Yunji Peak.

Atop the Ascension Platform, over a thousand female cultivators sat neatly in concentric circles, having waited for some time. Each was clad in snow-white feathered robes, their beauty radiant and captivating.

These female cultivators were the direct forces brought by the Qinghuan Emperor, each at the pinnacle of the Destiny Realm, stuck at the threshold of Tribulation Crossing for many years. Should they withstand the dual trials of heavenly tribulations and extraterrestrial demons, they could take the crucial step from mortal to immortal, leaving behind their status as ordinary cultivators and gaining an entire Yuanhui of extended lifespan.

Shortly after, Mu Yinghua arrived with Qing Muling, riding the wind and descending gracefully onto the Ascension Platform. Xuebing Xuan and other curious ladies followed to watch the excitement.

Seeing the Supreme Sect Master of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace in person, the female cultivators stood up in unison to pay their respects. Xinyu Emperor and the avatar of Qinghuan Emperor observed silently from the shadows, primarily ensuring Qing Muling’s safety.

Qing Muling stood silently beside Mu Yinghua, showing no intention of greeting anyone, appearing exceptionally aloof.

To the surrounding female cultivators, this unknown junior sister must be a late-stage True Immortal, a direct disciple of the Supreme Sect Master, only her true appearance was concealed.

“Let’s dispense with the formalities and begin,” Mu Yinghua said succinctly. With so many people and time being of the essence, such formalities were naturally to be avoided.

The female cultivators responded in unison, sat down again, and began to release the seals on their mana, connecting their aura with the heavens and earth. The high sky immediately responded, with dark clouds swiftly gathering.

Amidst the howling winds, the temperature in the void plummeted, and an oppressive aura enveloped the area, instilling a profound fear of life and death in the hearts of the female cultivators facing tribulation.

But now, with the arrow on the string, they had no choice but to trust the arrangements of the Qinghuan Emperor and carefully channel their mana, ready to face the test of the tribulation lightning.

In a moment, with the first ancient dark serpent-like purple-black lightning striking down, the heavenly tribulation officially began.

To the female cultivators’ senses, a thousand-zhang tall phantom of a Blue Lotus flashed by. Immediately, a five-layered, hundred-acre expanse of celebratory purple clouds formed a canopy above their heads, enveloping the entire Ascension Platform. Amidst the dazzling mist of light, countless visions of golden lamps, rainbows, celestial palaces, and myriad star rivers flickered in and out of sight, resonating with the mysterious Dao Rhyme of the void.

The thunderous roars were incessant, with purple-black lightning falling like raindrops, quickly forming a terrifying sea of lightning that plummeted down from the sky. However, it was blocked by the fortune canopy, significantly weakening its power.

In secret, Qinghuan Emperor sensed the properties of the fortune canopy and nodded in silent admiration. In the Great Void, aside from Qing Muling, there was no second person capable of utilizing their own fortune in such a manner.

As time passed and the tribulation moved towards its end, Qing Muling maintained his silence. Given his current status, it was indeed not appropriate for him to speak.

With the last bolt of lightning falling, the dark clouds finally began to disperse, and the auras of Feather Transformation Realm cultivators soared into the sky, with radiant light filling the air and auspicious clouds spreading, accompanied by the faint sound of celestial music.

“Is it over just like that?” The female cultivators were still somewhat unaccustomed; the terrifying heavenly tribulation they had heard so much about had passed so uneventfully. What was the reason?

Before departing, Qinghuan Emperor had only vaguely mentioned that Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace had a way to help them smoothly cross the tribulation, but the exact means were unknown to anyone.

“Alright, hurry back and enter closed-door cultivation to consolidate your realms. There are many more fellow sect sisters waiting to cross the tribulation,” Mu Yinghua urged as soon as the tribulation ended, not bothering to explain the reason.

The female cultivators dared not say much, and after acknowledging her words, they left on light beams, with elders from Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace leading them to the pre-arranged caves for seclusion.

“It really worked, it’s unbelievable!” Qinghuan Emperor mused from her hiding spot: “If someone needs to cross the tribulations of Daluo or Quasi Holy in the future, can they also seek his protection?”

“It’s worth a try, but…” Xinyu Emperor spoke calmly, “at least he would need to reach the realm of Great Golden Immortal before he could do that, right?”

“Mhm, I’m looking forward to it,” Qinghuan Emperor said with a smile, her envy and jealousy towards her daughter growing a bit more. With Qing Muling’s support, it was possible that Dragon Ritual Princess could advance to Quasi Holy Emperor much sooner than expected.

Of course, the prerequisite for all this to become reality was for Qing Muling to grow successfully without falling to tribulations or being lured away by enemy schemes.

Thus, both she and Xinyu Emperor needed to invest more effort in this little fellow.

Shortly after, the next batch of female cultivators arrived, numbering over two thousand. This did not exceed the limits of Qing Muling’s current abilities, so he did not object.

In this manner, batch after batch of female cultivators came and went. After seven days, the tens of thousands of female cultivators brought by Qinghuan Emperor had all completed their tribulations.

Next, there were over five hundred high-ranking female immortals with damaged foundations, fallen cultivation, and lifespans nearing exhaustion, ranging from Golden Immortals to Great Golden Immortals, who also required Qing Muling’s personal treatment.

There was nothing much to say about this; Qing Muling activated the time acceleration formation array, and within just five days, he had healed and restored each of Qinghuan Emperor’s confidants, including twelve Great Golden Immortals who had shared life-and-death experiences with her over the long years.

Having tasted the benefits, Qinghuan Emperor did not hesitate to return to Dao Court and secretly brought over another hundred thousand female cultivators two months later, ranging from Destiny Realm to True Immortals, as well as over three thousand severely injured high-ranking female immortals.

As compensation, the Emperor offered a vast amount of rare cultivation resources to Qing Muling, claiming that she had given up more than eighty-five percent of her personal treasury. If not for fear of arousing suspicion from the other two Emperors of Dao Court, she would have even considered using some public funds for emergency relief.

Qing Muling was somewhat speechless at this; Qinghuan Emperor was clearly not one to be underestimated. Originally backed by Dao Court and controlling more resources than the average Supreme Dao Lineage, she now possessed a terrifying force. The internal affairs of Dao Court would likely be far from peaceful in the future.

From the perspective of other Supreme Dao Lineages, Qing Muling’s actions would undoubtedly be met with extreme dissatisfaction and even intense hostility.

Dao Court was already difficult to control, and this move was akin to adding wings to a tiger. Wasn’t this pushing other forces to a dead end?

While Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace might not be affected for the time being, becoming too closely tied to Qinghuan Emperor would likely drag them down in the future.

After weighing his concerns, Qing Muling shared his worries with his master, Mu Yinghua, who reassured him that the sect’s higher-ups had fully considered all possible consequences and prepared various contingency plans, advising him not to worry.

In short, to remain undefeated in this era of great contention, the only true reliance was one’s own strength. If Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace could produce one or two more Quasi Holy Emperors in the future, what would there be to fear? Even if it meant turning against Dao Court and going to war, so be it.

In the Hidden Cave Mystical Realm, two graceful and dignified beauties sat opposite each other, surrounded by dazzling radiance and rich with the profound mysteries of Dao Rhyme.

“I’m a bit curious,” Xinyu Emperor said leisurely, “just how many more people do you have to send over, Qinghuan sister? The reopening of the Misty Illusion Secret Realm is drawing near, and Muling can only finish this batch for you before he has to lead people inside to transport resources.”

All the Supreme Elders of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace had fully recovered, and all peak True Immortals needing to cross tribulation had been arranged, so Qing Muling helping Qinghuan Emperor now was not an issue, but it couldn’t go on indefinitely.

Qinghuan Emperor pondered for a moment: “That’s all for now. Of course, there are still plenty of people left, but there’s no rush. We can continue after the little guy comes back from the Misty Illusion Secret Realm.”

“How much is left of your family fortune?” Xinyu Emperor asked with a half-smile. To be able to drain a Dao Court Emperor’s wealth to near emptiness and still have her eagerly offering her daughter, aside from Qing Muling, there was no one else.

Qinghuan Emperor rolled her eyes: “This little guy is now my son-in-law!”

“Regardless of son-in-law or husband, if you want him to take action, you have to pay the price! There’s no such thing as a free lunch,” Xinyu Emperor chuckled. Even between blood brothers, accounts must be clear, let alone a mother-in-law… accounts must be settled. The benefits due to Qing Muling couldn’t be shortchanged! That was her true thought.

“You…” Qinghuan Emperor glared at her, finally compromising reluctantly: “Fine! They’re just external possessions, aren’t they? I’ll find a way to get them for him. It’s just… unbelievable.”

Xinyu Emperor was about to speak when her expression suddenly changed: “Not good, something’s happening!”

Her figure vanished from the spot, and Qinghuan Emperor, taken aback, quickly followed out of the Hidden Cave Mystical Realm.

A mysterious and indistinct shadow, hovering between the void and reality, appeared and blocked the two Emperors.

“Please stay your steps, Emperors,” a fluctuating voice sounded: “That young one has a destiny with our sect, so I have come to guide him back. Please do not interfere!”

Atop Imperial Dao Peak.

In the back mountain garden, Qing Muling sat calmly, frowning at the bronze lotus that had appeared before him at some unknown time.

The lotus was only three feet in diameter, with three layers and thirty-six petals, exuding an ancient and variegated bronze hue. Its surface was extremely smooth and polished, possessing the power to devour all light and sound, with a deep and mysterious coldness.

“Calamity Fate Palace? You’ve finally made your move?”

Qing Muling spoke indifferently, not particularly surprised. This power, adept at manipulating fate and fortune, had set its sights on him, and it was only a matter of time before they made their move.

However, to employ a tactic that temporarily disabled the Mountain Protection Array’s central hub on Imperial Dao Peak, the Calamity Fate Palace must have made a significant investment; otherwise, they would not have succeeded.

“I wonder how much force you’ve deployed? Did even a Quasi Holy Emperor come? But this is not your home ground after all, and such a grand gesture is likely to end up in vain,” Qing Muling’s gaze turned to the sky.

“Enough talk, it’s time for you to come with us!” A chilling voice emanated from within the bronze lotus: “Once you’re at the Main Altar of the Sect, the palace master will explain the cause and effect to you.”

With that, a gossamer-like dark light spread from within the bronze lotus, enveloping Qing Muling completely.