Inside the Jade Pool Immortal Palace, the silence of the Myriad Phenomena Pagoda stood in stark contrast to the bustle of the returning Disciples.
But this bustle was soon replaced by a different atmosphere.
The three-month home leave granted by the Palace Master was, for many Disciples, the first opportunity to reunite with their families after a year away.
It carried not only longing, but also the hope of returning home in glory.
In the direction of Qingyang City, two graceful figures riding flying artifacts traveled side by side; they were Liu Ruyan and Zhao Linger.
The two of them came from the three major families of Qingyang City; one was the Eldest Young Miss of the Liu Family, and the other was the Little Young Miss of the Zhao Family.
Liu Ruyan's temperament was gentle and quiet. Her cultivation at the Middle Stage of the Golden Core was restrained and not obvious, yet she naturally possessed a heart-stirring aura.
Zhao Linger was much more lively, her moon-white skirt fluttering in the air, much like her joyful mood at this moment.
"Senior Sister Ruyan, do you think my parents will be startled when they see me?"
Zhao Linger blinked her eyes, playing with a first-rank Medicinal Pill she had refined herself.
"I was only at the third level of Qi Refining when I left a year ago, but now I'm at the late-stage Foundation Establishment!"
"And then there's my Alchemy skill... hehe."
Liu Ruyan looked at her Junior Sister's excited appearance, a soft smile in her eyes.
"Your Family will naturally be proud of you."
"However, Linger, you must act with a low profile. Do not be too ostentatious, and absolutely do not rely on your cultivation to oppress others."
"I know, Senior Sister, you've exhorted me so many times already."
Zhao Linger stuck out her tongue, then asked curiously,
"Senior Sister, you're already at the Middle Stage of the Golden Core. When you go home... I bet the entire Qingyang City will be shaken!"
Hearing her words, Liu Ruyan's eyes shifted slightly as she looked toward Qingyang City, a hint of complexity in her gaze.
In her previous two lives, she had suffered countless hardships. In the life where she broke through to the Golden Core the fastest, she was already over forty years old.
But now, she was only twenty years old and had already reached the Middle Stage of the Golden Core. This was something she once hadn't even dared to imagine.
"Perhaps..."
Her voice carried a touch of emotion.
"Besides, I'm not going back this time to show off. I just want to see them and set my Family's minds at ease."
In her hands, besides two Low Grade Yellow Rank Spiritual Artifacts seized in the Secret Realm, she had also specially prepared some Heaven And Earth Treasures suitable for Nascent Soul Cultivators.
Although their rank wasn't high, they were enough for her father to use.
At the same time, Wang Zhaojun rode her artifact alone toward a small town to the east of Mount Wanjue.
She looked down at the exquisite Storage Pouch at her waist from time to time, her face full of joy.
Contained within the Storage Pouch were three 'Everspring Pills'.
These were fourth-rank pills, refined by her Master at her request using Spirit Medicines she had picked in the Secret Realm; they were incredibly precious.
These pills weren't meant to aid cultivation, but rather to condition a Mortal's body, remove hidden ailments, and prolong life.
In her mind, she imagined the healthy complexions of her parents and younger brother after taking the pills, and the beautiful hope that they would live to be a hundred.
On another side, Wang Teng was rushing along, riding his Yellow Rank Top-Grade Flying Sword, his heart already home.
Tucked in his robes, besides Spirit Stones, were several bottles of Medicinal Pills suitable for Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment Cultivators, which he had specially saved up.
"If Grandpa and my parents see these, they'll definitely be grinning from ear to ear!"
"Hehe, let's see who dares to look down on me, Wang Teng, in the future!"
A surge of pride rose in his heart, but then he remembered the Palace Master's teachings and quickly reined in his smugness, trying to make himself look more steady.
The once impetuous youth could now shoulder a sense of responsibility toward his home.
On Snow Moon Peak, Li Zhiwei silently wiped her 'Wangyu' sword.
She had no home to return to, having been displaced since childhood. After coming to the Immortal Palace, she was taken in by Li Hanyi, who gave her both a name and a surname.
In her heart, her Master was her closest relative, and the Jade Pool Immortal Palace was her home.
She walked behind Li Hanyi, who was sitting quietly in cultivation at the peak, and bowed respectfully.
"Master, I would like to go out for a while to buy some things."
She remembered once hearing Senior Sister Murong Xue mention that Master seemed to like sweet foods.
She planned to go and see if there were any delicious Spiritual Cakes in the nearby Linyuan City.
Li Hanyi did not turn around, only giving an almost imperceptible "Mm" in response.
A flash of joy appeared in Li Zhiwei's eyes as she quietly withdrew.
Meanwhile, Murong Xue returned to the unremarkable Murong Family within the borders of the Great Yan Dynasty.
Her return set the entire Family into a fervor.
The once cold and taciturn Family Genius was now a Personal Disciple of the Jade Pool Immortal Palace's Grand Elder at the late-stage Foundation Establishment!
The head of the Murong Family, her father, was so moved that old tears flowed. The Family Elders treated her as an honored guest, their words full of pride and flattery.
Murong Xue still didn't say much, but she left some of the resources she brought back for the Family and gave simple pointers on cultivation to several promising younger cousins.
Looking at her steady, profound aura, everyone in the Murong Family understood.
Murong Xue's future was already beyond what this second-rate Family could reach; she belonged to a much wider world.
The most grand homecoming was undoubtedly that of the Ninth Princess of the Great Yan Dynasty, Xiao Ya.
The imperial palace was decorated with lanterns and streamers, and the Xiao Minghai Xiao Minghai personally came out of seclusion.
Looking at his granddaughter, who was once quirky but now had a bit more calm in her temperament, Xiao Minghai laughed heartily and repeatedly praised her.
Xiao Ya did not talk about the bloody slaughters in the Secret Realm, only showing some of her novel ideas regarding Formations.
But even this was enough to make another Spirit Transformation Cultivator enshrined by the imperial Family marvel in admiration.
The Great Yan Emperor, Xiao Yunsheng, looking at her composed and calm manner, was filled with emotion.
He knew well that his daughter had a promising future, and that for the Great Yan Dynasty to become a subsidiary of the Jade Pool Immortal Palace was already a supreme blessing.
Just as the Disciples were immersed in the warmth of Family, the entire Southern Region was surging with undercurrents because of a certain title, which was intensifying.
"Yaochi Empress"!
This title, which initially circulated privately on the Heavenly Dome Plain, was like a prairie fire, sweeping through the entire Southern Region in a very short time.
The first to become restless were the tea houses and wine shops where news was most accessible and Cultivators most frequently traveled.
"Have you heard? On the Heavenly Dome Plain, that Palace Master of the Jade Pool Immortal Palace shattered the Rules Secret Realm with a single palm strike!"
"That's not all! That Venerable Tian Qiong was an Immortal Ascension powerhouse from sixty thousand years ago. His remnant soul awakened with terrifying might, but he was suppressed on the spot by her!"
"Tsk tsk, your news is outdated. It's being spread all over the Southern Region now that everyone should honor that Senior as the 'Yaochi Empress'!"
"Yaochi Empress? Oh! This... this title has real weight!"
"Our Southern Region is finally going to produce an Empress of our own!"
"Exactly! Our Southern Region has been suppressed for so many years. Now we can finally hold our heads high!"
"Hey, do you think the Three Great Sacred Lands... will recognize this title?"
"Need you even ask? The strength that Senior displayed that day... I'd say they have to recognize it whether they want to or not!"
Similar discussions spread like wildfire from the vicinity of the Heavenly Dome Plain to other parts of the Southern Region.
At first, it might have just been private talk among Cultivators filled with shock and pride.
But soon, some astute forces sensed something unusual in the air.
The first to take action were some families and Sects that were in delicate positions in the Southern Region, having always been suppressed by the Three Great Sacred Lands.
"Old Ancestor, the name of the 'Yaochi Empress' has now spread throughout the Southern Region, and the Jade Pool Immortal Palace has not made any response."
"Even the Three Great Sacred Lands haven't stepped forward to stop it. This attitude of theirs... is quite thought-provoking."
In the secret hall of the Su Family, an ancient Family, the current Clan Chief was reporting to an old man who was cultivating with his eyes closed.
The old man slowly opened his eyes, a sharp light flashing within them.
"The structure of the Southern Region has been stagnant for too long. The Three Great Sacred Lands are like three insurmountable mountains."
"Now, a fourth mountain has appeared, and it is higher than the first three."
"Then your meaning is..."
"Adding flowers to a bouquet is not as good as providing charcoal in the snow. Send down the order: open the Family treasury and select generous gifts."
"Send them to the Jade Pool Immortal Palace in the name of congratulating the Yaochi Empress. The posture must be respectful, and the words must be sincere."
"Yes!"
Similar scenes were playing out in multiple first-rate forces.
They might not have been sincere in their support, but they clearly saw which way the wind was blowing.
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