Chapter 576: Chapter 11: Warm Fragrance and Supple Jade, Portrait of a Beauty (Part 1)

Oh~! Come on!

Someone born to be hers? That’s absurd! They’re separated by a Bitter Sea, how could they have any connection?!

"Clan King, what do you mean by your words?" Mu Qingge’s expression slightly darkened, a subtle anger already tinting her clear eyes.

The Clan King shook his head slowly and said to Mu Qingge, "This matter is a long story. It might be better for you to stay a few days, rest well, and then we can discuss everything in detail."

"There’s no need for that!" Mu Qingge refused directly.

She raised her eyes to the Clan King, who, along with the Queen, the High Priest, and Xie Ya, blocked the exit. Mu Qingge simply turned around and walked directly to the chair, choosing one casually and sat down boldly.

"Speak your speech quickly, if there’s nothing to say, then let me leave. Furthermore, I won’t take her with me!" After speaking, Mu Qingge directly looked at Xie Ya.

As calm as a statue, Xie Ya showed no reaction to her father’s words nor Mu Qingge’s rejection.

It was as if she were a puppet, awaiting her fate.

Mu Qingge’s rejection left the Clan King and the High Priest somewhat helpless.

Ultimately, they could only compromise.

The High Priest stepped forward, respectfully addressing Mu Qingge, "Master... Maybe it’s more appropriate for us to call you Young Master."

The High Priest’s words brought a glint to Mu Qingge’s eyes.

Yet on the surface, she remained unaffected, cold and calm, waiting for him to continue.

The High Priest straightened up and gazed thoughtfully at the sky outside the door, appearing to reflect deeply. His ancient voice gently unfolded a story, the kind of ancientness that seemed to come from a timeless legend—

"Mu is a name of glory. Long, long ago, it was powerful and supported a vast sky. Countless families relied on the name Mu, not only for protection but more for faith and worship. Still, even a strong Mu faced a crisis. This crisis led many powerful names like Mu to utterly fall, even disappear! To preserve the flame, Mu’s then-master decisively left their homeland. When they left, they took their most loyal followers and performed a great divination, spanning thousands of years of development, distributing followers to two places, silently waiting, waiting for the Young Master to return to lead the followers back to their homeland." The High Priest finished the story.

Indeed, just a story.

After listening, Mu Qingge felt that this seemingly false story was akin to some unverifiable legends she knew.

However, the High Priest’s words moved the Clan King and Queen to tears. Xie Ya, too, appeared lost, unclear if she was engrossed in the story or pondering something else.

Mu Qingge nodded almost imperceptibly and said, "Hmm, not a bad story. Is it finished?"

Mu Qingge’s reaction left the High Priest’s trio somewhat stunned.

But faced with her questioning, the High Priest instinctively nodded.

Seeing him nod, Mu Qingge patted her thigh and stood up, "I’ve heard the story, now it’s time for me to leave."

"Young Master! Don’t you believe it?" The High Priest blocked Mu Qingge’s path, stretching out his arms to stop her from leaving. His expression was urgent, as if ready to die for his conviction should Mu Qingge not believe.

Mu Qingge pressed her lips in silence, looking at the High Priest.

Her gaze was transparent and calm, gradually soothing the High Priest’s agitation.

"A seemingly false story, what do you want me to believe?" Mu Qingge said faintly.

The High Priest opened his mouth, then sighed with eyes downcast, left speechless.

The Clan King then stood up and said to Mu Qingge, "Young Master, it’s not that we are unwilling to disclose everything, but rather the time is not ripe. Some matters, Young Master still cannot be aware of."

Mu Qingge slightly raised her head, sighing inwardly, ’Again with this phrase? It seems no matter how hard she strives or becomes stronger, there are always those advising her that the time isn’t right, withholding knowledge supposedly for her own good.’

Seeing Mu Qingge silent, the Clan King took the opportunity to say, "Young Master, we the Exiled Clan left in the Bitter Sea are waiting for you. Another group of Exiled Clan is currently in the Wandering Soul Desert, also waiting for the Mu’s descendant."

Another group in the Wandering Soul Desert?

Mu Qingge gradually withdrew her gaze and looked at the Clan King.

At this moment, she seemed to believe their claims. She asked, "Why wait for me? Are you really waiting for me to lead you back to some homeland?"

The Clan King replied, "All this is destined. The founding clan of Mu migrated into Linchuan, leaving us followers behind, placing us in the Bitter Sea and Wandering Soul Desert, the only two places that lead from Linchuan to the Middle Ancient Realm, meant to test and await. For thousands of years, we have been waiting silently, finally reaching this day! Returning to the homeland is not urgent, Young Master only needs to take Xie Ya with you when leaving, continue your cultivation, once you breakthrough, that will be our time to return to the homeland."

"Why take her?" Mu Qingge’s lips curled into a mocking smile.

The Queen then spoke, "Young Master, we are indeed your followers. According to tradition, Xie Ya is destined from birth to serve the Young Master. Not only her, but there is also a follower belonging to the Young Master in the Wandering Soul Desert, Young Master should also go there and find him."

"Why?" Mu Qingge laughed angrily.

She had never seen anything like this, forcing someone’s daughter to become another’s servant or maid! Isn’t Xie Ya the Princess of the Exiled Clan?

"Because it’s their mission." The Queen shook her head and said.

Mu Qingge said, "Xie Ya is your daughter, right? She could have been the Princess of the Exiled Clan, yet she comes to serve me. Did you ask for her opinion?"

These words made Xie Ya lift her head and glance at Mu Qingge.

The Queen stubbornly replied, "To serve the Young Master is her greatest fortune. Her current status will only bring more glory!"

’A bunch of lunatics!’

Mu Qingge mocked inwardly.

She squinted her eyes and said to them, "In other words, if I want to leave now, I have to take Xie Ya with me, right?"

The three Clan Leaders fell silent and didn’t directly answer Mu Qingge’s question, but their attitude clearly indicated that the answer was yes!

Mu Qingge sneered, walked up to Xie Ya, reached out her hand, hooked her chin, and forced her to look up at her. The two were so close that they could feel each other’s breaths.

This close contact broke Xie Ya’s composure. A flicker of panic swept through her bright and clear eyes.

Yet Mu Qingge laughed lightly, her tone frivolous, "Such a beautiful person, staying by my side is certainly possible. But do you know what it means to stay?" Her eyes swept over Xie Ya’s body with an invasive gaze, causing Xie Ya to tremble lightly, as if she were standing naked before Mu Qingge.

This feeling made Xie Ya’s breath shift, instinctively resisting.

Mu Qingge smiled triumphantly, released Xie Ya’s chin, then turned to the Clan Leaders and said, "If I take her away, her life and death will have nothing to do with you anymore. How I treat her will be entirely my business. I can humiliate her, even violate her, or even kill her."

The Clan King and Queen both lowered their eyes, pressed their lips, and said nothing.

Suddenly, the High Priest lifted his head and asked, "Has the Young Master obtained the Divine Strategy’s remnants?"

The sudden mention of "Divine Strategy" made Mu Qingge’s eyes shrink abruptly.

Mu Qingge’s aura turned icy cold as she directed a hidden murderous intent towards the High Priest with her gaze.

However, under her fierce gaze, the High Priest chuckled with a knowing gleam in his eyes, confidently saying, "It seems the Young Master has already acquired the Divine Strategy’s remnants. If I know about the Divine Strategy, does the Young Master still not believe what we say?"

"..." Mu Qingge looked at him with an unreadable expression.

The High Priest pointed to Xie Ya and said to Mu Qingge, "The Divine Strategy is divided into three volumes. The Upper Volume fragment has been preserved by the Mu Clan. The Middle Volume clue was known by Mu when leaving their homeland. Now, the clue is found with Xie Ya. Isn’t this enough reason for the Young Master to take her along?"

The High Priest’s words made Mu Qingge’s eyes flicker with light, her features cold as ice.

...

That night, the Dragon Tooth Guards disembarked from the ship and were taken to Duole Island.

They didn’t see Mu Qingge. She merely sent a message telling them to temporarily rest on Duole Island. She also informed Mo Yang to seize the time for cultivation, without any slack.

Yin Chen, Bai Xi, and Yuanyuan were left beside the Dragon Tooth Guards by her.

Meanwhile, Mu Qingge herself sat in the palace of Duole Island, on that solitary chair that symbolizes dominance, receiving the kneeling prayers of a group of people!

Mu Qingge’s gaze swept over those kneeling on the ground. Apart from the Clan Leader, Queen, and High Priest seen during the day, there were three other men.

From their appearance, they seemed to be about the same age as the Clan Leader.

However, Mu Qingge had learned by now not to be fooled by appearances in this mystical time. Often, beneath a young face lies a heart that has lived for untold ages.

Si Mo was the best proof!

To this day, Mu Qingge still didn’t know how old her man was!

They were each responsible for the east, west, and north of this sea realm for the Exiled Clan. It was then Mu Qingge realized that the Exiled Clan’s four generals were named after the Four Divine Beasts!

The so-called Four Divine Beasts were Dragon, Tiger, Phoenix, and Qi.

The Queen was responsible for the south, represented by Phoenix, so her mount was the Simurgh, a close relative of the Phoenix.

Six people knelt on the ground, their gazes on her filled with excitement, as well as the joy of seeing a long-awaited result, which Mu Qingge understood to be thousands of years in waiting.

She didn’t know why these people were so certain about her and never doubted.

’Is it merely because of a drop of her blood?’ Mu Qingge wondered in her heart.

"Young Master, please rest on the island for this period. I heard from the Pheasant that the Young Master killed the Quyu and must have consumed a lot of Spiritual Energy. There’s no need for the Young Master to be in a hurry to leave." The Clan Leader said eagerly to Mu Qingge.

"Alright." This time, Mu Qingge did not refuse again.

She wanted to leave, but at least she had to sort out the matter of the Divine Strategy first.

"Young Master is also tired, why not rest first? We have prepared a room and hot water for washing up." The High Priest said.

"Where are my maids?" Mu Qingge suddenly asked.

She had become accustomed to the service of You He and Hua Yue. If people from the Exiled Clan were to serve her in washing up, she would feel uncomfortable.

The High Priest smiled faintly and replied, "The young ladies You He and Hua Yue are already waiting in the room."

Hearing this, Mu Qingge barely nodded imperceptibly. She stood up from the chair and left the hall, personally guided by the Queen.

After Mu Qingge left, the people on the ground stood up, exchanging glances with each other.

"Are we sure we’re going to choose him?" Dragon General directly addressed the Clan King and the High Priest.

The other two also looked at them.

The High Priest silently walked to the side, took the divination tool from his wide robe, and began the divination.

While he was divining, the Clan King said to the three of them, "We can’t afford to wait any longer. We’ve been waiting for this one for thousands of years. If we give up, who knows how long it will take for the next one to come!"

"But can he win in the end? The other chosen Young Masters are certainly not simple either. Our realm is already much lower..." Tiger General spoke frankly.

The Clan King sighed, "Back then, the Mu Clan adopted this method to select the most powerful heir in fierce competition, to lead us back and reclaim what belongs to Mu, what belongs to us! But, even Mu probably didn’t know this wait would be thousands of years!"

"It seems we have no choice." Qi General also spoke.

The Clan King nodded, saying to the three, "Xie Ya will stay by his side, not only as his maid but also as his supervisor. She will test whether this Young Master is qualified, and will also have the opportunity to engage with other candidates."

"Once a Young Master is chosen, it cannot be changed. Unless our chosen Young Master is killed by another candidate, otherwise, we can only follow him. The stakes in this bet are high!" Dragon General said.

The Clan King did not speak further, instead shifting his gaze to the High Priest who was divining.

The other three Generals also focused their gaze on the High Priest, seemingly hoping the result of his divination would bring them some comfort.

Unexpectedly, the High Priest suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood and fell backward.

"High Priest—!" The Clan King was shocked and hurried to catch his falling body.

The other three Generals also quickly gathered around, looking at the High Priest with concern.

The High Priest’s grey-white long beard was stained with blood. His withered hand trembled as he raised it, pointing to the divination tool fallen on the ground, his eyes wide with shock, "The Heavenly Secrets! The Great Heavenly Secrets!"

"Hahahahaha—!"

Suddenly, the High Priest burst into loud, wild laughter, somewhat manic, "Senior Brother, it seems that this time I will finally win against you!"

"High Priest!"

The Clan King and others looked at him with bewilderment.

After the High Priest’s emotions had slightly calmed, he gripped the Clan King’s hand tightly, his expression excited, "Clan King, this time, we’ve chosen correctly!"

The Clan King’s eyes widened abruptly, and the other three Generals held their breath.

The hall became quiet as they waited for the High Priest to continue speaking.

"I cannot see his destiny, and forcing a look backfired on me. Do you know? Among the myriad worlds, there is only one type of person whom we of Tianlu cannot see through! That is..." The High Priest abruptly closed his mouth, his eyes filled with turbulence.

Suddenly, thunder roared.

This sudden thunder seemed to be a warning to the High Priest!

The High Priest staggered and shook his head, "It can’t be said, it can’t be said, that word must never be spoken, this realm cannot support it!"

His words were vague.

However, the hints in those words made the Clan King and the four of them vaguely guess the answer!

They took a deep breath, reaching a mutual understanding in each other’s eyes!

After a moment, the Clan King said to them, "From now on, we must fully support the Young Master!"

The three Generals nodded silently.

The High Priest stood up and frowned, "The Young Master is going to the Middle Ancient Realm now, I’m afraid he won’t have the time to go to the Wandering Soul Desert for a while. To prevent others from gaining the upper hand..." He looked at the Clan King, "Clan King, you need to send someone to the Wandering Soul Desert to find the rest of those people and bring the servants they’ve prepared for the Young Master to the Middle Ancient Realm, to the Young Master’s side!"

"Is this alright? Wouldn’t it defy Mu’s command?" The Clan King hesitated.

The High Priest shook his head seriously, "When Mu split us in two, it was only to prevent anything from being missed. By separating, no matter from which exit Yong Master leaves Linchuan, he will meet our people and then accept his destiny. It was never said that once the Young Master is determined, we cannot assist a little."

"Clan King, I’ll personally go once!" Dragon General offered.

The Clan King didn’t dwell on it further and immediately said, "Alright!"

Dragon General was just about to set off when the Clan King stopped him, "Don’t rush, wait until the Young Master enters the Middle Ancient Realm first."

Dragon General quickly understood the Clan King’s intention.

Even among maids, there are ranks.

After Xie Ya and the Young Master have bonded deeply, let the servants from the Wandering Soul Desert head over. This way, Xie Ya’s status will not be affected.

The Clan King’s careful thought was viewed from a paternal perspective.

Xie Ya grew up under everyone’s watch, cherished as a treasure, so they naturally didn’t feel the Clan King was wrong. Even the High Priest did not prevent this, reminding the Clan King to keep the bigger picture in mind.

...

After wandering in the palace with the Queen for a while, Mu Qingge was brought to a beautifully and magnificently arranged room.

The Queen slightly bowed to Mu Qingge, "Young Master, I won’t disturb your rest." With that, she turned and left.

Standing outside the door, Mu Qingge watched her leave, but her brows furrowed slightly.

She could feel these people harbored no malice towards her. But they did not fully reveal the truth to her either. Since they withheld information, she wouldn’t tell them that she already possessed the complete Divine Strategy Upper Scroll.

Mu Qingge’s gaze flickered lightly, and she turned to push open the door and entered.

The door creaked open.

A faint fragrant aroma wafted in, making Mu Qingge frown uncomfortably.

She stepped inside as the door closed automatically.

What she saw made her raise an eyebrow slightly.

In the room, the beams were draped with red silk curtains, and the flickering firelight made the room seem dreamlike.

"You He." Mu Qingge called out softly. Receiving no response, she called again, "Hua Yue."

Only silence responded to her.

The two girls were not waiting in the room for her return at all!

Had the High Priest deceived her?

Mu Qingge frowned. But she dismissed the thought. There was no real reason for them to deceive her.

As Mu Qingge moved into the room, she suddenly sensed a faint breathing sound.

Someone is here!

Mu Qingge’s gaze flickered, and she moved toward the source of the breathing.

Passing through layer upon layer of silk curtains, she turned into the inner chamber. It was a bedroom, what came into view was a gigantic bed. The bed rose from the floor, set upon a raised platform.

A circle of railings surrounded the platform, with steps leading up to it.

On the platform, enclosing the bed, hung layers of transparent gauze, concealing the scene on the bed, yet revealing a hazy allure.

The breathing sound came from the bed.

Could there be someone on the bed?

This thought startled Mu Qingge!

Suddenly, she seemed to guess what trick the Exiled Clan was playing!

She quickly stepped up to the platform and lifted the gauze, instantly exposing the scene on the bed to her view.

On the bed lay a nude figure, exuding countless charms. The graceful curves were displayed before her, and the thin silk covering barely concealed the snow-white skin beneath.

She was lying with her back to Mu Qingge, leaving only an intriguing silhouette.

Mu Qingge stood by the bed, gaze coldly fixed on her.

Unbeknownst to her, the person on the bed slowly opened her eyes in nervousness, her eyes revealing a trace of sorrow dictated by fate. Her hands quietly clutched the thin silk on her body, not daring to think about what would happen next.

"Princess Xie Ya, what does this mean?" Mu Qingge asked.

The person on the bed shuddered, their exquisite and flawless features somewhat pale. She pressed her lips tightly, not responding.

It wasn’t out of feigned modesty, but because she didn’t know how to answer.

The silence of the person on the bed made a hint of teasing appear in Mu Qingge’s eyes. She curled her lips into a wicked smile, raised her right arm, and reached toward the person on the bed.

The Linglong Spear transformed into a finger cover, sharp and pointed.

It gently lifted the thin veil covering the body, revealing Xie Ya’s delicate, fair back.

The night breeze poured in, causing the skin to shiver slightly.

Xie Ya tightly closed her eyes, clutching the sleeves of the sheer veil with both hands.

Mu Qingge chuckled teasingly, loosened her index finger, letting the veil fall back down, covering Xie Ya’s back once more.

The returning warmth allowed Xie Ya to breathe a sigh of relief and slowly open her eyes. But before the look of relief could appear in her bright eyes, she suddenly froze, her whole body tensing up.

The finger with the cover was tracing along the curve of her reclining body, wandering over her skin.

This tempting tease sent Xie Ya’s heart racing, daring not to breathe.

Yet Mu Qingge’s expression grew colder and colder.

"Is Princess Xie Ya offering herself?" Mu Qingge spoke, her tone carrying a hint of disdain and coldness.

These words seemed to sting Xie Ya’s heart.

Her tense body began to tremble.

"Princess Xie Ya, lying on another’s bed like this, could make a normal man do some normal things." Mu Qingge deliberately emphasized the word ’normal.’

"Or is it that Princess Xie Ya can’t wait any longer?" Mu Qingge remarked mockingly.

The insulting words finally broke Xie Ya’s composure.

Her bright eyes flared with anger, consuming her rationality. She suddenly swung her hand, aiming a strike at Mu Qingge behind her. Violet-gray spiritual power cascaded from her hand, rushing straight at Mu Qingge’s face.

But Mu Qingge seemed to have anticipated this, slightly sidestepping to avoid the blow.

Xie Ya flipped over from the bed, her slender arms attacking Mu Qingge continuously.

Mu Qingge caught her attack with one hand, breaking through her moves, and suddenly grabbed her wrist, pulling her fiercely into her embrace.

Xie Ya exclaimed in surprise, falling weightlessly into Mu Qingge’s arms.

Yet at the last moment, Mu Qingge twisted her body, making her back collide into Mu Qingge’s arms instead.

No, she did not fall into the embrace.

Because, just as she was about to touch Mu Qingge’s chest, a hand twisted her left wrist, turning her over to rest against her waist, and the hand also blocked her from moving further in.

At first glance, it seemed as if she had been pulled intimately into Mu Qingge’s embrace.

But in reality, she knew she hadn’t touched his body at all.

"Let go of me." Xie Ya struggled a bit, only to find herself unable to muster any strength.

Mu Qingge leaned over to Xie Ya’s ear, her breath grazing her exposed fragrant shoulder, chuckling lightly, "What is Princess Xie Ya doing? An invitation, or flirting?"

The laugh and tease by her ear quickly spread a layer of pink over Xie Ya’s skin. Her ears began to heat up, and her gaze grew flustered.

Xie Ya was kneeling on the bed, her hands forcibly twisted by Mu Qingge. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

This position caused the thin veil she wore to slip significantly, exposing more skin.

Mu Qingge glanced down, teasing, "Nice figure."

"You...!" Xie Ya was both ashamed and annoyed, frustrated and anxious. Yet she couldn’t break free.

"Why hasn’t Princess Xie Ya told me why you came to my room?" Mu Qingge asked by her ear.

Xie Ya bit her lip, her eyes rapidly welling with mist, filled with a hint of reluctance and endless grievance, "Don’t you know why I came? Do you think I wanted this?"

"If you’re unwilling, why force yourself?" Mu Qingge scoffed dismissively.

Xie Ya couldn’t see Mu Qingge’s expression, but she could hear the mockery in her words. Xie Ya smiled melancholically, relinquishing her resistance as she was held captive by Mu Qingge. "Do you think I have a choice?"

Mu Qingge showed no mercy, "Don’t use such a tone with me, nothing about you is my doing."

Xie Ya gave a bittersweet smile, "My birth was to wait for you. Is that unrelated to you too?"

"Please spare me from such talk, I won’t shoulder this. Before today, I didn’t even know you people existed. I was inexplicably pushed into being some Young Master," Mu Qingge mocked.

Xie Ya pursed her lips, struggling with her hands.

Seeing Mu Qingge still not releasing her, she snapped angrily, "Let go of me, I’ll show you something, and you’ll understand."

Mu Qingge paused for a moment, then released her hands.

Xie Ya felt the restraint lift, and the person behind her withdrew.

Before she could turn around, Mu Qingge’s voice came from outside the curtain, "Put on your clothes first, then come out."

Xie Ya turned to look, only seeing the gently swaying curtain, with no sound of Mu Qingge inside.

Mu Qingge sat outside on a chair, poured herself a cup of water, crossed her legs, and toyed with the teacup in her hand. She looked at the slightly moving curtain, pondering what Xie Ya would tell her.

After a while, Xie Ya lifted the curtain and stepped out.

She stood on the platform and immediately saw Mu Qingge sitting in the chair drinking tea.

And Mu Qingge saw her as well.

Xie Ya still seemed like that sacred fairy, inviolable and untouchable. Even though she currently wore enticingly thin gauze, faintly revealing her curves.

Mu Qingge squinted slightly, ridiculing, "Still unwilling to dress?"

This time, Xie Ya ignored her taunts and walked down from the platform, heading towards the inner room. "Come with me."

Mu Qingge’s eyes flashed as she put down the teacup and stood up, following behind Xie Ya.

Following Xie Ya through an inner corridor, Mu Qingge felt a warm breeze hit her.

After pushing the door open and entering, she realized there was a hot spring here.

The hot spring water flowed from the crevices in the rocks, converging into the pool, the surface emitting steaming heat. The room was enveloped in a layer of mist from the hot spring.

Xie Ya walked to the edge of the hot spring pool, stopped, and suddenly turned to look at Mu Qingge, a quick flash of shyness in her bright eyes, "Turn around."

Mu Qingge raised an eyebrow slightly, obediently turning her back to her.

After confirming Mu Qingge wasn’t peeking, Xie Ya unraveled the gauze clothing on her.

She loosened her hands, and the gauze slid down her body. At this moment, Xie Ya had nothing covering her. She stepped onto the steps, into the hot spring pool, submerging her body in the water.

The heat from the pool wrapped around her, her skin quickly turning a tempting pink under the hot spring’s stimulation.

Mu Qingge heard the sound of entering the water, guessing what Xie Ya was doing.

She simply closed her eyes, quietly waiting for Xie Ya to speak.

After a while, Xie Ya’s voice came, "It’s okay."

Mu Qingge opened her eyes, thought for a moment, then turned to face the hot spring pool.

"Come over." Xie Ya’s voice came from the hot spring pool.

Mu Qingge hesitated for a moment, but ultimately walked to the edge of the hot spring pool. Upon entering, she saw Xie Ya facing away from her.

Her body trembled, and her eyes suddenly widened.

What shocked her wasn’t Xie Ya’s bathing beauty, but the painting gradually appearing on her back under the influence of the steam.

The painting seemed to be a map.

A map of what?

Mu Qingge’s mind suddenly recalled the High Priest’s words, ’The clue to the Divine Strategy is on Xie Ya!’

Could this be it...

"Do you see the map on my back? It’s the map to find the Divine Strategy Middle Volume, but I only have half of it on me." Xie Ya’s words confirmed Mu Qingge’s suspicions.

Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched; she really hadn’t expected the people of the Exiled Clan to paint the clue to the Divine Strategy on Xie Ya’s back.

Xie Ya suddenly stood up from the water.

Mu Qingge immediately turned around to avoid.

Although she was a woman, in Xie Ya’s eyes, she was a man, so she naturally had to consider Xie Ya’s feelings.

Behind her, the sound of water splashing from the bath came.

Before long, Xie Ya was dressed and stood in front of Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge directly said, "Let me look at your back again."

Xie Ya did not refuse but obediently turned around to face Mu Qingge with her back.

However, under the transparent thin gauze, there was no pattern to be seen.

Gone! Why is it gone?

Mu Qingge frowned. ’Could it only be visible in water? No, that’s not right! It must be the temperature! Only after her body temperature rises does the image appear.’

As Mu Qingge made this speculation, Xie Ya also turned back to face her.

"It’s useless, you can’t see it," Xie Ya said to Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge pursed her lips without speaking, just looking at her with a frown.

Xie Ya said, "This tattoo was imprinted on me at birth. It can only be seen while bathing. If you want to completely obtain this painting, to imprint it into your mind, there is only one way."

"What way?" Mu Qingge immediately asked.

Xie Ya bit her lip, lifted her eyes to look at Mu Qingge, and slowly said, "To take my virginity."

Mu Qingge’s face stiffened! A feeling of wanting to curse surged in her heart!

Xie Ya, unaware of Mu Qingge’s unnatural expression, continued to speak on her own, "Only this way can the image on my body transfer into your mind and never disappear. So, why do you think I’m waiting in your room tonight? My clansmen are eager for you to quickly obtain the Divine Strategy Middle Volume. So, do you still think I have a choice? Even if I want to resist, would you let me? Would you give up obtaining clues to the Divine Strategy?"

Xie Ya threw out a series of questions, her eyes filled with self-mockery, and also a hint of mockery towards Mu Qingge.

As if Mu Qingge, in front of her, was merely pretending to be a gentleman.

After learning all the cause and effect, he would still collect her as his concubine, just like other men. After all, she was merely his servant, and she couldn’t defy whatever her master commanded!

Mu Qingge lifted her clear eyes to look at her, "The Divine Strategy, I will not give up."

’As expected...’ The mockery in Xie Ya’s eyes deepened.

"But, I will never take your virginity," Mu Qingge added another sentence.

These words left Xie Ya momentarily stunned. She looked at Mu Qingge in shock and found that her eyes were clear and tranquil, without the slightest trace of evil intent.

Suddenly, she felt a little dazed.

Mu Qingge walked past her, speaking as she walked, "You should go back and rest, I am tired as well."

It wasn’t until Mu Qingge left that Xie Ya snapped back to reality.

Eventually, she left Mu Qingge’s room and returned to her own.

Mu Qingge sat cross-legged on the bed, her mind replaying Xie Ya’s words. To get the clue to the Divine Strategy Middle Volume, she had to take her virginity?

Mu Qingge let out a cold laugh.

Not to mention that she had no way to take Xie Ya’s virginity, even if she were really a man, she would never do such a despicable thing.

Now, two problems were troubling her.

First, how to get the map on Xie Ya’s body. Second, the remaining half of the map, far away in the Wandering Soul Desert; as she’s now heading to the Middle Ancient Realm, when will she be able to get it?

Most importantly, would it require some perverse method over there, too, for her to get the map?

Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched slightly.

She felt somewhat speechless; what was the purpose of such painstaking arrangements to give her two servants!

Combining her conversations with the High Priest and the Clan King, along with what her grandfather has previously told her about the Mu Family’s history, she could almost conclude that they found the right person. And it seemed that the Mu Family, a long time ago, was indeed a very powerful family.

However, she did not yet understand why it declined and why these pawns were laid down.

But there’s no rush; one day, she would understand everything.

Mu Qingge collected her thoughts and took out the beast core of the Quyu.

Within this beast core was contained a great amount of power.

Bai Xi had said that absorbing it would be immensely beneficial.

At this moment, Mu Qingge intended to do just that.

Steadying herself, Mu Qingge held the Quyu’s beast core with both hands and closed her eyes. After a while, the Quyu’s beast core began to flicker with light, thin streams of pure spiritual energy were extracted from the beast core and entered Mu Qingge’s body.

...

"Mother!" Xie Ya returned to her room, surprised to see someone who shouldn’t be there.

The Queen walked up to her, gave her a once-over, took Xie Ya’s hand, and led her into the room.

"Mother, why are you here?" Xie Ya asked in surprise.

The Queen smiled and said, "I knew you would be turned away by the Young Master, so I deliberately waited here for you." Speaking, she sighed, "Your father and the High Priest are too anxious."

Xie Ya lowered her eyes, her beautifully holy face showing no expression.

"Xie Ya, do you blame us?" The Queen asked her.

Xie Ya looked up at the Queen and slowly shook her head. "This is my destiny, I don’t blame anyone."

The Queen looked at her with some heartache before saying, after a moment, "Perhaps this is also your fate. I can tell the Young Master is not the type to be promiscuous. The fact that he sent you back tonight proves that."

Xie Ya pressed her lips together, not speaking.

She did not tell the Queen the words Mu Qingge had spoken, ’I will never take your virginity.’

"This is also good; you two should take time to understand each other slowly, and when feelings deepen, some things will naturally happen," the Queen told Xie Ya.

Xie Ya forced a smile.

The Queen continued, "After you and the Young Master leave, you must protect him well; he must not suffer any mishaps. Also, he must grow stronger quickly. His opponents will not be weak!"

Xie Ya nodded with pursed lips.

"By the way, your father and the others have decided to send the Dragon General to the Wandering Soul Desert to bring the Young Master’s other servant into the Middle Ancient Realm, allowing the Young Master to obtain the Divine Strategy Middle Volume as soon as possible. Before that person arrives, you must take this time to deepen your relationship with the Young Master," the Queen reminded.

Xie Ya raised her eyes slowly, looking at her mother. "The other servant..."

The Queen sighed, "Don’t blame your father and the others; they are also afraid of wasting the Young Master’s time. However, your father let the Dragon General go only after you and the Young Master have left for the Middle Ancient Realm, so this time gained depends on how you seize it."

Xie Ya remained silent.

The Queen advised, "Xie Ya, don’t think being a servant is beneath you. You’ve not experienced that glorious era, so you can’t understand. Although servants are vassals to their master, they hold high status and are often closer to the master than their women. If you have the means, you can keep the Young Master’s heart on you alone."

"Mother." Xie Ya interrupted the Queen.

Seeing the Queen’s surprised expression, she said, "I know what to do; there’s no need for you to worry, Mother."

Seeing that she no longer wanted to listen, the Queen did not continue.

...

An absurd night passed.

The next day, Mu Qingge did not appear. Even when You He and Hua Yue came to her room to attend to her, they couldn’t enter.

The third day, Mu Qingge still did not come out, and You He and Hua Yue dutifully guarded the door, preventing anyone from disturbing her.

The fourth day...

The fifth day...

The Dragon Tooth Guards continued their cultivation on Duole Island while raising their flying spirit beasts.

Bai Xi and Yin Chen would occasionally check on Mu Qingge but never saw her.

The Exiled Clan members did not disturb her either, only Xie Ya would occasionally stand in front of Mu Qingge’s room for a while before leaving.

These days went by until one day, an intense aura shot up towards the sky from Mu Qingge’s room...