Chapter 256: Mu Zhi’an’s True Harem Crisis p1 |
Boom!
A deafening thunderclap echoed through the Two Polarities Sect, awakening the meditating cultivators.
Many left their residences and looked up at the night sky, only to see a blinding light illuminating the heavens. Lightning flashed through the clouds, illuminating every face.
The Holy Maiden of the Xuanyin Temple, having recently arrived at the Two Polarities Sect, slowly opened her eyes upon hearing the thunder, which sounded like a cultivator undergoing a Heavenly Tribulation. She got up and opened the window.
A charcoal fire burned steadily in the fireplace, filling the room with a slightly stuffy air.
As the window opened, a refreshing breeze carrying the chill of the night entered the room.
Lin Keyu looked up, her beautiful porcelain-like face illuminated by the flickering candlelight. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly as she gazed at the illuminated sky.
Snowflakes drifted down from the heavens, and deep within the clouds, lightning flashed and roared.
She stretched lazily, her slender figure outlined by her thin white robe.
Lin Keyu looked up at the sky, her gaze fixed on the vast expanse of tribulation clouds.
“Is someone undergoing a Heavenly Tribulation…?” she murmured.
But even a tribulation couldn’t explain why the sky was as bright as day.
However… this had nothing to do with her.
Seemingly remembering something, she gently touched the storage ring on her finger. A beautiful, translucent necklace materialized.
The Aurora Necklace. It was crafted from Aurora Crystals and two other special Spirit Stones. It could help cultivators enter a meditative state quickly and even calm the mind when facing illusions or temptations.
“Miss, it’s so late. Are you planning to visit Young Master Mu at the Garden of Heavenly Harmony?”
A sweet voice suddenly came from behind her. Her childhood friend, a young maid, had approached her unnoticed and asked with a playful smile.
Lin Keyu turned her head, glanced at the maid’s smiling face, and immediately retorted, “I was just awakened by the thunder!”
The maid’s smile faded as she looked up at the rolling tribulation clouds in the sky. “Such a phenomenon… It doesn’t seem like something a Core Formation cultivator could trigger… Could it be a Nascent Soul expert?”
“If so, who could it be?”
Lin Keyu pondered for a moment. “We can find out easily.”
If she wanted to, she could sense who the tribulation was targeting. As long as they weren’t too far away, she could even pinpoint their location.
Lin Keyu closed her eyes, clasped her hands together in a prayer-like gesture, and looked up slightly.
The Spiritual Energy within her Vessel silently circulated. After a moment, she opened her eyes, her beautiful eyes as gentle and moist as ever.
However, her gaze was filled with uncertainty as she looked towards the Jade Glass Palace. “It’s there…?” she murmured.
The cultivators residing in the Jade Glass Palace were all new disciples. This phenomenon, however, seemed to be caused by at least a Nascent Soul expert.
Could it be that someone among those who joined the Two Polarities Sect less than six months ago had already reached the Nascent Soul Realm…?
The maid followed her gaze, thought for a moment, then said, “Are you talking about the Jade Glass Palace, Miss? If I remember correctly, Young Master Mu is also there.”
Lin Keyu froze.
“Weren’t you worried about how to approach Young Master Mu, Miss? This could be a good excuse,” the maid suggested.
“You mean…” Lin Keyu looked at her maid, her eyes wide.
“Such a commotion… We’re not the only ones who know the phenomenon originated from the Jade Glass Palace. Many cultivators will probably go there to investigate. We can join the crowd and you can give the necklace to your… sweetheart,” the maid winked playfully.
Lin Keyu’s eyes lit up, and she nodded slightly.
Then, realizing the mischievous glint in her maid’s eyes, she swatted her shoulder lightly and scolded, “What are you talking about? I’m just repaying his kindness!”
“I’ve never seen anyone repay kindness by daydreaming and giggling to themselves every day,” the maid chuckled. Before Lin Keyu could get angry, she ran off.
Lin Keyu fell silent, looking at the Aurora Necklace in her hand, then up at the Jade Glass Palace.
Finally, as if making up her mind, she formed a hand seal, summoned her flying sword, and transformed into a pink streak of light, heading towards the Jade Glass Palace.
Meanwhile, at the nine main peaks, the nine peak masters and over twenty elders stood before their respective peaks, their gazes fixed on the illuminated sky.
From the outside, it seemed like an ordinary Heavenly Tribulation, simply amplified due to the cultivator’s high cultivation level.
But it wasn’t a tribulation.
They didn’t know what it was, but the Sect Master’s words had given them a hint.
The sect’s grand formation had two functions. The first was a killing formation. Within this formation, no enemy could hide.
Even a Dao Integration cultivator as powerful as Shang Yanfei would be no match for it.
Within the Two Polarities Sect, the Sect Master was invincible.
The second function was to conceal Heavenly Secrets.
This was the most common function of the formation. The sect’s grand formation was divided into nine smaller formations, and the one within Heavenly Secrets Peak was responsible for concealing Heavenly Secrets.
The Sect Master had ordered them to activate the grand formation, temporarily isolating the Two Polarities Sect from the outside world… The reason was unknown.
However, they would carry out her orders without question.
…
Two Polarities Peak.
Lan Mulian gracefully landed before a pavilion on Two Polarities Peak, her moon-white dress fluttering in the night wind. Her aura was cold and aloof, her face veiled, as if she were accompanied by the moonlight.
“As Master instructed, the nine peak masters and twenty-seven elders have activated the formations of their respective peaks,” Lan Mulian reported.
Shang Yanfei glanced at her, a faint smile on her beautiful face. “Thank you for your hard work. Sit down and have some tea.”
Lan Mulian remained standing, her gaze fixed on her mysterious and intelligent master. “I just sensed that this celestial phenomenon isn’t related to breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm. And it originated from the Jade Glass Palace. Do you know the reason, Master?”
Shang Yanfei tapped her finger on the table, then picked up her teacup and took a sip.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s just a minor matter.”
Under Lan Mulian’s gaze, Shang Yanfei looked up at the fading white light as the sect’s grand formation activated. “At least, for now, it’s just a minor matter,” she said softly.
Lan Mulian stared at her for a few seconds, her lips parting slightly as if she wanted to say something.
However, Shang Yanfei suddenly chuckled. “If you’re worried about your junior brother, you can go see him directly. You don’t need to confirm his safety through me.”
Lan Mulian said coldly, “You’ve misunderstood, Master. He’s not even at the fourth-grade Core Formation Realm. This phenomenon has nothing to do with him.”
“Just because it’s not related to him doesn’t mean it won’t affect him,” Shang Yanfei said with a smile.
Lan Mulian’s eyes flickered, as if realizing something.
“However, you shouldn’t neglect your own cultivation.”
Shang Yanfei suddenly smiled. “Even if you participate in the Ascension Ceremony, you might not win, you know?”
…
Ye Lingxuan’s room was filled with a faint sandalwood fragrance, mixed with a sweet scent that quickened the heart.
Ye Lingxuan yawned softly, her delicate hand covering her rosy lips, her eyelashes fluttering.
She stretched lazily, the thin blanket slipping from her body, revealing her slender figure in a white robe. Her flushed cheeks, usually radiating innocence, now held a captivating allure.
Her long, flowing hair was slightly disheveled, and her fair neck formed a graceful curve.
“Your aura feels different. Is your inheritance complete?”
Mu Zhi’an reached out to embrace her waist, but Ye Lingxuan was no longer languid. Her face flushed, she instinctively curled her legs and glanced at him. “Brother Mu, after that commotion, we can’t… do anything now.”
The celestial phenomenon had originated from above Dexin Courtyard. Ordinary cultivators might not notice, but those who knew Mu Zhi’an and Ye Lingxuan, especially those aware of her identity as the Reincarnated Empress, might suspect something.
“You’re misunderstanding me, Lingxuan. I just wanted to hug you. Nothing more,” Mu Zhi’an defended himself.
Ye Lingxuan scoffed. “You said the same thing when you entered my room tonight, Brother Mu. And then…?”
“That’s because you’re too charming, Lingxuan. It’s not my fault,” Mu Zhi’an said helplessly.
He wrapped his arms around her waist, feeling the warmth of her skin through her thin robe.
“So it’s my fault?” Ye Lingxuan glanced at him sideways.
“It’s not your fault. It’s your damn charm!” Mu Zhi’an said solemnly, his hand slowly moving upwards.
Ye Lingxuan immediately reacted, swatting his hand away, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Mu Zhi’an clenched his hand, seemingly unsatisfied.
Well… although they weren’t very big, there would be plenty of opportunities in the future.
After this first time, it might not be him initiating the intimacy anymore.
Noticing her annoyed expression, Mu Zhi’an thought for a moment, then said, “Don’t worry, Lingxuan. I can help you achieve your dreams with my hands.”
Ye Lingxuan was stunned for a moment, then she followed his gaze, which was fixed on her chest. Realizing what he meant, she exclaimed, “You pervert! Get out!”
She pushed him lightly, as if trying to push him off the bed.
This girl is turning on me after dual cultivation… Mu Zhi’an raised an eyebrow, pulled her into his embrace, and gently poked her waist with his finger.
“Ah~”
Ye Lingxuan’s body trembled as she struggled to break free from his embrace, but she couldn’t escape the grasp of a fourth-grade Core Formation cultivator. “S-stop it! Let’s go outside and see what’s happening! Aren’t you afraid Sister Ruoxi will come looking for you, Brother Mu?”
She had to resort to using Bai Ruoxi’s name to make him behave.
Mu Zhi’an chuckled and released her.
I’ve said it before, I’ll have to give this little girl a good spanking sooner or later. It seems tonight’s lesson was quite effective.
So what if she’s the Reincarnated Empress?
After spending some more time playfully teasing Ye Lingxuan in her room, watching her flushed face and slightly labored breathing, Mu Zhi’an finally decided to leave. “Lingxuan, it’s getting late. You should rest.”
The celestial phenomenon tonight was undoubtedly caused by Ye Lingxuan. Such a commotion naturally made Mu Zhi’an uneasy.
After all, any cultivator could sense it, let alone Bai Ruoxi and Senior Sister…
He had to be careful and not get carried away…
Despite her earlier complaints about his teasing, when he mentioned leaving, Ye Lingxuan seemed reluctant. She looked up at him immediately.
“I’ll see you off,” she said softly.
“There’s no need. Rest well and focus on refining that Dao Rhyme,” Mu Zhi’an declined politely.
However, Ye Lingxuan was insistent on seeing him off.
Seeing her determination, Mu Zhi’an nodded. “I’ll wait for you to change.”
Ye Lingxuan was a stubborn girl. Despite her gentle demeanor and affectionate words, once she set her mind on something, she wouldn’t change her decision.
However, it wasn’t a long distance from here to the Garden of Heavenly Harmony, so waiting for her wasn’t a problem.