At the heart of the Dao Court.
The Dao Field of Qinghuan Emperor was a world of its own, a celestial domain spanning billions of miles, independent from the Great Void's starry expanse. It was a realm where the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was so rich it reached its zenith. The scenery was breathtaking, with majestic mountains and rivers, and all sorts of rare spiritual herbs and exotic beasts that one might only encounter in the glorious era of ancient immortal cultivation.
Moreover, this celestial domain was personally created by Qinghuan Emperor using her profound divine powers, infusing it with her own insights into the Dao. The laws of the great Dao within were complete and self-consistent, allowing the domain to continuously draw in the essence of spiritual energy from the vast emptiness of space, growing from its initial size of tens of millions of miles to its current astonishing scale.
Such a celestial domain was akin to a personal realm for a Quasi Holy Emperor, as well as the source of their formidable divine powers. The larger the domain, the more terrifying the power of the Emperor.
In the central area of this celestial domain, within a serene and elegant palace garden, Qinghuan Emperor reclined lazily on a white jade couch, her body's graceful curves covered in a dazzling glow of rosy light, her silhouette indistinct. Not far from her stood dozens of female attendants and maidservants.
Tang Ruoxuan sat a few yards away, his expression slightly tense. After all, facing one of the three great Emperors of the Dao Court, it was difficult for anyone to remain completely composed.
At the moment, however, Qinghuan Emperor's gaze was not on him, but tenderly fixed on a girl behind a nearby table, who was dressed in a luxurious deep purple palace gown. She was pure and naive, with a beauty that could captivate a city, exuding a mysterious charm yet also a sacred and inviolable dignity.
This was Dragon Ritual Princess, the only daughter of Qinghuan Emperor, not by birth but adopted since childhood. Now recognized as the Dao Court's favored daughter, she was skillfully preparing tea with a set of exquisite tea utensils before her.
"…I heard they've already rejected my proposal?"
Qinghuan Emperor's voice was calm and enchanting.
"Yes, and they seem quite resolute about it," Tang Ruoxuan replied cautiously and nervously.
The Emperor usually didn't seem difficult to talk to, humble and easy-going in her interactions, with an excellent reputation both within and outside the Dao Court. But an Emperor was still an Emperor, and the awe and authority that came with supreme divine powers were not to be taken lightly. A single word from her could send someone plummeting from the clouds to the dust, never to rise again.
There was a hint of amusement in Qinghuan Emperor's tone: "The offer was not bad, right? Trading a talented junior disciple with great potential for an Emperor-level powerhouse who could take action, could fully restore their strength and status, and ensure their invincibility in the upcoming calamity. No matter how you look at it, it's a win-win for Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace. Unless… they think that Qin Muling is more valuable than an Emperor. But is that possible? Even my daughter might not be as precious as that right now, right?"
Tang Ruoxuan dared not take up such a topic lightly and could only respond vaguely, "Indeed, the Sect Master has been overly cautious."
Qinghuan Emperor smiled faintly and called out softly, "Dragon Ritual, your mother is preparing to find you a suitable husband. What do you think?"
The Dragon Ritual Princess paused in her tea-making, lifted her delicate head slightly, her eyes slightly cold as she spoke, "What is his cultivation level? Can he spar with me? Can he beat me?"
"Unfortunately, he seems to be only at the Divine Soul stage, and you are already an Elemental Immortal, so that's impossible."
"Divine Soul stage? Wouldn't I be able to kill him with just a breath? What use do I have for such a useless husband?"
"His current cultivation may not be sufficient, but he will grow! As a monstrous talent, his cultivation speed is very fast!"
"Hmph, are monstrous talents so rare? I can see a bunch of them anytime. I even rejected the pure-blooded descendants of ancient true dragons. What makes him worthy to be my husband?"
"Well… he is indeed different,"
Qinghuan Emperor's smile did not wane, "Perhaps when you meet him in the future, you might think differently."
Dragon Ritual Princess spoke indifferently, "Before he comes to see me, he better hurry up and cultivate to the Elemental Immortal stage. Otherwise, even if I don't kill him, those supreme talents from the Dao Lineages will be eager to do so."
Tang Ruoxuan finally interjected, "Princess, forgive my boldness, but after you meet Qin Muling, you might change your mind and even protect him yourself."
Dragon Ritual Princess's beautiful eyes grew cold, "Why do you say that?"
"Because he truly is the special one, the darling of destiny, an anomaly in the river of fate. His cultivation is only low because he is still young. Catching up to you will be easy, and you won't have to wait long."
"Is that so?" Dragon Ritual Princess pondered, "I shouldn't doubt my mother's judgment, but this is no trivial matter. I must see for myself. What do you think?"
Qinghuan Emperor nodded slightly, "It is only right. You can go anytime. He is the direct disciple of the Supreme Sect Master of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, who has been in seclusion at the Main Altar. They have protected him well, never allowing him to leave and travel."
Dragon Ritual Princess sounded surprised, "Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace? Isn't that a female cultivator sect? When did they start taking in male disciples?"
"That's why I say he is special, special enough for the Sect Master to break the sect's ironclad rules of hundreds of thousands of years and take him in. So…"
"I see," Dragon Ritual Princess's eyes narrowed with interest, "Perhaps this fellow is indeed worth my personal visit. If what you say is true, I will bring him back with me to avoid the constant attention of other vixens!"
Qinghuan Emperor looked at her daughter approvingly, "Well said. Decisiveness is needed in important matters. You are nearly three thousand years older than Qin Muling, but once he becomes your Dao companion, his ascension to the ranks of the immortals is only a matter of time. He won't be able to resist."
"…" Tang Ruoxuan opened his mouth, wanting to advise but not knowing where to start. Qin Muling's identity was extraordinary, as the direct disciple of Mu Yinghua and highly valued by the entire sect. Handling him could not be so simple and crude.
If a conflict arose, it would mean an open dispute between Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace and the Dao Court, which would be terribly detrimental.
Qinghuan Emperor, however, seemed unconcerned and said to Tang Ruoxuan, "That's settled then! Tell Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace that not only can I agree to their loan, but I can also reduce the interest by thirty percent and extend the repayment period to ten Yuanhui. Aren't these terms generous enough?"
"Okay, okay." Tang Ruoxuan agreed somewhat helplessly.
***
On the desolate and silent Floating Plains, there were hundreds of giant pits, each tens of miles wide and several miles deep, with walls fused into dark, glassy surfaces by intense heat, a sight to behold.
Qin Muling and Luo Huan stood together, looking up as the thick black clouds in the sky gradually dispersed, the violent winds calmed, and the deafening thunder still echoed in the depths of their divine souls.
With Qin Muling present, the Elemental Immortal tribulation, which made cultivators pale at the mention, was crossed without much ado.
From this moment on, Luo Huan was a true Elemental Immortal, with a flawless Dao foundation, ensuring a smooth journey ahead, free from calamities and tribulations, and cultivating to the realm of Sect Master Mu Yinghua would be no problem.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan