The paper crane, enveloped in a dark mist, slowly flew into the depths of the Garden of Heavenly Harmony.

Mu Zhi’an followed closely on his sword, his heart filled with suspicion, his gaze fixed on the seemingly sentient paper crane.

If his previous guess was correct, the Primordial Witch was a reincarnator!

And now, the paper crane she had left behind ten thousand years ago was flying towards the Garden of Heavenly Harmony, seemingly seeking someone who resided there.

Could it be that the Primordial Witch was still alive and living in the Garden of Heavenly Harmony?!

Mu Zhi’an’s mind was in turmoil. Upon entering the courtyard, he put away his sword and followed the paper crane.

It was winter in the Nine Realms, and a thin layer of snow covered the ground. Snowflakes danced in the cold wind.

The paper crane bobbed gently, like a small boat on a stormy sea, as if it could be blown away at any moment.

Yet, it remained dry, the black mist protecting it from the snow as it flew along the quiet path.

…

Meanwhile.

A thin layer of ice had formed on the surface of the pond in the Garden of Heavenly Harmony.

Bai Ruoxi, dressed in a pure white palace dress adorned with plum blossoms, a plum-colored jacket draped over it, stood before the pavilion, her aura as cold as snow, yet her eyes held a gentle warmth.

“Mengrou, it’s so cold. Come and have some tea,” she said to Wei Mengrou, who was silently reading a book, her hand propping it open.

She poured a cup of tea for Wei Mengrou and placed it on the table beside her.

Wei Mengrou glanced at Bai Ruoxi and sat down beside her, setting the book aside. She cupped the teacup in her hands and gently blew on the rising steam.

“Any insights?” Bai Ruoxi asked, her gaze casually falling upon the book on the table.

The Art of Managing a Husband.

Bai Ruoxi had lent it to Wei Mengrou a while back. Wei Mengrou had stumbled upon her reading this strange book but hadn’t said anything.

However, Bai Ruoxi had offered to lend it to her.

Although she wasn’t particularly interested in such books, she couldn’t refuse Bai Ruoxi’s enthusiasm and eventually accepted it.

Bai Ruoxi’s question about ‘insights’ naturally referred to the contents of the book.

Wei Mengrou hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly. “Some.”

Although the book contained some… unconventional content, it was essentially about understanding and manipulating people’s minds.

Reading it had opened up a new world for the maid, who had always focused solely on cultivation.

“I’m glad you’ve gained something from it, Mengrou,” Bai Ruoxi said with a smile.

Then, she sighed softly, her voice tinged with worry. “Mu Lang seems to be interested in the Ascension Ceremony. What should I do if I end up facing him?”

The winner of the Ascension Ceremony would also receive an additional ‘prize’ – Mu Zhi’an.

Although this prize was absurd, it was a fair competition for the women involved.

Whoever won would have the upper hand in their relationship with Mu Zhi’an. After all, this was an unspoken agreement between them.

However, Bai Ruoxi hadn’t decided what to do if she ended up facing Mu Zhi’an in the Ascension Ceremony.

“He wouldn’t mind being defeated, especially by someone he loves,” Wei Mengrou said calmly.

She paused, her hand resting on her chin, a playful glint flickering in her eyes. “In fact, if you have any grievances against him, you can take this opportunity to beat him up in the Ascension Ceremony.”

Bai Ruoxi sighed. “Sometimes, I really don’t understand your relationship with Mu Lang, Mengrou.”

Wei Mengrou’s attitude towards Mu Zhi’an was always cold and aloof, yet she remained by his side. This complex behavior confused many people.

“Isn’t that how he likes to be treated?” Wei Mengrou said calmly.

After all, Mu Zhi’an had said things like, “Please scold me, Mengrou!” and “Please step on me, Mengrou!”, which baffled her.

She looked at Bai Ruoxi. “He’s always been like that, ever since Tianxuan City.”

He likes being bullied…? Bai Ruoxi tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with confusion.

Then, as if remembering something, she touched her thigh, her gaze falling upon her embroidered shoes. An image flashed through her mind: Mu Zhi’an, stepped on and ‘bullied’ by her one night, yet seemingly enjoying it.

A faint blush appeared on Bai Ruoxi’s face. She was about to speak when she suddenly sensed a dangerous aura. Her gentle demeanor vanished, and several dazzling golden swords emerged from behind her, like a peacock spreading its feathers.

Bai Ruoxi stared intently at the sky.

A certain consciousness within her body also seemed to sense the danger. The Sword Palace Master, slumbering within Bai Ruoxi’s Vessel, frowned slightly, as if responding to a call, and slowly opened her eyes.

In a distant room, Lin Ling was perched on the windowsill, holding a roasted crane leg in her hand, her beautiful red eyes gazing at the snowy scenery outside.

A charcoal fire burned steadily in the fireplace, warming the room.

Snow, a warm fire, a cozy room, a pot of hot tea, and a freshly roasted Eight Treasures Crane.

Lin Ling was the only one in the entire Two Polarities Sect who knew how to enjoy life.

Although it was at the expense of the Boundless Sea Peak Master’s heartache…

As if sensing something, Lin Ling took a bite of the crane leg, her beautiful eyes fixed on the distant snowscape.

Through the falling snow, a paper crane enveloped in a black mist flew towards the Garden of Heavenly Harmony. It looked ordinary, yet it exuded an aura that instilled awe in any cultivator who saw it.

Boom!

A thunderclap echoed through the sky, and dark, rolling clouds appeared on the horizon.

Lin Ling swallowed the crane meat and muttered something softly.

A formation silently enveloped the Garden of Heavenly Harmony.

The tribulation clouds vanished in an instant.

Lin Ling poured herself a cup of tea, looked out the window, and tilted her head slightly, her moist red eyes blinking.

Then, she raised her teacup and, facing the window, made a toasting gesture.

…

Wei Mengrou stared at the approaching paper crane, her eyes filled with unease. A sinister black mist surrounded it. It didn’t radiate much Spiritual Energy, but it evoked a sense of dread.

“A paper crane?”

Bai Ruoxi frowned, her eyes filled with suspicion as she looked at the paper crane hovering in the air.

Then, she noticed that the mysterious crane was flying towards them.

“Mengrou, be careful. There’s something strange about this,” Bai Ruoxi warned, her gaze fixed on the crane.

However, instead of retreating, Wei Mengrou stepped forward, as if drawn to it. She slowly raised her hand, as if to catch the falling snow.

The paper crane, enveloped in black mist, fluttered towards her, finally landing on her fingertip.

Bai Ruoxi stared at Wei Mengrou’s back and the paper crane resting on her finger, her eyes wide with surprise.

“Mengrou, what is that…?” Bai Ruoxi asked hesitantly.

Wei Mengrou shook her head gently. “I don’t know.”

When she saw the paper crane, a strange sense of nostalgia washed over her, a feeling she couldn’t explain.

She slowly unfolded the paper crane.

The message within came into view.

Bai Ruoxi also looked at it, then back at Wei Mengrou. “An acquaintance of yours, Mengrou?” she asked softly.

Wei Mengrou stared at the letter and shook her head slowly. “I don’t remember having any acquaintances in the sect.”

Her eyes were filled with confusion.

“This paper crane didn’t come from the sect,” Bai Ruoxi suddenly said, her voice now alluring and cold.

Her dress had transformed into a dark black, adorned with bright red plum blossoms. Compared to her usual gentle and delicate demeanor, she now exuded a captivating allure.

Wei Mengrou’s eyes narrowed. “The Sword Palace Master?”

“Aren’t you still slumbering?”

“I was, but you two caused such a commotion… It’s hard to sleep peacefully,” Gong Lianyue replied, glancing at the letter in Wei Mengrou’s hand.

Wei Mengrou’s heart skipped a beat. “Do you know the sender of this letter, Senior?”

“We’ve met once. After all, she’s the only one who, after resonating with the Heavenly Dao, dared to try and crush it beneath her feet.”

“However, I don’t know why this paper crane resonated with you.” Gong Lianyue paused, then, as if sensing something, looked up.

Wei Mengrou also looked up.

Through the snow-covered courtyard, a young man in a black and gold robe was walking towards them, a black box in his arms.

As the two women noticed Mu Zhi’an, he also saw them.

He looked up, his eyes widening slightly upon seeing Gong Lianyue. He glanced at her ample bosom, then thought to himself: Smaller than Bai Ruoxi’s. This is the Sword Palace Master.

Normally, he would take this opportunity to admire Gong Lianyue’s figure. Although her breasts weren’t as large as Bai Ruoxi’s, her beauty was equally breathtaking, and her aura was completely different from Bai Ruoxi’s. This contrast was incredibly alluring to men.

But right now, Mu Zhi’an was more concerned about the paper crane.

“If I remember correctly, the paper crane flew into this courtyard… But where is it now?”

As this thought crossed his mind, his gaze suddenly fixed on the letter in Wei Mengrou’s hand.

After staring at it for a moment, he looked up at Wei Mengrou, his voice trembling slightly. “Could it be… you…?”

The reincarnator… was Wei Mengrou?!

Sensing his gaze, Wei Mengrou frowned. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

Mu Zhi’an snapped out of his daze and walked into the pavilion, carrying the black box.

He looked at the letter in Wei Mengrou’s hand. “The paper crane flew to you?”

Wei Mengrou nodded slightly. “Is this your… paper crane?” she asked hesitantly.

Mu Zhi’an shook his head and placed the black box on the table. “The paper crane was inside this box.”

“Do you know the origin of this box, Master?” Mu Zhi’an looked up at Gong Lianyue.

The Sword Palace had been established for over ten thousand years. Gong Lianyue and the Primordial Witch should have been from the same era. Perhaps she knew something about her identity.

However, Gong Lianyue’s answer disappointed him.

“I’ve never seen this box before.”

“However, it should belong to the Primordial Witch. It still carries traces of her Spiritual Energy,” she added.

Mu Zhi’an’s eyes flickered. He looked at the beautiful woman, whose aura was a mix of allure and purity. “Do you know where the Spiritual Energy is stored, Master?”

Gong Lianyue shook her head slowly. “Give up. This box is protected by a special formation. Unless it’s someone recognized by her, no one can unlock it.”

She paused, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly as if realizing something.

This box could only be opened by someone recognized by the Primordial Witch, but the paper crane wasn’t inside earlier.

This meant someone had already opened the box and released the paper crane.

Then the question was, who was that person…?

Gong Lianyue silently stared at Mu Zhi’an, her eyes filled with a deep thought.

Mu Zhi’an was unaware of her thoughts. He looked at Wei Mengrou. “Do you recognize this, Mengrou?” he asked, pointing at the black box on the table.

Wei Mengrou glanced at it and shook her head gently. “I don’t recognize it.”

Mengrou doesn’t seem to be lying… Mu Zhi’an stared at her beautiful face and her calm demeanor, his confusion growing.

The paper crane wouldn’t have flown to Wei Mengrou for no reason, but she didn’t seem to be lying.

And she had been with him for so long. If she was truly a reincarnator, how could he not have noticed?

As he pondered, Wei Mengrou, as if drawn to it, looked at the black box on the table.

Her slender finger gently brushed its surface, then, to Mu Zhi’an’s astonishment, she slowly opened it.

The seemingly ordinary peach blossom within was suddenly enveloped in a mysterious black mist.

Mu Zhi’an’s gaze fixed on the mist.

He had learned the Southern Wilderness’s secret technique and instantly recognized it. This black mist was identical to the one used to conceal Heavenly Secrets!

Boom!

A thunderclap echoed through the sky, as if the heavens were trembling. Then, a bolt of lightning, as thick as a dragon, struck the Garden of Heavenly Harmony with a speed that no cultivator could react to!

However, the lightning was silently absorbed by the formation as it entered the courtyard. No sound from the outside world could be heard within.

Wei Mengrou’s eyes glazed over for a moment as she picked up the peach blossom.

At the same time, a green light silently emerged from within Mu Zhi’an’s body.

It flew out from his Innate Celestial Vessel and transformed into an ethereal fairy in a green and white dress.

“You’re awake, Empress?” Mu Zhi’an instinctively looked at Yao Meng’s beautiful figure, his suspicion growing. There was definitely a connection between the Primordial Witch and Wei Mengrou.

He could open the black box, but it hadn’t resonated with him. However, Wei Mengrou had easily triggered a reaction from it.

He just didn’t know if this was a good thing…

Suddenly, a calm voice echoed through the Garden of Heavenly Harmony.

“The Jade Empress?”

“Why are you within his body?”

Gong Lianyue looked at Yao Meng, her beautiful eyes filled with suspicion and a hint of danger.

This isn’t good… Mu Zhi’an’s heart skipped a beat. He instinctively looked at Yao Meng.

As expected, she glanced at Gong Lianyue, noticing the hostility and coldness in her eyes, and a faint smile curved her lips.

Her eyes sparkled, and she said, her voice as beautiful and melodious as a celestial song, “Do I need a reason to be with my Dao Companion?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay