It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

“The surprise is Core Formation cultivators eradicating evil, slaying the black-robed man, and restoring peace to Tianxuan City!” Gongsun Xiong declared, his voice booming through the air like thunder.

“You attacked the Bai family head, sabotaged their business, and even impersonated Gongsun family members to loot their homes, keeping the spoils for yourself! Demon, what do you have to say for yourself?!”

The black-robed man chuckled, unfazed by the accusations. “Isn’t looting your family’s specialty? Trying to shift the blame now, are we?”

“The Gongsun family has never engaged in such despicable acts. Everything was orchestrated by you, the black-robed man.”

Gongsun Xiong stood in the air, his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze cold and unwavering as he looked down at the demon.

Beside him, a Gongsun family retainer echoed his sentiment with a similarly icy expression.

The elderly retainer from the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce, Old Tian, spoke in a measured tone. “Since the Chamber of Commerce has hired me, I suppose I should contribute at least a little.”

Ye Yu, trapped within the cocoon, finally understood what was happening. He roared in fury and humiliation.

“Mu Zhi’an, you tricked me!”

Mu Zhi’an had never considered him a true opponent. Their duel had been nothing more than a trivial appetizer before the main course.

From the very beginning, Mu Zhi’an hadn’t taken him seriously.

He hadn’t even cared about winning or losing.

He was a pragmatist, his sole focus on achieving his goals. And his goal had always been the black-robed man.

*Boom!*

The three Core Formation experts descended like lightning, their attacks converging on the black-robed man. Wei Mengrou, a blur of motion, joined the fray.

Gongsun Xiong unleashed a wave of invisible heat, enveloping the demon, slowing his movements.

However, the black-robed man was experienced in group battles. He targeted Gongsun Xiong, launching himself into the air, a black chain shooting from his sleeve.

The chain wrapped around Gongsun Xiong, draining his spiritual energy!

Gongsun Xiong struggled against the chain, roaring, “If you don’t help now, we’ll all die here!”

Old Tian, seizing the opportunity, struck the black-robed man with a powerful blow, sending him crashing to the ground.

The chain binding Gongsun Xiong loosened its grip.

Gongsun Xiong glared at the demon, his eyes filled with rage. He unleashed another wave of heat, scorching the earth.

The black-robed man, pinned beneath the intense heat, cried out in pain, his grip loosening. The jade bottle containing the Heavenly Dao Aura slipped from his grasp, flying into the nearby undergrowth.

Wei Mengrou channeled her spiritual energy, her sword humming as it shot towards the black-robed man’s chest, aiming for a fatal blow.

But the other demon, locked in combat with Elder Ren, unleashed a powerful blast of energy, deflecting her attack at the last moment. The sword plunged into the ground.

Gongsun Xiong, panting heavily, swallowed a pill to replenish his spiritual energy, his gaze fixed on the black-robed man.

That chain could drain spiritual energy. It was a troublesome ability.

And he hadn’t lost much energy, yet he felt utterly drained.

Could it be those nights with Bai Yuanfeng?

The black-robed man, battered but alive, pulled himself out of the crater.

Demons were known for their resilience. Even surrounded by four Core Formation experts, he was still fighting.

He dusted himself off and glanced at Mu Zhi’an, a cruel smile twisting his lips. “You’ve certainly given me a surprise, Young Master Mu.”

Despite being outnumbered and outmatched, he seemed unfazed, his eyes filled with confidence.

The others sensed something was amiss. Mu Zhi’an frowned, his gaze fixed on the demon.

“You’re probably wondering about my confidence. The Heavenly Dao Aura doesn’t just accelerate cultivation. If refined, it can temporarily boost one’s cultivation by an entire realm!”

He laughed, his voice filled with triumph. “And only those with great destiny can gain the aura’s recognition. And I… I am the one with the greatest destiny!”

He raised his hand, his voice booming through the forest. “Rise!”

The jade bottle flew towards him.

It was a beautifully crafted bottle, its surface adorned with intricate formations.

He had prepared this bottle long ago, specifically to contain the Heavenly Dao Aura.

And now, its seal was broken.

A sphere of milky white light emerged from the bottle, hovering in the air.

Mu Zhi’an’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t let him absorb it!”

*Boom!*

Ye Yu, empowered by the old man within him, finally broke free from the cocoon. His gaze fell upon the Heavenly Dao Aura, and a look of urgency crossed his face. He reached out. “Return to me!”

However, the aura remained motionless, hovering in the air.

The black-robed man chuckled coldly. “I told you, the aura chooses the one with the greatest destiny. You were simply lucky to possess it for a time. But your destiny… it pales in comparison to mine.”

Ye Yu, unable to believe his ears, glared at the demon. His cultivation surged, boosted by the old man’s power, reaching Core Formation!

He lunged towards the aura.

The black-robed man snorted, his chain shooting out to intercept him.

The Heavenly Dao Aura, such a treasure. Gongsun Xiong’s eyes gleamed with greed. He reached for the aura.

Old Tian blocked his path, smiling. “Patience, Brother Gongsun. The aura is indeed a treasure, but only those with great destiny can claim it. Don’t be hasty.”

Gongsun Xiong glared at him. “Step aside.”

Old Tian stood his ground, his smile unwavering. “Let’s deal with the enemy first. We can decide who gets the aura later.”

“Infighting is exactly what he wants.”

Gongsun Xiong hesitated, then nodded. “Fine.”

He knew they had to stop the black-robed man from absorbing the aura. Who knew how powerful he would become?

The three experts attacked the demon, forcing him to abandon his pursuit of the aura. He couldn’t afford to be distracted; Wei Mengrou was still lurking, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

But then, Ye Yu shot into the air, aiming for the Heavenly Dao Aura.

The three experts, momentarily distracted, turned to see Ye Yu attempting to seize the aura.

“That fool!” Gongsun Xiong cursed, breaking away from the fight to intercept him.

They were risking their lives to deal with the black-robed man, and Ye Yu was trying to steal the aura? Did he think they were idiots?

“Ye Yu, stand down!” he roared.

Ye Yu met his gaze, his expression calm. “This belongs to me. Please step aside, Senior.”

Gongsun Xiong scoffed. “If it truly belongs to you, why has it abandoned you?”

Ye Yu hesitated, his expression hardening. “That demon must have done something! The aura chose me long ago!”

The black-robed man laughed, his voice filled with malice. “You fool! No one can force the Heavenly Dao Aura to submit! It chooses the one with the greatest destiny! It simply doesn’t recognize you anymore!”

He was delighted by their infighting. It gave him an opportunity to escape.

The lure of the aura was too strong. They were all holding back, hoping to conserve their strength for the inevitable struggle to claim it.

Ye Yu’s voice turned cold. “If you won’t move, Senior, then I’ll have to force my way through!”

His demeanor shifted, a chilling aura emanating from him.

Gongsun Xiong’s eyes narrowed.

There’s another soul within him. And it’s in control now.

“Who are you?!” he demanded.

But Ye Yu didn’t answer. He lunged towards the aura.

Gongsun Xiong blocked his path, his flying sword slashing through the air.

Ye Yu raised a hand, deflecting the attack. He spoke, his voice ancient and weary.

“To think a mere Core Formation cultivator would dare challenge me… How bold.”

His youthful face was a stark contrast to his world-weary eyes.

Gongsun Xiong scoffed. “No matter how powerful you were in the past, you’re nothing but a remnant now.”

“You might have reached Core Formation by possessing Ye Yu, but how long can you maintain it?”

Ye Yu glanced at him, his expression indifferent. “We’ll see.”

The black-robed man’s chain targeted the soul, which was why he couldn’t fight back. But against other cultivators, he was still a formidable opponent.

He raised his hand, a ball of fire igniting in his palm.

Gongsun Xiong’s eyes narrowed. He channeled his spiritual energy, preparing for a fierce clash.

*Whoosh!*

Ye Yu launched the fireball, sending it hurtling towards Gongsun Xiong.

A deafening explosion rocked the forest.

Mu Zhi’an watched the chaotic scene unfold, his brow furrowing for the first time.

If not for Ye Yu, they would have dealt with the black-robed man by now.

Four Core Formation experts… even a demon wouldn’t survive such an onslaught.

But Ye Yu’s interference and the allure of the Heavenly Dao Aura had complicated matters.

However, the situation wasn’t out of control yet.

Mu Zhi’an glanced at the aura, then towards the horizon.

He was waiting for someone.

If all went well, she would arrive soon.

Bai Ruoxi tugged at his sleeve, her voice hesitant as she spoke through a mental transmission. “Young Master Mu… the Heavenly Dao Aura… it’s reacting to me.”

Mu Zhi’an stared at her, surprised. “Are you sure?”

She nodded. To prove her point, she raised a finger, and the aura drifted towards her.

Mu Zhi’an stared at her, speechless.

Could she be the one with the greatest destiny?

But if that’s the case, why did the aura choose Ye Yu before?

His gaze fell upon her ample bosom.

A bronze pendant rested there, gleaming in the sunlight.

Could it be because of the merged shard? Did it alter her destiny?

He looked at the black-robed man, who was struggling against the three Core Formation experts, then at the other demon, who was also losing ground against Wei Mengrou and Elder Ren.

He made a decision. “How far away can you attract the aura?” he whispered.

Bai Ruoxi closed her eyes, focusing her senses. After a moment, she opened her eyes. “Fifty miles should be no problem.”

“That’s enough.”

He nodded, taking her hand. “Come with me.”

He pulled her into the depths of the Dragon Head Forest.

As they vanished into the trees, the Heavenly Dao Aura flickered uncertainly, as if contemplating escape.

The black-robed man noticed its movement and stared at it in disbelief, about to intervene.

But the three experts pressed their attack, forcing him to focus on defense.

After a while, a scream echoed through the forest. The black-robed man turned to see his companion lying on the ground, Wei Mengrou’s sword piercing his heart.

She panted heavily, her eyes cold and emotionless as she withdrew her blade, wiping the blood on the ground.

“You should be paying attention!” Old Tian roared, seizing the opportunity. He punched the black-robed man, sending him crashing to the earth.

The black-robed man coughed up blood, glaring at them with venomous hatred.

Then, he dissolved into black smoke, vanishing from sight.

However, they didn’t notice the black viper that emerged from the smoke, its eyes fixed on them with chilling malice. It slithered away, disappearing into a crevice in the ground.

The “bandit suppression” operation was over. Both black-robed men had been defeated.

Demons were truly formidable opponents. Even with their combined strength, they had sustained minor injuries, and their spiritual energy was depleted.

Then, the Gongsun family retainer noticed something was amiss. He scanned the sky, his voice filled with alarm. “The Heavenly Dao Aura… it’s gone!”

Ye Yu and Gongsun Xiong, still locked in combat, paused, turning to look around.

Their expressions turned to shock and disbelief.

The Heavenly Dao Aura, which had been hovering in the air moments ago, had vanished.