Zhian with a dazed gaze.

After an unknown amount of time, her eyes widened abruptly. She finally snapped out of it, realizing her indecent behavior.

She abruptly pushed Mu Zhian away. Before he could recover from his stunned state, she immediately stood up, looking at him flusteredly, “I… I just remembered I have some unfinished business tonight, let’s do this another day!”

The moment she turned around, a spatial rift tore open before her, as if she wanted to escape the scene. She quickly stepped into the rift.

Mu Zhian gazed at her. A burning blush colored the Princess’s side profile, her earlobes slightly flushed, her translucent crystal earrings swaying gently with her steps, incredibly captivating.

…

“It seems she’s not mentally prepared yet…”

Mu Zhian left the bedchamber, recalling the events of today, and couldn’t help sighing inwardly.

He knew Luo Tan wasn’t as calm as she appeared on the surface. Just like Yao Meng in the past, that fairy was also reserved and shy at first, only gradually evolving over time.

And this Pill Emperor was probably in a similar situation now.

It seemed it would take some time…

As Mu Zhian walked along the corridor of the bedchamber with a sigh, he faintly heard two maids not far away whispering.

“What are you talking about? What happened at Zunyun Academy?”

Mu Zhian overheard part of their conversation and couldn’t help but call out.

“Ah… It’s Young Master Mu, we apologize, this servant was being disrespectful just now,” the two maids hurriedly apologized upon seeing him.

“It’s fine, what were you talking about just now? I remember Zunyun Academy is the most sacred place in Yu State, did something happen?” Mu Zhian asked.

Seeing Mu Zhian’s sincere inquiry and his gentle smile, the two maids exchanged glances, then started chattering, explaining one after another.

Listening to their explanation, Mu Zhian understood.

With the recent descent of the Sabbath, some Sabbath envoys, following past customs, were collecting a portion of the Luck from each province as sustenance for the ‘Firmament’.

Whether a province was prosperous was related to its Luck, and this seemingly ethereal thing was actually connected to the province’s prosperity.

As long as there was no war or internal strife among the common people or cultivators, even if some Luck was lost, it could be replenished over time.

Therefore, if the Sabbath envoys acted discreetly, the great powers of the Nine Provinces would turn a blind eye.

After all, that little bit of Luck wasn’t a big deal to them.

However, even if most envoys acted discreetly, it was inevitable that public order would deteriorate due to various issues during the Luck collection process.

Firstly, some Sabbath envoys would inevitably have some friction and conflicts with local cultivators. Secondly, cultivators from enemy provinces would also use this opportunity to secretly stir up trouble.

This was the case with Zunyun Academy this time.

Fortunately, Luo Tan had come up with a solution before this.

She had people set up four huge and indestructible white jade platforms in the east, south, west, and north of Zunyun Academy’s outer courtyard island, naming them ‘Heaven Ranking Platforms’.

The original purpose of these platforms was for those cultivators who liked to cause trouble during the Sabbath to compete. They were equipped with formations and wouldn’t affect the students within Zunyun Academy.

If you didn’t like someone, instead of arguing, you could just step onto the platform and challenge them: XXX, if you have the guts, come up and duel. Loser calls the other ‘dad’.

When challenged like this in front of so many young and beautiful girls at Zunyun Academy, most people couldn’t stand it, some even coming to Zunyun Academy that day to accept the challenge.

This way, if there were any grudges, or conflicts between Sabbath envoys and Yu State cultivators, they could openly fight on stage. This not only provided a platform for resolving conflicts, but also… allowed Zunyun Academy students to see how cultivators from the outside world sparred.

“As expected of Luo Tan, this method is quite good…”

Mu Zhian smiled, “So there was a conflict at Zunyun Academy today, between a Sabbath envoy and an academy elder, which is why she just rushed to the academy?”

The two maids both nodded: “Yes, after learning about the incident between the Zunyun Academy elder and the Sabbath envoy, Her Majesty went to Zunyun Academy after finishing reviewing the memorials.”

Mu Zhian became somewhat interested and asked, “Can outsiders enter Zunyun Academy now?”

The maid nodded slightly: “The outer courtyard is accessible, but only Zunyun Academy disciples can enter the inner courtyard.”

Mu Zhian first hummed in agreement, then realized something wasn’t right.

“Wait… What did you just say? Her Majesty went to Zunyun Academy after finishing reviewing the memorials? Then she didn’t come to the bedchamber?”

One of the maids nodded gently: “I personally saw Her Majesty leave the palace.”

Mu Zhian was stunned.

Luo Tan didn’t come to the bedchamber, but went directly to Zunyun Academy.

…Then who was the woman in the room just now?

“If you want to go to Zunyun Academy, would you mind some company?”

Just as Mu Zhian was still in shock, a woman’s gentle and soft voice came from outside the hall.

Mu Zhian turned his head and saw the Princess, her figure slender and alluring, standing at the entrance of the hall at some unknown time. She wore a veil, her gentle eyes gazing quietly at him.

But for some reason, there seemed to be a hint of resentment in her gentle gaze.

Mu Zhian hesitated for a moment.

“What’s wrong? Are you disdaining me, Young Master Mu?” The Princess tilted her head slightly, her voice still gentle, but her tone somewhat unfriendly.

Mu Zhian came back to his senses, smiled, and nodded: “Alright… Then I’ll trouble Your Highness.”

Chapter 495: The Great Peng Emperor Knows, Will He Beat Me Up?

A second-grade pill, the Minor Rejuvenation Pill… Logically, anyone who’d even dabbled in alchemy could refine this pill. Why would the Princess want him to refine it for no reason?

Her Highness’s bait is a bit too obvious…

Mu Zhian glanced at the Princess discreetly and said, “I just need to refine a Minor Rejuvenation Pill?”

The woman looked at him, her eyes clear like a deep autumn pool, with a hint of gentleness, and nodded, “Indeed, just refine a Minor Rejuvenation Pill.”

“Then I’ll gladly oblige… I hope Your Highness will honor our agreement.”

Mu Zhian cupped his hands, then took out the ingredients for the Minor Rejuvenation Pill from his storage ring.

Although he couldn’t refine third-grade pills, he had refined countless Minor Rejuvenation Pills back in the Two Polarities Sect. Refining one wasn’t difficult for him.

The Princess stood nearby, quietly observing Mu Zhian’s alchemy technique.

…Although she didn’t understand alchemy at all, as long as the Minor Rejuvenation Pill Mu Zhian refined was the same as the one in her hand, it would be enough to prove certain things.

For example… why Luo Tan chose him.

Was it simply lust, or… did Luo Tan have other intentions?

Based on her understanding of Luo Tan, she believed it was the latter.

After nearly fifteen minutes, the Princess smelled a faint medicinal fragrance and looked at the cauldron before Mu Zhian.

Mu Zhian took out six perfectly round pills from the cauldron, placed them in a jade bottle, and handed it to the Princess.

“Your Highness, the Minor Rejuvenation Pill you requested.”

The Princess opened the bottle and took out a Minor Rejuvenation Pill.

Although she didn’t understand alchemy, what kind of pill hadn’t she seen before? Whether the Minor Rejuvenation Pill in her hand was the same as the one Mu Zhian refined, she could tell with a single glance.

After comparing the two Minor Rejuvenation Pills, the Princess subconsciously looked up at Mu Zhian.

They were refined using different techniques, and the Minor Rejuvenation Pill Mu Zhian just refined didn’t contain any Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy…

It seems I guessed wrong…

“Your Highness…?” Mu Zhian called out tentatively.

“Mmm… Go ahead,” the Princess snapped out of her thoughts. Although she wore a veil, Mu Zhian could still sense the disappointment in her eyes.

“Is there anything else?” Mu Zhian asked.

The Princess quickly recovered, shook her head gently, and smiled politely, “Thank you for your trouble, Young Master Mu. These Minor Rejuvenation Pills are enough.”

She paused, then continued, “I know why the Jade Empress came to Yu State. Luo Tan already told me.”

“Therefore, I also know what you want.”

Mu Zhian’s eyes flickered, but he remained silent, slightly surprised she knew Yao Meng’s purpose.

As if guessing his thoughts, the Princess said calmly, “I am the Princess of Cloud Province, after all. I’m aware of most of the Jade Empress’s movements.”

The Princess paused and glanced at Mu Zhian meaningfully, “I just didn’t expect that you would be the one dual cultivating with her.”

“However, since she’s already made up her mind, I won’t interfere.”

“I hope you’ll cherish this opportunity and successfully comprehend the Dao Rhyme,” the Princess said again.

From the Princess’s perspective, Mu Zhian and Luo Tan were now so close, and the Jade Empress wasn’t in Yu State. It was probably only a matter of time before their relationship progressed further.

Mu Zhian nodded politely, then quickly feigned a troubled expression, “But if I go to Cloud Province with Your Highness, the Great Peng Emperor will probably find out immediately, right? What if he acts like he did today?”

“Today, Her Majesty Luo Tan was present, and this is Yu State, plus the Great Peng Emperor needed something from Her Majesty, so he reluctantly left. But if I go to Cloud Province with you in the future… If the Great Peng Emperor finds out I’m with you, he’ll definitely be angry, right?”

“The Great Peng Emperor is so scary.”

The Princess of Cloud Province gently shook her head and said softly, “You have the Jade Empress backing you. He won’t offend the Jade Empress for your sake.”

“And with me here, he won’t do anything to you.”

Hearing this, Mu Zhian was first stunned, then a touched expression appeared on his face: “Your Highness is willing to protect me?”

Seeing the gratitude and relief on Mu Zhian’s handsome face, the Princess couldn’t help but smile: “I already promised you that as long as you refined the Minor Rejuvenation Pill, I would take you to find the Cloud Smoke Willow. During this time, I’m naturally responsible for your safety.”

“It’s just a pity…” She paused and sighed inwardly, but didn’t continue.

It was a pity she had guessed wrong.

Judging from the Minor Rejuvenation Pill Mu Zhian refined today, he probably had no connection to the Heavenly Court.

“What does Your Highness mean by ‘pity’?” Mu Zhian asked.

The Princess came back to her senses, smiled gently, and said, “Nothing.”

After saying that, she gave Mu Zhian one last look.

For some reason, looking into this young man’s eyes, she always felt an inexplicable pull.

Even she, a great power connected to the Great Dao, felt this way, so it wasn’t strange that Luo Tan was attracted to him.

Undoubtedly, Mu Zhian had some secret, but this secret wasn’t related to the Heavenly Court…

The Princess gently placed her hand on her full bosom, feeling her racing heart gradually calm down.

She thought she was close to the secret of Transcendence, but it seemed she had overthought things…

She just didn’t know what Luo Tan meant earlier when she said she had discovered the ‘secret of Transcendence’.

Luo Tan should still be reviewing memorials now. After all, with the recent Sabbath, all the provinces were more or less busy. She would probably have to wait until nightfall to see Luo Tan.

She would go see her tonight…

Logically, a Minor Rejuvenation Pill containing Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy wasn’t nearly enough for someone to transcend.

What exactly was Luo Tan planning to do?

She wasn’t just curious, but also worried that Luo Tan might be on the wrong path.

After all, the Great Peng Emperor, for the sake of Transcendence, had practically become obsessed over the years.

Although she herself was almost the same… The Princess chuckled self-deprecatingly, stared at Mu Zhian for a moment, then pursed her full, rosy lips, and said with a smile, “Since Young Master Mu is still refining pills, I won’t disturb you any longer.”

“Farewell, Your Highness.”

Mu Zhian watched the Princess’s graceful figure disappear from sight, then let out a long sigh of relief.

“Why didn’t you tell her?”

Just then, a slightly sarcastic voice came from beside him: “If she knew you possessed the Innate Celestial Furnace, she would probably be much friendlier towards you.”

Mu Zhian turned his head towards the voice and saw Wei Mengrou in the shadows.

Today, she wore a slightly loose goose-yellow dress, paired with a dark, wrinkled long skirt. Her hair was neatly tied up, and a faint, ominous black mist seemed to emanate from her body, making her appear incredibly alluring.

Of course, those familiar with Wei Mengrou would know that this alluring beauty was easily flustered when teased, no matter how well she disguised herself.

“Not everyone is interested in the Innate Celestial Furnace. Besides, she’s innately connected to the Great Dao, my Innate Celestial Furnace might not be of much help to her… Moreover, Luo Tan doesn’t seem to want the Princess to know about this so soon.”

Mu Zhian naturally held Wei Mengrou’s hand, pulled her to his side, and said with a smile, “It’s not too late to tell her after we go to Cloud Province.”

“Speaking of which, seeing me being intimate with other girls… Sister Mengrou, aren’t you jealous?” Mu Zhian suddenly asked casually.

Wei Mengrou snorted, raising her snow-white chin condescendingly: “You overestimate yourself.”

Just a mere bug, what was there to be jealous of?

“Then I’m relieved,” Mu Zhian seemingly sighed with relief upon hearing this.

“What do you mean?” Wei Mengrou frowned, feeling something wasn’t right.

“Luo Tan summoned me to her bedchamber tonight… So I might be going there later,” Mu Zhian explained.

Seeing the young master so openly revealing his plans, Wei Mengrou’s eyes flickered slightly. But then, noticing his teasing gaze, she snorted coldly, “Do as you please. Not having to be by your side every day actually makes me feel much more relaxed.”

After saying that, she turned around, a hazy black mist seemingly emanating from her body, and vanished into the shadows, instantly returning to her guest room.

Mu Zhian slowly tidied up the cauldron, alchemy ingredients, and other things in the courtyard, then silently counted down in his heart.

After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, he arrived before Wei Mengrou’s room and knocked on the maid’s door.

“Didn’t Luo Tan summon you? Does Young Master have anything else?”

An incredibly cold reply came from inside.

Mu Zhian said calmly, “Sister Mengrou, may I come in?”

There was no response from inside. Mu Zhian pushed open the door and saw the beauty sitting on the soft couch with an expressionless face, her intricate and exquisite dress accentuating her alluring coldness.

Seeing Mu Zhian, Wei Mengrou turned her face away and said coldly, “Aren’t you going to see Luo Tan soon? Why do you have the leisure to come here? Are you here to kill time?”

Mu Zhian closed the door and shook his head, “After thinking about it, I decided to accompany Sister Mengrou first… As for Luo Tan, let her wait.”

After saying that, Mu Zhian walked to the soft couch and held Wei Mengrou’s cold small hand.

Wei Mengrou immediately pulled her hand away, but Mu Zhian didn’t give up, instead holding her hand tighter.

This time, Wei Mengrou didn’t struggle, clearly acquiescing.

Mu Zhian lifted her chin, his face slowly approaching hers. Just as his lips were about to touch hers, he suddenly said softly, “Sister Mengrou, let me give you a gift.”

As he spoke, he took out an exquisite small box from his storage ring.

Wei Mengrou snapped out of her daze, looked at Mu Zhian doubtfully, then opened the small box and glanced inside.

It was a pair of black fishnet stockings she had never seen before.

Sensing Mu Zhian’s expectant gaze, Wei Mengrou’s eyes gradually turned cold, and she glanced at the young master disdainfully: “Is this a gift? Clearly it’s…”

Clearly, he just wanted to see her wear them.

“Please, Sister Mengrou, this is one of my dreams,” Mu Zhian pleaded sincerely.

Wei Mengrou stared at the young master with some doubt: “What exactly do you want me to do?”

“I’d like Sister Mengrou to wear these…”

Wei Mengrou: “And then?”

“Then look at your master with disdain… The rest is up to you, I believe Sister Mengrou can definitely handle it,” Mu Zhian said.

After all, Wei Mengrou possessed the relevant attributes of a maid: sharp-tongued, cold, and tsundere. Although she might not realize it herself, to Mu Zhian, this was an irresistible attribute.

Wei Mengrou took the small box, glaring at the young master: “Are you a pervert?”

Mu Zhian hummed in agreement, looked at Wei Mengrou, and said sincerely, “Exactly, it’s fine for Sister Mengrou to scold me more.”

Wei Mengrou: “???”

…

Government Affairs Hall.

“Your Majesty, Her Highness the Princess went to see Young Master Mu again today.”

Before Luo Tan, who was reviewing memorials, a maid knelt respectfully on the soft carpet, reporting everything that happened at Mu Zhian’s place today.

Looking closely, one could tell that this maid was one of the maids serving Mu Zhian.

Luo Tan leaned over the mountain of memorials on her desk and asked with a chuckle, “Do you know why the Princess went there?”

“She asked Young Master Mu to refine a second-grade pill…”

Luo Tan hummed softly, her gaze shifting from the memorials to the maid before her: “The Minor Rejuvenation Pill?”

“Yes, Your Majesty is wise,” the maid replied respectfully.

“Do we need to investigate her purpose?” she continued asking.

Luo Tan slowly shook her head: “No need. The Princess’s innate perception is extraordinary. Even great powers of the same realm can’t approach her without being noticed. Besides, she wouldn’t harm Mu Zhian.”

“You may leave.”

“Yes.”

Luo Tan glanced at the bronze bell hanging in the corner, then softly instructed, “Right, I need to enter seclusion tonight. Without my orders, no one is allowed to disturb me in my bedchamber.”

After saying that, she stood up, intending to leave.

Just then, hurried footsteps approached from the distance, accompanied by the arrival of a spy: “Your Majesty, we just received a report that a Sabbath envoy seems to have clashed with students from Zunyun Academy. There’s quite a commotion there now.”

Luo Tan paused slightly, her delicate brows furrowing: “I understand, I’ll personally go there later.”

In Yu State, Zunyun Academy held a similar status as the Two Polarities Sect in the Eastern Continent. A Sabbath envoy causing trouble there… Even Luo Tan couldn’t ignore it. She needed to understand the details.

She walked gracefully to the entrance of the hall in her snow-white jade boots, looked up at the hazy moonlight, placed a finger against her red lips, and sighed softly.

It seemed she would have to return later again.

…

That night.

The moon was bright, and the stars were sparse. Mu Zhian took a bath and left the courtyard refreshed.

The Spiritual Energy within his Innate Celestial Furnace seemed to have decreased significantly.

Because Luo Tan had given orders earlier, Mu Zhian smoothly passed through the front hall and walked along a luxurious path into the rear palace. The maids and servants along the way bowed slightly, only gathering together in hushed whispers to discuss the young man’s identity after he left.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

The Princess sat alone in the bedchamber, flipping through a book boredly, waiting for Luo Tan to return.

Luo Tan had just left the palace not long ago, seemingly going to Zunyun Academy because of the Sabbath incident.

It seemed she might not return tonight.

I’ll wait for another hour or two. If Luo Tan still hasn’t returned, I’ll go back tonight… Just as the Princess thought of this, she suddenly heard a respectful voice from outside the hall: “Your Majesty, Mu Zhian has arrived as promised. May he enter the hall now?”

Mu Zhian?

What is he doing coming to the bedchamber so late at night?

And it seems Luo Tan asked him to come?

The Princess narrowed her eyes, recalling the various interactions between Mu Zhian and Luo Tan she had witnessed during the day. After pondering for a moment, she gently lifted her veil, a soft white light flickering in her palm, gently caressing her beautiful face.

The Great Dao hummed.

The next moment, the Princess transformed from a gentle beauty with a mature charm into a noble and elegant Empress. Her dress also changed into a magnificent white gown, and she wore sexy snow-white jade boots, revealing the delicate skin between her skirt and calves.

“Come in,” she said in an elegant voice.

Soon, Mu Zhian entered the bedchamber, looked at the woman sitting on the soft couch, immediately cupped his hands, and said respectfully, “Your Majesty, I apologize for making you wait.”

A strange glint flashed through ‘Luo Tan’s’ eyes, then she smiled and gestured, “It’s fine, come and sit.”

Chapter 494: The Princess’s Probe 

Southern Wilderness.

The wheels rumbled.

The luxurious palanquin, crafted from amethyst, stopped within the Southern Wilderness’s Space Divine Hall.

Soon, amidst a hazy immortal air, the fairy, whose beauty was unparalleled in the Nine Provinces, stepped out of the palanquin, her skirt lifted by her accompanying Jade Pool disciples.

A strong wind blew her green dress backwards, the fabric clinging to her high and perky bosom, the thin material unable to conceal her curvaceous figure. Every inch of her skin seemed to shimmer faintly, shrouded in a hazy mist, making it difficult to see clearly.

Yao Meng walked gracefully to the front of the divine hall, glanced at the Southern Wilderness maid at the entrance, and said softly, “Did the Space God ask you to wait for me here?”

“Yes, Holy Maiden said you would arrive today, so she asked this lowly one to wait here and escort you into the hall.”

The maid at the door replied respectfully, then bowed slightly, “Please follow me.”

Led by the maid, after a while, Yao Meng walked into the hall on the soft carpet and saw the woman who had been waiting inside.

Her figure was graceful, her posture straight, her smooth platinum blonde hair complementing her magnificent white dress, fully displaying the imposing aura of an empress.

Regina, or rather, Xue Yi.

“A palanquin from the Eastern Continent entered my Southern Wilderness territory yesterday. Many Southern Wilderness cultivators were curious about the mistress within, some even couldn’t resist attacking the palanquin, but before they could even touch it, their cauldrons were sealed for several days…”

Xue Yi walked down the steps towards Yao Meng, casually smoothing the wrinkles on her chest, and said softly, “You could have come directly to the Southern Wilderness to find me, yet you chose to travel slowly in a palanquin. Sometimes, you’re truly hard to understand.”

Yao Meng smiled faintly, “I wanted to enjoy the scenery along the way, and wouldn’t it be impolite to rashly enter the Southern Wilderness Divine Hall?”

Xue Yi smiled and asked casually, “Why didn’t I see Mu Zhian today?”

“He’s in Yu State,” Yao Meng replied with a smile.

Xue Yi’s expression changed slightly, her voice lowering subconsciously, “You left him alone in Yu State? Why?”

“No reason, I just need to go on a trip, and I’m not at ease leaving him in the Eastern Continent,” Yao Meng said faintly.

Xue Yi’s eyes flickered, and she said softly, “Not at ease leaving him in the Eastern Continent, but you’re at ease leaving him with the Pill Emperor? You know that if his Innate Celestial Furnace is discovered by the Pill Emperor…”

Xue Yi didn’t continue, because she saw a flicker of complexity in Yao Meng’s eyes.

Then, Yao Meng raised an eyebrow slightly and said with a faint smile, “If it’s not safe to leave him with the Pill Emperor, then should I bring him to the Southern Wilderness? I don’t think the Space God is interested in such a troublesome thing as looking after someone, right?”

Not interested in looking after someone, but very interested in looking after your husband…

A strange look appeared in Xue Yi’s usually gentle eyes. She hummed softly, “Naturally, I have no interest in your husband… However, Regina seems to have special feelings for Mu Zhian, so I’m considering her feelings…”

Yao Meng hummed softly and said with a half-smile, “I see… The Space God is truly considerate, even thinking of Regina’s feelings.”

Her tone was laced with sarcasm.

This kind of talk might fool a naive girl like Lin Ling, but the Jade Empress wouldn’t fall for it.

After tasting the pleasures of the Innate Celestial Furnace last time, this Space God had probably developed a taste for it~

Xue Yi slightly raised her snow-white chin, her smooth platinum blonde hair resting on her shoulders, and said softly, “Does the Jade Empress have something to say?”

Yao Meng said with a faint smile, bringing up a seemingly irrelevant topic, “You’ve heard of the Innate Celestial Furnace constitution, right?”

“Naturally, why do you suddenly mention the Innate Celestial Furnace?” Xue Yi asked gently, her voice sweet.

“The Innate Celestial Furnace is closely related to the person’s own realm. The higher the realm, the greater the benefits obtained from dual cultivation… But throughout history, most Innate Celestial Furnaces, even with dual cultivation, the actual benefits are limited… Some low-realm Innate Celestial Furnaces, at most, just add a bit of spice to dual cultivation.”

Yao Meng casually toyed with a strand of hair with her fingertip, a passionate glint in her gentle, compassionate eyes. She raised her eyelids and said softly, “But you should know what my husband’s Innate Celestial Furnace is like, right?”

An unnatural look flashed across Xue Yi’s face, and she said with a faint smile, “This Seat hasn’t had any intimate relations with your husband, how would I know such things?”

Yao Meng didn’t dwell on this matter and said casually, “At Qi Condensation Realm, he already had a Core Formation Realm cauldron. After Core Formation Realm, his Innate Celestial Furnace evolved to Nascent Soul Realm.”

“And during the Ascension Tournament, he consumed a pill, causing his Innate Celestial Furnace to evolve once again.”

“Space God, why don’t you guess what his Innate Celestial Furnace will be like at Soul Transformation Realm?”

Thump! Thump!

Almost at that instant, Xue Yi’s eyes widened, her heart racing, staring at the fairy before her with burning eyes.

“Dao Integration… or even a Heavenly Celestial Furnace beyond Dao Integration?” She subconsciously lowered her voice, trying to maintain her composure.

Yao Meng said with a faint smile, “Perhaps… But there’s a prerequisite, which is that he can successfully reach Soul Transformation.”

“You should know how dangerous the path from Nascent Soul to Soul Transformation is, right?”

Xue Yi nodded silently.

If reaching Nascent Soul Realm meant becoming a powerful figure in the Nine Provinces, a target for recruitment by those Ancient Families, then Soul Transformation Realm meant being able to do as one pleased in this world, as long as they didn’t provoke Dao Integration Realm experts.

However, the path to Soul Transformation was extremely difficult. Judging from past historical records, among a thousand Nascent Soul Realm cultivators, having two or three reach Soul Transformation was already considered good.

Since the rules of heaven and earth were rewritten not long ago, at least over a thousand cultivators had attempted to break through to Soul Transformation, ultimately perishing in the Heavenly Tribulation.

“The path to immortality is long and arduous, the Heavenly Dao is merciless. If one wants to reach Soul Transformation, to extend their lifespan, they have to bear the threat of the Heavenly Tribulation.”

Yao Meng’s tone changed, and she said faintly, “But with the Nine Cauldrons Nascent Soul Pill, supplemented by the assistance of the Innate Dao Body, the success rate of reaching Soul Transformation can even be increased to sixty or seventy percent.”

Xue Yi didn’t answer, her voice as soft and crisp as usual, “So you asked me for the Southern Wilderness’ Black Flame True Leaves earlier, it was indeed for this Nine Cauldrons Nascent Soul Pill?”

“Mu Zhian is truly fortunate to have a Dao Companion like you,” she sighed sincerely.

Then, she paused and said with a faint smile, “Although Black Flame True Leaves are rare in the Southern Wilderness, they can still be found if one searches. But the Cloud Smoke Willow from Cloud Province might not be so easy to obtain.”

“I heard your relationship with Cloud Province hasn’t been very good in the past? If you ask for it, not to mention the Princess, even the Great Peng Emperor would probably be suspicious of your motives for wanting the Cloud Smoke Willow.”

After all, the Cloud Smoke Willow could only be used to refine the Nine Cauldrons Nascent Soul Pill, as it wasn’t used in any other pills… Suddenly wanting the Cloud Smoke Willow for no reason would naturally arouse suspicion.

Moreover, the Cloud Smoke Willow grew in the boundless realm of Cloud Province, which was the territory of that Daughter of the Great Dao.

She had heard that the Jade Empress and the Princess had a very bad relationship. Obtaining the Cloud Smoke Willow might not be so simple.

“Do you need me to help you ask for it?” Xue Yi asked.

“It would be best if you could, but even if you ask, you might not be able to obtain the Cloud Smoke Willow.”

Yao Meng’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. Although the Southern Wilderness and Cloud Province seemed to be cooperating secretly, the Cloud Smoke Willow was too special a heavenly material and earthly treasure. Even if Xue Yi asked, Cloud Province would probably be wary.

After all, who would want another power to produce a new Soul Transformation Realm expert for no reason?

“I’ll try my best to obtain the Cloud Smoke Willow for him,” Xue Yi smiled.

Yao Meng said with a faint smile, “I hope so.”

But she couldn’t help sighing inwardly, Getting the Princess to agree, how easy would that be?

And even in Cloud Province, the Cloud Smoke Willow was an extremely rare heavenly material and earthly treasure. From the moment it was picked to when it withered due to Spiritual Energy loss, it only took seven days. Because of this harsh condition, even the Princess couldn’t preserve the Cloud Smoke Willow.

The only way to obtain the Cloud Smoke Willow was to have the Princess personally search for it, or send someone to search… No matter what, it couldn’t be done without the Princess.

Thinking of this, Yao Meng’s thoughts quickly returned to reality, and she said faintly, “We’ll take it one step at a time. If it comes to it, I’ll personally go to Cloud Province.”

…

“Luo Tan asked me to go to her bedchamber tonight… Does this mean she wants to sleep with me?”

Back in his guest room, Mu Zhian dismissed the maids, then began recalling the events of the day.

In Mu Zhian’s opinion, although Luo Tan seemed to have a strong desire to take the initiative, wanting the Innate Celestial Furnace and the Innate Celestial Furnace to complement each other… in reality, she was still somewhat shy, or perhaps couldn’t bring herself to cross that line in her heart.

Therefore, if he went to her bedchamber tonight, he might have to take the initiative…

And that Great Peng Emperor’s fiancée was also quite interesting.

Not only was she connected to the Great Dao like Lin Ling, but her cauldron was also innately connected to the Great Dao.

If Lin Ling was a creation beloved by the Great Dao, then this Princess was presumably the ‘Chosen Daughter’.

Speaking of which, if Lin Ling wanted to transcend and ascend, she first needed to resonate with the Great Dao… But he had never known how to connect with the Great Dao.

This Princess… perhaps she had a way?

After all, her cauldron was inherently connected to the Great Dao.

Thinking of this, the Princess’s figure involuntarily appeared in Mu Zhian’s mind.

Then, he quickly shook his head and sighed softly.

This matter concerned the secrets of the Great Dao. Even the Great Peng Emperor probably hadn’t been able to extract any secrets about the Great Dao from the Princess, let alone him, an outsider?

Unless… he could first establish a good relationship with the Princess.

And the Cloud Smoke Willow needed for the Nine Cauldrons Nascent Soul Pill also had to be obtained from Cloud Province…

“So it seems I shouldn’t have teased her earlier, but should have flattered her instead…” Mu Zhian suddenly realized this.

If it were a normal beauty, Mu Zhian naturally wouldn’t want to offend her.

But the Princess had frankly stated earlier that she didn’t want him to be intimate with Luo Tan… and even offered him a stalk of Emperor Medicine to stay away from Luo Tan.

Although he knew the Princess was considering Luo Tan’s best interests, it still made him somewhat displeased.

But unexpectedly, he now had to find a way to befriend her…

“Forget it, let’s not think about these things for now.”

Mu Zhian shook his head, dispelling his thoughts, then walked out of the guest room and took out a black cauldron in the courtyard.

A Mysterious-grade cauldron, it wasn’t particularly precious, but it was sufficient for refining fourth or fifth-grade pills.

Or rather, with Mu Zhian’s current skill level, not even a second-grade alchemist, using a cauldron above Mysterious-grade would be too extravagant.

Mu Zhian recalled the Pill Emperor’s teachings from their conversation today while taking out the ingredients needed for a third-grade pill.

According to Luo Tan, the higher the pill grade, the more Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy it could contain. He wanted to verify whether her words were true.

“You may all leave. No one is allowed to approach this area without my orders,” Mu Zhian turned and instructed the two maids in the courtyard.

After the maids left, Mu Zhian activated his Spiritual Energy and placed the ingredients for the third-grade Heart Consolidating Pill into the cauldron one by one.

“Sanskrit Willow, Starspotted Ginseng, then add Ancient Lingzhi…”

Mu Zhian looked at the alchemy manual in his hand, taking out ingredients from his storage ring and putting them into the cauldron.

These ingredients were part of the monthly ‘salary’ given by the Two Polarities Sect. The ingredients themselves weren’t particularly rare, but they could still fetch a good price on the market.

And now, they were all being used by Mu Zhian for his alchemy experiments.

Flames began to roar within the cauldron, and Mu Zhian focused his mental energy entirely on it.

In the distance, the two maids looked over curiously, wondering why someone was refining such low-grade pills now.

Just then, a maid seemed to sense something and subconsciously turned her head towards the courtyard entrance. Seeing the slender woman with gentle eyes and a pink veil appearing in her vision, she almost blurted out, “Princess—”

Before she could finish speaking, the Princess placed a finger against her lips, making a “shh” sound.

When she approached, the two maids greeted her and asked softly, “Why is Your Highness here…? This is Young Master Mu’s resting place, did you come to the wrong place?”

The gentle and mature Princess glanced sideways, her beautiful eyes gentle and charming, and said softly, “I’m here to see him.”

“You may leave now. I’ll protect him, nothing will happen,” she instructed again.

The two maids exchanged glances, hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly: “Yes.”

…

“Failed again… Third-grade pills are indeed still somewhat difficult for me.”

Mu Zhian looked at the ingredients in the cauldron that had already turned to dust, shaking his head and sighing, feeling somewhat distressed about his wasted ingredients.

If first and second-grade pills were at a level that even amateurs could refine, then starting from third-grade, it was a realm only alchemists could enter.

Although Mu Zhian had the aptitude of an alchemist, he had been indulging in beautiful women in the past, neglecting his cultivation for a long time, let alone alchemy.

“Fortunately, I’m in Yu State now. If I have any questions about alchemy, I can directly ask Luo Tan, saving myself many detours.”

Mu Zhian comforted himself inwardly, then prepared to put away the cauldron.

Just then, a clear, pleasant, and gentle voice suddenly came from behind him: “Judging by the Spiritual Energy you just condensed, it seems you have good alchemy aptitude, yet you’re not even a second-grade alchemist now, what a waste of such good talent.”

Mu Zhian turned around and saw the Princess standing behind him at some unknown time.

She had changed into a dress embroidered with crabapple blossoms, paired with a plain long skirt. Her hair was meticulously styled, adorned with a valuable jade hairpin, dignified and beautiful, with a homely, wifely air.

Of course, those who knew her would understand that although this Princess seemed gentle, she wasn’t as simple as she appeared.

“Your Highness visiting my residence for no reason, could it be you have some important matter?”

Mu Zhian asked doubtfully, his tone carrying a hint of teasing, “Could it be you’re here to persuade me to leave Luo Tan again? If you can give me five stalks of Emperor Medicine, I might consider it.”

The Princess rolled her beautiful eyes at Mu Zhian, giving him a charming and flirtatious look.

Five stalks of Emperor Medicine? Why didn’t he just rob her?

Even the entire Cloud Province might not be able to produce more than three stalks of Emperor Medicine. Within the Nine Provinces, currently, only the Eastern Continent was known to have more than five stalks. The Emperor Medicine painstakingly cultivated by other powers for generations was almost depleted.

“I’m not here to persuade you to leave Luo Tan. I just smelled a strange odor while taking a stroll and came in to take a look. I didn’t expect it was Young Master Mu refining pills here,” the Princess said faintly.

“If you don’t usually practice alchemy, suddenly wanting to refine pills beyond your skill level is just wasting ingredients.”

“Is this mocking me for overestimating myself, attempting to refine third-grade pills when I’m not even a second-grade alchemist?”

Mu Zhian smiled, “Although Your Highness is a Dao Integration Realm expert, you’re unexpectedly quite the grudge-holder.”

The Princess pursed her rosy lips beneath her veil and said calmly, “I’m not holding a grudge, I’m just stating the truth.”

Mu Zhian sighed softly, “Actually, if I have to say, I’m the one who should be holding a grudge.”

“I’ve been unjustly targeted this time… Inexplicably targeted by the Great Peng Emperor, I’m afraid I won’t even dare go to Cloud Province in the future.”

“That was the Great Peng Emperor acting on his own, it has nothing to do with me.” The Princess’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. Although her tone was gentle, it held a coldness towards the Great Peng Emperor.

“I naturally know that, it’s just…” Mu Zhian hesitated slightly.

“Just what? Young Master Mu, please speak frankly,” the Princess said.

“It’s just… Judging by the Great Peng Emperor’s attitude today, he seems to care about Your Highness quite a bit. I’m afraid he doesn’t think there’s nothing between you two.”

Hearing this, the Princess’s delicate brows couldn’t help but furrow slightly.

Mu Zhian discreetly glanced at the beautiful woman, then continued, “Is Your Highness just here to laugh at me today?”

The Princess snapped back to reality and said, “I know why the Jade Empress went to the Southern Wilderness, Luo Tan already told me.”

“Therefore, I also know what you want.”

Mu Zhian’s eyes flickered, but he didn’t speak, wanting to hear what the Princess would say next.

The Princess smiled, “As long as you agree to one condition, I can give you anything you want.”

There’s such a good thing? Then does that mean you’re also on the table…? Mu Zhian thought to himself, not immediately agreeing, “What do you want me to do? Tell me first.”

“With your current strength, there’s nothing you can do to help me.”

The Princess’s gentle eyes gazed at him intently, and she opened her red lips slightly, “However, I want to confirm that she has good judgment.”

“So… I’d like you to refine a pill.”

Mu Zhian raised an eyebrow, “What pill?”

The Princess took out a pill she had just obtained from Luo Tan from her storage ring and gazed at Mu Zhian:

“A second-grade pill, the Minor Rejuvenation Pill.”

Chapter 493: I Suspect My Bestie is Sneaking Cake 

In the Nine Provinces, second-grade pills were quite common. For alchemists, the Minor Rejuvenation Pill was even simpler to refine. Even in Yu State, novice alchemists with only a year or two of experience could refine it.

And such a second-grade pill appearing in the Pill Emperor’s quiet room was, in itself, quite strange.

If the pill on the table were a fifth-grade pill or higher, the Princess wouldn’t have been so curious.

But as it turned out, this wasn’t an ordinary second-grade Minor Rejuvenation Pill… It contained Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy.

Sensing the Spiritual Energy within the Minor Rejuvenation Pill, the Princess of Cloud Province’s expression changed: “This Minor Rejuvenation Pill contains Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy… Where did you get this?”

As she spoke, her gaze fixed on Luo Tan, her hands subconsciously gripping the table, her brows like distant mountains, her rosy lips slightly parted, her beautiful and alluring eyes filled with surprise.

Luo Tan was much calmer than expected. She took a sip of tea, glanced at the woman in the wide-sleeved dress, her figure impressive, and said, “The Path to Immortality descended within the Two Polarities Sect before, you should know about this, right?”

The Princess hummed softly in agreement, her delicate brows furrowing: “But that wasn’t a true Path to Immortality. The Great Peng Emperor tried to ascend to the Heavenly Court through that opportunity, but failed.”

“Could it be that you’ve been to the Heavenly Court?” the Princess asked again, her voice still gentle, her bosom full and perky, her skin fair and tender.

And what was most striking was the mature charm she exuded, like a ripe, juicy peach.

Luo Tan slowly shook her head: “If I had been to the Heavenly Court, you wouldn’t be seeing me in the Nine Provinces now.”

The Princess was silent.

That was true. If Transcendence and ascension were the dream of Dao Integration Realm experts, then stepping onto the Path to Immortality and ascending to the Heavenly Court was another wish of Dao Integration Realm experts.

The former allowed one to escape the constraints of the world, their lifespan becoming endless.

And the latter… as long as one reached the Heavenly Court, they would also have an endless lifespan, because the Heavenly Court’s Spiritual Energy was different from the Nine Provinces’. It was rumored that the Heavenly Court’s Spiritual Energy was incredibly dense. If an ordinary Qi Condensation Realm cultivator needed three to five years to reach Core Formation in the Nine Provinces, then in the Heavenly Court, it might only take half a year.

Moreover, the Heavenly Court itself wasn’t bound by the rules of heaven and earth; it could be said to be a paradise.

Her gentle eyes gazed into Luo Tan’s, she took a deep breath, and said, “Then where did you find this pill?”

Ordinary great powers, even if they saw this pill, might not recognize its origin.

But the Princess was different. She had forcibly tried to break through the Path to Immortality in the past. Although she failed, she vaguely saw a person at the end of the Path to Immortality.

And it was then that she sensed the Heavenly Court’s Spiritual Energy.

Luo Tan wore a gentle smile, looking like she had everything under control, but she was actually somewhat worried.

Even this Pill Emperor of Yu State hadn’t expected the Princess to discover the existence of the ‘Heavenly Court’ in this way.

Should she tell her the truth now?

As someone who had saved her life and was like a sister to her, it wouldn’t matter to tell her the truth… But the matter of the Heavenly Court was, after all, Mu Zhian’s secret. He was currently hiding under her table. If she rashly told the Princess without his consent, it wouldn’t be appropriate.

Just as Luo Tan thought of this, her body trembled slightly, and she almost covered her mouth to suppress an embarrassing sound.

Then, her expression quickly returned to normal, and she said with a smile, “Have you ever heard of the Ye Clan Ancestor?”

“Ye Qingxin?” The Princess had naturally heard of her. Or rather, she had met the Ye Clan Ancestor a few times in the past.

“Some time ago, the Path to Immortality descended, and the Ye Clan Ancestor used this opportunity to descend upon the Nine Provinces with a clone. At that time, she had many pills originating from the Heavenly Court, all refined by her personally.”

The elegant and noble Empress tapped the table with her fingertip and continued, “A few days before the Jade Empress’s Transcendence, Ye Qingxin came to Yu State to find me.”

The Princess frowned in thought, “She came to find you right before the Jade Empress’s Transcendence? What’s her relationship with the Jade Empress?”

“Ye Qingxin hoped I wouldn’t interfere with the Jade Empress’s Transcendence,” Luo Tan said.

When did Ye Qingxin become involved with the Jade Empress…?

At this moment, a confused look appeared on the beautiful woman’s face, as elegant as a lilac flower, as if countless question marks were popping up above her head: “Could it be that you didn’t intervene with the Jade Empress’s Transcendence because of Ye Qingxin?”

“But Ye Qingxin ascended to the Heavenly Court long ago, when did she become involved with the Jade Empress—”

The Princess’s train of thought suddenly stopped. Looking at the playful look in the beautiful Empress’s eyes, a person came to mind, and she hesitated, “…Mu Zhian? Did Ye Qingxin intervene for Mu Zhian?”

“She exchanged Heavenly Court pills for your non-interference during the Jade Empress’s Transcendence?”

At this moment, the Princess finally understood everything.

“No wonder there was commotion throughout the Nine Provinces at that time, but only you remained calm… So it was because Ye Qingxin brought you pills from the Heavenly Court.”

The Princess’s eyes gradually brightened, and she asked, “So the secret of Transcendence you mentioned earlier is also related to this?”

Luo Tan hummed softly with a subtle expression: “Sort of…”

“However, although this Minor Rejuvenation Pill contains Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy, it shouldn’t be enough for you to transcend, right…? Are you confident?” the Princess asked gently. Although her feelings were complicated, she was genuinely happy for Luo Tan finding a way to transcend.

“I’m still somewhat confident.” As Luo Tan spoke, her beautiful legs under the table subconsciously rubbed against each other slightly.

This table wasn’t big. To avoid the Princess accidentally touching Mu Zhian after sitting down, she had Mu Zhian crouch beside her feet earlier.

And just now, to avoid being discovered by the Princess, Mu Zhian didn’t use voice transmission, but wrote the name ‘Ye Qingxin’ on Luo Tan’s leg with his finger.

Perhaps because they were too close, she could even faintly feel the young man’s breath now.

The Princess clearly didn’t expect her close friend to not only be talking to her, but also dealing with Mu Zhian at the same time. She picked up her chopsticks, took a bite of the medicinal dish, and said with a smile, “If they knew you were also going to transcend, those people would probably be even more restless.”

Luo Tan gently pressed her skirt with her slender hand, tilted her head slightly, and said with a smile, “If they knew I was also attempting Transcendence, perhaps even Cloud Province would become an enemy of Yu State in the future.”

She had just bathed and changed, a captivating fragrance emanating from her body. A jade hairpin and a golden hair ornament adorned her exquisite hairstyle, the golden tassels swaying gently in the quiet room, adding a touch of nobility to her stunning beauty.

The Princess was silent for a moment, then said faintly, “Cloud Province will never be your enemy. Although the Great Peng Emperor has a high status in Cloud Province, he can’t make the entire Cloud Province obey his orders.”

The meaning of her words was clear: no matter what, she was on Luo Tan’s side.

Such a deep sisterhood was truly touching.

After all, in the Nine Provinces, there were many examples of brothers turning against each other for a single pill.

And the Princess, after seeing this Minor Rejuvenation Pill, and even learning about Luo Tan’s opportunity for Transcendence, not only wasn’t she jealous, but she firmly stood by her side.

This alone was commendable.

Luo Tan silently looked at the Princess. At this moment, even this Empress, whose state of mind was usually as still as a well, couldn’t help but feel a ripple of emotion.

And Mu Zhian under the table was also somewhat surprised. This Princess seemed to be truly considering Luo Tan’s best interests, which was why she wanted him to leave Luo Tan earlier…

After all, from the Princess’s perspective, having an intimate relationship with Mu Zhian was completely disadvantageous.

He didn’t expect to see such a considerate person on the path of cultivation…

Crouching under the table, leaning against Luo Tan’s thigh, Mu Zhian also sighed inwardly. From his perspective, he couldn’t see anything, only the Princess’s legs pressed together, her dark, wrinkled skirt swaying gently, and the faint glimpse of her tender white feet and faint blue veins.

Although he couldn’t see anything, he could imagine the gentle expression on the Princess’s face as she looked at her close friend.

“Can I borrow this pill for a few days?” the Princess suddenly asked.

Luo Tan was silent for a moment, then, seemingly casually smoothing the wrinkles on her magnificent white dress, she gently touched Mu Zhian’s face, as if seeking his opinion.

Mu Zhian wrote a single word on her hand.

“If you like it, I’ll give you this Minor Rejuvenation Pill,” Luo Tan’s elegant and calm voice echoed through the quiet room. “Ye Qingxin refined many pills containing Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy before descending, this isn’t the only one.”

This time, the Princess didn’t refuse, readily accepting Luo Tan’s kindness: “Then thank you.”

After she finished speaking, she put down her teacup and said, “I haven’t been in Cloud Province these past few days and don’t know what the Great Peng Emperor is planning. I’ll have people secretly investigate later. I won’t disturb you any longer.”

She paused, her beautiful eyes casually glancing under the table, the corner of her mouth curving upwards, and looked at Luo Tan with a playful smile: “Lest I spoil your fun.”

…

After the Princess left the quiet room, she walked along the corridor back to her guest room.

She sat down gracefully on the soft couch, gently rubbed her brows, looked at the jade bottle in her hand, and fell into deep thought.

“Your Highness, what are you thinking about?”

Just then, her personal maid, who had accompanied her on this trip, asked tentatively.

The Princess’s thoughts returned to reality. She gently shook her head: “Nothing, it’s just that the events of the past two days have been beyond my comprehension.”

The maid hesitated: “Are you referring to the matter between Her Majesty the Pill Emperor and Young Master Mu…?”

The Princess nodded silently.

She still couldn’t understand why Luo Tan, who didn’t like anyone, took a liking to the Jade Empress’s Dao Companion, that little cultivator who just reached Nascent Soul Realm.

And Ye Qingxin, a great power who descended from the Heavenly Court, why was she also involved with Mu Zhian?

Logically, Ye Qingxin had always been in the Heavenly Court and shouldn’t know Mu Zhian, yet she was willing to intervene for him, personally coming to see the Pill Emperor, even giving her pills from the Heavenly Court?

The Princess took out the jade bottle containing the Minor Rejuvenation Pill, pondered for a moment, and said, “The Great Peng Emperor seems to be making some big moves recently. Send someone to keep a close eye on him and report to me immediately if anything happens.”

The maid bowed slightly in agreement and turned to leave.

“Wait.”

The Princess suddenly called out to the maid: “You studied alchemy with Luo Tan for a while in the past, do you recognize this pill?”

The maid took the pill and hesitated, “In reply to Your Highness, this is a Minor Rejuvenation Pill…”

Just as she finished speaking, she seemed to sense something, lowered her head and sniffed slightly, then said incredulously, “The Spiritual Energy in this pill is too dense… It’s a pity the refining method is too crude, somewhat wasting such dense Spiritual Energy. It doesn’t seem like the work of a qualified alchemist.”

The Princess hummed softly, rubbed her brows, and waved her hand slightly, intending to dismiss the maid.

Just then, her train of thought suddenly stopped, as if recalling something. She subconsciously looked up and called out to the maid: “What did you just say?”

The maid was stunned: “This servant said the Spiritual Energy in this pill is too dense—”

“The next sentence,” the Princess interrupted.

“The refining method of this pill is too crude, and its hardness has been deliberately reinforced. This servant personally believes that such a refining method is somewhat wasteful of the dense Spiritual Energy within the pill, not like the work of a qualified alchemist.”

The Princess’s beautiful eyes slowly widened, her full bosom heaving slightly, her heart pounding. She abruptly stood up, surprise and astonishment appearing on her beautiful and sexy face, as if she had discovered some truth.

“Yes, that’s the sentence!”

Who was Ye Qingxin? The ancestor of the Ye Clan, the only Dao Integration Realm expert in the Ye Clan, and also proficient in alchemy. Although not as skilled as Luo Tan, she was at least a seventh-grade alchemist.

Would a seventh-grade alchemist be an amateur? Would she refine such a crude second-grade pill?

The answer was obvious.

This pill wasn’t refined by Ye Qingxin.

“Your Highness…” the maid called out tentatively.

“It’s nothing, you may leave now and make the arrangements I mentioned earlier,” the Princess’s voice regained its usual gentleness as she realized her gaffe.

After the maid left, the Princess was silent for a long time, looking out the window with a complex expression, recalling her conversation with Luo Tan just now, and Mu Zhian’s figure.

A crudely refined pill containing Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy…

For some reason, an extremely absurd guess arose in her heart.

…

After the Princess left the quiet room, Luo Tan pulled Mu Zhian out from under the table. Seeing the young man’s slightly flushed face, seemingly from the heat, she couldn’t help but feel apologetic, “Sorry.”

“I’m fine, but when she came just now, she probably already sensed I was under the table, right?” Mu Zhian said helplessly.

“Perhaps. The Princess reached Dao Integration earlier than me, and she’s innately connected to the Great Dao, her perception is astonishing.”

Luo Tan smiled and glanced at the young man: “But we still have to keep up appearances.”

Mu Zhian nodded: “I understand.”

The Princess just had a minor conflict with him, and he immediately turned around and continued being intimate with Luo Tan… Even if it was just for show, as long as the Great Peng Emperor’s fiancée had a bit of emotional intelligence, she wouldn’t have exposed their intimacy in the quiet room just now.

The three people in the room all understood this, but they didn’t say anything.

“However, after this, she’ll probably be suspicious of your identity,” Luo Tan sighed softly.

Mu Zhian shrugged: “Since you trust her, I also believe she’ll keep the secret of the Innate Celestial Furnace even if she finds out.”

Luo Tan’s eyes flickered, a deep look in her eyes, “I do trust her… But I don’t want her to find out so soon.”

Mu Zhian asked doubtfully, “Why?”

Luo Tan was silent for a long time, then walked over in her snow-white knee-high boots, stopped before Mu Zhian, and said softly, “The Jade Empress isn’t here, and there are no women you know in Yu State… So you are my man.”

“I don’t want to share… Although I don’t think the Princess, with her pride, would take the initiative after learning the Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy originates from your cauldron, I don’t want to gamble on even the slightest possibility.”

Although the ancients often said ‘love grows over time’,

this hadn’t even started yet, and this Empress already had such possessiveness.

“Do you think I’m being too petty?” Seeing Mu Zhian’s silence, Luo Tan suddenly asked.

Mu Zhian sensed the gentleness hidden beneath the Empress’s elegant demeanor, shook his head, and said seriously, “Everyone has possessiveness, and I also like Your Majesty’s current possessiveness.”

Then, he saw a blush appear on the noble, elegant, and breathtakingly beautiful Empress of Yu State’s face as she glared at him.

Mu Zhian couldn’t help but smile.

Compared to her usually lofty and elegant demeanor, he preferred her current state, because this Luo Tan seemed more down-to-earth, not so distant.

Mu Zhian reached out and held Luo Tan’s slender hand, saying softly, “Your Majesty, how about now…”

Luo Tan gently caressed the young man’s face, trying to calm her heart, her voice soft and elegant, “Not yet, there are many more memorials during the Sabbath, I still have to deal with them later.”

Damn Sabbath… Mu Zhian nodded: “Then I won’t disturb Your Majesty any longer.”

He turned to leave the quiet room, but the woman behind him suddenly called out to him.

The moment Mu Zhian turned around, someone gently tugged on his collar. Looking up, he saw Luo Tan’s devastatingly beautiful and charming face.

Luo Tan slightly raised her head, their noses almost touching, their warm breaths brushing against each other’s faces.

The next moment, Luo Tan’s rosy and delicate lips lightly brushed against Mu Zhian’s, then she leaned close to his ear and whispered in a moist and sweet voice:

“Come to my bedchamber tonight and wait for me.”

Chapter 492: Good Sister, You Can’t Handle This, Let Me! 

Tang Xue Palace.

After dismissing the servants, Luo Tan removed her white boots and stepped into the bath. The water rose to her shoulders, and the curtains around the pool were drawn.

She turned her head, looking at the young man sitting not far away through the curtains, and said with a smile, “Don’t take what happened earlier to heart. The Great Peng Emperor has several consorts, but he cares most about this Princess. Seeing you chatting with her under a pavilion, it’s natural for him to lose his composure.”

“There’s nothing between the Princess and me. The Great Peng Emperor is just overthinking things,” Mu Zhian shook his head, not really concerned about this matter.

After all, there really wasn’t anything intimate between him and the Princess.

“Seeing how calm you are, it seems nothing really happened between you two.”

Luo Tan’s beautiful and refined face was expressionless. She gently scooped up some flower petals, admiring the snowy palace, and said faintly, “But didn’t you go back to rest earlier? Why were you with the Princess again?”

“I ran into the Princess on my way back. She said she had something to ask me, so she invited me to stay and chat for a bit,” Mu Zhian replied sincerely.

“And you agreed?”

Luo Tan’s beautiful eyes looked at Mu Zhian, gazing at his vaguely visible figure through the thin, gauze-like curtains, her tone cautionary, “Let me give you a heads-up. The Princess does seem gentle, making many men subconsciously lower their guard… However, in Cloud Province these past years, her popularity has even surpassed her fiancé’s. You understand what I mean, right?”

I get it, I get it. You mean the Princess looks gentle as water and is very beautiful, but she’s actually very scheming, unlike me, who always considers your best interests… Mu Zhian’s comprehension skills were maxed out. He nodded demurely, “I understand. Actually, if I have to say, the Princess only chatted with me because of Your Majesty.”

“Because of me?” Luo Tan’s tone held a hint of confusion.

“She’s suspicious of our relationship and worried that if our affair is discovered by the Nine Provinces cultivators, it will damage your reputation,” Mu Zhian explained.

“Perhaps she saw us in the garden earlier.”

Luo Tan hummed in acknowledgement, but didn’t say anything more.

“If our affair really does spread, it doesn’t seem like it would be good for Your Majesty’s reputation,” Mu Zhian said with some concern.

“And Your Majesty had a conflict with the Great Peng Emperor because of me today. What if he finds out about our affair and makes a big fuss about it?”

“Your Majesty, I’m worried about you,” Mu Zhian continued.

“You’re a rare talent. Since you’re worried about me, why not stay in Yu State? I’ll take care of everything else,” Luo Tan chuckled softly, seeing through Mu Zhian’s intentions.

“You’ve said so much, you actually just want to know why the Great Peng Emperor came to borrow the Myriad Transformations Qi Cauldron today, right?”

Mu Zhian was momentarily silent.

The Nine Provinces were vast; many cultivators couldn’t even leave their own province in their entire lives.

To Mu Zhian, Cloud Province was an extremely mysterious place, and Yu State always had interactions with Cloud Province. If he could learn a thing or two from Luo Tan, it might be useful in the future.

“If you want to understand Cloud Province, why not ask the Princess? She knows much more than I do,” Luo Tan’s tone and attitude suddenly turned colder.

“The Princess and I aren’t related, we’re not even acquaintances. I can’t possibly learn anything from her,” Mu Zhian said with a wry smile.

“Then how about I introduce you?” Luo Tan looked at Mu Zhian and said in a soft and calm voice.

Mu Zhian almost agreed.

But he quickly realized Luo Tan’s hidden meaning… Not only the Great Peng Emperor, but Luo Tan also cared about what he and the Princess talked about under the pavilion.

“No need, let’s leave it to fate. Besides, because of Your Majesty, the Princess isn’t very friendly towards me.”

Mu Zhian sighed softly with a helpless tone, “But what the Princess said wasn’t entirely unreasonable. If my affair with Your Majesty spreads, it wouldn’t matter for me, but your reputation, I’m afraid…”

The woman behind the curtains stood up and changed her clothes with the help of her personal maid. After a while, the curtains opened, revealing a breathtaking beauty in a loose white dress, her aura noble and elegant.

Luo Tan looked at Mu Zhian with a faint smile: “As long as you don’t mind, it’s fine. As for me… Not to mention the news won’t spread, even if it does, it doesn’t matter.”

“At worst, I’ll just marry you in Yu State, going with the flow.”

Then, if Jade Empress Sister comes back and finds out, she’ll probably throw me into the little black room on the spot… Mu Zhian smiled, not responding.

He left Tang Xue Palace with Luo Tan, walking along a quiet path towards the bedchamber.

Perhaps because she had just finished bathing, a pleasant fragrance faintly wafted from the woman walking ahead. Her hair slightly covered her beautiful and charming face, and a delicate red flower ornament adorned her forehead.

It was in the shape of a plum blossom.

Her figure was captivating, her every move exuding the nobility and elegance of an empress.

Soon, the two arrived at Daochu Palace. Luo Tan led Mu Zhian to a quiet room. Two chairs, a finely crafted table, a soft white cloth covering the table, and pink and white flowers adorned the room.

The space was spacious, everything appearing incredibly luxurious.

Graceful maids entered the quiet room carrying trays, placing various medicinal dishes on the table.

Almost every dish emitted a faint rosy light, the trays overflowing with Spiritual Energy, quite extraordinary.

“You may all leave,” Luo Tan instructed softly.

After the maids left and closed the lattice door, Luo Tan, in a loose white dress, sat on a chair. Her hair was slightly messy from her recent bath, simply tied up with a hairpin, strands of hair framing her face, adding a touch of charm.

Mu Zhian casually glanced over and saw the medicinal dishes on white jade plates through the table.

Then, he glanced at the Empress sitting opposite him, his gaze instantly fixed on her chest.

Truly unfathomable…

But when you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you… Mu Zhian quickly looked away, assuming the posture of a gentleman.

Luo Tan seemed to have noticed something and looked at Mu Zhian with a playful gaze.

Mu Zhian said seriously, “Your Majesty, you didn’t have to specially prepare these medicinal dishes, going through so much trouble. This makes me feel somewhat uneasy.”

Luo Tan rested her cheek on her hand, her ample bosom pressing against the table, and said with a faint smile, “The medicinal dishes in Yu State are different from other places. You’ll know their wonders after just one bite.”

Mu Zhian calmly picked up his chopsticks, took a bite, and occasionally glanced at her discreetly.

It had to be said, with a beauty accompanying him, this medicinal meal was indeed quite delicious.

Such a superb beauty, her voluptuous figure, and the charm hidden in her eyes at this moment… calling it a feast for the eyes wasn’t an exaggeration.

“The Great Peng Emperor wanted to borrow the Myriad Transformations Qi Cauldron today. Do you think I should lend it to him?”

Luo Tan admired Mu Zhian sitting opposite her and casually brought up the question.

Mu Zhian was stunned for a moment, then said calmly, “Your Majesty, if I remember correctly, Cloud Province and Yu State have always been allies, right? Whether to lend the Great Peng Emperor the Myriad Transformations Qi Cauldron is something Your Majesty should decide, it’s not appropriate for me to interfere.”

Luo Tan casually picked up a pastry from the white jade plate, put it in her rosy mouth, and said slowly, “With our relationship, there’s no need to be so distant. Just speak frankly.”

“Your Majesty should already have the answer in your heart, why ask me again?”

Mu Zhian saw through Luo Tan’s thoughts at a glance: “The Myriad Transformations Qi Cauldron is mostly used as an ancestral artifact for refining pills. The only one in this world who can possibly refine immortal-grade pills is Your Majesty. And the only reason the Great Peng Emperor wants the Myriad Transformations Qi Cauldron is for immortal-grade pills.”

“But according to Your Majesty just now, he wanted to borrow the cauldron, not ask you to help refine pills… This is concerning.”

“I think Your Majesty also has some doubts, even worries, about this, right?”

Luo Tan silently gazed at Mu Zhian: “Sometimes I wonder why I didn’t meet you sooner.”

Even without the strengthening of the Innate Celestial Furnace constitution, Mu Zhian could still be her advisor.

Then… she could have Mu Zhian do things for her, and when there was nothing to do, she could do Mu Zhian.

It was just a pity that it was too late to think about these things now.

“You guessed correctly, I do have some doubts about the Great Peng Emperor suddenly wanting to borrow the cauldron.”

Luo Tan said, “He obtained a quasi-immortal medicine earlier.”

Mu Zhian was somewhat surprised: “So the Great Peng Emperor borrowing the cauldron really is to refine pills? But besides you, who else in this world is confident in refining immortal-grade pills?”

Luo Tan gently shook her head: “I can’t guess what the Great Peng Emperor is planning… But perhaps after the Princess returns to Cloud Province, the answer will be revealed.”

Mu Zhian was stunned: “Didn’t you say their relationship isn’t very good?”

“Indeed, it’s not very good, but the Princess’s status in Cloud Province is noble. The Great Peng Emperor’s actions can’t be completely hidden from her.”

Luo Tan looked at Mu Zhian and said with a faint smile, “Let’s not talk about this for now. Didn’t you ask me about combining Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy with pills today?”

“Does Your Majesty already have a solution?” A glint of light flashed through Mu Zhian’s eyes.

Luo Tan took out a jade bottle from her sleeve, placed it on the table, and poured out a second-grade Minor Rejuvenation Pill.

She toyed with this worthless pill, her gaze casually glancing at Mu Zhian: “Do you know the difference between high-grade pills and low-grade pills?”

Mu Zhian pondered for a moment: “If I remember correctly, the higher the pill grade, the more likely it is to attract a Pill Tribulation. If an alchemist’s strength is insufficient, the pills they refine might even turn to dust during the Pill Tribulation.”

“But there are some exceptions,” Luo Tan gazed into Mu Zhian’s eyes and said with a faint smile, “All things have spirits, and pills are the same. Some high-grade pills, the moment they’re refined, might even try to escape.”

“And these high-grade pills can often withstand Pill Tribulations on their own, without the alchemist’s protection.”

Mu Zhian understood the underlying meaning in Luo Tan’s words: “Your Majesty means I need to refine high-grade pills to contain Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy?”

Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy was vast and boundless. The moment it was infused into a pill, the pill might instantly shatter.

But the higher the pill grade, the less likely it was to shatter. He refined second-grade pills before because his alchemy skills could only support refining second-grade pills. But if he refined high-grade pills, then infused them with Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy… what would happen?

“Indeed, I refined Minor Rejuvenation Pills in the past because my alchemy skills were average, and the alchemy competition was imminent. But now, with enough time, I can slowly hone my alchemy skills…” Mu Zhian murmured thoughtfully.

“Besides that, there’s actually another method to refine the Heavenly Court pills you want.”

Luo Tan’s words instantly caught Mu Zhian’s attention.

“What method?” Mu Zhian asked.

“There’s no rule stating that all pills must be refined by a single person. Some high-grade pills have extremely high requirements for the alchemist’s spiritual power and mental energy, so some high-grade pills are often refined by two or three people.”

“You mean… Your Majesty and I refine pills together?” Mu Zhian understood Luo Tan’s meaning. During the alchemy competition before, there were some problems with Ye Lingxuan’s pill, and it was Mu Zhian who assisted her, ultimately completing that unique Heavenly Court pill.

“During the alchemy competition last time, you ultimately helped the Forbidden Zone imperial daughter win in this way. I think you should be very familiar with this method of alchemy, right?”

Luo Tan casually picked up some food from the plate, placed it in Mu Zhian’s bowl, and looked at him with a smile.

Mu Zhian also gazed at her noble and beautiful face. The snow-white dress clung tightly to her voluptuous and graceful figure, her curves fully displayed, as if her every move, even the act of eating, was incredibly elegant.

Just then, Luo Tan suddenly stood up, placed her hands on the table, and slowly approached the young man.

Mu Zhian subconsciously looked up at her, then, as if drawn by some force, his gaze involuntarily fell to her neckline.

This time, it really wasn’t Mu Zhian’s fault. After all, any normal man… couldn’t help but look, especially with the current ambiguous atmosphere between them.

Luo Tan clearly noticed the young man’s gaze. In Yu State, anyone looking directly at the Empress like this was considered disrespectful. But facing Mu Zhian’s direct gaze, not only wasn’t she annoyed, but a smile even appeared at the corner of her mouth.

Mu Zhian watched as her beautiful face approached him, the distance between them closing bit by bit. At this moment, time seemed to slow down.

Finally, Mu Zhian couldn’t resist any longer. He stood up, wrapped his arms around Luo Tan’s neck, and kissed her rosy, rouge-painted lips.

Finally tasted it…

Having been interrupted by the Great Peng Emperor once before, Mu Zhian felt some regret, but in this quiet room, there wouldn’t be any interruptions.

Just as Mu Zhian was about to close his eyes and enjoy the softness of the Empress’s lips, Luo Tan seemed to sense something, her eyelashes trembling slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

Before Mu Zhian could finish speaking, Luo Tan suddenly placed a finger against his lips, making a “shh” sound, then held his hand, and before he could speak, pulled him under the table.

“She’s coming,” Luo Tan transmitted her voice to Mu Zhian.

Almost at the same time, a knock came from outside the quiet room, accompanied by a woman’s soft voice: “Is it convenient to come in now?”

Luo Tan casually glanced at the young man beneath the table, then covered him with a cloth, enveloped him with Spiritual Energy to conceal his aura, looked up, and said with her usual elegant demeanor and a smile, “There’s no need to be so polite between us, come in.”

As her voice fell, the door to the quiet room opened.

Luo Tan looked at her close friend and said with a smile, “I just had some medicinal dishes prepared, you can join me.”

The beautiful and alluring Princess glanced at the medicinal dishes on the table, then said with a half-smile, “I’ll pass, lest I interrupt your good time.”

“These were prepared for that young cultivator called Mu Zhian, right? Where is he now?” The Princess sized up Luo Tan and asked.

Luo Tan crossed her legs under the table and said with a smile, “He left after finishing the medicinal dishes.”

The Princess raised an eyebrow slightly and sat down opposite Luo Tan: “It seems he’s deliberately avoiding me?”

Luo Tan said faintly, “You just met him and persuaded him to leave my side, naturally he doesn’t want to see you.”

“You know about it…?”

It seemed Mu Zhian had ‘complained’ to Luo Tan… The Princess sighed softly, “Even if you don’t care about your own reputation, don’t you care about what the Jade Empress would think if she knew her Dao Companion was being…”

She suddenly stopped speaking, turning her face away, a faint blush appearing on her fair cheeks.

Although she wore a veil, it wasn’t hard to imagine the beauty of the Princess’s face.

“Don’t worry, I know my limits,” Luo Tan said calmly, “You suddenly came to see me, you must have something important to say, right?”

The Princess quickly collected her thoughts and nodded gently: “I might know why the Great Peng Emperor wants to borrow the Myriad Transformations Qi Cauldron.”

She gazed into Luo Tan’s eyes and said, “The Northern Frontier’s Star Abyss, even Dao Integration Realm experts are suppressed there. The Great Peng Emperor went to the Star Abyss before, and he bragged to me that he had found the method to transcend and ascend.”

“Star Abyss? Isn’t that where the forbidden beings reside? Those sealed old monsters would let the Great Peng Emperor enter?” Luo Tan’s eyes flickered, and she hesitated.

Within the Nine Provinces, there were several ‘forbidden lands’, all formed by ancient forbidden beings.

According to Luo Tan’s deductions, the lifespans of these forbidden beings were even longer than the current Dao Integration Realm experts.

However, they seemed to be sealed by someone, unable to leave for their entire lives.

Because they had been sealed for too long, these forbidden beings were incredibly violent, attacking any cultivator who set foot there… But the Great Peng Emperor not only entered the forbidden land, but even took a stalk of Immortal Medicine from within?

The mature and beautiful Princess sat on the chair, her gaze fixed, and said seriously, “This matter is strange. I’ll investigate clearly after returning to Cloud Province this time. As for the Myriad Transformations Qi Cauldron… don’t lend it out for now.”

Luo Tan chuckled softly, “Do you really think I plan to lend it out? The Myriad Transformations Qi Cauldron is a sacred artifact of Yu State. There’s no way I would let it leave Yu State… No matter who asks to borrow it.”

“What if it’s Mu Zhian?” the Princess suddenly asked casually.

Luo Tan’s smile faded slightly: “Why do you suddenly mention him?”

Seeing this, an incredulous and strange look appeared on the Princess’s beautiful face beneath her veil: “You didn’t refuse immediately… Could it be that if Mu Zhian really wanted to borrow the cauldron, you would actually lend it to him?”

“What kind of love potion did that person give you? The Myriad Transformations Qi Cauldron is the cornerstone of Yu State, carrying the faith of an entire province… You—”

At this moment, the Princess felt a pain in her chest from anger, momentarily speechless.

She had reached Dao Integration earlier than Luo Tan and even saved Luo Tan’s life once. She had always seen Luo Tan as a younger sister.

But now, not only did Luo Tan find a Dao Companion, but this Dao Companion already had other women…

And one of them was even the Jade Empress.

“What’s so good about this Mu Zhian that you have to protect him like this?” The mature and beautiful woman sighed softly. Even with her veil, it wasn’t hard to imagine the displeasure on her beautiful face.

Because of this Mu Zhian, she even had a conflict with the Great Peng Emperor.

Although she didn’t care what the Great Peng Emperor thought.

Luo Tan looked at the Princess with complex eyes and said faintly, “You don’t understand.”

“It seems I can’t persuade you… But Mu Zhian is ultimately the Jade Empress’s Dao Companion. If you’re intimate with him… remember not to let anyone outside know,” the Princess sighed helplessly, her brows furrowing with worry.

They hadn’t seen each other for a long time, yet she didn’t expect this close friend to have developed such a strange hobby as ‘liking married men’…

And the other party was a little cultivator who seemed to be less than twenty years old?

The Jade Empress too, and now the Pill Emperor as well… These two Empresses were so proud, how could they be so devoted to a little cultivator?

Besides being handsome and delicate, easily arousing a woman’s maternal instincts… did that little cultivator have any other merits?

Talent? Luck? Luo Tan and the Jade Empress had seen countless talented and lucky people in the past. It was obvious it wasn’t related to these two things.

Perhaps it was simply because they were compatible… The Princess could only comfort herself this way.

“Sister, have some medicinal dishes before you leave?” Seeing the Princess seemingly giving up, Luo Tan couldn’t help but invite her with a smile.

The Princess glanced at Luo Tan, then lifted her veil, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful face.

It was no wonder the Great Peng Emperor had been pursuing her all these years and refused to give up. Such beauty was truly rare in this world.

“Eh…? When did you have the time to refine this grade of pill?”

Just then, the Princess suddenly asked doubtfully, picking up the small jade bottle on the table.

Luo Tan’s eyes changed slightly, “Wait—”

Before she could finish speaking, the Princess had already opened the jade bottle, then chuckled softly, “A second-grade pill… Even children in Yu State can refine this, right? I didn’t expect you to have the time to refine Minor Rejuvenation Pills—”

Her voice suddenly stopped, as if sensing something unusual. She frowned and sniffed the pills in the jade bottle.

“…”

After a long silence, the Princess slowly looked up, her gaze instantly sharpening, staring intently at Luo Tan: “This pill originates from the Heavenly Court…”

“Where did you get this?”

Chapter 491: The Princess Breaks Up the Lovebirds? p2

If Mu Zhian didn’t have a Dao Companion, the rumors outside would at most be about Her Majesty the Pill Emperor liking to refine that kind of bronze or something. But the problem was… Mu Zhian did have a Dao Companion, and his Dao Companion was the Jade Empress.

If the Jade Empress knew about this, what would happen?

Mu Zhian thought, What would happen if I said, ‘Your Highness, you wouldn’t want the matter between Luo Tan and me to spread, would you’ at this time?

“Feelings can’t be forced, Your Highness, it’s best not to interfere.” Although he thought about it, Mu Zhian didn’t waste any more time and stood up, intending to leave.

Seeing this, the Princess opened her red lips slightly, about to call out to Mu Zhian.

But just then, a clear voice suddenly came from the distance: “I couldn’t find you anywhere, so my beloved consort is sitting here alone.”

Accompanied by a flash of dazzling golden light, the Great Peng Emperor instantly appeared under the pavilion, vast Spiritual Energy filling the entire world.

And as his voice fell, Mu Zhian paused slightly, secretly sizing up the tall and large man before him.

So this is the ruler of Cloud Province, the Great Peng Emperor?

With the man’s arrival, the smile on the Princess’s face turned colder, and she said calmly, “Why are you here?”

“I have some matters to discuss with the Pill Emperor and came to see you by the way.”

As the Great Peng Emperor spoke, seeing the unfamiliarity and distance in the Princess’s smile, his mood sank.

Then, he quickly noticed Mu Zhian not far from his beloved consort and frowned, “Who is this little cultivator?”

As he spoke, his sharp gaze sized up Mu Zhian condescendingly. On the surface, he was asking the Princess, but he was actually waiting for Mu Zhian’s subservient reply.

The Princess glanced at Mu Zhian and took the initiative to smooth things over, saying softly, “I have some things to ask him, so I asked him to stay here for a while.”

Hearing this, a cold glint appeared in the Great Peng Emperor’s eyes: “What could you possibly have to discuss with a little cultivator who just reached Nascent Soul Realm?”

Although the Great Peng Emperor had never touched this Princess in all these years, in the heart of this Cloud Province ruler, he had long considered the most beautiful woman in Cloud Province as his forbidden possession.

After all, no matter what, the Princess was his fiancée on the surface.

Yet now, he actually saw a handsome and delicate young cultivator chatting with his fiancée under a pavilion. As the ruler of a province, how could he not be angry?

And to him, this little cultivator was just an ant he could crush with one foot… Yet the other party didn’t show the slightest bit of fear upon seeing him. Did he really think he wouldn’t dare kill him just because the Princess was present?

The Great Peng Emperor’s eyes were cold, filled with killing intent, and he said calmly, “What were you talking about with my beloved consort just now?”

An invisible pressure emanated from his words.

As expected, he saw a ‘fearful’ expression appear on the little cultivator’s face.

Then, he looked at the Princess with a troubled expression, “Your Highness, what I just discussed with you, I shouldn’t speak of it to others, right?”

The matter just now involved Luo Tan’s privacy and naturally couldn’t be spoken of. The Princess also knew this and said softly, “Mmm… This matter has nothing to do with you, you can go back first.”

Mu Zhian turned to leave, but just then, he felt a vast surge of Spiritual Energy descending from behind.

The Spiritual Energy surged like a tsunami, as if wanting to crush his knees, incredibly domineering.

“Great Peng Emperor, he’s here at my invitation. What do you intend to do to him?” The Princess frowned. The moment she spoke, an invisible wall of Spiritual Energy blocked the pressure from the Great Peng Emperor.

If the Princess hadn’t intervened, it would have been fine. However, her protecting Mu Zhian completely ignited the Great Peng Emperor’s fury: “What important matters could you possibly discuss with a little cultivator? And you can’t even tell me?”

The Princess frowned: “I’ve already said, this matter has nothing to do with you.”

“Also, we are only husband and wife on the surface, but we don’t interfere with each other’s affairs. You also agreed to this back then, didn’t you?” This time, the Princess used voice transmission.

Seeing his fiancée protecting an outsider like this, undisguised killing intent and fury appeared in the Great Peng Emperor’s eyes.

A mere little cultivator who just reached Nascent Soul Realm, no matter his purpose in approaching his beloved consort, deserved to die.

“Just for a little cultivator, you’re planning to turn against me?”

The Great Peng Emperor’s face turned cold. He wanted to see how the Princess would react if he made a move.

However, just as he took half a step forward, a crisp and pleasant voice came from the distance: “Young Master Mu is an esteemed guest of my Yu State. If you touch him, don’t blame me for disregarding our past alliance.”

As the woman’s voice fell, the Great Peng Emperor’s condensed Spiritual Energy faltered. He seemed to realize something, his eyes widening slightly, looking at Mu Zhian in surprise: “Young Master Mu… Mu Zhian? You’re the little cultivator who married the Jade Empress?”

Mu Zhian didn’t respond.

This person’s words and actions carried the arrogance of a great power. Respect was mutual. Since the other party wasn’t giving him face, why should he bother responding?

A flash of anger appeared in the Great Peng Emperor’s eyes. To him, the Jade Empress was the Jade Empress, and Mu Zhian was Mu Zhian. Even if they were married, Mu Zhian was ultimately just a little cultivator who had just entered the cultivation world, yet he was putting on airs before him?

However… even the Pill Emperor cared so much about him. Was it because the Pill Emperor wanted to curry favor with the Jade Empress, or… was there some secret about this person that made the Pill Emperor protect him?

As if guessing the Great Peng Emperor’s thoughts, Luo Tan walked over in her white jade boots and said faintly, “The Jade Empress came to Yu State earlier and asked me to look after Young Master Mu these few days. If he’s injured in Yu State… Does the Great Peng Emperor want to test the power of the World-Purifying Green Lotus after Transcendence?”

The Great Peng Emperor was momentarily speechless.

The current Jade Empress was at the Transcendence Realm. He didn’t know what the relationship between the Jade Empress and Mu Zhian was, but if he offended the Jade Empress because of Mu Zhian, it wouldn’t be worth it.

The Great Peng Emperor snorted coldly, “I wasn’t planning to touch him just now. It’s just that he was chatting with my beloved consort under a pavilion, so I was curious and asked him a few questions. I didn’t expect that after becoming the Jade Empress’s Dao Companion, this Young Friend Mu doesn’t even understand the principle of respecting his seniors.”

He couldn’t back down now. After all, to the Great Peng Emperor, Mu Zhian was just a little cultivator, nothing without the Jade Empress.

Such a little cultivator actually dared to chat with his beloved consort, and they even had secrets… Thinking of this, the Great Peng Emperor felt an nameless anger burning in his heart.

Luo Tan said with a faint smile, “Although Young Master Mu hasn’t been cultivating for long, he’s now the Jade Empress’s husband, essentially on equal footing with you and me.”

“Does the Great Peng Emperor have anything else? A great power staying in my Yu State will inevitably make the cultivators below uneasy.” Luo Tan’s tone was calm, but her words implied she wanted him to leave.

The Great Peng Emperor stared at Mu Zhian sharply. After a while, he forced himself to calm down, retracted his gaze, and said, “Pill Emperor, I hope you’ll consider today’s matter carefully… It’s beneficial to both you and me. I can even exchange a stalk of Emperor Medicine for it.”

After saying that, he gave the sexy and graceful Princess beside him one last look, then turned into a Kun Peng and vanished into the sky.

The Princess seemed somewhat concerned about the Great Peng Emperor’s purpose today and asked, “What did he say to you?”

Luo Tan said faintly, “He wants to borrow the Myriad Transformations Qi Cauldron.”

The Princess was stunned, seemingly not expecting the Great Peng Emperor to set his sights on the Myriad Transformations Qi Cauldron.

“Why would he borrow the Myriad Transformations Qi Cauldron for no reason…?” Her eyes flickered, pondering this matter.

“Thanks to you protecting Young Master Mu today, otherwise, if something really happened, I wouldn’t know how to explain it to the Jade Empress.”

After a moment, Luo Tan broke the Princess’s train of thought, then looked at Mu Zhian with gentle eyes, “Come with me.”

“Where to?” Mu Zhian asked.

“My bedchamber.”

Almost the moment Luo Tan spoke, the Princess subconsciously looked up at her.

Luo Tan’s every move was noble and elegant. As she walked over, the tassels of her golden hair ornament swayed gently, and she said with a smile, “Didn’t you have some questions about alchemy you wanted to ask me?”

Is it really just discussing alchemy…? Mu Zhian came back to his senses, looked at the Princess, and said, “Then we’ll take our leave, Your Highness.”

The Princess gazed at the two as they left, her usually gentle eyes now filled with doubt.

This person must be hiding some secret… Otherwise, just the Jade Empress alone is already absurd enough, it doesn’t make sense that even Luo Tan would be so infatuated…

It can’t be that she just wants to refine that kind of bronze, right?

Thinking of this, a somewhat unrealistic thought suddenly flashed through the Princess’s mind.

She recalled something Luo Tan said when she first arrived.

“The secret of Transcendence…”

She gazed in the direction where the two left, her beautiful eyes sparkling.

Chapter 491: The Princess Breaks Up the Lovebirds? p1

Luo Tan returned to the Imperial Heart Hall, followed by her maid. The hall wasn’t lavishly decorated, but a faint fragrance of medicinal herbs lingered in the air.

Soft carpets stretched from the entrance to the throne at the far end, giving the hall a solemn and majestic atmosphere.

“Invite the Great Peng Emperor to the hall,” Luo Tan instructed softly.

Her hairstyle was intricate and elegant, adorned with a precious golden hair ornament. A priceless golden scale pearl was inlaid at the end of the golden tassel, swaying gently with her graceful steps, beautiful and noble.

The maid discreetly glanced at the Empress. A faint blush still lingered on Her Majesty’s beautiful face, but she had already regained her usual noble and inviolable demeanor, clearly having recovered from her earlier emotional state.

If she hadn’t personally witnessed Her Majesty being embraced by a man… she wouldn’t have believed such a thing, not even if she were beaten to death.

The maid quickly lowered her head and immediately left the hall to summon the Great Peng Emperor.

After a while, Luo Tan heard a hearty laugh from the distance: “Pill Emperor, it’s quite difficult to see you. However, I have urgent matters to discuss, so I came uninvited. Please forgive my intrusion.”

A rather handsome man in dark battle armor, a golden crown holding his hair in place, walked into the hall.

However, appearances didn’t really matter, at least not to Dao Integration Realm experts. They had seen countless handsome cultivators, and no matter how handsome they were, they couldn’t compare to Mu Zhian’s beauty.

“Since the founding of Yu State and the consolidation of its national fortune, we’ve had close ties with Cloud Province. We are allies, Great Peng Emperor, there’s no need to be so polite.”

Luo Tan smiled, casually glancing at the envoy following the Great Peng Emperor, then retracting her gaze, and said, “However, in the past, communications between Cloud Province and Yu State were mostly through envoys. What urgent matter brings the Emperor himself to my Yu State today?”

The Great Peng Emperor gave the envoy beside him a look, and the envoy immediately understood, quietly withdrawing.

A playful glint appeared in Luo Tan’s eyes. It seemed the Great Peng Emperor’s sudden visit to Yu State truly was for something very important.

“You may also withdraw,” she said to the maid beside her.

“Yes.”

After preparing tea for the two, the maid bowed slightly and left the hall.

The Great Peng Emperor took a sip of tea, then said with a smile, “Although it’s the same Dao Comprehension Tea, the one from Yu State is much more fragrant than the one from my Cloud Province. As expected, in terms of alchemy, Yu State’s skills far surpass other places.”

Luo Tan’s expression remained unchanged. She lowered her eyelids slightly and said, “Emperor, please speak frankly.”

Anyone with discerning eyes could tell that the Great Peng Emperor’s visit today was definitely for an important matter, let alone Luo Tan. Moreover, she wasn’t in the mood to exchange meaningless pleasantries with him.

Hearing this, the Great Peng Emperor couldn’t help but smile, “The Pill Emperor is truly clever. Actually, I came here today for this…”

He took out an exquisite jade box from his storage ring.

The moment he opened the jade box, a burst of astonishingly dense Spiritual Energy erupted, and a captivating rosy light filled the hall, as if two phoenixes were circling within.

Luo Tan’s eyes finally changed slightly, somewhat surprised: “Emperor Medicine…? No, its Spiritual Energy far surpasses Emperor Medicine, close to Immortal Medicine? You cultivated Immortal Medicine?”

Immortal Medicine, this was beyond the scope of what Dao Integration Realm experts could cultivate. Let alone great powers, even true immortals might not be able to cultivate Immortal Medicine.

In the past ten thousand years, Luo Tan had also tried to cultivate Immortal Medicine many times, but all ended in failure.

One must know, her Pill Immortal Physique was naturally close to all kinds of pills and heavenly materials and earthly treasures in this world, yet even she hadn’t cultivated Immortal Medicine. The Great Peng Emperor taking out such a quasi-immortal medicine was naturally surprising.

The Great Peng Emperor smiled: “Even the Pill Emperor hasn’t cultivated Immortal Medicine, let alone others.”

“I obtained this Immortal Medicine by chance earlier. It was on a cliff in the Northern Frontier. The Spiritual Energy of cultivators passing through there would be sealed. Even my Spiritual Energy seemed to be suppressed when I stepped inside.”

Luo Tan nodded silently, understanding.

The Nine Provinces was a miraculous land where ‘Immortals’ were once born. In this vast and boundless alien starry sky, only the Nine Provinces had ever nurtured such existences as ‘Immortals’.

And when that Immortal fell in the past, she left behind many miracles in the Nine Provinces. This Immortal Medicine was perhaps also created by the Immortal.

“Emperor coming to find me, it shouldn’t be just to show off this Immortal Medicine, right?” Luo Tan said faintly.

“The Pill Emperor is very clever. Actually, I came here this time to borrow something from you.”

Luo Tan raised a delicate eyebrow: “What?”

“The Myriad Transformations Qi Cauldron,” the Great Peng Emperor said, staring intently into Luo Tan’s eyes.

“I know the importance of the Myriad Transformations Qi Cauldron to Yu State. I can swear that in half a month, I will definitely return it.”

Luo Tan seemed to realize something and said softly, “You want to refine Immortal Medicine and transcend?”

She quickly shook her head: “In the Nine Provinces, even I’m not sure I can refine immortal-grade pills. Even if you borrow the Myriad Transformations Qi Cauldron, how do you plan to refine the pill?”

The Great Peng Emperor smiled: “There’s no need for the Pill Emperor to worry about that. What you truly need to consider is whether you’re willing to lend the Myriad Transformations Qi Cauldron.”

“What if I refuse?” Luo Tan asked casually.

The smile on the Great Peng Emperor’s face faded slightly, and he slowly said, “Last time, during the Jade Empress’s Transcendence, all parties in the Nine Provinces secretly made some moves, but Yu State and the Demon Realm were exceptions… And this ultimately resulted in the Jade Empress successfully transcending, breaking the established order of the Nine Provinces.”

Luo Tan chuckled softly, “You mean to blame me for not stopping the Jade Empress back then?”

Although her smile was bright, her tone was cold.

The Great Peng Emperor shook his head: “I just feel it’s a pity. With the Pill Emperor’s reputation in the Nine Provinces, if you had called out back then, there would have been many great powers willing to give you face.”

“But what benefit would I gain from doing that?” Luo Tan asked faintly.

“I know Cloud Province also participated in the Jade Empress’s Transcendence, but you didn’t contribute much from the shadows, wanting to reap the benefits, didn’t you?” Luo Tan continued.

Cloud Province wanted to reap the benefits, and now they were secretly blaming her?

Seeing Luo Tan’s displeased expression, the Great Peng Emperor’s eyes flickered. He quickly smiled and said, “The Pill Emperor has her own plans. If I truly had any objections, I would have spoken to you long ago, why wait until today?”

“Besides, it’s too late to say anything now. The Jade Empress has already transcended, and the Jade Pool Holy Land stands alone. If the Jade Pool Holy Land continues to grow stronger in the future, and she starts having ideas about other powers, it will be troublesome.”

The Great Peng Emperor changed the subject: “If I can transcend and ascend at this time, I can guarantee that Yu State will always be a steadfast ally of Cloud Province in the future.”

Luo Tan hummed softly: “I’ll think about it.”

The Great Peng Emperor frowned slightly. Although he was dissatisfied with this result, since she didn’t explicitly refuse, it meant there was still hope. He couldn’t press her further now.

He quickly changed the topic: “If I remember correctly, my beloved consort also came to Yu State. Is she in your palace now?”

Luo Tan nodded gently: “If you want to see her, you can go. However, the Princess is an important guest of my Yu State. I don’t want to see unnecessary conflicts in my territory.”

The Great Peng Emperor nodded: “Naturally, no matter what, I won’t cause trouble for my ally.”

Luo Tan smiled faintly, watching as the Great Peng Emperor turned into a blur and vanished from sight. Only then did a cold look gradually appear in her eyes.

Ally?

Did he really think she didn’t know how Cloud Province gradually rose to power all these years?

She casually retracted her gaze and said faintly, “Prepare a petal bath in Tang Xue Palace.”

The maid entered the hall, and hearing Her Majesty’s words, she couldn’t help but be stunned: Her Majesty is going to Tang Xue Palace?

Tang Xue Palace was an extremely luxurious place, usually only rewarded to talented young ladies from noble families. There were even rumors that after bathing in Tang Xue Palace, one’s cultivation realm could advance a level within just a few days.

As the Pill Emperor of Yu State, it was natural for her to enjoy some luxury, but Her Majesty had just been there a few days ago. It was rare for her to go again so soon…

The maid quickly reacted and bowed slightly: “Yes, this servant will go and make the arrangements.”

…

Mu Zhian sat under the pavilion, seemingly casually admiring the scenery outside, but secretly observing the Princess, whose figure was as alluring as a ripe peach.

Undoubtedly, this Princess of Cloud Province was indeed a very beautiful woman.

Only when Mu Zhian sat down opposite her did he notice she was wearing a long, fitted dress, a thin sash outlining her slender waist. Her beautiful eyes always held a hazy look, as if filled with spring, charming and gentle.

However, judging from how this Princess dared to bicker with Yao Meng earlier, it wasn’t hard to guess that this woman only appeared gentle as water on the surface. Only when you got close to her would you realize that she was like a deep pool of water, completely unfathomable.

“There’s something I want to confirm.”

Just then, the Princess’s voice pulled Mu Zhian back to reality. She toyed with her teacup, her gentle and charming eyes gazing at Mu Zhian: “You and the Jade Empress are Dao Companions, correct?”

Although she didn’t make any seductive moves, her every action seemed to carry an alluring charm, like a ripe peach waiting to be picked.

It was no wonder the Great Peng Emperor was so infatuated with her. This Princess was not only powerful, but also possessed exceptional temperament and beauty.

“The Jade Empress and I are indeed Dao Companions,” Mu Zhian didn’t deny it. Everyone in the Nine Provinces knew this, and he had just encountered this Princess when he came to Yu State with Yao Meng earlier.

How close Yao Meng and Mu Zhian were was something this Princess had witnessed with her own eyes.

“How honest, I like honest, good boys.”

A charming smile bloomed on the Princess’s beautiful face beneath her veil. She tilted her head slightly, sizing up Mu Zhian: “Then what is your relationship with Luo Tan?”

Her voice remained incredibly gentle, as if asking an ordinary question, but her tone carried the arrogance of a superior.

Clearly, although Mu Zhian was the Jade Empress’s Dao Companion, Nascent Soul Realm was just Nascent Soul Realm. To her, Mu Zhian was just a junior.

Towards a junior, there was no need to be polite.

“Since you’ve already seen it, why ask again?” Mu Zhian also noticed the Princess’s arrogance, so his tone became more casual.

“I know you have a close relationship with her, but I don’t understand. In the past ten thousand years since achieving Dao Integration, she has never had any physical contact with any man, devoting herself to her Immortal Dynasty and alchemy, but why—”

Before the Princess could finish speaking, Mu Zhian interrupted faintly, “Since you heard our conversation earlier, you should have also heard what she said later, right?”

The Princess was momentarily silent.

“A great power’s lifespan is extremely long, and she’s also the Pill Emperor, her lifespan even harder to estimate… But doing the same things day after day, it’s inevitable to feel bored over time.”

Mu Zhian said, “So, Her Majesty being intimate with me now is probably because she wants to find some excitement in this boring life…”

Is this explanation reasonable enough? I know you’re her best friend, but I’ve already given such a reasonable explanation, so don’t bother me anymore…

However, hearing this, the Princess couldn’t help but shake her head slowly: “With her personality, she wouldn’t choose a little cultivator who just reached Nascent Soul Realm, especially since you already have Dao Companions.”

Her beautiful eyes gazed at Mu Zhian tenderly: “Can’t you tell me the real reason?”

Mu Zhian sighed softly, “This junior has already told you everything I know. If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do.”

He paused, then continued, “Perhaps it’s because during the alchemy competition at the Two Polarities Sect some time ago, Her Majesty saw some skill in my alchemy and thus developed an appreciation for my talent.”

“Mere appreciation for talent isn’t enough to make her so infatuated with you.”

The Princess spoke again, her voice always gentle, like gently scratching an itch in one’s heart, “You should know Luo Tan’s identity, right?”

Before Mu Zhian could answer, she continued leisurely, “She’s the Empress of Yu State. In Yu State, her status is equivalent to a god. If the matter of you being intimate with her today were to spread… What do you think would happen?”

Is this breaking us up…? Mu Zhian nodded gently, “I know, so we weren’t intimate outside. If it weren’t for Your Highness being here today, probably no one else would know about this.”

The Princess’s delicate brows furrowed slightly.

This little cultivator seemed easy to talk to, but he was actually quite stubborn.

“What will it take for you to leave her?”

She had realized Mu Zhian was a tough nut to crack, but she was also somewhat displeased with his persistence, “A stalk of Emperor Medicine, is that enough?”

Mu Zhian was stunned, a playful glint appearing in his eyes: “I’ll give Your Highness two stalks of Emperor Medicine, how about you package yourself up and give yourself to me?”

A flash of anger appeared in the Princess’s eyes, but it quickly vanished, her gaze returning to its usual gentleness: “As expected of the Jade Empress’s Dao Companion, your strength isn’t much, but you’re quite the smooth talker.”

Mu Zhian shrugged: “Does Your Highness really think a stalk of Emperor Medicine can make someone submit?”

Having finally gotten close to Luo Tan, he wouldn’t give up just because of a stalk of Emperor Medicine, right?

Not to mention the Empress’s status and position in Yu State, just her beauty and the dual cultivation benefits from her Innate Celestial Furnace weren’t something a stalk of Emperor Medicine could compare to.

“What exactly do you want?” The Princess’s tone had lost some of its gentleness, becoming colder.

Once the matter between Mu Zhian and Luo Tan spread, it would undoubtedly damage Luo Tan’s reputation.

 

Chapter 490: He Really… I’m Gonna Cry 

Looking after others wasn’t Luo Tan’s forte.

She was the Empress of Yu State. Besides handling the affairs of the immortal court, she spent most of her time cultivating and researching alchemy.

Having her personally look after someone, especially a boy… at least to her, judging by his lifespan, Mu Zhian was indeed just a boy.

In short, looking after others wasn’t something she was good at.

However, this time, Luo Tan didn’t directly refuse.

Because she suddenly realized she couldn’t quite grasp the Jade Empress’s intentions.

“I know this is probably a difficult request for the Pill Emperor, but I don’t have anyone I can trust in the Eastern Continent, so after careful consideration, it seems only Yu State can provide a safe place for my husband to cultivate peacefully for a while.”

Yao Meng held her teacup, gazing at the calm pool in the distance, her voice cool and delicate, carrying the unique gentleness of a fairy.

“Of course.”

Yao Meng paused, a faint smile appearing on her beautiful and refined face as she admired the hall’s layout, and continued, “If it’s inconvenient for the Pill Emperor, I won’t force you.”

“In that case, I’ll ask someone else for this favor—”

Before she could finish speaking, Luo Tan suddenly said casually, “The Jade Empress and I hit it off at first sight. Since he’s your husband, it’s only right for me to help look after him for a few days. There’s no need to be so polite, Jade Empress.”

Yao Meng smiled: “That would be wonderful.”

She retracted her gaze, her beautiful eyes looking at Mu Zhian, her voice soft, “With the Pill Emperor looking after you, I can be at ease while I’m away these few days, right, husband?”

…I feel like Yao Meng is being sarcastic.

Mu Zhian sensed the underlying meaning in Yao Meng’s words. Looking into her green eyes, he could even see a hint of resentment in the Jade Empress’s gaze.

Clearly, Yao Meng’s request for the Pill Emperor to look after him for a few days was a pretense, and entrusting her husband to the Pill Emperor was the true intention.

As for what would happen during this time… it depended on the Pill Emperor’s intentions towards Mu Zhian.

Although Yao Meng always held the thought, ‘As long as I don’t feel cuckolded, then I’m the one cuckolding others’, personally sending her beloved to another woman for several days… still made Yao Meng feel a bit jealous.

That resentful gaze, a mixture of annoyance and jealousy, appearing on such a beautiful fairy’s face, it would be a lie to say Mu Zhian wasn’t moved.

However, with someone else watching, Mu Zhian could only force himself to look away and immediately said, “Whatever Jade Empress Sister decides is fine… Actually, I’m also quite interested in alchemy. It would be great if I could learn a thing or two through this opportunity.”

This wasn’t exactly a lie. Mu Zhian was indeed interested in alchemy. When he refined the second-grade Minor Rejuvenation Pill in the past, he infused Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy into the pill, allowing the female cultivators who consumed it to refine Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy… But the pill’s effect on Nascent Soul Realm cultivators wasn’t as good.

If he could infuse more Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy into the pill, if this pill were to circulate in the outside world, Nascent Soul Realm female cultivators would probably fight over it.

Mu Zhian was truly interested in alchemy and wanted to learn from Luo Tan.

Yao Meng smiled brightly, as if making the surrounding scenery dim in comparison.

“Then you can cultivate here first. I’ll come find you here after returning from the Southern Wilderness in a few days.”

Towards the end of her words, she looked at Luo Tan and said with a smile, “I’ll have to trouble the Pill Emperor with my husband these few days.”

Luo Tan’s slender hands on her lap subconsciously tightened around her magnificent white dress.

For this Pill Emperor, even when she achieved Dao Integration, her Dao Heart had never rippled like this before.

When she wrote to Mu Zhian, she had also thought about what to do if the Jade Empress came to Yu State with Mu Zhian…

However, she didn’t expect that the Jade Empress, for the sake of the Nine Cauldrons Nascent Soul Pill, would actually plan to go to the Southern Wilderness first.

And… even personally deliver her husband to her.

Sensing Yao Meng’s gentle gaze, a faint smile also appeared on Luo Tan’s face: “It’s no trouble at all~”

Yao Meng put down her teacup, stood up, walked to Mu Zhian’s side, gently caressed the Green Lotus Ring on his finger with her slender hand, then raised her beautiful eyes, and said with a smile, “Cultivate well while I’m away these few days, don’t disappoint me~”

As her voice fell, she transformed into a green figure, then vanished like the wind.

“She actually really left…”

Even as the woman left, Luo Tan still seemed somewhat in disbelief, murmuring softly.

She had only met the Jade Empress briefly, did she really trust her that much?

But that made sense. She was a Dao Integration Realm expert, and her status in the Nine Provinces was noble. No matter how hard anyone racked their brains, they probably wouldn’t think she would have any involvement with this young man.

Moreover… he already had Dao Companions, one of whom was even the Jade Empress of the Jade Pool Holy Land.

If her relationship with Mu Zhian were to be known… once this matter spread, even the Pill Emperor’s reputation would be damaged.

Luo Tan quickly collected her thoughts, turned around, and smiled, “Come take a walk with me.”

She’s starting already, just after Yao Meng left…? Mu Zhian nodded slightly: “Okay!”

…

Luo Tan dismissed the guards and maids, and walked side by side with Mu Zhian from the back door of the hall to the lakeside.

“I thought you would come to Yu State alone, I didn’t expect the Jade Empress to send you here. She truly values you.”

Luo Tan wore snow-white jade boots, her magnificent white dress with gold and silver threads adding to her noble and elegant aura.

Many women appeared vulgar after wearing gold and silver, but this quasi-immortal Pill Emperor didn’t give off the slightest sense of vulgarity, instead exuding an air of nobility.

A ruby pendant hung around her fair and delicate neck, just hidden within her full and perky bosom, unfathomable.

“Jade Empress Sister is indeed very kind to me. Actually, she’s planning to go to the Southern Wilderness, but she wasn’t at ease leaving me alone in the Eastern Continent. After learning that Your Majesty cherishes talent, she thought of you being here,” Mu Zhian glanced at Luo Tan, seeing her seemingly doubtful expression, and explained the situation in detail.

“With the Jade Empress’s connections in the Eastern Continent, logically, she shouldn’t entrust such a ‘troublesome’ matter to me…” Luo Tan’s tone remained elegant as she admired the scenery along the lakeside, but she was still somewhat puzzled by this matter.

Mu Zhian sighed softly, “Your Majesty doesn’t know, although the Jade Empress has vast connections in the Eastern Continent, I wasn’t her Dao Companion from the start… I think you’ve heard about it.”

Luo Tan nodded slightly: “I’ve heard a little. What she did wasn’t quite right.”

The Jade Empress wasn’t Mu Zhian’s first Dao Companion, but joined midway. Luo Tan had naturally investigated this clearly.

“However, there’s no such thing as fairness in love. Although it wasn’t right, it’s human nature and understandable.” Thinking about what she was about to do to this young man beside her, Luo Tan quickly added.

She slowed her pace, looked at him with a slight smile, her rosy lips moving slightly, and said, “Since you’re interested in alchemy, then settle down today. Tomorrow, after the morning court session, come to my bedchamber and wait for me. I’ll personally teach you the art of alchemy.”

Why go to the bedchamber for alchemy…? Mu Zhian nodded slightly, casually glancing at the tall and slender Empress.

Different from the women Mu Zhian had met before, this Empress seemed to be the embodiment of nobility and elegance. But although he knew her status and position in Yu State, he couldn’t help but want to tease and suppress her, then watch her lofty demeanor crumble, revealing an embarrassed and shy expression.

“What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?” Luo Tan knew what Mu Zhian was thinking, but didn’t expose him, instead asking deliberately.

Mu Zhian discreetly retracted his gaze and said, “Speaking of which, there was an alchemy competition held in the Two Polarities Sect some time ago. Does Your Majesty still remember?”

Luo Tan nodded slightly: “I invited you after that, so naturally I remember.”

“I’ve been thinking recently, although the pills I refine contain Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy, the amount infused is limited, and the effect on Nascent Soul Realm cultivators isn’t as great as I imagined… But if I infuse more Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy, the pills will explode.”

Mu Zhian paused: “Does Your Majesty have any way to combine the two?”

“Perfectly fusing Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy with pills, even allowing Nascent Soul Realm cultivators to refine Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy and benefit from it…?”

Hearing this, Luo Tan’s beautiful eyes flickered, and she couldn’t help falling into deep thought.

This was a field she hadn’t explored before. After all, even at Dao Integration Realm, it was impossible to touch the Heavenly Court, let alone Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy.

Then, she quickly chuckled softly, “This is quite an interesting question. I’ll think about it after I go back today and give you an answer in two days.”

“Do you still have the second-grade Minor Rejuvenation Pills infused with Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy?” Luo Tan asked.

Mu Zhian took out a jade bottle from his storage ring and handed it to Luo Tan.

Just by slightly smelling the fragrance emanating from the jade bottle, Luo Tan’s expression became somewhat intoxicated.

After a while, she slowly opened her beautiful eyes and said softly, “Actually, even if you didn’t possess the Innate Celestial Furnace, I would still invite you to Yu State for a while.”

“Alchemy is different from cultivation. Basic skills are important, but flexible application of alchemy is equally important. It’s not necessary to rigidly follow the pill recipe and add ingredients to refine a pill.”

“And your past innovations in alchemy are also the reason I invited you.”

Mu Zhian smiled, “It’s a pity I grew up in the Eastern Continent. If I were born in Yu State, I would definitely find a way to serve Your Majesty, even becoming a cow or a horse.”

Luo Tan glanced at him with a slight smile: “If you’re willing, it’s not too late now.”

Her tone was sincere, clearly a genuine offer.

He just didn’t know whether it was more out of a desire to use him for both public and private matters, or a true appreciation for his talent.

Of course, although she extended the invitation, she didn’t think Mu Zhian would agree from the start, and the Jade Empress wouldn’t possibly agree to let Mu Zhian stay for long.

“Right, when I was in Tianxuan City, I was often looked after by a guest elder in the clan. If it weren’t for him, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today. And he’s only ever been interested in alchemy. I wonder if Your Majesty could…” Mu Zhian suddenly recalled this matter.

Luo Tan readily agreed: “That’s no problem. I’ll write a recommendation letter later, and he can go to the Zunyun Academy. There are many elders there dedicated to alchemy, which will surely greatly improve his alchemy skills.”

Mu Zhian cupped his hands: “Then I’ll thank Your Majesty on behalf of my clan elder.”

Luo Tan casually looked back at the young man with his sincere attitude, took half a step forward, and said with a smile, “Actually, you being so polite makes us seem distant.”

“You used to stare at my legs in my bedchamber, you weren’t this restrained.”

Mu Zhian said demurely, “I’ve always respected Your Majesty deeply. My staring at you in the bedchamber back then was precisely because Your Majesty’s charm was too great.”

“Flattery,” Luo Tan raised an eyebrow and said faintly.

But a beautiful curve appeared at the corner of her mouth.

Seemingly because she had been too busy with the Sabbath recently, Luo Tan felt tired after walking for a while. She stopped by the lake, her beautiful figure leaning against the sandalwood fence. This action also pressed her ample bosom against the fence.

Very big… Although not as big as Nai Xi’s, one hand probably can’t grasp them… Mu Zhian glanced over with his peripheral vision, then quickly looked away.

“Sometimes I also wish to be as carefree as the Jade Empress, but I can’t abandon this Immortal Dynasty.”

The Pill Emperor leaned against the fence, her long, curled eyelashes trembling slightly, a hint of exhaustion in her eyes, seemingly melting her usual noble and elegant gaze.

“After reaching Dao Integration Realm, although the body doesn’t get tired, and the spirit almost never collapses, the heart gradually becomes numb, because day after day, I’m doing the same things.”

Luo Tan sighed. Although she was a Dao Integration Realm expert, and the esteemed Pill Emperor, capable of refining pills to extend lifespan, repeating the same things every day was ultimately too monotonous.

Mu Zhian silently gazed at her side profile. Only at this moment did he feel that this Empress seemed a bit closer to him, more down-to-earth, as if the jade beauty had come to life.

“To me, Transcendence and ascension aren’t about becoming invincible in the world, but about having a goal.”

Luo Tan turned slightly, looked at Mu Zhian, her rosy lips parting slightly: “Actually, when I’m with you, I feel very relaxed. It’s just a pity I met you too late.”

Mu Zhian reached out and held her soft small hand at the right moment, gazing into her beautiful eyes that seemed to hold a hint of exhaustion.

It was as if she had finally shed her Empress facade, revealing the demeanor of a woman.

As their gazes met, Luo Tan’s beautiful eyes reflected the young man’s face gradually approaching hers, until finally, they could almost feel each other’s breath.

For the first time, she felt a hint of shyness and subconsciously looked away.

Why wasn’t she this shy when teasing me before? Is she also high attack, low defense like Jade Empress Sister…? Looking at the Empress’s seemingly shy appearance and alluring red lips, Mu Zhian’s lips slowly approached hers while gazing into her eyes.

Just as he was about to capture her red lips, he stopped. As she opened her eyes in confusion, he hesitated, “If your servants see us here, it might not be good…”

The noble and elegant Empress couldn’t help but give Mu Zhian a disdainful look.

Playing coy after taking advantage…

She took the initiative, wrapping her arms around Mu Zhian’s neck, her red lips about to capture the young man’s.

Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps faintly came from the distance, accompanied by an urgent voice, instantly breaking the intimate atmosphere.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty!”

A maid came running, lifting her skirt. Seeing the scene before her, her eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape, somewhat stunned.

Luo Tan’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. She calmly pushed Mu Zhian away, glanced at the maid, and said calmly, “What is it?”

The maid finally reacted, looked at Mu Zhian curiously, then said, “The Great Peng Emperor of Cloud Province has just arrived in Yu State and is requesting an audience with Your Majesty outside the hall!”

The Great Peng Emperor…? The Princess’s fiancé, the ruler of Cloud Province?

Mu Zhian’s eyes flickered. He glanced at Luo Tan and said, “Since Your Majesty has important matters to attend to, I won’t disturb you any longer.”

Luo Tan raised a delicate eyebrow, seemingly also somewhat surprised, and nodded gently: “You can go back to Daochu Palace first. I’ve already had people arrange rooms for you and your maid. Your maid should be at Daochu Palace now.”

“Do you need someone to take you there?”

Mu Zhian shook his head and smiled: “No need, I still remember the way. I’ll take a stroll.”

Luo Tan nodded slightly. She seemed to know what the maid beside her was thinking and said faintly, “You didn’t see anything today, understand?”

“This servant… This servant understands!” The little maid knelt on the ground and hurriedly replied.

Only then did she realize what kind of scene she had just witnessed.

This noble Majesty was actually being intimate with the Jade Empress’s husband… If this matter were to spread, it would probably cause a huge uproar.

“Let’s go,” Luo Tan said faintly.

…

Mu Zhian watched their figures until they completely disappeared, then leisurely retracted his gaze.

He didn’t go to Daochu Palace, but strolled leisurely through the garden, admiring the various medicinal herbs blooming like flowers.

As expected of the Pill Emperor, most of the plants in Luo Tan’s garden were rare medicinal herbs, some even emitting a faint rosy light, appearing especially sacred.

“Tsk tsk… She’s truly a rich milf. I haven’t even seen so many medicinal herbs in the Two Polarities Sect. I wonder if I’ll have a chance to grab some to take back, I can make medicinal meals for Lin Ling.”

Mu Zhian walked through the garden, sighing inwardly.

If Lin Ling knew that Mu Zhian still hadn’t forgotten her at this moment, she would probably be touched by his thoughtfulness.

“After so many years, this is the first time I’ve seen her care so much about a man, especially a man who already has a Dao Companion.”

While strolling through the garden, Mu Zhian suddenly heard a gentle voice beside his ear, as soft as flowing water.

Mu Zhian paused and looked in the direction of the voice.

Under a pavilion in the distance, a slender woman with a thin veil sat, gazing at him.

The Princess…?

Just as Mu Zhian thought of this, the Princess gestured towards the stone chair opposite her, her plump and alluring red lips parting slightly beneath her veil, and said with a smile:

“Young Friend Mu, would you mind keeping this Seat company for a chat?”

Chapter 489: Subscribe! Your Husband, I Shall Keep

Mu Zhian?

When she heard the name, the Princess’s eyes flickered slightly. She had heard of him; he was the young cultivator who married the Jade Empress.

His presence here now… presumably, he needed some cultivation pills, so he had the Jade Empress ask Luo Tan to refine them?

The Princess had seen countless pretty boys like him in Cloud Province. In some of the holy lands in Cloud Province, certain female elders enjoyed bringing in a young cultivator for entertainment every now and then.

She just didn’t expect even the Jade Empress to have such an interest…

No, it wasn’t interest, but true love for that young cultivator.

This was quite absurd.

One must know, in the Nine Provinces, countless cultivators, openly and secretly, pursued the First Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool Holy Land, but no one succeeded, not even after she reached Dao Integration.

The Princess wasn’t surprised. After all, the Jade Pool Holy Land fairies possessed the Innate Dao Body, benefiting anyone who dual cultivated with them. Plus, every Jade Pool Holy Maiden had immortal skin and a jade-like physique, so many had ulterior motives.

However, their talent was exceptionally high, making them unreachable. Successfully pursuing them was almost impossible.

Even the Princess hadn’t expected such an existence to get married a while ago…

Such an absurd thing, even thinking about it now, the Princess couldn’t help shaking her head inwardly.

“Since you have something to do later, I’ll excuse myself,” the Princess said, about to leave the hall.

Just then, Luo Tan called out to her from behind: “Since you’ve come all this way, why not stay in Yu State for a few more days and return to Cloud Province later? I can entertain you tomorrow.”

“There’s no need to be so polite between us. But alright, just as you said, since I’m here, I might as well stay for two more days.”

The Princess smiled and ultimately accepted Luo Tan’s offer.

She turned and left the hall, just in time to see the Jade Empress and another person entering, guided by a maid, and Wei Mengrou waiting before the hall.

The Princess blinked her gentle peach blossom eyes, her red lips parting slightly beneath her veil, and said softly, “Jade Empress, what a coincidence, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

The mature, alluring, yet gentle fairy stopped at the entrance of the hall, her eyes soft and compassionate, a vermilion dot adorning her forehead, adding a touch of cool, immortal air to her already beautiful face.

She turned to look at the Princess of Cloud Province and said in a soft, heavenly voice, “Indeed, what a coincidence. Last time, the Princess failed to seize the Great Qian Dynasty’s national fortune. I didn’t expect to see you again at the Pill Emperor’s place after just a few days.”

Mu Zhian smelled the thick scent of gunpowder in the air and wanted to intervene, but the Princess’s gaze had already fallen on him.

Her demeanor remained dignified and elegant. Although a veil covered her peerless face, with his years of experience, just by looking at her gentle eyes, which seemed capable of melting a man’s heart, Mu Zhian could tell what kind of breathtaking beauty lay beneath the veil.

“This must be the Jade Empress’s Dao Companion, Young Friend Mu Zhian, right?”

The Princess’s voice was gentle and melodious, her beautiful eyes gazing tenderly.

Mu Zhian smiled and nodded in greeting. He wanted to say something, but thought better of it, after all, both Yao Meng and Sister Mengrou were currently watching him.

As a qualified fishpond master, he couldn’t pay too much attention to other women outside, as this would arouse the jealousy of the fish in his pond… Once their jealousy reached its peak, even a light and airy fairy might turn dark.

The Princess smiled faintly, casually retracting her gaze, and said to the Jade Empress, “The Jade Empress’s Dao Companion is quite polite.”

She was the Princess of Cloud Province, born connected to the Great Dao, a cultivator who could use the Great Dao’s Spiritual Energy, also known as the most beautiful woman in Cloud Province, the fiancée of the Great Peng Emperor.

Many were curious about the beauty hidden beneath her veil. Cultivators in Cloud Province even rumored that this Princess’s beauty was no less than that of the Jade Empress of the Jade Pool Holy Land.

This was enough to imagine the stunning beauty hidden beneath the Princess’s veil.

However, facing her, Mu Zhian remained calm and composed, neither servile nor overbearing. This was enough to show that the Jade Empress’s Dao Companion had some ability, at least his mentality was far stronger than his peers.

Yao Meng smiled faintly and said softly, “The Princess is, after all, the Great Peng Emperor’s fiancée. My husband naturally possesses the basic courtesy of not looking at what he shouldn’t.”

She paused, “However, if a certain vixen deliberately tries to seduce him… I’m afraid no man could resist.”

This Princess clearly wanted to embarrass Mu Zhian just now by subtly flirting with him. Any bystander could see this, let alone Yao Meng.

A cold glint flashed through the Princess’s eyes, but a gentle smile remained on her face: “The Jade Empress is right, but I think that kind of woman who appears like a cool and aloof fairy on the surface, but secretly seduces men… is actually no different from a vixen.”

This woman looks gentle as water, but she’s actually quite assertive… Mu Zhian observed this sexy woman, ripe like a peach, with some surprise, thinking inwardly.

Of course, it was just a thought, and Mu Zhian didn’t speak.

After all, the Princess had nothing to do with him now, and he wasn’t worried about Yao Meng being at a disadvantage. It was better to let them handle it themselves.

“Jade Empress, Your Majesty is waiting in the Imperial Heart Hall,” a little maid in the corner suddenly said softly, her voice trembling slightly.

“Let’s go in,” not wanting to delay any longer, Mu Zhian spoke at the right moment, breaking the tense atmosphere.

…

The potentially escalating conflict was temporarily extinguished. Mu Zhian, led by the maid, walked towards the Imperial Heart Hall. Glancing at the graceful fairy beside him, he suddenly transmitted his voice:

“Did you have some conflict with the Princess in the past?”

Yao Meng said calmly, “Not really a conflict, it’s just that the Great Peng Emperor once secretly pursued me without the Princess knowing. I later sent a message to the Princess via paper crane, and that was the end of it. If there’s any other conflict… it’s probably the few times I fought against her when Cloud Province and the Eastern Continent clashed.”

So Yao Meng’s black-bellied nature is innate… Mu Zhian asked, “So, the Princess might be jealous?”

Yao Meng raised a delicate eyebrow and said faintly, “The Princess doesn’t care who the Great Peng Emperor pursues. There’s nothing between them. I heard her adoptive parents arranged a marriage with the Great Peng Emperor when she was young. Although the Princess doesn’t like this engagement, the cultivators in Cloud Province already acknowledge her as the Princess, so she can only go along with it.”

“But looking at her, it seems even after thousands of years, the Great Peng Emperor still hasn’t touched her hand.”

Mu Zhian’s expression turned slightly strange: “Can’t the Great Peng Emperor just find another princess?”

“The Princess is born connected to the Great Dao. Her talent, luck, and strength are all top-notch, and her beauty is also second to none in the Nine Provinces. Do you think the Great Peng Emperor would be willing to give her up?”

Yao Meng looked at Mu Zhian with a half-smile, a playful tone in her voice: “Why are you suddenly asking me so much about her?”

Yao Meng is good in every way, except she’s too sensitive… Mu Zhian complained inwardly and explained, “When you transcended last time in the ancestral land, besides the Western Regions and the Southern Wilderness on the surface, there was also a mysterious black-robed great power, and there were others secretly watching as well. I naturally want to use this opportunity to investigate.”

“You mean… there might be a great power in Cloud Province who attacked me back then?” Yao Meng’s eyes flickered, pondering Mu Zhian’s words.

Mu Zhian nodded: “After reaching Transcendence Realm, it’s equivalent to breaking the established order of the Nine Provinces. Even if you have no ambition, it will still make people wary. There are probably many who want to stop your Transcendence, so the possibility of Cloud Province intervening… isn’t zero.”

Yao Meng nodded silently: “If I remember correctly, the black-robed great power who appeared before the Jade Pool Ancestral Land seemed to be a clone, and their attack methods contained the Heavenly Dao’s Dao Rhyme… I originally wanted to use the Gu Buxing incident to force them to reveal themselves, so I could identify who it was.”

“But unfortunately, they were very careful and directly chose to give up on the Great Qian Dynasty’s national fortune, abandoning Gu Buxing.”

“This matter can’t be rushed, there will be opportunities to investigate clearly in the future,” Mu Zhian said.

“You’re right.”

Yao Meng suddenly looked at Mu Zhian with a smile: “But I still think you’re very interested in the Princess. You were just changing the subject to divert my attention, right?”

Mu Zhian shrugged and sighed softly, “Fine, fine, I want to dual cultivate with the Princess. I even sent a voice transmission to her just now, inviting her, but she rejected me.”

Yao Meng covered her mouth and chuckled softly: “You dual cultivating with her? Not to mention your Innate Celestial Furnace is useless to her, even if it was useful, a proud person like the Princess wouldn’t lower herself to that. The Great Peng Emperor hasn’t been able to melt her heart in ten thousand years, as for you…”

She glanced at Mu Zhian with a smile, as if everything went without saying.

Mu Zhian looked back at Yao Meng, not explaining, Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river (fortunes change over time), you’ll definitely regret this in the future.

…

Imperial Heart Hall.

Luo Tan sat at her desk and immediately saw Mu Zhian and the Jade Empress entering.

“I thought you had a conflict with the Princess and was thinking about going out to take a look.”

The Empress of the Immortal Dynasty smiled faintly and, with her maid holding up her white dress, walked towards the two.

“This is Yu State, not Cloud Province, after all. No matter what, she wouldn’t offend me here. We just chatted idly for a bit before the hall.”

Yao Meng glanced at the densely packed memorials on the table and couldn’t help but smile: “Although at Pill Emperor’s level, your body won’t get tired, you should still rest occasionally.”

Luo Tan gracefully walked to a chair and sat down, slightly raising her chin, her voice pleasant and melodious: “Although there seem to be many memorials, it doesn’t actually take much time each day.”

“But sometimes I truly envy the Jade Empress. With the Jade Pool Holy Mother and the others around, you don’t have to deal with these matters.”

Guided by a maid, Yao Meng and Mu Zhian sat down not far from Luo Tan. The fairy revealed a bright smile: “I no longer interfere with the internal affairs of the Jade Pool Holy Land, but sometimes they still like to ask me about important matters… If I have to say, it’s indeed much easier than being the Pill Emperor.”

Luo Tan nodded slightly, then looked at Mu Zhian with a smile, her gaze lingering on the young man’s handsome features for a moment, then said, “Young Friend Mu’s cultivation speed is probably unmatched even by the geniuses in my Yu State. Last time we parted, you were still at Core Formation, and now, in the blink of an eye, you’ve already reached Nascent Soul Realm.”

Mu Zhian said demurely, “This is also thanks to the pill refined by Your Majesty earlier. If it weren’t for the strengthening of the demon body, I probably wouldn’t have been able to reach Nascent Soul Realm so quickly.”

Luo Tan revealed an elegant smile: “The Jade Empress asked me to refine it, I naturally couldn’t refuse this favor. If you have to thank someone, thank her.”

As she spoke, she couldn’t help but look at Mu Zhian a few more times, suppressing the urge to scan his body with her spiritual sense.

After all, with the Jade Empress present, scanning her husband’s body… was a bit impolite.

However, she was still curious about the extent to which Mu Zhian’s Innate Celestial Furnace had evolved after he reached Nascent Soul Realm.

Just then, she suddenly noticed the playful look in the fairy’s eyes beside her. Luo Tan discreetly retracted her gaze and gestured for the maid to serve tea: “Jade Empress coming to Yu State today, presumably you have some important matters to discuss?”

Yao Meng smiled brightly: “It’s not really an important matter, it’s just that I’ve been working on a pill recipe recently, and after gathering the ingredients, I hope to ask the Pill Emperor for help refining it.”

Luo Tan raised a delicate eyebrow, not immediately accepting.

She calmly picked up her teacup: “Why don’t you tell me about it first, Jade Empress… But you should know, I rarely refine pills for others, this is my bottom line.”

As the only alchemist capable of refining quasi-immortal pills, the great powers of the various forces in the Nine Provinces naturally wanted to befriend her, so she could help them refine pills in the future.

However—

Once or twice was fine, but if it happened all the time, with every great power coming to ask her to refine pills in the future, should she refine them or not?

Firstly, she didn’t have that much time to waste on these things.

Secondly, if she accepted one great power’s request but rejected another’s, over time, she would inevitably make enemies.

“Last time, for the Jade Empress’s Transcendence, you requested a Void Spirit Pill. Considering it was for Young Friend Mu, I gave you face, Jade Empress, as a celebration of your Transcendence.”

“But this time… what pill does the Jade Empress want?” Luo Tan asked.

“A seventh-grade pill, the Nine Cauldrons Nascent Soul Pill,” Yao Meng said.

Luo Tan was stunned, her tone softening slightly: “Nine Cauldrons Nascent Soul Pill…? So this time it’s also in preparation for Young Friend Mu’s future Dao Comprehension?”

The Nine Cauldrons Nascent Soul Pill, although a seventh-grade pill, its refining method was extremely complex. Among pills of the same grade, it could be said to be the most difficult to refine.

And the ingredients required for this pill were scattered throughout the Nine Provinces: Black Flame True Leaves from the Southern Wilderness, Cloud Smoke Willow from Cloud Province, Reincarnation Water from the Eastern Continent’s Forbidden Zone, and even the Netherworld Lotus from the Northern Frontier.

Besides these relatively difficult-to-obtain heavenly materials and earthly treasures, other rare ingredients were still manageable. Although difficult to find, with the Jade Empress’s resources, she could still obtain them.

And this pill had only one effect: advancing from Nascent Soul to Soul Transformation.

Mu Zhian still had a long way to go before reaching Soul Transformation Realm, but the Jade Empress was already preparing this pill now, enough to show how much she trusted her Dao Companion’s talent.

“If it’s too much trouble for the Pill Emperor, just consider I didn’t mention it,” Yao Meng said.

Luo Tan’s eyes flickered, and she chuckled softly, “I’ve always admired Young Friend Mu’s talent. If he weren’t the Jade Empress’s husband, I would have even considered taking him as my disciple.”

“Moreover, the relationship between the Jade Empress and Young Friend Mu is truly touching… Therefore, I can refine the Nine Cauldrons Nascent Soul Pill for you.”

Yao Meng gave Luo Tan a meaningful look, a hint of charm in her green eyes, and smiled, “That’s good. I was originally thinking that if the Pill Emperor refused, I could ask other alchemists for help… But in terms of completion rate, they probably can’t compare to the Pill Emperor.”

She paused, then continued, “But besides the pill, I have another small request.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the elegant smile on Luo Tan’s face faded slightly. She picked up her teacup, calmly poured tea, and said faintly, “Jade Empress, please speak frankly.”

Asking her to refine pills, she could give the Jade Empress face, considering the pill was for Mu Zhian.

But the Jade Empress repeatedly making requests, was she treating this place like her own backyard?

Yao Meng slowly toyed with a strand of hair and said faintly, “For that pill, I need to go to the Southern Wilderness to fulfill a promise with the Space God. She promised to give me the Black Flame True Leaves.”

She deliberately paused, her voice crisp and pleasant, “This trip will take three days at the shortest, ten days at the longest. I can’t be at ease leaving my husband alone in the Two Polarities Sect during this time, so…”

Luo Tan’s fingertips holding the teacup trembled slightly. She abruptly widened her eyes, seemingly realizing something.

Yao Meng looked over, her voice calm, but in Luo Tan’s heart, it was like a boulder thrown into a lake, causing countless ripples.

“So, I’d like to ask the Pill Emperor to look after my husband for a few days, I wonder if you’re willing?”

Chapter 488: The Secret of Transcendence 

“You mean, have Mu Lang dual cultivate with her Innate Celestial Furnace?” Bai Ruoxi’s cool and pleasant voice echoed through the hall. Her beautiful eyes gazed at the holy and noble Jade Pool fairy, and she continued, “Setting aside whether two Innate Celestial Furnaces can even dual cultivate, even if they can… it might not have the desired effect.”

Mu Zhian’s Innate Celestial Furnace was rather special. From the past until now, he was the only one whose Innate Celestial Furnace could continuously evolve.

It was precisely because of this that the strength of the girls he dual cultivated with could continuously soar.

However, although dual cultivation with a normal Innate Celestial Furnace constitution would have some effect, it definitely wouldn’t be as potent as Mu Zhian’s.

Yao Meng’s gauze-like green dress billowed in the wind, faint sparkles seemingly appearing on her skin.

She opened her red lips slightly and said faintly, “Regardless of why the Heavenly Dao’s Origin Arrow targeted him, it’s better to quickly increase his strength than to constantly stay by his side and protect him.”

“Luo Tan’s Innate Celestial Furnace constitution is a secret. Not many people know about it, but those who do all want to obtain her spiritual essence.”

Yao Meng’s voice was soft and gentle as she continued, “Actually, even if you have Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy within your body, if you’re not compatible, she might not agree. After the Great Peng Emperor of Cloud Province learned about this secret, he pursued her for a long time, but was still rejected.”

“Besides that, the Underworld Lord of the Northern Frontier also secretly pursued her for a while, sending many heavenly materials and earthly treasures, but they were all rejected.”

I’ve heard of the Great Peng Emperor, he’s the ruler of Cloud Province… Recalling the man who seemed to emit a cold aura, Mu Zhian asked, “Who exactly is this Underworld Lord?”

“The northernmost region of the Northern Continent, bordering Cloud Province, is called the Northern Frontier. The people there call it the Underworld. There’s a common saying among the people that after death, souls return to the Underworld. In fact, many cultivators’ souls do appear in the Underworld after death,” Yao Meng revealed a little-known secret.

“You mean not all cultivators’ souls return to the Underworld after death?” Mu Zhian caught the underlying meaning in Yao Meng’s words.

Bai Ruoxi hummed softly in agreement: “Ultimately, the Underworld Lord is also human, but the common people see him as the ruler of the Underworld, governing life and death. The Dao of Reincarnation he walks is related to this.”

“Then what about the Princess of Cloud Province?” Mu Zhian casually asked again.

However, before anyone could answer, everyone in the room stared at him intently.

Ye Lingxuan snorted softly and said coldly, “Brother Mu, after beating around the bush for so long, you actually want to know about the Princess of Cloud Province, right?”

Mu Zhian looked at this seemingly more clingy younger sister and couldn’t help but shake his head and smile: “I’m just a bit curious about the other great powers in the Nine Provinces.”

“When Yao Meng transcended in the ancestral land last time, besides the Western Regions and the Southern Wilderness on the surface, wasn’t there also a hidden great power whose identity wasn’t revealed?”

“I just want to use this opportunity to learn more.”

“The Princess you mentioned is the future wife of the Great Peng Emperor of Cloud Province. In most cases, external affairs are handled by the Princess, while the Great Peng Emperor mostly deals with internal affairs,” Yao Meng’s ethereal voice echoed in Mu Zhian’s ear.

“Cloud Province has a close relationship with Yu State, with frequent trade between them. The Princess and the Pill Emperor are especially close.”

“Also,” Yao Meng paused, then continued, “Most cultivators in Cloud Province believe in the Heavenly Dao, except for the Princess.”

“However, no one in Cloud Province has ever objected to the existence the Princess believes in.”

Mu Zhian asked curiously, “Who exactly does the Princess believe in?”

“The Great Dao,” Yao Meng said faintly. “The so-called Princess doesn’t actually belong to Cloud Province. Like the Spirit Dragon, she’s a being naturally born from the Great Dao. Her cauldron is connected to the origin of the Great Dao from birth, so she resonates with the Great Dao when achieving Dao Integration.”

Mu Zhian fell into deep thought.

Luo Tan, for his sake, didn’t stop Yao Meng’s Transcendence back then. Although Cloud Province had a close relationship with Luo Tan, it didn’t mean they would always act in unison with Yu State…

Cloud Province wasn’t without suspicion of secretly intervening.

“Besides that, there’s one more thing, although you might already know, I still have to remind you.”

Yao Meng gazed at Mu Zhian and said, “The matter of you and the New Heavenly Dao cannot be revealed to anyone you can’t trust for now.”

“All living beings in the Nine Provinces ultimately belong to the Heavenly Dao. You can try to subtly probe, but you mustn’t directly invite them to resonate with the New Heavenly Dao.”

Mu Zhian nodded slightly. He understood this in his heart.

After all, the Heavenly Dao’s position in the Nine Provinces was too sacred. Most cultivators wouldn’t even think of defying it.

“It’s good that you understand the meaning of my words. After you’ve settled down, I’ll take you to Yu State. I just happen to have a pill I need the Pill Emperor’s help refining,” Yao Meng said.

Ye Lingxuan opened her mouth slightly, as if wanting to say something.

But in the end, she swallowed her words.

Although having Brother Mu get close to the Pill Emperor was somewhat difficult to accept, if she thought about it differently… For example, they weren’t getting close for intimacy, but just for a deal.

Mmm… Thinking about it this way, it’s still somewhat acceptable.

…

“I was able to use Time Regression to save you this time, I think largely because the Heavenly Dao’s Origin Arrow only had a wisp of its power. So next time, if you encounter any danger, you must find a way to avoid it.”

After leaving Dexin Garden, Yao Meng suddenly reminded him.

“That Heavenly Dao’s Origin Arrow was a method the Heavenly Dao used against the Primordial Witch. Gu Buxing prepared for so long, using the faith of all beings to try and break the seal on the Heavenly Dao, only loosening the seal slightly. So you don’t need to worry too much about that arrow finding you again.”

Gong Lianyue narrowed her eyes and said faintly, “No wonder the Heavenly Dao’s origin is damaged. So it actually damaged its own origin to seal the Primordial Witch.”

Mu Zhian was silent.

For an existence like the Heavenly Dao to damage its own origin to suppress the Primordial Witch, it was enough to imagine how powerful the Primordial Witch once was.

He quickly collected his thoughts and looked at Gong Lianyue: “Palace Master, I’ll leave the Great Qian Dynasty and Gu Buxing to you and Ruoxi.”

Gu Buxing refining the national fortune, as an emperor of a dynasty, it was impossible for him not to know, yet he didn’t stop it.

Or rather, this matter also had the old emperor’s support behind the scenes.

He originally planned to go to the Great Qian Dynasty first, but now that he thought about it, perhaps he should fulfill his agreement with Luo Tan first.

…Together with Yao Meng.

Gong Lianyue nodded slightly, then glanced at Yao Meng: “Protect him well.”

Yao Meng said with a faint smile: “Don’t worry, I will protect him with all my heart.”

Gong Lianyue’s delicate brows furrowed slightly.

She felt that Yao Meng’s ‘with all my heart’ had a hidden meaning.

The next moment, Yao Meng tore open a spatial rift with her bare hands. Mu Zhian thought for a moment, informed Yao Meng, then went to Boundless Sea Peak and saw Wei Mengrou, who was imbuing a spirit into an artifact at the peak.

After patiently waiting for a while, until Wei Mengrou finished imbuing the artifact spirit, he went up to greet her, then took the maid with him, and together with Yao Meng, they headed towards the Immortal Dynasty of Yu State.

…

Yu State, a land filled with all kinds of rare and precious herbs.

Deep within the imperial palace of Yu State, in an ancient hall.

Luo Tan, dressed in a magnificent white dress, sat before her bedchamber. She wore a spirit ring inlaid with several rare spirit stones the size of pebbles. Her hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, her makeup and attire incredibly luxurious.

Such luxurious makeup and attire would appear vulgar on any other woman, but on this Empress of Yu State, there wasn’t the slightest hint of vulgarity, instead adding a touch of elegance and nobility.

“The Princess of Cloud Province has arrived, and the servants didn’t even inform me. How rude.”

While reviewing memorials from the ministers of the immortal court late at night in her bedchamber, Luo Tan suddenly said casually.

“You don’t need to blame the servants. I told them not to make a sound, to avoid disturbing your work.”

A pleasant voice echoed through the hall, and a woman with a graceful figure walked into the bedchamber with elegant steps.

Her long, flowing hair was tied up and draped lightly over her shoulder. The Princess wore a rather low-key, plain dress, embroidered with plump and beautiful flowers, just like herself, outlining her full bosom and slender waist, as alluring as a ripe peach.

Although a thin veil covered her face, just from her gentle eyes that seemed to embrace all things, it wasn’t hard to imagine the peerless beauty hidden beneath.

And she wore a light yellow skirt, adding a touch of intellectual elegance to her beauty.

“The Princess rarely leaves Cloud Province. Why do you have time to visit me in Yu State today?” Luo Tan raised her beautiful eyes, a smile in her eyes.

“I haven’t seen an old friend for a long time. I just happened to be in the Eastern Continent, so I dropped by to see you.”

The Princess smiled gently: “Why, aren’t I welcome?”

“How could I not welcome you? If it weren’t for you saving my life back then, I probably wouldn’t have been able to achieve Dao Integration.”

Luo Tan smiled brightly: “But you coming to see me is probably the Great Peng Emperor’s idea, right?”

“As for the reason… Mmm, let me guess.”

Luo Tan gracefully stood up, supporting herself against the table, and walked down the steps one by one, her layered and complex white dress revealing a pair of knee-high white boots, her demeanor elegant:

“The Jade Empress’s Transcendence, the great powers of the Nine Provinces, even those forbidden beings whose lifespans are nearing their end, aren’t happy to see it. Therefore, when the Jade Empress transcended, all the great powers and holy lands, more or less, made some moves, only Yu State and the Demon Realm didn’t react at all.”

“The Great Peng Emperor is worried that Yu State will side with the Jade Empress, so he asked you to come and test my intentions, right?”

Seeing the Princess’s silence, Luo Tan walked to her side and said with a smile, “I’m quite curious, what conditions could the Great Peng Emperor possibly offer to persuade you?”

Although she was the Great Peng Emperor’s fiancée, the Princess’s cauldron was connected to the Great Dao from birth, her Spiritual Energy inexhaustible. Since her debut, she had never been defeated. The marriage between the Great Peng Emperor and the Princess was arranged by her adoptive parents when she was young.

After so many years, the Great Peng Emperor, let alone touching her, rarely even spoke to this Daughter of the Great Dao.

Luo Tan wasn’t surprised that the Great Peng Emperor would test her.

Or rather, she had already discovered spies from Cloud Province in the immortal court when the Sabbath descended.

What truly surprised her was why this Princess came here to see her.

“It wasn’t the Great Peng Emperor who persuaded me, I came to see you on my own accord this time.”

However, the Princess’s words stunned Luo Tan. Then, she heard her continue, “You’ve been at Dao Integration for at least five lifetimes. The reason the Nine Provinces have been able to maintain peace is mainly because the strength of the major powers has maintained a delicate balance.”

“Once this balance is broken, as long as the Jade Empress has any ambition, the Nine Provinces will be thrown into chaos.”

“So whether it’s the Jade Empress’s enemies, or those who have no grievances with her, most of them didn’t want her to transcend and ascend.”

Luo Tan raised a delicate eyebrow, gestured to a maid beside her, and invited the Princess to take a seat.

She casually picked up a cup of Dao Comprehension Tea. A rich fragrance filled the air, a faint rosy light seemingly spreading, the Spiritual Energy incredibly dense.

“So you’re curious why I didn’t stop the Jade Empress’s Transcendence, but chose to stand by and watch?” Luo Tan asked.

The Princess nodded gently: “With the first Transcendence Realm expert, there will be a second… Sword Emperor Gong Lianyue has already proven this not long ago.”

“After this, the established order of the Nine Provinces might be broken.”

“For you, I think this shouldn’t be beneficial, right?” She looked at the Empress of the Immortal Dynasty, her gentle eyes gazing quietly from beneath her veil.

“Are you worried about me, so you came to see me?” Luo Tan took a sip of tea, moistening her rosy lips, and asked with a smile in her eyes.

“No, it’s probably not just worry, but the Great Peng Emperor has become wary of me, even of the entire Yu State, right?”

The Princess was silent.

With Luo Tan’s sharp mind, it wasn’t strange that she could guess this.

“If it were the Great Peng Emperor here today, I would ask him to leave now.”

“But since it’s you, it doesn’t matter if I tell you,” Luo Tan said faintly.

“Have you ever thought about why the Demon Realm and the Eastern Continent have been in conflict for so long, with cultivators and demonic cultivators fighting to the death, yet the Demon Realm didn’t intervene in such a big event as the Jade Empress’s Transcendence?”

The Princess was stunned: “Wasn’t it said that the Demon Empress was in seclusion at the time, so it wasn’t convenient for her to intervene?”

“Even if it wasn’t convenient for the Demon Empress to intervene, there’s still the Ancient Dragon Emperor. If the First Seat was willing, he could temporarily reach Dao Integration Realm by burning his Essence Blood… But from beginning to end, both the Demon Realm and Yu State didn’t react at all. Why don’t you guess the reason?”

The Princess sat with a straight posture, her demeanor dignified, beautiful but not seductive, gazing into Luo Tan’s eyes: “Why?”

Luo Tan’s red lips parted slightly, and she said softly, “Have you ever thought about why the Jade Empress suddenly transcended? And how did Gong Lianyue transcend?”

Before the Princess could speak, Luo Tan continued faintly, “I know the secret of Transcendence.”

The Princess’s body stiffened slightly, her gaze fixed on her.

Her heart pounded, and intense emotions seemed to flicker across her beautiful and cold face beneath the veil.

Transcendence and ascension… This was the dream of countless great powers.

Because after the Transcendence Realm, one broke through the rules of heaven and earth, and their lifespan was no longer restricted.

Even she, whose cauldron was connected to the Great Dao from birth, couldn’t find a way to transcend.

The Great Peng Emperor, for the sake of Transcendence, was like a man possessed, pursuing Luo Tan more than once, firstly because of her identity, beauty, and background, and secondly… because he knew Luo Tan’s other constitution was the Innate Celestial Furnace.

“You didn’t stop the Jade Empress’s Transcendence back then because you also know how to transcend?”

The Princess subconsciously lowered her voice. Although the servants here had been dismissed, she was still unconsciously worried about this secret being exposed.

This was a secret that could drive the entire Nine Provinces, even the entire alien starry sky, crazy.

If the Princess hadn’t saved Luo Tan’s life before, and their relationship wasn’t like sisters, Luo Tan probably wouldn’t have revealed such a shocking thing today.

The Princess quickly reacted and murmured again, “No… Someone used this secret of Transcendence to make a deal with you, having you stand by and watch, even helping the Jade Empress transcend when necessary.”

As expected of the ‘core brain’ of Cloud Province, she could even deduce further.

Luo Tan’s red lips parted slightly, about to speak.

However, just then, an attendant suddenly rushed into the hall.

Luo Tan frowned slightly and said, “Didn’t I say today that I have important guests visiting, and to temporarily decline all requests for an audience?”

The attendant cupped his hands and said respectfully, “Your Majesty… The Jade Empress and Mu Zhian are waiting outside.”