"Master, didn’t you bring me here to retrieve the fetal pearl?"
"This... there’s no one here."
After leaving the Fengxian Platform, Mu Yunyao led Chen Chang'an and Da Huang to the summit of Cloudpeak Mountain.
Upon reaching the peak, Chen Chang'an noticed that there were no traces of human presence or activity in the surroundings.
"It’s here, but within a separate pocket dimension."
"The Zhou family’s overseers in the Tai Xuan Realm do not casually reveal themselves to others."
"Nor do they allow their existence to be known."
As Mu Yunyao spoke, she formed a series of hand seals. Moments later, an entrance appeared at the summit of Cloudpeak Mountain.
Seeing Mu Yunyao step inside, Chen Chang'an and Da Huang quickly followed.
Upon entering, Chen Chang'an discovered a small, picturesque world—lush scenery, birds singing, and fragrant flowers—an exceptionally serene environment.
There were no grand, opulent structures here, only a few modest courtyards in the distance.
The place exuded an air of refined elegance, radiating tranquility.
"This place is quite nice. The Zhou family certainly knows how to enjoy themselves," Chen Chang'an remarked with a faint smile.
No sooner had he spoken than five figures materialized before Mu Yunyao.
"Greetings, Young Mistress."
Their auras were overwhelming!
These individuals were undoubtedly formidable. In the Tai Xuan Realm, Chen Chang'an had never encountered anyone who exuded such oppressive pressure.
The Zhou family had truly invested heavily—stationing five experts of this caliber in the Tai Xuan Realm?
Though Chen Chang'an couldn’t discern their exact cultivation levels, he estimated they were at least at the Quasi-Immortal Realm.
Mu Yunyao glanced at them indifferently. "You already know why I’m here, don’t you?"
Given her presence with Chen Chang'an, there was no need to spell out their purpose.
"Young Mistress, the last fetal pearl is indeed in our possession."
"However..."
"Hm?"
Mu Yunyao’s gaze sharpened, causing the five to pale.
"Are you trying to negotiate terms with me?" she asked, her tone laced with amusement.
"We wouldn’t dare!"
"But..."
"May we speak with Chen Chang'an first?" the Zhou family members asked helplessly.
Speak with him?
Mu Yunyao glanced at Chen Chang'an, who showed no objection, and nodded.
"Go ahead. Speak here," she said coolly.
"Understood."
The Zhou family members bowed respectfully before addressing Chen Chang'an. "Chen Chang'an, the fetal pearl is indeed with us."
"We can return it to you without demanding anything in return."
"However, we hold Chen Yunxuan and the others in high regard."
"Would it be possible for them to join the Zhou family?"
"Rest assured, we will provide them with the finest resources and guidance. They will not be mistreated."
The Zhou family had long realized that Chen Chang'an himself was beyond their reach—Mu Yunyao’s level of concern for him far exceeded their expectations.
They had assumed he was merely a casual disciple, but no one could have predicted her deep investment in him.
Yet Chen Yunxuan and the others were too promising to ignore.
They had even added immortal techniques to the Earth Ranking rewards in hopes of swaying them, only to find the group completely uninterested.
This left them without leverage, so now, meeting Chen Chang'an in person, they hoped to persuade him to influence the others.
If Chen Chang'an spoke on their behalf, their chances would improve significantly.
"Their choices are their own. I won’t interfere excessively."
"Discuss it with them directly. Whatever they decide, I don’t want my influence to sway them."
"Everyone has the right to choose their own path," Chen Chang'an replied calmly.
Hearing this, the Zhou family frowned. Had Mu Yunyao not been present, their attitude would have been far different.
But with her standing there, what else could they do?
"Very well. Then this is how it must be."
"So, you won’t obstruct our recruitment efforts, correct?" they pressed.
"Will your recruitment harm them in any way?" Chen Chang'an countered.
"Of course not. Only benefits. If they ascend to the Ancient Immortal Domain, our family’s support will spare them many hardships," the Zhou family member replied with a smile.
"Then why would I interfere?"
"I simply won’t be involved. Their decisions are theirs alone."
Relieved by his stance, the Zhou family member nodded. After all, Chen Yunxuan and the others obeyed Chen Chang'an without question.
"Here is the fetal pearl. Back then, we..."
"By the way, I’ve been curious—with your strength, why resort to sending a woman to deceive the Nine Nether Emperor for the fetal pearl?"
"Couldn’t you have taken it effortlessly?"
This had puzzled Chen Chang'an for some time. As overseers of the Tai Xuan Realm, shouldn’t acquiring something so trivial be simple?
They likely had the means to take it unnoticed. Moreover, the Nine Nether Emperor hadn’t even treated it as a treasure.
"The laws of heaven and earth bind us. Though the Zhou family governs, we cannot act recklessly."
"Otherwise, the Tai Xuan Realm would suffer."
"We cannot excessively interfere in its affairs. Even when selecting talents, we must rely on systems like the Heaven, Earth, and Mortal Rankings—under the guise of heavenly will."
Excessive interference was forbidden?
It made sense, though being a ruler yet so constrained must feel stifling. Even on their own turf, every action required careful consideration.
"Then what’s the purpose of stationing overseers here?"
"It seems unnecessary," Chen Chang'an mused.
"Well... conflicts among minor realms are fierce."
"Someone must remain vigilant to prevent unforeseen threats from escalating beyond control."
"For instance, when Feng Xiu first appeared in the Tai Xuan Realm, we detected him immediately but chose not to act, observing his intentions."
"Meanwhile, we laid a trap for him," the Zhou family member explained with a smile.
Feng Xiu had believed himself cunning, even joining the rankings to mislead the Zhou family.
Little did he know, they had been aware of him from the moment he set foot in the Tai Xuan Realm.
Chen Chang'an asked no further questions, accepting the fetal pearl instead.
Holding the final pearl, he felt a surge of excitement.
From this day onward, he would finally be whole!
Hmm... though something about that phrasing felt a bit off.