Calamity Fate Palace Main Altar.

 

In the dim and solemn bronze hall, the stunningly beautiful and ethereal divine envoy Zihuang once again stood before the ancient and weathered red jade altar. The eerie purple flames on the altar flickered unpredictably, intermittently transmitting profound and obscure messages.

 

This artifact, capable of penetrating the barriers of time and space to easily communicate between two realms, was one of the few in the Heavenly Human Clan, its value rivaling that of top-tier Innate Spirit Treasures.

 

When Palace Master Yun Miaozhi of the Calamity Fate Palace first saw this artifact, he pondered borrowing it to let the Supreme Elders of the sect, who were skilled in artifact crafting, study it for a few days to see if they could replicate a similar one. However, Zihuang firmly refused.

 

Standing quietly to the side, Lingxi, dressed in a snow-white gown, revealed a trace of worry in her clear, dark eyes.

 

After a while, when the purple flames on the altar stabilized, a distant voice echoed from within, carrying a strange resonance: "A major event has occurred in the secret realm recently. Your mother and your master have both been severely reprimanded by the higher-ups. Even the Emperors have taken action, activating the Great Thousand Sky Mirror…"

 

"How could this happen? What exactly occurred?"

 

Zihuang's expression changed slightly. The status of her elders within the Heavenly Human Clan was unquestionable; ordinary matters would not affect them. However, this time… what kind of blunder could have alarmed those high and mighty Emperors?

 

"In the wildlands of the secret realm, an unknown force has been massively stealing and plundering resources belonging to our clan. The quantity is enormous, involving many people, and it has been going on for several years, far more exaggerated than last time…"

 

The voice within the purple flames, filled with undisguised anger, recounted the events.

 

Zihuang pursed her plump, crystal-clear lips and frowned, asking, "Do you mean to say that this is likely the work of the cultivator forces from the Great Void?"

 

"Besides them, there doesn't seem to be a more suitable suspect," the voice within the purple flames replied coldly. "You now have an additional important task: to have the high-ranking members of the Calamity Fate Palace cooperate with you in investigating this matter. You must quickly find the true culprit and severely punish them, preferably eradicating them completely, leaving no soul or spirit behind, to serve as a warning to others!"

 

"That's… easier said than done!"

 

Zihuang was silent for a moment before sighing softly. The old fellows in the Calamity Fate Palace were unreliable; expecting them to help? It would be fortunate if they didn't sabotage her efforts.

 

Therefore, she couldn't reveal a word of this to them. She and Lingxi would have to take full responsibility for the investigation.

 

But facing the vast expanse of the Great Void, what could two women, even at the Golden Immortal level, do? Let's not forget that there were several Quasi Holy Emperors here.

 

"Is there a way to send over a batch of capable people? Preferably Taiyi Golden Immortals, and if there could be a few Great Golden Immortals, that would be even better!" she asked directly.

 

She didn't dare to hope for Quasi Holy Emperors, but she needed at least a few Great Golden Immortals by her side; otherwise, this task would be impossible.

 

Although the Calamity Fate Palace had allocated a batch of high-level cultivators for Zihuang and her sister to command, she dared not use them for such an important matter. Only her own clan members could be trusted.

 

"It's difficult," the voice within the purple flames pondered. "You understand, sending people and resources from here to the Great Void is extremely challenging and costly."

 

"Moreover, as you said, the Calamity Fate Palace is no longer trustworthy, so enough people must be sent to help you. This matter is beyond my authority; it must be reported to the higher-ups and decided by the Emperors."

 

"Alright, I'll wait for your news."

 

Zihuang nodded heavily. If necessary, sending more people and resources was not beyond the Heavenly Human Clan's capabilities. The key was how the various Dao Lineage powers in the Great Void would react once they found out.

 

No matter how much they looked down on the cultivation civilization of the Great Void, this was not the Heavenly Human Clan's home ground. If a conflict arose, they would be the ones to suffer.

 

After much thought, there seemed to be no solution.

 

When the purple flames on the altar dissipated, Lingxi softly said, "Sister, even if we find the true culprit, there are only two possible outcomes. First, all Dao Lineage powers, including the Calamity Fate Palace, will spare no effort to obtain the means to freely enter and exit the Misty Illusion Secret Realm, whether it be a divine ability or an Innate Spirit Treasure."

 

"That makes sense."

 

Zihuang nodded slightly. Being able to enter and exit the Misty Illusion Secret Realm without restriction meant having access to nearly unlimited treasures and rare resources. Which power would be willing to give up such enormous benefits?

 

In contrast, the Heavenly Human Clan, constrained by ancient prohibitions, could not freely collect and utilize the resources within the secret realm. Combined with the differences in cultivation systems, they could only watch helplessly.

 

So, once this matter became widely known, all Dao Lineage powers in the Great Void would go crazy. They would likely fight to the death for this secret, or more likely, reach a secret compromise to avoid unnecessary sacrifices.

 

For example, they might force the culprit to reveal the divine ability to enter and exit the secret realm or share the treasure, but they would never hand it over to the Heavenly Human Clan.

 

As a result, more and more cultivator forces would secretly enter the Misty Illusion Secret Realm, endlessly pursuing the vast resources within!

 

The Heavenly Human Clan's high-ranking members had no effective countermeasures. The Misty Illusion Secret Realm was too vast to be fully monitored. Even if they captured and killed a batch, dozens more would follow.

 

In the face of immense benefits, what did the risk of death matter? If one could luckily obtain a fortune and return to the Great Void, they wouldn't have to worry about cultivation resources for hundreds or thousands of years, and might even soar to become a great power.

 

"And the other outcome?"

 

Zihuang looked at Lingxi with a probing gaze. Her bestie and playmate had a calm temperament and didn't like to meddle, but she had a sharp mind and often saw through problems directly. Lingxi said, "The other outcome is that the instigator is likely the Calamity Fate Palace itself!"

 

"This…"

 

Zihuang's expression changed slightly, instinctively wanting to refute, but upon careful thought, it seemed not without reason.

 

The Calamity Fate Palace had dealt with the Heavenly Human Clan for so long and was the most familiar with them and the Misty Illusion Secret Realm among the Dao Lineage powers in the Great Void. It wasn't impossible for them to come up with some special targeted methods.

 

Since the Calamity Fate Palace was an ungrateful dog, wasn't it natural for them to secretly pull some tricks?

 

After weighing the matter for a while, Zihuang sighed slightly and said, "I hope your second guess is wrong. Otherwise, it will be difficult for us to return to the secret realm in the future. They haven't made a move against us yet, probably because the time isn't right."

 

Lingxi smiled, "Since we have anticipated this, it won't be easy for the Calamity Fate Palace to succeed. For now, we need to keep them stable and not let those old fellows notice anything. The rest… we'll wait for our reinforcements."

 

"Alright, let's do that."

 

Zihuang nodded in agreement.

 

Lingxi hesitated for a moment but ultimately didn't voice an immature guess.

 

If there was a sect in the Great Void recently flourishing with fortune and vitality, the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace would be the prime suspect. Additionally, the Divine Maiden Palace, Dao Court, and Origin Star Palace also had some suspicion.

 

As for the changes in the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, it seemed largely due to Qing Muling. If he hadn't entered the Misty Illusion Secret Realm this time, Lingxi could almost be certain it was his doing.

 

Unfortunately, she couldn't meet him now, let alone bring him back. The Calamity Fate Palace would be the first to object, and other Dao Lineage powers would also cause trouble. So, it required careful planning.

 

…

 

Nine Springs Star Domain.

 

Qing Muling had stayed here for less than ten days before Xinyu Emperor personally came to take him back to the sect's main altar, ignoring his protests.

 

"…In the three sects, so many senior and junior sisters are waiting for you to help them cross their tribulations, heal, cultivate, and nurture divine and heavenly medicines. How can you wander outside all the time?"

 

"Transforming the environment of the floating lands to create more habitable territories for the sect, isn't that a legitimate task?" Qing Muling retorted.

 

"Of course it is, but its priority isn't high. With the calamity of the Magic Clan raging, destroying so many Dao Lineage powers, there are too many unclaimed territories in the starry sky waiting for us to take over. Do you need to work hard to transform them? Isn't it better to use ready-made ones?"

 

"Alright, Emperor, you're right, but I just wanted to earn more heavenly merits."

 

"That's not difficult either. The elders in the sect can help. They owe you such a big favor; they can repay it with enough heavenly merits!"

 

Xinyu Emperor said with a smile. From the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace's standpoint, Qing Muling was not suitable to wander outside now. Staying at the sect's main altar was the best option.

 

Otherwise, once the hostile forces learned he had left the sect, they would send their elites to capture him, even the Quasi Holy Emperors would personally take action.

 

In the Sect Master's cave on Imperial Dao Peak.

 

"You're back?"

 

On the cloud bed, the elegant and noble Mu Yinghua put down the jade slip in her hand and looked at the handsome young man walking in, her deep eyes carrying a trace of warmth.

 

"The matters outside are handled by your senior sisters. You don't need to worry about them. Just focus on cultivating in the sect."

 

Qing Muling had to say, "Master is right."

 

Standing beside him, Qi Yalan secretly threw him a flirtatious glance. Senior Sister Xuebing Xuan, Cheng Yulan, Fengxia, and the other women were also present. They had consolidated their Golden Immortal cultivation, further elevating their status and influence in the sect. Now, they no longer had to fear Princess Dragon Ritual and her group.

 

"Master, since the Misty Illusion Secret Realm is not suitable for entry now, why not let Junior Brother continue to cultivate with us?" Luo Wanqing suggested. She, Yu Binghua, Qi Shuyu, and the other women had not yet reached the Golden Immortal realm and naturally felt a bit unbalanced. Now that Junior Brother was back, how could they not seize the opportunity to drag him into practice?

 

Mu Yinghua said calmly, "There's no rush. Let Muling help the senior sisters in the sect cross their Golden Immortal tribulations first. After that, he still has to receive individual guidance from Ancestor Fengge. He won't have time for you for a while."

 

"What? This…"

 

Luo Wanqing was a bit unhappy. After waiting so long for Qing Muling to return, this was the result. How long would it be delayed?

 

Mu Yinghua sternly glanced at them and said displeasedly, "Don't forget the greater good of the sect. With Muling here, the sect will have thousands more Golden Immortal experts within a month. Your matters can wait a bit longer!"

 

"Yes, disciple obeys."

 

Luo Wanqing reluctantly agreed.

 

Qing Muling pondered for a few moments and said, "Perhaps I can accompany Senior Sister in cultivation for ten days first, then help them cross their tribulations. This won't delay them. As for the requests of those Supreme Elders, Master, you can refuse them directly, saying it's my decision. They won't dare to blame me."

 

Ten days, with the help of the thousandfold time acceleration array, would be enough for Fourth Senior Sister and the others to achieve their goals. Even those with relatively lower cultivation like Qi Shuyu and Su Yunmo could advance a major realm.

 

As for others' opinions, they didn't matter.

 

My Dao Rhyme, I give it to whom I want. I cultivate with whom I want. This was Qing Muling's thought. The subtle intentions of some Supreme Elders could be ignored.

 

Mu Yinghua nodded, "That works. Go prepare."

 

Luo Wanqing and the others were overjoyed and left with Qing Muling.

 

In the secret hall behind Imperial Dao Peak.

 

With the time acceleration array activated, Xuebing Xuan, Luo Wanqing, and the others changed into the attire Qing Muling liked most, eagerly surrounding him.

 

"I always feel that Junior Brother will have more and more Dao Companions in the future. The range of the Light of Dao Enlightenment is limited and will eventually be insufficient," Qi Shuyu, with her long, ink-black hair cascading down her waist, said softly, her clear eyes blinking as she awkwardly adjusted the straps on her long, round legs.

 

Having finally achieved her wish, she was enjoying the benefits of the Light of Dao Enlightenment for the second time. While excited, she couldn't help but worry about the future competition.

 

Yu Binghua mused, "That's true. The range of ten meters can accommodate at most twenty or thirty senior and junior sisters. Any more, and it won't work. By then…"

 

Qing Muling smiled, "It's okay. The range of the Light of Dao Enlightenment can already be adjusted at my will, extending up to a hundred meters, benefiting thousands."

 

Xuebing Xuan's eyes flashed as she sensitively asked, "If the range expands, will the effect of the Light of Dao Enlightenment weaken? Won't everyone end up not getting enough?"

 

"That's right," Qing Muling didn't hide it. "So you all need to work hard and not let those women outside take your place. Senior Sister, you don't want to go hungry, do you?"