Time flows like water; in the blink of an eye, two months have passed.
Amidst a backdrop of tranquility and the faint ripples of distant waves, the Jade Pool Immortal Palace welcomed the successive return of its Disciples.
As the first batch of Disciples piloted their Magical Artifacts through the Great Sect-Protecting Array, relaxed smiles appeared on everyone's faces.
"Our Jade Pool Immortal Palace is still the best..."
A Disciple at the Middle Stage Foundation Establishment looked excitedly at his companion.
"Yeah! I've been out for over two months, and my cultivation hasn't improved a single bit."
The other person sighed with emotion, his gaze involuntarily drifting toward the distant Main Hall as he lowered his voice.
"Say... how should we address the Palace Master now?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the several companions looked at each other, their faces showing a mix of hesitation and excitement.
"It's spread everywhere outside—the 'Yaochi Empress'!"
A round-faced youth couldn't help but speak up, his eyes filled with the light of worship.
"I heard from my dad that in every city in the Southern Region, the hottest topic in teahouses and wine shops is our Palace Master!"
"So many Loose Cultivators are dying to join our Immortal Palace right now!"
"Isn't that the truth!"
Another female Disciple chimed in, a proud blush on her face.
"During the few days I was home, those high-and-mighty scions of great families were all very polite when they saw me."
"They even tried to ask about the Immortal Palace in a roundabout way, wanting me to introduce them... Hmph, where were they before!"
"So,"
the Disciple who first spoke scratched his head,
"calling her 'Palace Master' again... isn't it a bit... lacking in status?"
"But calling her 'Her Majesty the Empress'? Would that be too formal?"
"Would the Palace Master, in her senior years... not like it?"
"What do you mean'senior years'!"
The round-faced youth immediately retorted.
"The Palace Master is peerless in her elegance; she's the most beautiful person I've ever seen in my life! It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her the number one beauty of our Southern Region."
"Exactly, exactly!"
"But this matter of the title... it really does need some thought."
"How about... we start calling her that in private first?"
"Forget it, let's wait until Senior Sister Liu and the others return before we decide!"
The group discussed as they walked, quickly passing through the gates and officially stepping into the interior of the Immortal Palace.
As soon as they entered, a dense and pure Spiritual Qi rushed toward them, refreshing their spirits and dissipating most of the fatigue from their days of travel.
What surprised them even more was that on the west side of the Immortal Palace, next to the Myriad Phenomena Pagoda, on the square that was originally empty—
there was now an entrance shimmering with a hazy glow and emitting strange spatial fluctuations!
"What's that? A new building? Or..."
Everyone looked over curiously.
Some Disciples who hadn't gone home but had received some information approached with mysterious smiles.
"That is the new Secret Realm 'Lingxu Grotto-Heaven' bestowed by the Palace Master, specifically for our training!"
"I heard the space inside is massive, with many Yao Beasts and plenty of Heaven And Earth Treasures!"
"Really?!"
The eyes of the returning Disciples immediately lit up. A Secret Realm!
An exclusive training Secret Realm!
That was something only the Three Great Sacred Lands possessed.
To think that they now had one as well?
As more and more Disciples returned, the Immortal Palace gradually regained its former liveliness.
Sword Qi crisscrossed the Martial Arts Field, the fragrance of medicine wafted from Danxia Peak, and the Spirit Cuisine Hall was bustling with voices.
Compared to before, however, there was a bit more composure in the Disciples' expressions, as well as a subtle pride whenever they spoke of the outside world's esteem for the 'Yaochi Empress'.
And the 'Lingxu Grotto-Heaven' that had suddenly appeared on the west side, emitting strange spatial fluctuations, also quickly became the focus of heated discussion among the Disciples.
After Vice Palace Master Yun Yun officially announced the existence of the Secret Realm and its preliminary rules, everyone's passion was ignited!
"An exclusive Secret Realm! And it was personally obtained by the Palace Master!"
"You can enter at the Middle Stage Foundation Establishment? There are Yao Beasts and ruins inside?"
"I heard it's a real small world inside! It's true training!"
"I'm going to Cultivate in the Myriad Phenomena Pagoda; I must secure a spot to enter!"
"Hey, wait, I'm going too."
"Me too, me too..."
...For a time, the Disciples' motivation to Cultivate was instantly boosted to a new level because of the appearance of the Lingxu Secret Realm.
Everyone was putting in their best effort, wanting to stand out in the upcoming selection for Secret Realm qualifications.
Just as the interior of the Immortal Palace was filled with vitality due to the Disciples' return and the new Secret Realm—
In Qingyang City, at the Liu Family home.
During the days Liu Ruyan had been home, the entire Liu Family had been immersed in endless joy and glory.
The former Young Miss of the Qingyang City Liu Family was now a True Disciple of the Yaochi Empress at the Golden Core Stage.
She was also the favored daughter of heaven who had turned the tide in the Secret Realm and awed the various sects.
The status of the Liu Family had also risen with Liu Ruyan's return.
The various forces they once had to deal with cautiously were now all very polite, even showing a hint of flattery.
Liu Beihai looked at his daughter, whose temperament had become increasingly gentle and calm yet showed a faint majesty, and felt great relief in his old age.
At the same time, he strictly restrained the clansmen, forbidding them from being arrogant or overbearing.
Today was the day Liu Ruyan prepared to return to the Immortal Palace.
In the courtyard, her parents, second uncle, younger cousins, and several clan Elders were seeing her off.
"Yan'er, after you return, you must serve Her Majesty the Empress diligently and Cultivate well. Do not waste this Opportunity."
Liu Beihai exhorted her earnestly, deeply afraid his daughter wouldn't understand these things.
"Don't worry, Father. I understand."
Liu Ruyan replied with a smile.
Just then, a slender figure emerged from behind her mother and tugged at Liu Ruyan's sleeve.
It was Liu Ruyan's younger sister, Liu Ruxue.
Liu Ruxue was only twelve years old, much younger than her sister. Her appearance was sixty to seventy percent similar to Liu Ruyan's, but with more of a young girl's innocence and liveliness.
"Sister... can you, can you take me to the Jade Pool Immortal Palace to see?"
Liu Ruxue's voice was soft, carrying a cautious attempt at testing the waters.
"I... I also want to become as powerful as Sister!"
She tilted her small face up, looking at Liu Ruyan expectantly, her eyes full of longing.
She knew she was being very abrupt.
How could a small Cultivator at the fifth level of Qi Refining like her freely set foot in a sacred land like the Immortal Palace?
But she really didn't want to be separated from her sister again.
Ever since her sister joined the Jade Pool Immortal Palace a year ago, the family's status had risen, and she was happy for her sister.
But after her sister left, that once warm and lively home seemed to suddenly become much emptier.
She cultivated day and night, not just to catch up to her sister!
But also thinking that if she could also become strong, could she go to see the place where her sister was?
This time her sister returned more than a hundred times stronger than when she left home!
That Golden Core Stage pressure, even if her sister deliberately restrained it, made her feel a suffocating sense of respect and yearning.
"Nonsense!"
Liu Beihai pulled a long face.
"The Immortal Palace is a sacred land; is it a place you can go just because you want to? Your sister is going there to Cultivate, not to play!"
"I'm not talking nonsense!"
Liu Ruxue puffed out her cheeks and tightly hugged her sister's arm, refusing to let go.
"I want to Cultivate too! I want to be as powerful as Sister!"
"Dad, Mom, just let Sister take me! I promise to be good and not cause any trouble for Sister!"
As she spoke, her eyes began to redden, looking incredibly pitiful.
Liu's mother felt a bit soft-hearted and looked at Liu Ruyan.
"Yan'er, look at this..."
Liu Beihai also sighed and looked at his eldest daughter.
During the last spirit testing, he hadn't let his younger daughter participate. Now, if he insisted on blocking her again... Liu Ruyan looked down at the unfeigned longing and dependence in her sister's eyes, and her heart softened as well.
Having experienced the hardships of two lifetimes, she deeply knew the importance of opportunities and one's sect.
The atmosphere of the Jade Pool Immortal Palace was harmonious, resources were abundant, and although her Master was cold, she was actually protective and tolerant, and Vice Palace Master Yun managed things well... If her sister could truly join, it would indeed be a fortunate thing.
However, the Immortal Palace had its own rules. Although she was a True Disciple, she couldn't just bring someone into the sect without permission.
She would have to report to her Master or the Vice Palace Master first.
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