At this moment, not only was Xiao Hua stunned, but even Luo Tan was also slightly taken aback.


    “Young Friend Mu, do you know what you just said?”


    Being attacked in secret and seriously injured, Mu Zhi’an could have used this opportunity to keep Xiao Hua in the sect for punishment. Instead, he was… taking the initiative to let him off the hook?


    “This matter, whether big or small, all depends on the attitude of the person involved.”


    Mu Zhi’an bowed and said, “To tell you the truth, Your Majesty, since I was a child, I have read many ancient books, which mentioned the various deeds of the Empress of Yu State. I have admired you since I was young. Even though I have ten thousand grievances against Brother Xiao, I don’t want Your Majesty to have any issues with the Two Polarities Sect because of this.”


    “Also…”


    Mu Zhi’an hesitated for a moment, glanced meaningfully at Xiao Hua, then looked away and bowed. “Please, Your Majesty, send everyone else away.”


    “Jing Xi, take Xiao Hua away.”


    Luo Tan’s clear voice rang out. Until the maid, Jing Xi, walked over to Xiao Hua, the Chosen One still hadn’t recovered his senses.


    What’s going on… This Mu Zhi’an has a deep-seated hatred for me. Why would he be so kind?


    What is he trying to say to Luo Tan?


    Thinking of this, Xiao Hua raised his head and happened to see Mu Zhi’an standing beside Luo Tan, looking down at him with a meaningful gaze.


    Mu Zhi’an definitely has a problem… Could he know some of my secrets?!


    Xiao Hua suddenly raised his head and said urgently, “Your Majesty, although I attacked Mu Zhi’an that day, the Void Nightmare was likely controlled by someone else, in order to put on a show for you. You must not be deceived by him!”


    He was afraid that if he didn’t speak now, and Mu Zhi’an and Luo Tan talked privately, he might really be in trouble.


    “What I should do, I naturally know.”


    Luo Tan spoke calmly, and the maid beside her ‘invited’ Xiao Hua to leave.


    This kid, as I expected, is vicious… Xiao Hua’s eyes flashed with a cold light, and he gave Mu Zhi’an one last, cold look.


    Mu Zhi’an subconsciously took two steps back, accidentally bumping into a nearby table.


    Pa!


    The teacup shattered on the ground, making a piercing sound, which also startled Xiao Hua.


    “What’s wrong?” Luo Tan asked.


    Mu Zhi’an subconsciously glanced at Xiao Hua, then quickly looked away and whispered, “N-nothing, it’s just that Brother Xiao’s gaze was a bit scary just now, it startled this junior. But Brother Xiao probably looks at everyone like that, so Senior doesn’t need to worry…”


    Xiao Hua obviously didn’t expect that a single glance from him could be used against him like this. He was filled with a sense of suffocating frustration and intense hatred.


    Two lifetimes, and I’ve never felt so aggrieved!


    And it was all because of this Core Formation brat’s schemes!


    Luo Tan’s expression remained calm, and her golden eyes casually swept over Xiao Hua, then she said, “Take him away.”


    However, the maid hadn’t even stepped forward to ask Xiao Hua to leave when he took the initiative to stride out of the hall, clearly angered by Mu Zhi’an’s ‘disgusting’ schemes.


    The hall fell silent again. Luo Tan gestured for Mu Zhi’an to sit, then asked, “Young Friend Mu, I only want to ask you one question.”


    “Please ask, Senior. This junior will answer truthfully.”


    “Why are you not pursuing this matter? Being lenient like this might not be fair to you, and the Jade Empress might not be satisfied either,” Luo Tan asked.


    Mu Zhi’an said neither humbly nor arrogantly, “The Jade Empress was indeed angry when she learned of this matter. But if this matter were to spread within the sect, it might be exploited by those with ulterior motives. I thought about it all night and felt it would be better to resolve it privately.”


    “After all, this is a private matter between Brother Xiao and me. There’s no need for Senior to get involved and disturb your peace.”


    Luo Tan raised an eyebrow. “Even if this is a dispute between you and him, Xiao Hua is, after all, someone I brought here. Shouldn’t I be allowed to intervene?”


    “Of course you can intervene, Senior. But it’s better if you didn’t get into a conflict with Brother Xiao because of me. That would make me feel uneasy and terrified,” Mu Zhi’an said.


    Hearing Mu Zhi’an’s words, Luo Tan couldn’t help but look at him more closely, then said, “Xiao Hua was in the wrong. He shouldn’t have made you suffer. Even if this matter doesn’t spread, I will still give you a satisfactory answer.”


    As she spoke, her eyes softened a bit.


    No matter what, Xiao Hua was from Yu State. Even if he made a big mistake, it should be handled by Yu State. Mu Zhi’an’s desire to keep the matter quiet was also in line with Luo Tan’s wishes.


    She just didn’t expect Mu Zhi’an to bring it up himself, making himself the ‘wronged’ party.


    “The Jade Empress cares deeply about you. She was quite upset last night. It must have taken a lot of effort to persuade her,” Luo Tan sighed softly.


    “It’s all for the greater good. It’s nothing for me to suffer a little,” Mu Zhi’an said respectfully.


    Luo Tan nodded slightly, inadvertently reminding him, “Your Innate Celestial Furnace will evolve as your realm improves. And after consuming the Dao Heart Pill, it will complete its advancement in a few days. This will naturally benefit your Dao Companion. But remember, don’t let others know about the Heavenly Court’s Spiritual Energy. Otherwise, it will bring you great trouble.”


    Mu Zhi’an thanked her sincerely. “Thank you for the reminder, Senior. I will be careful.”


    “But I have a special talisman from Senior Ling Long that can hide my consciousness and the Innate Celestial Furnace, so there’s no problem.”


    He paused, then asked, “Speaking of which, I heard that some rare treasures also have the special ability to hide one’s consciousness?”


    However, Luo Tan didn’t speak, but seemed to think of something, and casually glanced at Xiao Hua outside the hall.


    A special treasure that can hide one’s consciousness…


    Mu Zhi’an didn’t continue speaking. He believed that with Luo Tan’s intelligence, she would naturally understand the meaning.


    Xiao Hua was so ‘confident’ earlier. It must be because Luo Tan hasn’t discovered that he’s been possessed.


    I wonder how he did it, but he must have some special method.


    However, I don’t need to do anything. I just need to ‘remind’ her.


    “I still have some matters to attend to, so I won’t disturb you any longer, Senior.”


    Seeing that it was about time, Mu Zhi’an said he was going to leave. He couldn’t continue chatting. He had already shown his hand. Pushing it further would be counterproductive.


    Luo Tan nodded slightly, looking at Mu Zhi’an thoughtfully.


    …


    After Mu Zhi’an left, the hall fell silent again.


    Luo Tan tapped her finger on the armrest of her chair, her golden eyes deep in thought.


    “Is Xiao Hua still outside?” Luo Tan suddenly asked softly.


    The maid respectfully replied, “He said he knows his mistake and is repenting outside the hall.”


    As she spoke, the maid’s eyes flashed with a hint of doubt. “Your Majesty, Xiao Hua’s matter has been resolved. Are you still worried about other things?”


    “Like… the Jade Empress?” the maid asked cautiously.


    Mu Zhi’an had been attacked, and the Jade Empress, as his Dao Companion, would naturally be dissatisfied. It was likely that Her Majesty was only worried about this.


    “Mu Zhi’an said before that he had explained it to the Jade Empress. She is very intelligent and knows that I will definitely give her an explanation.”


    “Besides, if I was really worried about the Jade Empress, then I should also be worried about Ye Qingxin,” Luo Tan said calmly and indifferently.


    The maid was surprised. “That powerful being from the Heavenly Court…? But she’s an ancestor of the Ye family. How could she help Mu Zhi’an?”


    “It doesn’t matter who helps him.”


    Luo Tan looked out the window at the clear morning sky and said softly, “His value is far greater than you imagine.”


    She didn’t explain further, but continued, “Go and prepare the ingredients for the Heart-Peeking Pill. I will use it later.”


    …


    The winter sunlight sprinkled on the ancient-style buildings of the sect, adding a touch of classical charm.


    Most of the cultivators were gathered on the Southern Bank, but Mu Zhi’an didn’t go there. Instead, he came to the Pilgrimage Palace alone, strolling leisurely through the square.


    He had changed into a white robe today, which made him appear less like a noble young master and more like a gentle scholar.


    “Mengrou, although you don’t have a match today, is it really okay for you not to cultivate?”


    Wei Mengrou, who had been secretly following him, heard his words.


    “Your realm is too low, and you were attacked. It’s not safe for you to be alone,” she said indifferently.


    Mu Zhi’an slowed his pace until he was walking side-by-side with Wei Mengrou. He smiled and said, “So you were worried about me?”


    Wei Mengrou’s beautiful face showed a faint blush. She tried to remain calm. “I just think you’re too weak, so I’m not at ease.”


    As they spoke, they arrived at the Pilgrimage Palace.


    “There are a lot fewer people coming to the Pilgrimage Palace since the incident with the Primordial Demon Emperor,” Mu Zhi’an said, looking at the petals fluttering in the wind. He glanced at her. “Do you like peach blossoms, Mengrou?”


    Wei Mengrou’s yellow dress fluttered in the cold wind. She said indifferently, “They’re alright. But thinking about how someone gave peach blossoms to many people, my impression of them isn’t very good.”


    “Even if I made a mistake in giving away peach blossoms, don’t you bear some responsibility for not stopping me?” Mu Zhi’an retorted, glancing at her.


    Wei Mengrou: “?”


    Mu Zhi’an looked at her and smiled. “Just kidding. I didn’t know how you felt then. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have done so many embarrassing things in front of you.”


    Thinking back to how he had acted in front of Wei Mengrou without any restraint, Mu Zhi’an felt a little regretful.


    But who would have known that the maid who once scorned him would now be with him?


    “Then I should thank you for letting me see your true nature,” Wei Mengrou said, glancing at him.


    Mu Zhi’an held her soft hand. “But even so, we’re still together now.”


    Wei Mengrou’s body stiffened slightly. She looked up at him, then quickly looked away, not saying a word.


    “Actually, you don’t even need to cultivate. The Spiritual Energy from my Innate Celestial Furnace can quickly transfer to others… We can continue our… activities tonight. What do you think?” Mu Zhi’an whispered in her ear.


    Wei Mengrou glared at him. “I haven’t recovered yet… Give me some time.”


    She wasn’t lying.


    Mu Zhi’an smiled. He knew she was just shy.


    He pondered for a moment and continued, “Actually, we don’t have to do it that way… There are other ways to transfer Spiritual Energy to you, and you can also experience the wonders of Spiritual Energy firsthand.”


    Wei Mengrou’s lips parted slightly. Curiosity made her want to ask, but she had a feeling it wasn’t anything proper.


    Mu Zhi’an leaned closer and whispered something in her ear.


    Wei Mengrou’s body stiffened, and she glared at him, her face burning, her head buried, her footsteps stopping.


    Hmm… Mengrou is like Yao Meng in this way. They’re both easily flustered…


    Mu Zhi’an smiled, about to speak, when he suddenly sensed a faint buzzing in his ear. He focused and realized it was the Void Nightmare, which was secretly tracking Ye Yu, sending him a message.


    Although it couldn’t speak, he could understand its meaning through their contract. Sёar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    “What’s wrong?” he asked using their connection.


    He quickly received a response from the Void Nightmare: “Ye Yu will arrive at the Chaos Lands in about a day and a half. I used the void to travel there ahead of time. The demons have completely occupied the Chaos Lands, not allowing anyone to enter.”


    Mu Zhi’an was slightly stunned, then his eyes showed a thoughtful expression.


    So there really is something in the Chaos Lands?


    I wonder if the Demon Realm’s Empress knows about this…