Peerless Empress Mu Yunyao

"Fengyao, once we return to the Gu Family, there are some things you should pretend you never knew. Understood?"

"Third Elder, you’ve already said this three hundred times on this journey."

"Well… I’m just reminding you."

"Fine, I really remember. I absolutely won’t mention that you visited eight brothels along the way."

"What—how could it be me? I was accompanying Brother Da Huang. He’s a guest, understand? A guest!"

"Right, I get it. It’s just your hospitality. You’ve said that two hundred times too."

"Ahem, you mustn’t speak of this."

"I really know already."

Gu Fengyao was utterly exasperated. The Third Elder and Da Huang had made frequent detours to brothels during their journey.

What should have taken only a month to return to the Gu Family had now doubled in time.

After his first visit to a brothel, the Third Elder had fallen into an inescapable fascination.

He and Da Huang were truly birds of a feather—equally shameless and inseparable.

Now, no matter how sternly the Third Elder tried to appear, everyone found him lecherous instead.

As the saying goes, the face reflects the heart—and there was truth to that.

Gu Family

"He’s coming."

Mu Yunyao gazed into the distance, a faint smile on her lips.

"Since he’s coming, it’s time for me to leave."

Leave?

Hearing this, Gu Fenghua, the ancestral elder of the Gu Family, paled.

"Senior, you’re leaving already?"

"If he’s your disciple, why not meet him?" Gu Fenghua asked, puzzled.

"No need. I can’t be bothered to see that brat."

Gu Fenghua studied Mu Yunyao, his mind swirling with questions. What kind of person could earn such regard from someone like her?

Had it not been for Chen Chang'an, Mu Yunyao would never have set foot in the Gu Family.

"Senior, there’s something I’ve always wanted to ask."

"Your strength… you’ve long since surpassed all rivals. Why haven’t you ascended to the higher realm?"

"Those great figures from your era either ascended or perished. Why do you remain in the Tai Xuan Realm?"

Gu Fenghua couldn’t comprehend it. Though he too was at the peak of the Emperor Realm, his seniority paled in comparison to Mu Yunyao.

In truth, Gu Fenghua’s great-grandfather had been her contemporary.

He was also one of the few in the Tai Xuan Realm who knew fragments of Mu Yunyao’s past.

Mu Yunyao—a peerless prodigy!

Titled… the Peerless Empress!

Unrivaled under heaven, unmatched in all realms!

When the first Heaven, Earth, and Man Rankings were unveiled, Mu Yunyao emerged into the world’s sight.

It was an era teeming with prodigies, yet she had trampled them all underfoot, rising to the pinnacle.

Though she founded no sect, not a single force in the Tai Xuan Realm dared provoke her.

Once, another peak Emperor Realm expert, resentful of her claim as the strongest, challenged her.

That battle was neither earth-shaking nor heart-stopping—it was eerily calm.

Despite being of the same realm, Mu Yunyao ended it with a single strike.

From then on, the Peerless Empress became a taboo—a name none dared speak, a presence none dared defy.

Gu Fenghua had learned fragments of her legend from his great-grandfather. He had assumed she had long left the Tai Xuan Realm, yet here she remained.

Not only that, she had taken a disciple—and even personally visited the Gu Family for his sake. The honor left Gu Fenghua awestruck.

At his question, Mu Yunyao lifted her gaze skyward.

"The higher realm?"

"The time isn’t right."

"When Chen Chang'an arrives, don’t mention me."

"But why, Senior?"

"No need. I’m leaving."

"Senior—"

Before Gu Fenghua could say more, Mu Yunyao vanished without a trace.

Despite his own peak Emperor Realm cultivation, he couldn’t even perceive how she had departed.

"Truly, the Peerless Empress is beyond comprehension."

"After all these years… just how strong have you become?"

Gu Fenghua burned with curiosity, but he wasn’t foolish enough to test her. Even at the same realm, the gap between them was…

Shaking his head with a wry smile, he turned his anticipation to Chen Chang'an. What kind of brilliance would this disciple, favored by the Peerless Empress, possess?

"Greetings, Third Elder!"

"Greetings, Young Mistress!"

After two months, Chen Chang'an and his companions finally arrived at the Gu Family.

Yet Chen Chang'an noticed the Gu Family members scrutinizing him intently.

"Is this the one the ancestral elder has been waiting for? Only at the first level of the Nascent Soul Realm?"

"Is it him, or that girl at the third level? She seems younger and stronger."

"But my gut says it’s this man."

"Whoever it is, to be awaited by the ancestral elder—what incredible luck."

"True. Even among us, not all get to meet the ancestral elder."

Envy was palpable among the Gu Family members, though none could discern who the true guest of honor was.

"Fengyao, I have other matters to attend to. You take them to see the ancestral elder."

"This was his instruction."

"And don’t forget what I reminded you—absolutely do not forget."

Even now, the Third Elder couldn’t resist one last warning.

Gu Fengyao sighed deeply and nodded with exaggerated seriousness before the Third Elder finally left, satisfied.

"Let’s go."

"I’ll take you to the ancestral elder."

Chen Chang'an nodded and followed Gu Fengyao to the ancestral elder’s residence.

The moment they arrived, his brow furrowed.

"My master was here."

The statement stunned both Gu Fengyao and Gu Xian'er. Master? Chen Chang'an’s master?

Though Gu Xian'er had been by Chen Chang'an’s side for some time, she only knew he had a master—not who it was.

Gu Fengyao, however, was shocked. This was the ancestral elder’s dwelling. How could Chen Chang'an’s master have come here?

"How do you know? Did you catch her scent?" Da Huang asked curiously.

"Shut it. Do you want my master to kill you?" Chen Chang'an retorted.

"I didn’t say she stank. Why would she kill me?"

Despite his bravado, Da Huang visibly wilted, even casting nervous glances around.

"I’m also curious. How did you know?"

Gu Fenghua was equally puzzled. Chen Chang'an had only just arrived—how could he tell his master had been here?

Even Gu Fenghua couldn’t detect any trace Mu Yunyao might have left, yet Chen Chang'an could?

"Ancestral Elder!"

Gu Fengyao bowed respectfully.

Gu Fenghua acknowledged her with a nod before studying Chen Chang'an.

First level of the Nascent Soul Realm?

Age… indeterminable?

Strange. Truly strange.

Indeed, someone capable of becoming a disciple of Mu Yunyao was no ordinary person.

“Are you the ancestral elder of the Gu Family?” Chen Chang’an asked.

“That’s right, I am. But you still haven’t answered—how did you know your master had been here?” Gu Fenghua asked curiously.

“Habits.”

Habits?

What did that mean?

When Chen Chang’an first arrived, he had noticed something peculiar—a detail unique to Mu Yunyao’s behavior.

It was a subconscious habit even Mu Yunyao herself had never paid attention to.

“Do you see that spot over there?”

Chen Chang’an pointed to a nearby location, and Gu Fenghua was astonished. This was the exact place where Mu Yunyao had stood every day since arriving at the Gu Family.

Mu Yunyao had spent long hours standing in that very spot almost daily.

Gu Fenghua had also been curious about it but never dared to ask. Yet Chen Chang’an had noticed it at a single glance?

“Your master did stand here often. How did you know?” Gu Fenghua pressed.

“Look closely.”

Look closely?

Gu Fenghua was puzzled but still examined the spot where Mu Yunyao had stood.

Suddenly, his heart jolted in realization. How had Chen Chang’an noticed something so subtle?

He had only just arrived here—how could his observation be so sharp?

“So that’s how it is. I suppose only a true disciple like you would understand your master so well,” Gu Fenghua remarked with a smile.

“Ancestor, what… what exactly is there?” Gu Fengyao stared for a long time but couldn’t spot anything unusual.

“Actually, there’s nothing.”

Nothing?

What… what does that mean?

“Young master, I don’t understand,” Gu Xian’er asked, confused.

“Because your cultivation isn’t strong enough to see it.”