A few days later.

The news that Fengge Emperor had exited seclusion and successfully broken through to the Quasi Holy Emperor Realm quickly spread among the core elders of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, causing an uproar among the upper echelons.

In the communication jade talisman, the elders discussed eagerly:

“Fairy Yun Miaozhi: …So, should we credit Junior Brother for this achievement?”

“Fairy Butterfly: Obviously, Qingyao Ancestor’s help was limited. The main contribution should go to Junior Brother!”

“Fairy Baiquan: If that’s the case, doesn’t it prove that Junior Brother has the ability to help everyone break through to the Quasi Holy Emperor Realm? This is too extraordinary!”

“Fairy Fenghua: Don’t forget his true identity. No matter how many unbelievable miracles happen to him, I think it’s only natural. Sisters, you should get used to it.”

There was a sudden silence in the jade talisman as the elders tried to digest this astonishing news.

If their judgment was correct, Fengge Emperor had continuously dual-cultivated with Qing Muling, using his Dao Rhyme to find the opportunity for a breakthrough. Doesn’t this mean that other peak Great Golden Immortals could also gain such incredible benefits if they were willing to lower themselves and become his Dao Companion?

Even if it’s not a hundred percent certain, it was enough to make all the elders excited and determined to give it a try. Compared to the Quasi Holy Emperor Dao Fruit, lowering themselves for Junior Brother was nothing significant.

“Mu Yinghua: Everyone, don’t overthink it. Fengge Emperor’s breakthrough this time was mainly due to Qingyao Ancestor’s guidance. Muling helped her, but it wasn’t the main factor. Besides, such things depend on specific circumstances. Not everyone’s luck will be this good…”

“Mingyi, the Heavenly Master: Do you believe that yourself, Sect Master? Are you afraid we’ll overwork Junior Brother, so you’re trying to make excuses for him?”

“Xinyu Emperor: It’s not an excuse; it’s the truth. Only peak Great Golden Immortals have a slight chance of success. Many of you aren’t even Great Golden Immortals yet, so why think so far ahead? Focus on improving your cultivation!”

The high-level elders were speechless. Xinyu Emperor’s words seemed fair, but to quickly improve their cultivation, didn’t they still need to rely on Qing Muling?

Cultivating step by step, who knows how many years it would take to reach the peak Great Golden Immortal threshold.

Even if Qing Muling couldn’t help them break through to the Quasi Holy Emperor, quickly reaching the peak Great Golden Immortal realm would still be a great result, right?

This was an undeniable fact. Just look at how fast the cultivation of those recognized as his Dao Companions improved.

“Ice Falcon: Emperor, we understand your point, but… Junior Brother’s cultivation is growing. For the sake of the sect’s future, shouldn’t we let him marry a few more?”

“Yueyi Heavenly Lord: That’s right. For the sake of the sect’s future, Junior Brother indeed has an unshirkable responsibility. Having more peak Great Golden Immortals would only benefit the sect!”

“Mu Yinghua: So?”

In her cave, Mu Yinghua looked at the communication jade talisman in her hand and sneered. Mingyi, the Heavenly Master, your calculations are loud and clear. Even on Imperial Dao Peak, I can hear them! Isn’t it just that you’re craving Qing Muling’s body?

Of course, it wasn’t just her. Those high-level elders who knew about Qing Muling all had the same thing on their minds.

“Yu Lingzhou: I think this kind of thing shouldn’t be forced. Let Junior Brother decide for himself! If any of you have ideas, talk to him directly. Don’t expect the Sect Master or the Ancestor to speak for you.”

Given Qing Muling’s special status now, if he didn’t like it, no one in the sect could force him.

“Fairy Yun Miaozhi: Fine, I’ll prepare a gift and talk to Junior Brother.”

“Xinyu Emperor: You can talk to him, but to ensure Muling’s safety, remember not to let the word get out, especially to those around him.”

“Fairy Baiquan: Yes, we understand.”

In her Dao Court, Xinyu Emperor looked at the communication jade talisman and sighed softly.

She knew this matter had the potential to spiral out of control. Fortunately, Qingyao Immortal Venerable had already made arrangements, limiting the knowledge to the core elders. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be long before the news spread throughout the Great Void.

At that time, Qing Muling and Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, along with the entire female cultivator alliance, would be pushed into the spotlight.

Fortunately, with Qingyao Immortal Venerable overseeing things, and with more experts from the upper realm returning to Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, ensuring Qing Muling’s safety wouldn’t be an issue.

Meanwhile, in Qinghuan Emperor’s Dao Court, several female Emperors also received the news shortly after.

This wasn’t surprising. There was a mysterious Dao law connection among Quasi Holy Emperors. Whether someone advanced, was severely injured, or had fallen, they could sense it at relatively close distances.

So, Fengge Emperor’s breakthrough couldn’t escape their notice, and certain thoughts naturally arose.

“…We must do something!”

Lan Hua Emperor frowned slightly, looking worried.

Jinglan Emperor agreed: “Indeed. Otherwise, from now on, the number of Quasi Holy Emperors in Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace will only increase. This is not good news for us or the entire female cultivator alliance.”

The consequence of an imbalance in high-end strategic power would be that the voice of these female Dao lineages would diminish, gradually losing their independence and eventually becoming vassal forces of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, a situation they were unwilling to see.

“Then… we can only find a way through Muling, let him help us cultivate a few Quasi Holy Emperors as well.”

Tongying Emperor said, this matter started because of him, who else could they turn to?

However, she hadn’t expected that Qing Muling could even help cultivate Quasi Holy Emperors. Although it was mainly due to Fengge Emperor’s own accumulation and the need for a special opportunity, it still showcased his extraordinary nature.

“But they won’t easily agree, will they?”

Qinghuan Emperor said softly, “Such great benefits, they haven’t even enjoyed enough themselves. How could they share with us?”

Convincing the high-levels of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace to relent wouldn’t be easy. Without offering enough benefits in return, they wouldn’t agree.

Especially now that the founding ancestor Qingyao Immortal Venerable had returned, significantly boosting Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace’s high-end combat power, their confidence was unmatched, even surpassing these few combined.

Unless… the ancestors of these few families who had ascended to the upper realm also returned, leveling the playing field.

Lan Hua Emperor said, “I don’t think Qingyao Immortal Venerable’s attitude is as important as we imagine. The key lies in Qing Muling’s own thoughts. As long as he likes someone and wants to take her as a Dao Companion, those few can’t say much.”

How many Dao Companions Qing Muling would have and who could be his Dao Companion would ultimately be his decision. Even his master and Qingyao Immortal Venerable couldn’t force him.

Jinglan Emperor’s eyes brightened, “So, we just need to find a way to please Qing Muling? If the recommended candidate catches his eye, the matter is half done!”

“Exactly, that’s the way!”

Qinghuan Emperor affirmed. This embodiment of the Harmony Creation Blue Lotus still had a youthful heart. With countless beautiful female cultivators under her command, a careful selection would surely yield someone to his liking.

Hmm, she should also have her daughter, Dragon Ritual Princess, help mediate. No matter what, they needed to secure a few spots for their lineage to maintain their advantageous position in the Dao Court.

Tongying Emperor said with a smile, “Then I’ll prepare! Let Qingchan invite him over for a banquet and arrange a few suitable candidates to accompany him. If he likes any, he can take them away. Even if… it’s still fine.”

Lan Hua Emperor blinked, “Wouldn’t that be too forward? Men seem to prefer those who play hard to get, acting aloof. Really…”

Jinglan Emperor sighed, “We’d love to play hard to get, but other vixens won’t! Just look at the elders of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace. Every one of them does their best to please and flatter him.”

“True, whatever method works to achieve our goal.”

Qinghuan Emperor concluded, “Sisters, let’s prepare. This matter concerns our families’ future and fate, so we mustn’t be careless!”

…

After bidding farewell to Fengge Emperor, Qing Muling returned to Yu Lingzhou’s Dao Court for a meal.

After eating and drinking to his fill, he changed clothes with the help of his senior sisters and then went to Yunji Peak to help the elders cross their tribulations. They had been eagerly waiting for a long time.

The Great Golden Immortal tribulation was no small matter, extremely dangerous and unpredictable. A slight mistake could lead to death and the destruction of one’s Dao. The tribulation lasted seven days and nights, and those who could withstand it on their own were all renowned prodigies with great fortune.

Of course, compared to the few successful cases, the vast majority of Taiyi Golden Immortals could only tremble under the terrifying power of the tribulation. To avoid their lifetime of cultivation turning to dust, they would suppress their cultivation, avoiding the tribulation until their lifespan was nearly exhausted, then gamble for survival.

So, even in Supreme Dao Lineage powers, the number of Great Golden Immortals wasn’t large, usually around a hundred. Many forces didn’t even reach this scale.

This referred to Great Golden Immortals in peak combat condition, not counting those severely injured and in slumber within hidden cave mystical realms.

For example, when Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace was in decline, they had only about thirty Great Golden Immortals capable of fighting, and at their lowest point, barely over twenty. They were always at a disadvantage against neighboring hostile forces, forced to swallow their pride.

Of course, after Qing Muling reached the Destiny Realm, all the severely injured elders in the hidden cave mystical realms recovered, increasing the sect’s Great Golden Immortal count by over six hundred, almost matching the previous Dao Court’s Great Golden Immortal scale.

Now, with over a thousand peak Taiyi Golden Immortals in the sect, if they all crossed the tribulation under Qing Muling’s protection, the high-level combat power of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace would reach a new level.

After all, not everything required a Quasi Holy Emperor to handle. Typically, Supreme Dao Lineage powers’ highest combat force was Great Golden Immortals, indicating the seriousness of the situation.

If a Quasi Holy Emperor had to step in, it usually meant full-scale war.

In the following months, Yunji Peak was filled with thunder, dark and stormy, with wave after wave of terrifying tribulation lightning almost flattening the ancient peak that had stood for millions of years!

With each batch of 150 peak Taiyi Golden Immortals crossing the tribulation, the protective formation on the Ascension Platform couldn’t withstand it, and after each round, it was half destroyed. Xinyu Emperor and Mu Yinghua had to personally repair it before the next batch of female immortals could cross.

The tribulation’s destructive power was too terrifying. Each batch consumed about three percent of Qing Muling’s fortune. However, given his current cultivation, he could easily recover, returning to peak condition in a few hours.

Once the female immortals of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace finished their tribulations, it would be the turn of the other four families, with over seven thousand in total. For Qing Muling, it was just routine.

“…Sect Master, when there’s time, I want to take Muling to the upper realm. What do you think?”

On the lotus platform in mid-air, the pure and radiant Qingyao Immortal Venerable smiled at Mu Yinghua.

“What do you intend to do?”

Mu Yinghua’s expression immediately turned wary. The upper realm was full of hidden dangers and powerful beings. Who knew what might happen if Qing Muling went there?

If his identity were exposed and targeted by a superpower, even Qingyao Immortal Venerable might not be able to protect him.

“Don’t worry, I just want him to help the sect’s disciples cross their tribulations.”

Qingyao Immortal Venerable explained, “You know, the upper realm’s spiritual energy is abundant, the environment is excellent for cultivation, and the Dao law system is more grand and complete, making tribulations more difficult. If Muling helps, the sect will quickly produce a large number of high-level female immortals, greatly boosting our strength to face future tribulations.”

The upper realm’s Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace had over ten billion female cultivators, with countless stuck at various cultivation levels. Just the number of Golden Immortals and Taiyi Golden Immortals was in the hundreds of thousands. If they could all safely cross their tribulations, it would be a magnificent sight.

“This…”

Mu Yinghua pondered for a moment, then shook her head, “It’s not feasible now. The risk is too great, and we can’t afford the consequences of an accident.”

The upper realm’s sect had so many disciples, surely with spies from other forces among them. Strict confidentiality was impossible. If Qing Muling went to the upper realm, he would inevitably be noticed.

Once the news leaked, and superpower figures came to demand Qing Muling, what could the high-levels of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace do but compromise?

Even if they needed Qing Muling’s help, they should wait until he became a Great Golden Immortal or, better yet, a Quasi Holy Emperor, before implementing such a plan.

By then, Qingyao Immortal Venerable would have perfected her Three Corpses Avatar, possibly even unified them, and the sect would have enough Quasi Holy Emperors to ensure Qing Muling’s safety.

“Your reasoning is sound. Let’s leave it at that.”

Qingyao Immortal Venerable nodded slightly, agreeing with Mu Yinghua’s view.

Mu Yinghua was silent for a moment, then continued, “Recently, several have been lobbying me to persuade Muling to marry a few more of their female immortals. How should we handle this?”

Although she didn’t agree with it, the families were close allies, and Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace owed them many favors. They couldn’t afford to strain relations.

Qingyao Immortal Venerable laughed, “Completely refusing is impossible. So, allocate a few spots to them, but not too many. Our female immortals must always come first.”

Mu Yinghua agreed, “The Ancestor is right. Let’s handle it that way.”