Eastern Continent, Lan Family.

Lan Pingzhi, dressed in a green robe, stood on the observation deck of a Lan family pavilion, gazing into the distance at a faint wisp of smoke.

Within the smoke, nine fox tails slowly unfurled, each shimmering with a captivating, demonic light.

“Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox…”

He stood tall and straight, his green robe fluttering in the wind, his gaze fixed on the illusory, dreamlike figure.

Two elders stood beside him, their hands clasped behind their backs, also looking into the distance.

In the corner, Lan Wu, the young master of the Lan family, stood respectfully beside the Clan Leader and the two powerful elders.

Although he was just a follower among the elders, he was the heir to the position of Lan Clan Leader.

“The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox has long since perished. I didn’t expect a new one to appear. It’s truly surprising,” the Lan family’s Grand Elder said with a sigh.

“The inheritance of demon clans is very strict. Unless the previous ancestor dies and relinquishes their throne, it’s impossible for a descendant to reach their full potential… How did they achieve this?” another elder questioned.

Lan Pingzhi shook his head gently. “Perhaps the will of the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox has decided to pass on her position.”

The Grand Elder scoffed, interrupting him. “The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox has nothing to do with us. More importantly… Lan Wu, have you received a reply to the letter you sent to the Two Polarities Sect?”

Lan Wu nodded slightly. “My sisters replied a few days ago. They’ll return on the day of the ancestral worship ceremony.”

The Third Elder scoffed. “We had to invite them back several times, even encountering some… resistance. If I didn’t know better, I would think they’ve already reached the Dao Integration realm.”

Lan Wu defended his sisters. “There were some misunderstandings between our family and them. It can’t be helped.”

“They’ll understand the elders’ good intentions when they return.”

“I hope so.”

The two elders, clearly displeased, scoffed and left.

Lan Pingzhi looked up at the faint pink glow in the night sky, shook his head helplessly, and left the observation deck.

Although he was the Lan Clan Leader, he hadn’t held the position for long and still had to be respectful towards the elders. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been forced to send his pregnant Dao Companion away under pressure.

Seeing this, Lan Wu also sighed helplessly.

Ancient clans had their advantages, but also their disadvantages.

These powerful elders lived for a very long time and held considerable authority. Even if he became the Clan Leader, he would still be under their control.

And many of these elders were stubborn and unwilling to change their minds.

If his two sisters returned to the Lan family, it would likely cause a great commotion…

And because it was a family matter, the Two Polarities Sect wouldn’t interfere unless the Lan family went too far.

He didn’t really want them to return.

It would be better if someone protected them in secret…

Thinking this, Lan Wu couldn’t help but think of the young man he had met a while ago.

Although Mu Zhian seemed to have close relationships with many girls, the Jade Empress had ascended to the Transcendence Realm, and he was her Dao Companion. If he accompanied them…

Lan Wu quickly shook his head, dismissing these thoughts.

Mu Zhian and Lan Mulian did have a close relationship, but Mu Zhian might not be willing to get involved in this mess. And the Jade Empress wouldn’t want her beloved to get involved either.

He collected his thoughts, sighing softly, and glanced at the faint image of the nine tails and the pink glow that almost painted the night sky red, then left the observation deck.

…

“She really understands my preferences…”

Mu Zhian, naturally unaware that his future brother-in-law in the Eastern Continent was thinking about him, leaned against the side of the bath, looking at the beautiful woman before him, speechless.

The bath was filled with mist, and the elegantly dressed Pill Emperor leaned against him casually, her luxurious dress, embroidered with gold and silver thread, soaked in the medicinal water, her hair, tied in two braids, also slightly damp.

Water droplets dripped from the ends of her hair onto the surface of the bath, creating ripples that also stirred within Mu Zhian’s usually calm heart.

Mu Zhian considered himself a seasoned veteran, but he had still overlooked this… scenario. It was truly irresistible.

However… this place was too risky.

If Yao Meng realized he hadn’t come out for too long, she would come and check on him, even if it was just to confirm his safety.

“I know what you’re thinking.”

Luo Tan suddenly spoke, her jade-like feet stepping through the water as she walked towards Mu Zhian.

She lifted her hand from the water, caressed Mu Zhian’s face, and smiled. “Our… agreement, in this place, lacks a certain… ambiance… Besides, if you reach the Nascent Soul realm before we… cultivate, the effects will be much better.”

Then why are you tempting me like this? Just because you’re a Dao Integration expert, you can tease me as you please…? Mu Zhian looked at the beautiful woman before him. “Didn’t you say I could reach the Nascent Soul realm quickly if I cultivated with you?”

Luo Tan said softly, “The first intimate encounter between two Innate Celestial Furnaces produces the most abundant spiritual energy. If we cultivate now, you can instantly reach the peak of Core Formation, but the excess spiritual energy will dissipate into heaven and earth.”

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her wet dress clinging to her skin, and looked at him with a smile.

“But if you’re at the Nascent Soul realm, you can create a pocket dimension within your cauldron, and its size will be a hundred times larger than it is now. What do you think will happen if we cultivate then?”

Mu Zhian suddenly understood.

The first dual cultivation between two Innate Celestial Furnaces would result in a massive influx of spiritual energy, enough to push him to the peak of Core Formation.

In the short term, it was indeed tempting.

But if he waited until he reached the Nascent Soul realm… all the spiritual energy Luo Tan gave him would be absorbed by his cauldron without any waste.

“The Innate Celestial Furnace constitution is truly outrageous. As long as you find a female cultivator with the same constitution and dual cultivate, both of you will receive a huge boost in spiritual energy the first time, and the effect will continue afterward,” Mu Zhian couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.

But then he shook his head, dismissing the thought.

No, it’s not just any Innate Celestial Furnace, but a Dao Integration level Innate Celestial Furnace.

And the only known Dao Integration level Innate Celestial Furnace in the Nine Provinces was Luo Tan.

But who could force her to do anything against her will?

She, on the other hand, could force others… just like now.

Yao Meng and Wei Mengrou were drinking tea in the hall, while the Empress of the Immortal Dynasty had secretly entered the bath and appeared before him in this… suggestive manner.

But if now wasn’t the right time to be intimate with her, why was she dressed so seductively? Is she deliberately teasing me?

Mu Zhian’s disappointment was evident. “If that’s the case, why did you come looking for me today, Your Majesty?”

Seeing his disappointment, Luo Tan rolled her eyes at him playfully. “Don’t be so disheartened. Just because we can’t dual cultivate now doesn’t mean we can’t do other things.”

“The Innate Celestial Furnace can absorb some of the Supreme Clarity Pill’s effects. Your Innate Celestial Furnace has probably been influenced by the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, hence the alluring aura you’re emitting.”

“I’m emitting an alluring aura…?”

Mu Zhian was stunned. He hadn’t noticed any changes in his Innate Celestial Furnace.

He only knew that he had become more handsome.

Then he quickly realized something. “So, Your Majesty, you’re here to—”

Luo Tan wouldn’t gain any benefits from being intimate with Mu Zhian now.

She was simply acting on impulse due to his Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox body.

Before Mu Zhian could finish, Luo Tan stepped out of the bath, her white dress clinging to her figure, water droplets dripping down her skirt and along her fair skin.

Her long, shapely legs were revealed beneath her dress, and she glanced at him, her beautiful face adorned with light makeup, a playful smile on her lips as she knelt beside the bath.

“Guess.”

Her seductive voice, coming from the usually noble and elegant Empress, combined with her current posture, created a powerful visual impact.

It wasn’t just Mu Zhian who was captivated by Luo Tan. As he had guessed, the Pill Emperor was also quite interested in him.

Her gaze had lingered on him several times.

Although Mu Zhian’s appearance hadn’t changed much after his transformation, his features were more refined, and his aura had changed significantly, making him even more handsome.

And although he had suppressed the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox aura, it still emanated from him, irresistibly alluring.

She could naturally resist this charm, but she was still captivated by Mu Zhian’s current form.

Mu Zhian pondered for a moment, then asked with a knowing smile, “Are you worried about my recovery and came to confirm it personally?”

Luo Tan scoffed, grabbed Mu Zhian’s wrist, and pulled him out of the bath.

Before he could speak, she placed her hand on his chest and kissed him on the lips.

Mu Zhian’s heart tightened as he instinctively glanced around the bath.

It was empty.

Then, her warm breath on his face brought him back to reality, and he boldly embraced the Empress of Yu State’s waist.

But before Mu Zhian could savor the moment, Luo Tan gently pushed him away.

“Let’s go back to my bedchamber?”

Luo Tan wrapped her arms around Mu Zhian’s neck, a seductive smile on her face. “Although it’s not the right time for dual cultivation, there are other ways to… experience each other’s Innate Celestial Furnaces.”

She tapped Mu Zhian’s chest lightly. “The medicinal bath lasts for half an hour. If you return within that time, no one will notice.”

…

Half an hour later.

A sweet fragrance filled the bedchamber, and a smokeless charcoal fire burned by the bed, warming the room and adding to the ambiguous atmosphere.

On the luxurious bed, Luo Tan casually draped a white robe over herself, looked at the boy, and chuckled softly. “I didn’t know you liked this kind of… play.”

Mu Zhian shook his head reservedly. “Your Majesty, you misunderstand. It just depends on my mood. It’s not that I have a preference for this.”

“Oh?”

Luo Tan raised an eyebrow, her eyes downcast as she dangled her feet, a playful smile on her face. “If I remember correctly, you’ve always liked staring at my legs, haven’t you? Although it’s not obvious, I’m quite sensitive to other people’s gazes.”

“It’s not a bad thing. I don’t mind.”

She paused, then continued, “The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox constitution has indeed merged with the Innate Celestial Furnace. If you wish, you can even create a second Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox.”

Mu Zhian nodded silently.

After the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox passed on her position to him, he had inherited the unique demon seat.

However, his Innate Celestial Furnace had absorbed some of the Supreme Clarity Pill’s effects and could even share them with other demon cultivators.

If he wished, he could now share the demon seat with someone else.

“You’ll reach the Nascent Soul realm soon.”

Luo Tan licked her lips, walked over to the boy in her white boots, stood on tiptoe, and whispered in his ear, “Come find Sister after you reach the Nascent Soul realm.”

“This time, Sister is helping you, but next time, it’s your turn to repay Sister.”

Mu Zhian bowed. “It’s my honor to be chosen by Your Majesty. There’s no need to talk about repayment. I’m willing to serve you in any way.”

Luo Tan looked at him, then chuckled softly. “Then next time, please Sister well.”

She leaned down and kissed Mu Zhian gently on the lips.

“Use every method to please me.”

Her fragrance lingered on his lips, but Luo Tan had already put on her luxurious dress and left for the Medicine Heart Hall to review memorials and deal with the matter of her maid, Gan Sui.

…

Sister Luo’s… flavor is quite nice…

Late at night, Mu Zhian, refreshed, left the bedchamber and headed towards the hall where he had been cultivating.

As expected of a Dao Integration expert. And Yu State was clearly much more… open-minded than the Eastern Continent. Although the Empress appeared noble and elegant, she knew quite a few ‘interesting’ things.

Mmm, next time, I’ll have her try it in black silk and boots…

Mu Zhian pondered these thoughts as he returned to the hall and meditated for a while. He lay down on the bed and heard the door creak open.

It was Yao Meng, who had also just bathed.

“You’ve worked hard. If it weren’t for you, it wouldn’t have gone so smoothly,” Mu Zhian said.

“I only did what I could. Whether you could become a Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox depends on your own talent.”

Yao Meng walked to the bedside, looking at the boy with a meaningful smile.

“What’s wrong?” Mu Zhian asked, feeling uncomfortable under her gaze, and sat up.

Yao Meng played with a strand of hair. “Nothing. It’s just that you now emit a charming aura. Be careful. Even if you don’t reveal your Innate Celestial Furnace constitution, many will be attracted to you.”

Mu Zhian pondered her words, sighing worriedly.

So, being too charming can also be a problem…

He was now a Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, and his alluring aura could even captivate Dao Integration experts, let alone ordinary female cultivators.

If he accidentally revealed his Innate Celestial Furnace aura… it would definitely cause a commotion.

“I know. I’ll be careful.”

Mu Zhian noticed Yao Meng’s meaningful gaze and hesitated. “Do you… know everything?”

Yao Meng was puzzled. “Know what?”

Just as Mu Zhian was about to speak, Yao Meng’s gentle voice echoed through the room.

“If you’re talking about Luo Tan being interested in your Innate Celestial Furnace, I have a vague idea,” she said, a faint smile playing on her lips as she looked at Mu Zhian.

As expected… Mu Zhian’s heart skipped a beat.

Yao Meng stroked Mu Zhian’s hair. “I didn’t think the dignified Pill Emperor of Yu State would be interested in you. With her status, there’s no need for her to… pursue a junior like you, especially since I’m your Dao Companion.”

“However, after you became a Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, and after the Pill Emperor made excuses to leave… I had a premonition.”

I always thought I was vigilant, but it seems Yao Meng is equally vigilant against being… cheated on… Mu Zhian hesitated. “Aren’t you angry?”

Yao Meng looked at him with a playful smile, her green eyes as clear as a deep autumn pool. “If I were angry, you wouldn’t be sitting here talking to me.”

Behind her, a vine, like a living creature, slithered around her fair leg.

Yao Meng looked at him calmly. “The Pill Emperor is an Innate Celestial Furnace. If she’s willing to dual cultivate with you, it will be very beneficial for you. I don’t mind.”

The Pill Emperor thought she didn’t know, so she secretly enjoyed being intimate with Mu Zhian.

She knew the Pill Emperor thought she didn’t know, and she could also be intimate with Mu Zhian, and he would even feel guilty towards her.

Who was truly benefiting from this?

Heh.

Young Master Mu hadn’t expected the power struggles between the ‘dragons’ in his pond to gradually escape his control.

“You don’t have to feel guilty. As long as it’s for your own good, anything is worth it,” Yao Meng said with a smile.

Your words only make me feel more guilty… Mu Zhian took her hand gently. “I’m sorry. I’ll compensate you.”

Yao Meng hummed in response, nodding with a smile. “I have to go to the Southern Wilderness. Take care of yourself.”

“The matter with the three Pillar Gods?” Mu Zhian understood.

“It’s time to settle things with them,” Yao Meng smiled brightly, her beauty breathtaking, but a coldness flickered in her eyes.

The three Pillar Gods of the Southern Wilderness had schemed against her more than once. Two of them had perished last time, and she hadn’t had time to deal with the remaining one while helping Mu Zhian recover. But now, it was time to settle the score.

After chatting for a while, Mu Zhian suddenly sighed.

“Although you told me to take care of myself, the Lan family’s ancestral worship ceremony is approaching. I might have to go.”

Yao Meng glanced at him. “Lan Mulian is protected by the Sect Master of the Two Polarities Sect. Why are you getting involved in this mess?”

Having been at the Two Polarities Sect for so long, she naturally knew about the Lan family’s secrets.

This ancestral worship ceremony was also the best opportunity for the Lan sisters to return to the family.

But knowing their personalities, unless their mother’s memorial tablet was placed in the Lan family’s ancestral hall, and those responsible apologized, they wouldn’t give in.

“I don’t want to go either.”

Mu Zhian embraced Yao Meng’s waist, his voice filled with worry. “The Lan family is very powerful in the Eastern Continent. If I go with Senior Sister and Feiying, I might also be bullied.”

Yao Meng said indifferently, “Although the Lan family is powerful, they wouldn’t dare to offend the Jade Pool.”

Mu Zhian said helplessly, “That’s true, but I’m only half a member of the Jade Pool. If there’s a conflict, they probably won’t care about my identity.”

“I heard from Senior Sister that the Lan family elders are very domineering and scary.”

This wasn’t a lie. The Lan family was powerful in the Eastern Continent, so it was natural for them to be domineering.

“The Lan family is indeed powerful, and they have the right to be. If you really want to go, take this Jade Pool Holy Land guest elder token.”

Yao Meng took out a black token and handed it to Mu Zhian.

Mu Zhian was stunned. “Can I really accept something so valuable?”

Yao Meng glared at him playfully. “You just want me to say it. There’s no need to beat around the bush.”

She looked at the boy and said softly, “Everything I have is because of you, so…”

“I’ll give you anything you want.”

Before Mu Zhian could speak, Yao Meng placed her finger on his chest, gently pushing him onto the bed.

A seductive voice echoed through the room.

“Including myself. I’m yours~”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay