Within the main hall.

A Jade Pool disciple left to receive Mu Zhian. Yao Xin, resting her chin on her hand, suddenly asked, “There’s still half a month until the Jade Empress’s wedding. Will she be in secluded cultivation during this time?”

Yao Meng’s lips parted slightly, her cold voice carrying a hint of gentleness. “The formations in the Jade Pool are now complete. I don’t need to do anything else for now.”

She looked at the Jade Pool Holy Maiden. “Yao Yue, come with me.”

Before anyone could react, Yao Meng stood up and vanished in a flash of green light.

Yao Yue was stunned for a moment, then a smile appeared on her beautiful face. She bowed slightly. “Yes.”

Yao Xin frowned, displeased.

As a devoted admirer of the Jade Empress, she had always been very attentive to her matters, even collecting various “memorabilia” left behind by Yao Meng in the Jade Pool Holy Land.

She wasn’t particularly interested in the position of Holy Maiden, but she couldn’t ignore the opportunity to interact with Yao Meng privately.

“Why her…” Yao Xin muttered.

Yao Yue heard her clearly and glanced at the young girl, smiling faintly. “Yao Xin, do you know the difference between us?”

It’s one thing for you to receive the Jade Empress’s invitation, but now you’re even trying to show off?

Yao Xin’s brows furrowed in anger. “Yao Yue, the Jade Empress only summoned you to ask you something. Don’t think she actually needs you for anything.”

Yao Yue chuckled coldly and transmitted her voice, “You don’t understand feelings.”

She glanced at Yao Xin, smiling. “And I do. That’s the difference.”

The biggest difference between her and Yao Xin wasn’t whether they understood feelings, but whether they understood the Jade Empress’s feelings.

She knew that the Jade Empress was attracted to Young Master Mu, so she hadn’t left the Two Polarities Sect after the Ascension Ceremony, but continued to cultivate there for a few days, observing Mu Zhian’s situation.

Since the Jade Empress valued Mu Zhian so much and was busy with matters in the Jade Pool, she would naturally be interested in what he was doing at the Two Polarities Sect.

If her guess was correct, the Jade Empress had summoned her for this reason.

…

Deep within the Jade Pool Holy Land, a pavilion stood near a clear spring.

“Yao Yue, you’ve been at the Two Polarities Sect all this time, only returning a few days ago. Have you heard of anything interesting happening there recently?”

Yao Meng’s voice was gentle and melodious, like the clinking of jade, her green eyes gazing at the Jade Pool Holy Maiden.

She really asked… Yao Yue smiled charmingly, unsurprised. “If you’re asking about interesting things that happened recently at the Two Polarities Sect, it would be the alchemy competition after the Ascension Ceremony. Young Master Mu was quite the highlight.”

The Jade Empress claimed she wanted to know what was happening at the Two Polarities Sect, but she actually wanted to know what Mu Zhian was doing there.

And as the Jade Pool Holy Maiden who had been staying at the Two Polarities Sect, Yao Yue knew a thing or two.

Yao Meng crossed her arms, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Tell me about it.”

…

At dusk, Mu Zhian and Regina entered the Jade Pool Holy Land, following a disciple.

“It seems the Jade Pool isn’t very welcoming. Are you sure I won’t be trapped here after entering?”

A soft, pleasant voice came from beside him.

Regina casually glanced around, her light golden dress fluttering as she followed the Jade Pool disciple on her sword.

She knew she wouldn’t be welcome here. In the Southern Wilderness, she was the Holy Maiden, second only to the Sky God. But in the Jade Pool Holy Land… her identity would only be a burden.

After all, when the Jade Empress returned to the Dao Integration realm, she had been obstructed in every possible way. Although the mastermind, the First Demon Emperor, was dead, the Southern Wilderness and the Western Regions were behind the plot.

Mu Zhian waved his hand, smiling. “It won’t come to that. Not only are you not involved in the Southern Wilderness’s affairs, but even if you were, with the wedding approaching, they wouldn’t make things difficult for you.”

Regina’s eyes flickered, a pitiful fragility in her gaze. She looked up at him and said softly, “If I really encounter danger in the Jade Pool, will you protect me, Young Master Mu?”

Her tea-making skills aren’t as refined as Ruoxi’s… Mu Zhian complained inwardly. “You’re almost at the Nascent Soul realm, aren’t you? If we encounter danger, it’s not certain who will be protecting whom.”

He paused, then continued, “Besides, you’re my guest. No matter what, I’ll ensure your safe departure from the Jade Pool Holy Land.”

“What if the Jade Empress disagrees?” Regina asked with a smile, glancing at him.

“She won’t,” Mu Zhian chuckled.

The Southern Wilderness wasn’t united. The three Pillar Gods alone had formed three separate factions. Moreover, he had brought Regina to the Jade Pool with Yao Meng’s tacit approval. Yao Meng wouldn’t be so petty.

“Even if she doesn’t want you to leave, I’m confident I can persuade her,” Mu Zhian added.

Persuading a Dao Integration expert… Regina rolled her eyes at him, covering her mouth with a chuckle. “Although the Jade Empress appears gentle and approachable, she’s stubborn when she sets her mind on something. You’re quite confident in yourself, Young Master Mu.”

“Speaking of which, since you and the Jade Empress are Dao Companions, and you’re about to get married… why does she allow you to be intimate with other girls?”

Regina suddenly remembered Mu Zhian’s actions at the Two Polarities Sect and couldn’t help but ask, “And I heard that you left the Jade Pool Holy Land for the Two Polarities Sect half a month ago. During your stay, you visited the Pilgrimage Palace with the Ye sisters, went to Boundless Sea Peak with Miss Bai…”

“A few days ago, you even went to Tianxuan City with your maid. Doesn’t the Jade Empress care about these things…?”

The Jade Empress took me from Ruoxi in the first place. Why would she care…? Mu Zhian said, “A younger sister is different from a Dao Companion, Miss Regina. You misunderstand me.”

Lingxuan and Qian’er are my younger sisters, Ruoxi is my Dao Companion, and the Jade Empress is my… wife.

As for Senior Sister Lan, she’s my Senior Sister, and Feiying… she’s the older sister next door who didn’t despise him even when he was a spoiled rich kid.

“In any case, I only have one Dao Companion,” Mu Zhian said.

Regina scoffed, a faint smile playing on her lips. “You should tell that to the Jade Empress.”

Mu Zhian also scoffed.

Explain my ass… Should I tell Yao Meng that I’ve been spending my days with other girls, having the time of my life?

Wouldn’t that be handing her a weapon against me?

As long as he didn’t say anything, and Regina didn’t mention it, Yao Meng wouldn’t ask.

After all, she had been busy preparing for the wedding and her hidden plans, and wouldn’t have time to pay attention to what was happening at the Two Polarities Sect.

Although the Jade Empress was clever, as long as he kept his mouth shut, she wouldn’t be able to catch him. She underestimated his skills.

“Young Master Mu, the Jade Empress requests your presence at the pavilion where she’s in seclusion.”

As they chatted, a respectful voice came from ahead. A female disciple looked at Mu Zhian with a smile.

“As for Miss Regina, the Jade Pool has prepared a courtyard for you. Someone will guide you there shortly.”

Why am I being summoned to her pavilion instead of the main hall…? Mu Zhian asked tentatively, “Does this sister know why the Jade Empress has summoned me?”

“I’m not sure. You’ll know when you get there,” the disciple replied.

Mu Zhian didn’t ask further and nodded slightly. “I understand.”

After bidding farewell to Regina, Mu Zhian flew towards the depths of the Jade Pool on his sword, wondering what Yao Meng was planning.

Perhaps due to the wedding preparations, the Jade Pool Holy Land was much more lively than usual.

Mu Zhian entered the depths of the Jade Pool unhindered and arrived at Yao Meng’s pavilion.

A Divine Pool was located nearby, its surface emitting a rich spiritual energy, surrounded by mist. He had seen many disciples and elders outside, but now, there wasn’t a soul in sight.

Mu Zhian walked up the stairs and was about to push open the door when he heard a clear, gentle voice from inside.

“I thought you were so enamored with Miss Bai at the Two Polarities Sect, lost in her embrace, or perhaps captivated by the Reincarnated Empress.”

Yao Meng is quite sharp, almost hitting the mark… Mu Zhian thought to himself.

Being lost in Ruoxi’s embrace was true, and being captivated by Lingxuan wasn’t entirely false…

“May I come in?” Mu Zhian asked.

“Wait a moment. I’m tidying up.”

“Just tell me what you want to say from outside.”

Although Yao Meng’s voice was normal, Mu Zhian felt a sense of danger.

If I don’t handle this well, my head might become the Jade Empress’s footstool tonight…

“Jade Empress, you misunderstand me… I’ve been in secluded cultivation all this time, hoping to improve my strength so I can be of some help to you,” Mu Zhian said, his survival instincts kicking in.

A silence hung in the air before a faint “Mmm” came from inside. “Half a month, and you’ve advanced to Core Formation Rank 6. It seems you’ve been diligently cultivating.”

“The Innate Celestial Furnace is truly helpful to you,” Yao Meng said meaningfully.

“I haven’t been meditating much lately, so I thought I’d try to push my limits,” Mu Zhian chuckled.

He hadn’t actually spent much time cultivating. Normally, it would take him six months to a year to advance a single rank.

His rapid advancement to Core Formation Rank 6 was solely due to the ‘gift’ Luo Tan had given him before leaving the Two Polarities Sect.

But one had to choose their words carefully. If he answered truthfully, he would probably be spending the next half month reflecting on his life in a small, dark room.

Yao Meng said meaningfully, “You’re quite talented. If you focus on cultivation, your strength will improve rapidly.”

“But advancing a rank in half a month isn’t just from secluded cultivation. You must have encountered some kind of opportunity, right?”

“You’re not wrong,” Mu Zhian hummed vaguely.

The spiritual energy from Luo Tan’s Innate Celestial Furnace could be considered an opportunity.

“I’ve tidied up the room. You can come in now.”

Hearing Yao Meng’s gentle voice, Mu Zhian reached for the door.

Then, her next words made him pause.

“No one will disturb us here. You can enjoy the company of the World Cleansing Vines. We’ll leave together on the wedding day. If all goes well, perhaps we can even get married—”

Creak.

As she spoke, Mu Zhian pushed open the door. Inside the clean, bright room, Yao Meng sat on a wooden chair, dressed in a thin, gauze-like green dress that hinted at the fair skin beneath. However, she was enveloped in a celestial mist, making it difficult to see her clearly.

Her long, shapely legs were pressed together beneath her dress, her jade-like feet delicate and translucent. Her hair cascaded down, tied simply with a ribbon, adding to her ethereal beauty.

Beside her, two green vines twisted and writhed, like they were performing a seaweed dance, creating a rather comical scene.

Mu Zhian hesitated. “Why did you use the World Cleansing Seeds now?”

Yao Meng smiled serenely. “Just for fun.”

Is the fun for me or for you…?

Taking the initiative and being passive are two very different things.

Yao Meng looked at Mu Zhian with a playful smile. “You look much better. It seems you’ve encountered quite a few opportunities after the alchemy competition.”

“The Innate Celestial Furnace is truly an excellent constitution for dual cultivation.”

Mu Zhian’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly changed the subject. “What did you mean by ‘if all goes well, we can get married’? Does that mean no one will cause trouble at the wedding?”

“Someone will definitely try something,” Yao Meng said confidently.

Just as Shang Yanfei was invincible within the Two Polarities Sect, Yao Meng, with the protection of the formations in the Jade Pool Holy Land, was unmatched among her peers.

Therefore, if anyone wanted to stop her ascension, the first step would be to find a way to disable the Jade Pool’s formations.

A charming smile appeared on Yao Meng’s face, but her voice turned cold. “But I’m confident I can catch them all before they make a move.”

Mu Zhian nodded slowly, as if in sudden understanding.

Mmm… So Yao Meng can eliminate these people before they act, without disrupting the wedding, removing the internal threats within the Eastern Continent.

In other words, on the wedding day, it was highly likely that no one would cause trouble, because those internal ‘threats’ would be eliminated beforehand.

So I might actually end up marrying Yao Meng…

And there’s another problem: Yao Meng knows that Luo Tan is an Innate Celestial Furnace, and she seems to have guessed that we met privately…

But she might not know that I advanced to Core Formation Rank 6 because of Luo Tan’s Innate Celestial Furnace. Otherwise, she would have already locked me up—

Mu Zhian’s thoughts suddenly short-circuited.

After a moment of calm analysis, he looked up at the World Cleansing Vines in the room.

Oh my god, I’m screwed.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay