The lotus seeds contained immense vitality and miraculous powers, capable of reforging one’s Dao foundation, resurrecting the dead, and reuniting the soul and spirit.

Qing Muling silently observed for a moment. Seeing signs of the lotus seeds dissipating, he immediately formed a circle of blue ice crystals, sealing the seed within.

Then, he repeated the process, condensing two more identical lotus seeds and sealing them in ice crystals as well.

After completing this, Qing Muling’s aura noticeably weakened, indicating that the process had taken a significant toll on him.

“I really can’t do this too often…”

Qing Muling muttered to himself. With his Elemental Immortal-level cultivation, he could only split and condense three lotus seeds at most before needing a period of rest. Forcing it further could risk a drop in his cultivation level.

Moreover, he couldn’t let his senior sisters find out. Otherwise, they would all start asking him for more, and he would be completely drained.

He took out a jade box, carefully placing the three ice-sealed lotus seeds inside.

After that, he removed his clothes and climbed into bed, falling into a deep sleep. Ever since he had a Dao Companion, it had become rare for him to sleep alone.

Ancient memories began to resurface in the depths of his soul: in a grand and majestic hall.

At the Thousand Petal Merit Blue Lotus Pond, the pool was filled with chaotic-colored spiritual liquid, surrounded by clear air, divine radiance, and a magnificent light rain, carrying a profound and mysterious Dao Rhyme. The faint sound of the Great Dao echoed in the ears.

By the pool, dozens of female cultivators were gathered, chatting leisurely. They were dressed in various styles, from young girls to elegant ladies, all of them exceptionally beautiful and graceful.

Even more remarkable was that they were all renowned prodigies in the Great Void, personal disciples of the Star Palace’s master, with statuses so high that other Dao Lineages could only look up to them.

At the bottom of the pool, the Harmony Spirit Seed lay dormant.

Because of its presence, this place was a unique holy land for enlightenment in the Great Void, a place even Quasi Holy Emperors would fight over.

Meditating here for a day was equivalent to ten years of hard cultivation outside.

Of course, besides the Star Palace’s master and her personal disciples, no one else could enter, not even get close.

“Junior Brother has grown a bit more; the Dao Rhyme here has noticeably increased!”

A stunning girl in a purple dress extended her fair hand, and the surrounding Dao Rhyme gathered lightly, forming a small, exquisite lotus seed in her palm, which then merged into her body like a ripple.

“I’ve told you many times, it’s Junior Sister, not Junior Brother!”

A cold and noble woman beside her said discontentedly, “Our Master is also female. Would she raise a male disciple to inherit her legacy? The Harmony Spirit Seed will definitely take a female form after transformation. If he wants to inherit the position of the Star Palace’s master, there’s no room for discussion.”

“Besides, whether he’s male or female, can’t he still be our Dao Companion? Do you really want a man that much?”

“Alright, you two are arguing again!”

A stunningly beautiful woman with a seductive yet dignified demeanor glanced at them, gently stroking the jade ornament in her hand, and said with a light smile:

“This innate Harmony divine object is originally chaotic, without the distinction of male and female. Arguing about it won’t change anything.”

The surrounding female immortals laughed. The debate over whether the Harmony Spirit Seed would take a male or female form had caused many disagreements between Senior Sister Ice Toad and Second Senior Sister, even leading to secret competitions, with neither side convincing the other.

A pair of bright-eyed, youthful twin sisters said, “Senior Sister, Second Senior Sister hopes he is male for a reason. You must understand that our Master has male disciples too. If he takes a female form, wouldn’t those men outside all want to marry her?”

“They wouldn’t dare!”

The Ice Toad Emperor was furious, her aura rising sharply. “Dare to compete with us for enlightenment? I’ll kill them all!”

“Exactly! Anyone who wants to target Junior Brother will have to face my sword first!”

A cold, stern voice came from a woman in white Daoist robes, even her long hair pure white as snow. She sat by the pool, holding a long sword, her beautiful face as cold as eternal ice, surrounded by a chilling sword aura that could easily annihilate Great Golden Immortals.

Although the Origin Star Palace was female-dominated, it wasn’t an all-female Dao Lineage. The Star Palace’s master had male disciples too, though most of them weren’t as powerful as the female disciples.

As the foremost immortal sanctuary in the Great Void, it couldn’t afford to practice gender discrimination.

The Ice Toad Emperor sighed slightly, “Junior Brother it is. But who knows how long until he transforms? Our Master used her holy blood, killed many chaotic beasts, took their souls and blood, and added various innate treasures to this pool to speed up his maturation. But it seems we still have to wait!”

Dongfang Zhihan said, “Waiting just means our efforts aren’t enough, and the resources we provided are limited. His status is too high. Otherwise, why would our Master have been attacked by so many chaotic demons when she found him? She almost didn’t make it back!”

Mentioning this, the women felt a pang of sorrow. The bloody battle in the chaotic void had cost the Origin Star Palace’s master dearly, losing many personal disciples and close friends, and suffering severe injuries herself, with several innate treasures destroyed.

The Harmony Spirit Seed, guarded by such fierce beings, was no ordinary treasure.

After returning, the Star Palace’s master planned to heal through long slumber. But after meditating with the Harmony Spirit Seed for a while, she not only fully recovered but also advanced her cultivation, becoming the top among Quasi Holy Emperors.

Understanding the benefits of the divine object, the Star Palace’s master decided to use all the resources of the Origin Star Palace to create the Thousand Petal Merit Blue Lotus Pond, nurturing the Harmony Spirit Seed, waiting for it to transform and help her reach the supreme Harmony Saint Supreme realm…

The fragments of memory faded like a dream.

At some point, Qing Muling opened his eyes again, staring blankly at the ornate ceiling of his sleeping chamber.

…

Calamity Fate Palace Main Altar.

In the dark and deep bronze secret hall, Palace Master Yun Miaozhi sat high on a bronze lotus throne, surrounded by over twenty core elders, including Holy Maiden Mei Qingfeng, who had just emerged from the Misty Illusion Secret Realm.

After some time, this personal disciple of Yun Miaozhi had reached the Xuan Immortal realm, clearly benefiting greatly from the secret realm.

In the past, this achievement would have been enough to make her stand out among her peers, envied by all. Among the new generation of monstrous genius seeds, few could match her.

But now, with the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace’s disciples already reaching the Golden Immortal realm, all the prodigies in the Great Void seemed overshadowed.

The Misty Illusion Secret Realm was still open, though the disciples of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace and Goddess Sect had withdrawn. Other Dao Lineages and even some rogue cultivators still sought fortunes within, in considerable numbers.

With three years to go, only half the time had passed. If Calamity Fate Palace continued to promote and entice, more cultivators could be lured in.

“This time, though we suffered losses, we broke the myth of the invincibility of the Origin Star Palace. The Ice Toad Emperor is severely injured and won’t be a threat to the Dao Lineages in the Great Void for a while,” said core elder Yuan Xuan Kong, in charge of external affairs.

The elders were pleased. The fearsome reputation of the Origin Star Palace was well-known. Now, with the help of several Quasi Holy Emperors, they had managed to push them back, making it easier for Calamity Fate Palace to form alliances.

As for the losses, most were borne by other Dao Lineages, with Calamity Fate Palace paying a minimal price.

Though those Dao Lineages cursed Calamity Fate Palace’s treachery, they could do nothing about it, given its strength. Turning against them required the power to back it up.

Having lost their pillars, those Dao Lineages would have to rely more on Calamity Fate Palace to preserve their heritage in future calamities, swallowing their anger.

Core elder Meng He asked, “Palace Master, with the Origin Star Palace’s top power crippled, should we unite some forces and attack them again?”

“Indeed,” core elder Luoyu Jue agreed. “If we destroy the Origin Star Palace and seal that space-time, the mysterious Star Palace master won’t return. We won’t have to fear this former top immortal sanctuary anymore!”

The elders nodded. The Great Void’s current rulers weren’t them. With ascension, why come back for fortune? The Great Void’s ruler should be Calamity Fate Palace, now and forever!

Palace Master Yun Miaozhi said, “The Origin Star Palace seems to have only the Ice Toad Emperor as a Quasi Holy Emperor. Though they have many top Great Golden Immortals, no other Emperors. If we can ally with two more Quasi Holy Emperors and some Great Golden Immortals, we should succeed.”

“Then it’s settled. Prepare quickly!”

Silent Mei Qingfeng frowned, “Master, if Qing Muling is really from that place, and the Origin Star Palace finds him…”

“Impossible!”

Yun Miaozhi interrupted, “Whether he’s from there or not, he belongs to Calamity Fate Palace. No one can take him, not even the Origin Star Palace!”

Calamity Fate Palace had long speculated about Qing Muling’s origins but couldn’t confirm it.

But now, seeing Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace’s recent fortune, the answer seemed clear.

Evidence wasn’t needed. Many things didn’t require proof.

The rise of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace’s fortune was troubling Yun Miaozhi, making it hard to plot against them. With Goddess Sect and Qinghuan Emperor’s faction, they might need the Heavenly Human Clan’s help.

But while borrowing a knife was fine, Qing Muling couldn’t be given up. Even if it meant breaking with the Heavenly Human Clan, Calamity Fate Palace wouldn’t yield.

…

Origin Star Palace.

In the hall, by the Thousand Petal Merit Blue Lotus Pond, a mysterious figure appeared.

It seemed to be a paper puppet, expressionlessly surveying the surroundings. The place was empty.

After a moment, the puppet bowed three times to the pond, sighed, and a burst of chaotic flames consumed it, leaving no trace.

Only a delicate jade box remained, emitting a faint glow.

After some time, Dongfang Zhihan appeared. Seeing the jade box, her face changed drastically.

She rushed forward, grabbing the box, using various divine abilities to investigate, but found nothing.

All connections and fates related to the box had been severed by an unknown power.

Thinking for a moment, Dongfang Zhihan hurried to find her Senior Sister.

The Ice Toad Emperor was meditating in her cave when her anxious Junior Sister rushed in, frowning.

“What has you so flustered? It’s not those outsiders attacking again, is it?”

“Of course not!”

Dongfang Zhihan waved her hand, setting up multiple barriers around them before taking out the jade box.

“You…”

Seeing the box, the Ice Toad Emperor’s eyes widened. She grabbed it, examining it closely, urgently asking,

“Where did this come from? Has Junior Brother returned? Where is he?”

“Don’t ask me, I didn’t see him!”

Dongfang Zhihan, frustrated, explained the situation. With the Harmony Spirit Seed’s divine nature, no divination could trace him.

“I see, Junior Brother must not want to return yet.”

The Ice Toad Emperor sighed, carefully opening the jade box.