Chapter 114: Meeting the Empress
The voice continued to echo in his mind, its tone unsettling, despite the bright, sunny day. He rubbed his arms, looking around at the crowd. The disciples seemed unaware. Their gazes were fixed on the sect master, their eyes filled with admiration, as if they couldn’t hear anything.
“Child, I’m over here.”
The ancient voice whispered again, sending shivers down his spine. He looked towards the woman on the altar. Senior Sister Lan’s master is one of the most powerful cultivators in the world. She should be able to hear it. What is that voice? But Shang Yanfei seemed oblivious. Her gaze was fixed on the altar, her expression serene as she performed the ceremony.
“My child…”
The voice echoed in his mind, its persistence unnerving. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead, his back damp despite the cool autumn air. Wei Mengrou noticed his distress, her voice laced with concern. “Are you alright? If you’re not feeling well, we can leave.”
He shook his head, his gaze fixed on the altar.
Is there something sealed within it? But even if there was, it didn’t explain why only he could hear the voice. Ye Yu is supposed to be the Chosen One. Shouldn’t this opportunity be his? No. This wasn’t an opportunity. It was more like misfortune. Perhaps I’ve been with too many women. Is this divine retribution? He chuckled inwardly, his mind still able to joke despite the situation. He pressed his hand against his forehead, the voice echoing in his mind, relentless. His vision blurred, the world around him seeming to fade, as if shrouded in mist. Wei Mengrou looked at him, her usual coldness replaced by a hint of worry.
Shang Yanfei finished the ceremony, placing three incense sticks on the altar.
BOOM!
Thunder rumbled in the sky. The voice vanished, and he could hear the disciples whispering again, their voices clear. But his forehead was now beaded with sweat. Shang Yanfei descended the altar and returned to the platform. She glanced at the Grand Elder, her voice a mental message. “Postpone the inner disciple selections until the day after tomorrow.”
The Grand Elder looked at her, surprised, but he nodded without hesitation, relaying the message to the organizers.
She then looked towards a woman in a white dress, standing among the disciples.
Lan Mulian, sensing her master’s gaze, looked up and heard her voice, soft but firm. “Bring Mu Zhi’an to the back mountain.”
Mu Zhi’an? Why does she know his name? And why is she summoning him?
“Yes, Master.”
She was confused, but she didn’t question her master’s orders.
As the organizers announced the postponement, the disciples began to disperse, discussing the reason for the delay.
“Perhaps there are too many talented candidates this year. Even the peak lords need more time to deliberate.”
“Indeed. This year’s disciples are exceptional. It’s a golden age.”
“And there are so many beautiful junior sisters.”
They couldn’t help but discuss the attractiveness of their fellow disciples. In any era, beautiful women were a popular topic of conversation among men. Even in the cultivation world.
“But the most beautiful, it has to be Bai Ruoxi, right?” a disciple said, mentioning her name.
“Overall, the Bai family’s young mistress is indeed a beauty. She could even rival Senior Sister Lan,” another agreed.
“Isn’t she here as well? Why haven’t we seen her?”
“She’s over there.”
They turned to look. Bai Ruoxi was sitting on a step in a quiet corner of the square, her arm linked with Mu Zhi’an’s, gently wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief. Her white dress accentuated her pale skin, her beauty captivating even with minimal makeup. A seemingly frail young man, being cared for by such a beauty, it sparked envy in the hearts of many.
The disciples slowed their pace, watching them, their voices hushed. “Who’s that guy with her?”
“He’s Mu Zhi’an, the eldest son of the Mu family. He used to be a womanizer. I don’t know how he managed to win her over.”
“A Core Formation genius, with a fifth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator. He must be quite skilled at pursuing women.”
Hearing their whispers, a disciple who had benefited from Mu Zhi’an’s help couldn’t help but speak up. “He’s not incompetent. He single-handedly led us through Boundless Sea Peak’s trial. And he supposedly performed well in Ling Long’s realm as well.”
“Boundless Sea Peak’s trial?”
They gasped, their expressions filled with disbelief. They all knew how brutal that peak’s entrance exams were.
“A fifth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator, leading a group of disciples through Boundless Sea Peak’s trial?”
“Ling Long’s realm. I heard from my senior brother that most can’t even pass the first stage with the puppets. How did he do it?”
Their whispers reached Mu Zhi’an’s ears.
Bai Ruoxi frowned slightly. “They’re so annoying.”
He had performed well, yet they were questioning him, their words filled with disdain. He sat on the step, Bai Ruoxi beside him, Wei Mengrou standing silently nearby. He patted Bai Ruoxi’s hand, chuckling. “People’s prejudices are like mountains. My past behavior and my current actions are so different, it’s natural for them to be skeptical. And fifth-level Foundation Establishment, normally, it wouldn’t be possible to lead others through the trial.”
If not for the formation on Boundless Sea Peak, he wouldn’t have been able to help them. And some of them weren’t truly suspicious. They were simply envious that he was with Bai Ruoxi. It was understandable. A talented young woman with a former wastrel, it would inevitably attract some gossip. But at least they were intelligent. They wouldn’t confront him directly like Ye Yu or Gongsun Cheng. They would simply whisper behind his back.
Bai Ruoxi understood that defending him wouldn’t help. It would take time to change their perceptions. She believed he would eventually prove them wrong. After all, she had also been prejudiced against him, hadn’t she? But after spending time with him, she had come to understand his charm. It wasn’t his strength, but the sense of security he gave her. Although his habit of teasing her during intimate moments, it was a bit annoying. She blushed, remembering certain unpleasant images.
She wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking at him, her voice filled with concern. “What happened, Mu Lang? Why are you so pale?”
He looked at her, her beauty captivating, her concern genuine, and he smiled. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry.”
She still seemed worried, but she didn’t press him further. She sat beside him, waiting for him to recover.
Ye Yu watched them from the crowd, his heart burning with resentment as he saw her caring for Mu Zhi’an so tenderly, her gentleness on full display. He remembered her coldness, her indifference when she had given him the annulment letter. The contrast fueled his anger.
Mu Zhi’an seemed to sense his gaze, looking up and meeting his eyes. Ye Yu mouthed two words: You deserve it. He was referring to Mu Zhi’an’s weakened state.
Mu Zhi’an ignored him, focusing on Bai Ruoxi. He wouldn’t let a jealous person ruin his mood.
He was about to look away when a clear, sweet voice called out to him.
“Brother Mu.”
He looked up to see Ye Qian approaching, her embroidered shoes silent against the stone, her skirt swirling around her, revealing her smooth legs, her bosom bouncing slightly with each step. She reached him, looking down at him, her voice filled with concern. “Are you alright, Brother Mu?”
He smiled weakly, shaking his head. “I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”
He gestured for her to sit beside him, then looked up at Ye Yu, who was glaring at him, and mouthed: Your sister is so cute.
Ye Yu stiffened, his expression turning uncomfortable, and Mu Zhi’an smiled, satisfied, looking away.
He was still feeling drained from the strange voice earlier, but the two women beside him, and even Mengrou’s concerned gaze, it was enough to heal him. It would be even better if Lingxuan and Senior Sister were here. As he thought this, the surrounding sounds seemed to fade.
A shadow fell over him. He turned to see Lan Mulian standing behind him, her face veiled, her lips parting slightly.
“Come with me to the back mountain,” she said, her voice cold and clear, her allure undeniable.
Her words sent a shiver down his spine, and he suddenly understood how Ye Yu had felt earlier. Then he realized something. Why is she summoning me now?
“Why are we going to the back mountain, Senior Sister?” he asked, his voice a mental message.
“My master wants to see you,” she replied mentally.
Her master, the sect master?
He froze, his mind reeling.
Shit. I’m not ready to meet the shark.
