The Great Void, deep within the magnificent and mysterious nebula.
In the core region of the void land, the grand and majestic Origin Star Palace stood silently, its profound and immeasurable Dao Rhyme aura permeating every corner.
After countless disciples’ hard work, this once foremost immortal sanctuary had regained its former glory and majesty.
Inside the Star Palace, by the Thousand Petal Merit Blue Lotus Pond, led by the Ice Toad Emperor, dozens of female cultivators knelt on the ground, respectfully awaiting the arrival of the Star Palace Master’s consciousness.
In front of the tall altar, the Ice Toad Emperor, with a cold and solemn expression, finished her incense offering and waited quietly.
Her master was in a deep slumber at the Dao Court branch in the upper realm’s Great Void. Unless it was something important, she was not to be disturbed. However, before the Ice Toad Emperor returned, she was permitted to contact her master periodically to report on the various situations in the Great Void.
After a while, a vast and boundless consciousness broke through the void, illuminating the heavens like a bright moon. Endless purple aura surged, filling the void, and countless faint visions emerged, carrying a terrifying power that controlled the fate of billions of lives.
“Master…”
The Ice Toad Emperor respectfully led her junior sisters in bowing deeply.
A grand and ethereal voice resonated in the depths of everyone’s Divine Soul: “Is there any news on the Harmony Spirit Seed?”
“Not yet,” the Ice Toad Emperor replied cautiously, “but Junior Brother has regained his past memories and sent back some items…”
She recounted the situation in the Origin Star Palace over the past few years, focusing on the Harmony Spirit Seed. Back then, Qing Muling had hidden his identity and secretly sent back three lotus seeds using a paper puppet. These seeds not only helped the Ice Toad Emperor recover from her injuries but also allowed Dongfang Zhihan and Ye Xinglan to break through their bottlenecks and achieve the Quasi Holy Emperor Dao Fruit.
This act significantly boosted the strength of the Origin Star Palace. With three Quasi Holy Emperors in residence, they no longer feared any potential hostile forces, including the crazed Magic Clan progeny armies.
The only regret was that the Harmony Spirit Seed remained elusive. Despite the Ice Toad Emperor’s extensive search efforts, no valuable clues had been found.
What she didn’t know was that as Qing Muling’s cultivation grew, his fortune became more profound, and the effect of obscuring heavenly secrets and confusing yin and yang became more pronounced, making it impossible for anyone or any force with designs on him to succeed.
The ethereal voice paused for a moment, then said, “Since that’s the case, he must have his own plans and doesn’t intend to return for now. However, he still cares deeply about your safety, so in the future, if necessary… he might continue to send benefits your way.”
“Yes, disciple thinks so too,” the Ice Toad Emperor said sincerely. The fact that the Harmony Spirit Seed’s transformed form was still willing to send things back to help her indicated that he remembered his experiences before transforming and still considered himself a member of the Origin Star Palace, still their Junior Brother.
So, apart from not being able to see him immediately, the Ice Toad Emperor had no regrets. If the Origin Star Palace faced a crisis in the future, he would surely not stand by.
“For now, that’s all,” the Star Palace Master continued, “You should continue to manage the Great Void diligently. When I awaken, I will return to take charge.”
“Disciple will follow Master’s instructions. However… the current situation in the Great Void is delicate. Several Supreme Dao Lineages’ founding ancestors have returned, and there are changes with the Calamity Fate Palace and the Heavenly Human Clan. Additionally, the Magic Clan progeny seems to be planning a major action, so disciple is a bit worried…”
The Ice Toad Emperor said anxiously. After the great calamity, the Great Void’s environment was about to recover, which was an open secret. Thus, more and more forces were rushing back to seize opportunities.
Everyone wanted to gain as many benefits as possible in this unprecedented calamity. It was certain that as time passed, all sorts of opportunists would emerge, making the Great Void increasingly chaotic.
The Origin Star Palace, once the foremost immortal sanctuary, was too conspicuous. It was possible that one day, those forces would unite against it, prioritizing the elimination of this major threat.
If the Origin Star Palace only had three Quasi Holy Emperors to hold the fort and no additional forces returned in time, they might not be able to withstand the pressure.
The Star Palace Master was silent for a few moments before saying, “If that’s the case, I will send Yuqi and the others back to assist you as soon as possible. Alas, this tribulation of mine is truly difficult. I had hoped that with the help of the Harmony Spirit Seed, I could pass it smoothly, but…”
If the Origin Star Palace had not been plundered and harmed back then, the Ice Toad Emperor and the others could have returned to the upper realm’s Great Void with the Harmony Spirit Seed, helping the Star Palace Master pass the final tribulation smoothly, then achieving sainthood in full form, taking the crucial step towards eternal immortality.
If the Harmony Spirit Seed had matured and transformed, it would have been even better. Not only could the Star Palace Master achieve sainthood, but those senior sisters could also gain unimaginable benefits.
But fate played a cruel trick. At this critical moment, the Harmony Spirit Seed disappeared, dashing the Star Palace Master’s hopes of passing the tribulation, and indefinitely postponing the plan to achieve sainthood and unify the upper realm.
If not for being unable to leave the Great Void, the Star Palace Master, with her temperament, would have personally returned to cleanse all the Dao Lineages in the Great Void. Any cultivator or force involved in the plundering of the sanctuary back then would not be spared.
After giving some final instructions, the Star Palace Master ended the communication. The vast and majestic pressure receded like a tide, dissipating into the depths of the void.
“Senior Sister, what do we do now?” The lively and charming girl in the purple dress, Dongfang Zhihan, got up and asked.
The Ice Toad Emperor said, “Of course, we continue to manage our territory. When Junior Sister Yuqi and the others return, and our strength is more sufficient, we can consider other plans! Anyway, those guys outside don’t dare to provoke us now.”
The white-haired, cold and beautiful Ye Xinglan caressed her sword hilt and said softly, “Actually, I think Junior Brother is also secretly watching over our safety. So, as long as he sends back a few more lotus seeds, it can help more junior sisters break through.”
In theory, one lotus seed could create a Quasi Holy Emperor. Even the most basic Quasi Holy Emperor’s combat power was unmatched by a Great Golden Immortal. These junior sisters had been stuck at the peak Daluo realm for too long and didn’t want to wait any longer.
The Ice Toad Emperor nodded slightly, “I hope so too, but the lotus seeds are too miraculous, and their quantity must be extremely limited. We can’t expect too much.”
“We don’t need too many, just three or five more. If a few junior sisters can break through, we won’t fear any force!” Ye Xinglan smiled.
“Let’s hope so.”
Dongfang Zhihan said, increasingly looking forward to Junior Brother’s return. Even though she had become a Quasi Holy, to advance further and sever the Three Corpses to achieve the Dao, she still needed his help.
…
Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, behind the Imperial Dao Peak.
When Qing Muling woke from his deep enlightenment and opened his eyes again, Qingyao Immortal Venerable had already dressed neatly, regaining her dignified and majestic demeanor, along with her three avatars.
Qing Muling glanced helplessly at the black blindfold in his master’s hand. He hadn’t needed it for a long time, but this time, because of Qingyao Immortal Venerable’s presence, Mu Yinghua had brought it out and put it on him again.
“Finally broke through?”
Feeling the unprecedented Quasi Holy pressure from his master, Qing Muling was still very happy. From now on, her position in the sect would be unshakable, and having a Quasi Holy Emperor as his master gave him more confidence.
No matter what happened in the future, he was sure Mu Yinghua would always stand by his side, never leaving him.
“Yes, and the realm is stable!”
Mu Yinghua’s beautiful face was flushed, her eyes filled with charm. She hugged him and kissed him, still reluctant to part. The Quasi Holy Emperor Dao Fruit, once an unattainable dream, had been so easily achieved.
It was all thanks to Qing Muling. Without him, Qingyao Immortal Venerable wouldn’t have so readily given her the Harmony Dao Golden Elixir.
From now on, Mu Yinghua would be a renowned and powerful figure in the Great Void, with a status and voice far beyond an ordinary Supreme Sect Master.
Although a Quasi Holy Emperor couldn’t achieve eternal immortality, they could still easily live through a kalpa without external calamities, which was almost immortal.
“Though my cultivation is still low, this Dao Rhyme is quite good,”
Qingyao Immortal Venerable caressed Qing Muling’s face, smiling, “It even has some effect on me now! How about… you give me seventy percent of it when you cultivate?”
“Seventy percent? Senior Sister, you’re making things difficult for me. That’s really not possible now!”
Qing Muling couldn’t help but look troubled. His Dao Rhyme wasn’t enough for his senior sisters, especially after becoming Dao companions with his master, who took at least half. The rest was divided among Senior Sister Xuebing Xuan and the others, leaving no one fully satisfied.
His senior sisters often complained about it. If Qingyao Immortal Venerable took most of it, he would be drained dry.
Mu Yinghua advised, “Ancestor, Qing Muling’s cultivation is limited now. He can’t bear your demands. At least wait until he becomes a Taiyi Golden Immortal.”
If Qingyao Immortal Venerable really didn’t care about her status and took everything, Qing Muling would be exhausted, and no amount of pills or food could replenish him. It wasn’t a fair match, like an adult versus a baby.
Qingyao Immortal Venerable pinched Qing Muling’s waist and said, “Aren’t you about to reach the Xuan Immortal realm? By then, the Dao Rhyme will be more and better.”
“It could increase by about four times, but no more!”
Qing Muling said cautiously. Even four times wasn’t much. He couldn’t give it all to her, leaving his master and senior sisters with nothing. They would be furious.
For someone like Qingyao Immortal Venerable, even Xuan Immortals and Golden Immortals were too low. At least a Taiyi Golden Immortal could withstand her demands.
“Then less, I’ll take half, your master a quarter, and the rest for your senior sisters. That should maintain the current level, right?” Qingyao Immortal Venerable compromised.
Qing Muling shook his head: “With your current realm, even if you took it all, it wouldn’t perfect your Three Corpses Avatars in the short term. It’s better to wait. It won’t be long.”
He didn’t want to be a tool, endlessly exploited. If so, he might as well return to the Origin Star Palace, where the Ice Toad Senior Sister wouldn’t treat him like this.
Hmm? Something seemed off?
“Alright, as you wish!”
Qingyao Immortal Venerable sighed regretfully, understanding Qing Muling’s difficulty, and didn’t insist. As a founding ancestor, it was excessive to pressure a junior like this.
“Ancestor, now…”
Mu Yinghua probed, thinking she could end the closed-door cultivation now that she had advanced, letting Qing Muling rest and recover.
Qingyao Immortal Venerable nodded: “Cultivate a few more days. We’ll leave after two months.”
Two months of closed-door cultivation passed quickly. On the last day, the long-missed heavy bell rang on Imperial Dao Peak, echoing continuously.
“What’s this bell? Is there a new Quasi Holy Emperor in the sect?”
“It seems so. The Haoyuan Star Bell only rings when someone in the sect achieves Quasi Holy Emperor, not otherwise.”
“Which Supreme Elder is so fortunate? Is it Senior Sister Fengge?”
“Probably. She’s been stuck at this level for too long. With Qing Muling’s help, she should have succeeded.”
“If true, that’s great. It means we also have a chance… as long as Qing Muling is willing to help!”
“What are you thinking? So many senior sisters are ahead in line! Who knows when it’ll be our turn?”
“That’s okay. As long as we’re in line, we’ll get our turn eventually!”
“True.”
The core elders discussed eagerly, rushing to the Supreme Sect Master’s residence to greet the new Quasi Holy Emperor.
Upon entering, they found Mu Yinghua sitting beside Qingyao Immortal Venerable, with Xinyu Emperor also present.
Mu Yinghua’s unmistakable Quasi Holy aura left the elders stunned, taking a while to react.
If they remembered correctly, this young Supreme Sect Master was only at the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm a few years ago, relying on Qing Muling’s help to reach the Daluo realm. How did she become a Quasi Holy Emperor in just two months?
What went wrong?
“No need to be surprised,”
Qingyao Immortal Venerable explained calmly, “I granted the Harmony Dao Golden Elixir to the Supreme Sect Master, allowing her to advance early, as a reward for bringing Qing Muling back to the sect. So, there’s no need for envy.”
“Ancestor is wise!”
The elders responded in unison. Given this reason, there was no need to dwell on it. Mu Yinghua’s contribution was indeed remarkable, deserving the Quasi Holy Emperor Dao Fruit.
Soon after, Qinghuan, Tongying, Lan Hua, and Jinglan, the four female Emperors, entered the residence. Seeing Mu Yinghua’s current state, they couldn’t help but be amazed.
Qinghuan Emperor glanced at Qingyao Immortal Venerable, wanting to ask if there was another Harmony Dao Golden Elixir for herself.
But she realized such a rare treasure wouldn’t be given away, likely reserved for the sect’s juniors.
Qinghuan Emperor sighed inwardly. Despite multiple attempts, she had never succeeded in refining pills, even with Qing Muling’s Dao Rhyme. It wasted many precious divine herbs.
Perhaps… only when Qing Muling reached the Xuan Immortal or Golden Immortal realm, with enhanced Dao Rhyme, could she succeed?
Well, she would ask for more then, making sure Dragon Ritual worked hard. If necessary, she would handle it herself.
Tongying, Jinglan, and the other female Emperors felt complicated. With another Quasi Holy in the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, their influence grew stronger, giving them more strategic advantages in future battles. As for other matters, they could plan slowly.
“Your sects have injured and dormant Quasi Holy Emperors. Previously, for Qing Muling’s safety, he couldn’t go out. But now, I plan to accompany him personally to resolve this matter!”
Qingyao Immortal Venerable announced.
Qinghuan Emperor was momentarily stunned, then overjoyed: “Thank you, Immortal Venerable!”
The other female Emperors also expressed their gratitude. Having another Quasi Holy Emperor in their sects was beneficial, providing more strategic advantages in external battles. As for other matters, they could plan slowly.