The hairs on Wang Mu's entire body stood on end instantly.

Outside the door, silver-white moonlight, like a woven shawl, draped over the cool and aloof figure. Since she was facing away, the front of her figure was obscured in shadow, appearing exceptionally dark and profound. Only her Qingshuang Divine Sword radiated a pure, bright light. It was just somewhat intimidating.

Wang Mu was rendered speechless.

Isn't this timing a little too perfect?

His mind went blank.

It felt as if a giant 'DOOMED' was stamped on his forehead. Appearing now? How could she appear at this very moment? Wait a minute...

Wang Mu's eyes narrowed as he looked down at Mu Hongyuan beneath him.

The Demoness's eyes were brimming with a playful smile, as if she had anticipated this all along...

He'd been tricked. This Demoness had done it on purpose! Whether she was genuinely moved or not, Wang Mu didn't know, but she had definitely struck that charming and seductive pose intentionally just moments before. It must have been because she sensed Heroine Yan's approach before he did... She was an Ascension Expert, after all...

Especially at this moment, Mu Hongyuan's eyes held a hint of smugness and a teasing glint, as if she couldn't wait to see how Wang Mu would handle the situation. Those captivating eyes of hers, shining intensely, seemed to say only one thing:

"You wicked thing, let's see what you're going to do now?"

For some reason, Wang Mu could perfectly understand the meaning in Mu Hongyuan's eyes at that moment.

Wang Mu slowly stood up, composed and calm. He turned around steadily to face the Sword Fairy Heroine holding the Qingshuang Divine Sword. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

He didn't see, however, that after he turned his back, a flash of annoyance and regret flickered through Mu Hongyuan's eyes...

"No..." Wang Mu began slowly, his tone grave, "Heroine Yan, your timing is truly impeccable."

Both Mu Hongyuan and Heroine Yan looked at him in confusion.

In the next second, the Green Frost Sword Intent erupted with immense power, like an invisible blade wreaking havoc in the air. The entire small wooden cabin, like a lone leaf in a hurricane, teetered on the verge of collapse.

Even Mu Hongyuan behind him rose. A cryptic smile touched her lips as a delicate, fair palm emerged. Her graceful figure swayed, the Unrivaled Bell at her waist let out a soft JINGLE, and an invisible pressure surged forward.

Wang Mu, caught in the middle, felt like an iron rod trapped between ice and Weaving Flame, liable to snap at any moment under the impact of these two forces.

Wang Mu said plainly, "I have a matter of great importance to discuss with both of you."

"I brought her here to find you precisely for this reason," he added.

The Qingshuang Divine Sword vibrated with a low HUM.

The two women paused slightly.

"This matter..." Wang Mu said, "concerns the safety of the Nine Provinces and your ability to achieve Ascension... Please, put down your weapons first and hear me out."

Having said that, Wang Mu looked earnestly at Heroine Yan, who stood with her back to the moonlight, shrouded in deep shadow.

"Speak," she said coolly.

"I'd like to hear it too," Mu Hongyuan said, tucking a stray lock of her disheveled hair behind her ear, looking as alluring and refreshed as nature after a spring rain.

Wang Mu, his expression grave, slowly took out the Demon Capturing Bottle. "Lord Mu, do you remember the Ancient Black Dragon from the Immortal Island?"

Mu Hongyuan nodded slightly.

"That Ancient Dragon has been sealed within this," Wang Mu stated. "This is the Demon Capturing Bottle. I'm not entirely sure of its origin; it's a treasure I... picked up in the Moon Palace. As for that Ancient Black Dragon, did you sense anything unusual about it?"

Mu Hongyuan frowned slightly. She had naturally considered this matter before, just not in detail.

Wang Mu looked at Heroine Yan and immediately recounted what had happened.

After listening, Heroine Yan's expression shifted subtly. "Among the Dragon Clan, there are no experts at the Ascension Realm..."

"This Ancient Black Dragon you speak of..." Heroine Yan paused for a moment.

"Correct!" Wang Mu affirmed. "It's definitely not one of the Nine Provinces' Dragon Clan. Furthermore, when I was leaving, I asked Miss Ao Qing. She said that Ancient Dragon captured members of their Dragon Clan to absorb the Qi Fortune of the Nine Provinces' Dragon Clan."

"It wanted to use Qi Fortune to achieve Immortality."

"So..." Wang Mu continued, "I suspect this Ancient Dragon is very likely from another world above the Nine Provinces... perhaps even the Immortal Realm where cultivators normally ascend?"

Hearing this, both women were stunned.

"Previously..." Wang Mu coughed. "Elder Yan, when you cleaved the Immortal Sect with your sword... once the Immortal Sect was breached, could it be that some beings from the Upper Realm descended upon the Nine Provinces? Or perhaps the Immortal Realm deemed your actions too audacious, a transgression against its dignity, and sent down powerful beings as punishment—a punishment targeting the Lower Realm, that is, the Nine Provinces?"

Heroine Yan's dark brows furrowed slightly as she fell into deep thought.

Mu Hongyuan also looked quite astonished.

"Your line of reasoning does make some sense... And this magic treasure of yours..."

"Oh, this?" Wang Mu said casually. "Didn't I visit the Moon Palace last time? The Moon Palace Fairy mentioned that a major event might soon occur in the Nine Provinces, and this item could help me resolve the crisis... but only I can use it."

"But because it involved Tianji, she was unwilling to reveal too much, so she didn't tell me a great deal..."

Mr. Lee had said that Upper Realm Immortal Beasts and Immortals sneaking into the lower realm was a major issue, not to be disclosed to others. He could only invent another reason. It was perfect that he had already captured that Ancient Black Dragon; that could serve as his pretext. He might as well invoke the Moon God's name as proof... after all, the Moon God was unlikely to ever meet these two.

"The Upper Realm..." Mu Hongyuan mused. "Brother Mu's words do have some merit. Tsk, Yan Sword Immortal, what a fine mess you've made! And we're the ones who have to clean it up for you?"

Elder Yan looked up, glancing at her coolly. "No one asked you to get involved. Why concern yourself with matters that aren't your business?"

"Oh? It's not that I'm meddling," Mu Hongyuan said with a beaming smile. "It was a certain someone who begged me to go..."

Elder Yan shot Wang Mu a look.

"I believe we should focus on this matter now," Wang Mu said, his expression solemn. "Beings descending from the Upper Realm must be exceedingly powerful. If a true Immortal were to arrive in the mortal world, I fear..."