"The Young Palace Mistress has returned!"
"Huh? Who's that man beside her? Why is he holding her hand?"
"No way… She went out and brought back a man?"
"I have to admit, the Young Palace Mistress has good taste. This man is incredibly handsome! And so refined!"
"Absolutely! Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace is one of the eight great sects of the Eastern Profound Domain. We've seen countless geniuses and prodigies, but I've never seen someone this stunning before!"
"Who is he? Why have we never heard of him before?"
"Could he be a rising star from another domain?"
The moment everyone saw Zhou Yi holding Ling Qingzhu's delicate, jade-like hand, the entire Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace erupted in whispers.
Especially the female disciples—eyes gleaming, hands pressed against their pounding chests, completely infatuated.
Zhou Yi wasn't just handsome; his cultivation was profound, his very presence exuding an irresistible allure.
It only took a single night for Ling Qingzhu to fall completely for him.
Not just because he was powerful and good-looking—though those were undeniable advantages—but because his charm was simply overwhelming.
"Hmph! Shouldn't you all be training?"
A cold snort suddenly rang through the sky. The voice wasn't loud, but to those who heard it, it crashed like thunder, shaking them to their core.
"Yes, Palace Master!"
The disciples of Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace turned pale with fear, hurriedly bowed in respect, and vanished like rabbits fleeing a predator.
Though the sect didn't forbid marriage, Ling Qingzhu was no ordinary disciple—she was the Palace Master's direct disciple. And now she had returned with a man, hand in hand…
Everyone knew this wouldn't end well for Zhou Yi.
Curious as they were, they wouldn't dare linger.
The moment the voice rang out, Zhou Yi felt an immense spiritual pressure surge toward him, as if trying to crush his mind. Clearly, the speaker was attempting to intimidate him, to put him in his place.
But Zhou Yi remained unbothered. He merely smiled, his expression as gentle as a spring breeze. The overwhelming pressure washed over him like a passing wind, leaving him completely unaffected.
He tightened his grip on Ling Qingzhu's soft, jade-like hand and stepped forward.
In an instant, they appeared inside a grand and elegant palace, its majestic aura radiating dignity and power.
Standing there was a stunning woman—calm, poised, and exuding an almost divine presence.
She wore a regal golden phoenix robe, its exquisite embroidery accentuating her tall, graceful figure.
Even from afar, her flawless, snow-like skin and ethereal beauty were unmistakable. In many ways, she resembled Ling Qingzhu, but the noble dignity, maturity, and seductive elegance she carried were beyond what Ling Qingzhu, still a young maiden, could yet attain.
No…
Ling Qingzhu had already undergone a transformation with Zhou Yi's help, but even so, she still lacked that mature, full-bodied charm.
"Who are you?"
Huang Yueqing had already gauged Zhou Yi's strength from her earlier probe and his sudden arrival. She knew immediately—this man was no ordinary cultivator. His cultivation was exceptionally high.
Her cold, majestic gaze scrutinized Zhou Yi, her eyes like the endless night sky, capable of swallowing the color from the world itself.
Her presence was chilling, like the moon goddess descending from the heavens—an ethereal, otherworldly beauty that made others feel utterly insignificant.
Zhou Yi smiled slightly and said, "I am Zhou Yi. I greet the Palace Master. I have long heard of your unparalleled mastery and celestial beauty. Seeing you today, I can only say—your reputation does not do you justice."
At that moment, only one thought filled Zhou Yi's mind:
Qingzhu, your master is amazing.
No—she's absolutely breathtaking.
Huang Yueqing's delicate brows furrowed. As the Palace Master of Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace, she was familiar with all the powerful figures in the world.
Yet the name "Zhou Yi" meant nothing to her.
Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace had no record of him.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Huang Yueqing's gaze sharpened like a blade, locking onto Ling Qingzhu.
Ling Qingzhu's delicate body trembled. She lowered her head, not daring to meet her master's eyes, like a child caught doing something wrong.
"You… lost your purity?"
With Huang Yueqing's cultivation, she could tell immediately that Ling Qingzhu had lost her virgin essence.
Ling Qingzhu had done her best to refine Zhou Yi's lingering aura from her body, but even so, she couldn't completely conceal the truth.
"You scoundrel! I'll kill you!"
Huang Yueqing erupted in fury.
If it were just an ordinary disciple, she might have let it slide.
But Ling Qingzhu was her disciple—her chosen successor.
More than that, she had been practicing the Supreme Empyrean Induction Art, a secret technique exclusive to Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace.
For this technique, purity of body and mind was essential. Once broken, the cultivation method would collapse.
Of course…
What enraged Huang Yueqing the most was the timing.
Ling Qingzhu had only left Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace for a month.
And in such a short time, Zhou Yi had completely claimed her.
This man was nothing but a shameless rogue!
Huang Yueqing's snow-white arm lifted, her slender fingers spreading slightly. Though her palm seemed delicate, it carried unimaginable power as it struck directly at Zhou Yi's forehead.
At that moment, Zhou Yi suddenly thought of a particular scene—
The way Extermination Master Tai smacked Ji Xiaofu to death in a single slap.
"Master, no!"
Ling Qingzhu cried out.
Smack!
Zhou Yi's warm and powerful hand rose, effortlessly catching Huang Yueqing's jade-like wrist, neutralizing the terrifying force in an instant.
"Why be so angry, Palace Master? The Supreme Empyrean Induction Art? So what if it's broken? It's not like it can't be cultivated again."
"'So what?' 'Not like it can't be cultivated again?' Such arrogance!"
Huang Yueqing was so furious she laughed. The Supreme Empyrean Induction Art was Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace's greatest secret, known only to each generation's Palace Master.
Yet in Zhou Yi's mouth, it was nothing but a trivial matter.
This was an insult to her entire sect.
Even if Zhou Yi was a powerhouse on par with her, she would not let this slide.
Power surged through her as she prepared to activate Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace's grand formation to suppress him.
But before she could make her move, Zhou Yi calmly said:
"I know your secret—Taishang Palace."
The moment she heard those three words, Huang Yueqing froze.
The flames of battle in her eyes dimmed, replaced by a storm of emotions.
"Palace Master, what's wrong?"
Just then, powerful figures of Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace arrived, sensing the disturbance.
"Nothing. Remain outside. No one is allowed to enter."
After dismissing them, Huang Yueqing's cold gaze turned back to Zhou Yi.
"How do you know about Taishang Palace?"
Even Ling Qingzhu had never heard of it.
"Master, what is Taishang Palace?" Ling Qingzhu asked, trying to ease the tension.
Huang Yueqing glanced at Zhou Yi, then back at Ling Qingzhu, before sighing.
"A long, long time ago, Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace was known by another name—Taishang Palace."
"To be precise, we are not its direct successors, but rather… remnants."
"And you, Qingzhu, once had the chance to become part of Taishang Palace. But now…"
She shook her head, her gaze toward Zhou Yi growing even colder.
Only then did she realize—her hand was still being held by Zhou Yi, his fingers lightly caressing her wrist.
"Let go!"
Huang Yueqing's voice was laced with fury and shame.
Zhou Yi chuckled and released her.
"From ancient times to now," Huang Yueqing continued, "only one person has ever truly been of Taishang Palace."
"One person?"
Ling Qingzhu frowned. "Who?"
"The one who stands at the pinnacle of this world—Master Fu Zu (Symbol Ancestor)!"
"The Master Fu Zu?"
Ling Qingzhu's graceful figure trembled slightly, caught off guard.
"The Supreme Palace was not founded by the Symbol Ancestor, but its name exists because of him. In fact, we don't even truly know whether the so-called Supreme Palace is an actual sect or if it represents something even more mysterious..."
"Among those of the Supreme Palace, the Symbol Ancestor is one. Then there are his eight disciples, known as the Eight Masters of the Ancient Era. Perhaps the Ice Master could be considered half a member, but the other seven fall slightly short in comparison. However, I suspect that even they do not fully understand what the 'Supreme Palace' truly signifies. It may very well be the greatest secret hidden within this world."
"I know this secret!"
Zhou Yi suddenly interjected.
"You know?"
Huang Yueqing scrutinized Zhou Yi with deep skepticism.
Zhou Yi's strength was undeniably formidable—stronger than hers, perhaps even at the very pinnacle of those within the Samsara Realm.
But to claim knowledge of this secret?
Huang Yueqing found it difficult to believe.
"Master, he knows many secrets—secrets that even include the origins of the Symbol Ancestor from the Great Thousand World!" Ling Qingzhu said at this moment.
"What? The secrets of the Symbol Ancestor?"
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