Ye Qingxin sat on a lotus platform within the hall, absorbing Spiritual Energy.


    Her expression was calm, but a closer look revealed a hint of worry.


    Normally, a Dao Integration expert’s wisp of consciousness could exist in the mortal realm for a long time, as long as it didn’t engage in battle.


    However, she had exhausted a lot of energy healing Mu Zhi’an’s injuries. If she didn’t replenish it, her consciousness would dissipate. Sёar?h the n?vel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But even so, her mind wasn’t focused on her cultivation. She was thinking about what had happened earlier.


    If Mu Zhi’an hadn’t mentioned Ye Qian and Ye Lingxuan, she would still be in a foul mood.


    Ye Yu was a descendant of the Ye family, one of their most talented, and as their ancestor, his words had hurt her deeply.


    However, her disappointment towards him wasn’t the main reason for her current mood.


    It was Mu Zhi’an.


    The better he performed, the more obvious the contrast with Ye Yu became, and this contrast was the source of her frustration.


    “Who dares to disturb me?” she suddenly asked, her voice calm, having sensed someone’s presence.


    A figure emerged from the shadows near the entrance.


    “Ancestor…”


    The young man wasn’t particularly handsome, but his features were pleasant. His face was pale, and his black robe made him seem even weaker and more fragile.


    His eyes were bloodshot.


    Clearly, he hadn’t rested since Ye Qingxin left last night. Seeing the woman in the red dress meditating on the lotus platform, his eyes lit up with a desperate hope.


    “What is it?” Ye Qingxin asked, her eyes still closed.


    After his outburst last night, she had decided to ignore him.


    A descendant of the Ye family showing her less respect than an outsider like Mu Zhi’an…


    It was laughable.


    Remembering Ye Yu’s accusations and his disrespectful attitude, she frowned slightly, unwilling to interact with him any further.


    However, Ye Yu didn’t seem to notice.


    After consuming the pill and recovering from his injuries, he had calmed down under his master’s guidance.


    And then, he realized how foolish he had been.


    She was a Dao Integration expert! And a Ye family ancestor! Even the elders of the Ye family treated her with respect.


    Yet, he had lashed out at her last night.


    And Mu Zhi’an clearly had… designs on her. What if he had taken advantage of the situation last night…?


    Although she was a Dao Integration expert, Mu Zhi’an was a skilled manipulator. If he had charmed her and… gone further than just holding her hand…


    The thought alone made Ye Yu’s blood boil, and he had rushed over as soon as he recovered, using his master’s Spiritual Sense to locate her.


    Fortunately, she was alone. There was still time to salvage the situation.


    “Ancestor, I was wrong last night. But it was because I lost to Mu Zhi’an, and he used the Heaven-Asking Lock, so…” Ye Yu said sincerely, apologizing.


    His master had told him that the difference in their strength wasn’t that significant. Mu Zhi’an had only won by a small margin.


    The Heaven-Asking Lock wasn’t the key. He had lost because he had been provoked and lost his composure.


    After disappointing Ye Qingxin last night, he had been filled with regret, which was why he had asked his master to take control of his body and find her.


    “It’s in the past. Is there anything else?” Ye Qingxin asked coldly.


    Ye Yu was stunned by her indifferent tone. He stepped forward. “Please come back with me, Ancestor. I know I was wrong,” he said, trying to get closer.


    He was a descendant of the Ye family, their most talented. She could help him restore their clan’s former glory.


    But if she stayed here, Mu Zhi’an might take advantage of the situation…


    However, as he took a step forward, a formation activated beneath his feet, blocking his path.


    Ye Qingxin opened her eyes, her gaze cold. “I’m tired. You should leave.”


    Her tone was indifferent, devoid of the warmth she usually showed towards her descendants.


    Ye Yu wanted to say something, but the old man within him sighed and said, “Your actions last night must have disappointed her. Since you’ve apologized, you should leave and recover from your injuries.”


    “You’re a descendant of the Ye family. She’ll forgive you.”


    However, she probably won’t be as supportive as before… He didn’t say that out loud, sighing inwardly.


    He had played a good hand poorly. Although Mu Zhi’an’s interference was a factor, it was ultimately Ye Yu’s fault.


    His arrogance had allowed Mu Zhi’an to manipulate him completely.


    Ye Yu still felt resentful, wanting to argue, but seeing Ye Qingxin’s cold expression, he gritted his teeth and turned to leave.


    “Mu Zhi’an?”


    As soon as he stepped out of the hall, his expression changed.


    He was a prodigy, chosen by the Heavenly Dao. His Spiritual Sense was powerful.


    He saw the young man with the gentle and sunny disposition standing outside.


    “What are you doing here?!”


    He stared at Mu Zhi’an, his emotions surging, his eyes filled with barely contained hatred.


    After all, he had been humiliated by Mu Zhi’an yesterday, and now, seeing him here, with his ancestor…


    “Are you feeling better, Brother Ye?” Mu Zhi’an asked with a gentle smile, as if nothing had happened.


    Ye Yu scoffed. “Better than you, at least.”


    Although he appeared weak, his eyes burned with rage.


    Mu Zhi’an had used the Heaven-Asking Lock against him yesterday, and because of his ancestor’s presence, he had had to redirect the attack, injuring himself in the process. Although Ye Yu was injured now, Mu Zhi’an’s injuries were probably worse.


    “There’s no need for this hostility between us, Brother Ye. I’m sure Senior Ye wouldn’t want to see us fight,” Mu Zhi’an said, his voice filled with concern.


    Ye Yu sneered again, about to retort, when a calm and melodious voice came from within the hall, interrupting them.


    “Young friend Mu, come in. We can talk inside.”


    Mu Zhi’an glanced at Ye Yu, then turned and entered the hall.


    This made Ye Yu even more uneasy, his mind racing.


    Mu Zhi’an should be more seriously injured than him, yet he seemed to have almost fully recovered…


    And the way Ye Qingxin had spoken to him earlier, so coldly, and now, so gently to Mu Zhi’an…


    Ye Yu’s head spun.


    He took a couple of steps back and saw them through the open doorway.


    Mu Zhi’an was standing by the lotus pond, chatting with Ye Qingxin.


    “Thank you for your help last night, Senior. It’s a shame my Vessel is currently occupied. Otherwise, you could have entered and recovered your Spiritual Energy much faster,” Mu Zhi’an said sincerely.


    “With your constitution, it’s not surprising that you attract stray souls. But be careful and don’t be deceived,” Ye Qingxin said with a gentle smile, her tone completely different from earlier.


    Seeing her friendly demeanor towards his enemy made Ye Yu’s blood boil, his barely healed wounds aching.


    She had said she was doing this for him, yet here she was, acting so intimately with Mu Zhi’an, the one who had injured him…


    Suddenly, Mu Zhi’an reached out and gently took Ye Qingxin’s hand, as if checking her pulse, his voice filled with concern. “Your Spiritual Energy seems weaker than yesterday, Senior. Are you alright?”


    Ye Qingxin chuckled. “Why are you so concerned about me, young friend Mu? It’s just a wisp of consciousness. Even if it dissipates, it’s not a big deal.”


    They chatted amicably, and she didn’t seem to mind his touch, as she could feel the Heavenly Court’s Spiritual Energy from his Innate Celestial Furnace flowing into her body.


    Although it wasn’t much, it was still a thoughtful gesture.


    Moreover, his Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy, refined by his Innate Celestial Furnace, seemed even denser than the original…


    His Innate Celestial Furnace’s potential… was truly limitless…


    Ye Yu’s face turned green as he watched them.


    “You bitch…”


    His rage consumed him, and he spat out the words.


    The atmosphere in the hall changed, their words reaching Ye Qingxin and Mu Zhi’an’s ears.


    Ye Qingxin lowered her gaze, ignoring him.


    Boom!


    However, as soon as he spoke, Mu Zhi’an raised his hand and sent a blast of Spiritual Energy towards Ye Yu, sending him flying out of the hall, coughing up blood.


    Even if he were fully healed, he would still be no match for Mu Zhi’an.


    “How dare you insult your own ancestor? You’re not worthy of being called human!”


    Mu Zhi’an’s voice was cold, his expression calm.


    Ye Yu clutched his chest, his heart filled with resentment and humiliation. “This is the Two Polarities Sect, Mu Zhi’an! Attacking a fellow disciple… Do you know the consequences?!” he roared.


    His eyes burned with rage. If he weren’t injured, he would fight Mu Zhi’an to the death.


    Mu Zhi’an looked at him coldly. “You have an ancestor who cares about you, yet you don’t appreciate it and even accuse her of colluding with me?”


    “Let me tell you this. I used the Heaven-Asking Lock because I didn’t want to waste time on you. Even without it, you’re no match for me.”


    “You think you’re talented? Qian’er is just as talented, and she’s also a descendant of the Ye family! But Senior Ye chose you. Do you think she wants something from you?”


    “Your injuries healed so quickly because she helped you. Yet you’re ungrateful and even insult her. I wouldn’t hesitate to kill you.”


    “Go ahead and report me to the Enforcement Hall. I won’t regret my actions.”


    Ye Yu, his face pale, struggled to stand up, glaring at Mu Zhi’an. “Stop talking nonsense! You’re only getting close to my ancestor because you’re attracted to her, aren’t you?!”


    Mu Zhi’an chuckled, a playful glint in his eyes.


    Then, he suddenly asked, “And you… can you honestly say you have no romantic feelings towards your ancestor?”


    He looked at Ye Yu intently.


    “Ever since you met her, you’ve been treating her like your possession, haven’t you? That’s why you don’t want anyone else near her.”


    “And you dared to disrespect her because you have the old man inside you to rely on. You’re not afraid of losing her favor, are you?”


    Mu Zhi’an knew exactly what he was thinking.


    After all, Ye Yu had acted similarly towards his younger sisters in Tianxuan City, neglecting them while preventing them from interacting with other men.


    As for his own feelings towards Ye Qingxin… She probably already knew. There was no need for Ye Yu to point it out.


    I’m attracted to your ancestor. I admit it.


    Can you admit that you’re attracted to her too, Ye Yu?


    She would probably kill you on the spot.


    Sensing Ye Qingxin’s cold gaze, Ye Yu’s eyes flickered with panic, his face pale. “You’re slandering me! I’ve never had such thoughts about my ancestor! Stop trying to drive a wedge between us!” he shouted.


    Mu Zhi’an’s words had struck a nerve.


    Especially his accusation about him relying on the old man within him.


    Although he hadn’t consciously thought about it, he had indeed had similar thoughts subconsciously.


    Because of his master’s protection, and the fact that his ancestor was just a wisp of consciousness, he wasn’t afraid of losing her favor.


    Mu Zhi’an had exposed his innermost thoughts, making him panic and rage.


    Although his words were exaggerated, Ye Yu couldn’t defend himself.


    “Enough. We’re done. Leave,” Ye Qingxin said coldly, shaking her head.


    If she had been merely disappointed last night, then Mu Zhi’an’s words and Ye Yu’s reaction had completely shattered her illusions.


    “Ancestor—”


    Ye Yu looked up, wanting to say something.


    However, Ye Qingxin waved her hand dismissively, and he vanished.


    She looked around the empty hall, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions, then she fell silent, lost in thought.


    Mu Zhi’an looked at her alluring figure, her beautiful face now emotionless.


    He boldly reached out and gently took her hand.


    “This will transfer some of my Innate Celestial Furnace’s Spiritual Energy to you, Senior. Although it’s not much, please accept it as a token of my… concern.”


    To transfer Spiritual Energy from the Innate Celestial Furnace, physical contact was required. The more intimate the contact, the greater the amount of energy transferred.


    Holding hands like this could only transfer a small amount.


    However, for Mu Zhi’an, this was just an excuse to touch her and appease her.


    Ye Qingxin glanced at him, not pulling her hand away. “Do you think… there’s something wrong with my teaching methods, young friend Mu?” she asked softly.


    Ye Yu’s personality was… difficult. He was usually fine, but once provoked, he became unreasonable…


    Mu Zhi’an shook his head and chuckled. “I think it’s because Ye Yu is too impulsive and easily jealous.”


    “He saw us chatting and became jealous. It’s my fault for not being more discreet, Senior.”


    “It has nothing to do with you,” Ye Qingxin said, shaking her head gently.


    She felt the Heavenly Court’s Spiritual Energy from his Innate Celestial Furnace flowing into her, warming her consciousness. Then, her gaze fell upon his body.


    It wasn’t just her imagination. The Heavenly Court’s Spiritual Energy, refined by his Innate Celestial Furnace, was much denser than the original…


    She lowered her gaze and sighed inwardly.


    The Jade Empress’s judgment is truly impeccable.


    If he reached Soul Transformation, his Innate Celestial Furnace would greatly benefit even Dao Integration experts.


    And he’s so kind and considerate… even to an outsider like me…


    And how had Ye Yu treated her during the past few days?


    Thinking of this, she glanced at Mu Zhi’an, a complex mix of emotions in her captivating red eyes.