Starting as a Grandmaster, all of my cultivation techniques are at max level.

Upon hearing Xia Jin's words, the people present were stunned for a moment, and then a long-suppressed cheer erupted from the spot.

"It's done?! It really is done?!" Li Zhan was the first to jump up, his waistline jiggling involuntarily. He gave Xia Jin a thumbs up, "Junior Brother Xia, amazing!!"

Although Yang Qingxuan was restrained, his usually composed demeanor completely vanished at this moment.

He clenched his fist excitedly and waved it three times in the air: "Junior Brother Xia, on behalf of the billions of living beings in this world, I thank you."

Even the usually aloof and indifferent Third Palace Master Ye Cangming relaxed his brows slightly at this moment, raising his clenched fist towards Xia Jin. Although he did not speak, that one gesture was more powerful than a thousand words.

The Second Palace Master, Zhan Tiangang, remained silent for a moment, then slowly stood up, walked to Xia Jin, and patted Xia Jin's shoulder heavily.

"Young Xia, well done. It is an honor for our temple to have a disciple like you!"

Xia Jin bowed slightly with a smile on her face, but quickly straightened her expression.

"Fellow disciples, two Palace Masters, although my spell has succeeded, it is ultimately only a temporary measure. Whether this world can escape this calamity in the future depends entirely on luck."

"I have other matters to attend to, so I will return to Great Xia first. Tomorrow at 9:00 AM, please have the temple disciples who have decided to accompany me to the Mirage Realm arrive at the Great Xia Imperial Palace on time."

Zhan Tiangang and Ye Cangming exchanged a glance and nodded simultaneously.

"This matter is simple; I will arrange it properly," Zhan Tiangang said in a deep voice.

Xia Jin did not linger. After bowing to everyone in farewell, she once again merged into the void.

From the third level of the Divine Temple to the Great Xia Imperial Palace, it was only a blink of an eye for him, who was now at the ninth level of the Great Power Realm.

When Xia Jin appeared in the main hall of the Jinwang Palace, she saw three people sitting inside.

Xia Yu sat upright to one side of the main seat, looking down at the list in his hand.

Meanwhile, Leng Yuexi and Su Xuanji sat side by side on the other side, their eyes showing a rare relaxed smile.

Xia Jin walked behind the two women, stretched out his arms, and pulled Leng Yuexi and Su Xuanji into his arms at the same time.

"what!"

"who!"

Two exclamations rang out simultaneously. Leng Yuexi froze, instinctively about to retaliate, but she abruptly withdrew her spiritual power the moment she smelled that familiar aura. Su Xuanji's phoenix eyes widened as well, and only after recognizing the person did her tense shoulders and neck slowly relax.

"Husband! You scared me to death!" Leng Yuexi playfully slapped Xia Jin's arm.

Su Xuanji's lips moved slightly, the word "husband" hovering on her tongue, but she couldn't bring herself to say it. She simply turned her face away and gave a soft "humph".

However, her slightly upturned lips and flushed ears had already completely revealed her proud and arrogant thoughts.

Startled by the commotion, Xia Yu looked up and quickly stood up.

"Big brother! You're back!"

Xia Jin smiled and sat down between the two women, then looked at Xia Yu and nodded, "How's the matter I entrusted to you going?"

Xia Yu quickly took out a pre-prepared list from his sleeve and handed it to Xia Jin with both hands.

"Brother, I've already listed the names of the candidates you gave me. Please take a look, and if there are no problems, I'll inform them immediately."

Xia Jin took the list and glanced at it casually.

Just as he expected, the first row contained the same familiar names—Qin Hu, Eunuch Wei, and a few others. As for the people behind them, he didn't care at all.

After all, Xia Yu was always reliable in his work, so he, as the eldest brother, was naturally trustworthy.

"Do as you say." Xia Jin tossed the list back to Xia Yu. "Tell them to be ready at the palace gates at 9:00 AM tomorrow."

Xia Yu took the list and nodded solemnly: "Don't worry, brother, I'll make the arrangements right away."

After saying that, he cupped his hands in greeting to Leng Yuexi and Su Xuanji, then strode out with the list in his hand.

The palace doors slowly closed behind Xia Yu, leaving only Xia Jin and Leng Yuexi inside.

Xia Jin smiled and looked down at Leng Yuexi in her arms, then turned to look at Su Xuanji, who was pretending to be calm, a strange smile appearing on her face: "Have you two already decided who you want to bring?"

Leng Yuexi and Su Xuanji exchanged a glance and nodded in unison.

Leng Yuexi spoke first: "Xuanji has four people on her side, and I have two on mine."

Upon hearing this, Xia Jin raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of suspicion flashing in her eyes.

He naturally knew Su Xuanji's four companions; they must be the four Flower Masters who had always followed her. These four were loyal and devoted, so it was only natural that they would accompany Su Xuanji to the Mirage Realm.

But who are the two people Leng Yuexi mentioned?

Just as he was about to ask, Leng Yuexi suddenly raised a hand and gently pressed it to his lips.

"Husband, please don't ask too many questions." She blinked, a hint of amusement flashing in her clear, autumn-like eyes. "I'll give you a surprise later."

"Why all the mystery?" Xia Jin raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over Leng Yuexi's face before glancing at Su Xuanji, who was secretly smiling to herself. He shook his head helplessly. "Very well, then I shall look forward to the surprise my wife has mentioned."

He suddenly changed the subject.

"However... tonight is our last night in Great Xia. We'll be setting off for the Mirage Realm early tomorrow morning, and who knows when we'll be able to return to Great Xia."

"It's been a long time since the three of us slept together in the same bed. Before we leave Great Xia tonight, we can't leave with any regrets. What do you two ladies think?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Leng Yuexi's cheeks flushed red. Before she could say anything, Su Xuanji stood up abruptly and turned to run out of the hall.

Unfortunately, before she could take a second step, Xia Jin grabbed her waist.

Why are you running?

Amidst Leng Yuexi's exclamation and Su Xuanji's soft scolding, Xia Jin hoisted the two women onto his shoulders, one on each side, and headed towards the back hall.

......

At 3:45 AM, a little over 15 minutes before the agreed-upon 1:00 AM, nearly a hundred figures stood in neat rows on the training ground in front of the palace.

All eyes were turned toward one direction, toward the high platform.

Just before 9:00 AM, Xia Jin finally appeared in front of the palace gate.

Following behind him were Leng Yuexi and Su Xuanji, both of whom still had a faint blush on their faces.

As the three of them walked side by side onto the high platform, nearly a hundred figures below raised their heads in unison, their eyes filled with respect and fervor.

Xia Jin stood on the high platform, her gaze slowly sweeping over the crowd.

Standing at the very front was Qin Hu, and standing beside Qin Hu was Eunuch Wei.

Further on, there were many faces that Xia Jin was familiar with or unfamiliar with. These people were selected by Xia Yu to be on the list, and they were all the elites among the elites of the Great Xia Dynasty, promising talents worthy of being cultivated.

On the other side of the platform, Xia Yu and Jiang Rou were already waiting there. When Xia Yu saw Xia Jin arrive, he quickly went to greet her.

"Brother, everyone has arrived. There are ninety-six people in total, all here."

Xia Jin nodded. "I'm sure you all already know why I've gathered you here today, right?"

Without hesitation, everyone in the audience responded almost simultaneously, "Understood!"

Xia Jin nodded slightly. "While the Mirage Realm is suitable for cultivation, it is also extremely dangerous. Moreover, once you go there, you may never have the chance to return to Great Xia. Now, I am giving you one last chance to back out. Anyone who is unwilling can step back, and I will not force them."

The training ground fell silent for a moment.

No one retreated; on the contrary, everyone's gaze was unwavering.

"Very good. You made a very good choice today."

"I believe that for all of you, today's decision will be the greatest opportunity of your lives. Looking back in the future, you will surely be grateful for the choice you made today."

Before Xia Jin could finish speaking, a violent spatial fluctuation suddenly came from the void behind him.

Several figures emerged from the void rift one after another. The one in the lead was Yang Qingxuan, followed by Li Zhan and several other disciples of the third level of the Divine Palace, whom Xia Jin was naturally familiar with.

But when the figures behind her walked out one by one, Xia Jin raised an eyebrow slightly.

Jian Wuxin, Zhan Wuji, and Fan Wujiu, all from the second level of the Divine Temple. He wasn't surprised by these three, as they were among the top three strongest beings in the second level.

However, the last two people surprised him somewhat. Xing Ruoliu, the woman who had once pursued him and a descendant of the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, also appeared in the group this time.

When the last figure stepped out, Xia Jin's gaze paused slightly. Mu Ping'er?

She was once a maid in the Second Heaven?

She wore a light purple dress, and compared to three years ago, she had lost some of her youthful naiveté and gained more mature charm.

As she stepped out, her watery eyes fell directly on Xia Jin on the high platform. A slight smile curved her lips as she softly called out, "Young Master."

The voice was soft and sweet.

Before Xia Jin could respond, a sharp pain shot through her waist.

He turned his head and saw Su Xuanji withdraw her finger without changing her expression, glance coldly at Mu Ping'er, and then give Xia Jin an extremely gentle smile.

"My lord, who is this young lady...?"

Xia Jin coughed lightly and decisively changed the subject.

"Everyone, follow me!"