Dao : Refers to the ultimate truth, the fundamental principle, or the underlying reality that governs the universe. It’s the source of all power, wisdom, and enlightenment.

Pill Tribulation. From fifth-grade pills onward, every newly refined pill would face a tribulation.

In a sense, the quality of pills a Pill Emperor could refine was directly linked to their cultivation level.

Seventh-grade pills and above required at least a Nascent Soul cultivator to refine.

There were many Pill Emperors within the Two Polarities Sect, but only a handful could refine seventh-grade pills or higher.

The one who had refined the eighth-grade Soul Returning Pill this time was Yu Ziyan, the peak master of Dao Peak.

Vast tribulation clouds gathered above Dao Peak, and the entire peak was abuzz with discussions.

“Judging by the tribulation clouds, it’s at least a seventh-grade pill. When did Master obtain an Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb… And what kind of pill did she refine?” Many disciples whispered amongst themselves.

“Junior Sister Lingxuan, do you know what’s going on?” A senior brother looked at Ye Lingxuan, who had just arrived at Dao Peak.

Even now, many were still unaware of her background, but that didn’t affect their fondness for her.

Her beauty was one factor, but her polite and reserved demeanor was another major reason.

Many within Dao Peak admired Ye Lingxuan, including some female cultivators.

“Junior Sister Lingxuan is Master’s favorite disciple. Perhaps she refined this pill for her,” a senior brother guessed with a chuckle.

Ye Lingxuan shook her head with a demure smile. “I’m not sure about the specifics.”

Then, she excused herself and headed towards the main hall.

Yu Ziyan was already waiting inside. Dressed in a thin Daoist robe, she was breathtakingly beautiful. A bright red cinnabar dot adorned her forehead. Sensing the arrival of the two sisters, she opened her eyes and smiled.

“You never come when I ask you to, but you’re surprisingly punctual this time.”

“It seems Mu Zhi’an is truly important to you both.” Her tone was gentle and teasing, like a master speaking to her disciples.

Ye Qian blushed and replied softly, “I was just worried that Brother Mu’s consciousness might be affected if we delayed any longer, so…”

“Alright, you don’t need to explain. Take this pill to him,” Yu Ziyan said warmly.

Her voice was soothing, capable of calming even the most restless heart.

The two sisters, who had been anxious about Mu Zhi’an, gradually calmed down under the influence of her voice.

“Qian’er, stay for a moment. I have some questions for you,” Yu Ziyan said.

“What is it, Master?” Ye Qian asked.

“Don’t worry, it won’t take long.” Yu Ziyan glared at her disciple playfully. Ye Qian was usually obedient, but now she was clearly eager to see Mu Zhi’an and reluctant to stay.

Ye Qian nodded obediently.

Ye Lingxuan took the small wooden box that flew over from the lotus pond and said with a smile, “Master, I’ll head to the Garden of Heavenly Harmony now.”

She bowed to her master once more, bid farewell to her sister and master, and left Dao Peak, flying towards the Jade Glass Palace.

…

Garden of Heavenly Harmony.

Mu Zhi’an was already awake. He felt that his previously weak consciousness had been nourished. His body felt warm and comfortable.

But for some reason, he felt slightly tired…

Sunlight streamed into the quiet courtyard. Flowers and trees bloomed year-round, and a pavilion stood by the shimmering pond.

Mu Zhi’an sat in the pavilion, sipping tea brewed by his maid.

Although his accidental ‘death’ had been a harrowing experience, it wasn’t without benefits.

Besides the Soul Returning Pill, it had also made him appreciate the people around him more… and their attitude towards him had also softened.

For example, his maid had never brewed tea for him before, but after this incident, she had finally started acting like a proper maid, which touched Mu Zhi’an.

Bai Ruoxi, breathtakingly beautiful, sat beside him, dressed in a white palace dress. Her face was pale, her lips full, and a few strands of hair fell across her face, adding to her languid beauty.

She observed Mu Zhi’an with concern and said softly, “Mu Lang, your body seems weaker than before, but your consciousness seems to have been nourished. How did Senior Jade Empress do it?”

Mu Zhi’an shook his head. “I was unconscious for those two days, so I’m not sure.”

He glanced towards a certain room.

The Jade Empress was currently in seclusion, preparing for her upcoming Primordial Spirit Tribulation.

Bai Ruoxi gazed at Mu Zhi’an’s handsome profile. After a moment of hesitation, she smiled gently. “As long as your body recovers, that’s all that matters.”

Mu Zhi’an nodded in agreement.

He was truly grateful for his survival.

It was understandable that the Nascent Soul cultivator who attacked him hadn’t noticed his lingering consciousness, protected by the Turtle Breath Pill.

However, the fact that the Master of the Forbidden Zone, the Jade Empress, and the others hadn’t sensed it either was strange.

Logically, they should have been able to detect the consciousness of a deceased Core Formation cultivator immediately.

Could it be that the Turtle Breath Pill could even conceal his consciousness from the Jade Empress and the others?

It was possible, but highly unlikely.

After pondering for two days, Mu Zhi’an could only think of one explanation.

—Reincarnator.

Someone had anticipated his death and, before it happened, had intervened, defying fate to preserve his soul and shield him from divination, preventing the Jade Empress and the others from detecting his consciousness.

He didn’t know who this person was.

But he was certain it was one of the girls he knew.

Because, so far, all the titles he had acquired, apart from the initial three, were obtained through his interactions with the ‘protagonists’.

But who was this Reincarnator…?

Mu Zhi’an looked at his personal interface, lost in thought.

First, Reincarnator, then Heaven’s Protection… Could it be Ling Long?

No, she was too innocent and couldn’t hide her thoughts. If she were a Reincarnator, she would have revealed herself by now…

“Brother Mu!”

Ye Lingxuan’s clear and melodious voice brought Mu Zhi’an back to reality. He turned to look at her.

Dressed in a purple dress, her face round and delicate, she exuded an air of elegance and tranquility. She stood beside him, handing him a small wooden box.

“This is the Soul Returning Pill. Master asked me to deliver it to you.”

In a sense, the Soul Returning Pill had a similar effect to the Soul Nourishing Pill. The former could restore a fragmented consciousness to its complete state, slowly repairing any damage.

The latter could accelerate the nourishment process.

With the Soul Returning Pill and the Soul Nourishing Pill he had ‘obtained’ from the Primordial Demon Emperor, Mu Zhi’an’s consciousness would quickly recover.

“Thank you for your trouble,” Mu Zhi’an said with a gentle smile, taking the box.

During his ‘death’, the Forbidden Zone had emerged to investigate the traitors, leading many to speculate about its intentions. However, the truth was that the Forbidden Zone had acted solely for Ye Lingxuan’s sake.

Now that she had inherited the Reincarnated Empress’s legacy, she was naturally valued by everyone in the Forbidden Zone. Whether out of love for their young lady or other reasons, the elders and divine beasts would obey her commands.

Ye Lingxuan shook her head gently, her smile sweet. “It was no trouble at all. I just went to Dao Peak. But you, Brother Mu, not only have to deal with enemies but also keep so many girls happy. You’re the one who has it hard.”

Mu Zhi’an: “…”

“Lingxuan…”

“You don’t need to explain anything to me, Brother Mu. I understand,” Ye Lingxuan said with a faint smile, suppressing the urge to unleash the Desolate Time Lock from her sleeve.

“Explain everything to me after you recover.”

Looking at Ye Lingxuan’s innocent smile under the sunlight, Mu Zhi’an felt a chill down his spine.

It seemed the ‘protagonist’ had become somewhat dangerous after her growth.

Suddenly, he felt someone staring at him. He turned and saw Bai Ruoxi, dressed in a beautiful white dress, her gaze gentle and loving. Her elegant aura complemented the lilies in the courtyard, a perfect blend of a young lady’s innocence and a mature woman’s allure.

“What’s wrong?” Bai Ruoxi blinked and tilted her head, a strand of hair falling across her delicate face.

“…Nothing,” Mu Zhi’an shook his head and smiled, a strong sense of crisis washing over him.

It seemed that after dealing with the Primordial Demon Emperor, he would need to find time to appease the ‘fish’ in his pond…

Enjoying the benefits of being a kept man was great, but if he wasn’t careful, he might end up being restrained by the Heart-Binding Lock, the Desolate Time Lock, or even the Jade Empress’s vines.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com