Is It Him?

“But Palace Master, aren’t you a Stone Maiden Spirit Body? If you can’t… consummate with the Heavenly Master, how can you make him your cauldron?” Yi Chengying asked cautiously, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ye Qishuang didn’t take offense. She nodded lightly. “You’re absolutely right. I can’t make him my cauldron as easily as the other disciples can with their men. But I can set up a Blood Oath Formation, trap him, and forcibly establish a bloodline connection with my master!”

—

“No! That’s too dangerous!” Yi Chengying exclaimed, panicked. “Using a forbidden Blood Oath Formation will severely harm your vitality and cause your cultivation to plummet!”

Ye Qishuang’s lips curled into a fearless smile, her captivating eyes burning with determination. “So what? So what if it does? My master’s cultivation is unparalleled. Even if it’s just one of his avatars, his realm will still be extraordinary. Once we establish a bloodline connection, our dual cultivation will naturally balance the yin and yang, replenishing my vitality. This time, I will make him stay by my side. I’ll make him miss me so much he can’t bear to be apart from me for even a day!”

—

Meanwhile.

“Silence! No talking!” Gu Caihe commanded, her hands clasped behind her back. Her soft, sweet voice carried a stern edge as she scanned the male disciples. “This is the Mystic Maiden Palace, not the small sects you came from. Here, you are no longer chief disciples or young masters. You are forbidden from acting as you did before. No one is allowed to cause trouble in the Mystic Maiden Palace. Remember my words—they may sound harsh, but they are golden advice, born from my care for you.”

—

Qin Gou stood idly among the crowd, barely paying attention. He knew Gu Caihe was secretly plotting to keep him here as a cauldron. But his own ambitions were far greater—he intended to devour the entire Mystic Maiden Palace.

Earlier, he had run into Wu Qi. The girl, who had once been all smiles and flirtation, now glared at him coldly. It was no mystery why—her memories told her they had spent an intimate night together, yet she hadn’t drained even a drop of his energy. For someone skilled in dual cultivation, being “used” without gaining anything in return was infuriating enough to make her cry.

—

“Tonight Palace Master has expressed interest in meeting you all today,” Gu Caihe announced. “She’s already on her way.”

—

Qin Gou’s head shot up. He hadn’t expected to meet Ye Qishuang so soon after arriving at the Mystic Maiden Palace. How was she doing? Was she still as beautiful as before? Had she gained weight or lost it? Did she still hate eating vegetables? Did she still need a warm glass of milk to fall asleep at night? Did she still knit him a scarf every year, even though someone at the Avatar Realm like him had no use for it?

He didn’t know. All he knew was that his heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might leap out of his chest. He was desperate to see her again—the little girl who had grown up in his arms.

—

“Remember,” Gu Caihe warned, her expression grave. “Do not offend the Palace Master. Death will be the kindest outcome for anyone who does. And lower your heads now! The Palace Master despises being stared at.”

Reluctantly, the male disciples bowed their heads. Qin Gou, not wanting to stand out, followed suit.

—

Half a cup of tea later.

Like a breeze, the beauty arrived.

“Palace Master,” Gu Caihe greeted her with genuine reverence.

Ye Qishuang nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over the bowed heads of the male disciples. Her first words were: “Why are your heads down? Look at me!”

—

“Huh?” Gu Caihe’s jaw dropped in confusion. What’s going on with the Palace Master today?

—

Qin Gou lifted his head, his eyes soft as they met Ye Qishuang’s.

Around him, the other male disciples gasped at her ethereal beauty. Some even pinched their thighs to keep themselves grounded, terrified of losing control and doing something foolish.

But to Qin Gou, she was still the same.

The girl who, with a pure and genuine smile, had once blushed in the snow as she brought him hot tea, her red sleeves fluttering in the wind.

Time seemed to have stopped for her. The innocence in her eyes had been replaced with the depth of a fine wine—mellow, rich, and full of untold stories.

—

Ye Qishuang didn’t linger. She didn’t say another word to the male disciples before stepping away, her jade-like feet treading lightly as she left.

—

“The timing matches perfectly. Master must be among those male disciples,” Ye Qishuang said as she walked, addressing Yi Chengying. “But I can’t see through his disguise. As expected of him.”

“Where’s Little Hammer? Bring her to me immediately. Her ocular spiritual tool is likely the only thing in the Mystic Maiden Palace that can reveal Master’s true identity.”

Yi Chengying hesitated. “Palace Master, you sent Sister Cuiyan to the Daliang Dynasty to win over the Empress a few days ago.”

“Then contact her and have her return,” Ye Qishuang ordered, her brows furrowed. She extended her hand. “Give me the roster of the male disciples.”

“Yes.” Yi Chengying handed over the roster she had received from Gu Caihe.

—

“No… not this one. Definitely not this one…”

“Damn it.”

Ye Qishuang’s powerful spiritual sense allowed her to skim through the roster in seconds. Handing it back to Yi Chengying, she said, “These are all damn demon sect disciples. Master has always been as pure as an orchid in a secluded valley, noble and virtuous. He would never stoop to join a demonic sect!”

—

Yi Chengying, holding back laughter, glanced at the roster. She wanted to say, Our Mystic Maiden Palace is one of the biggest demon sects. What good disciples could we possibly attract?

Suddenly, her eyes lit up as she pointed to a name. “Palace Master, look at this one. He’s the only one here who isn’t a true demonic sect disciple. He entered as an attendant for another. I think this person is most likely the Heavenly Master. He must have taken control of that Seed Demon Holy Sect disciple to infiltrate the Palace.”

—

Ye Qishuang snatched the roster and examined it closely. Her bright eyes sparkled as she murmured, half-doubtful, “Could it really be him? Chen Keshua?!”

—