In Xinyu Emperor’s Dao Court.
Mu Yinghua, Qinghuan Emperor, Dragon Ritual Princess, Tongying Emperor, and Qingchan Fairy were still discussing the alliance matters and had initially reached a consensus.
Mu Yinghua’s stance was clear: Tongying Emperor and the Goddess Sect could join the alliance, but the matter of Qingchan Fairy’s marriage to Qing Muling had to respect his personal wishes.
If Qing Muling did not like the chief saintess of the Goddess Sect, then Tongying Emperor would have to choose someone else who would satisfy Qing Muling.
As Qing Muling’s sole master, she was determined not to let her disciple suffer any grievances in this regard.
Tongying Emperor agreed, as the Goddess Sect had over two hundred million female cultivators, including countless peerless beauties. Surely, there would be someone Qing Muling would fancy.
“Sect Master…”
Fairy Butterfly hurriedly arrived, her bright eyes revealing an unmistakable panic.
“Hmm? What happened?”
Mu Yinghua’s eyes narrowed slightly as she asked in a deep voice, a sense of foreboding rising in her heart.
“The Ice Toad Emperor from the Origin Star Palace has sent a message saying she wants to visit. She’s currently waiting outside the mountain protection array!”
Fairy Butterfly’s words instantly dropped the atmosphere to freezing point.
“So soon?”
Dragon Ritual Princess muttered to herself, her jade-like face turning as pale as paper.
Everyone present was aware of Qing Muling’s true identity. Now that the rightful owner had come to claim the Harmony Spirit Seed, they would likely demand a hefty compensation.
If the visitor had a volatile temperament, Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace might face annihilation today, just like the blood-soaked examples of the Armillary Sphere Star Palace and Azure Fall Divine Sect.
Mu Yinghua instinctively turned to observe Xinyu Emperor’s expression. With three Quasi Holy Emperors present, she wondered if they could fend off the Origin Star Palace’s envoy if they worked together.
Putting aside interests, she had personally taken the Harmony Spirit Seed from that place, watched it transform into a human, named him ‘Qing Muling,’ and protected him as he grew. Their bond was genuine.
As long as there was a sliver of hope, Mu Yinghua would never let Qing Muling be taken away. Even if the legendary Saint Supreme came, she would still think the same.
“How many people did they bring?”
Xinyu Emperor asked calmly, her aura steadily rising, brewing immense power in silence.
“Not many, just about thirty, including the Ice Toad Emperor. They’re all women, mostly at the Daluo realm,” Fairy Butterfly replied.
Qinghuan Emperor’s eyes flickered as she spoke softly, “If that’s the case, they don’t seem to be here to cause trouble.”
When they destroyed the Armillary Sphere Star Palace and Azure Fall Divine Sect, they deployed an army of hundreds of thousands of immortals. Now, with only a small group, it didn’t look like they were here to fight.
Mu Yinghua’s expression relaxed slightly, “The Emperor is right. Shall we go meet them together?”
“Yes, the two of us will go.”
Xinyu Emperor stood gracefully. Qinghuan and Tongying Emperors, as guests of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, remained in the Dao Court to await news.
Mu Yinghua pursed her lips and instructed Fairy Butterfly to notify Xuebing Xuan and the others to enter closed-door cultivation immediately. Any disciples or elders close to Qing Muling were to stay out of sight, avoiding the Origin Star Palace’s female cultivators.
As the former number one immortal sanctuary in the Great Void, the Origin Star Palace had countless secret techniques and divine abilities. They might detect something amiss, so Mu Yinghua had to act cautiously.
If not for her special status as Sect Master, she wouldn’t even consider meeting them herself.
A moment later.
Outside the mountain protection array of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, brilliant clouds and radiant light surged, auspicious energy abounded, celestial music echoed, and countless golden crystal flowers floated down from the sky, filling the air with fragrance. Tens of thousands of female cultivators in splendid attire formed a grand procession to welcome the guests.
The Ice Toad Emperor had been waiting in the clouds for a while, showing no impatience. Seeing the two graceful and charming ladies at the forefront of the procession, she knew the hosts had arrived and approached with Dongfang Zhihan.
“You must be Xinyu and Mu Yinghua?”
The Ice Toad Emperor smiled slightly, her beautiful yet sharp eyes scrutinizing the two women. With her status, she didn’t need to be polite to any Dao Lineage in the Great Void. Maintaining surface courtesy was already a sign of her magnanimity.
“Friend Ice Toad, your reputation precedes you…”
Xinyu Emperor observed the elegant and noble woman before her, dressed in a majestic red-gold gown, her hair styled in a cloud-like bun, her demeanor flawless. Her cultivation seemed slightly superior to her own.
Even among Quasi Holy Emperors, there were differences. Xinyu Emperor was a third-generation disciple of the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace’s founder, while this woman was the first disciple of the Origin Star Palace’s Saint. In terms of status and cultivation, the Ice Toad Emperor seemed superior.
Xinyu Emperor assessed silently. If the three Emperors joined forces, they could repel or injure the Ice Toad Emperor, but capturing her was unlikely.
Moreover, the thirty-odd female cultivators behind her were mostly at the Daluo realm, with a few close to becoming Quasi Holy Emperors, like the stunning girl in the purple dress holding a flower basket.
“I’ve visited dozens of so-called Supreme Dao Lineages recently. Their leaders’ cultivation varies, but it’s rare to see someone like Mu Yinghua, a mere third-grade Taiyi Golden Immortal, leading a sect!”
The Ice Toad Emperor’s words carried a hint of disdain, causing the core elders behind her to frown.
Mu Yinghua, however, remained unperturbed, speaking warmly, “Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace has been in decline for a long time, and the lack of talent is inevitable. Only in recent years, with the recovery of Ancestor Xinyu, has the sect seen some improvement. We can’t compare to those established Supreme Dao Lineages.”
Fortunately, the Ice Toad Emperor didn’t press further. After some polite exchanges, she entered the Council Hall on the main peak at Xinyu Emperor’s invitation.
The Council Hall had been newly decorated, with thousands of core disciples attending to the guests, bustling like butterflies, serving tea, offering various spiritual fruits, delicacies, and fine wines.
Given the current situation, even if the visitors had ill intentions, Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace couldn’t afford to be discourteous.
“Friend Xinyu, there’s no need to be nervous,”
After taking her seat, the Ice Toad Emperor got straight to the point, “I am here on my master’s orders to search for the Harmony Spirit Seed. During the calamity at the sanctuary, none of your disciples were involved, so I’m not here to accuse you.”
“That’s a relief.”
Xinyu Emperor breathed a sigh of relief, smiling, “I’ve heard some rumors about the Harmony Spirit Seed. Such a treasure born in the Harmony Void is of great importance and must not be lost.”
The Ice Toad Emperor nodded slightly, taking out a small, translucent jade ring and said:
“In that case, please call out your personal disciples so I can see them one by one. I heard you made an exception to accept a male disciple named Qing Muling? He must be quite talented. Where is he? Bring him along!”
“…”