Half a month later.
Majestic Sacred City.
A bustling restaurant was packed with people and lively chatter. Ye Chen walked in, looking tattered, with a seven-colored little snake draped over his shoulder. Though the snake looked unusual, its aura was weak—barely hanging on.
He called out to the waiter, “Two plates of small dishes, one pot of wine!”
“Coming right up!” the waiter replied. Noticing Ye Chen’s ragged appearance, he said nothing. After all, many cultivators returned from trials in such a state—very common.
Ye Chen found a seat and played with the ring in his hand. “Old Li, are you still alive?”
“Just barely. The Dao of Heaven’s rules shielded you again and absorbed most of the damage for me,” Old Li coughed weakly.
“After facing two near-death crises, not only did I obtain many opportunities, but I’m also close to stepping into the Four Extremities Realm,” Ye Chen’s eyes sparkled.
Old Li sensed his thoughts. “You mustn’t keep risking your life like this. Doing so will drastically reduce your fortune!”
“Is that so?” Ye Chen sighed, then his expression darkened. “It’s all that damn Lin Luochen’s fault. He better pray I don’t run into him again!”
Soon, the waiter brought over two plates of small dishes and a pot of wine. “Sir, here’s your food and wine.”
Ye Chen nodded, paid with spirit stones, then immediately began devouring the food without concern. He hadn’t eaten in half a month—even cultivators would feel awful by then!
Oil covered his mouth as he devoured everything. Just as he finished and was about to leave, he overheard a conversation.
“Did you hear? The major holy lands in Central Province have started recruiting prodigies. I think the Moon God Hall is among them?”
“That can’t be right. The Moon God Hall has always been elusive, hiding in Central Province for over a hundred years. Why would they suddenly accept disciples?”
“No, that fellow isn’t wrong. Our princess is a disciple of one of the palaces in the Moon God Hall.”
“Gasp—your face looks familiar. Don’t tell me you’re a messenger from the Yin Moon Dynasty?”
“Indeed, that’s me!”
“Then this news must be true! Does that mean I might have a chance too?”
“You’re dreaming, buddy. The Moon God Hall only accepts female disciples. If you can even get into a holy land, your ancestors are probably burning incense for you.”
…
Moon God Hall… recruiting disciples?
Ye Chen’s eyes gleamed with greed. “Master, can I go there? Is there really a destiny waiting for me?”
“I’ve calculated—there’s a strong possibility. Given your unique talent, the Moon God Hall might indeed value you!” Old Li said solemnly.
“Hahaha, I’m the child of destiny, born with Emperor potential. Becoming a disciple of the Moon God Hall would be their blessing!” Ye Chen laughed proudly.
His loud voice drew every eye in the restaurant. They looked at him like he was a fool.
“What did he just say?”
“Is he stupid or what?”
“This is killing me, hahaha… I heard it right, didn’t I? He said being accepted by the Moon God Hall would be their blessing?”
“Hahahaha… I’m laughing so hard my head might fall off.”
…
Seeing everyone mock and sneer at him, Ye Chen flushed red with embarrassment. “Just wait! When I become a disciple of the Moon God Hall, I’ll make you all pay!”
“Pfft… Hahaha…”
Even the waiter couldn’t hold back his laughter.
“What are you laughing at? Do you want to die?!” Ye Chen drew his sword, revealing the aura of a peak Dao Palace Realm cultivator, eyes filled with killing intent.
The waiter’s eyes sharpened. A wave of aura burst from him.
Ye Chen dropped to his knees.
“You think you can cause trouble in my restaurant with just the Dao Palace Realm?” The waiter walked up to the kneeling Ye Chen, cracking his knuckles.
“Dragon Transformation Realm? That’s impossible! You’re just a servant!” Ye Chen’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Old Li hadn’t recovered yet, and against a cultivator a whole realm higher, Ye Chen had no chance.
“You lowly brat, I’m the direct disciple of Sage Guizhong of Eastern Wasteland! Touch me if you dare!”
As soon as those words fell, the cultivators in the restaurant couldn’t take it anymore.
“Damn, this little bastard really needs a beating!”
“I wanna kill him myself!”
“Sacred City forbids killing, so let’s cripple him!”
…
Fists and feet flew at him. Since they couldn’t kill in the Sacred City, the cultivators suppressed their killing intent—but still beat Ye Chen till he screamed.
Three hours later.
“This guy sure can take a beating. I bet this isn’t the first time his mouth got him in trouble.”
“What a buzzkill!”
…
Ye Chen was tossed out of the restaurant like a dead dog, face swollen and body limp. At that moment, he swore he saw his great-grandmother waving at him.
…
Moon God Palace.
Yi Qingwu’s clear eyes shimmered. Her graceful figure floated as she looked up at the pure white palace. Her flawless face wavered slightly. “Master, may I come in?”
She waited for a long time. No answer came from within.
“Master, are you still there?”
Still no response. A sense of unease rose in her heart. This feeling had been building since she learned that a man had been allowed to see her master.
She gently pushed open the jade doors—just in time to hear a voice that made her mind go blank.
“Master… this doesn’t seem appropriate…”
“Master… weren’t we here to practice swordsmanship?”
“Master… why are you grabbing my waist?”
“Master… please don’t pull down my pants!”
…
[This cheap Master is acting suspicious. Could she be lusting after my body?]
“I’m tempering your heart and mind. Don’t overthink it!” Wan Yue solemnly grasped Lin Luochen’s hand on the sword.
That soft, smooth touch struck straight to the soul. Lin Luochen glanced sideways at her celestial face, so cold and pure it moved him.
[So Master was trying to temper my will.]
[How could I doubt such a pure, divine fairy and think she was lewd? Truly shameful of me!]
Wan Yue lightly pursed her red lips.
Lewd? I’m only lewd for you.
“Master!” Yi Qingwu could no longer hold back and cried out.
Wan Yue froze, slowly releasing Lin Luochen. Her cold gaze swept toward the voice. “Qingwu, what’s wrong?”
Yi Qingwu clenched her fists tightly. Her eyes stared fixedly at the white-robed youth behind Wan Yue.
Impossible. Master was actually this close to him?
No, this isn’t right… it can’t be… Master…
She had lost her mother at a young age, with no one else in the world. It was Wan Yue who had taken her in. She had trained hard ever since, never slacking, all to repay that kindness someday.
But now… she was breaking down…
Master’s image had cracked. The cold, aloof figure she revered should’ve been untouchable!
“M-Master… who is he?” Yi Qingwu pointed at Lin Luochen with a trembling voice, still clinging to a shred of hope.
“He’s my newly accepted disciple—your junior brother,” Wan Yue said, voice ethereal and icy.
“Master… didn’t you say you would never accept male disciples?” Yi Qingwu was in disbelief.
“Qingwu, are you questioning me?” Wan Yue’s tone carried a trace of irritation.
“I wouldn’t dare!” Yi Qingwu knelt, gripping her dress tightly. “I only worry that Master may be deceived. Men in this world are all deceitful and evil.”
Her mother had once been the Saintess of the Primordial Sect, tricked by a heartless man. After giving birth to her, he abandoned them. Since then, Yi Qingwu had despised men.
“If there’s nothing else, you may leave,” Wan Yue said gently. She understood what Yi Qingwu was thinking and, considering her tragic past, chose not to get angry.
“Yes… Master.” Yi Qingwu gave Lin Luochen one last glance before leaving. Her departing figure seemed slightly dejected.
“That was… Yi Qingwu?!” Lin Luochen looked at the fleeting figure with surprise.
“You know her?” Wan Yue’s gaze flashed with a faint red light, tinged with madness.
“Of course. She’s the youngest 4th stage Heavenly Venerable in the Northern Dipper Star Domain. Self-cultivated from scratch, undefeated in every battle, and even stepped into the Six Forbidden Realms!” Lin Luochen’s eyes lit with admiration.
The Eight Forbidden Realms—meant those who could battle across eight minor realms. Few in the entire starry sky possessed such terrifying strength.
[In my past life, she was one of the few most likely to contend for the Emperor’s throne. How could I not be amazed? I never imagined I’d meet her here.]
“Then tell me,” Wan Yue asked, eyes unreadable, “who’s more stunning—her or your Master?”
Lin Luochen froze, then cupped his fists and said, “Whether Master or Senior Sister, both are once-in-an-era legends!”
[Is this even a fair comparison? You defy all logic—crushed the strongest Saint in Northern Dipper Star Domain, mastered every Dao. You don’t even need to fight for the Emperor’s position in this life—you’re already overqualified!]
[You’re basically a bug. Even the so-called young Emperors of this era would be completely suppressed by you!]
Wan Yue listened to the praises echoing in his heart and secretly enjoyed them. A tiny smile curled at the corner of her lips.