NOVPUBBook Pavilion. Shaoyue Courtyard.
Yu Xuanji, the peak master of Heavenly Secrets Peak, sat at a tea table, her feet adorned with exquisitely embroidered shoes. Dressed in luxurious attire, she appeared to be in the prime of her life, her figure full and alluring.
“Senior Sister Yan, it’s truly fortunate that your disciple was able to be reborn. He’s blessed with great luck, but he might not be so lucky next time. It’s best for him to stay within the sect from now on,” Yu Xuanji said softly, her gaze fixed on the woman opposite her.
Today, Yu Xuanji, accompanied by her inner disciple, had visited the Book Pavilion for two reasons. One was to discuss Mu Zhi’an’s situation.
Yan Ruyu, dressed in a loose black robe that did little to conceal her ample bosom, was as beautiful as ever, her skin fair and her demeanor gentle and charming.
She sighed. “Indeed, my disciple was lucky this time. I will warn him to be more careful in the future and avoid such incidents.”
Then, she changed the subject. “Junior Sister Yu, is that the only reason you came to see me today?”
Her gaze subtly shifted towards the woman beside Yu Xuanji, her curvaceous figure highlighted by a red cheongsam.
Lan Feiying. She recognized this disciple. After all, she was Lan Mulian’s younger sister; it was impossible not to know her.
Yu Xuanji’s visit to Shaoyue Courtyard probably wasn’t just about Mu Zhi’an…
Yu Xuanji smiled gently. “You guessed it, Senior Sister. I’m here for two reasons. First, to discuss Mu Zhi’an’s situation. Second, my disciple is now at the fifth-grade Core Formation Realm, and I find that her current cultivation technique isn’t quite suitable. I was hoping you could help me assess her and recommend a more appropriate technique.”
Yan Ruyu might not have memorized every book in the Book Pavilion, but she was familiar with most of them, including their characteristics and suitability for different cultivators. If she could assess Lan Feiying and recommend a cultivation technique, it would save her a lot of time and effort in the future.
Generally, cultivators could be categorized into dozens of types, based on their preferred weapons – swords, spears, hidden weapons, and so on. There were also those who specialized in the five elements, or even those who focused on pure physical strength, breaking through all techniques with a single punch or palm strike.
Most cultivators simply chose to learn whatever they liked.
However, some people were naturally unsuited for certain weapons, which put them at a disadvantage compared to their peers at the same cultivation level.
Lan Feiying was still young; she had time to change and choose a ‘Dao’ that was more compatible with her.
Of course, even if she wanted to change, she needed to know what type she was most suited for.
Weapons, fist techniques, palm techniques, the five elements… These all required assessment to determine the best fit.
And Yan Ruyu was capable of conducting such assessments.
After hearing Yu Xuanji’s request, Yan Ruyu pondered for a moment, then nodded. “After we deal with the remnants of the previous Demonic Cultivators, let’s have all the inner disciples undergo an assessment.”
The upcoming Ascension Ceremony was crucial for the Two Polarities Sect. No one wanted to see the first place go to another faction, especially with the three Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs as rewards.
If possible, she was willing to contribute by assessing the disciples, helping them avoid unnecessary detours on their cultivation paths.
“As expected of Senior Sister Yan, always thinking of the bigger picture,” Yu Xuanji said, praising her without reservation.
Then, she sighed softly. “However, most of the remnants of the previous Demonic Cultivators are hiding in the shadows. It won’t be easy to flush them out.”
Hearing this, Yan Ruyu also frowned slightly.
The peak masters had discussed this issue over the past two days, but they hadn’t reached a solution.
The Forbidden Zone’s recent emergence and the Primordial Clans’ internal investigations had indeed purged some Demonic Cultivators.
But the peak masters knew that some of the previous generation’s fangs remained hidden within the Eastern Realm.
Although they were aware of this, if these remnants refused to reveal themselves, there wasn’t much they could do.
At this moment, a disciple entered the hall and reported, “Peak Master Yan, Mu Zhi’an requests an audience.”
The two peak masters exchanged glances. Then, Yan Ruyu said, “Invite him in.”
Moments later, Mu Zhi’an was led into the elegant courtyard, where he greeted the mature and intellectual Peak Master of the Book Pavilion.
The peak master of Heavenly Secrets Peak is also here?
And… she brought Feiying with her?
As soon as he entered the hall, Mu Zhi’an noticed the others present. His gaze swept over Lan Feiying, who winked playfully at him, as if greeting him. Mu Zhi’an smiled back.
Then, he cupped his fists and said, “Disciple Mu Zhi’an greets Peak Master Yan and Peak Master Yu.”
“Young friend Mu, it’s been a while,” Yu Xuanji said with a gentle smile, but her eyes held a hint of curiosity as she observed him.
His aura is even more alluring than before… Why is that?
Meanwhile, Yan Ruyu had already invited Mu Zhi’an to sit down. She sighed, “You not only survived but also turned misfortune into fortune. That’s a good thing.”
“But don’t take such risks again. You might not be so lucky next time.”
As a high-ranking member of the Two Polarities Sect, she naturally knew some secrets that the outside world didn’t.
For example, Mu Zhi’an had consumed eighth-grade pills. And his relationship with the Jade Empress was much closer than people imagined…
“Thank you for your reminder, Peak Master. I’ll be more careful from now on.”
“However… being careful might not be enough.” Mu Zhi’an’s words held a deeper meaning.
“Speak freely,” Yan Ruyu said, understanding his implication.
“To be honest, I was approached by a remnant of the previous Demonic Cultivators, who asked me to deliver the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit to the Primordial Demon Emperor.”
The two peak masters were stunned, wondering if they had misheard.
“Why would a remnant of the previous Demonic Cultivators approach you…?” Yan Ruyu frowned, sensing something was amiss.
Logically, why would a remnant target Mu Zhi’an, a regular sect disciple and a righteous cultivator, out of everyone else?
“I obtained an eighth-grade Soul Nourishing Pill from the Primordial Demon Emperor in the past,” Mu Zhi’an confessed.
He trusted these two peak masters, who had helped him before.
As for Lan Feiying… well, she was one of his future targets. He couldn’t miss out on the opportunity to have both Lan Mulian, the cold and aloof beauty, and Lan Feiying, the seductive and passionate one.
“When I received the Soul Nourishing Pill, I promised the Primordial Demon Emperor that I would obtain the Rebirth Water and the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit…” Mu Zhi’an continued.
Yan Ruyu’s expression changed slightly. “Did you swear an oath to the Primordial Demon Emperor?”
“I did, but not completely,” Mu Zhi’an replied.
Sensing their confusion, he explained, “I swore an oath, but I didn’t specify who I would give the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit and the Rebirth Water to after obtaining them.”
For a moment, Yan Ruyu looked at Mu Zhi’an with a strange expression.
Should I say this disciple is bold or cunning? He not only tricked the Primordial Demon Emperor within the Pilgrimage Palace’s Celestial Realm but also managed to swindle an eighth-grade pill from him…?
“What about the Soul Nourishing Pill?” Yu Xuanji couldn’t help but ask.
“I consumed it along with the Soul Returning Pill a few days ago when my consciousness was damaged,” Mu Zhi’an replied.
“Have you achieved any understanding of the Dao?” Yan Ruyu also couldn’t resist asking.
Every time one consumed an eighth-grade pill, there was a chance to comprehend a trace of Dao, gaining some of the abilities of a Dao Integration cultivator at the Nascent Soul Realm and extending their lifespan. It was one of the most sought-after treasures for cultivators.
Even peak masters were tempted by such a treasure.
“No,” Mu Zhi’an shook his head.
Disappointment flashed in Yu Xuanji’s eyes.
What a waste…
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