NOVPUB“So that’s Mu Zhi’an?”
The disciples seated at the banquet whispered amongst themselves as they watched Ye Lingxuan greet the unfamiliar young man with a warm smile.
News of the Rebirth Pool’s trial had spread throughout the Forbidden Zone that afternoon.
Both Mu Zhi’an and Wei Mengrou’s results had been astonishing.
If not for her lack of the Forbidden Zone’s bloodline, Wei Mengrou might have achieved a Tenth-Rank physique enhancement, just like their young mistress.
And Mu Zhi’an…
According to those who had witnessed the trial, he possessed the Chaos Body and had even received the Rebirth Pool’s “approval.”
It was unprecedented. The Rebirth Pool usually only acknowledged those with the Forbidden Zone’s bloodline. How had an outsider earned its approval?
“Didn’t you hear what she called him?” a disciple whispered. “The only guest with the surname Mu is…”
The disciples’ hearts sank. Ye Lingxuan had only returned a few times, but she had already captured their hearts, her status as Holy Maiden and her destined inheritance making her even more desirable.
They had adored her, regardless of gender.
And now, she had returned with a Dao Companion…
They had initially planned to “teach him a lesson,” to make him back down.
But it seemed she had chosen a capable man…
Seven top-tier physiques… though he could only specialize in one, it was still an impressive talent.
“We would need to be two or three stages higher to defeat him,” a disciple sighed.
The azure lotus he had used against Zhou Hao had been terrifying. Even Zhou Hao couldn’t resist its vessel-sealing power.
Only overwhelming strength could overcome it.
“But how many of us are two or three stages higher than him?”
They fell silent, pondering this question.
There were many within the Forbidden Zone who were stronger than Mu Zhi’an.
And many who were his age and stronger.
But a one or two stage advantage might not be enough. That lotus… it was too strange. Unless they possessed absolute strength, they wouldn’t stand a chance.
“Ye Cian could defeat him,” a disciple said suddenly.
Ye Cian, the master’s adopted son, was a prodigy. He could easily defeat Mu Zhi’an.
“Ye Qing could too, but she has no reason to challenge him.”
Ye Qing, whose strength rivaled Ye Cian’s, was also one of the most talented disciples, and she was Zhou Hao’s cousin.
However, they weren’t close. She wouldn’t intervene on his behalf.
They watched as Mu Zhi’an appeased Ye Lingxuan, who seemed displeased, and found a table. “Is there no one who can defeat him?” a disciple sighed.
“What’s the point of defeating him? Will she leave him for the victor?”
A mocking voice interrupted them.
They glared at the speaker, then their anger turned to respect as they recognized her.
“Miss Siyu?!”
A girl with brown hair had entered the hall.
She was dressed in a dark dress that revealed her shoulders, her hair cascading down her back, her features delicate, her eyes bright and intelligent, her aura imposing.
“Miss Siyu, what brings you here?” a disciple asked.
Ye Siyu was the master’s younger sister. She had been sealed within a formation for a thousand years, only recently breaking free. She was around their age.
However, they treated her with respect, due to her status.
“My niece hasn’t returned in a while. It’s only natural for me to attend this feast in her honor,” she replied, her gaze lingering on Mu Zhi’an, a faint smile gracing her lips. “Instead of envying him, why don’t you challenge him? There’s no shame in losing. It’s an opportunity to experience the strength of a Two Polarities Sect inner disciple.”
“And even if you win, what then? Will she leave him for you?”
Would Ye Lingxuan abandon him if he lost?
Of course not.
She wouldn’t care about his strength.
She smiled, watching the disciples fall silent.
Though Lingxuan wouldn’t leave him regardless of the outcome, she, as her elder, had to… vet him.
Strength was one thing, but his character… that required testing.
If he possessed strength but lacked virtue… it would be a disappointment.
…
The feast ended, the disciples dispersing after enjoying the delicacies from the Forbidden Zone’s sea. Some even began meditating, sensing breakthroughs.
“Your Grand Elder is truly generous. This feast would cost a fortune outside,” Mu Zhi’an remarked, impressed.
Those ingredients would fetch high prices at auction houses, yet they had been served so casually.
“If you want, Brother Mu, I can have them send you a feast every day,” Ye Lingxuan offered with a smile.
“That wouldn’t do. It would make me look like a kept man,” he replied, shaking his head, politely declining her offer.
She frowned, her voice laced with a hint of displeasure. “I told you, you can rely on me more, Brother Mu.”
He chuckled, squeezing her hand under the table. “Once you inherit the Forbidden Zone, I’ll rely on you completely. But for now… it’s not appropriate.”
He glanced at the other disciples.
He wasn’t a kept man yet.
But once she became the Empress of the Forbidden Zone, then he could truly rely on her… it would be different then.
She nodded, understanding.
“By the way, my inheritance might take a month or longer. Be careful while I’m gone, Brother Mu,” she warned.
The disciples wouldn’t harm him, but they might try to… sabotage him… out of jealousy.
“I understand. I’ll be wary of their revenge,” he chuckled, his hand moving from her hand to her leg.
She glared at him, but she didn’t resist, knowing a struggle would attract attention.
…
Many disciples began meditating, sensing breakthroughs after the feast.
“We’ve eaten enough. Let’s go for a walk,” he said, turning to her with a smile.
She was dressed as elegantly as ever, her dress embroidered with a crescent moon, her youthful beauty enhanced by her attire.
If not for the restriction against intimacy before her inheritance, he would have… taken her right here, right now.
“H-have you seen enough…?” she murmured, blushing and lowering her head, her usual composure crumbling under his intense gaze. 𝖓𝖔𝖛𝔭𝖚𝖇.𝔠𝖔𝔪
Baby orcas are so cute. Unlike the Great White Sharks, who only want to devour the fish farmer… He nodded. “Let’s go.”
…
They strolled along the shores of a vast ocean, near the Rebirth Pool, the air fresh and invigorating.
“How’s Senior Jade Empress’s recovery? Is the Rebirth Water working?” she asked.
“It seems to be. She said she’ll be able to manifest a body in half a month,” he replied.
“That’s good,” she said, relieved.
“I hope she recovers soon,” she added.
She couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of discomfort knowing a fairy resided within his body. It felt… intrusive.
Though she knew the Jade Empress wouldn’t stoop to spying on them, it still bothered her.
“What did your parents say?” he asked.
“Do they disapprove of our relationship?”
She smiled. “Father didn’t say anything… I’ll visit Mother later, but I doubt she’ll object.”
She paused, then added, “However, my aunt might be a problem…”
She shook her head, her smile returning. “Don’t worry, Brother Mu. They don’t object to me having relationships, but they’ll likely want to… test you… if you encounter any trouble, just let me know.”
He nodded.
He had anticipated their “tests.” As long as her father didn’t suddenly demand he prove his worth in a duel, he wasn’t concerned.
…
They strolled for a while longer, then she glanced at the darkening sky. “I should visit my mother now, Brother Mu.”
“Alright. I’ll come see you later,” he replied with a smile.
He watched her leave, then turned to Wei Mengrou, who had been following them at a distance.
“Is something the matter, Mengrou?”
She usually didn’t stay so close. She must have something to say.
“Someone was following you,” she said.
He chuckled. “She’s still following us.”
He turned towards a distant figure. “Right, little maid?”
A maid in a palace uniform approached, a smile on her face, though her eyes held a hint of surprise.
She had concealed her presence so carefully, yet he had still detected her…
“My mistress requests your presence, Young Master Mu,” she said politely.
“Who is your mistress?” he asked, intrigued.
He didn’t know anyone else in the Forbidden Zone besides Ye Lingxuan. There weren’t many who would seek him out.
However, it wasn’t impossible. The Rebirth Pool’s trial had revealed his Chaos Body, and someone might be interested in that.
“The master’s younger sister,” the maid explained patiently.
The master’s younger sister… Lingxuan’s aunt?
So this is one of her “tests”… He pondered this for a moment. “Lead the way,” he said calmly.
“Aren’t you worried she’ll make things difficult for you?” Wei Mengrou transmitted her voice, her brow furrowed.
“I have to go anyway. Besides…”
He glanced at her, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“It’s not like she’ll eat me.”
