The Heavenly Court, a place spoken of in legends since ancient times. Most only knew it as the Immortal Realm, unaware that they were one and the same.

Most cultivators spent their entire lives pursuing enlightenment and ascension, hoping to reach the Immortal Realm.

The reason was simple: while only one Dao Integration expert could exist in each era in the Nine Realms, the Heavenly Court could accommodate multiple Dao Integration cultivators simultaneously.

And even after two or more experts achieved Dao Integration, the rules of heaven and earth wouldn’t change, allowing other cultivators to reach Soul Transformation.

Moreover, the Heavenly Court’s Spiritual Energy was incredibly dense. Ordinary mortals couldn’t survive there, unable to absorb the potent energy or even breathe the air.

It was a paradise for cultivators, a place mortals couldn’t even dream of setting foot in.

The Primordial Demon Emperor had spent his entire life trying to reach the Heavenly Court, but it hadn’t appeared until after his death.

Or rather, if he hadn’t died, the Heavenly Court wouldn’t have appeared, even if Mu Zhi’an possessed the ring.

The Primordial Demon Emperor’s death had ushered in the era of immortals, and only then could the path to immortality appear.

A shimmering staircase, reaching towards the heavens, appeared within the Two Polarities Sect.

Cultivators rushed to see it, their eyes filled with excitement.

The path to immortality, the ultimate goal of countless cultivators… was right before them!

If it weren’t for a shred of rationality, some would have already ascended the staircase.

“Is there… someone at the end of the immortal path?”

A surprised voice, filled with awe and reverence, came from the crowd.

It was Lin Yuan, the Holy Son of the Eastern Realm’s Xuanyin Temple, his body enveloped in a faint black mist.

This talented seventh-grade Core Formation cultivator, whose matches in the Ascension Ceremony had never lasted more than fifteen minutes, one of the strongest contenders, couldn’t hide his astonishment.

For Lin Yuan, the appearance of the immortal path was perfect timing.

Honestly, he hadn’t been confident in winning the Ascension Ceremony, but if he could obtain some opportunity from the immortal path, even if he couldn’t reach the Heavenly Court, he would be able to win.

After all, it was said that ascending to the Immortal Realm granted enlightenment. Even if he couldn’t achieve Soul Transformation, comprehending a trace of Dao Rhyme would be greatly beneficial.

And then, he could show Keyu that the Xuanyin Temple’s Holy Son was far superior to that outsider, Mu Zhi’an… even capable of crushing him.

As Lin Yuan spoke, others also noticed the figure at the end of the immortal path. They looked up and saw a tall, imposing figure in a black robe.

The cultivators were stunned.

“There’s someone at the end of the immortal path?!”

An elder from a Primordial Clan in the Eastern Realm looked up, his brow furrowed. “I’ve heard that the Heavenly Court has a master, whose strength is comparable to a Dao Integration cultivator. Could it be… that person is the Master of the Heavenly Court?”

“Indeed! At the end of the immortal path… is the Master of the Heavenly Court!”

Another cultivator exclaimed excitedly. If it weren’t for their elders stopping them, they would have already rushed towards the immortal path, hoping to ascend.

But even so, none of the cultivators dared to move.

The dozen or so Earthly Immortals present were perceptive. They sensed something unusual about this immortal path. Although it seemed sacred and holy, radiating a dense Spiritual Energy unlike anything in the Nine Realms, it also seemed… ominous.

The immortal path had appeared a few times in history, each time attracting countless cultivators, many of whom were Nascent Soul experts, who vanished after stepping onto it, never to be seen again.

The path to immortality is paved with bones. This wasn’t just a saying.

But this immortal path… it didn’t radiate any danger… This anomaly was unsettling.

Regina, the Southern Wilderness’s Holy Maiden, looked up at the immortal path calmly.

For a Core Formation cultivator, entering this path would be suicide. She was rational and knew this wasn’t the right time.

Lan Feiying narrowed her eyes, her gaze fixed on the immortal path, or rather, on the young man in black at its end.

Her seductive eyes flickered, as if she had sensed something.

“Since you’re all so hesitant, allow me to investigate,” an elder from a Primordial Clan finally said, unable to contain his curiosity.

He laughed heartily and transformed into a streak of light, rushing towards the immortal path.

It was a spiral staircase, shrouded in white mist, radiating a holy aura.

Boom!

As soon as the elder stepped onto it, a deafening roar came from the end of the path, followed by a terrified scream.

“No, why are there so many skeletons?! This dense Spiritual Energy is rejecting my Vessel!”

The cultivators looked up and saw the elder, a Nascent Soul expert, his body seemingly devoid of Spiritual Energy, like an ordinary mortal.

Then, his body began to decay, until it completely vanished.

A deathly silence fell over the cultivators.

The arrogant young geniuses, witnessing this scene, felt a cold sweat break out on their backs, grateful that their elders had stopped them.

This immortal path wasn’t necessarily a path to immortality. It could also be a path to oblivion!

Or perhaps… the man at the end of the path was rejecting them?

With the death of the first elder, many gazes shifted towards the young man at the end of the immortal path, his back turned towards them.

They wondered what he was planning and why he had made the immortal path appear.

They wouldn’t have guessed that the reason he had his back turned towards them was simply because he was contemplating whether he should change the rules of the Heavenly Court… perhaps replacing the ‘stockings made of Nirvana Silk’ requirement with ordinary stockings…

After all, the requirements shouldn’t be too high…

Mu Zhi’an observed his surroundings.

His black robe was solemn and dignified, the gold embroidery adding a touch of elegance.

His handsome features were partially hidden by a faint mist, his dark eyes calm and serene.

If someone were to see him now, they would notice the thoughtful expression on his face.

He stood there, his back to the world, like a celestial king looking down upon the mortal realm.

The setting truly enhanced his image.

If the cultivators below knew that the Master of the Heavenly Court at the end of the immortal path was only at the fourth-grade Core Formation Realm, and he was thinking not about immortality but about how to change the rules to see beautiful women, they would be speechless.

Of course, Mu Zhi’an didn’t care what they thought. He didn’t have the time or energy to worry about such things.

He was currently pondering why he was the one who set the rules.

Was it because of the little Heavenly Dao loli’s protection?

He glanced at the silver-haired loli beside him. She was smiling sweetly, her appearance innocent and adorable, yet her smile also held a hint of mature seduction.

Logically, cuteness couldn’t compete with sexiness, but Yuanluo seemed to possess both qualities.

However, she hadn’t answered any of his questions since arriving.

Mu Zhi’an pondered for a moment, then asked, “You said I’m the one who sets the rules of the Heavenly Court. Does that mean… everything here is decided by me?”

“You can change the rules, but at the Core Formation Realm, you can’t fully control the Heavenly Court,” Yuanluo replied, nodding slightly.

Mu Zhi’an looked at the open bronze gate, lost in thought. After a long silence, he asked, “What’s the difference between the Heavenly Court and the Nine Realms?”

The little loli tilted her head slightly, as if pondering his question.

After a moment, she replied in her sweet, childish voice, “The Heavenly Court’s Spiritual Energy is several times denser than the Nine Realms’, and there are also many unique cultivation techniques and medicinal herbs here that don’t exist in the outside world.”

“If I absorb the Heavenly Court’s Spiritual Energy into my Innate Celestial Furnace, can I share it with others?” Mu Zhi’an asked.

“Yes,” Yuanluo replied without hesitation.

Mu Zhi’an fell into deep thought.

Although he had suspected this was possible, hearing her confirmation still surprised him.

He could absorb the Heavenly Court’s Spiritual Energy and share it with others, and he could even cultivate here himself…

“The Heavenly Court’s Spiritual Energy is incredibly dense, but you can’t cultivate here indefinitely. With your current constitution, two hours a day is your limit,” Yuanluo suddenly said, as if reading his thoughts.

“However, you’re the one who sets the rules. After you reach the Nascent Soul Realm, you can stay here longer.”

Listening to her explanation, Mu Zhi’an gradually understood the structure of the Heavenly Court.

This Heavenly Court… was the Immortal Realm, the ultimate goal of all cultivators, a place where one could achieve immortality.

And he was the one who set its rules.

As for the reason… she hadn’t explained, but he suspected it was related to the ‘Heavenly Dao’s Blessing’ title on his personal interface.

The Heavenly Court was closely connected to this new Heavenly Dao, and she had been waiting here for the rule-maker, or rather, the Master of the Heavenly Court, to appear.

However, based on his experience, he had to keep the Heavenly Court’s existence a secret. Revealing it to the outside world wouldn’t benefit him.

After all, this Heavenly Dao loli wouldn’t help him unconditionally. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have died in the Jade Pool Holy Land.

He was satisfied with this outcome.

Even just two hours of cultivation in the Heavenly Court each day would greatly benefit his future progress.

And the Spiritual Energy here wasn’t restricted by realms. He could even have his Innate Celestial Furnace absorb it.

This Spiritual Energy could even benefit Dao Integration experts.

Mu Zhi’an sat down before the bronze gate, his hair billowing around him, and began to absorb the Heavenly Court’s energy.

His time here was limited. Since Yuanluo had said he could only stay for two hours, it was best to use this time for cultivation.

Meanwhile, the cultivators outside didn’t realize that the young man at the end of the immortal path, his back turned towards them, was a participant in the Ascension Ceremony.

And now, after witnessing the death of the Primordial Clan’s elder, they had abandoned the idea of ascending the immortal path.

However, they didn’t leave. They knew the true experts hadn’t arrived yet.

Core Formation and Nascent Soul cultivators couldn’t enter, but what about Dao Integration experts?

There were currently four Dao Integration experts within the Two Polarities Sect!

“The Jade Empress is coming!”

A voice, filled with awe and admiration, suddenly cried out.

The first Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool Holy Land, her aura as pure and ethereal as a fairy, her jade-like feet treading on air, walked towards the immortal path.

Her figure was shrouded in a hazy mist, her silk dress, made of Nirvana Silk, shimmering faintly, drawing everyone’s attention.

Silence fell over the crowd, and they watched as another elegant figure in a white dress approached.

It was Luo Tan, the Empress of Yu State, a Heaven-Grade Alchemist!

Luo Tan stopped before the immortal path, looking up at Yao Meng. “The path to immortality has only appeared less than four times in history. I didn’t expect it to appear so suddenly this time,” she said.

She glanced at Yao Meng, a hint of suspicion in her eyes.

Unlike Nascent Soul cultivators, she could sense the danger emanating from this immortal path. It was rejecting other cultivators, which was why the elder who had tried to ascend it earlier had perished.

And now, Luo Tan could feel that this immortal path was also rejecting her.

Even if she forcefully ascended and reached the Heavenly Court, she wouldn’t gain anything.

However… Yao Meng was standing on the immortal path without even using her Spiritual Energy.

Logically, there shouldn’t be any difference between them.

Why could Yao Meng enter, but she couldn’t?

“This immortal path has only appeared a few times throughout history. And now it has appeared because of the Primordial Demon Emperor’s death? How interesting.”

A deep male voice came from behind them. A tall, imposing figure in a black robe looked up at the immortal path, his eyes filled with a deep wisdom.

Then, he shook his head. “Unfortunately, the time isn’t right. This immortal path is an illusion. No one can ascend it.”

“The Forbidden Zone’s Master!”

Someone in the crowd recognized the man in the black robe, their eyes filled with reverence.

Luo Tan nodded silently, her white and gold dress billowing in the wind. She looked up at the fairy in the green dress standing on the immortal path, then withdrew her gaze.

Although she didn’t understand why the immortal path hadn’t rejected Yao Meng, it wasn’t the right time to ascend, and even if Yao Meng could reach the Heavenly Court, she wouldn’t be able to absorb any Spiritual Energy.

Otherwise, she might be the first to achieve true immortality.

As Luo Tan was about to leave, her gaze fell upon the figure in black robes at the end of the immortal path. A hint of confusion appeared in her eyes.

Although his figure was shrouded in mist, his back radiated an aura of power and authority, like a celestial emperor…

And for some reason, she felt a strange sense of familiarity.

As if… she had seen him somewhere before.

…

Meanwhile, shortly after the Forbidden Zone’s Master left Two Polarities Peak, he encountered Ye Lingxuan, who called out to him, “Father!”

The Master’s stern face softened as he looked at his daughter. “Is everything alright with your cultivation here?”

Ye Lingxuan nodded slightly and smiled. “This immortal path is quite the attraction. It even drew you out, Father.”

The Forbidden Zone’s Master shook his head and chuckled. “I’m not interested in the Heavenly Court. Your mother was worried about you, so I came to check on you.”

He observed Ye Lingxuan carefully, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Where’s that Mu brat?”

He could sense the changes in her body, her Spiritual Energy mixed with Mu Zhi’an’s.

This meant… they had been intimate after he returned to the sect.

Ye Lingxuan blushed slightly at the mention of Mu Zhi’an. She lowered her head, her fingers playing with a strand of hair. “It’s the Ascension Ceremony, Father. Brother Mu is busy preparing for his matches,” she murmured.

She paused, then continued, “If he doesn’t achieve a good ranking, you’ll just criticize him again, won’t you?” She looked at her father, her tone filled with displeasure.

She didn’t understand why her father disliked Mu Zhi’an so much. He was kind, gentle, and always thoughtful, even surprising her with small gifts occasionally. His only flaw was his weak will, his susceptibility to those seductive women.

But that didn’t matter. She would take him back to the Forbidden Zone.

His weak will could be… trained.

She could help him train it… with Qian’er.

However, the Forbidden Zone’s Master simply scoffed. “Are you sure your ‘Brother Mu’ is diligently cultivating?”

“Knowing him, he’s probably busy with some woman.”

“How can you say that about Brother Mu, Father?” Ye Lingxuan retorted.

The Forbidden Zone’s Master snorted. “Am I wrong? I see myself in him… I was even more of a womanizer than him in my youth. I know what he’s thinking.”

Ye Lingxuan: “…”

“Where’s your Desolate Time Lock? If you don’t believe me, use it and see where he is,” he said, seeing her disbelief.

Ye Lingxuan, unwilling to back down, summoned the Desolate Time Lock, a golden chain emerging from her sleeve.

The Forbidden Zone’s Master raised his hand, and the chain stopped in his palm.

With a flick of his wrist, the lock at the end of the chain shot towards Two Polarities Peak, disappearing into the void before reappearing in a certain courtyard.

The other end of the chain transformed into a rectangular frame.

This was another ability of the Desolate Time Lock. It could show the location and actions of its target, as long as they weren’t too far away.

And its target was Mu Zhi’an.

However, Ye Lingxuan was only at the Core Formation Realm. This ability could only be fully utilized in the Nascent Soul Realm.

Once she reached that level, she would be able to see everything Mu Zhi’an did.

The image within the Desolate Time Lock appeared.

It was a courtyard, and Lan Mulian, who had just returned to her physical body, was looking at Mu Zhi’an, her aura cold and elegant, her figure alluring in her white dress with gold embroidery.

After observing him for a moment, she reached out and gently brushed his hair away from his forehead.

Mu Zhi’an remained motionless.

Ye Lingxuan bit her lip, her eyes darkening as she looked at him.

Brother Mu wasn’t cultivating. He was with Senior Sister Lan. He had said he was too busy with the Ascension Ceremony…

Suddenly, the Forbidden Zone’s Master’s eyes flickered with surprise. “Wait… His consciousness isn’t in his body,” he murmured.

Ye Lingxuan froze, a flicker of hope in her eyes as she looked at her father. “What do you mean, Father?”

However, the Forbidden Zone’s Master didn’t answer, his gaze fixed on the young man in the image.

As if realizing something, he slowly looked up, his gaze fixed on the figure at the end of the immortal path.

The young man in the black robe… His figure slowly overlapped with Mu Zhi’an’s.

After a long silence, the Forbidden Zone’s Master finally snapped out of his daze. Under Ye Lingxuan’s gaze, he murmured in disbelief, “The Master of the Heavenly Court… could it be him?”

…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay