Even though Mu Zhi’an was currently in ‘sage mode’, he couldn’t help but feel his heart stir as he looked at his maid’s alluring figure.


    Her long hair cascaded down her back, her yellow dress clinging to her curves, her delicate feet adorned with embroidered shoes.


    Her long, slender legs, visible beneath her skirt, and her cold and aloof demeanor only added to her charm.


    Wei Mengrou, ignoring his gaze, leaned closer, her rosy lips brushing against his ear.


    “Do you really think it’s fine to ask me for help?” she whispered.


    Mu Zhi’an looked up at her. Her eyes held a hint of displeasure. “Even I get jealous,” she said softly.


    Before he could react, she was gone, disappearing like a phantom and leaving only her voice echoing in the room.


    “Don’t let this happen again.”


    Mu Zhi’an snapped out of his daze as she left.


    It seems I’ll have to buy my own fragrant balm in Tianxuan City next time… he thought to himself.


    She was more than just his maid now…


    After waiting in his study for a while, he saw Wei Mengrou toss him a box of pink fragrant balm.


    Then, she turned to leave.


    But before she left, she hesitated and glanced at him. “Where are you going? Do you need me to accompany you?”


    Mu Zhi’an shook his head. “You can stay here and cultivate, Mengrou. I’m not leaving the sect. I just have something to discuss with Senior Sister.”


    Among the people he knew, only the Demon Realm Empress understood the Heavenly Phoenix Manual.


    However, they were master and subordinate. He had just asked for her help, and asking her again for a personal matter seemed impolite… and might even annoy her.


    Besides the Demon Realm Empress, the only other person he could ask was Lan Mulian.


    The Sacred Heavenly Body could perceive the essence of all things, including cultivation techniques and Heavenly Tribulations. Lan Mulian had been able to suppress her tribulation multiple times and break through to the Nascent Soul Realm because of this special constitution.


    Perhaps she could unravel the secrets of the Heavenly Phoenix Manual.


    After waiting for about fifteen minutes, Mu Zhi’an saw a paper crane flying towards him. He opened it and saw her reply.


    One simple word.


    “Alright.”


    …


    Two Polarities Peak.


    As Mu Zhi’an arrived, he saw a tall, slender figure standing in the air, her white dress and long, dark hair billowing in the wind.


    She wore a moon-white dress that accentuated her well-proportioned figure. Unlike Bai Ruoxi’s delicate and frail appearance, Lan Mulian’s beauty was more athletic and toned.


    Even Mu Zhi’an couldn’t help but admire her.


    Perhaps because it was late at night, she wasn’t wearing her veil. Her hair danced in the wind, framing her beautiful face as she looked up at him with a faint smile. “You have time to visit me? It seems you’re quite free today.”


    Why does she sound sarcastic…? Mu Zhi’an pretended not to notice and chuckled. “I’ve been cultivating diligently. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have reached the fourth-grade Core Formation Realm so quickly…”


    He sighed softly. “It’s a shame I was punished by the Heavenly Tribulation in the Martial Realm. Otherwise, I might have reached the fifth-grade by now.”


    The wind pressed Lan Mulian’s dress against her alluring figure. Seeing his seemingly dejected expression, her cold eyes softened slightly. “Come in,” she said.


    Despite knowing he was exaggerating, her compassion prevailed.


    The snow that had been falling for days had finally stopped, but the biting wind was still chilling.


    Mu Zhi’an followed her on his sword, watching the elegant figure before him. He took off his jacket, caught up to her, and placed it around her shoulders.


    Lan Mulian’s body stiffened slightly at the sudden warmth. She instinctively touched the jacket, glanced at Mu Zhi’an, who was now dressed only in a thin robe, and said, “I’m not afraid of the cold, Junior Brother Mu. You can have it back.”


    She was about to take it off.


    But Mu Zhi’an placed a hand on hers, enjoying the cool, soft touch of her skin.


    He looked up at the beautiful woman, admired by countless disciples, and said softly, “There’s not much I can do for you, Senior Sister. Cultivators aren’t afraid of the cold, but please accept this as a token of my… concern.”


    Cultivators at the Core Formation Realm and above weren’t affected by the cold… But this jacket could warm her heart. Sёar?h the N?vel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Lan Mulian’s eyes held a faint smile as she looked at him. “How many girls have you deceived with this trick, Junior Brother Mu?”


    “And next time, remember to remove the scent of other women from your body before saying such things,” she added coldly.


    “Scent?”


    Mu Zhi’an looked at her clear, cold eyes, then realization dawned upon him. He took out a box of fragrant balm from his storage ring. “Are you referring to this, Senior Sister?”


    Lan Mulian’s eyes narrowed. “This is…”


    “I obtained this fragrant balm a while ago. I thought I should… prepare myself before visiting you, Senior Sister,” Mu Zhi’an said, handing her the box.


    “I’ve used some of it, but if you don’t mind… please accept it.”


    “It might not be useful for cultivation, but it can enhance a woman’s charm.”


    Lan Mulian’s eyes flickered as she looked at him, then she accepted the balm.


    Seeing this, Mu Zhi’an relaxed.


    He had sensed her displeasure earlier and had initially thought it was because he hadn’t written to her recently, but it turned out to be because of the scent on him.


    This seemingly cold and aloof woman was actually quite possessive, like a domineering CEO. If they weren’t separated by that thin sheet of paper, he might be completely under her control.


    Thanks to his two gifts, Lan Mulian’s attitude towards him had softened considerably. They arrived at a secluded courtyard.


    The courtyard was decorated elegantly, its atmosphere calm and serene. Mu Zhi’an sat down at a table as she gestured, then he looked around. “This place is quiet and peaceful. Don’t you find it a bit too lonely living here alone, Senior Sister?”


    Lan Mulian put away the fragrant balm and smiled faintly. “Feiying visits occasionally, and Master often comes here to play Go with me.”


    “And you’ve also been writing to me frequently,” she added, her tone slightly colder.


    Although she hadn’t expressed her dissatisfaction openly, her words and actions clearly showed that she was displeased with his recent neglect.


    “I apologize… But a lot has happened recently, and the Ascension Ceremony is a major event. I wanted to focus on improving my strength,” Mu Zhi’an explained.


    He paused, then sighed. “I’ll have more free time after the Ascension Ceremony.”


    Lan Mulian’s expression remained unchanged. “You came to see me today also because of the Ascension Ceremony, right?”


    Mu Zhi’an shook his head. “It’s also because I haven’t seen you in a while, Senior Sister.”


    He looked at her, his gaze lingering on her ample bosom.


    This time, he was being sincere.


    Seeing Lan Mulian today, he had missed her. He had also come here wanting to reconnect with her.


    Lan Mulian scoffed. “You only remember me when you need something.”


    It seems Senior Sister is jealous. Should I be happy about this…? Mu Zhi’an looked at her in surprise, then quickly said, “I’ll have more free time after the Ascension Ceremony. We can continue exchanging letters then.”


    I swear I’ll do anything for you, Senior Sister! Even if it means becoming your loyal dog…


    Lan Mulian’s expression softened slightly, and she nodded.


    Then, as if sensing his gaze, she said calmly, “Exchanging letters is secondary. I’ve considered the matter you mentioned in your letter.”


    Senior Sister’s way of changing the subject is so blunt… Mu Zhi’an didn’t comment and waited for her to continue.


    “Logically, someone like the Primordial Demon Emperor wouldn’t bother passing down the Heavenly Phoenix Manual…” Lan Mulian’s cold eyes met his. “The fact that you obtained his ring is strange.”


    “If I were him, you wouldn’t even have seen it. I would have destroyed it.”


    Mu Zhi’an nodded silently.


    Senior Sister and I are truly on the same wavelength. As expected of my wife…


    Why would the Primordial Demon Emperor leave behind a ring containing the Heavenly Phoenix Manual?


    He had already mastered it. If he destroyed it, wouldn’t he be the only one who knew the technique?


    A Dao Integration expert was incredibly difficult to kill, especially one with nine lives like him.


    Then, what was his purpose for leaving it behind?


    “Let me see the ring,” Lan Mulian said.


    Mu Zhi’an handed it to her.


    He had sought Lan Mulian’s help not because he was desperate, but because she possessed the Sacred Heavenly Body, which allowed her to perceive the essence of all things, even dissect and analyze them.


    As she held the ring in her hand, Lan Mulian closed her eyes, peering into its true nature.


    Fifteen minutes passed by.


    Mu Zhi’an waited patiently, his gaze fixed on the ring in her hand, but his eyes couldn’t help but wander towards her ample bosom, straining against the fabric of her white dress, her skin fair and smooth in the candlelight.


    She was one of the few who could rival Ruoxi in… size.


    After a while, Lan Mulian’s long eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.


    “How is it, Senior Sister?” Mu Zhi’an asked immediately.


    Lan Mulian opened her mouth, about to speak.


    Boom!


    Suddenly, the ground shook violently.


    Mu Zhi’an’s gaze shifted to the ring in her hand. It was glowing with an unprecedented bright white light!


    He instantly realized something.


    …There was definitely something unusual about this ring!