As the cool, melodic voice echoed from the peach blossom forest, all eyes turned towards its source.

Framed by the blossoming peach trees, Ye Lingxuan stood in a magnificent purple dress, its intricate embroidery shimmering in the sunlight.

She was only sixteen or seventeen, but her attire accentuated her delicate features, highlighting her classical beauty and youthful charm.

The old man narrowed his eyes, studying her.

He didn’t know her true identity, only that she wasn’t a member of the Ye Family and that she had been staying with them in Tianxuan City for a specific purpose.

Her words implied that she could obtain the Rebirth Water with ease.

If she wasn’t bluffing… the power behind her was far greater than he had imagined…

Despite her polite demeanor, she possessed an inherent pride.

She was still at the Foundation Establishment Realm and relatively young. If they could gain her favor now, it would be beneficial. However, once she matured, it would be nearly impossible to win her over.

Mu Zhi’an was incredibly lucky.

He had already secured a place in her heart before she had fully blossomed.

Her willingness to defend him was proof of that.

It was all Ye Yu’s fault. He had been too focused on his cultivation, neglecting his sisters, allowing Mu Zhi’an to take advantage of the situation…

The old man sighed inwardly, regret filling his heart.

The green-clad fairy also studied the young girl.

Ye Qian had already informed her that this was her elder sister.

Under their scrutiny, Ye Lingxuan approached Mu Zhi’an, her delicate embroidered shoes barely making a sound. “Brother Mu,” she said, a sweet smile gracing her lips.

He returned her smile, his expression warm and gentle. “Lingxuan, what brings you here?”

“Sister Bai and I were chatting when we saw you and Qian’er leaving the Dongtian. We came to check on you,” she explained, her smile elegant and charming.

So Ruoxi and Mengrou know I’ve left the Dongtian… He understood.

She glanced at Ye Yu, her Innate Spiritual Body instantly detecting the change in his aura.

He was clearly possessed.

Her smile faded, replaced by a polite but distant expression. “I’ll bring the Rebirth Water to Senior Jade Empress in a month, so you needn’t worry, Brother Ye Yu.”

The gentle warmth she had displayed towards Mu Zhi’an vanished, her voice cool and detached.

The old man stared at her. “Are you so confident you can obtain the Rebirth Water, young lady?”

“If I can’t, no one can,” she replied calmly.

The Jade Empress glanced at her, surprised.

She had met the master of the Forbidden Zone once, but they had no personal connection. She only knew that he was eccentric and unpredictable.

However, she did recall the time when, a few years after his daughter’s birth, he had traveled a great distance to the Two Polarities Sect to request a protective formation from the Sect Master. Though she had been secluded within the Dongtian beneath the Pilgrimage Palace, she had sensed Shang Yanfei’s power as she crafted the formation.

Apart from his daughter, the master of the Forbidden Zone had shown no interest in anything else.

So the girl’s confident declaration was intriguing.

The Jade Empress’s eyes gleamed with curiosity as she made a decision. “Return to your peak, fellow Daoist. I’ve made my choice,” she said, her voice carrying a hint of Dao that made it impossible to resent her refusal.

Though disappointed, the old man couldn’t argue with her. He reluctantly abandoned this rare opportunity.

Ye Yu, observing through the old man’s senses, felt a surge of jealousy as he saw Ye Lingxuan’s affectionate demeanor towards Mu Zhi’an.

“So you’re relying on Lingxuan again. You’re useless without a woman’s help!” he spat, his voice no longer weary, but filled with youthful anger.

“There’s nothing wrong with lovers helping each other,” Mu Zhi’an replied calmly.

Lovers… Lingxuan blushed, lowering her eyes, her heart filled with a mixture of shyness and joy.

Mu Zhi’an chuckled inwardly, watching Ye Yu’s frustrated silence.

He had never shied away from relying on women. In fact, he enjoyed it.

However, this time, he hadn’t intended to rely on Ye Lingxuan… or rather, he hadn’t intended to ask her to plead with others, even if that person was her father.

He stared at Ye Yu, his expression calm and unwavering, frustrating the young man even further. Ye Yu turned and stormed off.

“Master, who is possessing Qian’er?” he asked mentally, sensing the old man’s regret.

The old man sighed. “She is the Jade Empress, the founding Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool Sacred Land. She likely still possesses a few Seeds of Dao Realization from her Dao Integration. Consuming even one would greatly benefit your cultivation.”

“And she possesses an Innate Dao Body. If she temporarily resides within you, and if you play your cards right, you might be able to gain immense benefits from her.”

It was said that every Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool Sacred Land possessed an Innate Dao Body.

It was similar to an Innate Celestial Vessel.

However, while an Innate Celestial Vessel provided spiritual energy to others, an Innate Dao Body contained a sliver of the Great Dao within. The first person of the opposite sex they formed a close bond with could randomly comprehend a supreme technique from that Dao.

It was a technique derived from the Great Dao itself, perfectly suited to the individual.

Many cultivators dreamed of marrying a Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool Sacred Land, but few had succeeded throughout history. And conquering someone like the Jade Empress through force was practically impossible.

“The Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool…” Ye Yu murmured. “Why is she in Qian’er’s body?”

“Mu Zhi’an likely encountered her within the Dongtian beneath the Pilgrimage Palace.”

The old man paused. “Return to the Dongtian before it closes.”

“The Jade Empress herself is the greatest treasure within that Dongtian, but we can still get a share.”

…

The Jade Empress, her ethereal beauty captivating, studied Ye Lingxuan.

Her eyes held a hint of disbelief. The girl’s confident declaration regarding the Rebirth Water had surprised her.

However, she sensed that the girl wasn’t exaggerating. It was as if she were stating a simple fact.

It was as if she were saying: You need Rebirth Water? I’ll just fetch a bucket for you…

Her emerald eyes, deep and fathomless, reflected Ye Lingxuan’s image as she chatted with Mu Zhi’an.

“Brother Mu, I hope I didn’t cause any trouble,” Lingxuan said, her purple dress billowing in the breeze, accentuating her slender figure.

She looked up at him, her voice laced with a hint of shyness. Though it was phrased as a question, her meaning was clear: Praise me.

She was at that age where she craved praise from her beloved, but her pride prevented her from expressing it directly.

“You arrived just in time. You saved the day,” he replied, reaching out to gently caress her cheek. He admired her smile, her soft lips parting slightly, releasing a delicate fragrance. He felt a surge of desire.

It’s a shame this isn’t the right time or place… otherwise, I could test if she herself qualifies as Rebirth Water…

Sensing his gaze, she blushed, averting her eyes. “W-what is it?”

“You mentioned being bathed in Rebirth Water as a child… does that mean you yourself are… Rebirth Water?” he asked, genuinely curious.

If she was, he should have sensed it already. After all, they had kissed several times…

Or does kissing not count…?

She blushed even deeper, sensing his inappropriate thoughts. “What are you thinking about?” she mumbled.

Can Innate Spiritual Bodies sense impure thoughts…? “Nothing. Don’t worry…” he said, shaking his head.

“An Innate Spiritual Body… are you the Holy Maiden of the Forbidden Zone?” the Jade Empress asked, her voice laced with surprise.

She had met several Holy Maidens of the Forbidden Zone, all of whom possessed Innate Spiritual Bodies. However, she had never encountered one with such a gentle and welcoming aura.

Lingxuan snapped out of her daze, suppressing her embarrassment. “Greetings, Senior Jade Empress. I’ve often heard tales of your legend from my clan,” she said, bowing respectfully.

So she truly is the Holy Maiden of the Forbidden Zone. No wonder she’s so confident… The Jade Empress understood.

The Rebirth Water belonged to her clan. Of course, she could obtain it.

“But if the master of the Forbidden Zone knew why you wanted the Rebirth Water, would he allow you to take it?” Mu Zhi’an asked.

Lingxuan frowned, understanding his concern.

She wanted to help him.

However, he had no connection to the master of the Forbidden Zone… at least, not yet.

If the Jade Empress used the Rebirth Water to rebuild her cultivation vessel, another Emperor-level expert would emerge, and the Jade Pool Sacred Land’s status would skyrocket.

The balance of power in the Eastern Realm would shift.

That might not be something the master of the Forbidden Zone wanted.

“I’m returning to the Forbidden Zone in a month. I’ll talk to my father,” she said.

It might be troublesome if he discovered her true intentions… but she would do anything for Mu Zhi’an.

“If possible, I’d like to speak with your father myself,” he said, shaking his head.

He wanted the Rebirth Water, but he didn’t want to use Ye Lingxuan to obtain it.

Exploiting their relationship for personal gain would taint it.

If she were the master of the Forbidden Zone, he wouldn’t hesitate to take advantage.

However, asking her to plead with her father… that was different.

He was her father, after all. If he discovered that Mu Zhi’an had used his daughter to obtain the Rebirth Water, it would create problems in the future, even with the Jade Empress’s backing.

“Just rely on me, Brother Mu. Please?” she pleaded, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

She’s so adorable when she’s shy… “I want to rely on you, Lingxuan, but I don’t want you to plead with others, even if that person is your father,” he said gently.

She looked up at him, understanding his sentiment.

“Do you plan to obtain the Rebirth Water yourself, Brother Mu?”

He shook his head. “I was planning to accompany you to the Forbidden Zone anyway. I’ll take this opportunity to speak with your father about Senior Jade Empress.”

“My father isn’t a benevolent man. He won’t help out of the kindness of his heart,” she said softly.

If he knew you said that, he’d probably lament about his ungrateful daughter… He chuckled inwardly. “Of course he has no reason to help Fairy Sister… so we need to give him a reason.”

The Jade Empress studied him, her beautiful eyes filled with curiosity. “Do you have an idea, young friend?”

“You mentioned that even if you were to fade away, the demon within the Dongtian would also perish within a thousand years, right, Fairy Sister?” he asked.

She met his gaze, her beauty both ethereal and alluring.

She nodded. “He’s not in much better shape than I am.”

“Why do you ask?”

He stared back at her, pondering for a moment. “Can I meet him?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay