Mu Zhi’an knew that the Primordial Witch’s will, after entering Wei Mengrou’s body, was influencing her personality, but he hadn’t expected her to engage in such playful teasing while talking to a disciple through the communication jade slip.
A closed room, flickering candlelight, the occasional voice of her senior sister coming from the jade slip on the table…
And Wei Mengrou’s seductive glances.
Although this was a scenario he had fantasized about, actually experiencing her warmth and her disdainful gaze while they were intimate was even more exhilarating than he had imagined.
As expected of his beloved maid, Mengrou. She was even more captivating when she embraced her mischievous side.
Although they didn’t have enough time for a proper ‘spiritual exchange ritual’, they still managed to enjoy themselves.
Under Mu Zhi’an’s satisfied gaze, Wei Mengrou retied the thin ribbon around her slender waist, smoothed her slightly disheveled hair, and walked over to the dressing table. She took out a piece of rouge from her storage ring and, looking at herself in the bronze mirror, gently bit it.
Mu Zhi’an walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, savoring her sweet fragrance and the softness of her body.
Wei Mengrou’s legs pressed together, her body stiffening slightly. She gently pushed his hands away.
Mu Zhi’an didn’t seem to mind and chuckled. “When did you learn so many tricks, Mengrou? Did Ruoxi teach you?”
Wei Mengrou turned around, straightened his messy collar, and said calmly, “I would never ask her about such things… I read about it in that book.”
“The first half of the book is about how to control your husband, and the second half is mostly about… how to provide… special pleasures…”
“Are those ‘special pleasures’ referring to what you just did to me…?” Mu Zhi’an asked tentatively.
Wei Mengrou was silent for a moment, then said, “I only read the second half.”
His maid was indeed cunning. Her words seemed to imply, “They all want to control you, but I’m the only one who truly cares about your pleasure.”
Mu Zhi’an looked down at Wei Mengrou, her delicate hands gently smoothing his hair, and felt a sudden urge to push her onto the bed and continue what they had started.
The image of his usually aloof maid lying on the bed, her face flushed with a shy blush while glaring at him with disdain… The thought alone was exciting.
Wei Mengrou seemed to sense his desire. She pursed her lips, stood on her tiptoes, and whispered in his ear, “Let’s save it for next time. You have an appointment.”
Her seductive voice and her unique fragrance made Mu Zhi’an’s gaze linger on her. After a moment of silence, he asked, “Are you Mengrou or the Primordial Witch?”
Wei Mengrou’s lips curved into a playful smile. “Guess.”
She walked past him, gently opened the door, and glanced back at him. “You’re not planning to offer your body in exchange for something from Yu State, are you?”
“Even if I wanted to, they might not be interested,” Mu Zhi’an replied with a wry smile.
“Even Dao Integration cultivators can barely use your Innate Celestial Furnace now. Who knows how valuable it will become after you reach the Nascent Soul Realm,” Wei Mengrou said calmly. “If I were Luo Tan, I would offer you resources in exchange for taking you to Yu State and nurturing you.”
“You’re not Luo Tan. You’re the Primordial Witch,” Mu Zhi’an said with a smile.
“If you’re willing to keep me, Mengrou, I’ll gladly accept,” he added.
Wei Mengrou hesitated, her eyes widening slightly.
Now that she thought about it, she was the former master of the World Sea. If Yu State could offer resources in exchange for Mu Zhi’an, couldn’t she do the same?
Although there were still many mysteries surrounding the Primordial Witch, her identity was now confirmed.
Wei Mengrou looked at her young master intently, then transformed into a shadow and disappeared.
A cool breeze blew through the courtyard, and an eerie silence fell over the Garden of Heavenly Harmony.
Mu Zhi’an took out the invitation and read it again, then he made up his mind and left the room.
Regardless of whether he could obtain the Soul Condensing Pill, it wouldn’t hurt to build a good relationship with Yu State, the sacred land of alchemists.
…
The Two Polarities Sect was much livelier than usual today. The incident at the Pilgrimage Palace and the appearance of several Dao Integration experts had ignited a spark of ambition within the disciples, fueling their desire to cultivate.
After leaving the Garden of Heavenly Harmony, Mu Zhi’an flew towards the southern bank on his sword.
Within the Two Polarities Sect, both the southern and northern banks covered vast areas. Without a flying sword, it would take half a day to travel between them. This was partly due to the sect’s size and partly due to the numerous halls and Celestial Realms scattered throughout the area.
The visiting cultivators were all residing on the southern bank.
For some reason, the southern bank was unusually quiet tonight, shrouded in a thick mist.
As Mu Zhi’an approached the entrance, he heard the sound of arguing coming from a distant hall.
Arguments were rare in the Two Polarities Sect. After all, this was a Xianxia world, and most cultivators believed that ‘Dao Companions only hinder cultivation’.
Of course, most of them simply didn’t know how to pursue women. Therefore, whenever they saw someone with a Dao Companion, or a popular young master like Mu Zhi’an, they would act dismissive, while secretly seething with envy.
“Junior Sister, listen to me. There’s definitely something valuable in the Pilgrimage Palace. If you can convince your master to give you her token, we can split the treasures!”
“Why would you think I can obtain the Peak Master’s token when even you can’t, Senior Brother?”
“You’re Master’s favorite disciple. If you ask her, she’ll definitely agree… I can guide you to the Pilgrimage Palace for free, and any treasures we find will be yours! Manting, my feelings for you are true. Trust me!”
“You’re so devoted, Senior Brother. However, if I remember correctly, you were involved with three or four other female cultivators before.”
The senior brother stammered, “T-that was… force majeure… I don’t know why they all liked me. I couldn’t help it. But you’re the only one I truly love. I swear! If I’m lying, may the heavens strike me down!”
In the Nine Realms, oaths weren’t to be taken lightly. It seemed this senior brother, even if he was a scoundrel in the past, had now become a devoted admirer.
Of all the people to fall for… why this wicked woman?
Just hearing the name the senior brother had called out, Mu Zhi’an knew who the girl was.
It was Huang Manting, the daughter of the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce, the one who had been possessed by the Demon Realm Empress.
It seemed the Demon Realm Empress had specific requirements for possession. Firstly, the host needed to possess a naturally seductive aura. Secondly… they had to be a “bad woman”.
Mu Zhi’an also recognized the senior brother. It was Ding Jingde, the Sixth Senior Brother of Heavenly Secrets Peak. He had used his seniority to deceive several naive junior sisters in the past. He had somehow encountered Huang Manting and become completely infatuated with her, willingly submitting to her charms.
Poor, simple-minded senior brother, being played like a fiddle.
Mu Zhi’an had experienced Huang Manting’s manipulative tactics firsthand. Her tea-making skills might not be at the ‘king’ level, but she was definitely a master. She had dealt with countless men like Ding Jingde in the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce. Taming a lovesick admirer was child’s play for her.
“I’m not interested in the Pilgrimage Palace’s treasures. If there’s nothing else, Senior Brother, please excuse me. The Ascension Ceremony is approaching, and I need to continue my cultivation,” Huang Manting said calmly.
However, Ding Jingde refused to give up.
“If I remember correctly, you seem to be quite close to that Mu Zhi’an, Manting. Are you rejecting me because of him?”
“I’m not interested in anyone, including Mu Zhi’an. Please leave, Senior Brother Ding,” Huang Manting said, her tone laced with impatience.
“Junior Sister—”
Before he could finish speaking, Huang Manting raised her finger and gently touched his forehead.
Ding Jingde swayed, his gaze fixed on her with a dazed expression, then he collapsed.
A pink mist, filled with a captivating allure, swirled around Huang Manting.
Despite the distance, Mu Zhi’an instantly recognized the origin of the mist.
Demonic Qi!
Huang Manting was from the Demon Realm?!
How was that possible? Wasn’t she the daughter of the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce’s president? When did she become involved with the Demon Realm?!
Mu Zhi’an’s heart skipped a beat. He clasped his hands together, and the black mist of the Southern Wilderness’s secret technique was about to envelop him, concealing his aura.
Suddenly, a soft and seductive voice echoed through the quiet plaza. “Why are you leaving as soon as you see me, Young Master Mu? Do I hold no appeal for you?”
She glanced towards the pillar where Mu Zhi’an was hiding.
He sighed inwardly, then emerged from behind the pillar, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. “Since when did your perception become so sharp, Miss Manting? You weren’t this perceptive before.” 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙥𝙪𝙗.𝒄𝙤𝙢
Huang Manting, her black dress swaying gently in the mist, walked towards him, her body pressing against his as she leaned into his embrace. Her fingers, adorned with black nail polish, traced circles on his chest. She looked up at him with a smile. “This isn’t a good place to talk. If you don’t mind, Young Master Mu, come with me. We can chat somewhere more private.”
Mu Zhi’an shrugged. “Since you insist, Miss Manting, I wouldn’t want to disappoint you.”
What else could he do? Could he shout for help and announce that she was a demonic cultivator?
Huang Manting had used some kind of demonic technique to instantly knock out Ding Jingde. He was probably no match for her either.
…
Upon arriving at Huang Manting’s elegant residence, she hung her black shawl on a chair and turned to Mu Zhi’an with a smile. “What kind of tea would you like, Young Master Mu?”
“Anything is fine. I’m also quite interested in experiencing your tea-making skills, Miss Manting,” Mu Zhi’an replied, his gaze lingering on her alluring figure.
Huang Manting smiled sweetly. “Since you insist, Young Master Mu, I’ll personally prepare a pot of tea for you.”
As she gracefully prepared the tea, Mu Zhi’an casually observed his surroundings. “Do you remember anything about the events of the past few days, Miss Manting?” he asked.
Huang Manting placed a teacup on the table before him, looked up at him with a smile, and asked, “Are you asking if I remember being possessed by the Demon Realm Empress, Young Master Mu?”
“You’ve already given me the answer,” Mu Zhi’an chuckled, his expression calm.
He took a sip of tea, trying to appear nonchalant.
“I’m also one of the Demon Realm Empress’s people,” he added after a moment, making his stance clear.
Huang Manting crossed her legs, the hem of her black dress revealing her smooth, fair thighs. She took a sip of tea and said, “I know.”
“But I only found out today.”
“Someone told you?” Mu Zhi’an asked, intrigued.
Huang Manting glanced at him. “The Demon Realm Empress told me.”
Hearing the Demon Realm Empress’s name, a hint of suspicion appeared in Mu Zhi’an’s eyes.
He had always felt that the Demon Realm Empress saw him as a mere pawn, a disposable one at that. Why would she reveal such a thing to Huang Manting?
“Actually, I was planning to visit you tonight,” Huang Manting said, chuckling softly.
“But it seems you’ve saved me the trouble, Young Master Mu.”
“Visiting me so late at night… Don’t tell me the Demon Realm Empress wants to silence me?” Mu Zhi’an joked, his hand discreetly gripping the communication jade slip.
Huang Manting shook her head and smiled. “Of course not. You’ve helped me, Young Master Mu. I wouldn’t repay kindness with ingratitude.”
She set down her teacup. “However, there is something I need your help with.”
“Please speak freely, Miss Manting.”
“The Demon Realm Empress wants me to send a wisp of your consciousness back to the Demon Realm,” Huang Manting said softly, looking at him sideways.
“A wisp of my consciousness…?” Mu Zhi’an’s expression remained calm, but he tightened his grip on the jade slip. “How can you send a wisp of consciousness to the Demon Realm?”
He would immediately contact Wei Mengrou if Huang Manting made any suspicious moves.
“It’s simple.”
However, Huang Manting didn’t attack. Instead, she leaned closer, her beautiful face inches from his.
Her rosy lips parted slightly, and she exhaled a sweet, pink mist.
“That’s all it takes,” she said with a sweet smile, looking at Mu Zhi’an, who had collapsed on the table.
…
Demon Realm.
This realm was unimaginably far from the Eastern Realm. Even for Core Formation cultivators, flying non-stop on their swords in a straight line would take at least five days.
Having absorbed the Primordial Demon Emperor’s essence, the Demon Realm Empress couldn’t easily leave the Northern Realm. A normal person would prioritize refining the essence and set aside the matter of Mu Zhi’an for now.
But the Demon Realm Empress was far from normal.
She couldn’t bring Mu Zhi’an to the Demon Realm. Doing so would be met with resistance.
However, she could easily bring a wisp of his consciousness here. A Dao Integration expert possessed unimaginable power.
And with a wisp of his consciousness, she could do many things…
Mu Zhi’an slowly opened his eyes.
An unfamiliar ceiling greeted him, as if mocking him: Hmph, unfamiliar human.
The hall was grand and spacious, three unfamiliar cultivators standing on either side.
Where am I…?
Mu Zhi’an pressed his hand against his forehead, feeling a sense of emptiness as he slowly stood up and looked around.
At the end of the hall was a golden throne adorned with snake heads, and upon it sat a breathtakingly beautiful woman in a luxurious dress.
Her figure was tall and alluring, her features exquisite, her eyes radiating authority, yet her aura was seductive and captivating.
Her voluptuous figure defied description.
“The Demon Realm Empress…?” Mu Zhi’an murmured, his gaze meeting her captivating eyes.
He stared at her, his mind filled with a single, giant question mark.
Holy crap, I woke up in the Demon Realm?!
“Leave us,” the Demon Realm Empress suddenly said.
She stood up from her throne, her seductive eyes fixed on Mu Zhi’an.
“I have some matters to discuss with him privately.”