The decisions made by the higher-ups of the Female Cultivator Alliance naturally rely on their own strength as a backing.

When you are strong enough, strong enough to fear no challenge, then whatever you say goes, without needing to care about any outsider’s opinions.

However, the current Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace and the entire Female Cultivator Alliance do not yet possess such absolute strength, so some things, even if unpleasant, must be endured for now, accumulating strength for the future.

Delaying for change is the most suitable method for now, although it can’t be delayed for too long, it’s just to buy more time for Qing Muling’s growth.

“If in the future, due to circumstances, we must ally with those two from the Dao Court, having Qing Muling help their people heal and cross tribulations is not unacceptable.”

Xinyu Emperor said, “But some rules must be set first. The number of slots given to them can’t be too many, at most about one-tenth of ours, and they must be at the back of the line. The cost for each slot must also be higher…”

The core idea is not to let the male-dominated forces like the Dao Court and the Ji family gain too much strength, to prevent them from overpowering the Female Cultivator Alliance. If other forces join in the future, the same rules can be applied.

Originally, the various Dao Lineage forces in the Great Void were mostly male-dominated, with female cultivators often in subordinate positions within most sects and organizations. Examples of women holding real power or being in charge were rare.

So, from the standpoint of the Female Cultivator Alliance, having a unique opportunity like Qing Muling, they naturally did not want to be subordinate to male-dominated forces again.

“Senior Sister is right, let’s do it this way! Of course, their people can’t stay on our territory for any reason after their business is done; they must leave immediately!”

Tongying and Qinghuan Emperor agreed, and Lan Hua Emperor and Jinglan Emperor had no objections, so the matter was settled.

However, since Xuanyin and Weide Emperors had already sensed something was wrong, they certainly wouldn’t just wait foolishly; they would definitely have other means to use.

On the other side, Qing Muling went to the back courtyard to cultivate with his senior sisters. When dawn broke the next day, he went out as usual and patrolled the important parts of the herb garden he was responsible for.

The herb garden of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace had expanded dozens of times compared to the past, and more than half of it was personally managed by Qing Muling. With his innate divine abilities, nurturing and accelerating the growth of divine herbs and heavenly medicines was a simple task.

As he walked around, he occasionally used his abilities, and his nearly exhausted essence, energy, and spirit were restored to their peak state. Qing Muling then gave some instructions to the stewards guarding the herb garden and planned to go back to seek guidance from his master, Mu Yinghua.

However, his luck was still not very good this time. Before he even reached the entrance of the cave, a large cluster of flower shadows bloomed before his eyes, and a lively and bright Lolita Elder walked out.

“Junior Brother, let’s go take a bath? I’ll make you some good food too!”

Yu Lingzhou came over with a smile, hugging Qing Muling. Her sinful figure lightly rubbed against him, with a certain subtle and strange rhythm, easily stirring the fire in his heart.

“But I have to see Master, let’s do it next time.”

Qing Muling said helplessly. Last night’s battle was exhausting enough, and today he finally got free. If he was dragged by Yu Lingzhou to take a bath, the Dao Rhyme he had just recovered would probably be completely drained.

Although they were not dual cultivation partners yet, the Lolita Elder’s skillful and eloquent abilities always served Qing Muling so well that he couldn’t resist, and every time they were alone, he would give her everything.

“There will be other programs next time! This time, Senior Sister has prepared a whole red-blooded striped tiger whale for you, which has been stewed for seven days and nights. It can’t be wasted!”

Yu Lingzhou didn’t care about his hesitation, she hugged her Junior Brother tightly and flew towards her Dao Court on a light beam.

Qing Muling sighed. After experiencing the benefits of Dao Rhyme, this Lolita Elder, who had tasted the sweetness, also became a juicer, seizing every chance to find him under the pretext of preparing a gourmet feast, and taking him to her Dao Court cave mansion as a guest.

Although he knew she had “ulterior motives,” her cooking skills were indeed excellent, and those rare high-end ingredients and precious medicines were irreplaceably beneficial to his cultivation. So Qing Muling could only accommodate her, as he didn’t really lose out.

…

Another day and night passed, and Qing Muling finally walked into the Sect Master’s cave mansion without anyone stopping him this time.

Or rather, someone wanted to, but was driven away by Xinyu Emperor. After all, such things could not happen repeatedly. If Qing Muling was displeased, no one would have a chance in the future.

“You’re here?”

On the spacious cloud bed, the elegant and beautiful Mu Yinghua looked at the handsome young man in purple robes walking in, her eyes gentle.

Qing Muling responded, climbed onto the cloud bed, and turned behind Mu Yinghua, hugging her plump and full body from behind, resting his head on her fragrant shoulder and closing his eyes to relax.

In this extremely cold world, only Master’s snow child could bring him some warmth!

Mu Yinghua pursed her lips, originally wanting to tease him a bit, but then thought that this guy had it tough, busy day and night, and only here could he relax a bit.

So she lowered her head and continued to handle her affairs. Although she was equally busy now, compared to before meeting Qing Muling, managing this house was much easier.

With enough financial and material resources, many problems became very easy to solve. Among the many issues that higher-ups needed to worry about, lack of resources was always the top concern.

After a little while, Qing Muling, feeling refreshed, opened his eyes and gently squeezed his Master’s smooth and tight waist, asking, “Has anything happened outside?”

“Not much, it’s been calm recently, except for some unusual discoveries at Calamity Fate Palace.”

Mu Yinghua said, handing him a pile of jade slips to look over.

The so-called “calm” was relative. With Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace and the few female Dao Lineage forces having ample combat power to protect their territory, there was little pressure. But other forces were having a tough time.

During the time Qing Muling was helping the female cultivators cross tribulations, hundreds of small and medium-sized forces in the Great Void were destroyed by the Magic Clan progeny army, including one Supreme-level Dao Lineage force, with no survivors from the Sect Master to the named disciples.

Several other Supreme Dao Lineage forces, though not wiped out, were left on the brink of collapse, forced to seek urgent aid from the Dao Court’s higher-ups.

Of course, in such critical times, getting enough support required significant sacrifices, even completely giving up independence and becoming a vassal force of the Dao Court.

The Origin Star Palace had also been relatively quiet recently, except for easily repelling several waves of attacks from the Magic Clan progeny army. They were busy transporting the mortal citizens from the destroyed Dao Lineage territories back to the suitable floating lands around the Origin Star Palace.

Although immortals and mortals were different, the countless mortal citizens were an important foundation supporting the vast cultivation world. A large number of low-level cultivators depended on the support of mortal citizens. Most of the talents suitable for cultivation came from the mortal world, so no force’s higher-ups would ignore the value of mortal citizens.

At its peak, the Origin Star Palace, like the Dao Court, controlled vast and prosperous territories, with over a hundred immortal domains and countless mortal citizens. They also received massive tributes from other forces in the Great Void. Describing them as “rich” would be an understatement.

“From the looks of it, are they planning to take root in the Great Void and never leave?”

Qing Muling asked, pondering as he flipped through the jade slips.

Mu Yinghua paused, raised her jade hand, and activated dozens of shielding formations and restrictions before pulling Qing Muling into her arms and saying:

“After discussions and exchanges, the Emperors and elders concluded that this is the case. Logically, having gone to a better environment in the upper realm, they shouldn’t have returned. Even if they did, it would most likely be for the fortune source of this realm, or because of you.”

“Once everything is settled, they are likely to leave again. But now it seems that’s not the case. Who knows what they’re up to!”

To avoid unpredictable consequences, Mu Yinghua was always extra cautious when discussing the Origin Star Palace, only feeling secure after activating multiple formations and restrictions.

“I can’t figure it out either.”

Seeing the expectation in his Master’s beautiful eyes, Qing Muling said helplessly. Even if his sealed memories fully recovered, he couldn’t find the answer to this. They didn’t take him with them when they left.

“Then… do you remember why they didn’t take you when they ascended to the upper realm?” Mu Yinghua asked again.

“Because they couldn’t protect me,”

Qing Muling said frankly, “The complexity of the Dao laws in the upper realm, though not fundamentally different from the Great Void, is slightly higher. Moreover, it hasn’t faced many great tribulations, so the spiritual energy there is much richer than in the Great Void.”

“Because of this, the number of great powers in the upper realm is also much higher. If they didn’t want me to be taken by others, the best way was to leave me sealed in the Origin Star Palace and come back when I was about to take form.”

This plan was fine, but unfortunately, the sisters of the Origin Star Palace were a step too late. When they returned, they saw only the ruins of a plundered and destroyed palace, with the Harmony Spirit Seed long gone.

Faced with such a situation, even a clay figurine would have some anger, let alone the sisters of the Origin Star Palace, who were never known for their good tempers. What happened next was inevitable. The armillary sphere Star Palace, Azure Fall Divine Sect, Demon Path Ancestral Court, and other forces with millions of years of heritage were successively annihilated. The remaining forces, knowing they were no match, offered generous gifts to seek forgiveness and preserve their foundations.

“Muling, you…”

Mu Yinghua hugged the handsome young man tightly, hesitating, “Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace is already your new home. Your Master and senior sisters all treat you sincerely. You won’t think of going back to reunite with them in the future, will you?”

Qing Muling looked at her in surprise, “Why ask such a question?”

Mu Yinghua looked at him intently, insisting, “Answer me first.”

To her, this question was crucial, not only concerning her and her senior sisters’ lifelong happiness and Dao path but also the life and death of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, with no room for luck.

Given the Origin Star Palace’s style, once they learned Qing Muling’s true identity, the consequences would be predictable. The countless female cultivators of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace would likely be annihilated, leaving no survivors.

So Qing Muling’s choice was critical: either Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace or the Origin Star Palace, with no third option.

Actually… only children make choices, and I’m not a child anymore.

Qing Muling thought to himself but didn’t say it out loud due to his strong survival instinct, not wanting to be beaten by an angry Master.

“Alright, as long as Master is here, I will be here! Never leaving!”

After a moment of silence, Qing Muling finally said.

“That’s good.”

Mu Yinghua sighed in relief, her tense expression relaxing, a bright and joyful smile reappearing. She hugged him and kissed him forcefully before continuing:

“The Emperor once speculated that if this realm fully recovers and the ancient immortal Dao flourishes again, it would be no less than the upper realm. Therefore, staying here might be better for them. After all, it was once the foremost immortal sanctuary. If they can gain an advantage in this great tribulation, restoring the Origin Star Palace’s status and influence in the Great Void would be a natural outcome.”

“That’s entirely possible.”

Qing Muling nodded. In this way, the actions of the Ice Toad Emperor and the other sisters could be understood. When the Star Palace Master… his other Master, returns, there would likely be no one in the Great Void who could rival her, except himself.

…

In the sect’s Council Hall.

Senior Sister Xuebing Xuan was formally receiving guests from the Dragon Tiger Pill Cauldron Sect.

This was an allied sect, and they had a massive trade relationship recently. Otherwise, there would be no need for the Saintess to personally receive them; any elder could handle it.

“…It’s been a while, and Young Master Yun, you’re already the first Vice Sect Master?”

The graceful Xuebing Xuan said warmly, “It seems your father is indeed grooming you as his successor!”

“It’s all thanks to your sect,”

The handsome Yun Tianyi smiled slightly, “With these large orders guaranteed, my father entrusted me with such an important task, so I indeed owe my thanks to Senior Sister Xue.”

Recently, the Dragon Tiger Pill Cauldron Sect, a Supreme Dao Lineage known for its alchemy, had gained massive profits from trading with Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, acquiring countless sacred and divine herbs, and even occasionally heavenly medicines, resulting in unimaginable benefits for the sect.

Moreover, under Qing Muling’s instructions, Xuebing Xuan required that future business dealings with the Dragon Tiger Pill Cauldron Sect be handled solely by Yun Tianyi. If anyone else came, Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace wouldn’t recognize them.

With such achievements, Yun Tianyi’s status within the Dragon Tiger Pill Cauldron Sect quickly rose, surpassing many competitors and becoming the most powerful figure among the new generation, recognized by the higher-ups as the future Sect Master.