Ye Yu’s face was contorted with rage.


    He had intended to provoke Mu Zhi’an, but he had been the one provoked instead.


    He hadn’t expected Mu Zhi’an to use the same tactic against him.


    And it was incredibly effective.


    After all, his feelings for his ancestor weren’t simply respect, but something… more.


    Hearing Mu Zhi’an’s words, combined with his past grievances, made his anger explode.


    “Die—!”


    Red runes, like a halo, flickered beneath Ye Yu’s feet, forming a massive formation.


    A second-grade formation, the Blazing Flame Formation!


    The cultivators were shocked. They hadn’t expected Ye Yu to be a formation master as well as an alchemist!


    A wave of scorching flames, accompanied by a surge of Spiritual Energy, rushed towards Mu Zhi’an.


    Ye Yu had snapped.


    Thinking of Bai Ruoxi and the others, and the fact that everything he should have possessed—the beauties, the cultivation techniques, the treasures—was now Mu Zhi’an’s, he had unleashed his newly learned second-grade formation.


    Unfortunately for him, it was all within Mu Zhi’an’s calculations.


    “How boring.”


    Mu Zhi’an’s dismissive words stunned Ye Yu.


    He was surrounded by the Blazing Flame Formation, yet he seemed completely unfazed?


    Then, Mu Zhi’an’s eyes snapped open, and a surge of Spiritual Energy, black and gold, erupted from him, expanding outwards.


    It was also a second-grade formation, the Hundred Birds Formation Yan Ruyu had given him!


    Phoenix cries echoed through the Celestial Realm as black and gold birds, wreathed in black flames, danced in the sky, the ground trembling beneath them. Sear?h the novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Hundred Birds Formation was originally golden, but it was now tinged with the mysterious black flames of the Heavenly Phoenix Manual.


    On the Ascension Stage, Ye Qingxin’s eyes flickered as she looked up at the mirror, staring at the black flames, a strange sense of familiarity washing over her.


    Yao Meng, however, narrowed her eyes, instantly recognizing the flames’ origin.


    —The Heavenly Phoenix Manual.


    Strange black runes flickered behind Mu Zhi’an, their aura so powerful that even cultivators at the same level felt a chill run down their spine.


    Although both were second-grade formations, Mu Zhi’an’s was clearly superior.


    Boom!


    The birds in the sky wove a net of black and gold threads, binding the Blazing Flame Formation.


    The threads tightened, and the formation shattered, scattering sparks.


    A cold glint flickered in Ye Yu’s eyes as runes appeared on his palms.


    Another second-grade technique!


    However, Mu Zhi’an simply sighed, seemingly losing interest.


    He took a step forward, and the space around him vibrated violently. A dark gold blade silently appeared behind him.


    The Heaven-Asking Lock!


    His Spiritual Energy surged into the sword, and the world turned gray.


    Time stopped.


    Mu Zhi’an raised his hand, and the Heaven-Asking Lock transformed into a blade of pure energy, radiating an immense pressure, and shot towards Ye Yu.


    Two seconds later, time resumed its flow.


    There were many ways to defeat Ye Yu, but Mu Zhi’an had chosen the most direct and brutal method.


    Even the elders on the Ascension Stage paled, their hearts filled with shock.


    “Even a cultivator at the initial stage of the Nascent Soul Realm wouldn’t be able to withstand that attack,” Ning Yuan, the Drunken Dream Peak Master, murmured, his expression grim.


    By the time Ye Yu looked up, the Heaven-Asking Lock was already before him.


    If he were an ordinary cultivator, he would be filled with despair.


    Boom!


    The attack struck him squarely, and he coughed up blood, his face pale.


    However, a cold smile appeared on his lips.


    Faint black flames flickered behind him.


    Then, his wounds began to heal at an astonishing speed, his body regenerating.


    And his depleted Spiritual Energy was instantly replenished!


    Luo Tan, watching the scene with interest, chuckled. “Heavenly Dao Energy?”


    Although invisible to ordinary eyes, she could sense it within the red runes flickering behind Ye Yu.


    The Heavenly Dao Energy had granted him the ability to reset his own time.


    However, this put Mu Zhi’an at a disadvantage…


    Having used the Heaven-Asking Lock, with his current Spiritual Energy, could he continue fighting?


    Luo Tan’s gaze was fixed on the mirror, and seeing Mu Zhi’an’s calm and composed expression, her usual playful smile was replaced by a thoughtful glint.


    Was he bluffing, or… had he anticipated this and still used the Heaven-Asking Lock?


    Crack.


    Ye Yu stretched his arms, as if showing off his power.


    Mu Zhi’an observed him with interest.


    The Heavenly Phoenix Manual?


    No, it’s different. It’s not regeneration, but a complete reset.


    As if reading his thoughts, Ye Yu sneered. “I know you’re proud of that Heaven-Asking Lock your ancestor gave you, but after that attack, do you still have the strength to fight?”


    “If you weren’t so arrogant, I might not have been able to win,” he added.


    “So you can only use that ability once?” Mu Zhi’an chuckled, understanding his implication.


    Although he appeared weak, his smile was filled with confidence.


    And this confidence made Ye Yu uneasy.


    “Stop bluffing!”


    Ye Yu snorted, and a third-grade flying sword appeared behind him, splitting into nine blades, their sharp edges glinting as they shot towards Mu Zhi’an.


    “Ignorance is bliss,” Mu Zhi’an said calmly.


    He snapped his fingers.


    And in that instant, his seemingly depleted Vessel… ignited!


    A phoenix, wreathed in flames, seemed to rise behind him, and his Spiritual Energy was instantly replenished.


    Ye Yu’s eyes widened in shock.


    The same regeneration ability as me?!


    The Heaven-Asking Lock hummed, its blade vibrating as it absorbed Mu Zhi’an’s Spiritual Energy.


    Ye Yu’s eyes flickered with fear. “Master!” he cried out.


    However, just as the old man within him was about to take control, Mu Zhi’an said calmly, “Think carefully before you act.”


    He looked into Ye Yu’s eyes, his gaze seeming to penetrate his body, reaching the old man’s consciousness.


    Ye Yu saw Mu Zhi’an’s figure reflected in his eyes, and behind him, a faint image of a slender figure in a black robe appeared.


    The Primordial Witch.


    The Heaven-Asking Lock’s terrifying pressure filled the air again, and without the Heavenly Dao Energy’s protection, Ye Yu’s forehead was covered in cold sweat.


    Thud!


    He fell to his knees, unable to move.


    This time, no matter how much he called out to the old man within him, there was no response.


    Why is he so strong?! I’m the Child of Destiny!


    Ye Yu roared inwardly, struggling to raise his head, looking at Mu Zhi’an, who seemed like a god looking down upon an ant, his eyes filled with resentment and rage.


    “Since when did you think you could defeat me?”


    Mu Zhi’an hovered in the air, his expression cold and indifferent, looking down at Ye Yu.


    He chuckled inwardly.


    Countless gazes were fixed on him, filled with shock and awe. Many female cultivators’ eyes sparkled with admiration. He seemed like a young god-king, his aura powerful and captivating.


    Ye Qingxin’s hand tightened around her teacup. She was ready to intervene and save Ye Yu.


    Finally, Mu Zhi’an, unable to control the Heaven-Asking Lock any longer, unleashed its power!


    A terrifying sword light flashed, but then, he raised his other hand, his Spiritual Energy controlling the blade’s trajectory.


    Under their stunned gazes, he gritted his teeth, struggling to redirect the attack, sparing Ye Yu’s life.


    The Heavenly Dao’s blessing upon Ye Yu had weakened considerably, but it hadn’t completely vanished. Killing him now would still trigger a backlash.


    Besides, a living enemy was sometimes more useful than a dead one.


    Ye Yu was still… valuable.


    Thud!


    Ye Yu’s body collapsed on the ground and was teleported out of the Celestial Realm. Mu Zhi’an also coughed up blood, clutching his chest as he stumbled out.


    Silence fell over the crowd, their gazes fixed on him in shock.


    This Mu Zhi’an, a mere fourth-grade Core Formation cultivator, obsessed with breasts… This battle had shown them his true strength. They had underestimated him.


    The elder on the stage announced, “Mu Zhi’an wins!”


    Cheers and gasps echoed through the air.


    A figure, radiating a sweet fragrance, silently appeared beside Mu Zhi’an, her hand on his shoulder, channeling her Spiritual Energy into him.


    “Thank you,” Mu Zhi’an said, turning to Yao Meng with a weak smile.


    “You didn’t have to spare him,” Yao Meng said, frowning slightly.


    If he hadn’t held back, Ye Yu would have been severely injured, perhaps even crippled.


    And by controlling the Heaven-Asking Lock’s power, he had injured himself.


    Mu Zhi’an smiled weakly. “We’re all fellow disciples. There’s no need to be so ruthless.”


    Suddenly, a clear and melodious voice echoed in his ears, “You won’t recover in time for tomorrow’s matches, young friend Mu…”


    Ye Qingxin had descended from the Ascension Stage, her red eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions.


    Mu Zhi’an coughed lightly and forced a smile, replying through voice transmission, “I didn’t want to make things difficult for you, Senior. You’ve been kind to me, and we’re… partners. If I had seriously injured, or even accidentally killed, Ye Yu, you would have been conflicted, wouldn’t you?”


    Ye Qingxin’s eyes flickered, and she looked at him with a hint of guilt.


    She had guessed that he had held back because of her, but hearing his words still made her feel ashamed.


    She walked towards him, seemingly forgetting his earlier… actions towards her in his fantasy.


    “Is there something you need, fellow Daoist?” Yao Meng asked, her voice gentle, but her green eyes were cold.


    “Let me take him. I’ll heal his injuries,” Ye Qingxin said.


    She seemed to sense Yao Meng’s coldness and continued, “I know you have a grudge against me, Jade Empress, but I can guarantee he’ll fully recover within two days.”


    “Two days?”


    Yao Meng’s voice was soft. “With his current injuries, even with medicinal pills, it would take at least half a month for him to fully recover. Does the Ye family have some special method?”


    Ye Qingxin raised her hand, and a small jade bottle appeared.


    “This is the Heavenly Court’s Primordial Creation Pill. Only my secret technique can fully unlock its potential and heal his injuries. I believe you know whether I’m telling the truth, Jade Empress.”


    Yao Meng narrowed her eyes and glanced at Mu Zhi’an subtly.


    She knew the pill’s value, but she hadn’t expected Ye Qingxin to use it to heal Mu Zhi’an’s injuries.


    Seeing that Yao Meng didn’t respond, Ye Qingxin looked at Mu Zhi’an.


    “If you don’t mind, young friend Mu, come with me.”


    Her voice was much gentler now, her eyes filled with admiration and a hint of guilt.


    Mu Zhi’an hesitated, glancing at Yao Meng as if asking for permission, his eyes saying: I’ll do whatever you say, my love.


    Seeing Yao Meng nod slightly, he hesitated for a moment, then said, “Then… thank you, Senior.”