Imperial Dao Peak, Back Mountain.

In the inner courtyard hall, all the senior sisters were present, dressed in their finest. The garden was filled with beauty, with birds chirping and flowers blooming.

Sitting at the center, Qing Muling was leisurely enjoying the feast meticulously prepared by Yu Lingzhou. Not far away, twelve jade cauldrons simmered with exotic beasts and spiritual birds, all at the Golden Immortal level. Combined with various rare divine and heavenly medicines, a single bite was equivalent to decades of arduous cultivation for ordinary cultivators.

Currently, any resource that Qing Muling needed was freely provided by the Female Cultivator Alliance, enabling his cultivation to advance rapidly, leaving even the monstrous genius seeds of the past far behind.

In the Council Hall of the sect, nine Quasi Holy Emperors, along with Sect Master Mu Yinghua, had been in discussion for quite some time, while most of the senior elders waited outside for the results.

In matters concerning the future of the sect, no one dared to be careless.

“…Do you think they’ll reach an agreement this time?”

Qing Muling, holding a cup of Dragon Wine, asked Yueyi Heavenly Lord across from him, “If the talks break down, will there really be a war next?”

Since the Dao Court representatives had come, they wouldn’t leave empty-handed, but the Female Cultivator Alliance couldn’t make too many concessions either. Thus, the conflict between the two sides was fundamentally irreconcilable.

As an alliance of pure female cultivators, apart from Qing Muling, the only male, it was impossible for them to accept any other male cultivators. This was non-negotiable for both him and the female Emperors.

Mingyi Heavenly Lord, dressed in an elegant white palace gown, smiled warmly, “Our alliance doesn’t lack people anymore, so we don’t need new allies, especially those filthy men from outside. The elders in the sect basically share this attitude.”

Ice Falcon Heavenly Lord, with her cold and noble beauty, smiled lightly, took the wine cup from Qing Muling’s hand, refilled it, and said softly:

“The reason why there are pure female Dao lineages in the Great Void is because our predecessors, who were wise and determined, decided to break away from being subservient to male cultivators and establish their own sects. They never allowed any male disciples to join, maintaining the sect’s cohesion and purity.”

“Although the current situation is different, I believe the Emperors won’t make the mistake of abandoning principles upheld for thousands of years just to avoid a war.”

Qing Muling nodded in agreement, “That’s right. We can’t compromise the sect’s principles for temporary peace.”

No matter the considerations, this precedent couldn’t be set. Otherwise, the Female Cultivator Alliance would lose its meaning and eventually be infiltrated and divided by male cultivator forces, threatening the sect’s stability in the long run.

As for Qing Muling, he was a unique existence, having transformed from the Harmony Spirit Seed into human form. Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace was willing to make an exception for him, and his extraordinary status was incomparable to those male Emperors outside.

“So, this battle is inevitable, it’s just a matter of time!”

Yu Lingzhou, with her bright eyes and innocent demeanor, turned her head and said, “For now, we just need to stall them until those few break through to the Quasi Holy Emperor Realm, and until Junior Brother becomes a Golden Immortal. Once the sect has more Quasi Holy Emperors, will we still need to care about them?”

Xuebing Xuan frowned, “I’m afraid it’s not that simple. Since they’ve discovered Junior Brother’s extraordinary nature, they won’t be content to wait. Without seeing enough benefits, they won’t stop.”

Qing Muling was about to speak when a faint, mysterious spatial fluctuation suddenly spread throughout the entire void land.

Ice Falcon Heavenly Lord’s face changed drastically. She stood up in disbelief, looking towards the secret realm in the back mountain of the sect, her cold and gentle voice trembling slightly, “Have the ancestors returned early? How is that possible?”

Qing Muling was surprised, “Senior Sister, are you saying… Qingyao Immortal Venerable and the others have returned from the upper realm?”

He recalled Mu Yinghua’s previous judgment, thinking there was still some time left. Unexpectedly, Qingyao Immortal Venerable and the others had returned now. Perhaps something unknown had happened in the upper realm?

At this moment, in the Council Hall of the sect.

“…Xinyu, your thoughts are a bit too distant,”

Wei De Emperor said, “For the stability of the alliance, marriage is a necessary duty. Not only does Qing Muling need to marry our daughters, but shouldn’t you also arrange for some outstanding disciples to become Dao Companions with our excellent descendants? Only in this way can we ensure long-lasting and stable friendship.”

Tongying Emperor’s tone was cold, “Our female cultivator sects have never recruited male disciples since their founding, nor will we allow male cultivators to reside in our sect’s territory. Such a proposal undoubtedly undermines our sect’s principles, which is absolutely unacceptable.”

Xuan Yin Emperor said, “Times have changed. Now, with the Great Void facing a major calamity, sticking to old rules won’t benefit your sect’s foundation at all. Only by strengthening cooperation with male Dao lineages can you safely pass through the calamity and ensure the stable inheritance of your sect. Isn’t that right?”

Xuan Yin Emperor didn’t think there was anything wrong with his idea.

From the perspective of the Dao Court, especially the male cultivator forces, the rise of the Female Cultivator Alliance was unacceptable. The future dominance of the Great Void should be in the hands of the Dao Court, especially the male cultivator forces, not a group of women.

Therefore, Qing Muling’s future could only belong to the Dao Court, not be monopolized by them. This goal couldn’t be achieved overnight, but it could be pursued gradually.

After all, he was also a male cultivator. Xuan Yin Emperor firmly believed that he would become closer to the male cultivator forces in the future.

Jinglan Emperor’s expression turned cold, “Since you insist on such a wrong view, there’s no point in continuing the talks. You might as well leave now!”

The five female Emperors now saw clearly that the so-called alliance cooperation was just the first step. Their real intention was not only to take Qing Muling away but also to “reasonably” encroach on the Female Cultivator Alliance’s foundation. Although this process would be long and hidden, the essence was the same.

From the perspective of the Female Cultivator Alliance, agreeing to such conditions would be foolish. It would be better to break off and start a war now. The outcome wouldn’t be worse.

Wei De Emperor sighed, “If you insist, then we can only meet on the battlefield. Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?”

Before Xinyu Emperor could speak, a cold, eerie voice echoed in the hall, “Meet on the battlefield? Who do you think you are? Do you have the qualifications to threaten Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace?”

In an instant, the blood of the four Quasi Holy Emperors, including Xuan Yin and Wei De, froze. The voice carried an unimaginable resonance of Dao laws, causing their magical power to stagnate.

In wartime, this would be a fatal flaw.

A large cluster of brilliant, crystalline light appeared in the hall, dazzling and dreamlike.

A few moments later, a hazy, graceful figure appeared before the Emperors, gradually becoming solid and clear.

Her appearance was between that of a young girl and a maiden, with an exceptionally beautiful and serene face. Her dark, clear eyes carried an indescribable sense of ancient indifference, like a deity overlooking the world from the clouds.

Her attire was simple, a plain blue-gold dress, yet it radiated a dazzling brilliance that made the female Emperors pale in comparison. Behind her, layers of radiant halos shimmered, exuding a terrifying pressure that suffocated even the Quasi Holy Emperors.

“Ancestor!”

Xinyu Emperor and Mu Yinghua were the first to rise, bowing deeply to the woman. The other female Emperors hesitated for a moment before following suit.

This woman was none other than the founding ancestor of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace: Qingyao Immortal Venerable.

Xuan Yin, Wei De, and the other Emperors hesitated slightly but eventually stood up and nodded, “So, Qingyao Immortal Venerable has returned. Greetings, senior.”

Inwardly, they were frustrated and unwilling. With this powerful figure’s return, Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace and the Female Cultivator Alliance would undoubtedly adopt a tougher stance, making it impossible to persuade them to compromise.

Unfortunately, the great powers of the Dao Court who ascended in the past had yet to return, and their current situation in the upper realm was unknown. If they could return in time, how could they not subdue the Female Cultivator Alliance?

Qingyao Immortal Venerable glanced at them coldly, her clear and gentle voice devoid of any warmth, “Since you have ill intentions, there’s no need to continue the talks. Return to where you came from! If you want to start a war, we’re ready!”

“Why be so harsh, Immortal Venerable?”

Huaxu Que said in a hoarse voice, “If you think the conditions are unsuitable, we can continue to discuss. The current situation in the Great Void is difficult. If the human cultivation world cannot unite, we will inevitably be exploited by other races. Please reconsider, Immortal Venerable!”

Realizing the change in the situation, he had no choice but to temporarily compromise to avoid a complete breakdown.

“Enough with the nonsense!”

Qingyao Immortal Venerable raised her hand and grabbed Huaxu Que by the neck, her voice as cold as ice, “Are we on good terms? It seems that one of my youngest personal disciples was killed by a genius from your Huaxu Clan. This debt hasn’t been settled yet!”

“If you don’t want to leave, then you’ll stay here forever!”

“Ahhh…”

Huaxu Que’s eyes widened in anger, struggling with all his might but to no avail. Qingyao Immortal Venerable’s seemingly casual grip easily sealed his magical power, freezing his divine soul and rendering all his spirit treasures and life-saving measures useless, as if they didn’t exist!

“Immortal Venerable, you…”

Xuan Yin Emperor was both shocked and furious, wanting to intervene but hesitating. With his current cultivation, he couldn’t fathom Qingyao Immortal Venerable’s strength. Acting rashly might cost him his life.

“Enough talk, time to go!”

Qingyao Immortal Venerable exerted a slight force, and Huaxu Que let out a final scream as his divine soul was crushed into nothingness. His lifeless body collapsed to the ground.

“Impressive, Immortal Venerable,”

Wei De Emperor’s face turned ashen, gritting his teeth, “You’re not a Saint Supreme yet, are you? Acting so arrogantly, aren’t you afraid of provoking the united opposition of all Dao lineages in the Great Void?”

“Let them oppose,”

Qingyao Immortal Venerable said indifferently, “To kill or seal me, they’ll need at least twenty Quasi Holy Emperors. Let’s see if they have the guts!”

“Fine! Very well!”

Xuan Yin Emperor held back the enraged Wei De Emperor, glanced at the silent Qinghuan Emperor, and sighed,

“Qinghuan, it seems the position of Emperor in the Dao Court doesn’t interest you. From now on, we’ll go our separate ways. Take care!”

With that, the three male Emperors said no more, taking Huaxu Que’s body and leaving.

After today, the split in the Dao Court was inevitable. However, with the powerful Female Cultivator Alliance as her backing, Qinghuan Emperor didn’t feel any regret. On the contrary, making a stand at this critical moment was the most important.

Mu Yinghua, seeing Qingyao Immortal Venerable’s expression, used her divine senses to inform the elders outside to arrange enough forces to “escort” the Dao Court’s delegation out, to prevent any trouble on the way.

…

In the inner courtyard hall, Qing Muling didn’t wait long before seeing Mu Yinghua walk in with a serious expression.

“The Immortal Venerable wants to see you. Come with me.”

She pulled Qing Muling along, causing the surrounding senior sisters to change their expressions.

“Master, why does the ancestor want to see Junior Brother? Can’t he avoid it?”

Xuebing Xuan asked softly. The legendary founding ancestor’s temperament was unknown, and no one could predict what might happen if Junior Brother faced her.

Mu Yinghua was both amused and exasperated, “Do you think this is something that can be avoided? Don’t overthink it!”

“Indeed, there’s no avoiding it, so let’s go!”

Qing Muling said, considering his unique identity and background, Qingyao Immortal Venerable wouldn’t be crazy enough to harm him, right?