The next morning.

Mu Zhi’an woke up early and stretched lazily in the courtyard, enjoying the first rays of the winter sun.

Well, it wasn’t exactly waking up. It was more like he hadn’t slept at all.

Or rather, he hadn’t had the chance to sleep.

But it couldn’t be helped. Yao Meng needed a vast amount of Spiritual Energy, and he was the source.

Of course, the Empress wouldn’t demand too much from him. Perhaps due to her shyness, she usually only acquiesced to his advances after he initiated.

Their relationship had become somewhat ambiguous.

Initially, Yao Meng’s goal had simply been to reconstruct her Vessel and immortal body. However, judging from her recent behavior, they were more like a loving couple.

After resting in the courtyard for a while, Mu Zhi’an quietly entered Bai Ruoxi’s room.

The young lady in the white palace dress seemed to have already circulated her energy for several cycles. Her Heavenly Dao energy continuously purified the surrounding Spiritual Energy, absorbing it rapidly.

Mu Zhi’an didn’t disturb her and found a spot to meditate, beginning his own cultivation.

There was no need to rush to the Sword Palace until they received more information.

After all, the Two Polarities Sect wasn’t too far from the Xuanyin Temple, and the Sword Palace was only a hundred miles from there. They could wait for the latest news before departing.

As he expected, in the afternoon of the second day, even more shocking news spread throughout the Eastern Realm.

Over a hundred cultivators had attempted to enter the Sword Palace, but only a few managed to slip through the chaos and enter. The rest were eliminated.

However, one cultivator had entered the Sword Palace unharmed, without being attacked by the glowing swords!

This news was like a shot of adrenaline for the cultivators who had given up on the Sword Palace.

Soon after, the cultivator’s identity was revealed.

He was the young master of the Qianyuan Sect, renowned for his swordsmanship. After receiving a protective spell from a Qianyuan Sect elder, he had headed towards the Sword Palace alone.

They had expected a fierce battle, but the glowing swords within the Sword Palace didn’t react at all, allowing him to enter freely.

This was quite strange. In the past two days, many cultivators had been eliminated while trying to enter the Sword Palace for its treasures.

Yet, the Qianyuan Sect’s young master had entered without any resistance. It was truly peculiar.

That afternoon, another piece of news surfaced: The Jade Pool Fairy from the Jade Pool Holy Land had also entered the Sword Palace unharmed.

This news caused a stir throughout the Eastern Realm, and many Primordial Clans couldn’t sit still. After consulting with their elders, their most talented disciples immediately set off for the Sword Palace.

They seemed to be afraid that if they delayed any longer, the treasures within the Sword Palace would be claimed by others.

Meanwhile, in the Garden of Heavenly Harmony, Bai Ruoxi slowly opened her eyes.

“Finished meditating?” Mu Zhi’an asked with a smile.

Bai Ruoxi nodded, then looked at him and said, “The bronze fragment just reacted… It’s urging me to go to the Sword Palace.”

A faint smile appeared on Mu Zhi’an’s face.

It seemed the Sword Palace was indeed waiting for Bai Ruoxi.

But why was the bronze fragment reacting to her?

Could it be that the Bai family was descended from the Sword Palace’s master?

This thought crossed Mu Zhi’an’s mind.

Then, he shook his head, dismissing the idea.

It didn’t matter. They would find out the truth once they visited the Sword Palace.

…

Ye Yu slowly opened his eyes, emerging from his meditation.

“I’ve finally stabilized at the second-grade Core Formation Realm,” he said, exhaling slowly. He felt refreshed.

“Losing to Nigati wasn’t a bad thing. Your mentality and willpower have improved,” the old man within him said with a hint of satisfaction.

“I didn’t lose to Nigati. If it weren’t for his trickery, I would have won the pill refining competition,” Ye Yu said, scoffing.

“As long as you understand that, it’s fine,” the old man replied, feeling a surge of emotion.

With his current mentality, reaching the Nascent Soul Realm shouldn’t be a problem…

The old man continued, “It doesn’t matter that you didn’t obtain the Nine Cauldrons Pill formula. It’s not essential. However, you can’t miss out on the treasures within the Sword Palace.”

“The Sword Palace?” Ye Yu frowned. “Are you referring to the celestial palace that recently emerged from the ground, Master?”

“Indeed.”

The old man explained, “The Sword Palace’s master was an extraordinary woman. She loved swordsmanship, and the ordinary long sword she always carried resonated with the Great Dao when she reached the Dao Integration Realm, developing an Artifact Spirit.”

“Legend has it that her sword was unmatched within the same realm. If you can obtain it, your chances of winning the Ascension Ceremony will increase by at least thirty to forty percent.”

“That sword is still within the Sword Palace?!” Ye Yu’s eyes lit up with excitement.

Then, he asked with a hint of doubt, “But haven’t there been rumors that cultivators who tried to enter the Sword Palace were eliminated? Do you have a way to enter, Master?”

“I don’t, but you can,” the old man replied.

Sensing Ye Yu’s confusion, he continued, “The Qianyuan Sect is renowned for its swordsmanship. The Qianyuan Sect’s young master naturally possesses extraordinary sword talent. I don’t know much about the Jade Pool Holy Land, but their Holy Maiden likely also has exceptional sword talent.”

“Are you saying…?” Ye Yu seemed to have realized something, but he wasn’t sure.

“The Sword Palace is choosing its master,” the old man said with certainty.

“The reason for its emergence is still unknown, but the Sword Palace declined because no one could wield the Bronze Ancient Sword left behind by the Sword Emperor. Those who can enter the Sword Palace unharmed all possess exceptional sword talent.”

“There’s only one explanation…”

Ye Yu’s eyes gradually brightened. “The Bronze Ancient Sword within the Sword Palace is searching for a worthy wielder?”

Divine artifacts possessed spirits, especially the Bronze Ancient Sword that had accompanied the Sword Emperor for so long.

After slumbering for tens of thousands of years, the sword hadn’t found a suitable master. Its emergence this time was likely because it had sensed a worthy candidate.

After all, this was a golden age, filled with talented individuals. It wasn’t surprising that someone might be worthy of the Sword Palace’s recognition.

“With my sword talent, the Bronze Ancient Sword will be mine!” Ye Yu’s eyes burned with determination.

If he gained the Sword Palace’s recognition, his strength would skyrocket… The power of an ancestral artifact was far beyond imagination.

And then, at the Ascension Ceremony, he would defeat everyone – Mu Zhi’an, Bai Ruoxi, and even the so-called geniuses from the Southern Wilderness and the Western Regions – with that sword!

“Master, I want to set off for the Sword Palace today,” Ye Yu said.

“That’s for the best,” the old man replied.

Meanwhile, the Southern Wilderness’s Third Elder, his hands clasped behind his back, looked at the handsome young man before him and said slowly, “Nigati, Miss Regina spoke to me about your behavior after the pill refining competition. Don’t bring it up again. She has her reasons.”

Nigati’s eyes held a hint of resentment. “Didn’t she explain her reasons?”

To side with a cultivator from the Eastern Realm and disregard his feelings… It was hard to swallow his anger without a proper explanation.

The Third Elder looked at him meaningfully. “She didn’t, but I trust her judgment.”

Regina’s constitution was unique, and she had made a deal with Mu Zhi’an. After the Ascension Ceremony, her constitution would be perfected. This matter was of great importance and couldn’t be revealed to others.

However, Nigati was clearly dissatisfied. He looked up at the Third Elder. “Isn’t that unfair to me, Elder?!”

The Third Elder snorted. “If you want to know why she sided with Mu Zhi’an, go ask her yourself. I won’t stop you.”

Nigati’s eyes flashed with anger, but he could only punch the wall behind him in frustration.

It couldn’t be helped. Regina’s bloodline had a suppressive effect on Southern Wilderness cultivators at the same level. They could only feel awe and respect in her presence, unable to resist.

“I inquired about that Mu Zhi’an yesterday. He’s a smooth talker who deceives women with sweet words. I hope the Holy Maiden hasn’t been completely charmed by him and forgotten our purpose,” Nigati muttered, trying to convince himself.

“I have everything under control,” the Third Elder said with a chuckle.

Regina might appear gentle and fragile on the surface, but she was actually incredibly proud. What could a mere third-grade Core Formation cultivator possibly offer to attract her?

However, they still needed to be cautious.

After all, her constitution was particularly effective against Southern Wilderness cultivators. If Mu Zhi’an truly won her over, even the Three Pillar Deities wouldn’t be able to sit still.

Besides, there was another matter that concerned him…

The Third Elder looked towards the Sword Palace, worry in his cloudy eyes.

The emergence of the Sword Palace in the Eastern Realm… If someone obtained the ancestral artifact within, it would disrupt the Ascension Ceremony.

He could only hope that no one would gain the Sword Palace’s recognition…

The Third Elder sighed softly and withdrew his gaze.

…

Garden of Heavenly Harmony.

“Aaa~~!”

Ling Long’s mournful and beautiful singing voice echoed through the courtyard, like a siren’s call, seemingly complaining about Mu Zhi’an’s negligence in not bringing her breakfast.

Knock knock.

Mu Zhi’an, holding a tray in one hand, knocked on Ling Long’s door.

Inside the room, Lin Ling was lying on the table, her bare feet dangling in the air. She turned her head slightly, her red eyes fixed on Mu Zhi’an.

Or rather, on the meat buns in his hand.

Only after he placed the buns before her did she take one and silently took a bite.

“Sister Lin Ling, I might be leaving the Garden of Heavenly Harmony for two days. You’ll have to forage for your own food during that time,” Mu Zhi’an said, stroking her smooth silver hair.

If anyone saw this scene, they would be shocked. Ling Long rarely left her Celestial Realm, and few had even seen her within the Two Polarities Sect. Yet, Mu Zhi’an was treating her like a pet cat, even stroking her hair.

Hearing that he was leaving, Lin Ling looked up, her bright eyes filled with reluctance. “Aaa?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.

“The Sword Palace has emerged, and Mengrou, Ruoxi, and I are planning to check it out. Ruoxi’s last bronze fragment might be there,” Mu Zhi’an explained.

Actually, Wei Mengrou should have stayed behind, but Mu Zhi’an was worried that something might happen to her due to her bad luck, so he had decided to bring her along.

Lin Ling blinked, her eyes thoughtful.

Then, seeing that he was about to leave, she seemed worried. “Live,” she said, her voice soft but firm.

Her words seemed to hold a magical power, resonating with the Great Dao.

Mu Zhi’an felt a warmth spread through his body. He looked at her and saw her holding up a cardboard sign.

“This will heal you instantly if you’re severely injured. The spell will last for seven days.”

Her words held power… And this was with the limitations imposed by the Heavenly Dao’s energy. He couldn’t imagine how powerful she would be without them.

Mu Zhi’an looked at the adorable silver-haired, red-eyed beauty holding up the sign and sighed inwardly. He expressed his sincere gratitude.

The Sword Palace was outside the Two Polarities Sect, and ordinary cultivators couldn’t approach it. If something happened to them inside, there would be no one to blame.

Lin Ling’s ability was very useful in this situation.

If they were severely injured, they could be instantly healed… It was like having an extra life.

After bidding farewell to Lin Ling, Mu Zhi’an left the room and went to the courtyard.

Wei Mengrou was already waiting for him. Perhaps because of what had happened last night, her gaze was slightly softer today. She wasn’t looking at him with the same disdain as before.

This made Mu Zhi’an both happy and regretful.

He was happy that their relationship had improved, but he also missed being looked at with disdain by his maid.

“Where’s Ruoxi?” Mu Zhi’an greeted her.

“Over there.” Wei Mengrou raised her chin, gesturing towards the beautiful woman in the white palace dress sitting in the courtyard.

Then, she couldn’t help but glance at him and say, “Be careful this time. The Sword Palace is not only dangerous, but the cultivators within might not be friendly.”

“I know,” Mu Zhi’an said with a gentle smile.

“But we’re just going to observe and see what happens. The rest has nothing to do with us,” he continued.

“Observe and see what happens…?” Wei Mengrou, who was unaware of his plans, looked at him with confusion.

Mu Zhi’an chuckled. “The cultivators outside think the Sword Palace is choosing its master.”

“But it has already chosen its master.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay