"Are you going to fuse the pearl here?"
"The spiritual energy here and that of the Tai Xuan Realm..."
Before the Zhou family members could finish speaking, Chen Chang'an willed the fetal pearl to transform into a surge of energy that rushed directly into his body.
"Young Mistress, what's here is immortal spiritual energy, not the spiritual energy of the Tai Xuan Realm."
"Chen Chang'an..."
"Don't worry." Mu Yunyao said lightly.
"Um... what's the deal with immortal spiritual energy?"
"Aren't the people of the Ancient Immortal Domain all living in an environment filled with immortal spiritual energy?" Da Huang asked, somewhat puzzled.
"If you've been born and raised in immortal spiritual energy, your body would be accustomed to it."
"But Chen Chang'an is different. He has always cultivated by absorbing ordinary spiritual energy."
"So if immortal spiritual energy enters his body, it will suppress the ordinary spiritual energy. These two different energies might collide within Chen Chang'an's body."
"This is also why people from the Tai Xuan Realm must reach the peak of the Great Emperor realm before they can ascend."
"Because once they break through to the Emperor Sovereign realm, the spiritual energy in their bodies will automatically transform into immortal spiritual energy, allowing them to enter the Ancient Immortal Domain without any adverse effects."
Hearing Mu Yunyao's explanation, Da Huang finally understood why the Zhou family was so concerned.
"So... will Chen Chang'an really be alright?" Da Huang asked worriedly.
"You're worried about him?"
"He's tough as nails—what could possibly happen to him?"
Huh?
That makes sense!
With a body like Chen Chang'an's, what couldn't he endure?
"This..."
"His speed of absorbing immortal spiritual energy is terrifying!"
"If this continues, he’s going to drain all the immortal spiritual energy here!"
"This kid has some nerve, not even bothering to take it slow."
Even the Zhou family members had never seen someone absorb immortal spiritual energy at such a frightening speed. The sheer intensity of it left them utterly shocked.
And the sheer volume he was absorbing was downright staggering!
How could a mere Deathless realm cultivator contain so much immortal spiritual energy?
"Young Mistress!"
"He’s about to suck this place dry of immortal spiritual energy!"
"What do we do? It doesn’t look like he’s planning to stop anytime soon!"
Chen Chang'an's absorption speed was absurdly fast, and his capacity was equally monstrous. In mere moments, he was on the verge of depleting all the immortal spiritual energy in the space.
"That brat really knows how to cause trouble!"
"Open the exit."
"Yes."
The Zhou family members quickly formed hand seals and opened the passageway out of the space.
BANG!
The moment the exit appeared, Mu Yunyao didn’t hesitate—she kicked Chen Chang'an straight out.
"Whoa!"
"That kick was clean!"
Da Huang’s eyes lit up—for once, it wasn’t him getting kicked, but Chen Chang'an.
"You too—get out!"
Mu Yunyao showed no mercy to Da Huang either, delivering another kick that sent the grinning fool flying out.
"You all stay here and guard the Tai Xuan Realm. I’ll be leaving now."
"Young Mistress, wait."
"Are you really not planning to leave yet?"
"The main family has likely already turned their attention toward our Zhou family."
"Most likely... they’ll soon send people to the Tai Xuan Realm."
Hearing this, Mu Yunyao’s expression darkened.
"So soon?" She hadn’t expected the Mu family to track her down to the Tai Xuan Realm this quickly.
"It’s already been delayed. We heard the main family initially searched for you in other minor worlds."
"It’s only recently that they’ve turned their focus to vassal families like ours."
"We... really can’t hold out much longer." The Zhou family member said helplessly.
Mu Yunyao understood—the Zhou family couldn’t withstand the main family’s interrogation, nor did they have the courage to defy them.
"Don’t feel burdened. I won’t blame you."
"It seems some things truly can’t be avoided."
"In the past, I also have to thank your Zhou family for not proactively reporting my whereabouts to the Mu family."
"I’ll remember this favor. In the future, I’ll look after your Zhou family when I can."
With Mu Yunyao’s promise, the Zhou family members were overjoyed!
Mu Yunyao was the esteemed Young Mistress of the Mu family—her words carried immense weight.
"Thank you, Young Mistress!"
"No need. I’ll be going now."
Mu Yunyao didn’t linger. Her mood had soured.
Meanwhile, Chen Chang'an had returned to the summit of Cloud Peak Mountain, still absorbing spiritual energy at an alarming rate.
Da Huang watched with a grimace—was this guy seriously planning to drain the entire Tai Xuan Realm of its spiritual energy?
Just how monstrous was he?
"Oh, you’re out."
Da Huang had been about to crack a joke, but seeing Mu Yunyao’s grim expression, he wisely shut his mouth and stood quietly to the side, avoiding any unnecessary beatings.
Chen Chang'an was absorbing energy, Mu Yunyao was lost in thought with a heavy expression, and Da Huang—stuck between the two—didn’t dare say a word, feeling utterly stifled.
Haaah!
"That felt good!"
"Great Emperor realm!"
"And... straight to the peak of Great Emperor!"
"Now that’s satisfying!"
"My body... it feels like all restraints have finally vanished."
Chen Chang'an hadn’t expected that fusing the last fetal pearl would propel him straight to the peak of the Great Emperor realm.
Moreover, the usual stagnation after a breakthrough—where he could no longer absorb spiritual energy—had completely disappeared.
For the first time, he felt truly unshackled, and the sensation was exhilarating.
"Master, you..."
Seeing Mu Yunyao’s expression, Chen Chang'an’s heart clenched.
In the ten thousand years he had spent by her side, he had never seen such an expression on her face.
"Has something happened?" Chen Chang'an asked cautiously.
Mu Yunyao didn’t answer. Instead, she looked up at the sky.
"Perhaps... it’s time for me to leave."
Huh?
Time to leave?
What did that mean?
Was Master returning to the Ancient Immortal Domain?
"Master, you don’t want to go back?"
"Or... is there something in the Ancient Immortal Domain you don’t want to face?"
Mu Yunyao’s strength and status meant she never needed to come here, let alone stay for so long.
There had to be a reason—one she had never spoken of.
Now that she was preparing to leave, her reluctance was palpable.
"There are indeed things I’d rather not face... but I can’t avoid them any longer."
"Hiding for this long was already a luxury."
Mu Yunyao didn’t elaborate, and Chen Chang'an didn’t press further. Everyone had their secrets—if she didn’t want to speak, he wouldn’t pry.
"Look at the sky!"
"What’s going on?!"
Suddenly, Da Huang shouted, pointing at a rift that had torn open in the heavens.
A rift?
Chen Chang'an and Mu Yunyao looked up. Mu Yunyao could only let out a bitter laugh.
"What was meant to come... has finally arrived."