T/N: I’ll return the translation for ‘My dear’ or ‘Dear’ that Bai Ruoxi says to “Mu Lang”.

The term ‘Lang’ basically means ‘dear’ or ‘darling’, a term of endearment.

After Bai Ruoxi regained consciousness, Mu Zhi’an released Ye Lingxuan’s hand and turned his attention to Bai Ruoxi.

She was once again dressed in her usual white palace dress adorned with plum blossoms. Even the dress couldn’t conceal her ample bosom, and her beautiful eyes held a hint of vulnerability.

She and the Sword Palace Master are truly two different types of beauties… Even though he had seen Bai Ruoxi countless times, Mu Zhi’an couldn’t help but admire her.

“Ruoxi, is the Sword Palace inheritance complete?” he asked.

Bai Ruoxi nodded slightly. “It’s complete, but it might take some time for me to master that first-grade cultivation technique,” she replied softly.

Her gaze softened as she looked at Mu Zhi’an.

Thinking back, from Tianxuan City to now, she owed everything to him. He had helped her selflessly, even facing danger and trouble for her sake.

And now, she finally had the strength to protect him.

Bai Ruoxi walked towards him and said softly, her eyes filled with tenderness, “I’ve caused you so much trouble in the past. From now on, let me protect you.”

If Ye Lingxuan weren’t present, Mu Zhi’an would have pulled Bai Ruoxi into his arms and showered her with affection. However, he was a fish pond master with self-control. He maintained a gentle smile and said, “There’s no need to be so polite between us, Ruoxi.”

“Let’s leave the Sword Palace first. We’ve been away from the sect for too long. The peak masters must be worried.”

They were both valued disciples. Moreover, Mu Zhi’an had just recently been in danger. Being away for too long would worry the peak masters, who cared deeply for their disciples.

Bai Ruoxi nodded slightly, then turned to Ye Lingxuan and said softly, “I’m sorry, Sister Lingxuan, for causing you so much trouble.”

Ye Lingxuan shook her head and smiled. “It was the Sword Palace Master who acted on her own, not you, Sister Ruoxi. There’s no need to apologize.”

Bai Ruoxi smiled faintly and fell silent.

The relationship between the two women was complicated. Ye Lingxuan knew about Bai Ruoxi’s relationship with Mu Zhi’an. After all, Bai Ruoxi had revealed it once before, even calling him ‘Mu Lang’.

However, Bai Ruoxi was still unsure about the relationship between Mu Zhi’an and Ye Lingxuan.

The reason was that whenever Mu Zhi’an was in bed with her, he would occasionally mention Ye Lingxuan, always saying: She’s just my younger sister.

Many people within the sect were fond of Ye Lingxuan, who was beautiful and innocent.

Therefore, Bai Ruoxi had a vague idea about their relationship but couldn’t be sure.

Mu Lang has been busy lately. It feels like we haven’t had a proper conversation in a while… Bai Ruoxi looked at Mu Zhi’an with a gentle gaze, her thoughts racing.

Perhaps I should use the Heart-Binding Lock tonight and ask him about his feelings for Lingxuan and the Jade Empress…

“What’s wrong, Ruoxi?” Mu Zhi’an asked, noticing her gaze.

“It’s nothing.”

…

“It’s nothing,” Bai Ruoxi replied softly, shaking her head slightly. Her gaze shifted to Wei Mengrou, who was still concealed.

“Let’s go back and talk,” she said.

Mu Zhi’an nodded and prepared to leave with them.

Before departing, he scanned the Sword Palace with his Spiritual Sense one last time, checking for anything he might have missed.

Having been granted access by the Sword Palace Master, Mu Zhi’an, who now controlled the palace’s formations, could easily sense everything within.

After confirming that he hadn’t missed anything, he was about to withdraw his Spiritual Sense.

Suddenly, he paused. His Spiritual Sense scanned a certain cave within a mountain peak repeatedly, a strange expression appearing on his face.

“What’s wrong?” Bai Ruoxi, noticing his unusual behavior, couldn’t help but ask.

“You two should head back first. I’ll join you later,” Mu Zhi’an said.

“Do you have other matters to attend to, Brother Mu?” Ye Lingxuan asked, her eyes filled with curiosity.

“The Jade Pool Holy Land’s Holy Maiden is trapped in a Celestial Realm within the Sword Palace. I need to modify the formations to release her,” Mu Zhi’an explained.

He had just discovered, while scanning the Sword Palace with his Spiritual Sense, that Yao Yue had somehow entered a sealed Celestial Realm. He didn’t know what she had obtained inside, but she was clearly trapped.

The Sword Palace was filled with complex Celestial Realms. If he didn’t help her, she might still be trapped there by the time the Ascension Ceremony ended.

After informing Bai Ruoxi and Ye Lingxuan, Mu Zhi’an flew towards a Celestial Realm on the south side of the Sword Palace.

The Celestial Realm on the south side was an ancient-looking hall, flanked by vibrant, unknown flowers and two glowing golden swords.

The massive doors of the hall were tightly shut. Mu Zhi’an tried to push them open, but they wouldn’t budge.

He closed his eyes and searched his mind for information about the formations within this Celestial Realm and how to unlock them.

“This Jade Pool Holy Maiden’s talent in formations is quite impressive. She actually managed to decipher such a complex formation on her own…” Mu Zhi’an thought, impressed, as information about the hall’s formations flooded his mind.

Even he, knowing the structure of the formation, would need at least an hour to unlock it. Yet, the Jade Pool Holy Maiden had managed to decipher it with her own talent and obtain the treasures within.

However, she probably hadn’t expected the formation to reseal itself after she entered, trapping her inside.

No wonder he hadn’t seen her in the Sword Palace. She was trapped here…

After about two hours, Mu Zhi’an opened his eyes and touched the glowing sword on the right side of the hall.

At the same time, he formed a hand seal, channeling his Spiritual Energy into the glowing sword on the left, altering the formation’s flow.

Clank…

The heavy, ancient doors slowly creaked open, revealing the figure of the Jade Pool Holy Land’s Holy Maiden within the dimly lit hall.

Yao Yue looked up, and upon seeing Mu Zhi’an, she froze, clearly surprised to encounter him here.

“Holy Maiden Yao Yue, long time no see,” Mu Zhi’an greeted her with a smile.

“Young Master Mu, what are you doing here…?” the Holy Maiden asked, her lips parting slightly in surprise.

Even in the dim light, her fair skin radiated a crystalline glow, a hazy mist swirling around her ethereal form. Her voice was melodious, like a gentle spring breeze, soothing the heart.

“Let’s talk outside, just in case the formation seals itself again,” Mu Zhi’an said with a chuckle.

Yao Yue snapped out of her daze and gracefully walked out of the hall, her movements like a fluttering butterfly.

Rumble.

The massive doors silently closed behind her, as if no one had ever entered.

The Holy Maiden’s eyes flickered, and she expressed her sincere gratitude. “Thank you for saving me, Young Master Mu. I would have missed the Ascension Ceremony otherwise.”

“There’s no need for thanks between us, Holy Maiden,” Mu Zhi’an replied, shaking his head.

His words seemed somewhat ambiguous, but not inappropriate.

After all, Mu Zhi’an’s relationship with the Jade Empress was unique, and the higher-ups in the Jade Pool Holy Land were aware of it. Yao Yue naturally didn’t find anything strange about his words.

“Why are you here, Young Master Mu? Are you also seeking opportunities?” the Holy Maiden couldn’t help but ask.

Her growth since their last meeting was remarkable. Although she hadn’t received the benefits of the Innate Celestial Furnace, her voice now contained a stronger Dao Rhyme, even more melodious and captivating than before.

And the hazy mist swirling around her ethereal form made it difficult for even Mu Zhi’an, with his Innate Spiritual Body, to discern her cultivation level.

This Holy Maiden’s progress is no less than Ruoxi’s. Perhaps the Jade Pool will have a second Dao Integration Empress in the future… Mu Zhi’an thought, impressed, then smiled. “I was about to leave when I suddenly sensed your presence here, Holy Maiden, so I decided to come and check. I didn’t expect to actually find you.”

“Perhaps it’s fate.”

The Holy Maiden clearly didn’t believe his words about a ‘coincidental encounter’. She smiled demurely. “If you don’t want to tell me, Young Master Mu, that’s fine. I’ll remember your kindness. If you ever need my help, I’ll do my best to assist you.”

Although she was inexperienced in love, she wasn’t naive. A less worldly girl like Lin Keyu might have believed his words.

Mu Zhi’an didn’t mind. He chuckled and said, “You should also leave this place soon, Holy Maiden. The Sword Palace will seal itself soon, and outsiders won’t be able to enter.”

The Sword Palace’s reappearance was part of the Sword Palace Master’s plan. Once the two bronze fragments were reunited, the Sword Palace would awaken.

And now that Bai Ruoxi, the ‘scabbard’, had received the Sword Palace’s inheritance, the palace would temporarily close its doors to outsiders.

The Holy Maiden nodded, then suddenly remembered something. “Young Master Mu, how is Senior Jade Empress? Our elders want to invite her back to lead the Jade Pool.”

“She’s still slumbering within my Vessel. I’ll inform her about this later,” Mu Zhi’an replied.

However, judging from Yao Meng’s previous behavior, she didn’t seem interested in leading the Jade Pool. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have left.

After exchanging a few more words, Mu Zhi’an prepared to leave.

“Are you also participating in the Ascension Ceremony, Young Master Mu?” the Holy Maiden asked.

Mu Zhi’an nodded slightly and smiled. “I’ll consider it an experience. I’m not aiming for first place. After all, there are so many talented individuals this time, and I don’t like competition.”

“Reaching the top sixteen would be a success,” he added, setting a small goal for himself.

“You’re very talented, Young Master Mu. There’s no need to be discouraged. You’ve only been in the sect for less than six months. You’ll surely amaze everyone in the future,” the Holy Maiden said encouragingly.

“Thank you,” Mu Zhi’an replied with a faint smile.

“By the way…”

Seemingly remembering something, Mu Zhi’an took out an Aurora Crystal from his storage ring and handed it to the Holy Maiden.

“I noticed you seemed interested in the Aurora Crystal earlier, Holy Maiden Yao Yue. If you don’t mind, please accept this as a gift.”

The Holy Maiden hesitated.

As the Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool Holy Land, she had countless admirers. Many had given her gifts in the past, but she had always refused them to avoid any misunderstandings.

However, Mu Zhi’an… was a special case.

Even disregarding his connection with the Jade Empress, he had shared a life-or-death experience with her in the Jade Pool Holy Land.

Moreover, he seemed to be highly valued by Lan Mulian…

As one of Lan Mulian’s few close friends, even setting aside the Jade Empress, the Holy Maiden had a favorable impression of Mu Zhi’an.

“If you feel uncomfortable accepting it, Holy Maiden, you can have it crafted into a necklace or other accessory and give me the remaining portion,” Mu Zhi’an said.

The Holy Maiden looked up, meeting his sincere gaze.

After a moment of silence, she smiled, her smile as warm and gentle as a spring breeze.

“Alright, it’s a deal.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay