Completely stunned, Wang Sheng watched a graceful woman walk across the sea toward him.

Mu Wanxuan had suddenly appeared right in front of him. A wave of overwhelming joy crashed over him, so intense that his first thought was that he had to be dreaming. He reached out and twisted the little white tiger's cheeks.

"Khiiii!" The little white tiger hissed in protest and slapped Wang Sheng's forehead with its paw. Only then did Wang Sheng come back to his senses.

This is not a dream. Senior Sister is really right in front of me!

She looked like a goddess rising from the sea, her light-green dress—thin as mist—flowing softly around her. Her dark hair was gathered up in a cloud-like style, strands drifting gently in the breeze. Moreover, she remained as stunning as ever. Her fair, luminous skin shone faintly under the sunlight like the finest jade.

Wang Sheng instinctively opened his arms. The tiger quickly leaped aside, watching the approaching woman with caution.

Only when he held her in his arms did the unease that had lingered in Wang Sheng's heart since they had parted ways finally begin to fade.

He embraced her tightly, breathing in the faint fragrance from her hair with quiet greed. Mu Wanxuan wrapped her arms firmly around his waist as well. She raised her head to look at her junior brother. He now looked wearier and steadier than before, causing her eyes to well up with tears.

Having been in seclusion, she only learned a few months ago that the entire Immortal Saint Realm and the endless space were hunting him.

She did not care at all about the so-called sacred spirit or any of those strange concepts, but she knew her junior brother well. Even if it meant sacrificing himself, she knew he would never drag Earth's cultivation world into danger. These past months had been unbearable for her.

Now that she was finally with the very man she had longed for day and night, the emotions in her heart surged. Still, all she could say was a single line.

"Foolish junior."

"Eh?" Wang Sheng had not expected to be scolded. He quietly held her tighter and closed his eyes, savoring this moment of peace.

Above them, the wooden coffin sank into the palace. Three people then appeared on the sea several hundred zhang away. They glanced over before heading toward a nearby wooden hut.

Wang Sheng had noticed them long ago, but he paid them no attention. Right now, he wished nothing more than to remain here with his senior sister forever, like two statues by the sea.

The little white tiger tilted its head at the married couple. It seemed unsure whether to go over or not.

In a corner of the nearby forest, Wu Tianshou crouched within a patch of tall grass. He sent a voice transmission to the little white tiger, then quietly gestured for it to come over.

Wang Sheng secretly gave Wu Tianshou a thumbs-up in thanks and approval. Holding his senior sister, he smiled as he watched the clouds drift and the waves roll gently, enjoying the slow rhythm of the sea breeze.

Unfortunately, there were still matters to attend to.

Daoist partners who had not seen each other for seventy to eighty years would normally pour out their feelings and speak of their longing. However, since Mu Wanxuan still had some difficulty speaking, the task fell entirely to Wang Sheng.

Making his senior sister laugh and easing her worries became a test of his conversational skills.

They stayed by the shore until night fell, yet Wang Sheng still refused to go meet the others. In the end, Lin Feiyao had to fly out from the palace, greet Wang Sheng, and urge them to discuss important matters first. She then returned to the palace to continue her cultivation.

Lin Feiyao clearly understood her place; she did not involve herself in these major affairs.

"Let's go," Mu Wanxuan said as she took Wang Sheng's hand. She led him toward the wooden hut, where the mighty figures had gathered.

Wang Sheng smiled. "Fine. I was hoping to slack off now that you are here, Senior Sister. I did not expect to dive right back into the great task of strengthening the sect."

Mu Wanxuan blinked lightly. "Mm?"

As though recalling something, Wang Sheng took out the cultivation method that Hostess Su had given him. With a solemn expression, he handed it to his senior sister.

"Ahem!" In a serious tone, Wang Sheng said, "This would be mutually beneficial to us. After all, we are a loving couple that’s seeking immortality together and striving for the Great Dao."

Mu Wanxuan tilted her head slightly and examined the contents of the jade pendant with her immortal perception. After a moment, her cheeks flushed red. She bit her soft lips and gave her junior brother a light pinch.

"Pui!"

"Hehe." Wang Sheng grinned, looking rather pleased with himself. He could also sense Yaoyun wanting to come out but holding back. He took the initiative to summon Spiritless and hand it to Mu Wanxuan.

There would be plenty of time later for him and his senior sister. For now, he had to let the sisters have their moment. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"Oh, right, Senior Sister, how is your true spirit recovering?"

"Still progressing.”

Mu Wanxuan signaled for him to watch closely. As if performing a trick, she closed her eyes. Her long lashes trembled slightly, and a faint umbrella-shaped mark appeared on her forehead.

"Look!"

About a third of the mark gradually lit up. It made her already delicate face even more captivating, as if Nuwa herself had carefully sculpted it.

Wang Sheng quietly leaned closer.

Wu Tianshou, who had been walking parallel to them nearby, raised a hand and covered the little white tiger's eyes. Although it was technically over eighteen years old, plus more than three hundred thousand months, it had spent most of its time asleep due to the Dao of Heavenly Myriad-Beast Net. Hence, it was still quite immature.

It wasn’t yet qualified to witness such scenes.

***

Mu Wanxuan had already reached the late stage of the True Immortal Realm. Her cultivation speed far exceeded anything Wang Sheng had imagined. However, after reaching the True Immortal Realm, she had spent most of her effort gathering the fragments of her lost true spirit.

Every three months, Qinghua would guide her Primordial Spirit to visit the long river of true spirits and false spirits. There, Mu Wanxuan would collect the pieces of her true spirit, which had scattered when she perished in the past. Afterward, she would spend the next three months refining and piecing them back together.

Qinghua had already given the greatest support to his only direct disciple, though. After all, a complete Dao of Life was already a priceless treasure that all cultivators longed for, and he personally assisted her in mastering it every step of the way. If Qing Yanzi knew of this, he wouldn’t even feel the slightest jealousy.

When the young couple slowly entered the wooden hut, the mighty beings inside all looked as calm as usual. No one teased them.

With his usual cold expression, Wang Shan pointed to the refined and scholarly man beside him. "This Xu Zhongliang, also known as Star Deity Wenqu. He is one of the Big Dipper's Star Deities."

Wang Sheng quickly performed a Daoist salute. Xu Zhongliang accepted it with a faint, amused smile, then returned the gesture.

"Greetings, Star Deity Wenqu," Wang Sheng said.

Xu Zhongliang smiled. "There is no need for such formality in the future. You are the emperor's disciple and the sacred spirit of the Ancient Era. By seniority, I should be the one saluting you."

Wang Sheng only smiled. He then extended a Daoist salute to the man in a blood-red robe sitting nearby. "Greetings, Your Imperial Majesty."

Qinghua just waved his hand slightly.

Afterward, Wang Sheng cupped his hands toward Wang Shan in greeting, but he didn't bow. Wang Shan did not mind.

Wu Tianshou entered the room holding the tiger. After saluting Qinghua, he took an empty seat. Wang Sheng also had Mu Wanxuan sit down instead of waiting for anyone to invite them.

People now surrounded the low table in the small wooden hut. Jingwu, the elderly woman whom the Second Master had sent, and several of Wang Shan's subordinates remained outside, listening in.

Qinghua calmly took out a teapot and jade cups. Gracefully, he prepared tea.

Wang Sheng could clearly feel the emperor's extremely terrifying presence. Rather than pressure or authority, it was a pure, instinctive fear.

It was the Great Dao of Death.

Qinghua had already gotten a profound grasp of it. Combined with the previous rumors about his mere avatar beating the Black Emperor until the latter coughed blood, anyone could tell he was a truly powerful pillar to rely on.

Wang Sheng was the first to break the silence. "Your Imperial Majesty, why have you come with Great Divine Guardian Wang and Star Deity Wenqu?"

Qinghua smiled and shook his head. He glanced at Mu Wanxuan, who looked a little embarrassed, then said, "Your wife, my dear disciple, heard that you were being hunted and urged me to come protect you."

"Uuh." Wang Sheng felt a bit embarrassed. Smiling, he glanced at his senior sister. "Sorry for your troubles, Your Imperial Majesty."

Still smiling, Qinghua asked, "Where is Her Highness?"

"I'm here."

Spiritless, which was in Mu Wanxuan's hand, turned into strands of immortal light. Yaoyun appeared in her palace attire. Wang Sheng shifted slightly with Mu Wanxuan to make space for her.

Yaoyun said softly, "Just call me Thirteenth from now on. Being called 'Your Highness' still feels a bit awkward."

With a serious expression, Qinghua replied, "That will not do. Proper etiquette cannot be neglected. How can order stand otherwise?"

He appeared even paler with a solemn look, and the sense of fear he exuded grew even stronger. By ordinary standards, he truly exuded the presence of a great villain.

Xu Zhongliang, who had the air of a refined scholar, smiled and told the group, "We were fortunate that His Imperial Majesty came looking for us. When I met up with Divine Guardian Wang, sixteen Grand Dao Golden Immortals and over a hundred Taiyi Golden Immortals ambushed us. They even sealed off heaven and earth with a grand array. Had he not arrived in time, we would have been either dead or gravely injured."

Wang Shan added softly, "This place is still safe, though. There is no need to worry. I have already altered the surrounding space. Even if they try to investigate, they won't find anything.

Qinghua's lips curved up once more. "When it comes to the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, no one is equal to you, Great Divine Guardian."

A trace of coldness then accompanied his tone.

"However, I have heard that you once intended to harm my disciple's husband."

His narrow phoenix eyes flashed, and Wang Shan immediately broke into a light sweat. It didn't stem from fear; it was a physical reaction.

At the side, Wu Tianshou meekly defended, "Your Imperial Majesty, Divine Guardian Wang has been taking care of Fei Yu all this time. No matter what wrongs he may have committed before, his recent actions should be enough to make up for them."

Qinghua's smile slowly faded. "Merit is merit, fault is fault. Just like life and death, how can both be taken at once?"

Wang Shan lowered his head. "After this matter is settled, I will accept whatever punishment you deem fit, Your Imperial Majesty."

"Save your life for something useful." Qinghua snorted. "When I first awakened, I only sensed a trace of your aura. Hence, I didn't realize you could enter my array to investigate. If you dare to harbor ill intent toward Fei Yu again... I do not care whose reputation you are trying to protect or whose authority you wish to uphold. I will not spare you."

Wang Shan just smiled bitterly and sighed.

Wang Sheng coughed lightly. "Thank you, Master Uncle-in-Law, for standing up for me. Let's talk about our main agenda first. Star Deity Wenqu, I wish to obtain all of my master Emperor Ziwei's Daoist heritage."

Xu Zhongliang immediately frowned. "You went through all these efforts to find me just for this?"

"Of course. What else?"

The slight twitch at a corner of Xu Zhongliang's mouth made Wang Sheng feel a bit puzzled.