NOVPUBA heavy silence filled the hall. Countless gazes were fixed on Mu Zhi’an, their minds reeling from the Jade Empress’s words.
The wind rustled through the trees, snowflakes drifting down from the branches.
After a long moment, whispers erupted among the crowd.
These weren’t ordinary cultivators, but members of the Eastern Realm’s Primordial Clans, many of whom had been present at the Jade Pool when she reconstructed her immortal body. They had all heard about how Mu Zhi’an had saved her life.
Many had envied his luck.
To have earned the gratitude of a Dao Integration expert… How lucky was he?
It would be worth it even if he used up all his luck for this lifetime.
After all, she was an Empress, a powerful being. With her protection, there would be nowhere in the world he couldn’t go.
Even if she didn’t actively protect him, as long as she lived, no one would dare to offend Mu Zhi’an, no matter how powerful they were. They would have to think twice before antagonizing a Dao Integration Empress for a mere Core Formation cultivator.
However, now…
They had thought the Jade Empress was simply grateful to Mu Zhi’an… They hadn’t expected him to win her heart.
Not only was she protecting him, but she had openly declared him to be her Dao Companion.
The sound of countless hearts breaking echoed through the Ascension Stage as the cultivators looked at Mu Zhi’an, their eyes filled with a mix of emotions.
Mostly envy and jealousy.
Even Mu Zhi’an’s popularity within the sect couldn’t save him now.
After all, even disregarding her strength, the title ‘Jade Empress of the Jade Pool Holy Land’ alone was enough to make her the object of countless cultivators’ admiration.
She was the Innate Dao Body, possessed unparalleled strength, and had an ethereal beauty and untainted aura… She was the perfect woman.
Imagine, having such a fairy-like Dao Companion by your side, seeing her blush like a young girl when you’re intimate, or hearing her soft moans in bed…
Her only flaw was her… peculiar hobby of cuckolding others…
Before awakening this hobby, she had been the perfect dream lover for countless cultivators.
Of course, even this ‘flaw’ wasn’t really a flaw to some…
Her simple declaration had ignited a firestorm of jealousy within the Ascension Stage.
If it weren’t for the occasion, and the Jade Empress’s presence, many would have already challenged Mu Zhi’an to a duel.
Even his popularity within the sect couldn’t withstand the impact of her words.
They were all still cultivating, striving to reach Dao Integration, yet Mu Zhi’an had secretly won over the Jade Empress.
He was probably already ‘ascending’ to the Dao Integration Realm every night…
The thought alone was unbearable.
Meanwhile, Ye Qingxin finally snapped out of her daze.
Her black and red dress accentuated her alluring curves, her long hair cascading down her back, her red eyes burning like embers as she looked at Yao Meng.
“There’s only been one recorded instance of a Jade Pool Holy Maiden taking a Dao Companion. I didn’t expect… you would be the second, Fairy Yao Meng,” Ye Qingxin said slowly.
Even she found it hard to believe, even absurd.
The Jade Empress had countless admirers, her beauty and unique constitution attracting many.
And someone like her naturally had high standards. She had seen countless geniuses.
Yet, she had chosen a young man, barely twenty years old, as her Dao Companion…?
If this news spread, Mu Zhi’an’s name would be known throughout the Nine Realms within a week.
Ye Qingxin looked at Yao Meng’s calm smile and fell silent.
With the Jade Empress’s intervention, she couldn’t force Mu Zhi’an to do anything… Although she hadn’t intended to make things difficult for him, she had wanted to fulfill her descendant’s wish and have a fair competition with Mu Zhi’an.
“You had countless admirers, yet you never chose any of them… And now you’ve chosen this young friend Mu. What do you see in him?” Ye Qingxin finally asked, unable to contain her curiosity.
At the same time, some of the cultivators below looked up, a flicker of hope in their eyes.
Perhaps the Jade Empress wasn’t truly Mu Zhi’an’s Dao Companion. Maybe she was just using it as an excuse to protect him…?
However, the fairy simply smiled and said calmly, “Matters of the heart aren’t always a choice. Sometimes, you just… realize you’ve fallen in love.”
Her voice, like a celestial melody, seemed to possess a magical power, capable of swaying hearts.
“If I have to say something specific… I love everything about him.”
Her gaze softened as she looked at Mu Zhi’an.
The cultivators’ gazes also shifted to him, their eyes filled with envy, wanting to take his place.
Ye Yu’s fists clenched tightly, his nails digging into his palms, his gaze fixed on Mu Zhi’an, his jealousy uncontainable.
They were both at the Core Formation Realm, and his luck was even greater than Mu Zhi’an’s. Why was the Jade Empress favoring him?! She had even openly declared him to be her Dao Companion…
Not only Ye Yu, but many other young cultivators were also devastated.
Even Mu Zhi’an was heartbroken.
However, his heartbreak was of a different kind. He was on the verge of tears.
Clearly, Ye Lingxuan’s earlier provocation hadn’t gone unnoticed by Yao Meng. And although this fairy seemed kind and gentle, she was actually quite vindictive. By openly acknowledging their relationship, she was retaliating against Ye Lingxuan.
Now the entire Nine Realms would know that she and Mu Zhi’an were Dao Companions… He didn’t even know how to deal with the aftermath of this, let alone the mountain of challenge letters he would receive…
It was a tradition within the Two Polarities Sect for disciples to challenge each other. He could refuse, but if he kept refusing, they would keep challenging him… It would be a never-ending cycle. 𝑛𝘰𝘷𝑝𝘶𝑏.𝑐𝘰𝘮
After all, if they saw him as an easy target, they would all want a piece of him.
Suddenly, feeling a burning gaze upon him, Mu Zhi’an turned his head slightly.
Bai Ruoxi’s eyes were filled with sadness, but her gaze was also gentle and loving.
Lan Mulian’s expression didn’t change much, but the goodwill he had earned with the fragrant balm had probably vanished.
Wei Mengrou was the calmest. She observed the scene with indifference, then, noticing his gaze, she glared at him coldly and looked away.
She had known about his relationship with Yao Meng for a long time. She had even heard the fairy’s seductive moans coming from his room more than once.
She hadn’t cared before, but now that their own relationship was… ambiguous, only she knew her true feelings.
Ye Qian lowered her head, her cheeks flushed, remembering what her master had told her earlier.
Ye Qingxin, after a moment of silence, finally spoke, breaking the awkward silence. “Since you and young friend Mu are Dao Companions, Fairy Yao Meng, you must also be aware of the… conflict between him and my descendant, right?”
“I’ve already said, it’s his decision,” Yao Meng replied calmly, smiling faintly.
“It’s best if neither of us interferes in their matters.”
Ye Qingxin raised an eyebrow. Yao Meng’s stance was clear.
She was on Mu Zhi’an’s side, no matter what.
This is troublesome…
Suddenly, Ye Yu cupped his fists respectfully. “Senior Jade Empress, I’ve had a grudge against Mu Zhi’an since we were in Tianxuan City. I’m not asking my ancestor to use her influence, but I want a fair duel with him.”
“He manipulated my fiancée into breaking off our engagement and even sowed discord between me and my two younger sisters… Such actions are unforgivable.”
He looked at Mu Zhi’an, his voice cold. “Mu Zhi’an, if you’re a man, step out from behind the Jade Empress and face me!”
Mu Zhi’an couldn’t help but chuckle. “You were the one who started the conflict. Why are you acting like I’m the villain?”
Ye Yu retorted angrily, “How dare you say that?! Bai Ruoxi’s matter could be considered her pursuing her own happiness, but Lingxuan and Qian’er… You manipulated them—”
However, before he could finish speaking, Ye Lingxuan interrupted him calmly. “You’re misunderstanding, Brother Ye Yu. Neither Qian’er nor I were manipulated by Brother Mu. Our relationship with you isn’t that deep.”
Although she was displeased with Yao Meng’s earlier declaration, she still sided with Mu Zhi’an.
Ye Qingxin looked at Ye Lingxuan, her eyes filled with surprise. “You’re Ye Ning’s daughter?”
Ye Lingxuan nodded politely. “Although I don’t know what Brother Ye Yu told you, my relationship with Brother Mu wasn’t based on manipulation… Qian’er and I made our own decisions.”
Her words were a clear declaration of her stance.
Even Ye Qingxin was speechless.
Regardless of Mu Zhi’an’s past actions, it seemed both Ye Qian and Ye Lingxuan genuinely cared for him… It was her own descendant who was now the unreasonable one.
And with the Jade Empress’s support…
It seemed Mu Zhi’an wasn’t the useless playboy Ye Yu had made him out to be.
After all, the Jade Empress wouldn’t choose just anyone.
She couldn’t possibly have chosen Mu Zhi’an just because she liked younger men, right?
Even if that was part of the reason, it must also be because she recognized his talent and abilities.
After a moment of silence, Ye Qingxin raised her hand, and a sword with dark gold engravings appeared in her palm.
An elder in the crowd instantly recognized it and exclaimed, “A first-grade Artifact Spirit?!”
Ye Qingxin looked at the crowd, her voice calm and melodious. “I obtained this in the Heavenly Court. It’s a first-grade sword, imbued with the soul of a Sword Emperor. Refining it will make you invincible among your peers.”
“I’ll place it within the Celestial Realm. If anyone can pass its trial, they can have this sword.”
The cultivators gasped, their eyes lighting up with desire.
A first-grade Artifact Spirit was comparable to a Primordial Clan’s ancestral artifact. And Ye Qingxin’s words meant that everyone had a chance to obtain it. They just had to pass the trial…
The young cultivators were filled with excitement.
Ye Qingxin’s gaze shifted to Yao Meng. “Do you think this is enough to show my sincerity, Fairy Yao Meng?” she asked with a smile.
However, Yao Meng’s expression remained calm. “It’s his decision. I won’t interfere,” she said with a smile.
However, she looked at Ye Qingxin intently.
Ye Qingxin had presented a first-grade Artifact Spirit as a reward in front of everyone. If Mu Zhi’an refused, she wouldn’t say anything, but others would surely gossip about it.
After all, he was the Jade Empress’s Dao Companion. He could refuse Ye Yu’s challenge because he wasn’t interested.
But a first-grade Artifact Spirit… even a Dao Integration expert wouldn’t refuse such a treasure.
After all, it was incredibly difficult to refine, and the required materials were rare, even for Dao Integration experts.
Besides, knowing Mu Zhi’an, he wouldn’t refuse this invitation…
Countless gazes fell upon Mu Zhi’an.
Ye Yu also stared at him intently.
For some reason, he suddenly regretted pushing Mu Zhi’an so hard.
Even though he was confident in his abilities, he didn’t want to gamble with a first-grade Artifact Spirit… If Mu Zhi’an passed the trial, wouldn’t it be a waste?
Yao Meng truly understood Mu Zhi’an. Although he was usually tactful, he also had his pride. And he wouldn’t give up a first-grade Artifact Spirit.
Under their gazes, Mu Zhi’an cupped his fists respectfully and smiled. “Since you’re so generous, Senior, I’ll accept your offer.”
A first-grade Artifact Spirit… This Ye family ancestor probably only had this one, yet she was offering it as a reward… He had to try.
Besides, this was also a chance to weaken Ye Yu’s luck.
He might be the Child of Destiny, but he was also her chosen one.
And most importantly… ever since Yao Meng’s declaration and ‘proclamation of ownership’, he had been feeling incredibly uncomfortable under the gazes of Lan Mulian and the others.
Ye Qingxin smiled faintly and raised her finger, and the small box containing the Celestial Realm emitted a faint glow.
“Then please, young friend Mu.”
Offering a first-grade Artifact Spirit as a reward might seem unbelievable to these cultivators, but Ye Qingxin was absolutely confident.
She was confident that no one could pass the final trial.
This Celestial Realm was simply a venue for the duel between Mu Zhi’an and Ye Yu.
As for the trial within… no one could pass it.
Not even her.
The Heavenly Court within this Celestial Realm was just an imitation, but the gate within it… led to the true Heavenly Court!
