Chapter 542: Not too early, not too late, just right

"You meant what you said before? Does she really have the wood element essence?"

Mu Jin's expression suddenly turned serious as she secretly transmitted a message, "This matter is of great importance. In fact, she might not even be of the human race. Our Mu family has a long-standing legacy and is proficient in wood-based divine abilities. She could be of great use to us."

"Second Sister, it's true. I sensed it the first time we met. Heling is very likely not of the human race, and after these years of interaction, I'm seventy percent certain."

Mu Qingyao smiled brightly, looking lively, "If we could invite her to visit the Mu family, she might even help our Great Ancestor break through. She's a good person."

Mu Jin gave Mu Qingyao a deep look, her eyes flickering with an indescribable meaning.

With a smile, she said, "Let's go and meet her, and also her elder brother. I've heard he's an old friend of Mo Daozi, and I'd like to meet him too."

Mu Qingyao quickly stood aside, leading her second sister forward.

...

On a small hillside, several figures were laughing and chatting, enjoying the dreamy night view of the immortal island, looking innocent and carefree while eating from lunch boxes.

Little Chi, who had grown considerably larger, squatted beside Little Crane, shouting boisterously, "If you don't like anyone, just tell me, and I'll call for backup!"

After speaking, it let out a low roar, looking quite imposing, always thinking about whom to ambush next.

"Moo!"

Suddenly, a slightly angry moo sounded, and a hoof came down on Little Chi, its eyes showing a hint of reproach, as if telling it not to instill violent thoughts in their third sister.

Little Chi yelped in surprise, clutching its head with its claws and quickly hiding beside Little Crane, chuckling, "Brother Bull, I won't say it again!"

"Fourth Brother, the academy is quite nice." Little Crane smiled, gently stroking Little Chi, her gaze calm and composed, "No need to worry about me."

However, they all looked towards their eldest brother, who was setting up an incense burner, muttering to himself.

"Tonight's celestial phenomena seem off." Chen Xun sat cross-legged on the hillside, overlooking the brightly lit and bustling immortal island, his gaze deep, "It might be a sign of a grand feast."

"Moo?"

"Brother Xun?"

Both Black Bull and Little Chi were startled. When did their eldest brother learn to read celestial signs?

Only Nangong Heling seemed to understand the meaning, her eyes filled with concern, blaming herself for cultivating too slowly and not being able to help her elder brother much.

Whoosh~

A gentle breeze blew from afar, and two graceful figures approached, with no one following behind them.

"Heling, and Heling's elder brother!"

"Qingyao~"

"This is my second sister, Mu Jin." As they landed on the hillside, Mu Qingyao excitedly introduced them, giving Nangong Heling a look, as if to say her second sister wasn't bad, right?

"Mu Jin greets everyone."

Mu Jin smiled and bowed from a distance, looking at each of them, finally stopping her gaze on Chen Xun, dressed in black, "So this is the legendary man who emerged from the thousand-year Immortal Prison."

"Chen Xun, greetings, Fellow Daoist Mu." Chen Xun's expression was quite calm, only slightly cupping his hands in response, seemingly not very interested in conversation, "Entering the Immortal Prison is nothing to be proud of, nor is it worthy of praise."

At this moment, Mu Qingyao quickly left her second sister's side and joined Nangong Heling and the others, whispering among themselves, leaving Black Bull and Little Chi bewildered.

Do human women only talk about such things...

Meanwhile, Chen Xun and Mu Jin locked eyes, their gazes gradually becoming deeper. Mu Jin was somewhat shocked; this was completely different from what her fifth sister had described.

This person exuded a cold aura, even his robes seemed cold, but it wasn't intentional; it was a natural emanation...

"Late Void Refinement phase, yet no mana aura at all, not even a trace."

Mu Jin secretly observed Chen Xun, finding him quite peculiar, "The gap in the same realm shouldn't be this vast, unless... he's not in the Void Refinement phase at all!"

"What brings you here, Fellow Daoist Mu?" Chen Xun interrupted Mu Jin's thoughts with his hands behind his back, "I heard from my third sister that you wanted to meet me."

"It's about the Mu family."

"Please, go ahead."

"I wonder if your third sister would be willing to visit our Mu family; it could greatly benefit her cultivation."

Mu Jin got straight to the point, bowing with a smile, "When I was on the Southern Yu Continent, I noticed the Chi family harbors ill intentions towards her. If she comes to our Mu family, we can ensure her safety."

"To say something Fellow Daoist Chen might not like, the garbage recycling plant can't protect her, and neither can the Li Chen Immortal Palace. Palace Master Yin is trapped in the sea domain, not dominating it."

"Oh? Did Senior Yin have a story in the past?"

"As a junior, I naturally can't speak of it, but he does have opponents, some even above him."

"I see."

"I've already gathered some information before coming here. Palace Master Yin has been transferred from the sea domain to the Southern Yu Continent for important matters at the Immortal Palace and won't return for at least half a year."

"No wonder you came at such a convenient time, neither too early nor too late."

Chen Xun nodded thoughtfully, then slowly smiled, "Fellow Daoist Mu, are you threatening me?"

"Fellow Daoist Chen, you're overthinking it. I'm merely analyzing the current situation for you, taking advantage of the academy's grand event. We won't do anything to your third sister; she'll be just fine."

Mu Jin's gaze was calm, and a soundproof barrier had already been erected around them, "The Mo family won't get involved in this matter. Mo Ye Han, as my friend, I must say something unpleasant; his family is too large to get involved."

"Heh, you still don't understand Brother Ye Han." Chen Xun laughed, utterly calm, "My third sister is very safe in the academy; there's no need for her to go to your Mu family, so there's no need to trouble yourself."

"Fellow Daoist Chen, at least tonight, she's already out of the academy, isn't she?"

"Hmm... makes sense."

Chen Xun frowned, appearing to ponder, then suddenly sat back down, "Fellow Daoist Mu, why not enjoy the splendid moonlight of this grand event?"

Mu Jin frowned deeply; his greatest backing was undoubtedly the Li Chen Immortal Palace, followed by Mo Ye Han. The garbage recycling plant's resources were mid-grade spirit stones, and hiring Unity True Lords was the limit.

Few had seen those Immortal Prison criminals, and asking her fifth sister yielded no answers; her cultivation was too low to see much.

But in Xuanwei Heaven, he had no background; otherwise, he wouldn't have followed them here.

Yet Chen Xun was too calm, as still as dead water, and as helpless as if he had no choice...

"The Mu family, we will visit, but not now."

Just as Mu Jin was lost in thought, a voice suddenly sounded from the hillside, from the seated man, "However, I don't like anyone having designs on my third sister, whether with good or ill intentions."

As he finished speaking, the hillside fell into a cold silence, as if frost had covered every corner.

The atmosphere, filled with coldness and killing intent, permeated the air, sending chills down one's spine. Mu Jin seemed to feel an invisible, overwhelming pressure suddenly envelop her, making his words impossible to ignore.

A nameless fear surged in Mu Jin's heart, not stemming from Chen Xun's strength.

But from the indescribable atmosphere and invisible pressure, making her feel as if she were in a dark abyss, ready to be devoured at any moment.

A sudden sense of trepidation arose; could he have already grasped the movements of all parties? But that's impossible... where did he get such immense power?

Chen Xun glanced slightly at Mu Jin, "Brother Ye Han said the Mu family women are quite eloquent. Seeing it today, heh."

"Fellow Daoist Chen, why not wait and see? If I'm unable to help in time, I'll ensure Nangong Heling's safety."

"Are you saying that your sister will lure my third sister out of the academy, then the Chi family will act, and you'll save her, making me indebted to you?"

"Heh, Fellow Daoist Chen, you're oversimplifying things."

Mu Jin's eyes were calm as she looked at the bustling scene in the distance. What she could see was beyond this man's vision.

Nangong Heling indeed had something the Mu family desperately desired. She was now completely certain, making this trip to Dongxuan Dao Academy worthwhile.

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Dear readers, only two chapters today. Let's give Ziling a short break and prepare to quicken the pace, making each upcoming chapter more refined.