The jade box contained three pieces of translucent blue ice crystals, emitting a gentle, clear radiance. Each piece of ice crystal encased a lotus seed, exuding an unimaginable, immense vitality.

“There’s no mistake, this must be the handiwork of Junior Brother.”

With snow-white skin and a cold yet heroic demeanor, the Ice Toad Emperor recognized the origin of the lotus seeds at first glance. Aside from the once-existent Harmony Spirit Seed, there was no other treasure in the Great Void with such an aura, not even in the vast and boundless upper realms.

Dongfang Zhihan blinked her beautiful eyes, thoughtfully saying, “So, Junior Brother must not only have taken form but also regained his past memories. He is likely hiding within a Dao Lineage power, which is how he could promptly learn of your injury, Senior Sister, and send medicine to heal you.”

The formation restrictions of the Origin Star Palace had been repaired, with layers of defenses both overt and covert, especially around the hall housing the Thousand Petal Merit Blue Lotus Pond, the central core. Apart from Junior Brother, its former master, no outsider, even with the cultivation of a Quasi Holy Emperor, could sneak in unnoticed.

“That seems to be the case!”

The Ice Toad Emperor let out a sigh of relief, the heavy burden in her heart finally lifted. She had thought that after being injured, not only would she fail to complete her master’s task, but the Origin Star Palace might also face another calamity. Now, however, the situation had taken a turn for the better.

The jade box also contained a small, exquisite Space Ring, filled with hundreds of fruits, herbs, and leaves, all of Heavenly Medicine grade, excellent for healing and beneficial even to Great Golden Immortals. Naturally, these were treasures Qing Muling had acquired from the Misty Illusion Secret Realm.

Dongfang Zhihan smiled, “This counts as two pieces of good news. First, it solves your injury, Senior Sister. Second, it confirms Junior Brother’s current state. Even if we can’t find him immediately, as long as the Origin Star Palace is in trouble, he won’t stand idly by.”

The Ice Toad Emperor nodded slightly, her cold, beautiful eyes showing a relieved smile, glowing with brilliance. She said softly, “Junior Brother still remembers us after all. I wonder what his cultivation level is now. It won’t be long before we see him again, right?”

Dongfang Zhihan rubbed her flawless, snow-white face, her cheeks slightly flushed, murmuring softly, “Why can’t he come back sooner? I’m just a step away from becoming a Quasi Holy Emperor. Without Junior Brother’s help, it’s hard to break through this step!”

“And Junior Sister Qiyun and Junior Sister Liuxia have been stuck at this bottleneck for years. If we could break through, who would the Origin Star Palace fear? The Great Void would be ours to command!”

The Ice Toad Emperor’s lips curved slightly, her cold, beautiful face full of smiles. “I believe Junior Brother won’t disappoint us. When the time is right, he will come back on his own.”

“Let’s hope we don’t have to wait too long.”

Dongfang Zhihan muttered, feeling a sense of relief now that they had some news, unlike before when they were completely clueless.

The Ice Toad Emperor gave her a playful glare, thinking to herself that even their master hadn’t made a move yet, but this girl was already eager to take the first bite. She might get scolded by their master in the future.

Looking at the jade box, the Ice Toad Emperor took a piece of blue ice crystal, melted it with her magical power, and picked up the lotus seed with her slender fingers, placing it into her delicate mouth.

The lotus seed melted instantly, and the immense vitality within it surged like a tidal wave, seamlessly integrating into her Dao body and Divine Soul. The hidden injuries began to heal at a visible speed.

“In at most a month, I will be fully recovered.”

The Ice Toad Emperor sensed the changes and concluded that if she activated a time-accelerating formation, she could be fully healed in a few hours.

When she was besieged by several Quasi Holy Emperors, she had decided to temporarily avoid their attacks, and they couldn’t trap her. However, the proud Ice Toad Emperor chose to confront them head-on, and although she eventually succeeded in repelling them, the injuries were so severe that even her junior sisters hadn’t anticipated it. Without special opportunities, her Dao foundation might have collapsed, and her cultivation would have been destroyed.

But now, with the lotus seeds from the Harmony Creation Blue Lotus, recovery was a natural result, and her foundation might even be enhanced, potentially advancing her cultivation further.

“By the way, distribute these Heavenly Medicines to the injured junior brothers and sisters so they can recover quickly. As for the other two lotus seeds, we should each keep one for emergencies. Also, keep the news about Junior Brother a secret for now; don’t mention it to anyone.”

“Understood.”

Dongfang Zhihan nodded.

During the campaign against the Demon Path Ancestral Court, many junior brothers and sisters were injured. With these precious medicines, they would recover faster, maintaining the Origin Star Palace’s peak strength.

If any power dared to take advantage of their situation, the Origin Star Palace would surely give them an unforgettable “surprise.”

……

Calamity Fate Palace Main Altar.

“You… better keep your word!”

In the bronze hall, over twenty men and women of various ages sat around, the heavy atmosphere tinged with a strange silence.

These were guests invited by the Calamity Fate Palace, including the current emperor of the Demon Path Ancestral Court, Ji Huang, the current Sect Master of the Demon Path Ancestral Court, Li Yuanshan, the Sect Master of Huaqing Divine Palace, Immortal Venerable Yuli, the new Sect Master of Nine Spirit Proto Gate, Xiao Tianyao, and the current Sect Master of the Great Miro Teach, Jiu Yunluo, among others.

Representatives from powers like Lumming Island, Cangshui Sect, Divine Thunder Sect, and One Qi Upper Purity Sect, which were not at the level of Supreme Dao Lineages, sat in the outer circle, their voices limited.

Palace Master Yun Miaozhi sat at the head, smiling as he responded to Li Yuanshan’s doubts, “How could we not keep our word? The reputation of Calamity Fate Palace in the Great Void has always been trustworthy. As long as we maintain our alliance, the benefits will naturally be shared, and the risks borne together.”

“What about last time?”

Ji Huang, the emperor of the Demon Path Ancestral Court, an old man with white hair and a stern expression, said indifferently, “Five Quasi Holy Emperors besieged the Ice Toad of the Origin Star Palace, but that madwoman escaped. Our ancestor was severely injured and now has to recuperate in seclusion. Now you want us to take out our last reserves to attack the Origin Star Palace again? We’re not here to die.”

The battle at the Demon Path Ancestral Court’s main altar had shocked the entire Great Void.

The fall of any Quasi Holy Emperor was no small matter, affecting the balance of power in a star sea, let alone the fall and injury of several Emperors.

Now, the high-levels of Supreme Dao Lineages, top sects, and super families were watching in fear and hesitation, both dreading the Origin Star Palace’s power and deeply wary of their dominance. They feared the same fate might befall them one day.

Yun Miaozhi chuckled, his eyes flashing, “Last time was an accident. Although the losses were significant, the Origin Star Palace suffered even more. The Ice Toad Emperor is confirmed to be crippled, and there is no second Quasi Holy Emperor in the palace. Our joint action this time will surely be a great success, eliminating this threat to the Great Void once and for all!”

Yun Miaozhi and the entire Calamity Fate Palace leadership were confident in their judgment. The Ice Toad Emperor’s injuries couldn’t be hidden from the combined divination of the sect’s three Emperors, making this the best time to destroy the Origin Star Palace. They had to act quickly.

If they delayed and the palace’s master returned, the Calamity Fate Palace would lose this golden opportunity and might have to submit to avoid annihilation.

Immortal Venerable Yuli of Huaqing Divine Palace sighed, “But Yun Daoist, our Huaqing Divine Palace suffered too much in the last battle. Over ten Great Golden Immortal Elders fell, affecting our sect’s foundation. We urgently need to recuperate and prepare for the impending Magic Clan tribulation. We can’t spare the manpower for this action.”

“Yes, our Nine Spirit Proto Gate is already weak. We lost our oldest Great Golden Immortals in the last battle. How can we have more strength to attack the Origin Star Palace?”

Xiao Tianyao, the new Sect Master of Nine Spirit Proto Gate, echoed. He had just taken over, and the previous Sect Master had been killed by Dongfang Zhihan in the battle, with no body recovered.

Other leaders also voiced their concerns, implying they wanted to disband the alliance. After paying such a high price without seeing any benefits, they were reluctant to risk their remaining resources for the Calamity Fate Palace.

In short, unless the Calamity Fate Palace could offer tangible benefits, they wouldn’t be fooled again.

Yun Miaozhi sneered inwardly at their ingratitude. If not for their usefulness, the Calamity Fate Palace would have eliminated them long ago. Now they dared to bargain?

But considering the situation, Yun Miaozhi knew he had to offer something substantial to keep them in line.

“We understand your concerns. How about this: we’ll give each of you some resources as an advance dividend. After the Origin Star Palace is destroyed, we’ll distribute the rewards based on contributions. How does that sound?”

Yun Miaozhi clapped his hands, and two teams of beautifully dressed maids entered, each carrying a tray with a jade slip and several large-capacity spatial artifacts.

The jade slips contained detailed lists, and the spatial artifacts were filled with rare treasures, each item of immense value.

The resources were distributed based on each Dao Lineage’s strength and losses in the last battle. Those with Quasi Holy Emperors who had fallen received twelve large-capacity spatial artifacts.

Representatives from lesser powers like Lumming Island received only one spatial artifact, with far fewer resources.

Ji Huang, the emperor of the Demon Path Ancestral Court, examined the jade slip with his divine senses. After a few moments, his expression relaxed, indicating the Calamity Fate Palace’s sincerity.

Other leaders also checked their jade slips, and despite their grievances, they had to admit the Calamity Fate Palace’s offer was generous, enough to make them reconsider.

The resources were enough to heal severely injured Emperors and potentially nurture new Quasi Holy Emperors, given enough time.

Moreover, the treasures could revive many elders in their sects’ Hidden Cave Mystical Realms, compensating for the high-level losses from the last battle.

Immortal Venerable Yuli narrowed her eyes, suspicious of Yun Miaozhi’s true intentions. The Calamity Fate Palace wasn’t known for charity, and such generosity hinted at a larger scheme.

Perhaps it was time for Huaqing Divine Palace to withdraw from this alliance, avoiding further entanglement.

“What do you think?”

Yun Miaozhi smiled, “To show our sincerity, we’ve offered most of our reserves. This should prove our commitment, right?”

“After returning, heal your elders and gather enough manpower. We’ll launch the attack on the Origin Star Palace in three months. Any objections?”

……

Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace.

“…Time is almost up, Junior Brother, hurry and change your clothes. The senior sisters are waiting outside!”

“I know, they’re all helping. It won’t take long!”

In the palace behind Imperial Dao Peak, Qing Muling was changing clothes with the help of the maids.

“Isn’t this too extravagant? Can’t I wear something simpler?”

Qing Muling looked at the luxurious red-gold cloud-patterned phoenix-embroidered gown Mu Yinghua brought out, its dazzling brilliance making him a bit frustrated.

To conceal his identity, Qing Muling had to wear women’s clothing and use secret techniques to disguise himself when helping female immortals cross tribulations. But that didn’t mean he enjoyed it.

However, his senior sisters and master seemed to relish it, bringing increasingly exquisite and luxurious outfits, claiming they were their cherished treasures, rarely worn themselves, now offered for him to wear. How could he refuse?

The real reason, besides wanting to see Qing Muling in women’s clothing, was that these outfits, imbued with the Harmony Creation Blue Lotus’s aura, could be refined into protective treasures, shielding against divination, curses, and weakening tribulation damage.

Since Third Senior Sister Qi Yalan benefited from this during her tribulation, the other senior sisters followed suit, filling Qing Muling’s wardrobe with various women’s outfits while taking away his men’s clothes under various pretexts.

Whenever Qing Muling needed to change, a senior sister would come with a smile, saying, “Junior Brother, there’s nothing suitable in your wardrobe. Why not borrow my clothes for now?”

Then, dozens of beautiful dresses, complete with matching accessories, would be laid out for him to choose from.

These routines left Qing Muling speechless.

Seeing his reluctance, the elegant and dignified Mu Yinghua tilted her head, her eyes sparkling, smiling lightly, “This is something I wore myself. Are you sure you don’t want it?”

“…I want it, let’s do it!”

Qing Muling immediately gave in. Dare to upset his master? He’d be sleeping outside!

Now, “sleeping” meant proper cultivation; any improper thoughts were out of the question, or he’d face his master’s whip.

Mu Yinghua dismissed the maids and personally helped Qing Muling dress.

The luxurious gown had seven layers: undergarments, inner garments, middle garments, outer garments, jade belt, and a phoenix coronet, each layer intricately designed with formations. It was a Postnatal Spirit Treasure, providing powerful protection.

Once dressed, a set of jewelry boxes appeared, filled with hairpins, bracelets, sachets, and pendants, all exquisite and powerful treasures.

The final result in the mirror was a stunningly beautiful girl in palace attire, her hair adorned with a glittering phoenix coronet, her skin like snow, radiating beauty.

“Not bad, not bad. This look… might outshine your senior sisters!”

Mu Yinghua admired her work, recording it with a capturing stone, then placed a shimmering veil on Qing Muling, casting layers of protective spells.

Soon, Qing Muling’s figure and face were hidden in radiant light, making it impossible for others to discern his identity, even his destiny and fortune.

“Alright, let’s go. They’re probably anxious by now.”

Mu Yinghua said, holding Qing Muling’s waist and flying to the Ascension Platform at Yunji Peak.

On a floating red lotus platform, the elegant Fengge Emperor sat leisurely, accompanied by a beautiful woman in a white immortal dress.

“Oh, Emperor, you’re here, and Ice Falcon too…”

Mu Yinghua was surprised. The woman in white was none other than Ice Falcon, a Supreme Elder of their lineage.

Qing Muling was supposed to cultivate in Fengge Emperor’s abode after helping them cross the tribulation, but seeing Ice Falcon here, was she joining in too?

Fengge Emperor showed no displeasure, calmly saying, “No problem. Since we’re all here, let’s do it together!”

“……”

Mu Yinghua was speechless. What was this? One disciple serving three masters? The Emperor was too bold!