It turns out, they were the main characters.

A paper crane quietly appeared in each of their hands.

……

Liangyi Peak.

Lan Mulian sat in front of the pavilion, looking somewhat absent-minded.

Opposite her, Lan Feiying, whose exquisite and curvaceous figure was wrapped in a black cheongsam, was toying with the teacup in her hand, gazing at this cold and noble older sister with alluring eyes, and smiled softly: "Sister seems to have something on her mind?"

"Could it be because of this?" Lan Feiying took out a paper crane from her storage ring and placed it on the table.

Lan Mulian's gaze sharpened slightly, then she looked up at her sister with a strange expression: "You received it too...?"

Lan Feiying rested her chin on her hand, sat with her full legs crossed, her cheongsam making her shapely, slender legs appear exceptionally fair and smooth. She wore a pair of high-heeled sandals imported from the Southern Wilderness, and said with a smile, "I received this letter while I was in seclusion today. It seems that you also know about this, sister?"

Lan Mulian rubbed her temples and said, "This was given out by Master."

"Master...? The sect leader of the Two Elements Sect?" Lan Feiying looked at her sister with slight surprise and asked, "What does the sect leader intend to do...?"

Lan Mulian slowly shook her head: "I don't know."

"There are things that even your sister doesn't know?" Lan Feiying asked with a squinting smile.

Lan Mulian remained silent.

This top genius and beauty in the sect is well-versed in most things, including the thoughts of other cultivators, as well as Mu Zhi'an's thoughts about her.

However, she couldn't see through her master's thoughts at all.

Do I want to force myself to participate in the Ascension Ceremony?

This isn't like my master's style; she's not the kind of person who would coerce others.

But apart from that, she really couldn't understand why her master would temporarily add 'prizes' to the very few girls.

"Is your sister planning to participate?" Lan Feiying changed the subject.

"If you don't plan to participate in the Ascension Ceremony, then I'll bring your junior brother back to you." Her words carried a hint of teasing.

Lan Mulian gave her a reproachful look: "Don't joke around like that. He's just a junior brother with whom you have a good relationship."

Lan Feiying smiled sweetly, gazing at Lan Mulian's beautiful and aloof face, seeing through her without saying a word.

If my sister does indeed participate in the Ascension Ceremony in the end, then the outcome of the Ascension Ceremony will truly be predetermined.

Both the Southern Wilderness and the Western Regions probably believed that the geniuses in different parts of the Nine Provinces were of similar strength, and they even thought that the geniuses in their own province were stronger...

However, they probably never imagined that a seemingly unrelated minor cultivator would completely rewrite the nature of the Ascension Ceremony.

……

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

In the past two days, more young people from all over the Nine Provinces have arrived at the Liangyi Sect. In addition to some descendants of ancient families, there are also some exceptionally talented rogue cultivators.

That afternoon, Mu Zhian received another piece of new information at Tianhe Garden.

The eldest princess of the Great Qian Dynasty has also arrived!

Last time, Princess Yongning came to Liangyi Sect in a private capacity to ask Yan Ruyu about poetry. This time, however, she represents the Great Qian Dynasty.

Although this dynasty seems to be showing signs of decline now, even some ancient and powerful families dare not underestimate it.

The reason is that it is backed by the 'power of all living beings' brought by the common people.

The power of all beings is not ethereal or intangible, but can be transformed into substantial blessings.

If the combined power of all the people of a dynasty is used properly, it can even unleash an attack that is infinitely close to the Dao Integration Realm.

The strength of that imperial advisor was even more mysterious and unpredictable. Some people have speculated that the imperial advisor of the Great Qian Dynasty might be the only terrestrial immortal in the world who had comprehended a wisp of the Dao.

Snowflakes fell outside, turning the world into a white expanse. The ground was covered in snow, and occasionally a crane flew by in the snow.

Then, in the next instant, a giant dragon grabbed fate by the scruff of its neck and flew towards Tianhe Garden amidst the singing of "Aaa"...

Mu Zhian was sitting under the pavilion in Tianhe Garden, watching the snowflakes outside, holding a cup of hot tea in his hand, looking every bit the noble young master.

He appeared to be admiring the snow scene, but in reality, he was contemplating his backup plans.

Without a doubt, Mu Zhian has the highest combat power in the current Ascension Tournament.

If we disregard strength, he could suppress the girl beside him without even using his spiritual energy.

Not to mention the Refining Spirit Realm, he had even suppressed those in the Dao Integration Realm and given them a beating.

But if the girl next to him takes the promise of "the winner taking away the innate furnace" seriously and participates earnestly, things will really get complicated for him...

However, it's not entirely without a chance.

In terms of strength alone, Mu Zhian's strength is comparable to, or even surpasses, those so-called geniuses of ancient aristocratic families in Kyushu.

After all, he was a Chaos Body. Although he didn't fight often, he had never been defeated by someone of the same level.

This Ascension Ceremony has invited many talented cultivators from all over the Nine Provinces, but in reality, there are only a handful of truly strong contenders for the top spot.

Apart from the monk from the Western Regions and the geniuses from the other two major states, most of the others were people that Mu Zhian knew well.

In other words, once these three are dealt with, the remaining people are all people that Mu Zhian knows.

It will be easier to operate when that time comes.

The most urgent task now is to further improve our strength as much as possible.

As for the method... I'll have to ask Master Yan again.

In addition, Mu Zhian was also concerned about the dynasty of the text described in the murals he saw in the Sword Palace and the text he saw in the mirror in the forbidden area.

Yan Ruyu is a learned woman who has been well-versed in literature since childhood and is a very intellectual teacher... Perhaps she can even tell which dynasty the script belongs to.

Seeing that Mu Zhian was about to leave, Wei Mengrou, who had been silently standing in the corner, said coldly, "The Ascension Conference is approaching. Are you planning to go out instead of cultivating?"

"Before I begin my cultivation, I have a few things to take care of," Mu Zhian said with a smile.

Wei Mengrou raised an eyebrow and teased, "Is there anything more important than your safety after the Ascension Ceremony? Or have you already decided who you're going to marry?"

Mu Zhian shook his head and said seriously, "The result of the Ascension Conference is very important, but Sister Mengrou's matter is even more important."

If he wouldn't tell the truth, fine... Wei Mengrou glanced at him indifferently, too lazy to pay him any attention.

Mu Zhian smiled but remained silent.

Sometimes that's just how it is; when you tell the truth, nobody believes you.

Chapter 254 Returning the Reincarnation Spiritual Energy 8.5K

After leaving Tianhe Garden, Mu Zhian flew to Shaole Garden on his sword. In front of the villa of Shaole Garden, he saw a woman who had just walked out of the villa gate.

She wore a dark gold jacket over a white skirt, her long, wavy black hair was clearly carefully styled, a gold hairpin adorned her hair bun, and a magnificent necklace hung around her jade-like neck, highlighting her snow-white skin.

She wore a pair of black embroidered shoes and had a tall, sexy figure.

Her attire was quite luxurious and extravagant, making it immediately apparent that she was a woman born into royalty.

After all, most women would find it difficult to pull off such a luxurious outfit, but it looks perfectly natural on this beauty, adding to her elegance and beauty.

Mu Zhian had met her once before, so he immediately recognized her.

Princess Yongning, the eldest princess of the Daqian Dynasty.

It's no wonder she was born into royalty; even within the royal family, only an elegant princess could pull off such an outfit.

Beside Yongning were two maids. Although they were dressed modestly, Mu Zhian could roughly tell from their restrained aura that they were probably also at the Refining Spirit Realm. They were likely people carefully selected by the royal family to protect Yongning.

Besides, an old man was standing not far away, presumably the person secretly responsible for protecting the eldest princess.

As Mu Zhi'an sized up the princess before him, Yongning seemed to notice his gaze. She looked up, her eyes sparkling, and then a charming smile appeared on her lips. Her voice was as clear and melodious as jade: "Young Master Mu, it's been a long time."

"Princess Yongning, it seems we haven't seen each other for several months either," Mu Zhian said with a smile.

Princess Yongning glanced at him a few times, then smiled brightly: "Young Master Mu's strength seems to be much stronger than before. It looks like you have already entered the Refining Spirit Realm. Congratulations."

"I just happened to be lucky enough to find my own path," Mu Zhian replied modestly, shaking his head.

The most important step in refining Qi into spirit is to find one's own 'Dao', and the 'Dao' that Mu Zhian found before was actually to strengthen his own physique.

Although Mu Zhian is not yet capable of defeating enemies with physical strength alone, most cultivators of the same realm would likely be unable to withstand a punch from him at close range.

Even the fairy Yao Meng couldn't stand Mu Zhi'an getting close.

Hmm... literally.

"Is Princess Yongning here to see Pavilion Master Yan?" Mu Zhian changed the subject.

Princess Yongning nodded slightly: "There are still a few days until the Ascension Ceremony. I also have some questions I'd like to ask Pavilion Master Yan."

"What a coincidence, I also have some things I'd like to discuss with Pavilion Master Yan," Mu Zhi'an said with a smile.

However, he felt a greater sense of admiration for this elegant princess.

Her good looks are one aspect, but another is that this princess is not just a pretty face. Yongning even knows that he has already reached the Refining Spirit Realm... This shows that she has people within the Liangyi Sect.

Alternatively, Princess Yongning herself was also at the Refining Spirit Realm and possessed a special physique, thus realizing that he was now at the Refining Spirit Realm.

"A considerable incident occurred at the Yaochi Holy Land a few days ago. I hope to have the opportunity to invite Young Master Mu to join me for a cup of tea soon." Princess Yongning's face blossomed with a charming smile.

"I'll definitely do it next time."

Mu Zhian smiled and nodded, then bid farewell to Princess Yongning.

He wasn't just being perfunctory; he genuinely had some interest in the princess and wouldn't mind getting to know her sometime in the future.

As he pondered this, Mu Zhian walked into Shaole Garden.

In the hall, Yan Ruyu held a thin book in her hands, her loose black robe concealing her graceful and curvaceous figure, and a cup of steaming tea was placed on the table.

Seemingly sensing Mu Zhian's presence, Yan Ruyu looked up, and Mu Zhian gave her a bright smile.

"Sect Master Yan, I hope this sudden visit won't disturb you?"

Yan Ruyu smiled faintly and said, "I guessed you would come to find me after you made such a big commotion today."

As she spoke, she poured Mu Zhian a cup of tea, gestured for him to sit down, and asked, "What brings you here today?"

Mu Zhian slightly suppressed his smile, then wrote down the words he had seen in the Sword Palace and the forbidden area on a piece of paper.

"I would like to ask if Pavilion Master Yan knows which dynasty this script was left over from," Mu Zhian said.