Martial Universe: Inherit the Future, Quickly Become a Martial Ancestor!

At the same time, just as Lan He selected a body-refining martial art and prepared to break through to Nirvana.

In the northeastern part of the Eastern Xuan Domain, there is a vast region called the "Taiqing Domain".

The mountains here stretch endlessly, with the sky as blue as jade and the peaks layered with verdant green. The majestic mountains resemble a giant dragon coiled up, extending all the way to the horizon, and the world is filled with a grand and ethereal spiritual atmosphere.

Deep within this endless mountain range lies the headquarters of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, one of the eight super sects of the Eastern Xuan Domain.

Between the mountains, an unimaginably vast light barrier loomed in and out of sight. Within the barrier, countless islands stood suspended in mid-air, their palaces scattered amidst the shimmering glow of the setting sun. Occasionally, white cranes would glide through the clouds, creating a scene of otherworldly beauty.

At this moment, in the main hall of one of the majestic islands, the current Palace Master of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, a graceful and beautiful woman dressed in a moon-white gown, with a cool and aloof temperament like the bright moon in the nine heavens, sat regally in the main seat.

Her gaze calmly fell on Ling Qingzhu, who stood below with her head bowed, but beneath that calmness lay a hint of barely perceptible coldness.

"Clear bamboo,"

The Palace Master spoke, her voice like jade striking stone, clear and resonant yet carrying an invisible pressure, "I've observed that you're often absent-minded and distracted during your recent cultivation. Have you encountered any difficulties?"

Upon hearing this, Ling Qingzhu's delicate body trembled slightly, and she whispered, "This disciple didn't... I've just had some insights recently, and I'm still processing them, so..."

"Insights?"

The Palace Master interrupted her, his tone still calm, yet it seemed to freeze the air in the hall. "I've also heard that during your trip down the mountain to the Immortal Dynasty, you became quite close to the young master of the War King's Mansion, and even accepted his 'token of love'?"

"Master!"

Ling Qingzhu suddenly looked up, a hint of panic flashing in her clear eyes behind her veil. "Absolutely not! That Moonlight Spirit Bracelet was a gift from Senior War King as an elder, intended to thank his disciple for giving his son some pointers on swordsmanship. It was not a token of love."

She instinctively gripped the bracelet on her wrist, her fingertips turning slightly white.

"Oh? Is that so?"

The Palace Master's gaze lingered for a moment on the warm, silvery sheen of her wrist, his expression unreadable. "Even if it was a gift from an elder, you accepted it so readily and have worn it ever since? Qingzhu, do you still remember how your teacher taught you?"

She paused slightly, then her voice suddenly turned stern: "As my personal disciple, you are destined to lead the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace. Every sect leader of my Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace cultivates the Way of the Mind Mirror, their hearts as clear as a mirror, untouched by dust!"

"These external things, the son of a lecherous man, have already shaken your mind and hindered your cultivation. How will you face your inner demons in the future? How will you climb to a higher realm?"

Each word was like an ice pick, piercing Ling Qingzhu's heart. Her face grew paler, she bit her lower lip tightly, her eyes slightly red, yet she stubbornly refused to let the tears fall.

That bracelet…that person…clearly not as despicable as her master thought, yet her master's words were all reasonable, and she had no way to refute them. The fact that she was distracted during cultivation was true, and the fact that she accepted the lavish gift was also true…

"Senior sister,"

At this moment, Elder Moyun, who had been standing quietly to the side, stepped forward and said in a gentle voice, "Qingzhu is young after all. This is her first time going down the mountain for training. She has seen some of the ways of the world and cannot fully understand them at the moment. That is understandable."

"War King Lan Zhan and I had a past relationship... This gift may be a form of compensation, and may not be what Senior Sister thinks."

She looked at the pale-faced Ling Qingzhu and continued, "Why don't you hand this over to me? I'll handle it and explain to the junior of the War King's Mansion that the gift should be returned."

"Firstly, this fulfills the proper etiquette; secondly, it severs this karmic ties, helping Qingzhu cut off this worldly bond. What does Senior Sister think?"

The palace mistress's gaze shifted silently between Mo Yun and Ling Qingzhu, the hall utterly silent. After a long while, she slowly withdrew her gaze, regaining her placid composure.

"Fine."

The Palace Master's voice returned to its cold tone, "Since Junior Sister is willing to step forward, this matter will be left to you to handle. Make sure you handle it properly, and do not leave any reason for criticism, lest the reputation of my Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace be tarnished by such a trivial matter."

"Yes, Senior Sister." Mo Yun bowed slightly.

"Clear bamboo,"

The Palace Master looked down at the disciples again, his tone softening slightly but still leaving no room for argument, "Give the items to Uncle-Master Mo Yun. After this matter, seclude yourself for three months to meditate and carefully study the Heart-Cleansing Mantra to purify your mind. If there is a next time, I will not let you off lightly."

"...Disciple obeys."

Ling Qingzhu bit her red lips lightly, her voice trembling slightly. She slowly raised her hand, her fingertips lightly touching the warm, smooth bracelet several times, as if an invisible force was pulling at it.

But in the end, she took it off, held it in both hands, and handed it to Elder Moyun.

The moment the bracelet left her hand, it felt as if something else had been ripped away with it, leaving her feeling empty. She lowered her eyes, unable to look at that familiar silver light.

Mo Yun sighed softly, reached out and took the jade bracelet. It was warm to the touch, as if it still retained the warmth of the girl's wrist. She carefully tucked it into her sleeve, then turned to look at Ling Qingzhu, her eyes filled with a barely perceptible pity.

"Go," the Palace Master's voice came from the cold jade throne, calm and undisturbed. "The quiet room has been prepared for you."

Ling Qingzhu bowed deeply, then turned and left the main hall.

Silence returned to the hall. Mo Yun looked at the person seated and spoke softly, "Senior Sister, isn't this... a bit too harsh?"

The palace master's gaze fell upon the misty sea of ​​clouds outside the hall. After a long while, he whispered:

"How could I have wanted this? If I had known that she would get into such trouble after going down the mountain, I shouldn't have let her go out to train in the first place."

"A short, sharp pain is worse than a long, drawn-out one. One day, she'll understand."

Mo Yun remained silent, gazing at his senior sister's profile, a complex look of pity flashing in his eyes.

The palace master slowly raised her head, as if remembering something, and her tone turned cold:

"When you go to the Immortal Dynasty, please give that brat from the War King's Mansion another piece of advice for me—"

Don't indulge in wishful thinking.

"Qingzhu is the future successor to the position of Palace Master of my Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace."

Upon hearing this, a complex look flashed across Mo Yun's eyes, but she ultimately dared not say anything more, only cupping her hands in response, "Yes, Junior Sister will remember."

……

The Immortal Dynasty, the War King's Mansion.

Deep within the courtyard, in a pavilion overlooking the water.

Lan Zhansong was wearing a dark brocade robe, the collar slightly open, and he leaned casually against the stone chair. He was casually toying with a silver scroll in his hand, and a lazy smile played on his lips.

"Oh, the Formless Sword Body..."

He raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing, "You've got a good eye, kid. Even your old man didn't dare touch this stuff back in the day."

Outside the pavilion, the water flows gently, and a few petals drift along with it.

Lan Zhan twirled the scroll in his palm, the smile in his eyes fading, replaced by a rare seriousness:

"However... the feeling of sword energy entering your body is not pleasant. Have you thought it through?"

Upon hearing this, Lan He nodded solemnly: "Father, I've thought it through."

Seeing his resolute expression, Lan Zhan's eyes flashed with a mixture of relief and helplessness. He placed the scroll on the stone table, stood up, and patted his son on the shoulder.

"Alright, since you have this ambition, your father will naturally support you."

He spoke in a relaxed tone, and that familiar carefree smile returned to his lips. "But this can't be rushed. Body tempering is like cooking a small fish; if the timing is even slightly off, it won't work."

He turned and called out towards the outside of the pavilion, "Lan Zhong."

The old steward, who had been waiting quietly in the distance, stepped forward quickly and bowed to receive the order.

"Go to the storeroom and fetch three bottles each of the best Jade Marrow Muscle Regenerating Pill and the Vein Protecting and Tranquilizing Powder."

Lan Zhan instructed casually yet clearly, "Bring that box of century-old blood ginseng paste as well. Remember, the one sealed in the jade box in the storeroom."

"Yes, sir." Lan Zhong replied readily and turned to prepare.

Lan Zhan then looked at Lan He again, casually straightening his slightly open collar: "Until the pills are all prepared, you need to properly regulate your breathing and get into the best condition."

"Tempering the body with sword energy is no joke. Back in the day, your father may have been reckless in the capital, but when it came to things like this that risk your life, he always thought things through carefully."