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Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace.
In the Sect Master's cave dwelling atop the Imperial Path Peak, Mu Yinghua's delicate brows furrowed as she finished reading the message conveyed by the jade talisman. After a long contemplation, she finally spoke to Xuebing Xuan, who was seated below:
"Go back and gather up all the items Qin Muling has used. The most important ones should be sealed away, and the rest, which are not so crucial, should be burned to ashes. Make sure it's done cleanly! Later, I will have the elders set up a Formation Array to shield against the probing of fate once more."
Xuebing Xuan was struck as if by lightning, taking a moment to recover before asking incredulously, "Master, what are you planning to do?"
Mu Yinghua waved her hand, setting up layers of magical prohibitions around them before whispering, "I've mentioned to you before, there seems to be some unusual activity in that place. So, this is a necessary precaution we must take. Don't dwell on unnecessary thoughts. If you don't want our sect to face unforeseen disasters in the future, just do as I say."
"…I see."
Xuebing Xuan's face paled as she realized the gravity of the situation, especially since she had an intimate relationship with Qin Muling. She was deeply entangled in karma and was naturally the most likely target to be pursued by that mysterious and terrifying entity.
Fortunately, as long as she didn't mention those few specific sensitive terms, she wouldn't trigger its awareness and subsequent pursuit.
Mu Yinghua glanced at her bright yellow dress, adorned with splendor, and frowned, "The scent of Qin Muling lingers on your clothes. Don't wear them again, and don't take out anything similar."
"Alright, alright."
Xuebing Xuan agreed reluctantly, understanding that complying would mean she might temporarily lose the protection of her Junior Brother's fortune and blessings. It was only natural for her to feel some resistance.
After a moment of thought, she couldn't help but ask, "That person… if he's really not dead, has he reached the legendary Harmony Supreme realm?"
"How could that be?"
Mu Yinghua shook her head, "If that were the case, your Junior Brother wouldn't have had the chance to be born. All the Supreme Dao Lineages in The Great Void wouldn't be enough to handle Him. At most, He's close to that realm."
"That's a relief."
Xuebing Xuan breathed a sigh of relief, then asked again, "So, how long does Junior Brother need to travel outside? The other sisters will be back soon, and if they don't see him, won't they take their anger out on me?"
Moreover, there were those enchanting foxes who had won the sword-fighting tournament, already eyeing Junior Brother with predatory interest. If they met Qin Muling in the future, wouldn't they use all their wiles to seduce him?
Mu Yinghua pondered for a moment, "Not too long, just a few years at most. And it's only Qin Muling who can't return, but Qi Yalan and the others can leave the sect to meet up with him. So the matter of dual cultivation partners won't be delayed."
Xuebing Xuan's eyes lit up, "In that case, can't I also…"
Having been separated from Qin Muling for so long, the eldest sister was indeed struggling. If there was a chance to leave, she certainly couldn't miss it.
Mu Yinghua said displeasedly, "You don't need to think about it. Remember, you are the de facto Dao Heir, destined to succeed the Supreme Sect Master. If you leave, who will handle the sect's affairs? Do you expect me to do it?"
Xuebing Xuan's voice faltered, then she argued confidently, "Master, you are the Sect Master, isn't it only right for you to handle sect affairs? I haven't taken over yet, so naturally, I should prioritize my cultivation and strive for progress!"
Although Xuebing Xuan was currently sharing some of the Sect Master's burdens, it was only a temporary authorization and not an inescapable duty. She wanted to shirk this responsibility, which was rightfully Mu Yinghua's, so why should it fall on her?
Mu Yinghua scoffed lightly, "That's impossible. With them traveling outside, the sect needs someone to hold the fort. As the eldest sister, it's your duty to stay put!"
"Besides, you've already reached the Elemental Immortal realm, while the others are just Ascending to Immortality. They need to advance as soon as possible. Otherwise, with your overbearing ways, do you want to offend all your sisters?"
"…"
Xuebing Xuan was so frustrated she gritted her teeth, but she couldn't openly defy her master. Mu Yinghua's authority, built over many years, was no joke, and even she, the eldest sister, had no choice but to be firmly suppressed.
***
Above the floating lands.
With another round of purification completed and the effects of the elixirs about to wear off, Qin Muling decided to return and rest for a while. Ice Falcon, the Heavenly Monarch, said nothing more, taking him by the hand to tear through space and in an instant, they returned to the palace from millions of miles away.
Entering his private study, Chixing Zi requested an audience, bringing the prepared list of beauties.
Although this place was somewhat remote and backward, the combined population of the twenty-three floating lands exceeded 150 billion. With some effort, it was still possible to select many women of good looks and clean backgrounds. To please Qin Muling, the new master, these minor powers' leaders were quite willing to go to great lengths.
Qin Muling glanced at the list, which had 6,000 names circled, with nearly a hundred women from small families and sects at the forefront, and an additional 20,000 as alternatives.
"Alright, gather all these women tomorrow and bring them to the palace, including the alternatives. I want to see them personally," Qin Muling instructed.
Chixing Zi replied respectfully, "No problem, Master. You will see them tomorrow."
Ice Falcon, the Heavenly Monarch, was somewhat displeased and communicated telepathically, "How could these vulgar women be worthy of serving Junior Brother? If you really need it, I could inform the Sect Master to select a group of female disciples from the sect to come over?"
Qin Muling shook his head, gesturing for Chixing Zi to leave, before explaining, "There's no need. I am here to cultivate, not to indulge in pleasures. It's better not to mention such things. The reason I want to see these women is to assess their talents and destinies. Those who meet the requirements can be sent back to the sect for proper cultivation."
To the eyes of mortals, these women were carefully chosen for their beauty and would be suitable even as imperial concubines. However, from the perspective of a major sect's cultivator, they were not particularly remarkable. Any outer disciple from Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace would be considered a high-quality beauty.
Qin Muling's intention was simply to select suitable candidates for cultivation for the sect. Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace was in a phase of rapid recovery and had a great need for new blood, making this initiative quite appropriate.
Ice Falcon, the Heavenly Monarch, was reassured, thinking that with Qin Muling's standards, having a peerless beauty like the eldest sister, a true immortal, he wouldn't be interested in these mortal women.
After a brief hesitation, Qin Muling continued, "Sister, what was the environment like during the era you were active? Could the average spiritual energy density on the floating lands compare to now?"
Ice Falcon, the Heavenly Monarch, thought carefully, "It's definitely different. The average level was about thirty percent lower, and the Dao Rhyme in some famous blessed lands wasn't as rich as now. Even the habitable areas on the floating lands have naturally expanded quite a bit."
She had been in charge of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace tens of thousands of years ago and had been in a deep slumber due to severe injuries until now, only recovering with Qin Muling's divine abilities. After seeing the current state of The Great Void, it wasn't hard to conclude that the overall environment was slowly recovering.
Qin Muling pondered, "So, given enough time to recuperate, is it possible for The Great Void to return to the glorious era of immortality?"
"In theory, yes, but it would take a very long time. Without several hundred eons, it's not worth considering, unless some external force accelerates the process, like your divine abilities, for example."
Ice Falcon, the Heavenly Monarch, had a sudden realization: once Qin Muling ascended to immortality and reached the realm of Supreme Sect Master, or even a level comparable to her own, wouldn't his divine abilities also increase in power?
What could he achieve by then? Could he purify and restore a floating land with a radius of a million miles in one go, or even more?
Thinking about it, it was entirely possible. If thousands of floating lands could be restored to paradises under Qin Muling's divine abilities, the heavenly merit he would receive could be enough to elevate him to the Quasi Holy Emperor level.
Of course, this goal was distant, and for now, it was important to protect Qin Muling and let him focus on improving his cultivation.
Qin Muling seemed to sense her thoughts and said, "Such a possibility is not non-existent. The only concern is the mysterious entity that created that place. If It becomes aware of something amiss, it could be very disadvantageous for me."
Ice Falcon, the Heavenly Monarch's eyes grew solemn, "Rest assured, the sect will do everything possible to ensure your safety. Moreover, I suspect that even if It is powerful, It is at most a Quasi Holy Emperor. Such an enemy is indeed dangerous and difficult to deal with, but with the full strength of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, it's not impossible to handle."
She thought of the supreme elders who had been in a deep slumber due to injuries in the secret realms. If Qin Muling could help them all recover in the future, it wouldn't just be about revitalizing the sect; even sweeping through the surrounding immortal domains and their Supreme Dao Lineages wouldn't be a problem.
Qin Muling nodded, "Alright, let's rest for the night and continue our journey tomorrow."
"Wait,"
Ice Falcon, the Heavenly Monarch hesitated for a few seconds before saying, "Junior Brother, the Sect Master told me earlier that although you can't return to the sect for now, your sisters can come out to find you, so…"
Qin Muling asked in surprise, "So what?"
Ice Falcon, the Heavenly Monarch's face flushed slightly, "I just wanted to ask you, which sisters do you plan to have come over for dual cultivation?"
"…"
Qin Muling looked at her puzzled, "The rule set by the Sect Master is to decide by drawing lots, so let her handle it. With my current realm, I can only choose one more, so whoever draws the lot can come."
Each advancement in a major realm allows for one more Dao companion. Mu Yinghua had made this clear from the start, so no matter how many sisters coveted this, it was an unchangeable fact.
Ice Falcon, the Heavenly Monarch, however, said, "No, you can choose two because your eldest sister, Xuebing Xuan, will stay in the sect to handle affairs. So her spot can temporarily be given to another sister. What do you think?"
"…"