News of the three Nascent Soul elders’ defeat during their nighttime infiltration of the Jade Pool Sacred Land spread like wildfire throughout Sacred King City that very evening.

This news undoubtedly stirred up a hornet’s nest among the cultivators gathered there.

From teahouses to inns, cultivators from all corners of the Eastern Realm buzzed with discussions about the incident.

“Losing three Nascent Soul elders in one fell swoop… That ancient family must be heartbroken,” someone remarked with a sigh.

“It might not have been a single family. Perhaps it was two, or even three families acting together,” another cultivator speculated.

After all, even for ancient families, having three or four Nascent Soul experts was considered impressive. Which family would be willing to risk sending three elders on such a dangerous mission?

“How do you even know that ancient families sent people to test the Jade Pool? Is it just speculation?” someone finally asked, unable to contain their curiosity.

“Do we even need to speculate? Last night, a surge of powerful spiritual energy erupted above the Jade Pool, filling the heavens and earth. It was clearly the aura of Nascent Soul experts.”

“The Jade Pool Sacred Land was decisive. It seems they used the Pure World Seed left behind by the Jade Empress to suppress those three Nascent Soul experts.”

“Legend has it that the Pure World Seed can transform into vines that absorb spiritual energy, leaving those entangled with no chance of escape… The Jade Empress truly was an extraordinary figure.” A wave of genuine admiration filled the speaker’s voice.

“It seems the Jade Empress has indeed returned to the Jade Pool, and she’s severely injured. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have acted so decisively, making an example of those elders.”

Many believed that the Jade Pool Sacred Land had used the seed left behind by the Jade Empress to effortlessly suppress the three Nascent Soul elders.

After all, a severely injured Jade Empress would need to focus on healing and wait for the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit to ripen. The Jade Pool Sacred Land would undoubtedly do everything in their power to protect her during this time.

“Several major ancient families haven’t made a move yet. Tonight was just a test,” another cultivator said, sensing the brewing storm.

“The Jade Empress’s name is renowned throughout the land. I hope she recovers soon. I would love to witness her unparalleled grace.”

“Heh, you want to witness her grace, or her beauty?” another cultivator scoffed, exposing the speaker’s true intentions.

It was impossible to deny the allure of the Jade Empress. However, her power was intimidating, so even those who admired her from afar could only keep their feelings hidden.

“Whether we get to see her or not depends on whether the Heavenly Phoenix Tree can survive until it bears fruit, and whether she can successfully refine it.”

Since the ancient families had taken action, they were clearly prepared for a confrontation with the Jade Pool Sacred Land. After tonight’s test, a more ferocious assault was likely to follow.

Countless eyes were watching to see if the Jade Pool Sacred Land could withstand the onslaught.

“The Jade Empress’s Pure World Seed must be exhausted after tonight. If those families attack again tomorrow, perhaps even using their ancestral artifacts, they should be able to at least delay the fruiting of the Heavenly Phoenix Tree.”

“Indeed. Unless the Jade Pool Sacred Land has another Pure World Seed, their only option is to use their ancestral artifact.”

The teahouse buzzed with discussions.

Some hoped for the Jade Empress’s full recovery, eager to witness her unparalleled beauty, while others hoped she would remain weakened. However, most cultivators were simply enjoying the unfolding drama.

Then, a slightly jarring voice cut through the chatter.

“What if… it wasn’t the Jade Pool Sacred Land who took action, but the Jade Empress herself?”

“…!”

The teahouse fell silent.

“Hmph!”

An elderly man scoffed. “Fool! If the Jade Empress could fight, would the Jade Pool Sacred Land have been so cautious, deploying so many forces and even activating their formations to protect the Heavenly Phoenix Tree?”

The cultivators gathered in Sacred King City all had some influence, so the elder’s harsh words naturally displeased the one who had voiced the theory. However, when he saw who the speaker was, his displeasure vanished.

It was Wang Meng, a retainer of the Wang Family of the Eastern Realm!

The Wang Family was one of the most powerful forces in the Eastern Realm.

Though they weren’t as powerful as the Forbidden Zone, the Forbidden Zone rarely interacted with the outside world, and the Two Polarities Sect, the most sacred ground in the Eastern Realm, always remained neutral.

With the Forbidden Zone and the Two Polarities Sect out of the picture, the Wang Family was at the top.

Beside Wang Meng sat a beautiful woman in a revealing red dress, her long hair cascading down her back, her lips painted a bright red. She chuckled softly. “Think about it, if the Jade Empress could fight, would she have returned to the Jade Pool Sacred Land so discreetly?”

It was Wang Ying, the cherished daughter of the Wang Family.

Even the Wang Family is involved…?

The cultivators exchanged uneasy glances, sensing the growing tension.

It seemed the Jade Empress’s return had truly shaken the Eastern Realm…

The silence stretched, then the chatter resumed, though it was more subdued now.

They all knew that tonight’s attack was just the beginning.

The Jade Pool Sacred Land had seemingly used the Pure World Seed to suppress the three Nascent Soul experts.

But what about tomorrow?

Could the Pure World Seed last until the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit ripened?

It seemed unlikely.

However, neither the rogue cultivators nor the ancient families knew that it wasn’t the Jade Pool Sacred Land who had taken action.

It was… the Jade Empress herself.

She didn’t have any spiritual energy, but…

Mu Zhi’an did.

…

Within the Jade Pool Sacred Land.

The Jade Pool Empress Mother leaned back on her throne, listening to a report about the incident at the Heavenly Phoenix Tree.

“Three elders from ancient families attacked tonight, and one of them even used a projection of an ancestral artifact. But they were all suppressed by the Jade Empress?” she asked, her brow furrowed, her voice laced with surprise.

She knew the Jade Empress was powerful, but to suppress three Nascent Soul experts without a vessel… it was astonishing.

“Yes… and Mu Zhi’an was there as well,” the messenger replied.

The Jade Pool Holy Maiden, clad in a thin white dress, a faint silver light emanating from her, similar to the Jade Empress’s aura, looked at the messenger, her voice calm. “Were they all devoured by the Jade Empress’s vines? Their spiritual energy completely absorbed?”

The messenger nodded, and a thoughtful expression crossed her face.

This didn’t make sense… the Jade Empress shouldn’t have any spiritual energy without a vessel. How did she do it?

The Jade Pool Empress Mother also frowned, then she dismissed the messenger with a wave of her hand.

She retrieved a jade bottle from her sleeve and sent it flying towards the Jade Pool Holy Maiden.

“Yao Yue, take this pill to the Jade Empress,” she said.

The Jade Pool Holy Maiden opened the bottle, then looked up at her, surprised. “The Spirit Nourishing Pill?”

It was an Eighth-Grade pill, the Spirit Nourishing Pill, similar in effect to the Soul Nourishing Pill. Even without a vessel, the Jade Empress could still absorb some spiritual energy from it.

“Weren’t you planning to use it to reach the Soul Transformation Realm…?” the Jade Pool Holy Maiden asked.

The Jade Pool Empress Mother shook her head, a gentle smile on her lips. “The Heavenly Dao’s laws have changed. I’ve tried, but I can’t break through. Reaching the Soul Transformation Realm isn’t just about destiny or effort. We have to wait for the Heavenly Dao’s permission.”

“The Spirit Nourishing Pill is useless to me for now.”

“Besides, the Jade Empress is our priority. Everything else can wait.”

The Jade Pool Holy Maiden carefully put away the pill and nodded. “I’ll take it to her now.”

Something was wrong with the Jade Empress. She shouldn’t have any spiritual energy, and yet she had suppressed three Nascent Soul experts.

Perhaps she had used some secret technique… but it might affect her vessel’s restoration.

The Spirit Nourishing Pill could replenish her spiritual energy… it was a waste, but they had no other choice.

An Eighth-Grade pill… even ancient families wouldn’t have many.

Eighth-Grade alchemists were rare, and Eighth-Grade pills required at least two or three Imperial-Grade medicinal herbs.

Imperial-Grade herbs were incredibly rare, taking tens of thousands of years to grow.

The Jade Pool Empress Mother was truly willing to pay any price for the Jade Empress’s return.

She could only hope everything went smoothly…

The Jade Pool Holy Maiden headed towards the Jade Empress’s chambers, the pill clutched tightly in her hand.

…

The candles in the Jade Empress’s chambers had been extinguished, and the air was filled with a faint sandalwood fragrance, the atmosphere heavy with unspoken tension.

The Jade Empress was clad in a green robe, her alluring figure barely concealed by the thin fabric, her aura cold and ethereal, a silk ribbon cinched around her waist, accentuating her ample bosom and slender waist.

Her long, slender legs were hidden beneath her skirt, her delicate feet adorned with embroidered shoes, her face, faintly flushed in the dim light, as beautiful as a painting.

“You suppressed three experts tonight, Fairy Sister, but they likely won’t suspect you. They’ll probably attack again tomorrow,” Mu Zhi’an said, sitting on the bed, his voice serious as if discussing a serious matter.

However, his gaze never left her, traveling up and down her body, admiring her beauty.

She truly was a fairy, her skin flawless, her every curve alluring, her posture elegant and refined. Even he, a seasoned womanizer, was momentarily speechless, unsure where to begin.

“Let them come. It’s a good opportunity to see how many enemies the Jade Pool Sacred Land has,” she replied calmly, her voice as soothing as a gentle breeze, her confidence evident.

He nodded. “With your strength, Fairy Sister, suppressing them won’t be a problem.”

He paused, then added, “But there’s a… condition…”

A breeze rustled the curtains, revealing glimpses of her alluring figure.

The atmosphere in the room grew heavier.

She fell silent as she felt his hand on hers, his fingers gently intertwining with hers.

She looked up, meeting his gaze.

Before she restored her vessel, she needed spiritual energy to fight.

And she could only obtain it from… external sources… under specific conditions…

They both knew what had to be done.

Her composure faltered, and she quickly looked away, her cheeks flushed, her earlobes burning.

Her reaction, so different from her usual aloofness, made him even more eager.

He boldly leaned in, kissing her delicate cheek, his lips trailing down her neck.

When she didn’t resist, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer, the blanket covering them, concealing their intimacy.

…

The Jade Pool Holy Maiden walked through the quiet palace, her gaze sweeping over her surroundings.

The Jade Empress had dismissed the maids earlier, leaving only her and Mu Zhi’an in the palace.

However, as she entered the palace, she felt a sense of unease.

It was too quiet.

So quiet that she wondered if they had already left.

She then heard a faint sound coming from the back of the hall, and she walked towards it, her eyes narrowing as she spotted a room.

As she approached the room, a melodious voice echoed from within, “Can I help you?”

However, the voice, usually ethereal and distant, now held a hint of laziness and allure.

She hesitated, then spoke, her voice respectful. “The Empress Mother asked me to bring you the Spirit Nourishing Pill, Senior Jade Empress. May I enter?”

“Wait in the side hall. I’m currently… cultivating… and can’t be disturbed.”

The Jade Empress’s eyes were hazy as she looked at the young man in her arms, her delicate fingers tracing his cheek.

Her voice, as she spoke, was soft and alluring.

“Just… a little longer…”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay