The room was silent.

Mu Zhian spent a few seconds reflecting on his life.

Mmm… Although it’s been exciting, it’s a bit too short.

Mu Zhian sighed inwardly.

He had anticipated that more than just Ye Lingxuan might have been watching the ‘live broadcast’ the night before last, and he had even foreseen this scene. He had also prepared himself mentally after Yao Meng left.

However, he hadn’t expected Lin Ling’s word spirit ability to teleport him back to the guest room just as the other women were waiting for him.

“Brother Mu, did being intimate with the Jade Empress the night before last leave you with any… aftereffects? Why are you planning to rest as soon as you’re back?”

A familiar, cold, and melodious voice came from behind him.

Ye Lingxuan.

Realizing it wasn’t his imagination, Mu Zhian opened his eyes and looked at the women in the room. Bai Ruoxi, cold and delicate, sat with her hands clasped before her, her eyes downcast, silent.

Lan Feiying, dressed in a flamboyant cheongsam, glanced at him with a schadenfreude smile.

Ye Qian, pure and innocent, looked at him with concern.

Wei Mengrou, the maid who usually disliked conflict, stood quietly in the corner, her arms crossed, frowning, and remaining silent.

Besides them, Mu Zhian also saw an unexpected guest in the room.

Yao Yue, the future successor of the Jade Pool Holy Land.

With an ‘outsider’ present, I’m saved… Mu Zhian breathed a sigh of relief.

Although he didn’t know why Yao Yue was here, Ruoxi was a good girl who knew how to give him face in public, obedient and understanding. She wouldn’t use the Heart-Binding Lock now.

Similarly, Lingxuan wouldn’t use the Desolate Time Lock either.

Sorry, Holy Maiden, but I need you to be a tool for me now… Mu Zhian sat up, forcing a weak smile. “Ruoxi, when did you all arrive? You didn’t even tell me. I was planning to send a paper crane to the Jade Pool Holy Land in the next few days.”

He looked at the Jade Pool Holy Maiden and smiled. “Fairy Yao Yue, why are you here too? Is there something happening at the Jade Pool?”

The Jade Pool Holy Maiden smiled. “I had some… issues with my Dao Heart a few days ago and wanted to ask the Jade Empress for guidance… But it seems she’s not at Two Polarities Peak right now?”

Mu Zhian discreetly glanced at the other women, then nodded slightly, changing the subject. “She left yesterday to gather the ingredients for the Supreme Clarity Pill.”

“Supreme Clarity Pill?”

Their attention was successfully diverted. Bai Ruoxi’s eyes flickered. “Why is the Jade Empress gathering ingredients for the Supreme Clarity Pill?”

“That doesn’t seem like her… Does she have another use for it? Or is it really for Sister Ruoxi?” Ye Lingxuan also asked suspiciously.

Most alchemists wouldn’t know about the Rank 9 Supreme Clarity Pill, as even its formula was rare.

But Ye Lingxuan naturally knew about it, being an alchemist herself. Coupled with Bai Ruoxi’s Three-Tailed Fox constitution, it was no wonder she suspected the Jade Empress’s motive was to help Bai Ruoxi.

At that moment, Lan Feiying heard Xueyi’s gasp of surprise in her mind, as if she had heard something unbelievable. Lan Feiying looked at Mu Zhian. “The Jade Empress is gathering the ingredients for the Supreme Clarity Pill… for you, isn’t she?”

“For Mu Lang…?” Bai Ruoxi looked at the handsome, frail boy sitting on the bed, her expression stunned. “What do you mean, Miss Feiying? Isn’t the Supreme Clarity Pill only for demon cultivators?”

Lan Feiying smiled. “He has a charm constitution similar to Miss Ruoxi’s… The Jade Empress is probably gathering the ingredients for the Supreme Clarity Pill because of this.”

“A charm constitution similar to mine…” Bai Ruoxi’s eyes flickered, and she suddenly realized something, looking at Mu Zhian in disbelief. “The Fox Clan’s constitution?!”

Everyone’s attention immediately focused on Mu Zhian.

“Why are you all so surprised? Since Ruoxi has the Three-Tailed Fox constitution, it’s normal for me to have the same, right?”

Mu Zhian shrugged, joking. “Maybe after I refine the Supreme Clarity Pill, I’ll directly awaken as a Nine-Tailed Fox.”

Ye Lingxuan’s eyes lit up, looking at Mu Zhian with excitement.

A Nine-Tailed Fox… Brother Mu?

After Mu Lang consumes the Supreme Clarity Pill, he’ll awaken the Nine-Tailed Fox body like me…? Bai Ruoxi’s eyes also sparkled as she subconsciously gripped her skirt.

“But why would the Jade Empress gather the ingredients for the Supreme Clarity Pill for you?” the Jade Pool Holy Maiden suddenly asked, hesitant.

Mu Zhian said helplessly, “The Dao of Time contains the laws of the Great Dao. Even Yao Meng needs time to fully master it. If I don’t consume the Supreme Clarity Pill, it will be difficult for me to return to my original form in a short time.”

As soon as he finished speaking, surprise and delight flickered in the eyes of almost everyone present.

So, for the next two months, before the Jade Empress returned, Mu Zhian would remain in his current state…

The ‘protagonists’ in the room had different thoughts, and seeing that their attention had been successfully diverted, Mu Zhian secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

My efforts weren’t in vain. They don’t seem very angry about my dual cultivation with the Jade Empress anymore…

That’s true. Mu Zhian wasn’t the one who initiated it. He was just a Core Formation cultivator. How could he resist Yao Meng?

Now that the little sharks in the fish pond were focused on the big shark, Yao Meng, he, the owner of the fish pond, could finally have some peace.

And it’s a good thing I’m in my younger form now. Ruoxi and the others probably wouldn’t be too harsh on me… Mu Zhian rejoiced inwardly.

He realized for the first time that his age regression had its benefits.

If he were in his original form, he would probably be locked up in the little room as soon as the Jade Pool Holy Maiden left.

“Mu Lang, will consuming the Supreme Clarity Pill restore you to your original form?” Bai Ruoxi suddenly asked.

Mu Zhian nodded slightly, smiling. “The Nine-Tailed Fox body can freely switch between different ages.”

And even see through your fetishes and weaknesses… all kinds of weaknesses.

Mu Zhian didn’t say this out loud. He would give them a little ‘surprise’ after he consumed the Supreme Clarity Pill.

“My father has collected many different types of spirit stones in the Celestial Palace. I can bring them to Brother Mu,” Ye Lingxuan suddenly said.

Bai Ruoxi’s eyes flickered. “There are also a few herbs needed for the Supreme Clarity Pill in the Sword Palace. I’ll go and get them.”

They’re all such good girls, caring about Mu Lang… Mu Zhian felt a warmth in his heart. “Thank you,” he said gratefully.

The Jade Pool Holy Maiden looked at this harmonious scene, frowning slightly. Something felt amiss.

Back in the Jade Pool, they had all seemed eager to lock Mu Zhian up in the dungeon… but now the atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious…

Suddenly, someone tugged on her sleeve. The Jade Pool Holy Maiden glanced over, and the cold maid in the yellow dress gave her a meaningful look, then transmitted her voice to Lan Feiying, saying something.

The Jade Pool Holy Maiden understood and quietly left the room with the two of them.

Mu Zhian noticed the change in atmosphere and immediately called out, “Mengrou, where are you going?”

Although the maid was usually inconspicuous, and her Dao was to minimize her presence, Mu Zhian had been paying attention to her.

Wei Mengrou glanced at her Young Master, giving him a cold, “you’re on your own” look, and closed the door behind her.

Clang!

The Desolate Time Lock unfolded in mid-air like a giant net, its golden light enveloping the entire room.

Mu Zhian’s heart tightened. He looked at his beautiful younger sister, forcing a brotherly smile. “Lingxuan, what are you…?”

At the same time, he called out inwardly, “Senior Ye, Senior Ye, are you there…?”

However, the beautiful ancestor of the Ye family didn’t respond.

If Mu Zhian could see inside his Innate Celestial Furnace, he would see the beautiful ancestor in her black and red dress sitting in the void, her face as beautiful as a painting.

She dangled her jade-like feet beneath her dress, a helpless look in her eyes.

If the only person threatening Mu Zhian’s ‘safety’ was the Sword Palace Master, she would have intervened.

But now… with the Ye sisters also present, she couldn’t.

Her relationship with Mu Zhian was a secret from the Ye sisters… If she helped him now, where would she, the ancestor of the Ye family, put her face?

Wouldn’t she be competing with her own descendants for the ‘cake’?

Ye Qingxin rubbed her forehead, a hint of apology in her alluring red eyes. She murmured, “Although I want to help you, since it’s my descendants who are acting, I can’t…”

Seeing that Ye Qingxin wasn’t reacting, Mu Zhian looked up at the golden chains filling the room, lost in thought.

After a long moment, he gave up thinking.

He had been careless.

Diverting the conversation had gone smoothly, and they did care about him and wouldn’t lock him up…

However, this didn’t mean they would refuse to ‘devour’ the younger Mu Zhian.

As for Ye Qingxin… It wasn’t that she didn’t hear his call, but since it was Ye Lingxuan who was acting, with Qian’er also present, as the ancestor of the Ye family, she couldn’t interfere.

But it’s not a big deal. Lingxuan is my good little sister. She wouldn’t go too far… Mu Zhian looked up at the room enveloped by the Desolate Time Lock, maintaining his composure and forcing a gentle smile. “What are you planning to do, Lingxuan?”

“The Desolate Time Lock has locked onto Brother Mu, and it can also see what’s happening around him, so… I think Brother Mu should know what I’m planning to do,” Ye Lingxuan said softly, her elaborate dress making her look even more elegant.

“This ancestral artifact can alter time within this room. A day within this room might only be an hour outside.”

“And Brother Mu at this age should call me ‘older sister,’ shouldn’t he?” Ye Lingxuan looked at Bai Ruoxi. “Right, Sister Ruoxi?”

Bai Ruoxi took out the Heart-Binding Lock from her ample bosom and looked at Mu Zhian with gentle eyes. “Lingxuan is right. So Mu Lang should also call me ‘older sister.’”

As she looked at the boy before her, the image of the Jade Empress and Mu Lang together the night before last flashed through her mind, and she subconsciously replaced the Jade Empress with herself.

A warmth spread through her body, her legs rubbing together, a charming blush coloring her delicate face. Her usually gentle eyes were now hazy and seductive.

The next moment, the Heart-Binding Lock flew towards Mu Zhian.

…

At the same time, in the Moon Spirit Hall, Xueyi, the Fourth Pillar God of the Southern Wilderness, was communicating with Lan Feiying.

“Are you sure it’s okay to leave him there? His constitution is so special. Aren’t you going to fight for him?”

Xueyi couldn’t help but ask, feeling incredibly regretful.

The Innate Celestial Furnace, especially one that could evolve… If she could cultivate with him, she could recover some of her peak strength.

And that would increase her chances of successfully possessing the Holy Maiden of the Southern Wilderness.

“If you dual cultivate with him, you can also quickly reach the Nascent Soul realm,” Xueyi said, her voice seductive and tempting.

However, Lan Feiying’s expression remained calm. “I’m not in a hurry. I have something to ask Sister. As for that guy, I’ll deal with him later.”

She licked her lips, smiling seductively. “He’s not going anywhere.”

Xueyi fell silent, her eyes flickering.

After spending time with Lan Feiying, she realized that this woman was uncontrollable. If it were Ye Yu, he would have already become her loyal follower.

However, she couldn’t control Lan Feiying.

She had to think of a way…

…

Outside the Dao Initial Palace in Yu State, nine Dragon Sparrows pulled a blue and white phoenix carriage towards the palace.

Yao Meng, dressed in a green dress, sat inside, her beauty breathtaking, her hair tied simply with a hair ornament. She looked like a celestial being.

Deep within the Dao Initial Palace, a woman in a white dress sat on her throne, smiling at the woman in the green dress who emerged from the carriage. “Jade Empress, I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you on your ascension. I didn’t expect you to come here first.”

Yao Meng, led by a maid, walked across the luxurious red carpet and sat down on a chair nearby, smiling faintly. “I haven’t thanked you for your help during my ascension, Pill Emperor. How can I trouble you to come and congratulate me personally?”

Luo Tan shook her head. “I didn’t do anything. I just observed the situation.”

Yao Meng chuckled softly. “At that time, observing the situation was exactly what I needed.”

If Yu State and the Demon Realm had also interfered with her tribulation, she might not have ascended.

Under those circumstances, choosing to remain neutral was already a great help.

After all, for these Dao Integration experts of the Nine Provinces, the ascension of a Dao Integration expert from the Eastern Continent was a huge threat. No one could guarantee that the Jade Empress wouldn’t have any ambitions after ascending, even conquering other factions.

After chatting for a while, Luo Tan suddenly asked, “What brings the Jade Empress here today?”

“You’ve only been married to Young Master Mu for a few days. You don’t want to be separated from him so soon, do you?” Luo Tan’s voice carried a hint of teasing.

Her slender fingers gently caressed the letter in her hand, a playful glint in her eyes.

This letter was sent by Mu Zhian through Ye Qingxin.

If it weren’t for the irresistible offer within this letter, she wouldn’t have just watched the Jade Empress ascend.

She wondered if the Jade Empress knew about Mu Zhian’s sacrifice.

“As expected of the Pill Emperor, you’re truly perceptive,” Yao Meng’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “To be honest, I came here today to ask you to refine a pill for me.”

“Oh?”

Luo Tan’s interest piqued. She dismissed the maids in the palace and looked at the celestial maiden. “A pill that requires the Jade Empress to ask personally… must be something few can refine… What pill is it?”

“The Supreme Clarity Pill,” Yao Meng smiled.

A brief silence fell over the hall.

Luo Tan’s smile faded slightly, and she frowned. “Jade Empress, you should know that alchemists have their bottom lines. One of mine is not to casually refine Rank 9 pills, especially not the Supreme Clarity Pill, which would strengthen the Demon Realm.”

“Pill Emperor, please hear me out first,” Yao Meng smiled faintly. “I’m asking you to refine the Supreme Clarity Pill not for the Demon Realm, but for my Dao Companion.”

“Your Dao Companion…?”

Luo Tan narrowed her eyes, crossing her black silk-clad legs beneath her luxurious white dress, and glanced at Yao Meng. “What does this have to do with him?”

To have the Pill Emperor refine a pill, one had to offer sufficient compensation. Yao Meng knew this.

She explained what had happened, including how her Dao of Time had caused Mu Zhian’s age regression.

Luo Tan’s eyes flickered, and she seemed to want to ask something, but held back.

She maintained a calm tone. “So, Mu Zhian’s appearance has reverted to when he was a boy…?”

For some reason, the image of the young man’s handsome features, combined with his current younger appearance, made her heart race.

Luo Tan quickly recovered and cleared her throat. “This is a serious matter, and refining the Supreme Clarity Pill will take at least nine days. Although I’m willing to believe you, Jade Empress, I still have some doubts… After all, a cultivator from the Eastern Continent possessing a demon cultivator’s constitution is quite strange.”

“Therefore—”

Luo Tan crossed her legs, her white boots dangling gently, and stared at Yao Meng. “I want to see him personally to confirm his condition.”

“If the Jade Empress is truly concerned about him, you should be able to do this, right?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay