Inside the Sect Master’s cave.

Xuebing Xuan, with her gentle demeanor and graceful bearing, sat quietly in the seat reserved for the Dao successor. She wore a bright yellow palace dress, her hair adorned with cloud-like buns, her face stunningly beautiful, and her skin as smooth as snow, seemingly flawless like a perfect snow maiden.

When she saw her master enter with Qing Muling, her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and a hint of confusion appeared in her clear, water-like eyes.

As his cultivation level increased, Junior Brother sought the Sect Master’s guidance on cultivation issues more frequently, often going into closed-door cultivation together, disappearing for days on end.

The more time Qing Muling spent with the Sect Master, the less time he had for his senior sisters, which made them quite unhappy, though they had no reason to object. After all, Junior Brother’s cultivation progress was of utmost importance.

Only by advancing Qing Muling’s cultivation could his senior sisters, who cultivated alongside him, benefit more, and the entire sect would prosper as well.

However, the astute Senior Sister always felt something was off. She had sensed this from the way Junior Brother looked at the Sect Master long ago, realizing things were not as simple as they seemed.

Seeing Mu Yinghua’s slightly flushed and radiant face, Xuebing Xuan’s suspicions grew stronger. The aura subtly emanating from her was identical to Junior Brother’s, as if they had been molded from the same template after spending so much time together… something not meant for outsiders to know.

“Could it be that the Sect Master also…”

This incredulous thought surfaced in Xuebing Xuan’s mind, and she instinctively believed it to be true. Otherwise, how could their cultivation progress be so rapid over the past two years?

Looking at the slightly haggard Qing Muling beside her, Xuebing Xuan’s eyes filled with a hint of bitterness. She wondered how much her Junior Brother had been exploited by their master during their closed-door cultivation.

While the Sect Master seemed to be enjoying herself, it was hard on Junior Brother and even harder on the senior sisters waiting eagerly in the inner courtyard. After all, Junior Brother’s Dao Rhyme was not infinite.

Moreover, once the Sect Master had tasted the benefits, she would surely find ways to monopolize Junior Brother’s cultivation time, endlessly exploiting his Dao Rhyme.

It was simply… too much!

Mu Yinghua, unaware of her first disciple’s complex thoughts, walked up to the high platform with a calm expression, gracefully sitting on the spacious cloud bed, and said:

“Since everyone is here, let’s begin the meeting!”

Qing Muling sat beside Senior Sister, ignoring her resentful gaze.

As he breathed, the Harmony Creation Blue Lotus within him gently rotated, emitting layers of hazy brilliance. The essence of Dao Rhyme poured down from the vast void, along with the magnificent star power from the Creation Heavenly Palace, seamlessly merging into his Divine Soul Dao Body.

His nearly exhausted Dao Body rapidly recovered under the nourishment of the abundant star power and Dao Rhyme. By the time the elders concluded their first agenda, Qing Muling had returned to his peak state.

“Should we manage the newly acquired territories? Does anyone have any suggestions?” Mu Yinghua asked, referring to the territories of the Bright Moon Sword Sect and the Nine Spirit Proto Gate, including their vassal forces.

As for the Armillary Sphere Star Palace and the Azure Fall Divine Sect, since they were destroyed by the Origin Star Palace, Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace had not intervened.

Yun Miaozhi pondered, “The sect now has enough manpower to guard our own territories. We can spare some forces to manage those lands, as they will eventually fall under our sect’s influence. We can’t let those territories be ravaged by outsiders.”

“Indeed,” Xuebing Xuan agreed. “Those lands have countless mortal inhabitants. If we ignore them and let the outsiders slaughter them, it will significantly strengthen their forces, which would be detrimental to our Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace.”

The two former Supreme Dao Lineages had vast territories, encompassing an entire celestial domain and numerous scattered star regions, not to mention their vassal forces’ lands.

Even though their resources seemed depleted, those beautiful floating lands with billions of mortal inhabitants were still among the most valuable strategic assets in the Great Void. The mines, herb gardens, and spirit veins were the foundations of the sect’s growth and could not be easily abandoned.

The other core elders mostly agreed, as Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace’s current strength was sufficient to manage both their own and the newly acquired territories.

“Alright, let’s proceed with that plan,” Mu Yinghua concluded.

At this moment, Xinyu Emperor spoke, “Lan Hua and Jinglan have already led the second batch of people, larger than the previous one. They will arrive at the sect’s main altar soon. How do you plan to handle this, Sect Master?”

Mu Yinghua frowned, “Qing Muling’s cultivation is nearing the True Immortal level, a critical moment. Their arrival now would disrupt his cultivation. Can’t they wait a bit longer?”

Last time, these two Emperors brought over ten thousand people, including thousands of Supreme Elders needing healing, which kept Qing Muling busy for over half a year. Now, another batch was coming…

Xinyu Emperor sighed, “The great calamity is upon us. Every faction needs sufficient strength to resist the tribulations and protect their territories. They are already late. If we delay them further, it will cause dissatisfaction and affect the alliance’s stability.”

Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, Goddess Sect, and Qinghuan Emperor’s faction had already healed all their Supreme Elders and completed the tribulations for their female cultivators below the Golden Immortal level. Only Lu Hua Palace and Qingqiu Hall had not finished, which made Lan Hua and Jinglan anxious.

And only Qing Muling could handle these tasks. Who else could take on this burden?

Qing Muling said, “Master, don’t worry. I can help them first and then go into closed-door cultivation to break through to the True Immortal realm.”

“Alright, but it’s hard on you,” Mu Yinghua said softly, thinking that once this batch was done, Qing Muling could focus on his cultivation without further interruptions.

However, after Qing Muling reached the True Immortal level, he would still need to assist the alliance’s peak Golden Immortals in breaking through to the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm. But this number was much smaller, less than twenty thousand across the five Supreme Dao Lineages.

Xuebing Xuan, however, thought differently. With Dao Court’s Xuanyin and Weide Emperors likely to join the alliance in the future, and the close ties with Great Brahma Temple, Dragon Tiger Pill Cauldron Sect, Ji family, and other Supreme Dao Lineages, more forces might join, and Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace would have no good reason to refuse.

So, before Qing Muling reached the Golden Immortal realm, he would likely remain quite busy.

Not to mention, the Origin Star Palace was still relentlessly pursuing the Harmony Spirit Seed. If the truth ever came to light, who knew what would happen?

Sighing softly, Xuebing Xuan hoped her cultivation would advance quickly, so she might reach the Daluo realm and be qualified to protect Qing Muling when the time came.

A Great Golden Immortal in the Great Void was already a formidable figure, capable of founding a sect and being remembered for ages. But in front of a Quasi Holy Emperor, it still seemed insufficient.

“What are you thinking about?” Qing Muling gently squeezed her jade hand, asking quietly.

“Nothing!” Xuebing Xuan quickly snapped back to reality, trying to cover up her thoughts.

Qing Muling smiled faintly, holding her hand a bit tighter, sending waves of warmth into her body. The energy circulated through her meridians and organs, and when it returned to Qing Muling, it had grown stronger.

During this process, Xuebing Xuan also benefited greatly. Dual cultivation with a Dao companion accelerated their cultivation speed far beyond ordinary cultivators.

A blush spread across Xuebing Xuan’s fair cheeks. In the solemn and dignified sect’s central hub, Junior Brother dared to play such tricks, which was… too audacious. If caught by the Sect Master and elders, they would surely be severely punished.

Despite her anxiety, Senior Sister felt a strange thrill, an experience she never had while cultivating in the chamber, making her somewhat exhilarated.

Mu Yinghua, sitting at the head, glanced over and understood the situation. She gave Xuebing Xuan a discreet glare, as if to say: “Junior Brother is being reckless, but must you join in his folly?”

Fortunately, Fairy Butterfly’s words diverted Mu Yinghua’s attention: “The Buddha Master Miao Xin from Great Brahma Temple has sent another message, intending to visit again. It seems she still covets the benefits Qing Muling offers.”

At this, the elders’ faces darkened.

Yu Lingzhou said coldly, “She won’t be the first. More forces will come knocking. We must find a way to stop this once and for all, even if temporarily.”

“What do you suggest?” asked Fairy Fenghua.

“It’s simple,” said Ice Falcon. “We can spread the word that Qing Muling has gone on a secret journey and got trapped in a dangerous place, possibly even perished.”

Xuebing Xuan: “…”

Qing Muling: “…”

The elders exchanged glances. After a long pause, Yun Miaozhi hesitantly asked, “Will this work? They won’t believe it, will they?”

Given Qing Muling’s status, if he were truly trapped, wouldn’t the sect do everything to rescue him? How could they just ignore it?

“Whether they believe it or not doesn’t matter,” said Mingyi with a charming smile. “As long as we spread the message, if they don’t believe it, there’s nothing we can do!”

Mu Yinghua thought for a moment and said, “Let’s try it. We’ll say Qing Muling has perished in a dangerous place. They will surely investigate, and if we can divert their attention, it will be a success.”

“Agreed!” The elders voiced their approval, and the matter was settled.

Soon, after all the discussions were concluded, the elders left one by one.

Mu Yinghua turned to Qing Muling, “There are still a few days before they arrive. Take this time to be with your senior sisters. Use the time acceleration formation; it’s okay to make them wait a bit.”

“Yes, Master,” Qing Muling agreed.

Xuebing Xuan was delighted. She and Qi Yalan were already sixth-grade Golden Immortals. With another month of dual cultivation with Junior Brother and the time acceleration formation, they could advance further. Even those lagging behind, like Yu Binghua and Qi Shuyu, should reach the Golden Immortal threshold.

Xinyu Emperor glanced at Mu Yinghua, a hint of disappointment in her eyes.

The Sect Master was still not decisive enough. Though her relationship with Qing Muling had progressed, she had yet to cross the final threshold. Who knew how long she would delay?

After a brief hesitation, Xinyu Emperor suggested, “Since you have accumulated enough, why not prepare for your tribulation? I will assist you.”

Mu Yinghua nodded, “Alright.”

Qing Muling, about to leave, stopped and said, “I’ll help Master with her tribulation first. After that, I can accompany my senior sisters.”

Xinyu Emperor agreed, “Very well.”

In the dark, deep void.

Endless black clouds, from an unknown source, quietly enveloped numerous floating lands, blocking out the sun, moon, and stars, leaving only pitch-black darkness.

Closer inspection revealed countless Magic Clan progeny hidden within the rolling black clouds, surrounding various floating pagodas, advancing steadily through the void, seemingly endless.

Each pagoda, shrouded in thick blood light, represented a powerful Magic Clan tribe, commanding varying numbers of Magic Clan progeny.

Along their path, all life was mercilessly devoured, whether cultivators, mortals, or even spiritual beasts, birds, herbs, and grasses, none escaped their grasp.

A beautiful floating land, spanning millions of miles, would be turned into a desolate wasteland in just a few hours, its essence drained, leaving it barren for millions of years.

Mingqi Immortal Domain, the traditional territory of the Ji family, a super family.

At the edge of the Ji family’s territory, the patrolling cultivators first noticed something amiss and immediately sent a warning to the family headquarters, putting all border defenses on high alert.