With power in her grasp, the Immaculate Old Mother ruled autocratically, her style toward subordinates exceedingly harsh. Any disciple who served even slightly amiss faced light punishment of crippled spiritual roots and extracted immortal bones before expulsion, or death at worst.
Since she rose to power, sects that had offended her suffered calamity—light ones broken families, heavy ones exterminated.
Mu Daoying always acted righteously and treated jianghu rumors as wind and shadow, embellished tales. For stories about the Immaculate Old Mother, he held to “hearsay is false, seeing is truth.”
But in recent years, Joyous Union Palace’s shadow lurked behind every Demonic Sect action.
Now that Joyous Union Palace had come knocking, what was there he did not understand?
With fellow Immortal Alliance members dying before him, this young man still maintained the utmost restraint.
Chen Yuro slowly raised her brows and saw the frosty young man half-reclining against the pear tree. He slowly straightened his body.
Lustrous black hair draped down as he sat upright like a pine, his disheveled figure towering like a mountain.
His slender, emaciated fingertips pressed together, forcefully suppressing the churning blood and qi in his five viscera and six bowels. Mu Daoying lowered his gaze and said indifferently, “I never knew this was your sect’s attitude toward invited guests?”
Chen Yuro smiled in slight surprise. “My subordinates were ignorant and offended Fellow Daoist Mu. I hope you can forgive them.”
Mu Daoying: “The Old Mother holds such an exalted status, yet she concerns herself with the life and death of a junior disciple like me?”
The Joyous Union Palace was no Demonic Sect, after all.
The Immaculate Old Mother’s cultivation had already reached the Ninth Realm, Mid Sixth Realm Three Turns, while he was merely at Fourth Realm Three Turns.
By reason and emotion, Mu Daoying’s reference to himself as a “junior disciple” was not wrong.
Chen Yuro was not angry either. She merely smiled and said, “How could we guess the Old Mother’s intentions? Fellow Daoist Mu, please.”
Mu Daoying fell silent for a moment.
Chen Yuro’s tone was gentle and her words humble, seemingly giving him full face, but he knew full well that others now held the knife and chopping block while he was the fish meat. He truly had no room to choose.
Only when Chen Yuro urged him did he slowly stand up and board the Joyous Union Palace’s flying boat alongside her.
Chen Yuro could not help but glance at the young man again for his astute judgment of the situation.
Mu Daoying lived simply and preferred plain hemp daoist robes. Having suffered heavy injuries, that plain hemp daoist robe was already dyed into a bloodstained garment by fresh blood, yet the young man’s back remained straight as a pine, rigid as a sword.
Because of his injuries, he walked slowly, but his posture was perfectly balanced as he strove to maintain the dignity befitting the head disciple of the Jade Clarity Temple.
The flying boat rose into the air, soaring through the clouds. In a single breath, it had flown a hundred li away. In less than a day, it crossed countless mountains and rivers before descending onto an vast, boundless marsh.
This marsh named “Mirage” was the renowned home of the Joyous Union Palace in the Eastern Florescence Realm.
Mirage Lake was formed by countless interconnected rivers and lakes. Standing on the flying boat and gazing over the railing, one saw misty waters stretching endlessly, with scattered mountains like coiled shells amid shimmering mountain light and rippling waters.
The flying boat flew across the great marsh straight to the hazy, indigo mountain at the end of the waters. That was the true location of the Joyous Union Palace’s mountain gate.
This was also Mu Daoying’s first time at the Joyous Union Palace.
After disembarking from the flying boat and passing the mountain gate, everything he saw along the way featured mountains beyond mountains and buildings beyond buildings: vermilion walls, green tiles, carved eaves, and embroidered railings. It was exquisitely delicate and softly powdered.
If he had not known this was the Joyous Union Palace’s territory, he would have thought he had arrived at the back residence of some wealthy Jiangnan household.
The Joyous Union Palace disciples they encountered along the way, men and women alike, were all dressed in glamorous finery, bewitching and handsome, their glances full of allure.
But Mu Daoying had no leisure now to appreciate the scenery. His heart hung like a heavy stone as he pondered the Immaculate Old Mother’s intentions this time.
Did the Joyous Union Palace collude with the Demonic Sect? What was the truth behind his master’s defection?
As he pondered, his thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a sharp, resounding slap.
Mu Daoying looked up toward the source of the sound by the roadside—
Liu Qiao’e’s mood today was utterly awful.
She had woken up in a fairly good mood that morning.
Yesterday, Fan Shuyun had asked to meet her under the drooping silk crabapple tree in the Heavenly Fragrance Garden—a fact witnessed by everyone in the disciple quarters.
She kept a calm face, but inwardly she was quite impatient, wondering what this man was up to now.
After all, in this vast Joyous Union Palace, no one would seek out Liu Qiao’e, a monstrous figure with an ugly appearance and eccentric personality.
Especially not an outstanding talent like Fan Shuyun.
No one knew how someone like her had managed to get in.
The Joyous Union Palace placed utmost importance on selecting disciples with upright appearances.
Liu Qiao’e’s looks clearly did not qualify.
She had high cheekbones, a pointed chin, thin lips, and a bowl-sized scar on her cheek with hypertrophic tissue. Her narrow eyes flashed with proud, cold brilliance, and when she looked at people, it was as if she peered down from on high, squinting disdainfully.
The features on her face combined into a harsh, bitter expression.
Usually, after cultivators entered the dao, underwent qi introduction into the body, marrow washing, and vein cutting to remove the dross and retain the essence, even someone with two points of looks could become seven or eight points beautiful.
But Liu Qiao’e was different. This was her sixth year at the Joyous Union Palace, yet she remained that same ugly, harsh-tempered outer disciple with no progress in cultivation. Her fellow disciples’ contempt for her had grown so overt it was undisguised.
The Eastern Florescence Realm revered the strong, and the Joyous Union Palace revered beauty. In the Joyous Union Palace, ugliness was original sin.
After entering the dao, Joyous Union Palace disciples had to cultivate yin-yang union techniques to advance their cultivation.
Her fellow outer disciples who entered at the same time were all handsome men and beautiful women. Living together day and night, they soon took a liking to each other, paired off, and consummated their unions—except for Liu Qiao’e, who remained unwanted due to her plain looks.
Thus, her cultivation stagnated at the meager level she had upon entry.
It was a helpless vicious cycle.
Until half a month ago, when Fan Shuyun’s favor finally broke the cycle.
Unlike outer disciples like Liu Qiao’e, Fan Shuyun came from the outer sect but had an aunt in the inner sect who managed affairs. Moreover, he himself was bewitching in demeanor, bright and alluring, especially those fox-like eyes full of charm.
Good looks and diligent cultivation. At a young age, he had already reached the Second Realm. Countless outer sect female disciples flocked to him, dreaming of tumbling in the clouds and rain with him. He truly was the new groom every day, with a new bride every night.
Yet such a figure had shown interest in Liu Qiao’e half a month ago.
It started at the swordsmanship class a month prior, when Liu Qiao’e drew a lot and sparred with him. Naturally, she lost.
Whether it was Liu Qiao’e’s “stubborn” appearance covered in blood that held a unique charm, or Fan Shuyun suddenly lost a screw in his head, the Fan Shuyun who was used to delicacies inexplicably took a liking to plain fare like Liu Qiao’e. From that day on, he pursued her aggressively.
At first, Liu Qiao’e was unaccustomed to Fan Shuyun’s pursuit.
But after years of being ignored, how could she have no resentment?
Fan Shuyun’s pursuit greatly boosted her face and made her glow.
Yesterday, Fan Shuyun came to the female disciples’ mountain residence.
Ignoring the other female disciples’ flirtatious glances, he walked straight to Liu Qiao’e without a sideways look.
Liu Qiao’e walked out with a cold face, half-scolding, half-angry, asking what he wanted.
Fan Shuyun did not mind and smiled at her. “What else would I come for but to see you? I’m here with good intentions to visit, and you can’t even muster a smile.”
The sunset light fell on the young man’s refined, gentle handsome face.
Such a dashing beauty, under everyone’s gaze, speaking softly and humbly to coax her.
A surge of cherished sweetness welled up in Liu Qiao’e’s heart, and she could not resist showing off a bit. She deliberately put on a fierce, gruff demeanor. “This is just how I am. If you can’t stand it, go find someone else. What are you doing here with me!”
Fan Shuyun smilingly begged for mercy. “See, you’re fierce again. Granny, how would I dare! I’m just afraid you’d gouge my eyes out if I glanced at anyone else twice!”
Liu Qiao’e: “Say what you have to say. Do you think I’m as idle as you?”
Fan Shuyun smiled again, his gaze affectionate. “Tomorrow at the shen hour fourth quarter, under the drooping silk crabapple tree in the Heavenly Fragrance Garden. I have words for you.”
After saying that, Fan Shuyun bantered with her a couple more times before flicking his robe sleeve and departing dashingly.
Liu Qiao’e lingered at the door a while longer.
The female disciples’ loud discussions reached her ears.
“What’s she so smug about? Who knows which eye of Senior Brother Fan went blind to fancy her.”
Another slender female disciple sneered. “Senior Brother Fan is a romantic philanderer. When has he ever been sincere with any girl? Just watch. In a few days, when Senior Brother Fan tires of her, she’ll have reason to cry.”
Liu Qiao’e did not argue with them and walked straight up to them.
The girls froze for a moment, unsure of her intent, and suddenly went mute like cats had stolen their tongues.
Liu Qiao’e gave them a cold glance and strode past them haughtily back to her room.
Once Liu Qiao’e left, the remaining female disciples twisted their faces. “Act all high and mighty! Ugly freak! Bah!”
Anticipating Fan Shuyun’s invitation, Liu Qiao’e got up unusually early the next day. She primped in front of the mirror, changing outfits four or five times.
After admiring herself in the mirror and being about seventy to eighty percent satisfied, Liu Qiao’e finally set out.
Passing the disciple quarters naturally drew the long-tongued women’s chatter.
They glared at her jealously, grinding their teeth as they whispered to companions. “Senior Brother Fan is just playing with her.”
“I heard Senior Brother Fan made a bet with someone to take her down.”
Bah! Liu Qiao’e spat inwardly. Pure jealousy!
The louder they cursed, the happier she felt.
These people were all blind, only caring about looks.
Weren’t they fond of judging by appearances? She would dual cultivate with a man superior in every way and make them pop their eyeballs out in envy.
When Liu Qiao’e swaggered over, she spotted at first glance the moon-white figure under the flowering tree.
That elegant, handsome form—who else but Fan Shuyun? Sweetness filled Liu Qiao’e’s heart, and her steps quickened involuntarily.
But before reaching the tree, two more figures entered her view.
Liu Qiao’e recognized them too: one surnamed Feng, called Feng Fuyue; the other surnamed Cao, called Cao Xianliu.
She heard Feng Fuyue laugh at Fan Shuyun. “Good kid, in less than half a month, you actually reeled her in!”
Fan Shuyun laughed too. “I figured it’d take a month of effort, but who knew this woman was so easy to tease. She bit the hook in half that time!”
Feng Fuyue said disdainfully, “She always acts so superior, like no man catches her eye. I thought she was some chaste, fierce woman.”
Cao Xianliu laughed next. “Where do we have chaste heroines in our palace? You lot don’t get it. Liu Qiao’e is ugly, so which man would fancy her? To save face, doesn’t she have to put on airs, pretending she’s uninterested in men rather than men disliking her— that lofty pose?”
Liu Qiao’e was quite the unique sight in the Joyous Union Palace.
Due to the palace’s yin-yang union cultivation method, disciples were all licentious and flirtatious. If they took a liking, they rolled right into clouds and rain.
Only Liu Qiao’e guarded her self-respect fiercely, repelling anyone who approached, which gave her a bit of “untouchable flower on a high ridge” flavor.
That day, Fan Shuyun, Feng Fuyue, and the others were bored and bet whether Fan Shuyun could take Liu Qiao’e within a month. Who would have thought Liu Qiao’e was so spineless and useless, bending her knee in less than half a month. It left Fan Shuyun feeling quite bored.
Fan Shuyun complained a bit. “It’s all your instigation, Fuyue. Her looks are ugly enough, but her personality’s no fun either. A crook of the finger and she sticks. Meanwhile, I’ve been groveling lately, letting her take all the advantage and suffer the loss!”
Cao Xianliu laughed gleefully. “You’re in trouble now. What if Liu Qiao’e clings on? How will you chase after the Bai Mengli girl you’ve been pining for?”
“What to do?” Fan Shuyun smiled faintly. “Of course, slap her once, tell her the truth, and tell her to scram.”
The three burst into laughter together.
Mid-laugh, Fan Shuyun’s view suddenly darkened as a short figure whirled over like a gust.
“Pa!”
The next second, his cheek took a heavy slap, burning with pain.
In shock and suspicion, Fan Shuyun met Liu Qiao’e’s gloomy gaze.
“You piss-spawned little bastard, who the hell told you to scram?!”