The news of the Jade Empress overcoming her Primordial Spirit Tribulation spread throughout the sect that day.


    Some elders and peak masters noticed something unusual.


    It was understandable. After all, several peak masters and elders had entered seclusion to cultivate on the same day. It was hard not to notice.


    However, they couldn’t figure out why the Jade Empress had only bestowed her enlightenment upon a select few.


    Meanwhile, the Enforcement Hall had sent people to Tianxuan City to secretly monitor the situation, waiting for the prey to take the bait.


    Mu Zhi’an was unaware of the events unfolding outside the sect. He had just returned to the Garden of Heavenly Harmony and was greeted by Bai Ruoxi, her ample bosom surpassing all the other girls. She was dressed in a form-fitting white palace dress adorned with beautiful red plum blossoms, highlighting her fair skin.


    Delicate ornaments adorned her hair, and her beautiful face seemed to glow in the sunlight.


    Bai Ruoxi poured tea for Mu Zhi’an and the Jade Empress, smiling. “Senior Jade Empress, has your Primordial Spirit Tribulation ended?”


    She seemed completely oblivious to the relationship between Mu Zhi’an and the Jade Empress.


    The Jade Empress sat down in the courtyard and nodded with a smile. “The tribulation has ended, but I might need to enter seclusion again in a few days.”


    Although her Vessel had been condensed, she was a Dao Integration cultivator. Replenishing her Vessel’s Spiritual Energy wouldn’t happen overnight.


    Unless she directly converted a large number of living beings into essence.


    But naturally, the Jade Empress wouldn’t consider such a method. Instead, she had chosen another approach – a gradual process.


    She would enter seclusion within Mu Zhi’an’s body for a while. Absorbing Spiritual Energy within his Innate Celestial Furnace would be much more efficient than doing so in the outside world.


    “Are you entering seclusion again, Empress?” Mu Zhi’an asked in surprise.


    I haven’t even fully enjoyed her body yet, and she’s already planning to enter seclusion…?


    The Jade Empress nodded slightly. “I’ve reinforced the seal in the Pilgrimage Palace after my tribulation. Even Nascent Soul cultivators can’t enter now. I’ll use this time to recover my Spiritual Energy and prepare to eliminate the Primordial Demon Emperor.”


    “What if he uses all his strength to break free from the seal and escape…?” Bai Ruoxi asked worriedly.


    The Jade Empress raised an eyebrow, her melodious voice ringing out, “With the Pure World Azure Lotus and the Spiritual Energy absorbed by the vines, the Primordial Demon Emperor can’t escape the Pilgrimage Palace. Unless he truly intends to burn his essence and fight to the death… But as long as there’s a glimmer of hope, he won’t do that.”


    Burning one’s essence meant converting their life force into Spiritual Energy. Once they did that, there was no turning back… The Primordial Demon Emperor was ambitious; as long as there was a chance of survival, he wouldn’t choose to self-destruct.


    “The Empress’s vines are indeed reliable. They’re quite effective…” Mu Zhi’an, who had experienced them firsthand, said with a strange feeling.


    The mention of vines brought back memories of his unforgettable experience in the Jade Pool Ancestral Land.


    He never thought there would be a woman he couldn’t conquer… Dao Integration was truly on another level. His Core Formation body wasn’t enough to suppress her.


    Those few days in the Jade Pool Ancestral Land had left him slightly traumatized.


    However, despite the trauma, he wouldn’t refuse another dual cultivation session with her.


    Perhaps it was an acquired taste.


    After chatting for a while, the Jade Empress smiled and took out a translucent pill, handing it to Bai Ruoxi.


    “Lady Bai, consider this a small token of appreciation for our first meeting.”


    Bai Ruoxi was stunned. “What is this…?”


    The Jade Empress smiled faintly. “It’s the Heaven Mending Pill.”


    “Its effect is simple. After you reach the Nascent Soul Realm, it will increase your chances of breaking through to the Dao Integration Realm. In addition, you might even comprehend a trace of Dao at the Core Formation Realm.”


    For Core Formation cultivators, their foundation determined their strength, and a trace of Dao韵 could often be the deciding factor in a battle. Bai Ruoxi understood the value of the Heaven Mending Pill.


    She hesitated. “I can’t accept such a precious gift…”


    “There’s no need to be so polite between us. Take it.”


    The Jade Empress smiled. “After all, I’ve caused you and young friend Mu quite a bit of trouble recently.”


    Seeing her insistence, Bai Ruoxi accepted the gift.


    They chatted for a while longer. Bai Ruoxi couldn’t help but admire the Jade Empress. She was not only knowledgeable but also incredibly powerful, capable of answering any questions about cultivation. She was truly admirable.


    However, she couldn’t help but notice the strange glint in the Empress’s eyes whenever she looked at Mu Zhi’an…


    “I need to visit my disciple. It might take some time, but I’ll be back later.”


    She had returned to the Dao Integration Realm, but Ye Qian’s inheritance was only halfway complete. The Ascension Ceremony was in half a month, and it would be best for Ye Qian to fully inherit the Jade Empress’s legacy before then.


    Mu Zhi’an’s eyes held a thoughtful glint as he took out a Heaven Mending Pill from his storage ring.


    This was the pill he had obtained from the Jade Empress after she overcame her physical tribulation. He had originally planned to give it to Ye Lingxuan, but she had angrily refused, feeling insulted.


    However, if the outside world knew they could obtain a Heaven Mending Pill by being insulted, countless people would be lining up for the opportunity.


    Ye Lingxuan had refused in a fit of anger, but now that she had calmed down, she should be able to accept it.


    I’ll find time to visit Lingxuan tonight or tomorrow… Sёar?h the novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But that was a matter for later. Now… he had more important things to do.


    Mu Zhi’an’s gaze returned to Bai Ruoxi, who was also looking at him, her eyes sparkling with affection and a hint of resentment.


    Despite Wei Mengrou’s presence, Mu Zhi’an boldly took Bai Ruoxi’s hand and smiled. “Ruoxi, have you missed me?”


    “What about you?” she countered.


    “Of course, I’ve been thinking about you every day since I left the sect.” Mu Zhi’an pressed down on the Heart-Binding Lock that had emerged from Bai Ruoxi’s sleeve and said softly, “Let’s go back to our room.”


    His eyes seemed to be filled with love.


    “What are you talking about? We can’t do that in broad daylight…” Bai Ruoxi blushed and gently pushed him away.


    “The Ascension Ceremony is approaching. How can we, as cultivators, be idle? Ruoxi, for you, and for the sect, this is necessary effort,” Mu Zhi’an said solemnly, planning to appease the ‘fish’ in his pond while the others were away.


    Bai Ruoxi scoffed and glanced at him. “Why don’t you tell that to your Lingxuan? I’m going to refine the Heaven Mending Pill.”


    She ignored Mu Zhi’an and turned to leave, giving him only a glimpse of her graceful figure.


    Mu Zhi’an fell into deep thought.


    It seems I haven’t disciplined Ruoxi enough lately. She’s getting a bit too bold… I’ll have to suppress her tonight!


    “Aren’t you going after her?” Wei Mengrou’s cold voice came from beside him.


    Mu Zhi’an shook his head and smiled. “There’s no rush. Cultivation comes first. I’ll deal with her after she refines the Heaven Mending Pill.”


    Then, he changed the subject. “By the way, Mengrou, are you ready to fulfill our bet?”


    The maid raised her chin proudly and glanced at him. “We’ll talk after you win.”


    She paused, then continued, “Are you really that confident?”


    Her voice held a hint of unease.


    Although she appeared calm and collected, seeing her young master’s confidence made her slightly anxious.


    Mu Zhi’an smiled and poured her a cup of tea.


    “Sometimes, waiting patiently is much more effective than acting rashly.”


    Wei Mengrou hesitated. “If you win, what are you going to do…?”


    Mu Zhi’an didn’t answer. He looked up at the weak winter sun and smiled.


    “Mengrou, the weather is getting colder. It’s time to change into warmer clothes and socks.”