NOVPUBWithin the clean and elegant residence, Ye Lingxuan had barely finished straightening her clothes and hair, her heart still pounding, when she saw the young girl approaching.
Ye Qian.
Lingxuan cherished this younger sister, who had been by her side since childhood.
It was this love that had driven her to investigate Mu Zhi’an when she’d heard of his connection to her sister. She had even gone so far as to break her usual anonymity and enter the Mu Manor to confront him, all out of concern for her sister’s well-being.
Even though Ye Qian had ultimately fallen for Mu Zhi’an… Lingxuan’s opinion of him had softened somewhat. While she still disapproved on the surface, she no longer harbored the same animosity towards him.
But now…
Forget animosity, even she had…
Feeling the lingering warmth of Mu Zhi’an’s kiss on her lips and watching her sister approach with a bright smile, Lingxuan’s heart was a whirlwind of emotions.
If Qian’er ever found out… would she still acknowledge her as her sister?
As Lingxuan grappled with her guilt, Mu Zhi’an calmly walked towards Ye Qian.
She wore a light jacket and a skirt that revealed a sliver of her delicate white legs. Her small boots tapped lightly against the ground as she looked up at Mu Zhi’an, a shy smile gracing her lips.
“Brother Mu, what are you doing here…?”
She had planned to visit him at the Garden of Heavenly Harmony later, so this unexpected encounter filled her with surprise and delight.
“I was just discussing you with your sister,” he said with a smile. “What a coincidence that you’re back.”
He invited her to sit down at the pavilion and poured her a cup of tea.
Lingxuan, consumed by guilt, remained silent, her eyes downcast.
Meanwhile, Mu Zhi’an chatted with Ye Qian about her experiences during her seclusion at Dao Peak.
“You received a portion of Dao Peak’s inheritance. Soon, you’ll surpass me, Qian’er. It’s quite remarkable,” he said with a chuckle, glancing at her.
Her light jacket did little to conceal her blossoming figure. She sat with her legs pressed together, her hands fidgeting nervously in her lap.
She looked up at him, shaking her head. “But Brother Mu, you’re already at the Seventh Stage of Foundation Establishment! It won’t be easy to catch up to you.”
“Besides… if I do surpass you, I can protect you, right?”
He chuckled. “As long as you don’t find me too burdensome by then.”
“Never!” she exclaimed, her eyes shining with sincerity.
Their gazes met, and he gently took her hand in his.
“Ah…”
She gasped softly, glancing at her silent sister. She suppressed her excitement, afraid of being discovered.
But why is Sister’s face so red…?
She studied her sister’s flawless features, her elegant nose, and her full, glossy lips. Even as a woman, she couldn’t help but feel a flutter in her chest as she watched her sister’s long eyelashes tremble.
She frowned slightly, a strange unease settling over her.
Why isn’t Sister saying anything…?
“By the way, Qian’er, what exactly did you do during your seclusion?” Mu Zhi’an asked curiously, reaching out to take Lingxuan’s hand, silently reassuring her.
Lingxuan’s heart skipped a beat. She tried to pull away, but she didn’t dare make a scene in front of her sister.
Her feeble attempts were futile, and she eventually resigned herself to his bold gesture.
“I won’t tell you yet. It’s a surprise for later,” she replied, her smile bright and innocent.
Lingxuan is more of a cool and aloof goddess, while Qian’er is more like a pure and innocent schoolgirl… They both have their charms. But why am I thinking “both sisters together would be even better”? Is this a side effect of Qian’er’s Dao Peak inheritance?
Mu Zhi’an’s mind raced, but his expression remained calm and composed.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he retrieved a jade bottle from his storage ring and handed it to Ye Qian.
“Here, Qian’er. Take these pills. Let me know when you run out, and I’ll get you more,” he said.
Qi Gathering Pills were a resource available to inner disciples, but even they only received ten pills per month.
Of course, ten pills were sufficient for most disciples, as they were incredibly difficult to refine. Besides, inner disciples received other types of pills as well.
Mu Zhi’an, with his unique talent and the favor of multiple Peak Masters, was an exception.
Ye Qian stared at the bottle, her eyes widening in surprise as she peeked inside. “Qi Gathering Pills?!”
She looked at him incredulously. “Where did you get so many, Brother Mu?”
Your brother Mu traded his good looks for them… He smiled. “Don’t worry about it. Just use them.”
“If you say you can’t accept them, you’re treating me like a stranger,” he added, anticipating her refusal.
She nodded obediently, clutching the bottle to her chest. “Thank you, Brother Mu.”
Her gaze softened.
It would be nice if I could surpass Brother Mu one day… Then, I could protect him.
She resolved to cultivate diligently, determined to protect her kind and gentle brother.
Mu Zhi’an inquired about her experiences at Dao Peak, then she suddenly stood up. “Brother Mu, I need to take a bath, so…”
She glanced at him shyly.
She had worked up quite a sweat during her inheritance ceremony, but her excitement upon seeing him had made her forget. Now, she felt self-conscious.
He smiled. “Go ahead. I need to head back and prepare dinner for Senior Lin Ling.”
He couldn’t help but wonder if Ling Long’s real motive for staying at the Garden of Heavenly Harmony was the cultivation opportunity or the free meals.
She ate three meals a day, plus a midnight snack and an afternoon tea, without fail. And every few days, she demanded an Eight Treasures Crane as a special treat… Was she simply looking for a personal chef?
Of course, Mu Zhi’an didn’t mind.
Others would kill for such an opportunity.
He would gladly cook for her, even wash her feet if she asked.
He watched as Ye Qian left the pavilion, then turned his attention to the blushing girl beside him.
Lingxuan was a far cry from her usual calm and collected self. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes filled with a mixture of shyness and resentment.
“What if Qian’er sees us?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
He tilted his head, his gaze softening. “Don’t worry. I’ll talk to Qian’er.”
“Besides, that kiss… wasn’t quite enough.” He gently lifted her chin with his finger, his eyes locking with hers.
“Lingxuan…”
“No, not here…” she protested, her gaze darting around nervously, hoping her sister wasn’t nearby.
“It’s fine. Just for a moment,” he whispered, his gaze lingering on her delicate features. He leaned in, capturing her lips in a tender kiss.
Her eyes widened, but her resistance melted away under his gentle touch. She closed her eyes, surrendering to the warmth of his embrace.
Meanwhile, hidden behind a pillar, a figure emerged from the shadows.
Ye Qian, who was supposed to be bathing, watched the scene unfold, her expression a mixture of shock and confusion.
So Sister and Brother Mu did… something while I was away…
How far have they gone…?
Her hand tightened on her robe as she watched her sister, the girl revered as a goddess by their clan, being embraced and kissed by the man she secretly admired.
I hate this feeling…
But why… why am I so excited…?
Beneath her jealousy, a strange sense of arousal began to stir within her.
…
Peak of Celestial Secrets.
Of all the peaks within the Two Polarities Sect, the Peak of Celestial Secrets was perhaps the most unique.
As its name suggested, its disciples specialized in divining “heavenly secrets.”
Peering into the future was a dangerous act, often inviting heavenly retribution.
However, the disciples of the Peak of Celestial Secrets had developed techniques that minimized the risk of attracting heavenly tribulation.
As long as they focused on predicting events within a few days, rather than decades or centuries, they were generally safe.
A beautiful woman sat in meditation atop a lotus flower floating in a pool of water. She was clad in a loose black robe, her beauty both alluring and intimidating.
Yu Xuanji opened her eyes, a faint smile gracing her lips as she looked at the disciple who had entered the hall. “Report,” she said.
“As Master predicted, Mu Zhi’an received gifts from several Peak Masters,” Luo Yuan said, bowing respectfully.
She nodded, unsurprised.
It was to be expected. After all, he had the backing of Ling Long, the Spirit Dragon. It was only natural for the other Peak Masters to take notice.
However, it didn’t explain why the three elders from Dao Peak had also given him gifts.
Only the Peak Masters should have known about Ling Long.
So why had those three female elders given him gifts?
Knowing Yu Ziyan’s personality, she wouldn’t have divulged information about Ling Long to her elders.
There had to be another reason!
“Master, may I take my leave?” Luo Yuan asked tentatively, stealing a glance at his alluring Master.
She nodded, then added, “Are you still planning to pursue Ye Lingxuan and Bai Ruoxi?”
He froze, his heart skipping a beat.
“Forgive me, Master. I saw them alone at the pavilion, and I…” He bowed his head, his voice filled with regret.
He had been captivated by the sight of the two girls, one aloof and elegant in her white dress, the other youthful and charming, chatting together at the pavilion.
“I don’t particularly care,” she said, her voice laced with indifference.
“But if the other Peak Masters find out and intervene on Mu Zhi’an’s behalf… I might not be able to protect you.”
Her warning was clear.
He was confused. “But isn’t Mu Zhi’an a disciple of the Book Pavilion? What does that have to do with the other Peak Masters?”
She closed her eyes, offering no further explanation.
She had made her point. If he was smart, he would know what to do.
He remained silent for a moment, then bowed deeply before leaving the hall.
Confusion and relief warred within him.
If Mu Zhi’an was connected to the other Peak Masters, his actions would have been suicidal…
Master had no reason to lie to him. Which meant… it would be wise to befriend Mu Zhi’an.
As he left, Yu Xuanji opened her eyes.
She stared in the direction of the Jade Glass Palace, her expression thoughtful. After a moment, she rose from her seat and headed towards the Eight Trigrams Terrace at Middle Peak.
There was definitely more to Mu Zhi’an than just Ling Long.
If she couldn’t uncover his secrets through investigation, she would have to deduce them.
What other secrets was he hiding…?
