"The Eternal Azure Lotus Reincarnation is indeed terrifying enough."

"Grandfather, do you think I still have a chance—"

Ye Qingcheng sighed helplessly, her beautiful face etched with worry.

She looked up with her starry eyes toward Great Saint Taibai, only to notice something unusual about him.

Her grandfather, usually so wise and brilliant in strategy, now had a hint of gloom on his face.

Such a sight was exceedingly rare; growing up, Ye Qingcheng could not recall ever seeing her grandfather frown.

For a moment, Ye Qingcheng felt dazed.

Inexplicably, she thought of her father, Yao Guang Great Saint, who served at the Star Observation Platform in the Heavenly Palace.

"HUFF."

Great Saint Taibai let out a breath of turbid air, his eyes flashing with determination.

He looked at Ye Qingcheng with a profound gaze and said, "Qingcheng, I have a secret art that will surely help you defeat Ye Gufan. However, it will require you to endure some discomfort."

Ye Qingcheng fell silent for a moment, her fingers tightly clasped. After preparing herself mentally, she said, "Grandfather, please just tell me."

Having made his decision, Great Saint Taibai no longer beat around the bush, his expression calm as he spoke, "The status of husband and wife, in line with humanity and the Heavenly Tao, aligns with the Yin and Yang Avenue... At the moment of Yin and Yang union, that’s when your connection with him will be at its strongest..."

Hearing Great Saint Taibai’s words, the usually astute Ye Qingcheng instantly grasped his meaning.

Her beautiful face flushed with a touch of red.

What young girl hasn’t experienced romantic notions? she thought. She had also prepared herself to be a wife, but she truly hadn’t expected it to be like this.

This is just too preposterous!

Suddenly, Ye Qingcheng remembered Hong Yuan’s arrogant demeanor when he faced her.

For some reason, she felt an inexplicable surge of jealousy.

She gritted her teeth and declared, "A man who isn’t ruthless can’t achieve greatness, and a true noble isn’t petty. Compared to the Great Taoism, such a sacrifice is nothing!"

At her side, Great Saint Taibai nodded slightly and said, "The Eternal Azure Lotus Reincarnation is indeed worth such scheming on your part. But if you truly want to accomplish this ’snake swallowing an elephant’ feat, then you had best raise your realm to that of a Saint. Achieve sainthood first, then use the disparity in your realms to pressure Ye Gufan. Only then will things be perfect. After the Hundred Arts Festival, you should prepare to take that step toward Saint Achievement Immortal Transcending."

Before long, Ye Qingcheng excused herself.

Returning to her own temporary palace, Ye Qingcheng looked up at the moon, her gaze melancholic.

Am I really going to hand over my innocence just like that?

Ye Qingcheng’s long eyelashes trembled. Her star-like eyes flickered, brimming with a divine, intelligent light. As she pondered, her delicate eyebrows arched, resembling a crescent moon.

She was like a Snow White Phoenix that had inadvertently descended to the mortal world, pure and cool, possessing an inviolable aura.

Her eyes were like tranquil pools, her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her snow-white dress flowed around her. She was as ethereal and vibrant as a celestial maiden, her very brows seeming to weave poetry, untouched by the mundane concerns of the mortal world.

Yet now, she was troubled. Her own vile scheming seemed to drag her down from her pedestal, making her feel sullied and all too mortal.

「A quarter of an hour later.」

Ye Qingcheng let out a light sigh, her jade-like fingers clenched tightly inside her snowy sleeves, her gaze gradually becoming resolute. "A phoenix doesn’t land where there are no treasures," she murmured, her voice firming. "Since my mind is set, I shall forge ahead, regardless of what it takes!"

「Ten days later.」

The fourth stage of the Hundred Arts Festival began.

In Ye Xiner’s lingering, wistful gaze, Hong Yuan held his sword, turned, and strode away decisively.

Now, he and Ye Xiner had moved from the outer city into the inner city.

And because he had obtained the Holy Artifact, the Sword of Qingping, the treatment he received within the Ye Clan subtly surpassed even that of some Saints. It was truly like ascending to heaven in a single step!

As a result, Hong Yuan’s journey to the Starry Pavilion was much shorter.

Inside the Starry Pavilion.

At this moment, Ye Qingcheng was craning her neck, eagerly anticipating Hong Yuan’s arrival.

Many furtive glances were cast about the pavilion, all trying to catch a glimpse of Ye Qingcheng without being obvious.

The owners of these glances were not only male but also female.

Because Ye Qingcheng, who had meticulously dressed up today, was simply so stunningly beautiful it was beyond description, adding an extra touch of allure to her already peerless elegance!

Suddenly, Ye Qingcheng moved. She walked briskly to the outside of the pavilion, drawing all eyes with her.

When they saw her displaying an even warmer attitude toward Hong Yuan than before, they were astounded.

It was as if the sound of multiple hearts breaking could be heard in the crowd.

"A woman beautifies herself for the man she cherishes. Fairy Qincheng, could it be that she has taken a fancy to Ye Gufan!?"

Yet what astonished them more was that, faced with such an attitude and stunning appearance from Ye Qingcheng, Hong Yuan remained as aloof as ever, a cold figure!

"Let’s go. It’s better to confirm your advancement to the final stage first. I have some matters to attend to," Hong Yuan said emotionlessly.

Hong Yuan remained completely unfazed by Ye Qingcheng’s change in attitude.

In his eyes, Ye Qingcheng was already as good as dead. If she refrained from becoming a Saint, things might be manageable. But once she achieved sainthood, the terrifying combat power of the Great Emperor Mark during her tribulation would be absolutely insurmountable for her.

And yet, Hong Yuan’s calm demeanor also kindled a fighting spirit in Ye Qingcheng. Ye Xiner was enough to bewitch you, yet you think I’m less than some wild girl? Heh, she inwardly sneered.

She couldn’t believe it! Could she, a great beauty like a Snow White Phoenix, truly not conquer a peer?

Along the way, Ye Qingcheng’s behavior was a complete change from the past; she was utterly compliant with Hong Yuan’s commands and did nothing underhanded.

They passed this fourth stage without any shocks or dangers.