NOVPUBAfternoon.
The winter sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows that danced on the ground as the wind rustled the branches.
Mu Zhi’an sat in the pavilion, sipping tea while fiddling with the bronze fragment on Bai Ruoxi’s chest, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
Bai Ruoxi, dressed in a white palace dress, her hair cascading down her back like a waterfall, lowered her gaze shyly. “H-have you played enough?” she murmured, her hand fidgeting with the hem of her dress.
“I wasn’t playing. I was just observing the bronze fragment,” Mu Zhi’an corrected her.
He continued to fiddle with the fragment. The two pieces had merged into one, forming the image of a sword.
It has a hilt and a blade. The only thing missing is the middle part of the blade… Mu Zhi’an thought to himself.
“It seems there are only three fragments… Perhaps the last one is in the Sword Palace?” he guessed, stealing another glance at Bai Ruoxi’s ample bosom.
He had to admit, sometimes, a glimpse of what’s hidden was more alluring than full exposure.
“The Sword Palace? Are you talking about the rumors that surfaced today, Mu Lang?” Bai Ruoxi finally managed to suppress her shyness, her beautiful eyes gazing at him with a hint of confusion.
A tremor had shaken the Eastern Realm that morning, shortly after Bai Ruoxi had merged the two bronze fragments.
Initially, Mu Zhi’an and the others thought it was just an ordinary earthquake. However, that afternoon, news from the outside world reached the sect.
A celestial palace from ancient times had been discovered about a hundred miles from the Xuanyin Temple in the southern part of the Eastern Realm.
It was a palace suspended in mid-air, its surface adorned with glowing swords. After comparing it with illustrations in ancient texts, it was confirmed to be the Sword Palace.
Shortly after, several Core Formation cultivators attempted to enter and explore, hoping to obtain the inheritances and treasures left behind, but they were swiftly eliminated by the glowing swords surrounding the palace.
“It’s not just a rumor. The Sword Palace has truly emerged.”
Mu Zhi’an said, stealing another glance at Bai Ruoxi’s alluring cleavage before reluctantly returning the bronze fragment to its original position.
He couldn’t resist enjoying the warmth of her bosom one last time.
“Stop it, let’s talk about serious matters!” Bai Ruoxi swatted his hand away playfully, her face flushed. She glared at him, her eyes filled with shyness.
Then, she glanced at Wei Mengrou, only to find that the maid had silently averted her gaze, as if adhering to the principle of ‘see no evil’. However, the disdain in her eyes when she occasionally glanced at Mu Zhi’an was even more pronounced than before.
Mu Zhi’an chuckled. “We’ve been working hard day and night. We need to relax sometimes.”
Of course, he knew when to stop. He quickly regained his composure and continued speaking after Wei Mengrou poured him tea, her eyes fixed on him with a mixture of disapproval and amusement.
“I just met with Peak Master Yan, and she told me about the Sword Palace.”
“The Bronze Sword you used before might be the ancestral artifact of the Sword Palace’s master.”
After the tremors that morning, Mu Zhi’an had visited Shaoyue Courtyard and sought out the knowledgeable Yan Ruyu. She had confirmed his suspicions.
There was definitely a connection between the bronze fragment on Bai Ruoxi’s chest and the Sword Palace.
The tremors that occurred after Bai Ruoxi merged the two fragments were likely a reaction from the Sword Palace, causing it to reappear in the world.
Most cultivators in the Eastern Realm were familiar with the ‘Sword Palace’. There were many records of it in ancient texts.
The reason for its fame was a Dao Integration Sword Emperor who had emerged from the Sword Palace in the past.
This Sword Emperor was renowned throughout the Nine Realms for his swordsmanship. It was said that the sword he initially used was just an ordinary long sword from his childhood, essentially a blank slate.
However, after thousands of years of nurturing, when the Sword Emperor achieved supreme enlightenment, the sword developed an ‘Artifact Spirit’. Later, after he established the Sword Palace, the sword became the sect’s ancestral artifact.
However, unlike most Primordial Clans, no one in the Sword Palace could inherit the sword, even after the Sword Emperor’s death.
This was the reason for the Sword Palace’s decline.
Although ancestral artifacts weren’t strictly categorized into ranks, there were still differences between them.
Not all ancestral artifacts were left behind by Dao Integration cultivators. Some Primordial Clans had ancestors who were peak Soul Transformation cultivators. Before their deaths, they would nurture their weapons with their own energy, and upon their demise, the weapons would develop Artifact Spirits, becoming ancestral artifacts.
However, they were still inferior to ancestral artifacts left behind by Dao Integration cultivators.
Despite the difference, in a battle between two cultivators of the same level, the one with an ancestral artifact would undoubtedly win. Moreover, the requirements for using a Soul Transformation ancestral artifact weren’t as strict. As long as a descendant possessed the bloodline, they could resonate with it.
However, whether one could resonate with a Dao Integration ancestral artifact depended on their luck and fate.
The once-glorious Sword Palace had declined because no one could inherit the sword left behind by the Sword Emperor.
“Didn’t many cultivators try to enter the Sword Palace today, only to be eliminated?” Bai Ruoxi asked worriedly. “Even if the third bronze fragment is truly within the Sword Palace, Mu Lang, it will be difficult for us to enter.”
Mu Zhi’an smiled faintly. “Everything has its reason. Since the Sword Palace has appeared now, there must be a way to enter it.”
“Do you know how to enter the Sword Palace, Mu Lang?” Bai Ruoxi tilted her head slightly, her eyes curious.
“I’ve never been to the Sword Palace, so naturally, I don’t know how to enter it.”
Mu Zhi’an paused, then continued, “However, someone else might know.”
No one knew what the Sword Palace looked like inside. The only certainty was that anyone who tried to approach it would be eliminated by the glowing blades surrounding it.
But if Bai Ruoxi’s two bronze fragments had truly triggered a reaction from the Sword Palace, could she enter it?
Of course, this was just a guess. Mu Zhi’an couldn’t be sure, and he didn’t want to take such a risk.
…At least, not without proper precautions.
“Who are you talking about, Mu Lang…?” Bai Ruoxi asked, her eyes filled with curiosity.
Mu Zhi’an smiled. “We’re both at the Core Formation Realm. We haven’t experienced many things and don’t know how to enter the Sword Palace. But someone around us might know.”
Then, he asked silently in his mind, “Empress, do you know about the Sword Palace?”
He didn’t know if the Jade Empress was absorbing Spiritual Energy within his Innate Celestial Furnace or if she was asleep… However, she couldn’t possibly be unaware of the commotion that had just occurred in the Eastern Realm.
Even if she was sleeping, the Sword Palace’s emergence should have woken her up.
As he expected, after a moment, the Jade Empress’s voice echoed in his mind, “The Sword Palace was once a top force in the Eastern Realm, comparable to the Forbidden Zone. However, after its master’s death, its former glory gradually faded.”
Mu Zhi’an’s heart skipped a beat. He asked, “Do you know how to enter the Sword Palace, Empress?”
“I’ve never been to the Sword Palace. It was like the Forbidden Zone in the past; few outsiders could enter,” the Jade Empress replied, her voice like a celestial melody.
“However, Sword Palace disciples wouldn’t be attacked by the 108 glowing swords surrounding it.”
Mu Zhi’an shook his head slightly. “There shouldn’t be any Sword Palace disciples left now, right?”
It would be strange if there were still Sword Palace disciples alive after all this time.
After all, even the Sword Palace’s master had perished. What about the other disciples?
“Speaking of which, Empress, do you know anything about the bronze fragments on Ruoxi and Mengrou’s chests?” Mu Zhi’an suddenly remembered.
This time, the Jade Empress didn’t answer. After a moment, a graceful figure in a green dress silently appeared in the pavilion.
Although her dress covered most of her skin, the ribbon cinched around her waist accentuated her curves, highlighting her ample bosom and creating an alluring silhouette.
Bai Ruoxi, surprised by the Empress’s sudden appearance, greeted her softly, “Senior Jade Empress.”
The Jade Empress looked at her with a gentle gaze. “There’s no need to be so formal between us. Just call me by my name.”
Then, she glanced at Mu Zhi’an meaningfully.
He noticed her gaze but pretended to be oblivious.
The ‘fish’ in his pond needed time to develop their feelings. Bai Ruoxi didn’t know about his relationship with the Jade Empress yet.
However, a clever woman like Bai Ruoxi couldn’t possibly be completely unaware. She was just choosing not to acknowledge it.
But Yao Meng’s words seemed to be hinting at breaking down that wall.
“Senior Jade Empress, I’ve always admired you for suppressing the Primordial Demon Emperor for the Eastern Realm. It would be difficult for me to treat you as an equal so suddenly,” Bai Ruoxi said apologetically.
“You won’t blame me, will you, Senior Jade Empress?”
Yao Meng smiled. “Of course not.”
“Besides, I feel somewhat guilty towards you.”
“Guilty towards me…?” Bai Ruoxi tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with confusion.
This topic can’t continue… Mu Zhi’an quickly changed the subject. “Empress, about the bronze fragment…”
He glanced at Yao Meng tentatively.
She raised an eyebrow, clearly understanding his thoughts, but she didn’t expose him. She simply smiled at him.
“Let me take a look first.”
She looked at the bronze fragment on Bai Ruoxi’s chest.
Previously, Bai Ruoxi’s pendant had only contained one fragment. Now, the two fragments had merged, and the pattern was taking shape.
After observing it for a moment, Yao Meng gently caressed the pendant with her slender fingers. “This is indeed the pattern of the Sword Palace’s ancestral artifact.”
This trade with Regina was truly a steal… Mu Zhi’an asked, “You said earlier that anyone who isn’t a Sword Palace disciple would be attacked upon entering. What about Ruoxi?”
“Since she can resonate with the Sword Palace’s ancestral artifact, the palace shouldn’t hinder her entry,” Yao Meng replied.
She paused, then continued, “However, it’s been a long time since the Sword Palace disappeared. No one knows if anything has changed.”
“If you truly want to explore it, take these two jade slips with you.”
She took out two jade slips from her sleeve and handed them to Mu Zhi’an.
“Crush this jade slip, and it will help you escape in a critical moment.”
Clinging to Yao Meng’s thigh was the right choice… Mu Zhi’an said respectfully, “Thank you, Empress.”
He couldn’t help but steal another glance at her, catching her eye. Her usually unattainable holy aura was now tinged with a hint of alluring charm, a perfect blend of purity and seduction.
She smiled faintly.
“You’ll have a chance to thank me later.”
Then, she left the Garden of Heavenly Harmony and headed towards Ye Qian’s courtyard.
Ye Qian’s inheritance had just begun, and there couldn’t be any mistakes during this period. Naturally, Yao Meng visited Ye Qian’s courtyard every day to check on her progress.
Mu Zhi’an watched Yao Meng leave, then turned his head, only to meet Bai Ruoxi’s intense gaze.
He pretended nothing had happened. “W-what’s wrong, Ruoxi?”
Bai Ruoxi quickly regained her usual gentle smile. “It’s nothing. I was just wondering when we should go to the Sword Palace.”
Mu Zhi’an pondered for a moment. “Let’s observe the situation for now.”
There were still too many uncertainties surrounding the Sword Palace. Many cultivators were eyeing the inheritances and treasures within, but no one had managed to break through the formations surrounding it. Going there rashly would only waste the jade slip Yao Meng had given them.
Bai Ruoxi nodded slightly. “I’ll listen to you.”
They chatted for a while longer in the pavilion, then Mu Zhi’an personally escorted Bai Ruoxi back to her room to meditate, taking the opportunity to enjoy the warmth of her bosom once more before she began her cultivation.
After some time, Mu Zhi’an emerged from the room, feeling refreshed.
It was already dusk. As he left the room, he felt a gaze filled with disdain upon him. He turned and saw his maid, her ample bosom straining against the fabric of her yellow dress, holding an empty plate.
She had clearly just finished feeding Ling Long and happened to pass by, hearing the sounds coming from his room. After realizing what had transpired inside, she was now looking at him with an expression of utter disgust, as if he were a bug.
However, instead of feeling intimidated, Mu Zhi’an felt a strange sense of pleasure.
“Mengrou, just finished feeding Lin Ling… I mean, delivering her food?” he asked with a smile.
Wei Mengrou grunted in response, not bothering to look at him, and headed towards the kitchen.
“By the way, Mengrou, do you remember our bet?” Mu Zhi’an suddenly asked.
Wei Mengrou’s body stiffened slightly, her usually aloof demeanor replaced by a hint of unease.
She glanced at him and asked as calmly as possible, “Have you decided on the terms of the bet?”
“J-just to be clear, I won’t agree to anything that crosses the line.”
She’s panicking… Mu Zhi’an chuckled and nodded. “I know, I know. I understand you well, Mengrou. I won’t ask you to do anything too outrageous.”
“Come to my room after you’ve taken the dishes to the kitchen.”
Under her disdainful and slightly anxious gaze, Mu Zhi’an smiled gently.
“I’ve decided on the bet.”
