The Ascension Ceremony continued, with cultivators from all over the Nine Provinces gathered on the Southern Bank, some discussing the Dao, others watching the matches. News of the Chaos Lands had spread, but few dared to venture to the borderlands yet, due to the demonic cultivators and the rumors of a deadly curse.

Meanwhile, Mu Zhi’an left the Garden of Heavenly Harmony and flew towards the Star Moon Palace on the Southern Bank. He wanted to visit Xiao Shuixian, who must be grieving after Xiao Hua’s death. It was a good opportunity to build goodwill. A friend with her alchemy skills could be useful in the future.

A maid greeted him at the entrance, informing him that Luo Tan had just finished bathing. A Dao Integration expert still takes baths…? Is it a hobby? Or is she… preparing for my visit…? He waited patiently.

“Her Majesty will see you now,” the maid said, leading him into the hall.

Luo Tan’s hair was still slightly damp, casually draped over her shoulders, her usual elegant demeanor replaced by a more relaxed aura. She gestured for the maid to serve tea. “What brings you here, young friend Mu?” she asked, her voice gentle.

“I was worried about Miss Xiao after what happened to Brother Xiao yesterday, so I brought some Calming Pills,” Mu Zhi’an said, placing a small, ornate box on the table. “I also brought some for you, Senior, as a small token of my gratitude.”

Luo Tan looked at him with appreciation. He was intelligent. She didn’t lack pills, but his gesture showed his sincerity. She was also impressed by his calm demeanor. Most Core Formation cultivators wouldn’t be so relaxed in her presence. “Thank you for your kindness. There’s no need to worry about me. I’ll have someone deliver the pills to Shuixian.”

“Thank you, Senior.” Mu Zhi’an bowed, then sighed softly. “I didn’t expect Brother Xiao to be possessed… It seems having a powerful consciousness residing within one’s body is quite risky.”

“Most powerful beings wouldn’t possess a Core Formation cultivator, especially one as weak as Xiao Hua. That demon probably had no other choice,” Luo Tan said with a smile, her elegant demeanor and regal aura captivating.

“That’s true. Brother Ye Yu has been fine… Brother Xiao was just unlucky,” Mu Zhi’an murmured thoughtfully.

“Ye Yu? Does he also have a powerful being within him?” Luo Tan asked, raising an eyebrow. She had heard his name mentioned recently.

“I heard he’s quite powerful, a former high-level cultivator and a master alchemist,” Mu Zhi’an said, praising Ye Yu sincerely. He knew mentioning a powerful being alone wouldn’t pique her interest, as Luo Tan, a long-lived Empress, had likely seen it all. But a ‘master alchemist’…

“I know most of the master alchemists in the Nine Realms. I haven’t heard of any perishing and leaving their consciousness behind. Do you know who it is?” Luo Tan asked, looking at him intently.

“Ye Yu mentioned his name during our spar… He’s one of the best alchemists in the Eastern Realm… Have you heard of… Yao Shan, Senior?” Mu Zhi’an asked, his voice filled with feigned curiosity, a gentle smile on his face.

Silence fell over the hall.

Luo Tan’s smile faded, her expression turning cold. “Yao Shan is still alive?” she asked after a long moment, her voice icy. She knew Yao Shan. He had been her disciple, but he had betrayed her, attempting to steal the Myriad Transformations Cauldron. She had placed a bounty on his head, offering a favor to whoever eliminated him. Two months later, she had received news of his death. And now…

“Are you sure, young friend Mu? Everyone knows he’s dead.”

Mu Zhi’an feigned surprise and quickly bowed. “That’s what he called himself, Senior. I’m not sure if it’s truly him… Do you… know him, Senior?”

Luo Tan’s gaze softened, and a smile returned to her face. “You never cease to surprise me, young friend Mu. He was my disciple, but he betrayed me, killing two of his fellow disciples and attempting to steal the Yu State’s most precious treasure. If he’s truly alive… I owe you another favor.”

“I was just making conversation, Senior. I didn’t know about his past,” Mu Zhi’an said, shaking his head respectfully. He knew when to stop. Luo Tan would deal with Yao Shan herself. As for Ruoxi’s Tai Xu Pill… it wasn’t the right time to ask. It would be too obvious. Luo Tan knew he had ulterior motives, but as long as he wasn’t too blatant, she wouldn’t mind.

After chatting for a while longer, he excused himself.

Luo Tan smiled as she watched him leave. Then, her maid, Jing Xi, who had been silently standing in the corner, said softly, “Your Majesty, this Mu Zhi’an… he has ulterior motives, just like the others.” She had seen countless people trying to curry favor with the Pill Emperor.

“Whether he has motives or not, the information about Xiao Hua and Yao Shan is valuable. That’s enough,” Luo Tan said calmly, her eyes twinkling. She knew he had ulterior motives, but he had been helpful.

She twirled a strand of hair around her finger, a seductive glint in her eyes. “Besides… letting him approach me… is part of my plan.”

…

On the Northern Bank, in an elegant pavilion, a clear spring flowed, and plum blossoms swayed in the wind.

“Ye Lingxuan is different. She was a Dao Integration expert in her past life. I’m glad you understand what I told you last night,” Yao Meng said, her green dress flowing around her, her hair loose, an ethereal aura surrounding her as she smiled gently at the young woman before her.

She had talked to Yao Yue last night, expecting her to be disheartened by her defeat, but she had been surprisingly calm.

“I’ll remember your teachings, Senior Jade Empress,” Yao Yue replied, her own aura shimmering. She wasn’t discouraged. Even Dao Integration experts experienced defeats in their youth. And her opponent was the Forbidden Zone’s Holy Maiden, the ninth reincarnation of the Reincarnated Empress. There was no shame in losing to her, especially with the Desolate Time Lock.

She looked at a young man who had just entered the pavilion and smiled politely. “Brother Lan Wu, I’ll try to talk to Senior Sister Lan. If she agrees to see you, I’ll let you know.”

“Thank you, Holy Maiden Yao Yue,” Lan Wu said with a warm smile, bowing respectfully.

He had been sent by the Lan family to bring his sisters back, but neither Lan Feiying nor Lan Mulian would see him.

He had no choice but to ask for help from their acquaintances.

“Perhaps you should ask Young Master Mu. He might be more persuasive,” Yao Yue suggested, her smile bright, her fair skin glowing with an ethereal light.

Unlike her, Yao Meng’s figure was more alluring, her green eyes radiating a seductive charm, her aura powerful and divine.

Although many envied Mu Zhi’an’s relationship with the Jade Empress, even Lan Wu, he avoided looking at her directly. He could speak to Yao Yue as an equal, but not to the Jade Empress. It wasn’t fear, but the natural awe a Core Formation cultivator felt towards a Dao Integration expert.

Lan Wu bowed and left, his old servant following closely behind.

“The Holy Maiden has a point. Young Master Mu might be able to persuade her…” the old servant said tentatively. Lan Mulian wouldn’t see anyone without her permission.

Lan Wu shook his head. “You saw his attitude that day. If she doesn’t want to see me, he won’t help.”

As they walked, they sensed someone approaching on a flying sword.

“Are you here to see the Jade Empress, Brother Mu?” Lan Wu asked with a smile.

What’s he doing here…? Mu Zhi’an wondered, then he smiled. “I’m also here to see the Holy Maiden. We’re friends. I was worried about her after her defeat yesterday.” He didn’t ask about Lan Wu’s purpose. He could guess. Lan Mulian clearly disliked her family, and Lan Wu was here to persuade her to return. He wouldn’t get involved.

He nodded at Lan Wu and entered the pavilion, where he saw the two Holy Maidens. He couldn’t help but admire Yao Meng’s ethereal beauty, her green dress, her long, flowing hair, her alluring figure, her aura both pure and seductive. Although she appeared innocent to outsiders, the women around him knew her true nature.

“You’re here too, Young Master Mu?” Yao Yue asked with a smile. Unlike Yao Meng, her attire was more youthful, her white dress embroidered with plum blossoms, her beauty vibrant and lively.

Mu Zhi’an’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, then he smiled. “Yao Meng visited you last night and hasn’t returned. And I was worried about you, Holy Maiden.”

“You just want to see the Jade Empress, don’t you?” she said with a smile.

“That too,” he admitted. “I’m going to the borderlands soon.”

Yao Meng’s eyes narrowed. “The Chaos Lands?” She frowned slightly. “At a time like this…”

“Do you have other matters to attend to?” he asked, sensing her hesitation.

“There’s been some activity in the Jade Pool after the incident in the Chaos Lands. The Jade Empress was planning to return,” Yao Yue explained.

Yao Meng smiled faintly. “Since you’re going to the Chaos Lands, I’ll go with you.”

“You should go back to the Jade Pool. I’ll be fine,” Mu Zhi’an said quickly.

“You died in the Jade Pool last time. I’m not letting you go alone,” she said, glancing at him.

He sat beside her, taking her hand. “I have the Void Nightmare now.”

Yao Yue, smiling at their intimacy, excused herself to prepare tea.

“The Void Nightmare is strong, but there might be other powerful beings in the borderlands,” Yao Meng said.

“I can even suppress Dao Integration experts,” Mu Zhi’an shrugged.

“Suppress… how did you do that, exactly?” she asked, her legs crossed, a faint blush on her usually cold face.

He couldn’t help but admire her legs.

She traced her finger along her thigh, glancing at him. “Be serious. Or do you want to… before we continue?”

“Here?” he asked, surprised and slightly aroused.

She blushed, about to speak, when a melodious voice echoed through the pavilion.

“If the Jade Empress is worried, I’ll go with him,” a woman in a red and black dress said, appearing in a flash of red light, her ample bosom prominent, sparks dancing in her hair.

Yao Meng’s green eyes narrowed as she looked at Ye Qingxin. She was against him just a few days ago… Now she’s helping him?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay