"We've arrived at the Lei Yan Star Domain," Zhang Fan said, waving his hand to bring everyone out of the Wuji Tower. He looked at the vast star domain in the distance, and Liu Mu's eyes were filled with complex emotions.
For some reason, after breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, she had asked her elders to send her to the distant Wu Shan Star Domain. Now, returning, she had reached the Soul Transformation stage. She wondered if people had forgotten about that incident.
"Actually, there's something I've kept from all of you for so long, and I apologize," Liu Mu suddenly said, looking at everyone.
"What is it?" the Blood Demon Flood Dragon asked curiously.
Zhang Fan smiled knowingly at Liu Mu. He had long suspected her secret, but since Liu Mu hadn't spoken, he naturally wouldn't expose it.
"I come from an Immortal King family in the Lei Yan Star Domain. My name isn't actually Liu Mu," Liu Mu said. As she spoke, her gaze shifted to Zhang Fan. After a pause, she continued, "My real name is Liu Muxian."
"Liu Muxian?" The name stunned everyone. What man would have such a name?
"Doesn't that name sound like a woman's?" the Blood Demon Flood Dragon muttered. But halfway through his sentence, his eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Liu Mu.
The others were also filled with surprise. The previously elegant and handsome Liu Mu transformed before their eyes into a peerless beauty. Even though she was still dressed in men's clothing, her graceful figure was evident, and a faint smile played on her exquisite face as she looked at them.
"The Formless Divine Body is indeed extraordinary. Even I didn't realize that my companion of many years, Brother Liu Mu, was actually a peerlessly beautiful woman," Zhang Fan teased, breaking the silence.
"As expected, with your knowledge, you probably discovered it long ago, didn't you?" Liu Muxian asked, glaring at Zhang Fan with her starry eyes.
Zhang Fan shook his head. While the Formless Divine Body was indeed mysterious and could change form at will, Liu Mu hadn't cultivated it to perfection. If Zhang Fan had used the 'Candle Dragon's Eye' divine ability, he could have seen her true appearance, but he hadn't.
"Wow, Sister, you're so beautiful!" Zhang Lueying exclaimed, looking at Liu Muxian with wide, amazed eyes. She hadn't expected her gentle brother to now be a sister; it was truly remarkable.
Zhang Lueying's words made Liu Muxian laugh. Although Zhang Lueying looked grown up, after decades of acquaintance, Liu Muxian still saw her as a little girl. She reached out her jade hand and pinched Zhang Lueying's tender cheek, smiling, "Lueying is also beautiful, and has such a powerful brother. That's what makes me envious, Sister."
"Everyone, since we're already at my doorstep, why don't we all go explore the Lei Yan Star Domain for a while and stay with me?" Liu Muxian invited them.
The others remained silent, turning their gazes to Zhang Fan.
"Alright, since we're here, let's go see fellow Daoist Muxian's hometown and see what kind of star could nurture such a beautiful woman," Zhang Fan said.
"Brother Zhang Fan, we've adventured together, experienced life and death, and are considered friends through hardship. Are you now distancing yourself from me just because I'm a woman?" Liu Muxian asked, looking at Zhang Fan.
"How could I?"
"From now on, please call me Muxian," Liu Muxian said, then turned and flew towards the Lei Yan Star Domain.
The others had mixed expressions. Zhang Xing'an even ran up to Zhang Fan and said, "Son, this fairy seems interested in you?"
...
The main star of the Lei Yan Star Domain was also a colossal celestial body, and Liu Muxian's family estate was located on it. As an Immortal King family, the Liu family occupied a vast territory there.
Liu Muxian led Zhang Fan and his group across the void and descended onto the main star. Looking at the familiar star, a complex expression appeared in Liu Muxian's bright eyes.
The moment Liu Muxian entered the Liu family's territory, a middle-aged man who was cultivating in seclusion within the family estate suddenly opened his eyes: "Xian'er has returned?"
"Fairy Liu, you were born into an Immortal King family and reside on the main star of a high-level star domain. The cultivation environment here is so good, and the cultivation resources are probably inexhaustible. Why did you have to go to a remote place like Wu Shan Star Domain?" the Blood Demon Flood Dragon couldn't understand.
Liu Muxian fell silent at this. Seeing this, Zhang Fan smacked the Blood Demon Flood Dragon on the head, "You talk too much."
The Blood Demon Flood Dragon cried out in pain but dared not ask further. He still couldn't understand and shook his head, "Women's thoughts are truly incomprehensible."
The group flew through the void, and as the family estate grew closer, Liu Muxian's mood became increasingly complicated. She remained silent the entire way.
"There's spatial fluctuation!" Zhang Fan suddenly said, staring at the void ahead.
This main star of the Lei Yan Star Domain was immensely vast, and its space was extremely stable, further reinforced by array formations. To perform spatial teleportation here, one would need at least a cultivator at the Void Returning stage.
As soon as Zhang Fan's words fell, ripples appeared in the space ahead, and a burly middle-aged man emerged from the void. His tiger-like eyes fixed on Liu Muxian: "Xian'er, you've been away from home for decades, and you're finally willing to return?"
"Father, I just miss Mother, so I've come back to see her. After visiting Mother, I'll leave and go to the Central Star Domain with my companions," Liu Muxian said, looking at the burly middle-aged man.
The burly man shook his head and said, "Since you've returned to the main star, the Pang family has likely found out. There are some things that even I cannot control."
Liu Muxian fell silent. Seeing this, the middle-aged man sighed, "Let's go back to the family. Your mother misses you dearly."
Then, he turned his gaze to Zhang Fan and the group. "My name is Liu Chu, and I am Xian'er's father. I presume you are all friends my daughter made while adventuring? Since you've come this far, please accompany us to the Liu family estate."
Zhang Fan nodded. Seeing Liu Muxian's demeanor, it seemed her departure from the Lei Yan Star Domain wasn't entirely her own choice for travel; there were likely more stories behind it.
Liu Xiang City was built around the Liu family estate. After hundreds of thousands of years of continuous expansion and reinforcement, it had become a true holy city. Once its city-protecting grand array was activated, even experts at the Myriad Realm would find it difficult to breach.
Within the vast city, it was as expansive as a small world, with mountains rising and rivers winding. Towering pavilions were scattered like stars, exuding an imposing aura.
The gate of the Liu Mansion was like a heavenly pavilion. Before the gate, two colossal stone statues of exotic beasts guarded each side, emanating power at the Void Returning stage. Led by Liu Chu, Zhang Fan and his group entered the Liu Mansion. A beautiful woman, somewhat resembling Liu Mu, had already been waiting in the mansion. Upon seeing Liu Muxian, her entire body trembled.
"Mother!" Liu Muxian rushed into the beautiful woman's embrace like a child, her bright eyes already moist. After decades of close proximity with Liu Muxian, everyone was seeing her like this for the first time.
...