NOVPUB“What kind of assistance do you need, Peak Master?” Mu Zhi’an asked, already having a good idea of what she wanted, but feigning ignorance.
“What could a mere Core Formation disciple like me possibly offer you…? Of course, if there’s anything I can do, I’ll gladly assist,” he added, playing the part.
Yu Ziyan was about to speak when a clear, melodious voice interrupted them from the entrance.
“Senior Sister, why have you brought my disciple to Dao Peak? Don’t you know I have matters to discuss with him today?”
A woman, clad in a loose black robe, her figure voluptuous and alluring, strode into the hall, ignoring the disciples’ attempts to stop her. She wore a warm smile, her every gesture radiating mature charm.
It was Yan Ruyu, the Master of the Book Pavilion, whose status within the Two Polarities Sect was comparable to Yu Ziyan’s.
Yu Ziyan narrowed her eyes, studying her Junior Sister. “It seems you’ve barged into my peak without any warning, Junior Sister. That’s not quite appropriate, is it?”
Thankfully, she hadn’t interrupted them at a… compromising moment. Otherwise, seeing her with Mu Zhi’an… it might have shaken her Dao Heart.
After all, utilizing an Innate Celestial Vessel for cultivation advancement was a clandestine affair. If someone witnessed it… even if Yan Ruyu wouldn’t spread rumors, she would surely use it against her in future arguments.
If she ever dared to accuse her of taking advantage of a disciple, she would have no defense.
They all coveted the Innate Celestial Vessel, but such matters were best kept secret.
Yan Ruyu raised an eyebrow, her gaze lingering on her Senior Sister. “Did you just bathe, Senior Sister? You smell lovely.”
Yu Ziyan frowned, and Yan Ruyu continued, her voice laced with a hint of mockery. “Why would you bathe before meeting a disciple, Senior Sister? Are you planning to seduce him?”
Yu Ziyan scoffed. “Do I need your permission to bathe, Junior Sister? He came to Dao Peak of his own volition. Why are you twisting the narrative?”
Please, just fight amongst yourselves. Don’t drag me into this… Mu Zhi’an thought, feeling a shiver run down his spine as he met Yan Ruyu’s knowing gaze. “I came to inquire about my maid, Senior Yu. You mentioned yesterday that you had found some information about a cultivator with extraordinary misfortune. I was curious, so I came early this morning.”
His worst fears had materialized.
His “pond” wasn’t large enough to accommodate so many “Great White Sharks.” He had been worried about this conflict ever since he had realized their intentions, but back then, he had been a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, so the threat hadn’t been so imminent.
But now he had reached the Core Formation Realm, a ripe “cabbage” ready for harvest… These two Senior Sisters, their relationship strained by past events, were bound to clash.
Yan Ruyu considered Mu Zhi’an her disciple, her precious “cabbage.” Now that he had reached the Core Formation Realm, she wouldn’t hand him over to Yu Ziyan so easily.
And the proud Peak Master of Dao Peak wouldn’t back down without a fight.
Caught between these two powerful women, he felt like a helpless pawn.
He had hoped to remain inconspicuous, but Yu Ziyan’s question had thrust him into the spotlight.
Choosing his words carefully was crucial. Offending either of them would be disastrous.
Yan Ruyu chuckled. “So it’s about your maid. That explains your early visit to Dao Peak.”
“Come to think of it, there’s nothing here that would interest you.”
Yu Ziyan glanced at her Junior Sister, her voice cold. “You spent years fawning over our Master, Junior Sister. Now that she’s passed on the position of Peak Master to me, you’re jealous and resorting to slander. How pathetic.”
“My apologies. It seems I was mistaken,” Yan Ruyu said, her smile widening.
“I should have said there’s no one here who would interest my disciple. That would be more accurate.”
Yu Ziyan scoffed. “No one here to interest him? Is the Book Pavilion any different?”
“He’s my disciple. He comes to me for guidance. Of course, there are people here who interest him.”
She turned to Mu Zhi’an with a smile. “Isn’t that right?”
Yu Ziyan also looked at him, her smile unwavering. “Which do you find more appealing, young Mu, Dao Peak or the Book Pavilion?”
“Why don’t you leave the Book Pavilion and join Dao Peak? Your two sisters are here. You can look after each other.”
He felt a shiver run down his spine as the two Nascent Soul experts stared at him, their gazes intense despite their smiles. He wasn’t sure if it was their cultivation level or their sharp gazes, but he felt incredibly uncomfortable.
He glanced at the female disciple standing nervously by the entrance and transmitted his voice. “Senior Sister.”
She looked up at him, and he continued, “Please ask Lingxuan to come to the hall. Just tell her what’s happening.”
“I’ll reward you handsomely later.”
What good would summoning Lingxuan do…?
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded, leaving the hall discreetly.
Mu Zhi’an took a deep breath, steeling himself.
He looked at the two Peak Masters. “Peak Masters, I believe there’s been a misunderstanding…” he began, trying to defuse the situation.
He had no choice but to speak up. He couldn’t afford to offend Yu Ziyan.
He hadn’t expected Yan Ruyu to arrive at Dao Peak so early. He had simply wanted to… experience the Daoist’s alluring figure…
Can’t we all just get along? Perhaps even… together…?
“Misunderstanding?”
Yan Ruyu glanced at her Senior Sister, her voice cold. “You have no idea how much she groveled to curry favor with our Master.”
“Cultivators should focus on their cultivation, but she constantly disturbed our Master, pretending to seek guidance when she was simply trying to make a good impression.”
“If I recall correctly, Junior Sister, you were once terrified by a rabbit belonging to one of the elders, claiming it was a demon, and waking up all the other disciples,” Yu Ziyan said with a chuckle.
Yan Ruyu’s face darkened.
Please, stop airing your dirty laundry. I don’t want to deal with the fallout… Mu Zhi’an thought, his head throbbing as he listened to their back-and-forth.
A clear, melodious voice, like wind chimes dancing in a summer breeze, interrupted them.
“Brother Mu, why are you still here? Didn’t we agree to visit the Northern Shore today?”
The two Peak Masters turned to see Ye Lingxuan standing at the entrance.
Normally, no disciple would dare interrupt them, but she was an exception.
She wouldn’t usually interfere, but she couldn’t bear to see her beloved Brother Mu caught in the crossfire.
She had heard the female disciple’s explanation and, though unsure of the details, had decided to intervene.
She smiled at them. “Is there anything else you need from Brother Mu, Peak Masters?”
“If not, we’re going out.”
Her sweet smile calmed Yan Ruyu’s anger.
She realized her behavior had been unbecoming.
Losing her composure in front of a disciple was damaging to her image…
Yu Ziyan also calmed down, forcing a smile. “There’s nothing else. Are you going for a walk today?”
Lingxuan nodded obediently. “Yes, Brother Mu and I made plans yesterday, right?”
She looked at him.
He nodded, smiling.
He bowed to the two Peak Masters. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
Yu Ziyan nodded silently.
Regret and a hint of relief flickered in her eyes.
Though she hadn’t been the first to “harvest” the “cabbage”… at least her Junior Sister hadn’t either.
It seems I need to set up a barrier next time, to conceal his aura… She thought.
Yan Ruyu smiled. “Junior Sister Lan should be facing her tribulation soon. Come see me when she does. You’ll be representing the Book Pavilion and preparing a gift for her.”
He acknowledged her instructions.
Yu Ziyan also seemed to have an idea. She turned to Ye Lingxuan. “You’re quite close to Junior Sister Lan, aren’t you? I’ll prepare a gift. Deliver it to her at Two Polarities Peak.”
Nascent Soul cultivators were rare, and Lan Mulian was a special case. All nine peaks, including the two neutral powers from the Southern and Northern Shores, would be sending gifts.
These gifts represented the prestige of each peak, so they had to be impressive.
As Ye Lingxuan left, Yu Ziyan’s gaze lingered on Mu Zhi’an, a thoughtful expression on her face.
It seems I need to prepare a gift… before our dual cultivation session…
…
Mu Zhi’an breathed a sigh of relief as he left the hall, enjoying the fresh air.
“Thank you, Lingxuan. You saved the day,” he said, turning to her with a grateful smile.
“It was nothing, Brother Mu. I’m glad I could help,” she replied, shaking her head.
“But why were the two Peak Masters fighting over you?” she asked, tilting her head curiously.
He sighed. “Master Yan and Peak Master Yu don’t get along. They were using me as a symbol of their rivalry.”
She nodded, understanding. “I see.”
“I thought you possessed some special quality that attracted them,” she added.
He ignored her comment, admiring the scenery.
“Where are you going now, Brother Mu?” she asked.
If he had nothing planned, perhaps they could actually visit the Northern Shore…
“I have some matters to attend to later,” he replied, noticing her disappointment.
He gently patted her head, his voice softening. “I’ll take you out in a few days. I’ll be your servant for the day. How about that?”
“I don’t need a servant,” she huffed, her voice laced with playful annoyance.
Then, a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes. “If you’re my servant, will you obey all my commands, Brother Mu?”
He hesitated, then, seeing the anticipation in her eyes, he couldn’t refuse. “Of course,” he said with a smile.
She beamed. “It’s a deal then~”
After strolling through Dao Peak with Ye Lingxuan for a while, he excused himself and left the Two Polarities Sect, flying towards Tianxuan City on his black sword.
Yu Ziyan glanced at her Junior Sister,
