NOVPUBThe Desolate Time Lock tore through space, creating a bottomless void.
From within the void, Ye Lingxuan emerged, accompanied by the breathtakingly beautiful but chillingly cold puppet, the ‘Reincarnated Empress’.
As if sensing Mu Zhi’an’s gaze, Ye Lingxuan looked at him. After a few seconds, a faint smile curved her lips. She gripped the Desolate Time Lock in her hand and pulled!
Whoosh!
Mu Zhi’an felt himself being pulled towards the void.
Clang!
The Sword Palace Master raised her hand and formed a hand seal. The glowing sword behind her transformed into dozens of golden blades that shot down from the sky, pinning the Desolate Time Lock to the ground, preventing Ye Lingxuan from stealing her man right before her eyes.
Ye Lingxuan didn’t seem surprised. She gracefully leaped from the void, her skirt billowing like a blooming flower.
The Sword Palace Master remained silent, her gaze fixed on the young woman who had suddenly appeared and the emotionless woman beside her.
The woman wore a loose white robe and white undergarments. Although she was cold and aloof, her partially concealed figure added a touch of alluring beauty.
The ‘Reincarnated Empress’ hadn’t spoken a word, but the Sword Palace Master knew that this woman was her greatest opponent.
Although it was just an emotionless puppet, it possessed the power of a Dao Integration cultivator.
After all, this puppet represented one of the Reincarnated Empress’s past lives. Its strength couldn’t be underestimated.
As for the girl beside the puppet… she couldn’t be ignored either.
Ye Lingxuan’s current strength didn’t pose much of a threat to her, but the ancestral artifact she wielded and her own charm were significant ‘threats’.
Sensing her gaze, Ye Lingxuan clasped her hands behind her back and looked up with a bright smile. “Sister Ruoxi, if I remember correctly, you said we weren’t enemies, right? Why have you suddenly changed your mind and decided to keep Brother Mu in the Sword Palace?”
She scrutinized the woman before her.
From her appearance and aura, she seemed different from Bai Ruoxi. Bai Ruoxi was more like a delicate and innocent young lady, while this woman was more imposing, exuding the aura of an Empress sitting on her throne.
The only thing that remained unchanged was her impressive cleavage.
Ye Lingxuan frowned slightly, staring at the Sword Palace Master. “Wait… You’re not Sister Ruoxi. I should address you as “Master”, shouldn’t I?”
The Sword Palace Master raised an eyebrow and smiled. “You can call me whatever you like.”
She paused, then continued, “More importantly, why have you suddenly visited the Sword Palace, Sister Lingxuan?”
Ye Lingxuan smiled sweetly. “It’s nothing important. Brother Mu and I made a promise that he would leave with me after my inheritance is complete.”
Despite the overwhelming aura emanating from the Sword Palace Master, Ye Lingxuan stood before her, unfazed, her beautiful eyes sparkling with amusement.
Mu Zhi’an opened his mouth, wanting to say: Can you guys please unchain me before you start chatting…? Are you planning to recreate the ‘Sealed Dark Mage’ scene?
As soon as the Desolate Time Lock bound his wrist, the Sword Palace Master had silently summoned the Heart-Binding Lock, binding his other wrist, seemingly afraid that Ye Lingxuan’s Desolate Time Lock would take him away.
The Sword Palace Master wasn’t planning to back down. She smiled gently and said, “Is there a misunderstanding between you and dear?”
“He already promised to stay in the Sword Palace with me for a while. How could he possibly make another promise with you?”
Ye Lingxuan tilted her head in confusion. “Sister Ruoxi is the one who has a connection with Brother Mu. Master, you’re a senior who has lived for countless years. Why do you want to keep him in the Sword Palace?”
She emphasized the word ‘senior’, mocking the Sword Palace Master for being an old cow eating young grass.
The Sword Palace Master smiled brightly. “In a sense, Bai Ruoxi and I are the same person. We’re just two different consciousnesses within the same body.”
“And he just promised me that he would explain things to you—”
Mu Zhi’an, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, quickly interrupted, “Master, I still have many things to attend to in the Two Polarities Sect. And when I obtained the second bronze fragment, I made a promise with someone. I need to fulfill it as soon as possible.”
“You obtained the second bronze fragment from someone else?” the Sword Palace Master asked in confusion.
Mu Zhi’an nodded slightly. “I made a deal with her. I was planning to fulfill it after returning from the Sword Palace, so…”
The Sword Palace Master looked at him with a gentle gaze. “So you’re planning to return to the Two Polarities Sect with Sister Lingxuan?”
Mu Zhi’an shook his head and said softly, “We’ll go back together after your inheritance is complete.”
“The inheritance is already complete. I’ll be entering slumber within the scabbard soon,” the Sword Palace Master replied.
“Since you insist on returning to the Two Polarities Sect, I won’t stop you. You may leave,” she continued.
Mu Zhi’an was overjoyed, surprised that she had agreed so readily. She had been so domineering just moments ago. Perhaps she was compromising because of Lingxuan’s presence, or maybe, having obtained Ruoxi’s memories, she also felt sympathy for him and didn’t want to make things difficult?
However, at that moment, he heard a voice transmission in his ear, “When are you planning to explain things to them so you can be with me?”
“…”
Mu Zhi’an’s expression remained calm as he glanced at the Sword Palace Master.
She was dressed in a dark dress with black and white patterns, highlighting her fair and flawless skin. Her lips curved into a gentle smile, her eyes fixed on him with a knowing glint.
This ancient sea dragon is still thinking about the fish in my pond… She’s definitely different from Ruoxi. She’s very possessive. But during her slumber, Ruoxi and the others can interact and develop their feelings. The Sword Palace Master will inherit those memories, and once their bond is strong enough, she shouldn’t be fixated on this anymore…
“Lingxuan is my beloved sister, Master. You’ve misunderstood,” Mu Zhi’an transmitted his voice.
The Sword Palace Master clearly didn’t believe him. “What about Ye Qian?”
“…Qian’er is a good girl. I’ve always treated her like a younger sister.”
“If I remember correctly, you also have a senior sister, and you seem quite close,” the Sword Palace Master said, her voice transmission filled with tenderness and affection.
“Lan Mulian is my respected senior sister, and Feiying is like a kind older sister to me.”
“I only have a clear Dao Companion relationship with Ruoxi. Isn’t that enough proof?” Mu Zhi’an replied.
Throughout their conversation, the Sword Palace Master hadn’t mentioned Ling Long or Yao Meng.
Out of all the women around him, Ling Long was the least threatening. She was a foodie, and her priority was always food.
As for Yao Meng… Bai Ruoxi might have suspected something between them, but it was just a suspicion.
“I hope you’ll return to the Sword Palace with me when I wake up next time. Otherwise, it would be quite troublesome,” the Sword Palace Master transmitted her voice softly.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to keep Mu Zhi’an in the Sword Palace, but her consciousness was fading, and she was about to enter slumber.
The Sword Palace Master and Ruoxi’s personalities seemed to be complete opposites. Although Ruoxi had a bit of a yandere side, it wasn’t this intense… Despite the Sword Palace Master’s compromise and her gentle gaze, Mu Zhi’an couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat.
The Sword Palace Master slowly closed her eyes, her consciousness fading as she switched places with Bai Ruoxi.
The Heart-Binding Lock on his right wrist silently released its grip.
Suddenly, the Desolate Time Lock pulled Mu Zhi’an towards Ye Lingxuan.
Then, the chain enveloped them in a faint golden glow.
“What were you talking about with Master, Brother Mu? It seemed like you were using voice transmission,” Ye Lingxuan asked, her voice as sweet as a songbird, her eyes filled with curiosity.
Lingxuan’s awareness of potential threats has also increased… Mu Zhi’an thought, smiling. “I was discussing my return to the sect with the senior. She has agreed.”
He discreetly tried to remove the Desolate Time Lock from his wrist, but it only tightened its grip.
This thing is really troublesome… I need to find a way to deal with it. Otherwise, I won’t even be able to escape if it binds me.
Mu Zhi’an thought to himself.
However, breaking free from the Desolate Time Lock was incredibly difficult.
This ancestral artifact was related to time. Within the area it enveloped, time flowed much slower than in the outside world.
Ye Lingxuan frowned slightly, glancing at the tall and elegant woman in the palace dress. “You should decide where you want to go, Brother Mu. Why do you need to discuss it with her?” she said, her voice tinged with jealousy.
Seeing that the Sword Palace Master’s eyes were still closed, Mu Zhi’an boldly took Ye Lingxuan’s hand.
She blushed and glared at him playfully. “We’re in the Sword Palace, Brother Mu. Can’t you be more discreet?”
If you weren’t so jealous that you’re about to turn into a yandere, I wouldn’t risk doing this in front of the Sword Palace Master… Mu Zhi’an said softly, “Is your inheritance complete?”
“Didn’t you say it would take more than half a month? It’s only been a few days…”
Ye Lingxuan let him hold her hand as she looked at the Sword Palace Master. “The Desolate Time Lock can manipulate time, so the inheritance process can’t be measured by ordinary time.”
“You can already control time to such an extent at the Core Formation Realm?” Mu Zhi’an asked in surprise.
Ye Lingxuan shook her head and pointed to the woman beside her. “Most of the time, she’s the one using the Desolate Time Lock.”
Standing nearby was the tall and beautiful woman in a loose white robe, her aura cold and indifferent. She remained silent, her expression emotionless.
“Is that the puppet you created? It’s quite convenient…” Mu Zhi’an commented.
“She has feelings too, so don’t stare at her, Brother Mu. If you anger her, I won’t save you,” Ye Lingxuan warned, her voice laced with displeasure.
It was clear that, compared to a beautiful young lady, Mu Zhi’an preferred beautiful older women. He had been subtly glancing at the ‘Reincarnated Empress’s’ alluring figure.
“The puppet has feelings…?” Mu Zhi’an was surprised.
“Some puppets even possess human emotions. It depends on how the Dao Integration cultivator designed them,” Ye Lingxuan explained.
Mu Zhi’an nodded, understanding.
Then, he changed the subject. “Let’s return to the sect now. Since your inheritance is complete, you can focus on cultivating and preparing for the Ascension Ceremony.”
“I’ll listen to you, Brother Mu,” Ye Lingxuan said, her beautiful eyes sparkling with a sweet smile, like an obedient younger sister.
However, at that moment, the Reincarnated Empress, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke, “Her inheritance isn’t complete yet.”
Before Mu Zhi’an could react, she continued, “The ninth life’s Spiritual Energy is within your Innate Celestial Furnace. The inheritance won’t be complete until you give it to her.”
Speaking of which, the Reincarnated Empress did store one of her past lives’ Spiritual Energy within my Innate Celestial Furnace… Could that be why Lingxuan came to find me today?
Ye Lingxuan glared at the woman beside her. “Don’t talk!” she hissed.
Then, she looked up at Mu Zhi’an, her eyes filled with shyness and urgency. “Brother Mu, she’s just talking nonsense. Don’t listen to her!”
Mu Zhi’an’s eyes flickered as he looked at her. The usually calm and collected young lady was blushing furiously, her delicate beauty even more captivating than her usual elegance.
He quickly regained his composure and nodded with a smile. “Yeah, I understand.” 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝒃.𝒄𝒐𝙢
A Dao Integration cultivator talking nonsense… And it was the Reincarnated Empress, who knew everything about Ye Lingxuan’s inheritance progress… Even a fool wouldn’t believe her explanation.
However, as a competent fish pond master, he had to save face for Ye Lingxuan, who was easily embarrassed. If he startled her now, how could he return the ninth life’s Spiritual Energy to her?
Despite her usual composure, Ye Lingxuan was just a young lady with little experience in love. Her strength and talent might be exceptional, but… when it came to matters of the heart, Young Master Mu was the expert.
He felt time slowing down as he looked at the sleeping Bai Ruoxi. “Let’s return to the sect after Ruoxi wakes up.”
Mu Zhi’an wrapped an arm around Ye Lingxuan’s slender waist and gazed at her blushing face.
“As for the other matters, we’ll discuss them later.”
