Nightfall.

Mu Zhi’an awoke from his meditation, and after confirming that Wei Mengrou wasn’t in the room, he quietly got out of bed and headed towards Bai Ruoxi’s room.

A pure, refined Spiritual Energy filled the air outside. He gently pushed open the door and saw the milky white Heavenly Dao Energy hovering before Bai Ruoxi, radiating a captivating glow.

However, his gaze only lingered on the Heavenly Dao Energy for a moment before shifting to Bai Ruoxi.

She was as always, cold, delicate, and aloof, like a sheltered young lady. If it weren’t for her ample bosom, one might mistake her for a frail and noble lady.

But from the moment he entered the room, Mu Zhi’an’s gaze was drawn to her chest, the fabric of her dress straining to contain its fullness.

The Heavenly Dao Energy paled in comparison to her alluring cleavage.

As if sensing his presence, the Heavenly Dao Energy dimmed slightly, and Bai Ruoxi slowly opened her eyes.

“Mu Lang, what are you doing here?” she asked, surprised.

It was during the Ascension Ceremony, the equivalent of final exams in the modern world. Why wasn’t he cultivating?

He sat down on the edge of the bed and chuckled. “Am I not welcome?”

Bai Ruoxi shook her head gently, her eyes filled with a shy warmth as she looked at him. “It’s just that whenever you come to see me, Mu Lang, you always have… ulterior motives, so…”

She leaned closer and sniffed the air, a puzzled expression on her face.

“I smell lipstick…” she murmured.

Mu Zhi’an’s eyelids twitched. “Oh, right! I came here because of the demonic aura,” he said suddenly, taking out a purple flower from his storage ring.

Bai Ruoxi’s eyes widened slightly. “What’s this…?” she asked softly.

“A Purple Sun Flower from the Demon Realm. It’s been specially refined. Wearing it will conceal your demonic aura.”

He handed the flower to her and continued, “You’ll need it when you face your Nascent Soul tribulation. With this, no one in the sect will be able to sense your demonic aura.”

Bai Ruoxi examined the flower with her Spiritual Sense, then looked up at him in surprise. “This is a magical treasure…? Where did you get it, Mu Lang?”

Mu Zhi’an had already prepared an excuse. “I found it in the Primordial Demon Emperor’s storage ring when I visited the Celestial Realm where he was sealed,” he said with a smile.

“With this, you don’t have to worry about your demonic aura and can focus on reaching the Nascent Soul Realm.”

Bai Ruoxi’s eyes were filled with gratitude and affection as she looked at him.

“You’re so good to me, Mu Lang.”

She hesitated for a moment, then continued, “Mu Lang, if my other consciousness awakens and does something… inappropriate to you, will you hate me?”

Mu Zhi’an took her hand and said gently, “As long as it’s you, Ruoxi, I don’t mind what you do.”

He knew her love for him was true. With that love, she wouldn’t do anything too outrageous.

Whether it was Bai Ruoxi or ‘Black Ruoxi’, it wouldn’t be a problem.

He knew her personality well, and he had… personally confirmed her affections countless times.

Bai Ruoxi smiled sweetly. “That’s good to know.”

The Sword Palace was still hovering above the Eastern Realm, like a floating city. If Gong Lianyue awakened and did something to Mu Lang… it would be her, not Bai Ruoxi.

She was just a kind and gentle girl who cared deeply for him.

After some intimate moments with Bai Ruoxi, Mu Zhi’an excused himself and left the room.

He wasn’t planning to tell her about the Supreme Void Pill yet. After all, it was best not to raise her hopes too high. He would tell her after he gathered the ingredients and convinced the Empress of Yu State to refine it.

Although it would be incredibly difficult, even the Demon Realm Empress wasn’t optimistic.

After all, no one would willingly help create a potential rival.

Gong Lianyue was already a Dao Integration expert, her swordsmanship unmatched in the Nine Realms. And the Nine-Tailed Fox would also likely reach Dao Integration… The combination of these two would be terrifying.

Back in his room, Mu Zhi’an took out the Primordial Demon Emperor’s storage ring and was about to study the Heavenly Phoenix Manual when he noticed a paper crane on his desk.

From Senior Sister, or the Sect Master?

He opened the crane and glanced at the message.

“Your performance today was… adequate, Junior Brother Mu. I hope to see you in the final round of the Ascension Ceremony.”

Mu Zhi’an pondered for a moment, then picked up his brush and wrote, “Honestly, today’s victory was a close call. I’m not very confident. I know the Ascension Ceremony is just a game for you, Senior Sister, but I’m only at the fourth-grade Core Formation Realm, so I’m afraid…”

He paused, then continued, “I’ve heard that when faced with adversity, a bit of encouragement can help one unleash their hidden potential…”

This hint should be enough. I hope Xiaolian understands… Mu Zhi’an was a master of subtle manipulation.

He acted respectfully towards Senior Sister in person, but in private, he called her Xiaolian.

He folded the paper crane and tossed it out the window, then took out the Primordial Demon Emperor’s storage ring.

He closed his eyes, focusing his mind, and the description of the Heavenly Phoenix Manual appeared in his mind.

This technique allowed one to burn their Vessel and instantly replenish their Spiritual Energy when it was depleted.

As he studied the technique, a certain word caught his attention. He opened his eyes, staring at the storage ring in surprise.

“…The Heavenly Court?”

According to the description, this Heavenly Phoenix Manual originated from the Heavenly Court?

But the Heavenly Court and the Immortal Realm seemed… similar… Mu Zhi’an pondered, examining the ring.

According to legend, cultivators who reached the peak of their cultivation could ascend to the Immortal Realm and transcend the mortal world.

However, this legend was considered a myth.

After all, Dao Integration experts, having merged with the Great Dao, were already the strongest beings in existence, the pinnacle of cultivation.

Even they had never seen anyone ascend to the Immortal Realm.

It wasn’t that ascension was impossible, but the Immortal Realm simply didn’t exist.

Then, what was this ‘Heavenly Court’?

The Primordial Demon Emperor was a formidable figure, and the technique he cultivated originated from the Heavenly Court…?

Mu Zhi’an tightened his grip on the ring and left his room.

He had never heard of the Heavenly Court in any ancient texts, but Yao Meng had experienced many things before achieving Dao Integration. Perhaps she knew something.

…

Knock, knock.

Mu Zhi’an knocked on the door.

“Empress?”

There was no response. Normally, the door would have already opened.

“Yao Meng?”

Still no response.

He pushed open the door, but the room was empty.

Although he knew she occasionally had matters to attend to, it was rare for her to be absent at night.

Could it be… she returned to the Jade Pool?

But she would have told him…

Perhaps it was something urgent… Mu Zhi’an pondered for a moment, then returned to his room, deciding to focus on cultivating the Heavenly Phoenix Manual.

…

Night.

Heavy snow fell outside, and winter’s chill deepened.

Ye Lingxuan stood before her bed, looking at the snowy courtyard outside her window, and exhaled softly.

It was the first day of the Ascension Ceremony. For the Forbidden Zone’s Holy Maiden, advancing to the next round wasn’t difficult. In fact, it was quite easy.

With her ancestral artifact, the Desolate Time Lock, she could even fight those at higher levels. Moreover, she had comprehended a trace of Dao Rhyme. Besides the few ‘protagonists’, no one could stop her.

However, despite her strength, her face was creased with worry, a troubled expression on her beautiful face.

She sat by the window, twirling a brush in her hand. “Sister Siyu, do you think Brother Mu will be angry if I secretly help him?”

Ye Siyu, her brown hair cascading down her back, sat on the bed behind her, gently stroking Ye Qian’s hair as she napped on her lap. She looked at Ye Lingxuan’s back and chuckled. “You already have the answer, don’t you?”

Gu Bo Xing’s methods were indeed impressive. He had concealed Heavenly Secrets and his aura, silently infiltrating the Jade Glass Palace.

His stealth skills were perfect.

But the Reincarnated Empress and Ye Lingxuan shared the same body.

The Reincarnated Empress had already informed Ye Lingxuan about Gu Bo Xing’s presence as soon as he entered the Garden of Heavenly Harmony.

She wasn’t worried about Mu Zhi’an’s safety, but she was displeased with the Imperial Advisor’s actions.

However, she was also worried that Mu Zhi’an might be annoyed if she interfered too much.

Ye Siyu chuckled. “That Brother Mu of yours is so thin-skinned. He would probably accept even an Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb if you offered it to him, let alone secret help.”

“And you’re Dao Companions. It’s normal to help each other. Didn’t he give you the Dragon Tendon Grass and the Seed of Dao Realization?” Ye Siyu continued.

However, Ye Lingxuan was still hesitant. “But I’ve already done so many things secretly. What if he finds out?”

“What if he finds out I threatened Gongsun Cheng, extended the Third Prince’s confinement from three years to ten, secretly drove away those female disciples who were pursuing him, and even dealt with Gu Bo Xing behind his back…? What if he hates me for doing all those things without his permission?”

Ye Siyu: “…”

She was speechless.

Then, a hint of envy appeared in her voice. “Even I’m starting to envy that guy… It’s your decision, but I don’t think he’ll mind.”

Ye Lingxuan pondered for a long time, then turned to the beautiful and mature woman in simple robes. “What do you think I should do?”

The Reincarnated Empress’s gaze was calm. “It’s your decision.”

“Then I’ll teach him a lesson,” Ye Lingxuan said.

“As for the other matters… we’ll wait. The Great Qian Dynasty can’t fall yet. Its demise would affect the Eastern Realm’s fate. We’ll maintain the status quo until the next emperor ascends the throne.”

…

Dawn.

Wei Mengrou slowly opened her eyes in the darkness. The charcoal fire in the fireplace had almost died out. She opened the window, breathing in the cool air, her mind gradually clearing.

Last night’s events still felt surreal.

If it weren’t for Gu Bo Xing, she would have actually slept in Mu Zhi’an’s room.

That guy probably tricked Bai Ruoxi the same way… Wei Mengrou thought to herself.

“This feels so good, like having my own body back.”

Suddenly, she heard a soft, nostalgic voice in her mind. Wei Mengrou was stunned for a moment, then she said softly, “You’re awake? How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine now,” the Primordial Witch replied, her voice filled with emotion.

“I didn’t expect you to find my consciousness so quickly.”

“It wasn’t us. It was Gu Bo Xing,” Wei Mengrou said.

“Where’s Mu Lang? I want to see him,” the Primordial Witch said.

Wei Mengrou’s cheeks flushed as she remembered last night’s events. “He’s probably cultivating. We shouldn’t disturb him,” she said, her voice slightly strained.

However, the Primordial Witch’s voice held a knowing tone. “You’re just embarrassed because of what happened last night, aren’t you?”

Wei Mengrou maintained her composure. “I just don’t want to disturb his cultivation. And I have three matches today. I need to focus on that.”

“I want to see him. It’s been so long,” the Primordial Witch’s gentle voice echoed in her mind.

A wave of longing washed over Wei Mengrou, a bittersweet ache in her heart, followed by an intense desire to see him.

Her vision blurred for a moment.

This was the Primordial Witch’s will, indirectly influencing her even without possessing her body.

Wei Mengrou calmed herself down. “I understand. Can you control my body now?” she asked softly.

She relaxed her consciousness, and she could feel another presence taking control.

A black robe enveloped her body, highlighting her alluring curves, her face mostly hidden by a hood, a strand of silver hair peeking out.

She looked out the window.

“What’s wrong?” Wei Mengrou asked.

“The Jade Empress is back,” the Primordial Witch replied softly.

Her silver eyes gazed out the window and saw Yao Meng returning to the courtyard.

Her feet weren’t touching the ground, her skin glowing faintly, her aura ethereal and beautiful, like a fairy shrouded in mist.

Her expression was calm, as if she had just been out for a stroll.

Seemingly sensing her gaze, Yao Meng turned her head slightly, her eyes filled with surprise. “You’ve recovered?” she asked.

The Primordial Witch before her was no longer a mere fragment of will, but a complete consciousness… A will would eventually dissipate, but a consciousness wouldn’t.

The Primordial Witch nodded slightly. “Almost.”

Yao Meng’s brows relaxed, her figure bathed in moonlight. “That’s good,” she said with a smile.

“He’s been worried about you. Now that you’re fine, he can focus on me.”

Silence fell over the courtyard.

Yao Meng, as if oblivious to the tension, turned to leave.

“I’ve been his lover since the beginning. It’s best if you don’t interfere in our relationship, Fairy Yao Meng. You wouldn’t want to become a laughingstock,” the Primordial Witch said softly.

Her words implied: We were Dao Companions in the past life. I was here first. Who are you?

However, she had underestimated Yao Meng. The ethereal fairy glanced at her, her eyes filled with a gentle warmth.

“I don’t know if you were here first in the past life.”

“But I know that in this life… I was.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay