A brief silence fell upon the valley. Countless gazes were fixed on Mu Zhi’an, a single thought echoing in their minds: Is he insane?

A Core Formation cultivator, defying the Imperial Advisor?

The Imperial Advisor of the Great Qian Dynasty had personally asked for his opinion, which was already giving him face.

He was determined to ‘invite’ Wei Mengrou to the Great Qian Dynasty. Whether Mu Zhi’an agreed or not, the outcome would be the same.

Gu Bo Xing had given him a way out, yet he refused?

These young cultivators participating in the Ascension Ceremony weren’t fools. Some of them recognized the black aura that had surged from Wei Mengrou while she was refining the Heavenly Dao Energy.

—The Calamity Body!

The Calamity Body that had brought down countless dynasties, as recorded in ancient texts!

Whether those records were accurate or not, the Great Qian Dynasty was in decline. Even if the Calamity Body was just a legend, even if there was only a 1% chance that it would destroy the entire dynasty, they couldn’t allow it to exist.

The golden Dharma Form loomed over them, its figure immense, its calm and gentle gaze fixed on Mu Zhi’an.

“Are you refusing my invitation, young friend?”

Although his voice was gentle, it carried an undeniable authority, instilling a sense of awe in their hearts.

An invisible pressure, like a crashing wave, washed over them, causing beads of sweat to form on their foreheads.

And this was just Gu Bo Xing’s residual aura. His true target wasn’t them, but Mu Zhi’an.

Suddenly, a dazzling golden light, like ripples on water, emanated from behind Lan Mulian, her white dress seemingly dyed gold.

She stepped forward, the golden light shielding them from the pressure.

“Interfering with the Martial Realm trial, Imperial Advisor, isn’t that inappropriate?” Lan Mulian asked, looking up at the golden Dharma Form, her voice calm.

Gu Bo Xing’s gaze lingered on Lan Mulian for a moment, then he chuckled. “I have no intention of interfering with the Ascension Ceremony, but the Calamity Body can affect a dynasty’s fate. If I can’t bring her back today, I won’t be able to face His Majesty.”

His words made many curse him inwardly. You’re the Imperial Advisor, backed by the ‘faith’ of the people. What can the Emperor do to you? Behead you?

The legend of the Calamity Body was just a legend. How could a single person’s luck affect the fate of an entire dynasty? The current dynasty’s decline was largely due to the Emperor’s obsession with cultivation and his neglect of his duties.

He wanted to cultivate but refused to relinquish power, leading to the current situation.

“As for your master, I’ll explain the situation to her later,” Gu Bo Xing added.

Ye Lingxuan frowned. “You keep saying the Calamity Body will affect the dynasty’s fate, Imperial Advisor, but that’s just a legend, isn’t it?”

“Hmm?”

Gu Bo Xing’s eyes widened slightly as he looked at Ye Lingxuan in surprise.

The Forbidden Zone’s Holy Maiden is also here…?

His gaze swept over the others, lingering on Bai Ruoxi for a moment, a hint of suspicion in his eyes.

There seems to be something hidden within this female cultivator… He couldn’t even discern her cultivation level at first glance.

And these individuals are all incredibly talented…

Gu Bo Xing quickly collected his thoughts.

Regardless of their talent, they were just Core Formation cultivators.

No matter how gifted they were, they were still just at the Core Formation Realm.

Before a peak Nascent Soul cultivator, they were insignificant.

He turned his attention back to Mu Zhi’an. “Young friend Mu, are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?” he asked gently.

He needed a justifiable reason. Wei Mengrou was Mu Zhi’an’s maid. If he agreed to the Great Qian Dynasty’s invitation, he could take her away without any problems.

And the Two Polarities Sect wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.

Because Wei Mengrou would be going ‘willingly’, and Mu Zhi’an would have given his consent.

However, Gu Bo Xing hadn’t expected Mu Zhi’an to refuse his ‘invitation’ under such pressure.

Mu Zhi’an glanced at Wei Mengrou and said something to her through voice transmission.

Wei Mengrou’s eyes flickered. She seemed to want to say something, but she held back and simply replied with a soft ‘mm’.

He withdrew his gaze and looked up at the golden Dharma Form in the sky. “Before I answer, Senior, may I ask you a question?”

The cultivators nearby sighed inwardly.

Mu Zhi’an’s words were a sign of submission. He was trying to find a way out of this situation.

“It’s not that I couldn’t protect my maid, but after careful consideration, I’ve decided to let her go with the Imperial Advisor… That’s what Mu Zhi’an must be thinking,” a cultivator whispered.

He would probably ask about Wei Mengrou’s fate in the Great Qian Dynasty. After confirming her safety, he would agree to Gu Bo Xing’s ‘invitation’.

Of course, it would be a forced agreement, but at least he would save face.

“It can’t be helped. I would do the same in his situation,” another cultivator sighed.

Even Ye Cian, who had a grudge against Mu Zhi’an, couldn’t help but frown.

He understood Gu Bo Xing’s intentions.

Even if Mu Zhi’an refused, the Imperial Advisor could still take Wei Mengrou by force.

This was a dead end from the very beginning.

A being who might be at the Dao Integration Realm, whose power wasn’t suppressed in the Martial Realm… It was hopeless.

They could only accept his offer and decide what to do after leaving the Martial Realm.

However, Mu Zhi’an was connected to the Forbidden Zone’s Master and the Jade Pool Holy Land. But he was still just Mu Zhi’an. Neither the Forbidden Zone nor the Jade Pool Holy Land would intervene for a mere maid.

If Mu Zhi’an was the one being threatened… then Gu Bo Xing might have to reconsider.

Gu Bo Xing, sensing Mu Zhi’an’s attempt to save face, smiled. “Go ahead, young friend.”

“What will happen to her if she goes to the Great Qian Dynasty with you?” Mu Zhi’an asked.

Gu Bo Xing chuckled. “The Calamity Body might not actually affect the dynasty’s fate. If it’s just a rumor, I’ll safely return her to the Two Polarities Sect.”

“How long will it take to determine if she’s affecting the dynasty’s fate?” Mu Zhi’an asked.

“The Calamity Body is related to Heavenly Secrets. I need to be careful with my divination to avoid backlash. It might take ten years, or even a hundred,” Gu Bo Xing replied.

In other words, regardless of the outcome, Wei Mengrou would have to stay in the Great Qian Dynasty for at least ten years.

His words sparked a wave of outrage.

“Isn’t this too much?”

“Cultivators might have long lifespans, but forcing a maid to stay in a foreign environment for ten years, without any family or friends… I would go crazy,” a cultivator said indignantly.

Mu Zhi’an looked up calmly. “My maid hasn’t done anything wrong. Why should she suffer such a fate?”

Gu Bo Xing sighed, his voice filled with pity. “The Calamity Body is not acknowledged by the heavens. Perhaps this is also a form of punishment from them.”

His words were calm and gentle, as if he were lamenting the cruelty of the world.

“Can you represent the heavens?” Bai Ruoxi asked, staring at the golden Dharma Form, unfazed by his aura.

“At least, for now, I can,” Gu Bo Xing chuckled.

Suddenly, Tang Sufei, who was among the crowd, looked up and said, “Miss Wei is a valued guest of the World Sea. If we can’t bring her back, it will cause some… complications.”

“Then have those old geezers from the World Sea come and demand her return,” Gu Bo Xing said with a smile, refusing to back down.

Tang Sufei frowned, staring at the golden Dharma Form, but she couldn’t do anything.

A being whose power wasn’t suppressed in the Martial Realm… They couldn’t stop him… No one could.

Ye Lingxuan was about to speak, but Mu Zhi’an stopped her.

“Brother Mu…” She seemed to want to say something, but seeing him shake his head, she remained silent.

Then, under everyone’s gazes, Mu Zhi’an cupped his fists and bowed respectfully. “Your devotion to the dynasty and its people is admirable, Imperial Advisor. I’m also a citizen of the Great Qian Dynasty and will naturally cooperate.”

Bai Ruoxi’s eyes flickered as she glanced at him.

He was smiling and bowing, his demeanor respectful.

However, for some reason, she felt uneasy.

This wasn’t like him…

“But before that, Senior, there’s something I’d like to say. I don’t know if it’s appropriate…” Mu Zhi’an said.

“Go ahead, young friend,” Gu Bo Xing said with a smile, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Mu Zhi’an muttered something softly.

But his voice was too low, and the Imperial Advisor didn’t hear him clearly.

“What did you say, young friend?”

“I said,”

Mu Zhi’an looked up and grinned.

“F*CK YOUR STUPID DYNASTY!!!”

The Eight Chaos Dream Scroll instantly unfurled, surging towards the golden Dharma Form in the sky. At the same time, Wei Mengrou, as if understanding his intentions, turned and fled towards the exit of the zone!

The Martial Realm was unique. Gu Bo Xing had been able to sense Wei Mengrou because of the bad luck she had emitted while refining the Heavenly Dao Energy.

But once she entered another zone, he wouldn’t be able to sense her so easily.

This sudden turn of events caught the onlookers off guard.

However, Gu Bo Xing immediately realized he had been tricked. His eyes turned cold.

Boom!

The Eight Chaos Dream Scroll enveloped the golden Dharma Form!

But Gu Bo Xing raised his hand, and the Dharma Form swatted the scroll away.

Then, he looked up at Wei Mengrou’s retreating figure, the smile on his face fading.

“It seems I’ve underestimated your determination, young friend Mu.”

“However… you seem to be unaware of the difference between the Nascent Soul Realm and the Core Formation Realm.”

Gu Bo Xing reached out, his hand grasping towards Wei Mengrou.

Mu Zhi’an summoned the Pure World Azure Lotus, which shot towards the golden Dharma Form, radiating a powerful aura.

However, as Gu Bo Xing had said, a Core Formation cultivator was no match for a peak Nascent Soul cultivator. He simply snorted coldly, and the Pure World Azure Lotus dissipated.

Glowing blades appeared behind Bai Ruoxi, but a massive cage suddenly descended from the sky!

Boom!

The cage trapped them, its formations activating silently. No matter how much the glowing blades attacked, they could only shake it slightly, unable to break through.

This was the power of a peak Nascent Soul cultivator, amplified by the ‘faith’ of the Great Qian Dynasty! If they were at the same level, Bai Ruoxi could easily break through the formation, but against the Imperial Advisor, who possessed the power of faith, a Core Formation cultivator was powerless.

“Imperial Advisor, have you considered the consequences of your actions?” Lan Mulian asked, looking up at the golden Dharma Form. Her expression was calm, but a golden light flickered in her eyes.

“I’ll personally apologize to the sect later, but she must come with me today,” Gu Bo Xing said coldly.

As for Mu Zhi’an… No matter how talented he was, or how close he was to the Jade Empress or anyone else, it was all external power.

There were only a handful of Dao Integration cultivators in the world. Who would risk offending the Great Qian Dynasty’s Imperial Advisor for a mere Core Formation cultivator?

Besides, he wasn’t even after Mu Zhi’an, but his maid, the possessor of the Calamity Body.

Mu Zhi’an stared at the giant hand as it reached out and, in the blink of an eye, grabbed Wei Mengrou, who had already fled a considerable distance.

Then, a faint light emanated from Gu Bo Xing’s storage ring, enveloping Wei Mengrou’s figure.

A storage ring that could contain a person!

As if sensing Mu Zhi’an’s gaze, Wei Mengrou instinctively looked in his direction.

Mu Zhi’an looked at her silently.

“Don’t worry. Once I reach the Nascent Soul Realm, I’ll find a way to come back to you,” Wei Mengrou’s voice echoed in his mind.

“That’s not like you. Shouldn’t you be scolding your useless master for not being able to protect you?” Mu Zhi’an said, his voice tinged with self-mockery.

“There are very few people in the entire Nine Realms who can fight him. It’s not your fault,” Wei Mengrou transmitted her voice.

“I’ll bring you back,” Mu Zhi’an said calmly, his voice reaching her ears, as if he were stating a simple fact.

One was a peak Nascent Soul cultivator, the other a Core Formation cultivator. Yet, for some reason, Wei Mengrou believed him.

A faint smile, a rare sight, appeared on her cold face, and she seemed to whisper something.

Then, her figure vanished from sight.

A deathly silence descended upon them.

This was the power of a peak Nascent Soul cultivator, amplified by the ‘faith’ of the Great Qian Dynasty. In an era without Dao Integration experts, he was at the pinnacle of strength.

Gu Bo Xing looked down at the young man on the ground, his voice filled with pity. “I told you, young friend, no matter what you decide, I can still take her away.”

The Jade Empress might value you, but would she intervene for your maid?

Not only the Jade Empress, but the Forbidden Zone as well.

Would the Forbidden Zone’s Master personally demand the return of Mu Zhi’an’s maid?

It wasn’t realistic.

Besides, if the Great Qian Dynasty fell, the Eastern Realm’s fate would be reset, and a new dynasty would emerge.

And that would take time.

If the Demon Realm attacked during this period, without the Great Qian Dynasty’s protection, it would be a difficult battle for the Eastern Realm.

This was why he had chosen to act now, in the Martial Realm.

No matter how dissatisfied Mu Zhi’an was, the difference in their strength wouldn’t change.

This was the inevitable outcome.

He had expected the young man to be enraged or terrified by his power. But looking at Mu Zhi’an, he noticed that his expression remained calm.

“This world is ruled by strength. In ten or a hundred years, I’ll arrange for you to meet again… If you can live that long,” Gu Bo Xing chuckled.

Ordinary cultivators could live for a hundred years, but would their bond still be the same after such a long time?

After all, who knew if Mu Zhi’an would die from some accident within those hundred years?

And if it was confirmed that the Calamity Body truly affected a dynasty’s fate… who knew what would happen?

“Imperial Advisor, have you considered why no Dao Integration expert has stopped you yet?” Mu Zhi’an suddenly asked.

Gu Bo Xing frowned, remaining silent.

“Because the one you took wasn’t me,” Mu Zhi’an continued.

“If I were in danger, or if my aura weakened or disappeared… someone would come to the Martial Realm.”

Gu Bo Xing sneered inwardly. “That’s only if you’re in danger, but I have no reason to harm you.”

Mu Zhi’an touched the bars of the cage, feeling their cold touch, and said, as if to himself, “If we compare our confrontation to a game, and losing my maid means losing the game, then I’m the loser, right?”

For some reason, Gu Bo Xing felt uneasy.

He was too calm… unnaturally calm.

Was he indifferent towards his maid, or…

Mu Zhi’an looked up at the golden Dharma Form.

“In other words, if I’m the one in danger, I win.”

Gu Bo Xing scoffed. “But you’ve already lost.”

“Yes, I lost.”

Mu Zhi’an casually raised his finger.

“But you haven’t won yet.”

A pale blue interface silently appeared before him.

Gu Bo Xing frowned. “What are you trying to say?”

Mu Zhi’an looked at him, tilted his head slightly, and suddenly smiled. “Just wait.”

He slammed his hand down on the ‘Reload’ button.

The world seemed to freeze.

Everything around him distorted, the sounds fading into a blur, the scenery flashing before his eyes like a rapidly rewinding film.

Then, Mu Zhi’an slowly opened his eyes, a spark of determination igniting within them.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay