In the warm room, Mu Zhi’an looked up, drawn by the seductive voice that sent shivers down his spine.

Ye Qingxin’s beautiful face was inches from his, her red lips alluring, her fiery red eyes sparkling with amusement.

Whoa, I’m being flirted with?! He was momentarily stunned. A beauty like Ye Qingxin could charm anyone with such a bold move.

But this is too fast… She’s still wary of me. Why would she seduce me?

As if reading his thoughts, Ye Qingxin’s captivating gaze turned cold, and she looked away.

“There’s something you don’t know, young friend Mu.”

Mu Zhi’an, his gaze lingering on her alluring figure as she moved away, asked, “What is it, Senior?”

Ye Qingxin raised her hand, a red light flickering in her palm as a painting appeared.

She turned to him, her beautiful eyes meeting his. “Everything that happened within my Celestial Realm is recorded in this painting,” she said softly.

“The Jade Empress and I personally observed your… performance during the trial.”

Mu Zhi’an froze, his eyes widening in surprise.

Ye Qingxin’s gaze was fixed on him.

She had expected him to be shocked, perhaps even apologizing for his… disrespectful thoughts towards her.

However, after a moment of silence, he simply lowered his gaze and sighed softly.

“So that’s why you were so wary of me, Senior. You saw my… fantasies,” he murmured.

So she wasn’t just wary of me because of my thoughts about her, but because she saw what I did to her in my fantasy…

Eight times in one night, even tearing her clothes… Who wouldn’t be wary of me after seeing that?

The fact that she had still given him the Heaven-Asking Lock showed her magnanimity.

Mu Zhi’an wanted to crawl into a hole and die of embarrassment.

But he quickly calmed himself down.

“Do you have anything to say for yourself, young friend Mu?” Ye Qingxin asked, her eyes turning cold, her aura imposing.

If he hadn’t heard her seductive voice earlier, he would have thought it was all a dream.

This woman is truly a temptress…

He had only felt this kind of allure from Yao Meng, who, despite her pure and innocent appearance, had a hidden dark side.

Mu Zhi’an lowered his gaze respectfully. “I don’t think I did anything wrong, Senior.”

“If anything, it’s your fault.”

Ye Qingxin raised an eyebrow, looking at him calmly.

Is he using the same excuse as Ye Yu?

She had just been disappointed by her ungrateful descendant, and now, this Mu Zhi’an was saying, ‘It’s not my fault, it’s yours’?

However, before she could react, he continued, “Your beauty is unparalleled, Senior. You’re one of the most beautiful women in the Nine Realms. Who wouldn’t be captivated by you?”

He covered his mouth and coughed weakly, then looked up at her with a tired smile. “A sage isn’t someone without desires, but someone who can control them.”

“I respect you, Senior, so I suppressed my thoughts.”

“But within that Celestial Realm, desires are amplified. That’s the nature of the trial… And with my desires amplified, I couldn’t suppress my… admiration for you.”

Mu Zhi’an struggled to stand up, his hand on the bed frame, his head lowered slightly.

“If you’re displeased, Senior, I’m willing to accept any punishment.”

Even if you step on me…

His sincere demeanor, his pale face, the sweat beading on his forehead, his handsome features…

Ye Qingxin’s cold gaze softened slightly.

His response was flawless.

He had complimented her, admitted his ‘mistake’, expressed his admiration, and apologized, offering himself up for punishment.

I’m injured. Would you, as my senior, really punish me?

If you don’t, then we can just forget about this.

Although that was the implication, his words and actions were surprisingly… agreeable.

No wonder the Jade Empress favored him. His way with words alone surpassed most so-called geniuses.

Ye Qingxin sighed inwardly.

“Sit down. You’re injured. Don’t push yourself.”

She had tacitly forgiven him.

“Thank you, Senior Ye,” Mu Zhi’an said, sitting down on the bed and breathing a sigh of relief.

So that’s why Yao Meng’s gaze and tone were so… playful. My trial was being broadcast live…

And she didn’t even tell me… I’ll have to punish her later.

“This pill can heal any injury within three days and is also beneficial for cultivation.”

Ye Qingxin took out the Primordial Creation Pill, and with a flick of her wrist, it floated towards Mu Zhi’an.

“After you consume it, I’ll protect you and use a secret technique to accelerate its absorption. Combined with the pill Luo Tan gave you, you’ll be fully recovered by tomorrow.”

Mu Zhi’an’s eyes flickered as he looked up at her. “You’re not blaming me anymore, Senior?”

“You’re right. Desires are amplified within the Celestial Realm. It’s not your fault,” Ye Qingxin replied calmly, her voice softer than before.

After all, he hadn’t actually done anything to her. It was just a fantasy.

And it was part of the trial.

She was well aware of her own charm. Many, both her peers and those of the younger generation, had admired her.

However, Mu Zhi’an was the first to act on his desires.

Although his courage had been… misplaced, it wasn’t wrong.

If the woman in his fantasy hadn’t been her, she might even have admired his boldness.

After all, few would dare to imagine… subduing an Empress.

Mu Zhi’an looked at her alluring figure and said sincerely, “Thank you for your understanding, Senior.”

“However, my actions towards you weren’t solely because of your beauty…”

He continued, “When you descended to help Ye Yu, I thought to myself, with such a virtuous and beautiful ancestor, what more could he possibly want?”

“My admiration for you, Senior, stems from your character and your kindness towards your descendants.”

“I wish I had an ancestor like you.”

Mu Zhi’an sighed softly, then fell silent, knowing when to stop.

“You’re good with words. No wonder you’ve charmed that girl in the white dress and my two descendants,” Ye Qingxin said with a smile, seeing through his intentions.

However, even though she knew what he was doing, she wasn’t as displeased as before. In fact, her impression of him had improved.

“I’ve always seen Lingxuan and Qian’er as younger sisters, Senior. You’re misunderstanding,” Mu Zhi’an said with a gentle smile.

He picked up the pill.

“By the way, Senior, do you know who that person inside Ye Yu is?” he suddenly asked.

The old man within Ye Yu was a mystery. Although Mu Zhi’an knew he was likely a former Dao Integration expert, he didn’t know his identity.

Ye Qingxin shook her head gently. “I ascended to the Heavenly Court long ago. I’m not very familiar with the matters of the Nine Realms.”

“His confidence must be because of that old man,” Mu Zhi’an sighed.

“Ye Yu’s future is truly limitless.”

He was subtly telling Ye Qingxin that she didn’t need to worry about Ye Yu anymore. He had a Dao Integration expert within him and didn’t need her help.

“Let’s not talk about him. You should focus on refining that pill, young friend Mu,” Ye Qingxin said, shaking her head gently.

The Primordial Creation Pill’s potent fragrance filled the air as Mu Zhi’an swallowed it. Ye Qingxin formed a hand seal, a red light emanating from her palm.

She pointed at Mu Zhi’an, and a red light enveloped him.

Instantly, his condition became clear to her.

His dense Spiritual Energy was like a sweet poison to a female cultivator. As a wisp of consciousness, she was naturally drawn to it, especially the energy within his Innate Celestial Furnace.

His Innate Celestial Furnace is truly unique. If it continues to evolve, perhaps the Jade Empress will be the first to achieve Transcendence… Ye Qingxin thought to herself.

She focused, her hand glowing with runes, accelerating the pill’s absorption.

…

Deep within a hall on the southern bank.

Luo Tan, dressed in a luxurious white dress, tapped her fingers against the table, lost in thought.

She was thinking about the Jade Empress’s offer, trading a Heavenly Phoenix Fruit for a Dao Heart Pill.

The Jade Empress should have a few Heavenly Phoenix Fruits herself. Even if their potency had decreased over time, they were still incredibly valuable.

It was a worthy trade.

But why did she want a Dao Heart Pill?

Its effects were limited, unless… she was certain it could expand someone’s Vessel?

In the past, she wouldn’t have thought too much about it.

However, the Jade Empress had just publicly declared Mu Zhi’an to be her Dao Companion. It was obvious who she wanted the Dao Heart Pill for.

She was confident that Mu Zhi’an could absorb and utilize the pill’s effects.

Then, the key must be his Vessel.

Boom!

As Luo Tan pondered this, a loud rumbling sound, like thunder, came from outside. She glanced in its direction.

A tribulation for the eighth-grade Core Formation Realm…

“It must be Young Master Xiao Hua’s tribulation, Your Majesty. He showed signs of a breakthrough during today’s matches,” her maid said respectfully.

Luo Tan nodded slightly, her eyes filled with a hint of pride.

Xiao Hua was one of the two geniuses from Yu State. He had a difficult childhood.

When he was young, his Divine King Bone had been stolen by his cousin’s mother, but he had survived through sheer willpower.

Later, Luo Tan, taking pity on him, had brought him back to the palace and provided him with resources, and with his own hard work and the help of medicinal pills, he had reached the Core Formation Realm at a young age, becoming a prodigy.

And now, he was already at the eighth-grade.

Within a year or two, he would likely reach the Nascent Soul Realm.

Luo Tan raised her delicate finger, and a small, exquisite jade box appeared.

“Give him this pill after his tribulation. It will restore his Spiritual Energy before dawn.”

As the Pill Emperor of Yu State, she had no shortage of pills.

In fact, she was the wealthiest person in the Nine Realms.

As a master alchemist, even the Demon Realm Empress, who usually disdained associating with Dao Integration experts, treated her with respect.

After all, who knew what kind of miraculous pills she might be able to refine in the future, pills even Dao Integration experts would need?

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the maid replied respectfully, taking the box and leaving.

…

Beneath the raging tribulation lightning, a young man in white robes coughed up blood, his body falling from the sky!

Boom!

He crashed to the ground, dust and debris flying everywhere, coughing violently.

“Xiao Hua, are you alright?”

The maid, arriving on her sword, rushed to his side.

“Damn it, to die like this… I can’t accept it…”

Xiao Hua clutched his chest, his voice filled with resentment.

Then, after a moment, he froze, instinctively touching his body.

My body… is still intact…?

“I’m… still alive…?”

“But… where am I?”

He slowly opened his eyes, looking at the unfamiliar surroundings, his voice a murmur.

“Xiao Hua, are you alright? Did the tribulation fry your brain?” the maid asked, looking at him with concern.

However, Xiao Hua seemed to ignore her, murmuring, “The Nine Realms… Dao Integration…”

I see… I’ve taken over this body… and been reborn…

What a weak body, dying to an eighth-grade Core Formation tribulation… It must be because of the Divine King Bone that was stolen from him when he was young, and the Spiritual Energy he exhausted during yesterday’s match…

Xiao Hua shook his head inwardly, disgusted by this body’s weakness.

He wasn’t from the Nine Realms, but from an ancient planet in a distant galaxy.

And he had been one of its rulers.

Although he had been betrayed, they probably hadn’t expected him to survive and be reborn…

Although he had to start over, his previous cultivation level was equivalent to a Soul Transformation expert in the Nine Realms.

With his experience, regaining his former glory was only a matter of time.

And for that, he needed the three Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs from the Ascension Ceremony!

Once he reached Soul Transformation, and then Dao Integration, he would fulfill the original owner’s wish and take that Empress of Yu State, whom he had secretly admired, as his Dao Companion.

You can rest in peace now!

Xiao Hua clenched his fists, a confident smile curving his lips.

“Xiao Hua, why are you spacing out? Her Majesty asked me to give you this,” the maid said, handing him the jade box.

Xiao Hua glanced at it casually, his eyes filled with arrogance as he looked at the maid.

It seemed the original owner of this body saw her as an older sister… but she also secretly admired him?

How boring. Even his maid admired him. This guy really wanted everything.

But she’s quite pretty…

After the Ascension Ceremony, there would be an alchemy competition. He would showcase his skills and amaze everyone.

If he could catch the Empress of Yu State’s attention, it would be a wonderful story.

Adopted by Empress Luo Tan as a child, then becoming her Dao Companion… Not bad.

…

Early morning.

Mu Zhi’an slowly opened his eyes, his earlier weakness gone. His Spiritual Energy, which had dropped to the third-grade Core Formation Realm, had even increased slightly.

At this rate, he would be back at the fourth-grade after the Ascension Ceremony.

Ye Qingxin wasn’t in the room. She must have returned to cultivate after using her secret technique.

After all, she was just a wisp of consciousness.

“Huh? When did Mengrou arrive?”

He turned his head slightly and saw Wei Mengrou standing beside his bed, her eyes closed in meditation, her aura concealed.

Her bright yellow dress stood out in the dim candlelight, but if it weren’t for his pseudo-Innate Spiritual Body, he wouldn’t have noticed her.

Beneath her skirt, one leg was clad in a white stocking that reached her thigh, while the other was covered by a sheer black stocking, a surprisingly alluring combination.

“I heard you were injured, so I came to check on you,” Wei Mengrou said coldly.

“You mean you were worried about me,” Mu Zhi’an said with a smile, seeing through her facade, his gaze lingering on her alluring figure.

Wei Mengrou was about to deny it when he beckoned her with his finger. She pouted slightly, but still walked over and sat down beside him, her hip pressing against the edge of the bed.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine now. The Primordial Creation Pill is very effective,” Mu Zhi’an said reassuringly.

“Where’s Senior Ye?” he asked.

“Cultivating next door,” Wei Mengrou replied.

“So she needs to absorb Spiritual Energy to maintain her consciousness after using that secret technique on me.”

Mu Zhi’an’s hand casually rested on Wei Mengrou’s thigh, enjoying the smooth feel of the fabric.

A faint blush appeared on her usually cold and beautiful face. She glanced at him, her eyes filled with a playful resentment, then she pressed her thighs together, lowering her head, but she didn’t stop him.

“Hmm…?”

Enjoying her soft touch, Mu Zhi’an suddenly sensed a change in his personal interface. He opened it and glanced at it.

A faint black mark had appeared on the pink heart-shaped frame.

He recognized it. It was the same mark that had been there when his character role was still ‘Supporting Character’.

The Heavenly Dao of the Nine Realms couldn’t directly interfere, but it could choose its ‘representatives’.

It seemed that after last night’s incident, after Ye Yu’s outburst, Ye Qingxin had become disillusioned with him.

Is the Heavenly Dao abandoning Ye Yu and choosing someone else?

Wei Mengrou, her hands nervously clutching her skirt, leaned against him, her usual aloofness gone as he teased her playfully.

She glanced at his personal interface, then looked up at him. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

He gently squeezed her waist, kissed her cheek, glanced at his interface, and chuckled.

“Just another leek.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay