The Dao Heart Pill. Mu Zhi’an had never heard of it before, but according to Yao Meng, it could expand one’s Vessel…?

He was both amazed and slightly disappointed.

Its effects were limited, only working on certain constitutions, like his Innate Celestial Furnace.

If it could expand my own Vessel, I would have a Nascent Soul level Vessel even at the Core Formation Realm…

However, expanding his Innate Celestial Furnace meant he could provide more Spiritual Energy during dual cultivation.

And besides, even if it had no other effects, consuming this pill was still a worthwhile experience.

After all, its potent fragrance, mixed with the Jade Empress’s scent… was intoxicating.

As the pill’s effects spread through his body, the lingering taste of her lips still on his, Mu Zhi’an was about to close his eyes and refine the pill’s energy when—

“Don’t rush. The Dao Heart Pill is an eighth-grade pill. Refining it would take at least three to five days, unless the Ye family ancestor uses her secret technique again,” Yao Meng said softly, her cool hand gently caressing his face, her green eyes sparkling with amusement.

Her melodious voice, filled with a seductive allure, sent shivers down his spine.

She leaned closer, her lips, still bearing the pill’s fragrance, brushing against his ear as she exhaled softly.

“The night is still young. You must be disappointed about your defeat today. Let me… comfort you.”

Even though he knew the Jade Empress’s allure was irresistible, this was… too much…

Mu Zhi’an’s heart pounded as he looked at her, her beautiful face adorned with a faint smile, her eyes seductive.

Even in this alluring pose, her pure and innocent aura still shone through, like a clear pool in autumn, making him hesitant to defile her.

But the playful glint in her eyes made him want to ‘suppress’ her and teach her a lesson.

“Jade Empress, I’m not that kind of person,” Mu Zhi’an said, trying to maintain his composure.

He wanted to ask about her reaction to Lan Mulian’s almost-confession, but since she hadn’t mentioned it, he decided not to bring it up.

“I know you’re not the type to be intimate with just anyone,” Yao Meng said, her hand gently cupping the back of his head, pulling his face against her bosom.

Mu Zhi’an’s heart pounded, and he almost lost control.

The warmth and softness of her breasts against his cheek, her body heat…

“I won’t do anything to you. I just want… the cultivation technique I gave you to… evolve further,” she whispered in his ear, her voice soft and seductive. “The choice is yours.”

Although her words seemed innocent, her tone was clearly teasing.

Mu Zhi’an felt himself drowning in her seductive aura, his eyes closed, savoring her sweet fragrance and her captivating voice.

He sighed inwardly.

This woman has me completely wrapped around her finger. She knows exactly what I’m thinking…

Although he had initially seen her as his prey, it seemed… their roles were reversed.

It was the same with Ye Qingxin. Although his plan to drive a wedge between her and Ye Yu had succeeded, and she even had a favorable impression of him now, he wasn’t sure who was the hunter and who was the prey.

The Jade Empress had been a powerful being long before he was even born. She had seen it all.

After all, she was the one who initiated their first kiss.

“What’s wrong? You didn’t expend much Spiritual Energy today. You shouldn’t be this tired,” Yao Meng said, looking down at him, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

But those who knew her well would recognize the playful glint in her eyes. She was teasing him.

Mu Zhi’an, his face buried in her bosom, remained silent.

As she was about to speak again, he took her hand and gently removed it from the back of his head.

Then, before she could react, he flipped her over, his lips capturing hers.

“Mm…”

Yao Meng’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Then, she closed her eyes, her gaze soft and inviting as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her long eyelashes fluttering.

After a while, a green light flickered beneath the blankets as she stored her Nirvana Silk dress within her storage ring.

Mu Zhi’an pulled back the blankets and drew the curtains, his gaze fixed on her beautiful, moist eyes as he looked down at her.

If someone didn’t know them, they would wonder who was the Core Formation cultivator and who was the Dao Integration expert.

Yao Meng didn’t resist, letting him have his way, her eyes narrowed slightly as he kissed her cheek, her hair scattered across her fair skin.

The once aloof and powerful Empress seemed surprisingly… docile.

…

Late that night.

After a night of… strenuous activity, Mu Zhi’an’s Innate Celestial Furnace’s energy was depleted. Yao Meng gently pulled him onto her lap, providing him with a comfortable lap pillow as she stroked his hair.

So what if the Primordial Witch was occupying his Innate Celestial Furnace? Once it evolved, she could easily reclaim it.

As for Lan Mulian’s actions today… although she had been slightly annoyed at first, she had realized that having cuckolded others, she should also be prepared to be cuckolded herself.

As long as I don’t think I’m being cuckolded, then I’m the one doing the cuckolding.

And…

As long as Mu Zhi’an was with her, even if he was… shaped by the Jade Empress… it didn’t matter who was cuckolding whom.

Boom!

As Mu Zhi’an enjoyed her lap pillow, a loud rumbling sound, like thunder, suddenly echoed through the air.

He glanced out the window. It was coming from the southern bank.

“It’s a pill tribulation. Someone’s refining a pill,” Yao Meng said, glancing in that direction.

A pill tribulation?

Mu Zhi’an’s mind raced. “Do you know what grade it is?”

Alchemists were rare. Most cultivators on the southern bank were visitors, and when it came to pill refinement, the most likely candidates were the Empress of Yu State and her entourage.

Yao Meng formed a hand seal, her eyes closed as she performed a quick divination.

“A sixth-grade pill tribulation.”

“Is it the Pill Emperor of Yu State?” Mu Zhi’an asked.

“Unlikely. She just refined the pill you consumed earlier. She should be cultivating now,” Yao Meng said, shaking her head.

Luo Tan was just a wisp of consciousness here. After refining the Dao Heart Pill and enduring the pill tribulation, she would need to meditate and recover.

“That’s true… And she probably has plenty of sixth-grade pills. There’s no need for her to refine another one,” Mu Zhi’an murmured.

Then, it must be either the Holy Son, the Holy Maiden, or Xiao Shuixian from Yu State.

If it were the Holy Maiden or Xiao Shuixian, it wouldn’t be a big deal. But if it were Xiao Hua…

A cold glint flickered in Mu Zhi’an’s eyes.

Xiao Hua had been lurking near the Garden of Heavenly Harmony earlier. Although he had tried to conceal his hostility, his Innate Celestial Furnace had sensed it.

If Xiao Hua was refining a sixth-grade pill, what was his purpose?

He had a match tomorrow. Why refine a pill now…?

However, even if it was Xiao Hua, Mu Zhi’an wasn’t worried.

Everyone knew he was the Jade Empress’s Dao Companion, and she was currently in the Garden of Heavenly Harmony… Even a fool wouldn’t dare to attack him here.

Unless… he happened to be outside the Garden of Heavenly Harmony, without any protection.

A faint smile curved Mu Zhi’an’s lips.

It seemed even if Xiao Hua didn’t make a move, he could still… lure him out…

Yao Meng, noticing his smile, knew he was scheming.

However, she didn’t ask, giving him the freedom to act. It was also a form of training for him.

“By the way, do you know the identity of that old man inside Ye Yu?” Mu Zhi’an suddenly asked.

Yao Meng, snapping out of her thoughts, looked down at him. “Yao Shan. He was quite famous in the Eastern Realm. He traveled the Nine Realms after achieving Soul Transformation and even studied alchemy in Yu State.”

“He’s practically Luo Tan’s disciple.”

“You know him too?” Mu Zhi’an asked, surprised.

“Alchemists are a special group. Yao Shan was eager to make connections during his travels, and he could refine ninth-grade pills even at the Soul Transformation Realm… He wanted to make friends, and others were naturally willing to befriend him,” Yao Meng explained.

“He knew people all over the Nine Realms.”

“Luo Tan possessed a unique cauldron called the Myriad Transformations Cauldron, rumored to be capable of refining even Immortal-grade pills. Yao Shan wanted to borrow it, but she refused.”

As Yao Meng recounted these little-known secrets, Mu Zhi’an, enjoying her lap pillow, fell into deep thought.

“Why did he… perish?” he suddenly asked.

An alchemist with connections to so many powerful figures… he should have been untouchable.

Why was he now residing within Ye Yu’s body?

“Perhaps he was blinded by greed, or perhaps his connections made him arrogant. He tried to steal the Myriad Transformations Cauldron, but Luo Tan discovered his plot.”

“You can imagine what happens when the only Dao Integration alchemist in the Nine Realms is angered.”

Yao Meng chuckled, her hand gently caressing Mu Zhi’an’s face. “Yao Shan perished, only a fragment of his consciousness surviving. Most thought he was truly dead, but it seems he’s now residing within Ye Yu.”

“No wonder… So he had many connections…” Mu Zhi’an chuckled, remembering Ye Yu’s actions.

If this Yao Shan knew so many powerful figures, he must have had good social skills. Why didn’t he teach Ye Yu anything?

He could refine ninth-grade pills even at the Soul Transformation Realm. No wonder he was so popular…

Mu Zhi’an marveled at his own luck.

If it weren’t for Ling Long and Yao Meng, he wouldn’t have progressed so quickly, or experienced the… pleasures of being with the Jade Empress.

Although he had helped her, she had helped him even more…

He was truly living the good life…

Mu Zhi’an looked at Yao Meng, his gaze lingering on her alluring figure.

He felt himself stirring again, his earlier ‘sage mode’ fading.

It hasn’t even been two hours…

Yao Meng, even with her calm demeanor, couldn’t help but blush slightly, a warmth spreading through her heart.

As their gazes met, their eyes filled with affection, the flames of passion rekindled.

…

The next morning.

Deep within a hall on the southern bank, Xiao Hua slowly opened his eyes.

He looked at the pill in his hand.

A sixth-grade pill, the Soul Condensing Pill.

It wasn’t for human consumption, but for feeding his Nightmare.

Only after consuming this pill would the Nightmare obey his commands, allowing him to use his curse technique.

Then, even if Mu Zhi’an survived, he would suffer greatly.

“You shouldn’t have provoked me.”

Xiao Hua sneered inwardly, put away the pill, and left the hall.

His first match today was against Bai Ruoxi… He would collect some interest from Mu Zhi’an’s Dao Companion before dealing with him.

Luo Tan would likely be present today. This was his chance to shine!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay