Jade Pool, Ancestral Land.

Within the grand hall, the Jade Empress leaned against the medicinal bath, the water covering her up to her chest, faintly revealing a pair of snow-white shoulders floating on the surface.

Above the bath, a clear and melodious phoenix cry echoed. The Heavenly Phoenix Fruit, as if a real phoenix, circled in mid-air before transforming into a wisp of red smoke and entering the Jade Empress’s body.

Legend had it that the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit possessed the effect of ‘Nirvana.’ As long as one’s consciousness remained, even a damaged or completely destroyed vessel could be reconstructed.

The Jade Empress closed her eyes slightly, quietly refining the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit.

White mist lingered above the bath, her body faintly visible. Her waterfall-like hair was tied up, a few strands falling onto her jade-like neck. She appeared less aloof and more languid, with a touch of earthly charm.

Below her neck, though obscured by the bath and mist, one could still sense her captivating beauty.

Hmm… Although I’ve seen it more than once before, the Jade Empress is truly unfathomable.

Mu Zhi’an sighed inwardly.

He waited patiently until the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit was completely refined by the Jade Empress before slowly approaching her from behind.

“Is the refinement complete?” Mu Zhi’an asked, looking at her from behind.

As if sensing the slightly burning gaze behind her, the Jade Empress nodded slightly, letting out a soft “Mm” amidst the misty air.

Seeing this, Mu Zhi’an stepped forward. “I’ll help you condense your vessel.”

And take this opportunity to get revenge for her teasing me earlier… As Mu Zhi’an thought this, he was about to step into the bath.

However, after taking just two steps, he suddenly felt a somewhat familiar sensation on his wrist.

…Judging from the touch, it should be something like a rope.f

Mu Zhi’an looked down. At some point, a slender green vine had silently crawled onto his wrist from beside him and was now gently lifting him towards the Jade Empress.

Mu Zhi’an: “…”

“Empress…?” After a brief silence, Mu Zhi’an couldn’t help but look at the Jade Empress.

Why is she so eager…? Last time, she at least waited until after we were done once before summoning this vine. This time, she’s already restraining me before we even start.

The Jade Empress covered her chest with one hand and slowly stood up.

“Didn’t I say it before? I can immediately sense whether someone is lying or even their ‘malice’,” she said softly, her voice alone enough to evoke fondness.

Looking at the young man brought before her by the vine, the Jade Empress’s eyes held a faint smile. “Although I know your malice just now wasn’t true malice, we don’t have time to play around right now.”

“So, let me take the lead.”

Mu Zhi’an: “…”

Listening to the pleasant voice beside his ear, Mu Zhi’an suddenly realized something serious.

Whether he could tease this Empress or not didn’t seem to be up to him.

If she summoned the vine, he didn’t seem to have any good countermeasures for the time being…

But forget it…

Looking at the faint blush on the Jade Empress’s beautiful face and her alluring figure as she slowly approached him, Mu Zhi’an decided to stop thinking.

It didn’t matter to him; he wouldn’t lose out either way.

…

An hour later.

Mu Zhi’an embraced the Jade Empress’s slender waist, silently enjoying her warmth.

“Empress, do you need more?” Mu Zhi’an asked.

The Jade Empress shook her head gently, maintaining her composure. “Considering your body… We can take it slow, no rush.”

For an hour, the Innate Celestial Vessel had repeatedly absorbed Spiritual Energy from the bath and transferred it to the Jade Empress.

Next, the Jade Empress only needed to use the temporarily condensed vessel from the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit to reconstruct her true vessel, and Mu Zhi’an’s task would be complete.

Mu Zhi’an smiled. “I don’t mind. I’m still young; I can handle it.”

As he said this, his attention was quickly drawn to her beauty.

Her previously tied-up hair was now slightly disheveled, strands falling onto her delicate face. Her high nose bridge, slightly pursed lips… she exuded a charm she hadn’t shown before, a blend of purity and allure.

Sensing Mu Zhi’an’s gaze, the Jade Empress looked straight ahead, avoiding his eyes, seemingly trying to maintain her usual aloofness and the dignified demeanor of an Empress.

Seeing her aloof posture, Mu Zhi’an felt a playful urge. He leaned in slightly and kissed her cheek, her skin snow-white and smooth, emitting a faint fragrance.

The Jade Empress’s body trembled. An ambiguous atmosphere filled the air between them. Her cheeks gradually flushed, her eyes revealing shame, confusion, a struggle to maintain her composure… and a gradually hazy gaze.

She turned to Mu Zhi’an slightly and whispered, “If you continue like this, I won’t consider your physical condition anymore.”

Mu Zhi’an scoffed inwardly. What can you do to me?

He gave a gentle and bright smile. “I don’t need to rest anymore, Empress. You don’t have to worry about my physical condition.”

Without any concern, he continued to kiss her.

The Jade Empress’s eyes flickered as she gazed into Mu Zhi’an’s eyes.

Her eyes shimmered with a hint of affection.

…

The next morning.

Mu Zhi’an leaned against the edge of the bath, looking up at the ceiling of the grand hall, seemingly pondering the meaning of human existence.

The Jade Empress placed a cool hand on his, her stunningly beautiful face close to his. She kissed his cheek, her eyes filled with a tenderness she hadn’t shown before.

“What’s wrong?” Sensing Mu Zhi’an’s gaze, the Jade Empress asked.

“I feel like this isn’t like you…” Mu Zhi’an said with some surprise, wondering if the Jade Empress had been swapped. Yesterday, she was still reserved, but her behavior later on was a bit off, too proactive.

“My personality is indeed affected during the vessel condensation process, but don’t worry. Once my vessel is fully condensed, I’ll return to my original state,” the Jade Empress said with a faint smile, a hint of charm in her eyes.

What’s the principle behind this…? Personality changes during vessel condensation?

Is she sure she’s not taking advantage of my naivety…?

“Are you not up for it anymore?” The Jade Empress’s clear and melodious voice echoed in his ear, carrying a faint fragrance that refreshed his mind.

“Heh, Empress, you jest. There’s nothing I can’t handle,” Mu Zhi’an naturally refused to admit defeat and responded immediately.

It was rare to see the Jade Empress so proactive, so he wouldn’t hold back.

Late at night.

Outside the forest, silver moonlight cascaded down. Occasionally, the sounds of wild beasts scurrying through the undergrowth could be heard.

“E-Empress, why don’t you meditate for a while and let me rest…?” Mu Zhi’an couldn’t help but ask.

The Jade Empress shook her head gently. “Time is of the essence. I need to condense my vessel as soon as possible and eliminate all troubles. I can’t be idle.”

Mu Zhi’an: “…”

Well… It’s fine. Such a stunningly beautiful Empress actively seeking his affection… Even if it’s tiring, what does it matter?

Mu Zhi’an gritted his teeth, unafraid, determined to match her Dao Integration Realm with his Core Formation Realm body.

…

Late at night.

Jade Pool Sacred Land.

The Jade Pool Empress Mother sat on her throne, quietly sensing the deterrent power emanating from the activated formations.

The Heavenly Phoenix Tree had just borne its first fruit, and although it had been consumed by the Jade Empress, they couldn’t let their guard down.

The remaining fruits couldn’t fall into the hands of the remnants of the previous Demonic Cultivators.

As early as yesterday, when the Jade Empress and Mu Zhi’an left, the Jade Pool Sacred Land had activated the formations. If any Demonic Cultivator entered, the formations would instantly crush them.

At this moment, a Jade Pool female disciple approached. “Empress Mother, the Vice Sect Master of the Profound Sky Sect and the Sect Master of the Violet Rainbow Sect request an audience.”

“The Profound Sky Sect and the Violet Rainbow Sect…?”

The Jade Pool Empress Mother pondered for a moment, then nodded. “Invite them in.”

Within the Eastern Realm, the Jade Pool Sacred Land had close ties with several factions. The Profound Sky Sect and the Violet Rainbow Sect were two of them. The three factions had cooperated many times in the past.

The two Sects coming at this time probably meant they had important matters to discuss.

…

Meanwhile.

Time passed silently. Unknowingly, another day had gone by.

Mu Zhi’an pushed open the ancient and heavy iron doors of the grand hall and slowly walked out.

He supported his waist with one hand and looked up at the dazzling sunlight, as if reborn. He let out a slow breath, his tense body relaxing.

He used to think that suppressing a Dao Integration Realm expert with his Core Formation Realm body wouldn’t be a problem.

But now it seemed… he might need more practice.

As Mu Zhi’an left the hall, the iron doors slowly closed on their own.

Then, a formation silently activated, concealing everything within the hall.

This was the Ancestral Land’s formation, also personally created by the Jade Empress.

She would condense her true vessel within the next half a month and return to the Dao Integration Realm.

Outside the hall, several elders noticed Mu Zhi’an, their eyes filled with strange expressions.

Mu Zhi’an had arrived on the morning of the day before yesterday and only left this morning… It had been two whole days.

Coupled with his current posture… It was hard not to be suspicious.

Mu Zhi’an paid no mind to their strange gazes. He simply cupped his fists towards the elders, collected his thoughts, then took out three Replenishing Essence Pills and swallowed them before flying away from the Ancestral Land on his sword.

He was still concerned about the remnants of the previous Demonic Cultivators and wanted to investigate further.

According to the Demon Realm Empress, his Demon Realm Mark would react if there were any Demonic Cultivators nearby.

If the Demonic Cultivators weren’t in the city but gathered in the forests outside, as long as their numbers were sufficient, his mark would still react.

However, in the past ten days, he had been both inside and outside the city but hadn’t detected any trace of them.

This meant that the remnants under the Primordial Demon Emperor either hadn’t come to the Jade Pool Sacred Land or had come in small numbers and hadn’t entered Sacred King City. Coupled with their concealed auras, his Demon Realm Mark hadn’t reacted.

Regardless of the possibility, further investigation was necessary.

Of course, before that, he needed to let his body recover…

I never thought that the Jade Empress, who usually appears cold and aloof, would be even more passionate than me once she gets into it… Mu Zhi’an thought with a sigh.

He didn’t quite believe what the Jade Empress had said about personality changes during vessel condensation… Wasn’t that just “coaxing a child”?

Of course, those who blindly worshipped the Jade Empress might actually believe her words.

But Mu Zhi’an clearly didn’t.

Wei Mengrou silently followed behind Mu Zhi’an, not disturbing his thoughts.

This maid was always so reassuring, although she still held a certain disdain for her young master, which made Mu Zhi’an slightly helpless.

Leaving the Jade Pool Ancestral Land, Mu Zhi’an flew towards the Jade Pool on his sword, passing through the lush green forest.

After nearly half an hour, he suddenly felt a slight burning sensation in his chest.

His Demon Realm Mark had reacted!

Mu Zhi’an’s eyes flickered, and he slowed down his flight, looking around.

He didn’t sense any Demonic Cultivator aura.

He pondered for a moment, then calmly said towards the empty forest, “How long are you going to hide?”

His voice fell, but there was still no response.

But Mu Zhi’an was also very patient, hovering before the forest.

Silence, pretending to be an expert.

“Young Master Mu is indeed quite perceptive. I have completely restricted my aura, yet you still detected me?”

After a while, a shadow distorted, and a masked man with a hideous appearance silently appeared within his sight.

Fifth-grade Core Formation?

Mu Zhi’an immediately discerned the man’s cultivation level. After two days of dual cultivation with the Jade Empress and the medicinal bath, he had also reached the second-grade Core Formation Realm. Coupled with his Innate Spiritual Body, he could roughly judge the level of other Core Formation cultivators.

“Demonic Cultivator?” Mu Zhi’an asked.

The man sneered. “Isn’t Young Master Mu asking the obvious?”

“You’re a Demonic Cultivator under the Primordial Demon Emperor, right?” Mu Zhi’an said calmly.

The man grinned. “Indeed, we are here for the grand revival plan of His Majesty, the Demon Emperor.”

“Young Master Mu, you promised to bring the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit to His Majesty. Now you’re watching the Jade Empress take it. Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?”

Mu Zhi’an shook his head and smiled faintly. “I have sworn to the Demon Emperor that I will obtain the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit and Rebirth Water for him. Do you think I would dare to break my oath?”

The man fell silent.

Swearing to the heavens… In the Nine Realms, not many people dared to do that.

Because if they failed to fulfill their promise, they would be struck by lightning.

Moreover, when they reached a new cultivation level in the future, they might be plagued by inner demons due to their unfulfilled promise, severely hindering their future cultivation.

“Besides, you saw how the Jade Empress obtained the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit. In that situation, how could I make her obediently hand it over to me?” Mu Zhi’an continued.

After a moment of silence, the man said, “Can you obtain the second Heavenly Phoenix Fruit?”

“I’ll do my best,” Mu Zhi’an replied.

The man sneered. “In that case, I hope Young Master Mu can fulfill your promise soon.”

“How will I contact you then?” Mu Zhi’an asked.

“Just send it to the Pilgrimage Palace. There’s no need to contact us.” After saying that, the man was about to leave.

But at this moment, Mu Zhi’an suddenly asked, “Don’t you have any other benefits to offer me?”

As he spoke, his eyes held a hint of ‘greed’ as he looked at the man’s back.

The man paused, sneered, and said, “Once the matter is settled, I’ll give you three top-quality women with slave marks. Is that enough?”

This guy knows me well. He knows I’m an LSP(Lust-seeking Protagonist)… Mu Zhi’an’s face lit up with ‘joy’. He looked at the man and said, “Is that true?!”

“Naturally,” the man sneered. “But only if you can obtain the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit for us.”

“Now that the Jade Pool Sacred Land’s formations are activated, it’s almost impossible to enter from the outside and obtain the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit. However, you seem to be deeply trusted by the Jade Pool. Whether you can fulfill your promise and earn the Demon Emperor’s favor depends on you.”

After saying that, he turned into black smoke and vanished from sight.

Mu Zhi’an silently withdrew his gaze and flew away on his sword.

After a while, Wei Mengrou’s cold voice reached his ears. “They should know that you gave Spiritual Energy to the Jade Empress and helped her. Why didn’t they attack you?”

The rumors of Mu Zhi’an’s suspected dual cultivation with the Jade Empress were known to the outside world, and the remnants of the previous Demonic Cultivators hiding in the shadows couldn’t possibly be unaware.

The fact that a remnant had been waiting for him on his way back from the Ancestral Land meant they had probably guessed something.

But throughout the encounter, the remnant hadn’t done anything to Mu Zhi’an, only giving him some instructions before leaving.

It was strange.

“They don’t trust me, but they trust the oath I made before the Demon Emperor that day, because the oath is witnessed by the Heavenly Dao and cannot be changed.”

Mu Zhi’an turned to Wei Mengrou and said slowly, “I’m just a part of their plan. It would be best if I could obtain the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit. If not, they will take action themselves.”

“However, they still hold a glimmer of hope in me.”

“You mean… they plan to seize the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit themselves?” Wei Mengrou raised her eyebrows slightly and swatted away Mu Zhi’an’s attempt to step behind her and fly on her sword with her. She continued, “Now that the Jade Pool’s formations are activated, and with the Jade Empress’s deterrence, are there any remnants who can break through the formations?”

Hearing this, Mu Zhi’an fell silent.

It was very strange.

His Demon Realm Mark hadn’t reacted at all within Sacred King City or the Jade Pool Sacred Land until just now, when it reacted to a remnant.

This meant that most of the Primordial Demon Emperor’s subordinates weren’t near the Jade Pool Sacred Land.

The Heavenly Phoenix Fruit was extremely important to the Primordial Demon Emperor. Yet, for this operation to seize it, he had only sent a few subordinates?

They probably couldn’t even break through the Jade Pool’s formations, right?

Unless… they were to break through from within.

“…”

Mu Zhi’an suddenly froze.

“From within…” he muttered softly.

“What’s wrong?” The beauty in the yellow dress noticed her young master’s unusual behavior and couldn’t help but ask.

Mu Zhi’an slowly turned to Wei Mengrou, his expression blank. “My Demon Realm Mark hasn’t reacted, which means there are indeed no remnants of the previous Demonic Cultivators in Sacred King City.”

“Perhaps there aren’t many remnants of the Primordial Demon Emperor in the Eastern Realm at all.”

“But who said that only Demonic Cultivators can be enemies of the Eastern Realm?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay