Magic Sect of Beauties: The Strongest Mage is in a Cultivation World

Eternal Lands.

To the north, there was the Divine Continent. Deep within this continent was the Sacred-Emperor's Domain.

Cloudcrest's Palace stood proudly at the far end of the Sacred-Emperor's Domain.

This stunning palace was made from divine crystal and glowed with holy light. The hall was grand, but it was also very quiet. Huge statues of ancient gods lined the walls, always watching over the throne room.

"Hm?" said Emperor Cloudcrest who sat comfortably on his golden throne.

A wave of dark energy rippled through the air, announcing the arrival of Emperor Heavenmind.

The cultivator emerged almost like a shadow, moving with a grace that didn't match his fearsome reputation. His dark blue and black robes flowed around him as if they were alive, and his white mask stood out against the luxurious chamber.

Cloudcrest narrowed his eyes as he watched Heavenmind's relaxed but authoritative demeanor.

Heavenmind walked forward, stepping softly on the crystal floor.

Without uttering a word, he took a seat on a wooden chair nearly opposite Cloudcrest. His posture was relaxed yet authoritative.

"Cloudcrest, I hope you have been well…" Heavenmind asked in his tender voice.

The true celestial remained silent, then nodded and smiled.

"Heavenmind, your presence here is always… noteworthy. To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"

It truly was unexpected.

Heavenmind rarely showed interest in visiting Cloudcrest, so his presence now surely meant he wasn't here to share a pot of tea.

Leaning forward, Heavenmind steepled his fingers. "I have a proposition. One that concerns the balance of power within the Eternal Lands."

A hint of interest spread across Cloudcrest's face. "Oh? What is it?"

"As you know, we agreed to wait at least three months before we turned our attention to Mu Lingxi, mainly to let you recover your power."

"Yes?" There was a thoughtful look on Emperor Cloudcrest's face──he didn't like where this was going. Explore new worlds at empire

"But now, I've decided to head to the Lower Regions myself and confront Mu Lingxi. My plan is to bring her back here to the Eternal Lands, where she can stay with you and her mother. I feel as though our plans have been dragging because of all this unfortunate waiting we've had to endure."

Cloudcrest's face squeezed a little. "Hrmm…"

He didn't appreciate the idea of Heavenmind handling this himself. He wanted to enjoy the twisted pleasure of taking Mu Lingxi against her will and bringing her to his domain.

Another reason was that Cloudcrest now had Mu Suyin's clear permission, so there wouldn't be any consequences for taking Mu Lingxi. But what held him back was his own need to regain his full power.

Now that Heavenmind decided to capture Mu Lingxi himself, it seemed likely the cultivator would succeed. And despite the true celestial's reluctance, he knew he owed Heavenmind his life.

Still, he still intended to make an effort to try and change Heavenmind's proposition.

Cloudcrest's brows furrowed. "Do you truly believe you are the one to interact with a Catalyst like Lingxi? You, who are known for your ruthless methods and unpredictable nature?"

Heavenmind let out a chuckle, but it lacked any joy or mirth—it was just an empty, hollow sound. "You underestimate me, friend. I do what is necessary for the greater good. Besides, Mu Lingxi's path has already intersected with mine. It is fate."

This was a blatant lie, and Cloudcrest was well aware of it.

Fate? Or your manipulation of it?

Those were the true celestial's skeptical thoughts.

The man in black shrugged, a casual gesture that seemed out of place for someone who had just searched the mind of a true celestial. "Does it matter? The end result is the same. She will either rise under our control or fall by her own hubris."

Cloudcrest's face briefly showed great shock. The only reason he managed to conceal it was his fear of seeming incompetent in front of Heavenmind. It was the first time anyone had ever read the mind of a true celestial. The idea of such a feat was akin to finding a single grain of sand in an endless desert.

Prepared to leave, Emperor Heavenmind stood up from his chair. He gave Cloudcrest a slight nod and said, "The main reason I'm here isn't to ask for your permission. You don't really have a say in this anyway."

Cloudcrest's face tightened at these words, though he didn't fully show his anger at the disrespect.

Ignoring the tension, Heavenmind continued, "I just need you to assign a few of your protectors to me. I know I'll encounter Yang Wei, and I'm not keen on meeting my end so soon."

Cloudcrest had never encountered such audacity in all his countless years. Heavenmind not only disregarded him but now demanded his protectors as well. Despite the deliberate provocation, Cloudcrest chose not to dwell on it.

"Fine," was all the true celestial said.

The silence that followed was tense.

Heavenmind took advantage of the moment to descend the small stairs and begin his departure.

Eventually, Cloudcrest nodded, though he kept his expression guarded. He still had a few more things to say.

"Very well, Heavenmind. You may proceed with your plan. But remember, the Eternal Lands is not your personal playground. There are boundaries, even for one such as you."

A slow, almost predatory smile curved under Heavenmind's mask. "Of course, friend. I shall tread carefully."

With that, he kept walking, his figure appearing to fade into the shadows.

He disappeared.

Cloudcrest sat there with a calm expression, though inside he seethed with frustration. The audacity of a cultivator daring to impose authority and disrespect him was the height of disrespect. His hands clenched into fists, and he gritted his teeth.

"Bastard…" He let out a heavy breath.

Just then, a woman emerged into the throne room through a swirling heavenly portal. Her skin was as brown as coffee, and her eyes as blue as the ocean. She stood before Cloudcrest, her attire alluring in its own way, her expression akin to a vixen's or even a pantheress.

She was Fate-Destroying Celestial, Noble Fate.

"Fate, I'm glad to see you've recovered," Cloudcrest smiled warmly at her.

Noble Fate returned the smile and gently bowed her head in reverence. "I thank you for the care and support you offered me, my lord."

After she attempted to glimpse into Yang Wei's fate and dismantle it, her meeting with the Black Tortoise, Xuanwu, left her mentally shattered and nearly blinded her. Losing her sight would have meant she couldn't use her Fate-Destroying Eyes of Heaven anymore.

Thankfully, Cloudcrest's heavenly resources prevented that from happening.

Cloudcrest looked at Noble Fate with a softened gaze, showing both concern and curiosity in his eyes. "Fate, tell me, have you ever tried to peer into Emperor Heavenmind's fate?"

Noble Fate's expression turned thoughtful as she delicately traced patterns on her celestial robe with her fingers. "Yes, my lord. I have attempted it," she admitted softly. "But what I saw was... unsettling."

Cloudcrest leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Go on."

Noble Fate paused for a moment before speaking again.

"When I attempted to unravel the threads of his destiny, it was as though I entered a realm of endless darkness. There were no threads to grasp, no paths to follow. It was as if he exists beyond the bounds of fate itself."

Her voice carrying a touch of unease.

Cloudcrest's brows furrowed deeply at her words. "A fateless being..." he murmured, more to himself than to Noble Fate. "That explains much."

Noble Fate nodded gravely. "Indeed, my lord. It was a chilling experience. I sensed no danger to myself, unlike when I tried to see Yang Wei's fate, but the absence of fate surrounding Heavenmind was... ominous."

Cloudcrest leaned back in his throne, thinking deeply about the new information. The implications were huge ─ Heavenmind, a powerful cultivator, defying destiny's usual rules. It was a concept that unsettled even a true celestial like Cloudcrest.

"Heavenmind..." Cloudcrest mumbled. His voice carried respect, but at the same time caution. "He walks a path unlike any other in our existence."

Noble Fate shrugged casually. "I have to agree with you there. Where did you even find such a creeper?"

A serious expression settled on the celestial's face. "Believe it or not────he found me."

Fate stretched her arms and yawned tiredly. Turning to take her leave, she remarked, "Well, I'd advise you not to dwell on it too much, but knowing you, you probably will. I've been through a lot, so a moment of rest would be most welcome~" She chuckled softly.

Cloudcrest wanted to let her go, but memories flashed in his mind, prompting him to ask, "Tell me, Fate…"

She paused, turning to face her emperor. "Yes? Is there a problem?" Her expression hinted at reluctance. She already knew he had a request in mind that would disrupt her well-deserved rest.

Cloudcrest smiled gently. "Would you consider another encounter with Yang Wei? Perhaps with a few of my protectors by your side?"

The suggestion lingered.

Cloudcrest decided to sort out which of his protectors he could assign now.

He didn't intend to assign Heavenmind with his strongest protectors.

However, having someone as powerful as Noble Fate, his Fifth Protector, along with two others who were relatively weaker, would make a fair team to accompany Heavenmind in a battle against Yang Wei, if it came to that.

Noble Fate's expression changed to a playful look of thinking. "Ah~ Yang Wei…" she said quietly, with a gentle amusement in her voice. "He doesn't even know I exist. Let's keep it that way, okay?"

Cloudcrest chuckled softly, enjoying her cleverness even as they dealt with serious matters. "Alright, Fate. I hear you loud and clear," he agreed warmly.

Noble Fate eased back on her steps, a playful look briefly appearing in her eyes. "You know, my lord… sometimes keeping things quiet is the stronger move."

Cloudcrest nodded thoughtfully.

She was just trying to sound wise to avoid confrontation by any means.

Nevertheless, he overlooked that.

"You're right, Fate. Get some rest. I'll make sure you're not bothered."

"Thank you~"

The beautiful celestial walked away.