NOVPUBWith the Demon Realm Empress’s departure, the Primordial Demon Emperor’s aura vanished from the Pilgrimage Palace.
Most cultivators didn’t even know what had happened, only that some evil being sealed beneath the Two Polarities Sect had been eliminated.
Mu Zhi’an, watching the scene unfold and feeling the Primordial Demon Emperor’s aura fading, breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, recalling the events that had just transpired, he couldn’t help but sigh. “That temptress is truly dangerous. Although she’s alluring, she’s also ruthless. I’ll have to be careful around her in the future.”
“It seemed like she absorbed something… but I couldn’t see what it was,” Bai Ruoxi suddenly said.
The Demon Realm Empress absorbed something?
Mu Zhi’an’s mind raced.
The Demon Realm Empress wouldn’t help the Eastern Realm or the Two Polarities Sect for no reason. There must have been some kind of deal between her and Shang Yanfei, a deal so beneficial that even the Demon Realm Empress agreed to ‘cooperate’.
And now, it seemed the core of this deal was likely something left behind by the Primordial Demon Emperor.
“I believe… it was his essence,” a familiar voice suddenly said from behind him.
Mu Zhi’an turned around in surprise. “When did you return to the sect, Lingxuan?”
Ye Lingxuan gracefully descended the steps of the main hall, her beautiful face flawless, her long hair cascading down her back, her petite figure clad in a purple dress, her delicate feet adorned with embroidered shoes. She looked pure, innocent, and elegant.
She approached him with a smile. “I just got back. I was worried about you, Brother Mu, but it seems you’re fine.”
“What’s this ‘essence’ you mentioned, Lingxuan? Why didn’t we notice anything?” Mu Zhi’an asked curiously.
“Every cultivator possesses essence, which represents their lifetime of cultivation. The Demon Realm Empress just absorbed the Primordial Demon Emperor’s essence,” Ye Lingxuan explained softly.
“However, only someone with a special constitution like the Demon Realm Empress can absorb another’s essence. If an ordinary person tried it, they would explode before they could even refine it.”
So the Demon Realm Empress was after the Primordial Demon Emperor’s essence. That’s why she personally came to the Two Polarities Sect to eliminate him…? Mu Zhi’an thought, understanding her motives.
Then, a wave of worry washed over him.
The Demon Realm Empress’s strength was already comparable to other Dao Integration experts. If she refined the Primordial Demon Emperor’s essence, how powerful would she become?
“By the way, did you retrieve Mengrou’s Heavenly Dao Energy?” Ye Lingxuan suddenly asked.
Wei Mengrou’s expression changed slightly, and Bai Ruoxi looked at Mu Zhi’an with a gentle smile.
Ye Lingxuan, sensing something amiss, blinked and looked at him. “What’s wrong? Did you fail?”
“Thanks to Mengrou’s help, it went smoothly,” Mu Zhi’an said, maintaining his usual smile.
Then, he offered to walk Ye Lingxuan and Ye Qian back to their residence. He winked at Wei Mengrou and transmitted his voice, “Mengrou, I’ll leave Ruoxi to you.”
Wei Mengrou glared at him disdainfully but didn’t refuse. 𝑛𝘰𝘷𝑝𝘶𝑏.𝑐𝘰𝘮
After all, she knew his character and his methods well. She wasn’t surprised by his request.
As Mu Zhi’an was about to leave with Ye Lingxuan, the Dao Integration experts in the sky, with the Primordial Demon Emperor gone, withdrew their formations.
The Buddha from the Western Regions clasped his hands together and silently departed.
The Southern Wilderness’s Evil Deity’s gaze remained fixed on Mu Zhi’an. He couldn’t understand how this Core Formation cultivator could help Regina evolve her Soul Reading constitution.
“Is there something you need?” Yao Meng suddenly asked coldly, interrupting his thoughts.
Although male cultivators couldn’t sense Mu Zhi’an’s Innate Celestial Furnace, she still didn’t want to attract too much attention to him.
The Evil Deity said sarcastically, “I was just curious about what this brat has that could attract Fairy Yao Meng’s attention. It seems he’s quite talented.”
His words were perfunctory. ‘Quite talented’ was a generic compliment, used when one couldn’t think of anything specific to praise.
Since the Southern Wilderness had played a role in obstructing the Jade Empress’s return to Dao Integration, he didn’t want to stay any longer. After a few more meaningless words, he left the Two Polarities Sect.
With two of the troublesome figures gone, Yao Meng’s gaze shifted to the last one.
She looked at the Empress of Yu State and smiled. “What’s wrong, Luo Tan? Is there someone here who has caught your eye?”
Luo Tan observed Ye Lingxuan’s retreating figure with interest. “She possesses the Innate Spiritual Body, doesn’t she? She would be a great seedling for both cultivation and alchemy… I’m almost tempted to take her as my disciple.”
Yu State had always been known as a sacred land for alchemists, partly because its Empress was a Heaven-Grade Alchemist, and partly because many pill formulas originated from there.
“The Forbidden Zone’s Master only has one daughter. She grew up bathing in Rebirth Water, her Innate Spiritual Body already perfected. And her alchemy talent… she might even surpass the geniuses of Yu State,” Yao Meng said with a smile.
“If I remember correctly, you haven’t interacted much with the Forbidden Zone, Fairy Yao Meng. How do you know so much?” Luo Tan asked curiously.
Yao Meng raised an eyebrow. “Her younger sister, Ye Qian, is my disciple. I’ve heard some things from her,” she replied calmly.
Actually, Ye Qian didn’t know that much. Most of what she knew came from Mu Zhi’an, and some she had overheard while within his body.
Of course, she couldn’t tell Luo Tan that, especially since… Luo Tan seemed interested in Mu Zhi’an. If it weren’t for the ‘artifact’ left behind by Ling Long, his Innate Celestial Furnace secret might have already been exposed.
And then… who knew if this Empress would also become interested in it.
Suddenly, Shang Yanfei said, “If you’re interested in Ye Lingxuan, we can hold an alchemy competition after the Ascension Ceremony and assess her talent. If you’re satisfied, you can take her as your disciple.”
Luo Tan narrowed her eyes, observing the alluring Sect Master. “Are you willing to give up such a talented disciple?” she asked with a smile.
Shang Yanfei chuckled. “If she can train in Yu State for a while, it would greatly benefit her. It’s a win-win situation.”
Luo Tan pondered for a moment, then smiled. “Since you’re so generous, Sect Master, I’ll stay in the Two Polarities Sect for a few more days.”
Her gaze shifted towards the direction Mu Zhi’an had gone.
“I also have some… matters I’m interested in.”
…
Dexin Courtyard.
Mu Zhi’an walked Ye Lingxuan and Ye Qian back to their residence, then prepared to leave.
Seeing him linger at the door, Ye Qian couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you coming in, Brother Mu?”
Ye Lingxuan also smiled. “Since Qian’er has invited you, why don’t you come in and sit for a while, Brother Mu?”
Ye Lingxuan was a rather reserved girl and wanted to maintain her older sister’s image in front of her younger sister, so she wouldn’t actively invite him to stay.
But since her sister had spoken, she didn’t object.
Mu Zhi’an nodded with a smile. “Alright then. It’s been a while since we last chatted.”
…
Garden of Heavenly Harmony.
Bai Ruoxi and Wei Mengrou walked along a quiet corridor. The delicate and frail-looking young lady stopped before a door and said softly, “You can stop here, Mengrou.”
Wei Mengrou nodded slightly. As Bai Ruoxi opened the door, she hesitated for a moment, then suddenly asked, “You’re not angry with me?”
She was referring to what had happened between her and Mu Zhi’an in her room.
Bai Ruoxi shook her head gently and smiled faintly. “It’s not your fault, Mengrou. Mu Lang asked for it, didn’t he? If anyone’s to blame, it’s him.”
She paused, then continued, “Of course, I won’t do anything too drastic to him. I know his feelings for me haven’t changed.”
He had given her the Heavenly Dao Energy, helped her solve countless problems, and never complained… And even when she ‘punished’ him, his eyes were still filled with love.
Although he was a bit of a flirt, Bai Ruoxi cherished everything he had done for her.
“If you don’t teach him a lesson he’ll remember, he won’t learn,” Wei Mengrou said, ‘selling out’ her master.
Bai Ruoxi tapped her chin thoughtfully.
“A lesson he’ll remember…”
She suddenly chuckled. “I think… there’s no need for me to do anything.”
She looked at Wei Mengrou. “I’m easygoing, but my other self… isn’t.”
Although she occasionally fantasized about locking Mu Zhi’an up, or even keeping him by her side forever, Bai Ruoxi was generally a kind and gentle girl.
But Gong Lianyue was different.
The Sword Palace Master was domineering and possessive, a woman of action.
If she awakened from her slumber after Bai Ruoxi reached the Nascent Soul Realm… Mu Zhi’an would be in trouble.
For now… she would let him enjoy his ‘freedom’.
…
Late at night.
The incident with the evil being breaking free from its seal in the Pilgrimage Palace had left the cultivators within the Two Polarities Sect restless, unable to focus on their cultivation. They were discussing the events excitedly.
Several Dao Integration experts, including the Southern Wilderness’s Evil Deity, the Western Regions’ Buddha, and the Empress of Yu State, along with a mysterious expert shrouded in black mist, had joined forces to suppress the evil being. Although they couldn’t see who the figure in the black mist was, witnessing such a powerful battle and experiencing the might of Dao Integration experts was a rare opportunity, something they could boast about in the future.
Besides the terrifying events, the beauty of Luo Tan, Yao Meng, and Shang Yanfei was also unforgettable.
Each of them possessed a unique charm. The Sect Master was a sacred figure in the eyes of the disciples, and the Empress of Yu State was breathtakingly beautiful.
As for Fairy Yao Meng, even without her ‘Innate Dao Body’ constitution, her ethereal beauty and mysterious aura were enough to make her the dream lover of countless cultivators.
Of course, they only dared to admire her from afar, afraid of desecrating her.
While the entire sect was abuzz with excitement, Mu Zhi’an, having just spent some quality time with the Ye sisters, returned to the Garden of Heavenly Harmony.
He had been ‘ravaged’ by Bai Ruoxi in various ways, his Spiritual Energy depleted, and he was planning to rest tonight.
However, as soon as he opened the door, he saw Yao Meng sitting on his bed.
She wore a thin green dress with white embroidery, her alluring figure outlined by the fabric. A faint smile graced her breathtakingly beautiful face, and her jade-like legs were faintly visible beneath her skirt, her delicate feet bare.
She held a fiery red fruit in her hand.
“It seems you’re quite busy. I’ve been waiting here for almost an hour,” Yao Meng said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
Mu Zhi’an reacted quickly and coughed lightly. “Qian’er had some questions about cultivation techniques, so I was a bit delayed.”
He closed the door behind him and smiled. “If I had known you were waiting for me, Empress, I would have come sooner.”
Yao Meng’s beautiful green eyes held a gentle smile. “If you knew I was here, you wouldn’t have been so intimate with Lingxuan and my disciple, would you?”
Mu Zhi’an chuckled helplessly. “You’re misunderstanding, Empress. They’re just my younger sisters.”
Yao Meng didn’t seem to care. She beckoned him over.
As he approached, she handed him the fruit.
“I was planning to give this to you after the Ascension Ceremony, but since you left the Martial Realm early, you can refine it now, while the trial is still ongoing,” Yao Meng said with a smile.
Mu Zhi’an looked at the fruit. “A Heavenly Phoenix Fruit?”
Yao Meng nodded slightly. “It will give you a chance to be reborn if you’re ever severely injured. It’s also very beneficial for replenishing your Spiritual Energy.”
Seeing his hesitation, she raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “You’re not going to say it’s too valuable and you can’t accept it, are you?”
A single Heavenly Phoenix Fruit wasn’t enough to repay his kindness.
After all, compared to the price he had paid for her rebirth, a Heavenly Phoenix Fruit was nothing.
Mu Zhi’an snapped out of his thoughts, took the fruit, and smiled. “I was just wondering how to refine it.”
His gaze lingered on Yao Meng.
“Can I just eat it?” he asked.
“You can also extract its energy. You don’t have to consume it directly,” Yao Meng replied with a smile.
Mu Zhi’an nodded, understanding. “Then I’ll refine it later.”
Yao Meng glanced at his hand, which was now resting on her waist, a faint blush appearing on her delicate face. However, she maintained her composure and smiled faintly. “There’s no need to wait. You can refine it now.”
“But I want to refine it with you, Empress,” Mu Zhi’an said.
“Together…?” Yao Meng tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with confusion.
Mu Zhi’an gently pushed her onto the bed.
He squeezed the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit, its juice dripping onto her body.
Yao Meng opened her eyes slightly, her usually aloof demeanor gone, replaced by a captivating blend of coldness and allure.
“What a waste,” she said, her voice chiding, but her eyes held a hint of shyness and… anticipation.
“Don’t worry, I won’t waste a single drop,” Mu Zhi’an grinned, savoring the taste of the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit.
After a while, Yao Meng opened her eyes, her arms wrapped around Mu Zhi’an’s neck. “The Empress of Yu State seems interested in you. Be careful not to expose your Innate Celestial Furnace. It might cause trouble,” she said softly.
“I understand…” Mu Zhi’an mumbled in response.
Right now, refining the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit was more important.
And for that, not a single drop of its juice could be wasted.
…
Northern Realm, Demon Realm.
The Demon Realm Empress leaned back lazily on her throne, seemingly taking a nap.
Her loose robes couldn’t conceal her ample bosom, and her long legs were crossed, her beautiful face framed by her long, flowing hair.
She appeared to be simply resting, but her personal maid, who stood nearby, knew that her consciousness wasn’t in the Northern Realm.
I hope everything goes smoothly, Your Majesty… The maid looked at her with adoration, praying silently.
As one of the Thirteen Seats of the Demon Realm, second only to the Empress herself, this maid was responsible for all of the Empress’s activities. She was the only one who knew about her departure from the Northern Realm.
If everything went smoothly, and she absorbed the Primordial Demon Emperor’s essence, it would be the perfect opportunity for the Demon Realm to invade the Eastern Realm.
This was a desperate move by Shang Yanfei, but it was also within the Demon Realm Empress’s expectations.
Besides her, no one could eliminate the Primordial Demon Emperor without suffering heavy losses. The Two Polarities Sect’s Sect Master might be able to defeat him, but a battle between two Dao Integration experts would inevitably result in casualties among the disciples.
Suddenly, the surrounding Spiritual Energy surged uncontrollably, and the Demon Realm Empress slowly opened her eyes, her already alluring aura now even more captivating, her beauty breathtaking. Even those who knew she was a dangerous predator couldn’t help but be drawn to her.
The maid immediately reacted. “Your Majesty, I’ve prepared the medicinal bath,” she said respectfully.
Refining essence, even for the Demon Realm Empress, required time. A medicinal bath could accelerate the process.
The Demon Realm Empress nodded slightly. “You’re dismissed.”
The maid bowed respectfully. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
After the maid left, the Demon Realm Empress tapped her long fingers on the armrest of her throne, recalling the events that had transpired in the Two Polarities Sect.
Shang Yanfei wasn’t a fool, yet she had given her the Primordial Demon Emperor’s essence.
It was strange.
However, regardless of Shang Yanfei’s intentions, once she refined the Primordial Demon Emperor’s essence, even without the Heavenly Dao Energy, Shang Yanfei would be no match for her.
What a foolish move… The Demon Realm Empress chuckled and stood up from her throne.
Suddenly, an image flashed through her mind, and a wave of dizziness washed over her.
A torrent of memories, scenes she had never experienced before, flooded her consciousness.
She gasped slightly, and after the images faded, she looked up towards the Two Polarities Sect, her eyes filled with disbelief and… nostalgia.
She had regained her memories from her past life.
And this… was her second playthrough!
