Inside the Sect Master’s cave residence.

On the central high platform, three Emperors—Xinyu, Qinghuan, and Tongying—sat gracefully on cloud beds, with Mu Yinghua seated beside them.

Qing Muling and Senior Sister walked in hand in hand, first bowing to the Emperors and Sect Master, then turning their gaze to the guests seated to the side.

On the cloud beds, two unfamiliar female Emperors sat side by side, with a group of female immortals of varying cultivation levels standing behind them.

One of the Emperors appeared to be a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl, dressed in simple yet elegant robes that accentuated her voluptuous figure. Her long, sleek black hair was tied with a ribbon, and her pure and sweet face exuded a clean and refreshing aura, like a girl-next-door. Her beautiful eyes, filled with curiosity, studied him.

This was Lan Hua Emperor, the Supreme Sect Master of Lu Hua Palace.

Beside her, Jinglan Emperor, the Supreme Sect Master of Qingqiu Hall, was dressed in a more luxurious and grand style. She wore a palace robe embroidered with ink cloud patterns and phoenixes, her hair elegantly styled, adorned with a sun and moon phoenix crown, and gold hairpins. Her beautiful face was dignified and elegant, her figure voluptuous and majestic, exuding the aura of a queen ruling the heavens.

At this moment, the two Emperors were utterly stunned by the sight of the handsome young man in purple, Qing Muling. It took them several breaths to recover.

“No wonder he’s the Harmony Spirit Seed incarnate, truly blessed by the heavens with such incredible fortune and destiny. This kind of unbelievable luck is unheard of!” Lan Hua Emperor sighed softly, her gentle voice like a flowing spring. She felt fortunate to have come here; joining this alliance centered around Qing Muling and gaining his favor would bring immeasurable benefits to herself and her sect.

Jinglan Emperor, with her magnetic and elegant voice, complained to Qinghuan and Tongying, “You two are too much. Since you noticed Muling’s extraordinary nature early on and decided to ally with Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, why didn’t you invite us? Our female Dao Lineages have always advanced and retreated together in major matters.”

“Exactly,” Lan Hua Emperor echoed. “If we had joined earlier, this alliance would have already formed, and many troublesome matters would be easily resolved now.”

Xinyu Emperor smiled, “It’s not that we wanted to keep it from you two. It’s just that Muling’s background is quite extraordinary. Joining this circle might not be beneficial for your sects in the long run. If the Origin Star Palace comes looking for trouble one day, the risk would be too great.”

Jinglan Emperor dismissed it, “So what if they come? Heaven-defying opportunities have always been for those destined. Since you don’t mind, why should we?”

After seeing Qing Muling in person, the last bit of hesitation in the two Emperors’ hearts vanished. As long as they could hold onto this beautiful young man, any price was worth it.

Jinglan Emperor nodded slightly, signaling Holy Maiden Mu Yingshuang to step forward. She gracefully bowed to Qing Muling, her eyes filled with joy, “Junior Brother Qing, we meet again!”

Her tall and slender figure, wrapped in a dark rainbow-colored dress, exuded a seductive charm. Her bright eyes sparkled with mischief, and she held a crystal-clear jade flute in her hand.

Qing Muling smiled and returned the greeting. He had indeed interacted with this Holy Maiden before, during the grand gathering of immortals. Later, she had even wanted to stay at Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace for him, but Mu Yinghua had politely declined.

Now that Qingqiu Hall had decided to join the alliance, her fate would inevitably be closely tied to Qing Muling’s, never to part.

Lan Hua Emperor raised her hand, and another woman with snow-white skin and a peach-like face stepped forward. She swayed her hips gracefully as she bowed to Qing Muling, her eyes filled with charm, “Junior Brother Qing, I’ve long admired your reputation. I am Luo Qinghan.”

This Holy Maiden of Lu Hua Palace had a figure as seductive as Qingchan Fairy’s, with a bewitching and alluring aura. Her thin, tight-fitting dark gold armor accentuated her curves, and her beautiful eyes were fixed on the handsome young man before her.

Despite having seen many beauties, Luo Qinghan still gave Qing Muling a different feeling. Her gaze, aura, and every subtle movement exuded a strong, irresistible allure, igniting a fire within him and making him want to embrace her.

This must be a unique seductive technique of Lu Hua Palace. Although many female Dao Lineages, including Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, had similar secret techniques, Luo Qinghan was clearly exceptionally talented, having honed her skills to the extreme.

“Maybe I just ate too much and overdid it,” Qing Muling thought, trying to suppress his restless heart. He silently praised Yu Lingzhou’s culinary skills, thinking he needed to “digest” properly with the help of his senior sisters later.

Senior Sister Xuebing Xuan frowned slightly, displeased as she scrutinized Luo Qinghan. As fellow female cultivators, they had known each other before, but now that they were to serve the same man, their feelings naturally changed.

This Holy Maiden of Lu Hua Palace was bold and uninhibited, with a figure and aura that could captivate any normal male cultivator. If she joined, wouldn’t she completely enchant Junior Brother?

Xuebing Xuan sighed in frustration. If only she were the Sect Master, she could find an excuse to have Lan Hua Emperor replace her.

However, Lan Hua Emperor was not without her own intentions. Despite her innocent appearance, who knew what she was really thinking about Junior Brother?

Mu Yinghua spoke, “If the two Emperors have no objections, let’s formalize the alliance. Once the pact is established, we will truly be one family.”

Jinglan Emperor nodded in satisfaction, “Very well. From today on, Yingshuang will be Muling’s Dao Companion. If he doesn’t like her, I can arrange for someone else until he is satisfied.”

Mu Yinghua’s eyes sparkled as she asked gently, “Muling, what do you think?”

At her words, the two Holy Maidens tensed up, anxiously watching Qing Muling’s reaction. Their future prospects depended on his attitude.

Qing Muling thought for a moment and nodded, “That sounds fine. I have no objections.”

He didn’t know any other women from these two sects. Those chosen as Holy Maidens were undoubtedly top talents personally guided by Quasi Holy Emperors, so there was no need to complicate matters.

Lan Hua Emperor sighed in relief, smiling, “Then it’s settled. They are only at the initial stage of Xuan Immortal, not too far from your level, so there’s no need to wait like Dragon Ritual. Let’s get things done quickly.”

“So urgent?” Qing Muling was speechless. Dual cultivation right after meeting? Even arranged marriages in the mortal world weren’t this rushed. Shouldn’t they get to know each other first?

“I know you’re anxious, but please, hold on…”

“Of course, it’s urgent!” Jinglan Emperor said matter-of-factly. “They are already a step behind. If we delay further, won’t they fall even further behind? That wouldn’t be fair to our sects.”

Lan Hua Emperor smiled charmingly, “As for developing feelings, that’s not a big issue. They can be together first and take their time later.”

You have everything planned out, don’t you?

Xuebing Xuan almost laughed in exasperation. These two really couldn’t wait, not considering Junior Brother’s feelings at all.

What, do you plan to supervise while we cultivate together?

Qing Muling frowned slightly, about to speak when Qinghuan Emperor intervened, “Enough, you two. Since this alliance is centered around Muling, we must consider his feelings. Dual cultivation can be discussed later; there’s no need to rush.”

Jinglan Emperor raised an eyebrow, reluctantly agreeing, “Alright, we’ll do as you say.”

Meanwhile, she discreetly signaled Mu Yingshuang, using divine sense to communicate, “Do your best. For the sake of our sect, use any means necessary to win Muling’s favor.”

Mu Yingshuang was frustrated, “How am I supposed to do that? Seduce him first?”

“If needed, yes!”

Jinglan Emperor’s tone was firm.

“…Yes, Master.”

Mu Yingshuang responded reluctantly, knowing that with so many beauties around Qing Muling, her usual tricks wouldn’t work. She needed to find a way to gain leverage over him.

After some thought, she made up her mind and began communicating with Luo Qinghan.

Given the situation, the two Holy Maidens had aligned interests and had to work together.

Moments later, they reached an agreement.

“However…”

Tongying Emperor suddenly spoke, “There are too many women from Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace around Muling. Even Qinghuan has three women by his side, while our three sects each have only one. That’s unfair. Shouldn’t we adjust this?”

Lan Hua and Jinglan Emperors immediately agreed, “Indeed, it should be adjusted!”

Currently, most of Qing Muling’s Dao Companions were from Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace. Qinghuan Emperor had Dragon Ritual Princess, her maid Su Yuanzhen, and her mount Kong Yuhuan. Tongying Emperor’s disciple Qingchan Fairy was still alone, despite her desire to bring more people, but Qing Muling had refused.

Qinghuan Emperor frowned, “How do you propose we adjust it?”

“It’s simple. Like Dragon Ritual, each sect should have a trusted guardian, a personal maid, and a mount. As Holy Maidens, they deserve this respect. What do you think?”

Tongying Emperor suggested, winking at Qinghuan Emperor.

Qinghuan Emperor pondered, then looked at Xinyu Emperor, “What do you think? They missed the resource collection in the Misty Illusion Secret Realm, so they might be at a disadvantage. How about…”

She realized that having too many women from Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace around Qing Muling wasn’t ideal for the alliance’s stability. They needed to convince him to be more inclusive.

Xinyu Emperor smiled, “That sounds reasonable, but Muling should decide. He should have full authority. If you want to add people, discuss it with him. We won’t interfere.”

…

At the Calamity Fate Palace Main Altar.

In the dim hall, Palace Master Yun Miaozhi sat on a bronze lotus throne, her face pale and her breath unstable. She closed her eyes, silently regulating her breath.

After a while, Mei Qingfeng approached with a bowl of black medicinal liquid, bowing respectfully, “Master, the medicine is ready.”

Yun Miaozhi opened her eyes, took the medicine, and drank it silently.

“I can hold on for at most two more years.”

After a moment of contemplation, Yun Miaozhi spoke softly, “Then, due to the irreparable damage to my Divine Soul, I will no longer be able to maintain my Quasi Holy Emperor cultivation. I will gradually fall in rank, and if I’m lucky, I might remain a Golden Immortal. If not… I might not even keep my Elemental Immortal cultivation.”

“Master…”

Mei Qingfeng’s face changed dramatically. This news was like a bolt from the blue. If Yun Miaozhi couldn’t recover, it would trigger a major power shift in Calamity Fate Palace.

Without her master’s protection, Mei Qingfeng’s future as the Sect Master’s direct disciple would be uncertain. The other powerful factions in the sect might not give her a chance.

If Mei Qingfeng could quickly reach the Golden Immortal realm, she might have a chance to compete for the next Sect Master position. But currently, she hadn’t even stabilized her Xuan Immortal Dao fruit. How could she advance so quickly? Even time-accelerating formation arrays couldn’t solve this problem.

“Master, is there really no way? Didn’t other injured Quasi Holy Emperors recover with the sect’s resources?”

Mei Qingfeng asked persistently.

Yun Miaozhi sighed, “My situation is more severe than theirs, so recovery is impossible. Maintaining for two years is already difficult, unless the Heavenly Human Clan is willing to help.”

Mei Qingfeng fell silent. The Heavenly Human Clan’s upper echelons were not benevolent; their greed was insatiable. What could Calamity Fate Palace offer in exchange for their help?

“Is there no other way?”

“There is. If we can capture Qing Muling and have him help, not only my injuries but even the slumbering Supreme Elders in the sect could recover!”

Yun Miaozhi said, but then shook her head regretfully. After the last abduction attempt, Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace wouldn’t make the same mistake again, so this option was off the table.

Unless Qing Muling foolishly left the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace Main Altar alone, without powerful guardians, and was discovered by Calamity Fate Palace, capturing him would be impossible.

But is that likely? Even if he dared, the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace high-ups would never agree.

Mei Qingfeng bit her lip. They had learned some secrets about Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace. Healing was secondary; the benefits of dual cultivation with Qing Muling were immense, tempting even her.

She heard that Xuebing Xuan and others had reached the Golden Immortal realm. If she could do the same… wouldn’t Golden Immortal or even Taiyi Golden Immortal Dao fruits be within reach?

Gritting her teeth, Mei Qingfeng suggested, “Can’t we cooperate with the Heavenly Human Clan? Promise to ‘borrow’ Qing Muling for three years, then return him. We could still benefit greatly.”

She thought of using Calamity Fate Palace’s secret techniques to transfer Qing Muling’s fortune and destiny to herself.

Yun Miaozhi chuckled, “Is that possible? Negotiating with them is like asking a tiger for its skin. They might betray us, leaving us to face Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace’s wrath alone. Do you want that?”

Mei Qingfeng fell silent.

Yun Miaozhi continued, “It’s not impossible, but we need to change the approach and take the lead…”

At that moment, a mysterious spatial disturbance caught Yun Miaozhi’s attention.

“It seems… from their area?”

Mei Qingfeng’s face changed, “Oh no, could it be another Heavenly Human Clan expert arriving? What are they planning?”

Yun Miaozhi’s eyes darkened, “Go check immediately and inform the Supreme Elders to be on guard. We can’t be careless.”