It turns out, they were the main characters.

However, there was no response.

Could it be that she is truly asleep and not pretending...? Mu Zhian wondered to himself.

However, if Yao Meng doesn't respond, then he'll have to figure it out himself...

Looking at the Emperor-grade medicinal herbs before him, Mu Zhian hesitated for a long time before finally gritting his teeth and making up his mind.

Refine!

So be it. We have to experiment to see if the innate furnace is greedy enough...

Mu Zhian closed his eyes slightly and absorbed the golden spiritual energy into his body.

Emperor-grade medicinal herbs have undergone ten thousand years of growth, so they cannot be refined in a short time.

If refined using normal methods, it would take at least a hundred years.

However, Mu Zhian chose to guide the first wisp of golden spiritual energy from the Emperor-level medicinal herb into the Natural Furnace, trying to awaken the Natural Furnace and allow it to refine itself.

As the golden spiritual energy flowed into his body, Mu Zhian felt an unprecedented sense of comfort. The rich medicinal fragrance, carrying the spiritual energy, seemed to want to flow into his own cauldron.

Sure enough, just as the golden spiritual energy was about to enter the cauldron, the innate cauldron suddenly reacted, and then a mysterious suction force directly drew the wisp of golden spiritual energy into the innate cauldron.

Immediately afterwards, the golden flower, which had shown no signs of withering, suddenly withered rapidly. A stream of spiritual energy, resembling a golden dragon, was quickly absorbed into the wildly operating innate furnace.

It actually works!

A hint of joy flashed in Mu Zhian's eyes. He closed his eyes slightly and helped guide her from the side.

"Ah... um~"

Nearly half an hour later, as golden spiritual energy continued to flow into the innate furnace, a soft and melodious fairy sound suddenly came from Mu Zhian's body.

Immediately afterwards, Yao Meng quietly opened her beautiful blue eyes.

"Fairy sister, you're finally awake," Mu Zhian greeted her.

Yao Meng was puzzled at first, but after sensing the rich medicinal fragrance in the innate furnace, her eyes flickered and her lips parted slightly as she asked, "You refined an Emperor-level medicinal herb?"

Mu Zhian nodded slightly and briefly explained his thoughts.

"It seems that the refining of that Emperor-level medicinal herb has been successful," Mu Zhian said.

"It's indeed a success... The spiritual energy in your innate furnace is even more delicious than before." Yao Meng's melodious voice rang in Mu Zhi'an's heart.

Then, she continued quietly, "But you should have waited until I woke up before doing so."

"Will there be any problems...?" Mu Zhian asked subconsciously.

"No problem, it can even be said to be perfect. Even a Dao Integration Realm cultivator probably couldn't refine an Emperor-level medicinal herb so perfectly."

Yao Meng paused, then said quietly, "However... it might cause quite a stir."

If it weren't for the fact that imperial-grade medicinal herbs were no longer as effective for her, she might have been tempted.

Generally speaking, it takes at least a hundred years to refine an Emperor-level medicinal herb, and during this refining process, the spiritual energy of the Emperor-level medicinal herb will gradually dissipate and be wasted.

Under normal circumstances, cultivators can only refine up to 50% of the medicinal effects of Emperor-level medicinal herbs; the remaining medicinal effects will be wasted.

However, Mu Zhian's innate furnace directly refined and absorbed over 90% of the spiritual energy of the Emperor-grade medicinal herbs...

After that, Mu Zhian could directly give the refined golden spiritual energy to the people around him.

The original innate furnace was already a great temptation for other female cultivators, but now this Emperor-level medicinal herb... if word gets out, the consequences will be unimaginable.

Pale golden spiritual energy drifted in the air, and a rich medicinal fragrance filled the room. The remaining less than one-tenth of the pale golden spiritual energy seemed to form a golden dragon, hovering in the sky above Tianhe Garden.

Outside the door, Wei Mengrou subconsciously turned her head to look at the tightly closed door behind her, a hint of surprise in her eyes.

"Such a strong medicinal aroma..."

……

Liangyi Peak.

The silver-haired, red-eyed, adorable, and mature Lin Ling was biting into a large chicken leg, enjoying the delicious food personally cooked by Sect Master Shang Yanfei.

Beside Lin Ling, Shang Yanfei wore a jet-black long dress that accentuated her curvaceous figure, covered by a snow-white coat. Her demeanor was classically elegant as she played with a teacup in her hand.

"Aren't you planning to participate in this Ascension Ceremony either?" she suddenly asked casually.

Wearing a moon-white long dress, Lan Mulian, with her cold and noble temperament, gently shook her head and said, "I have no intention of fighting with others, and it is not fair to others for cultivators in the Returning Void Realm to participate in the Ascension Conference."

Nowadays, most of those participating in the Ascension Conference are cultivators at the Refining Spirit Realm. Although Lan Mulian is the same age as everyone else, given her current level, it would be difficult for her to remain in doubt if she participated in the Ascension Conference.

“That’s true, and it’s not really appropriate for you to have entered the sect a few years earlier than others…” Shang Yanfei looked thoughtful, but did not continue to persuade her.

"Aaa?"

At this moment, Lin Ling, who was holding a chicken leg and gnawing on it, suddenly looked up, as if she had smelled something even more delicious, and even the chicken leg in her hand no longer smelled good.

She subconsciously turned her head to look in the direction of Tianhe Garden, tilted her head slightly to sniff, and then licked her small, plump red lips.

What kind of delicious food did the imperial chef secretly prepare...?

Lan Mulian also sensed something, gazing in the direction of Tianhe Garden, her eyes shining brightly, and she murmured to herself, "What is he doing now...?"

The medicinal scent is far too strong...

“He refined an Emperor-level medicinal herb,” Shang Yanfei said.

Lan Mulian hesitated at first, then looked at the woman beside her, and said incredulously, "Emperor-grade medicinal herbs take at least a hundred years to refine... How could he have done it in less than a day—"

As if she had just realized something, Lan Mulian paused slightly and muttered to herself, "A natural furnace for cultivation..."

If it's a naturally formed furnace, then it's not impossible.

After all, Mu Zhian has already caused quite a stir with his innate furnace cauldron.

but……

"He's made quite a fuss this time," Lan Mulian said quietly.

Shang Yanfei pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled brightly: "Anyway, since such a big commotion has been made, I guess some cultivators of the opposite sex can more or less guess what's going on."

"How about adding another reward for the winner of this Ascension Tournament?"

Lan Mulian's eyes flickered slightly, and she turned her head slightly to look at the tall, slender beauty in a black dress with her black hair flowing like a waterfall.

Shang Yanfei's lips curled slightly, forming an extremely beautiful arc.

"For example... the winner can take your junior brother with them, how about that?"

Chapter 252 The Holy Grail War belongs to 4K

Each Emperor-level medicinal herb has completely different effects. Some Emperor-level medicinal herbs can even enable cultivators' techniques to evolve further, even those techniques that would not normally have room for evolution.

For this reason, from ancient times to the present, imperial-grade medicinal herbs have been one of the lifelong pursuits of the cultivation world.

Yes... one of them.

The aura of Heaven, Emperor-grade medicinal herbs, the reincarnation spiritual energy of forbidden zones, etc., each of these would be sacred objects that would drive people crazy if placed in the outside world.

However, all of these things are now inside Mu Zhian's innate furnace.

In other words, most people don't know Mu Zhi'an's secret, otherwise Mu Zhi'an would probably receive love letters whenever she goes out.

Even before the innate furnace cauldron was revealed, Mu Zhian would receive a love letter every now and then within the sect... but it was always intercepted by that beautiful woman in white, and never fell into Mu Zhian's hands.

After all, Mu Zhian's appearance was among the best even within the sect. While having a good-looking appearance didn't necessarily help his strength, it did greatly help his interactions with girls.

In short, putting aside the fact that he is a natural furnace, Mu Zhian alone is already quite appealing to some female cultivators. If we also consider the natural furnace... with the two combined, the result for the vast majority of female cultivators is predictable.

Now, Shang Yanfei actually said something absurd like "I'm going to take your junior brother as a prize," leaving the aloof and elegant Lan Mulian speechless for a moment.

As always, she was aloof, elegant, and noble. Even without looking at her stunningly beautiful face, her immaculate temperament alone was enough to attract countless eyes.

At this moment, Lan Mulian held the teacup in her hand, her body seemed slightly stiff, and her expression was somewhat uneasy.

Her beautiful eyes gazed gently at the mature female sect leader, and she said calmly, "Master, please don't joke. He is a person, not a prize. And do you intend to expose his secret of being a natural furnace?"

Lin Ling glanced around, then raised her hand holding the big chicken leg: "Aaaaa!"

This means: I also want to participate in the Ascension Ceremony!

Shang Yanfei took a leisurely sip of tea, her delicate eyebrows slightly raised on her fair face, and she glanced at her disciple with a smile in her eyes: "The innate furnace cannot be exposed, but it can give those disciples a little motivation, can't it?"

"You mean...?"

"There must be girls on the main peaks like Canghai Peak and Dao Peak who have a good relationship with your junior brother, right?" Shang Yanfei asked casually.

Lan Mulian stared at her with cold eyes, remaining silent.

"However, whether it's that girl in the forbidden area or the others..." Shang Yanfei gazed at this aloof beauty who was the most popular in the sect, and said with a faint smile, "They are all without desires."

"So Master plans to use him as a prize?"

"Aaa!" Lin Ling's mouth opened slightly, and she shook her head to express her protest.

She is a staunch advocate of pastoralism.

If the imperial chef is taken away, won't we only be able to eat at Liangyi Peak every day from now on?

"It would be inappropriate for me to participate in the Ascension Ceremony, both morally and logically," Lan Mulian said.

She was about the same age as everyone else, but she left the Lan family and joined the Liangyi Sect at a young age, and now she has even reached the stage of refining spirit and returning to emptiness.

If a terrestrial deity were to join the Ascension Conference, it would be an absolute game-changer, with no doubt whatsoever.

"A match without suspense is meaningless," Lan Mulian said calmly, her words brimming with captivating confidence.

If Mu Zhian were present, she would surely be amazed by her senior sister's charm.

The master and apprentice had different temperaments. In terms of clothing, one wore a dark black dress, exuding a mysterious aura, while the other wore a moon-white dress, appearing aloof and noble.

However, their figures are similar; one of them alone is already exceptional, and when the two are together, their charm increases exponentially.

“Aaa”.

At this moment, Lin Ling suddenly spoke.

Lan Mulian turned her head and saw Lin Ling holding a piece of cardboard in her hands, her bright and beautiful red eyes looking at her. The cardboard read: "The winner of the Ascension Tournament will take your junior brother away."

As she spoke, Lin Ling turned to look at Shang Yanfei again and tapped the cardboard again.

"He cannot leave the sect."