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The dark expanse of the Great Void.

The envoy fleet of the Dao Court was closely monitored all the way, almost escorted out of the territory of the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, and embarked on their return journey in disgrace.

Inside the grand hall of the building ship, three prominent figures sat facing each other, each with a clouded expression.

“…….These women are truly insufferable!”

Wei De Emperor gritted his teeth and said, “We came with sincerity, never expecting them to rely on their cultivation to humiliate us like this, disregarding the dignity of the Dao Court! It’s simply unforgivable!”

Xuan Yin Emperor remained silent for a moment before saying, “The unfortunate death of the Huaxu Clan leader has made this matter irreconcilable. With our current strength, we are indeed no match for Qingyao. We can only reconsider our plans after returning.”

Although the Dao Court had ulterior motives for coming this time, from their perspective, they would never consider themselves at fault. They could only blame the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace and even the Female Cultivator Alliance for their lack of discernment, daring to reject the “goodwill” of the Dao Court.

Now that Qingyao Immortal Venerable had returned forcefully, cutting off their hopes, the Dao Court was powerless to resist. No matter how angry and unwilling they were, they could only swallow this bitter pill.

In the Great Void, strength ultimately speaks the loudest.

The Supreme Sect Master of the Two Instruments Four Symbols Sect, Feng Xiaotian, appeared to be a charming middle-aged scholar. He was related to Xuan Yin Emperor by marriage, and before they both attained the Quasi Holy Emperor realm, they had traveled and adventured together in the Great Void, forming a bond of life and death.

At this moment, he was gently stroking the armrest of his chair, speaking in a calm voice, “That woman Qingyao is indeed not easy to deal with. However… if a few of those great figures who ascended from the Dao Court thousands of years ago could return, this matter would be much easier to resolve. I assume you both have some plans?”

The Great Void was undergoing a major calamity, yet it also showed clear signs of revival, such as the increased concentration of spiritual energy and the reopening of ascension channels. As long as they could withstand this calamity, a return to the golden age of the Immortal Dao was just around the corner.

Therefore, any force with ancestors who had ascended to the upper realm in the past was now trying to contact them, hoping to bring them back to strengthen their position in the Great Void and increase their fortune.

Xuan Yin Emperor pondered, “We have indeed made several contacts, but the situation they face in the upper realm is not optimistic. The old adversaries are pressing hard, making it difficult to spare much strength to support us. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be in such a dire situation.”

The upper realm was vast and rich in resources, with countless super spirit veins and paradisiacal worlds. However, finding a suitable place to establish a major force’s foundation was not easy.

The first batch of great figures from the Dao Court who ascended had spent many years in the upper realm before finding a suitable Dao Court branch, a vast land where treasures were abundant. The only downside was that it was a battleground, with many unfriendly forces nearby.

Given the foreseeable future, where no better options were available, those great figures had to lower their standards and manage this place as the Dao Court’s foundation in the upper realm.

The price was frequent battles with neighboring hostile forces. Today they fought this one, tomorrow that one. Even with alliances and strategic maneuvers, they could barely maintain the stability of their territory.

Feng Xiaotian frowned and asked, “What about the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace? How are they faring?”

The ancestors of the Two Instruments Four Symbols Sect had bad luck. Their territory in the upper realm was destroyed by hostile forces tens of thousands of years ago, with most of their disciples killed or injured. Now, only a few remained, and they were of no help.

Wei De Emperor’s face was ashen, “The territory of the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace is quite far from the Dao Court. Moreover, Qingyao had good fortune when she ascended, immediately gaining the favor of the Phoenix Palace’s master. With their protection, she quickly found an excellent Dao Court branch, established herself, and opened up a situation…”

The Phoenix Palace, also a pure female cultivator lineage, was one of the super forces in the upper realm, rumored to have existed since the upper realm’s inception. Its founding ancestor was born from the first wisp of pure Yin energy after the world’s creation, making her one of the top few great powers in the upper realm.

Therefore, as a vassal force of the Phoenix Palace, the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace also thrived in the upper realm, building a considerable foundation over the years.

Feng Xiaotian sighed, “If that’s the case, it won’t be easy! They can mobilize more strong individuals in the short term than we can, unless we can bring in more external support.”

Xuan Yin Emperor’s eyes flickered. As one of the Dao Court’s leaders, he had more cards up his sleeve, but facing the domineering Qingyao Immortal Venerable, even revealing all his cards would not guarantee an advantage.

Moreover, the situation in the Great Void was still unclear. Engaging in an early confrontation with the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace would only benefit other forces. The Dao Court could not afford to make such a low-level mistake.

Wei De Emperor pondered for a moment and said, “Can we find a way to make the Origin Star Palace fight them first? After all, neither of them is any good.”

Feng Xiaotian asked in surprise, “What reason could we use? The Ice Toad Emperor of the Origin Star Palace is not easily deceived, and we don’t know the current situation of the Star Palace’s master in the upper realm. Her cultivation level compared to the legendary Phoenix Palace’s grand master is also unknown.”

Wei De Emperor hesitated for a moment before saying, “Regarding Qing Muling’s origins, we are now about seventy percent certain that he is the transformed form of the Harmony Spirit Seed that flew out of the Origin Star Palace’s Thousand Petal Merit Blue Lotus Pond years ago. If we leak this information, the Origin Star Palace will undoubtedly come to investigate, leading to an inevitable conflict with the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace!”

“Is this true?!”

Feng Xiaotian’s expression changed dramatically. The influence of the Two Instruments Four Symbols Sect was far less than that of the Dao Court, so his intelligence was quite limited. If not for Wei De Emperor revealing this, he would not have made the connection.

If this were true, it would explain why the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace’s strength had grown so rapidly in recent years, along with the entire Female Cultivator Alliance. Since it was the transformed form of the Harmony Spirit Seed, everything made sense.

Xuan Yin Emperor shook his head slightly, his expression serious, “It’s best not to reveal this now unless you want Qing Muling to be forever out of our reach!”

“This…”

Wei De Emperor’s expression turned solemn as he suddenly realized.

If Qing Muling stayed in the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, the Dao Court might still have a chance to win him over in the future. But if he returned to the Origin Star Palace, the Dao Court would likely never have a chance to touch him again.

“Forget it, you’re right.”

Wei De Emperor nodded slightly, agreeing with Xuan Yin Emperor’s view.

Feng Xiaotian slowly said, “Can’t we find a way to bring Qing Muling over? If he is willing to switch sides, all the troubles the Dao Court is facing will no longer be troubles.”

Xuan Yin Emperor pondered, “I think it’s worth a try. The Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace has always been run by female cultivators, with no place for male cultivators. Even if they make an exception for Qing Muling, it’s only for the benefits he brings. Those female cultivators don’t truly consider him one of their own!”

“If he stays there, he will always be a tool, never having the chance to be in charge. But if he comes to us, the Dao Court can immediately grant him the position of Emperor, with real power, territory, and authority, not just an empty title.”

In Xuan Yin Emperor’s view, a real power Emperor of the Dao Court, controlling vast territories and countless citizens, wielding power at will, was far better than being a tool in the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace. Qing Muling should understand this if he wasn’t foolish.

Feng Xiaotian frowned, “But the Female Cultivator Alliance is full of beauties. If Qing Muling still has a youthful heart, they will surely use their charms to bind him, preventing him from having other thoughts.”

Wei De Emperor chuckled, “Our Dao Court also has countless beauties, no less than theirs. As long as Qing Muling comes over, he can have his pick. Isn’t that far better than being at their mercy in the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace?”

The Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace and the Female Cultivator Alliance indeed had no shortage of beauties. No matter who Qing Muling fancied, he could have his wish. The problem was that they always saw him as a tool, using him only for their benefit, with no real feelings involved.

But the female cultivators of the Dao Court would center around Qing Muling’s will, obeying him completely, never dominating him.

So Wei De Emperor believed that Qing Muling would never be content to be under the control of female cultivators, always being oppressed.

Finally, Xuan Yin Emperor said with satisfaction, “Let’s do that. After we return, we’ll plan carefully. As long as Qing Muling comes over, we can offer him far more benefits than the Female Cultivator Alliance!”

……

The back mountain of Imperial Dao Peak.

In the chamber of the Supreme Sect Master, Qing Muling looked at Qingyao Immortal Venerable before him, his eyes full of incredulity.

This founder of the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace had reached a cultivation level far beyond that of ordinary Quasi Holy Emperors.

From the layers of resplendent light wheels behind her, a graceful and slender figure slowly walked out, clad in tight black armor, carrying a long sword exuding murderous intent, her features bearing a six to seven resemblance to Qingyao Immortal Venerable, but with a colder and more severe demeanor.

Then, a dignified and elegant woman appeared, dressed in a snow-white palace gown, holding a radiant jade zither, her aura gentle and peaceful, like a spring breeze.

The third woman wore a green dress, her hands empty, her features obscured by a resplendent glow, making her appearance indistinct.

These were the three incarnations of Qingyao Immortal Venerable, representing her Dao comprehension and cultivation, just one step away from the supreme Harmony Saint Supreme realm.

“It seems that even without external help, you are not far from achieving sainthood, Immortal Venerable.”

Qing Muling said, knowing that Qingyao Immortal Venerable was powerful, but not realizing she had reached such a level. Perhaps only the legendary master of the Origin Star Palace could surpass her?

Qingyao Immortal Venerable shook her head, a hint of melancholy in her voice, “Don’t overthink it. It’s not as impressive as you think. This third incarnation is not yet complete, and it’s been stuck in this state for many years. Who knows if I’ve taken the wrong path? No matter how hard I try, there’s no progress at all!”

“Is that so?”

Qing Muling glanced at the green-dressed woman, noting her somewhat ethereal and unreal form, likely due to her incomplete state.

Hmm, it seemed he couldn’t help her much at this stage. At this level, centuries or millennia of stagnation were common.

Qingyao Immortal Venerable smiled and hugged him, “I had little hope before, but now with you, I might have a chance.”

Qing Muling: “……”

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