It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Dragon Head Forest.

This vast expanse of ancient trees lay west of Tianxuan City. When viewed from above, the forest resembled a dragon’s head, its maw agape, ready to devour the unwary. Within its depths, countless monstrous beasts roamed, making it a perilous place for ordinary mortals.

Despite the dangers, cultivators often ventured into the forest, seeking rare ingredients and honing their skills against the formidable beasts. Many, however, never returned.

Ye Yu, dressed in dark robes, stood at the forest’s entrance, his gaze fixed on the approaching carriage.

He recognized the Mu family crest emblazoned on its side.

They’re finally here.

He took a deep breath, his eyes burning with anticipation and a thirst for revenge.

He had waited for this day, enduring sleepless nights, dedicating every waking moment to cultivation, all to close the gap between him and Mu Zhi’an.

He would avenge his humiliation!

He looked up as the carriage drew closer.

A handsome young man stepped out.

His dark hair and slender frame gave him a gentle, almost delicate appearance.

However, it was all a facade.

Mu Zhi’an was nothing more than a wastrel, obsessed with women.

No matter how well he disguised himself, the truth remained.

Stay calm, defeat him, and crush him.

Just as Ye Yu was about to speak, he saw Mu Zhi’an walk around the carriage and extend his hand.

A slender, pale hand emerged from within, resting gently in his. Then, a beautiful woman stepped out, her white boots peeking out from beneath her knee-length skirt, revealing long, slender legs.

Her profile was exquisite, her features delicate and flawless, framed by strands of hair that caressed her cheeks. Her captivating peach blossom eyes were legendary in Tianxuan City, capable of bewitching even the most jaded hearts.

She was Bai Ruoxi, the woman who had once haunted the dreams of countless young men.

She glanced at Ye Yu, her expression indifferent, then turned away.

Her dismissive attitude stung him deeply. She had never shown him any kindness, but she had treated Mu Zhi’an with the same coldness in the past. Now, she seemed completely devoted to him, allowing him to hold her hand as if they were lovers.

Ye Yu clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. He struggled to contain his rage.

“Mu Zhi’an!” he roared, his voice trembling with fury.

He’s agitated… Mu Zhi’an noted, but he didn’t react.

He instructed Bai Ruoxi to wait by the carriage, then walked towards Ye Yu, his eyes studying the young man’s tense expression.

The truth was, Mu Zhi’an had been waiting for this day as well.

Once he dealt with the “protagonist,” the accursed word “Supporting Character” in his status window would finally disappear.

However, unlike Ye Yu, he wasn’t consumed by impatience.

He had accepted his fate. If the “protagonist’s” talent and destiny were truly insurmountable, he would simply lie down and accept defeat.

He would enjoy life, indulge in every pleasure, and make the most of his time in this world.

But if he won, that would be even better.

If he defeated Ye Yu and shed the label of “Supporting Character,” he would become the new “protagonist.”

He would utilize the Mu family’s vast resources to reach the peak of cultivation, then join the Two Polarities Sect. Perhaps he might even achieve immortality, becoming a legend in his own right.

Of course, first he had to deal with the “protagonist” standing before him.

“You’re early,” Mu Zhi’an said with a smile.

Ye Yu glared at him, his expression cold and unyielding.

Mu Zhi’an, amused by his seriousness, continued, “Ruoxi and I were chatting last night. Time flew by.”

Ye Yu’s face darkened. “A shallow woman and a spoiled brat, what do I care about their idle chatter?”

Mu Zhi’an chuckled. “She simply doesn’t like you, Young Master Ye. Why call her shallow?”

“Do you expect every woman to fawn over you?”

“Enough with the pretense, Mu Zhi’an! You know exactly why she chose you!” Ye Yu snapped.

Mu Zhi’an shook his head, his smile widening. “You claim she humiliated you by breaking off the engagement, but it was arranged by your elders. She had no choice in the matter. And now, after she rejects your advances, you accuse her of being shallow?”

He continued, “And have you forgotten how she treated me in the past, Young Master Ye?”

The Chosen One, blessed with great destiny, seemed oblivious to his own flaws. In his mind, breaking off the engagement was an unforgivable offense. Bai Ruoxi should have dutifully accepted her fate as his wife.

And she shouldn’t have treated him with such coldness.

Ultimately, Ye Yu viewed Bai Ruoxi as his possession, something that rightfully belonged to him. He believed the world revolved around him.

He never stopped to consider why she might reject him.

“Young Master Ye, if you defeat me today, who do you think Ruoxi will choose?” Mu Zhi’an asked, his words a sharp jab at Ye Yu’s already wounded pride.

Ye Yu snapped. He lunged forward, his speed comparable to a second-level Foundation Establishment cultivator.

If Mu Zhi’an hadn’t absorbed the energy from tens of thousands of Spirit Stones last night, he would have struggled to react.

He pushed out with his palm, sending a wave of energy towards Ye Yu.

“Third level of Foundation Establishment?!”

Ye Yu’s eyes widened in surprise, but his pace didn’t falter. He pushed his speed to the limit, summoning his heavy sword with a flick of his wrist.

*Clang!*

The sword flew towards Mu Zhi’an, who barely managed to block the attack with his own weapon.

A shockwave rippled outward as their blades clashed.

Mu Zhi’an’s advantage in cultivation was evident. He channeled his spiritual energy, transforming it into a barrage of blades that hurtled towards Ye Yu.

Ye Yu’s expression changed. He activated the Heavenly Dao Aura within him, a faint barrier appearing around his body. The energy blades dissipated harmlessly upon contact.

Mu Zhi’an pressed his attack, refusing to give Ye Yu a chance to recover.

But Ye Yu was incredibly fast. He dodged each strike with uncanny agility, moving like a phantom.

Despite his superior cultivation, Mu Zhi’an was starting to tire. His relentless attacks were draining his energy.

Ye Yu was also pale, sweat beading on his forehead. He panted heavily, staring at Mu Zhi’an. “So this is the power of a Foundation Establishment cultivator… Disappointing.”

He shook his head, a smirk twisting his lips. “You’re just weak, Mu Zhi’an. Years of indulgence have taken their toll. A true Foundation Establishment cultivator wouldn’t be so easily exhausted.”

His condescending tone and mocking smile would have enraged any other man.

However, Mu Zhi’an merely chuckled. “You’re right. My past indulgences have hindered my performance.”

“And spending the entire night with Ruoxi… well, it took a lot out of me.”

Ye Yu’s eyes widened, his composure shattering.

The spiritual energy that had nearly been depleted surged back into his body. Mu Zhi’an watched in astonishment as he swallowed a pill.

Ye Yu raised his head, his face regaining some of its color.

“You forgot, Young Master Mu… I’m also an alchemist!”

In addition to cultivating, he had also been preparing various pills and medicines, specifically for this duel.

He lunged at Mu Zhi’an, his sword flashing through the air, a murderous intent burning in his eyes.

Against an enemy, showing mercy was a recipe for disaster.

He would kill Mu Zhi’an!

Bai Ruoxi, witnessing his murderous intent, clenched her fists, her gaze fixed on Mu Zhi’an.

Spiritual energy surged through her body, her white skirt billowing in the wind.

Mu Zhi’an was exhausted. If she didn’t intervene, he might die.

But then, she noticed something strange.

Mu Zhi’an’s depleted spiritual energy was also recovering, and at a much faster rate than Ye Yu’s.

He deflected Ye Yu’s attack, sending both swords clattering to the ground. He then punched Ye Yu in the stomach, sending him flying backwards.

Ye Yu crashed into a tree, coughing up blood. He looked up at Mu Zhi’an, disbelief etched on his face, just as Mu Zhi’an opened his mouth.

He was holding a Revitalizing Pill.

“When did you get the idea that you were the only one with recovery pills, Young Master Ye?” Mu Zhi’an asked, his voice calm and steady.

A Revitalizing Pill?!

Ye Yu stared at him, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

As an alchemist, he knew the value of such a pill. The Mu family shouldn’t have been able to acquire the King Beast Vine… but that was clearly a Revitalizing Pill!

Bai Ruoxi rushed to Mu Zhi’an’s side, her voice filled with concern. “Are you alright?”

He shook his head. “Just a little lucky. I’m fine.”

He glanced at Bai Ruoxi, his gaze lingering on her beautiful face.

A thought struck him.

If he hadn’t stopped Ye Yu from buying that bronze shard at the auction… would Ye Yu be wielding that powerful sword now?

Based on his deductions, the sword was most likely an heirloom of the Bai family.

However, Ye Yu was the Chosen One. And judging by his eagerness to acquire the shard, he might have been able to activate its power as well.

If that were the case, Ye Yu would be standing here, not him.

Even with only one shard, the sword possessed the power of a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator. With both shards combined, its destructive force rivaled that of a Core Formation expert.

Wasn’t that a classic “protagonist” power-up?

Thank goodness I’m a whale… No matter how lucky Ye Yu might be, as long as I have money, I can outbid him every time…

Mu Zhi’an watched as Ye Yu struggled to his feet, swallowing several pills.

Bai Ruoxi frowned. “Enough, Ye Yu. There’s no need for this. You’re not mortal enemies. The duel is over.”

“Over?”

A cold smile spread across Ye Yu’s face. His eyes gleamed with a strange light.

During his clash with Mu Zhi’an, the old man residing within him had awakened. If he unleashed the old man’s power, even Mu Zhi’an and Bai Ruoxi combined wouldn’t stand a chance.

Despite his injuries, the old man was still a Core Formation expert!

“I’m counting on you, Master,” Ye Yu whispered inwardly.

The old man’s voice echoed in his mind, a hint of amusement in his tone. “If I intervene, I can’t guarantee the boy’s safety. Are you sure about this?”

Ye Yu nodded, his expression resolute.

In that instant, an overwhelming surge of spiritual energy erupted from his body, its pressure so intense that the beasts in the forest howled in terror, and birds scattered in panic.

Bai Ruoxi frowned. “Be careful, Mu Zhi’an. Something’s wrong.”

He chuckled. “Of course something’s wrong. It’d be strange if there wasn’t.”

He was the Chosen One, after all. What kind of “protagonist” didn’t have a cheat or a hidden power?

However, when the supporting character had a brain, things wouldn’t always go according to the script.

Mu Zhi’an looked at Ye Yu, his smile widening. “Someone else is in control now, I see.”

Ye Yu spoke, his voice devoid of emotion. “Consider this another one of my tricks, Young Master Mu. Don’t blame me.”

As long as he defeated Mu Zhi’an, any method was justified.

Mu Zhi’an nodded, feigning agreement. “You’re right. The result is all that matters. Victory is everything.”

“Whether you cheat or not, it’s irrelevant.”

As Ye Yu approached, his expression cold and menacing, Mu Zhi’an’s tone shifted, a hint of amusement in his voice. “But have you… considered one thing, Young Master Ye?”

Ye Yu paused, his brow furrowing. A sense of unease crept into his heart.

He glared at Mu Zhi’an, his killing intent intensifying. He lunged forward, reaching for him with his hand.

Mu Zhi’an stood his ground, his expression calm. “Why do you assume that your enemies will always be at the same level as you?”

“The times have changed, Young Master Ye.”

Just as he finished speaking, a wave of oppressive energy descended from the sky. Ye Yu looked up, his eyes widening in horror as a figure in a wide-brimmed hat landed before him, a chain flying through the air.

Before he could react, the chain wrapped around him, binding him tightly.

A dark light enveloped him, forming a cocoon.

Then, a sphere of milky white light emerged from the cocoon.

The Heavenly Dao Aura!

“My Heavenly Dao Aura… Who are you?! Who are you?!” Ye Yu’s voice echoed from within the cocoon, filled with terror and disbelief. He couldn’t comprehend what was happening. The aura had chosen him, yet it was leaving his body…

“Your Heavenly Dao Aura?”

The black-robed man chuckled coldly. “A slightly above-average destiny, and you think you’re worthy of the Heavenly Dao Aura?”

“The aura chooses the one with the greatest destiny. Your destiny might be impressive in Tianxuan City, but that’s all it is.”

He reached out, his pale hand grasping for the sphere of light.

“I am the one who deserves the Heavenly Dao Aura.”

His voice was calm, as if stating a simple fact.

The aura pulsed with a faint light as he touched it, as if resisting his grasp.

However, the black-robed man was prepared. He retrieved a jade bottle and absorbed the aura within.

It all happened in the blink of an eye. Bai Ruoxi stared at the scene before her, speechless with shock.

The black-robed man turned to Mu Zhi’an, a cruel smile twisting his lips. “Thank you for your cooperation, Young Master Mu.”

Despite his pallor, Mu Zhi’an smiled pleasantly. “This was the agreed-upon payment. There’s no need for thanks.”

The black-robed man nodded. “You are indeed a man of your word, Young Master Mu.”

He paused, his smile turning predatory. “Therefore, I’ve decided to give you a little gift.”

“Oh?”

Mu Zhi’an feigned surprise. “A gift? What kind of gift?”

“Let’s just say rumors will spread that Mu Zhi’an lured Ye Yu to the Dragon Head Forest for a duel, then murdered him in cold blood for Bai Ruoxi. And after taking advantage of the Bai family’s young mistress, he was tragically killed by a horde of beasts.”

The black-robed man’s voice was a chilling whisper.

“…You’re going to frame me?!” Mu Zhi’an gasped, feigning fear and outrage.

The black-robed man chuckled, about to speak, when Mu Zhi’an interrupted him.

“How about I give you a gift as well?”