With Mu Yinghua’s departure, the back mountain of Imperial Dao Peak once again fell into silence.

Qing Muling sighed. As the leader of a sect, no one yearned to enhance their cultivation more than the Sect Master. However, her inner dignity and pride made it difficult for her to share opportunities with her own disciples, even though such precedents were not uncommon in the Great Void.

However, if Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace wished to safely navigate through the great calamity and even flourish, just one Emperor-level cultivator was indeed insufficient. If Mu Yinghua was not up to the task for the time being, then they would have to select a suitable candidate from among the other Supreme Elders. Candidates like Yu Lingzhou, as well as Ice Falcon and Yueyi Heavenly Lords, could be considered.

Yet, there had been no successful precedents for this matter, and Qing Muling didn’t know if he could achieve it. Of course, if it was just a trial, he believed that Yu Lingzhou, the Lolita Elder, would not refuse, right?

After much contemplation, Qing Muling’s gaze fell upon the white jade cauldron in front of him. Since the Sect Master was not around, he could now enjoy the delicacies all by himself.

He served himself a full bowl and began to feast heartily with Spiritual Wine and Nectar.

After eating and drinking his fill, should he go find his Senior Sisters? Or should he first go to heal those Supreme Elders? However, the sect’s forbidden area in the back mountain required a special token from the Supreme Sect Master to enter, and without Mu Yinghua’s appearance, Qing Muling had no solution.

Moreover, the full recovery of thousands of Supreme Elders was an enormous undertaking, requiring more time and effort than even healing Xinyu Emperor, so from Qing Muling’s perspective, he could only proceed slowly. Rushing for success was not feasible.

As for another matter, arranging for the many female cultivators of the sect to cross their Tribulation was much easier. He could simply ask Yu Lingzhou and Ice Falcon to handle it, with the Senior Sisters being the first batch, as they had been at the peak of the Elemental Immortal realm for too long.

Before long, with several beams of light flying swiftly and circling in mid-air before landing, a number of familiar stunning figures appeared. Xuebing Xuan, Cheng Yulan, Qi Yalan, Luo Wanqing, Luo Huan, as well as Yu Binghua and Fengxia, all appeared before him, their joyful eyes mixed with a hint of resentment, unblinkingly fixed on him.

Clearly, the Sect Master had informed them in secret, which is why they hurried over so eagerly.

“Senior Sisters, you’ve arrived…”

Qing Muling put down his wine jar and stood up. Before he could think of what to say, several warm and soft bodies eagerly surrounded him, hugging him tightly, their ample bosoms almost suffocating him.

After a good while of affection, the Senior Sisters reluctantly let go and sat down again, beginning to share the delicacies from the cauldron.

“All preparations for the Tribulation are ready, we’re just waiting for you, Junior Brother!”

Luo Wanqing huffed, “After the Tribulation, you’ll have to spend a few days sparring with your Senior Sister! Really… to think you secluded yourself for so long without seeing anyone. If you had been cultivating with us all this time, you might not be far from the Feather Transformation Realm now, right?”

Xuebing Xuan chuckled, “You can’t blame Junior Brother. The recovery of an Emperor is indeed the most important matter for our sect. To say it concerns the life and death of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace is not an exaggeration. It’s only natural for the Sect Master to prioritize this.”

With the calamity of the Magic Clan looming, everyone in Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace was on edge, fearing the sect wouldn’t survive this ordeal. But now, with a peak Quasi Holy Emperor as their backbone, everyone’s confidence surged.

Qi Yalan inquired, “So after the Tribulation, can you spend some time in closed-door cultivation with us, Junior Brother?”

Qing Muling nodded, “Of course, but it will take some time. Besides you, so many Senior Sisters and Uncles are waiting to cross their Tribulation!”

With the Magic Clan’s calamity escalating, the only way to safely pass through the Tribulation was to enhance one’s cultivation as much as possible. If the strength of the female cultivators of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace could be raised by one realm, their chances of surviving the Tribulation would naturally increase.

They sought Qing Muling’s help with their Tribulation, obviously not empty-handed, and would surely offer sufficient compensation. Moreover, absorbing enough power from the heavenly Tribulation would also accelerate the growth of the Harmony Spirit Seed and aid in Qing Muling’s own cultivation improvement.

Therefore, Qing Muling was not averse to such mutually beneficial arrangements. The last time he helped a fellow sect member cross their Tribulation was during the True One Realm. Now, having surpassed the Heart Demon realm and stepped into the Destiny Realm, the fortune consumed in resisting the Tribulation was negligible, and recovery was much easier.

“By the way, those clients who want to buy resources from you have already arrived at the Main Altar of the sect, and they’ve been waiting for quite some time,” Xuebing Xuan mentioned. “My suggestion is to complete the transactions with them as soon as possible and then send them away. We shouldn’t get involved with them anymore in the future.”

If it weren’t for Qing Muling’s prior agreement, the Senior Sister wouldn’t even want to deal with them. These people came to the door and waited with unusual patience, simply wanting to get closer to Qing Muling for future interactions.

Any outsider trying to contact Qing Muling would trigger Xuebing Xuan’s instinctive vigilance. For his safety, such matters should be avoided as much as possible, even with close allies.

Qing Muling nodded, “Senior Sister is right, let’s handle it that way!”

The green dew he had brought back from Yunji Inquiry Tower was actually a kind of Dao Rhyme with miraculous effects. As long as it could be absorbed and integrated by one’s Divine Soul and body, it could significantly enhance cultivation, improve one’s roots and talents, and elevate one’s potential to reach further in the future.

Such special resources, similar in effect to the primordial mother liquid of Taiqing, were suitable for both male and female cultivators. If used in sufficient quantities, even the most foolish mortal could undergo a transformation and become a prodigious talent.

Thus, under the escort of his Senior Sisters, Qing Muling left Imperial Dao Peak for the first time in over a year and headed to the Council Hall. Yu Lingzhou and the others arrived shortly after. Although they were now within Xinyu Emperor’s domain and unlikely to encounter any foul play, it was always best to be cautious.

Soon after, the siblings of the ancient Kylin clan, Chiye Ling, arrived, followed by Mu Yingshuang, the direct disciple of Qingqiu Hall’s Sect Master, and Yun Tianyi, the second son of the Dragon Tiger Pill Cauldron Sect. Of course, Miao Xin, the prospective Buddha Master of the Great Brahma Temple, could not be absent.

“Qing Junior Brother, it’s not easy to see you!” Chiye Ling said with a friendly smile in his eyes. He and his siblings had been staying here for quite some time, all for those Dao Rhyme.

But after some time apart, the young man before them had undergone unbelievable changes, making Chiye Ling feel a twinge of envy. How did such an outstanding individual end up with Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace?

Beside him, Chiye Ling’s sister, Chiye Xue You, looked at Qing Muling with a complex expression, hesitating to speak. The young girl with a wasp waist and long legs, sweet and adorable features, was still in her green and gold soft armor, highlighting her slender and youthful figure. Her skin was as smooth as cream, her beauty no less than that of the Senior Sisters around her.

“The seclusion delayed me, it couldn’t be helped,” Qing Muling said briefly. “The goods are with me, let’s proceed with the transaction as previously agreed. How many people did the young master bring?”

Chiye Ling immediately replied, “Thirty-six in total. We’ve brought the necessary resources, which you can check. If there’s no problem, let’s trade.”

Chiye Xue You brought two large Space Bracelets, intending to hand them to Qing Muling, but Yu Binghua subtly intercepted them, smiling sweetly, “Sister, just give the items to me. You don’t need to worry about the rest.”

“Okay, sure,” Chiye Xue You reluctantly glanced at Qing Muling and agreed.

Qi Yalan’s sharp gaze swept over. This little girl from the ancient Kylin clan probably knew something and wanted to get close to Junior Brother. Unfortunately, she wouldn’t get her wish.

It didn’t take long for Yu Binghua to verify the resources in the bracelets and confirm there were no issues. Chiye Ling then called in the thirty-six young members of the Kylin clan waiting outside the hall, both male and female, with cultivations ranging from the Heart Demon realm to the Ascending to Immortality realm.

Qing Muling nodded and took out the corresponding amount of Dao Rhyme from his inner space, allocating three pecks and three liters to each Kylin clan member. He formed it into a sphere with his magical power, which they then absorbed into their bodies on the spot.

This substance could not be preserved by any means other than Qing Muling’s inner space. Once taken out, it had to be used immediately, or it would dissipate into spiritual energy in the air.

After the thirty-six Kylin clan members absorbed the Dao Rhyme, the stewards of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace led them away to a pre-arranged residence for closed-door cultivation. Chiye Ling and his sister wanted to stay and talk with Qing Muling, but they were politely declined by Xuebing Xuan.

“Well then, for the sake of the long-term friendship between our two families, I’ve decided to let Xue You stay at Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace to facilitate communication between our high-level officials,” Chiye Ling said with a smile. “Moreover, this is official business, so I hope the Senior Sister won’t refuse. If you find it difficult to arrange, I can also discuss it with the Supreme Sect Master.”

Chiye Xue You looked pleased. As long as she could stay at Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace for a long time, she would have the opportunity to see Qing Muling again.

Xuebing Xuan cursed inwardly but maintained a polite demeanor, “The young master is too kind. Since our families have formed an alliance, it is only right to dispatch envoys to each other. We’ll discuss the details of this matter later.”

Chiye Ling made it clear that this was official business, giving her no reason to refuse. However, the Senior Sister wouldn’t let him have his way so easily.

After the Kylin clan’s young master and sister left, the next to enter was Mu Yingshuang, the Holy Maiden of Qingqiu Hall. The tall and curvaceous beauty still wore a veil, her bright eyes gleaming with cunning, holding a transparent jade flute in her hand.

“Qing Junior Brother, we meet again!” Mu Yingshuang said cheerfully, her radiant eyes scrutinizing Qing Muling non-stop. She came not only to purchase resources but also on an important mission entrusted by her Sect Master.

Well, there would be time to discuss this matter privately later.

But Qing Muling had no interest in bantering with her at the moment. After a few simple pleasantries, he let his Senior Sister take the agreed items, then exchanged resources and arranged for the stewards to escort them out, without a word more than necessary.

Next was Yun Tianyi, the prince of the Dragon Tiger Pill Cauldron Sect, as well as envoys from the Goddess Sect, Lu Hua Palace, and other female cultivator sects. By the time all the clients needing transactions were sent away, nearly half an hour had passed.

The last to enter was Miao Xin, the prospective Buddha Master and Deputy Sect Master of the Great Brahma Temple, undoubtedly the next supreme leader.

She was still dressed in a finely luxurious deep cyan robe, fully accentuating her voluptuous and undulating figure. Her delicate and graceful facial features were as beautiful as peach blossoms in February, yet she exuded a holy and untainted aura.

If not for the faint golden Buddha light, she would seem more like a courtly lady than one of the most powerful figures in Buddhism, with unfathomable cultivation and only a step away from the Quasi Holy Emperor.

“Could we talk alone somewhere?” Miao Xin’s eyes shimmered, her smile warm and generous. “Since you’re my predestined Dao Companion, it’s not too much to ask for some special treatment, right?”

Luo Wanqing silently sighed. The Senior Sister was right; the outside world was full of such seductive vixens!

It was simply… one after another, shameless and lacking in decency, not caring about their appearance, treating Junior Brother as what?

“Miao Xin Master, I can’t fulfill this request,” Qing Muling shook his head. “Whatever you have to say, say it here. The night is short, and I still have to engage in dual cultivation with my Senior Sisters!”

Cheng Yulan and the other women blushed slightly. Although they all belonged to Junior Brother, it was still somewhat embarrassing to have such private matters spoken out loud. Of course, if it could make the Buddha Master give up, it wouldn’t be too bad.

Miao Xin was unfazed, her smile unwavering, “Dual cultivation is only right, but since they’re all your Dao Companions, you shouldn’t favor some over others, right? Can’t I join them and exchange cultivation insights?”

Qing Muling: “…”

Qi Yalan: “…”

Xuebing Xuan felt the urge to cover her face. Such a figure, not much less in status than the Sect Master, was so open? She really didn’t know what to say.

Just then, a cool and elegant voice came from afar: “It’s been many years since I’ve seen the monks and nuns of the Great Brahma Temple. Today, it seems their eloquence is as sharp as ever. Why not come and have a heart-to-heart with me?”

The surrounding space subtly shifted, concealing Miao Xin’s figure.

“Did the Emperor take action?” Qing Muling asked, knowing that no one else in the sect, aside from Xinyu Emperor, could so effortlessly move a Buddhist powerhouse.

Xuebing Xuan nodded and took his hand, “Let’s not bother with that nun anymore, let’s go cross the Tribulation!”

With Xinyu Emperor personally handling the matter, Miao Xin and the high-level figures of the Great Brahma Temple behind her would not be able to succeed for the time being. Qing Muling could now focus on improving his cultivation.

Once he also became a Quasi Holy Emperor, with absolute strength at his side, he would naturally fear no schemes or plots.

Moments later.

As the elders activated the layers of array restrictions, the blood-red Yunji Peak slowly lit up, resembling an oversized torch against the dark sky.

Atop the Ascension Platform on the peak, Xuebing Xuan, Cheng Yulan, Qi Yalan, Luo Wanqing, Luo Huan, and the other five Senior Sisters had already settled in the center of the array. Qing Muling sat among them, leisurely savoring a handful of multicolored lotus seeds that shimmered with rainbow light.

These divine herbs were once the main ingredients for refining top-grade spiritual pills. Due to their difficult cultivation and slow growth, every mature lotus seed had to be carefully allocated, with not even the Supreme Sect Master having a surplus.

Of course, with Qing Muling’s divine abilities, he could have as many of these as he wanted, making them perfect snacks and allowing his Senior Sisters to benefit greatly as well.

As Xuebing Xuan and the others gradually released their internal seals, their magical power and aura surged, and the laws of heaven and earth responded. Thunderous roars echoed continuously in the high sky, and rolling black clouds gathered from all directions, slowly pressing down towards Yunji Peak.