The Decision of Pastoral Cloud Ballad

"First place on the Heavenly Pride Ranking?"

Upon hearing Mu Yunhai's words, Mu Yunyao was momentarily stunned.

Though she knew Chen Chang'an carried secrets and that his strength far surpassed his cultivation level, she hadn't expected such rapid progress.

Chen Chang'an had only arrived in the Ancient Immortal Domain a little over a decade ago.

In just over ten years, he had achieved such a feat?

To claim the top spot on the Heavenly Pride Ranking, his combat prowess must have already reached the level of an Immortal Emperor.

"It seems my disciple has truly surpassed me," Mu Yunyao murmured with a faint smile, shaking her head.

At least now, she no longer needed to worry about his safety in the Ancient Immortal Domain.

"Sister, with Chen Chang'an's current achievements and reputation, you shouldn’t have anything to fear anymore, right?"

"Even those old fools in our clan will have to reconsider their stance."

"After all, if Chen Chang'an continues to grow, his value will far surpass that of the entire Wang Family."

"They won’t dare force you to marry that Wang Family scion anymore, will they?"

Mu Yunhai was well aware of this matter and equally disgusted by it. However, given his status and influence, he couldn’t overturn the decision.

Mu Yunyao smiled faintly. "Truthfully, I never took the Wang Family’s schemes to heart."

"Given enough time, this wouldn’t have been an issue."

"But I never expected Chen Chang'an to rise so swiftly."

"It seems if I don’t push myself harder, I truly won’t be able to keep up with my own disciple."

Since returning to the Mu Family, Mu Yunyao had been in seclusion, focusing solely on cultivation to elevate her strength.

Though she was also a peerless genius, she couldn’t compare to a monster like Chen Chang'an.

Currently, her cultivation had only reached the Immortal King realm, leaving her significantly behind Chen Chang'an.

"Sister!"

"You can’t possibly be thinking of…"

Mu Yunhai stared at her in shock, seemingly realizing her intentions.

"At this point, it’s the only way," Mu Yunyao replied calmly.

"But… does Father know about your decision?"

"The Demon-Immortal Secret Realm is fraught with peril—it’s not a wise choice!"

"Even Immortal Emperors and Immortal Sovereigns hesitate to venture there."

"The risks are far too great," Mu Yunhai urged anxiously.

The Demon-Immortal Secret Realm hadn’t existed for long—only about a million years—and its emergence was tied to Chen Tian.

Though demons also inhabited the Ancient Immortal Domain, they occupied an independent pocket dimension, which they referred to as the Demon Realm.

The demons were formidable, and only through the alliance of humans and beast clans could they be kept in check.

Before Chen Tian’s rise, the humans and beast clans of the Ancient Immortal Domain were frequently ravaged by demonic incursions.

Clashes were common, but the demons were not only powerful but cunning—they avoided large-scale conflicts, making retaliation difficult.

This left humans and beast clans frustrated. Storming the Demon Realm would result in catastrophic losses, outweighing any gains.

Then came Chen Tian.

Alone, he ventured into the Demon Realm and slaughtered the entire demonic race, eradicating the Ancient Immortal Domain’s greatest threat once and for all.

However, the former Demon Realm has gradually transformed into the Immortal-Demon Secret Realm.

Yet, not many know of this—only the Nine Great Immortal Clans and the three races of Dragons, Phoenixes, and Qilins are aware.

For some unknown reason, the time rules of the Immortal-Demon Secret Realm differ from those of the Primordial Immortal Domain. A single day in the outside world equals a full year within the secret realm.

Moreover, cultivators discovered that their progress accelerates significantly inside, though the drawback is its extreme danger.

The Demon Realm once teemed with countless powerful beings. Though these demons have long been eradicated, the remnants of their souls and divine senses remain formidable.

This is why, despite knowing it’s a sacred cultivation ground, few dare to venture there.

"I’ve long considered entering the Immortal-Demon Secret Realm, but I never fully committed to the idea."

"Now, it seems I must take the risk."

"A cultivator’s path is never without peril," Mu Yunyao said with a smile.

Even so, Mu Yunhai felt it was far too dangerous. After all, Mu Yunyao was only at the Immortal King realm—entering the secret realm posed far too great a risk.

"Sister, are you truly decided?"

"I am. I believe Father would support me."

"...Very well."

Seeing her resolve, Mu Yunhai could say no more.

When Mu Tianye learned of Mu Yunyao’s decision, he could only sigh helplessly.

"Ah!"

"So you’ve chosen this path after all."

"I warned you—it’s perilous."

"Father, I know. But this is the only way for me to grow stronger quickly."

"Is he truly worth it?"

Mu Tianye understood perfectly: the only reason Mu Yunyao would take such a risk was to avoid falling too far behind Chen Chang'an.

She hadn’t felt urgency before because she never expected Chen Chang'an to progress so swiftly.

"All this time, I’ve been the one protecting him, his master."

"If one day the roles reverse, and he has to protect me... I’d find it hard to accept."

"No matter what, a master shouldn’t become a burden to her disciple, right?"

"Father, don’t worry. I know what I’m doing."

"The Immortal-Demon Secret Realm is dangerous, but with caution, the risks can be managed."

"Please, send me there."

Unable to refuse, Mu Tianye reluctantly agreed and escorted her to the secret realm.

As he watched Mu Yunyao step into the portal, he sighed again.

"Father, if you’re so worried, why didn’t you stop her?" Mu Yunhai asked, puzzled.

"Life and death are fated. This was her choice."

"I can only hope she won’t regret it."

"Whether it’s her, you, or anyone else, I won’t interfere in your decisions."

"But remember—you must bear the consequences of every choice you make," Mu Tianye said solemnly.

"Father, I understand."

No sooner had Mu Tianye and Mu Yunhai returned to the Mu family than they heard the Wang Clan had arrived.

The sudden visit from the Wang Clan at this moment made Mu Tianye frown. Were they growing impatient?

But it was too late—Mu Yunyao had already entered the Immortal-Demon Secret Realm. How long she’d be gone, or if she’d return at all, no one could say.

"Wang Minghai?"

"You came personally?"