It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Deep within the Dragon Head Forest, Mu Zhi’an led Bai Ruoxi to a secluded cave, hidden amidst a tangle of ancient trees and thick undergrowth.

Once inside, he retrieved a paper crane from his storage ring and tossed it out the entrance. The crane, enveloped in a faint glow, soared into the sky.

Mu Zhi’an turned to Bai Ruoxi. “Can you sense the Heavenly Dao Aura from here?”

Back at the clearing, there had been too many witnesses. If Bai Ruoxi had attempted to claim the aura, the others would have turned on her immediately, making her the target of their combined wrath.

Even with the support of the Mu family’s two Core Formation experts, it would have been a dangerous gamble, giving the black-robed man an opportunity to escape.

But here, in this secluded cave, there was no such risk. No one knew who had taken the aura.

“I’ll try,” Bai Ruoxi replied.

She closed her eyes, and the bronze sword materialized behind her, its ancient aura filling the cave.

Moments later, Mu Zhi’an felt a wave of warmth wash over him.

It was the Heavenly Dao Aura!

She really can attract it.

But, is it because of the sword?

He sensed the aura circling Bai Ruoxi’s sword, as if drawn to its ancient power.

Bai Ruoxi opened her eyes and extended her hand.

The aura settled gently in her palm, its warmth spreading through her meridians, a comforting sensation that made her sigh in contentment.

No wonder everyone coveted this treasure.

With this, even a pig could reach Foundation Establishment in a few years.

It was truly a priceless artifact.

Bai Ruoxi looked at the aura, a conflicted expression on her face.

Finally, she turned to Mu Zhi’an and offered him the aura.

“Young Master Mu, I can never repay your kindness. Please accept this as a token of my gratitude.”

Mu Zhi’an shook his head, refusing her offer.

She frowned, about to speak, but he interrupted her.

“There’s no need to decide who gets the aura right now.”

“Regardless of who ends up possessing it, for now, you need to hold onto it.”

She raised an eyebrow, her gaze searching his face. “Why?”

“This isn’t the place to explain. You’ll understand once we leave the cave,” he replied.

They couldn’t linger here for too long. They had to leave before the others grew suspicious.

Bai Ruoxi didn’t press him further. After spending the past few days with him, she had learned to trust his judgment.

Honestly, if the timing wasn’t so sensitive, she would have asked him about his motives.

If he didn’t even want the Heavenly Dao Aura, what could possibly entice him?

As she took a step forward, a chill ran down her spine. She whirled around, her eyes widening in horror.

A black viper, its scales gleaming in the dim light, was staring at Mu Zhi’an with chilling malice.

A Core Formation demon?!

She grabbed Mu Zhi’an’s shoulder and pulled him back, her sword flashing out to strike the viper.

*Hiss!*

The viper dodged her attack, spitting a stream of venom that struck her shoulder.

As they watched, the viper transformed into a human figure.

It was the black-robed man!

His face was pale, his spiritual energy unstable, but his eyes burned with a cold fury as he stared at them.

Or rather, at Bai Ruoxi.

“Where is it?” he demanded, his voice a menacing growl.

Mu Zhi’an frowned. “You’re still alive?”

The black-robed man chuckled. “You almost had me there, Young Master Mu.”

“You humans… your schemes are truly devious, even for a Foundation Establishment cultivator.”

“But while you have your tricks, we have our own methods of survival.” He looked at Mu Zhi’an, his eyes cold and predatory.

“Are you surprised, Young Master Mu?”

As he spoke, a surge of spiritual energy erupted from him. Despite his injuries, his Core Formation power was still formidable.

Bai Ruoxi clutched her shoulder, a wave of weakness washing over her.

The venom!

It was disrupting her spiritual energy, making it difficult to even summon her sword.

“Give up, girl. That sword might be troublesome, but you’re just a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Once I seal your meridians, you’ll be helpless,” the black-robed man said, his gaze fixed on Mu Zhi’an.

“Do you want a quick death, Young Master Mu? Or would you prefer something a little more… painful?”

Mu Zhi’an blinked. “Is there a difference?”

“Hand over the Heavenly Dao Aura, and I’ll grant you a swift death.”

“It’s not here,” Mu Zhi’an replied, glancing at the cave entrance.

The black-robed man scoffed. “Do you take me for a fool, Young Master Mu? It’s in your little girlfriend’s possession, isn’t it?”

“Since you won’t cooperate, I’ll take it myself.”

He lunged towards Bai Ruoxi, but Mu Zhi’an stepped in front of her, shielding her with his body.

The black-robed man chuckled. “How touching. But what can a Foundation Establishment cultivator like you do against me?”

Mu Zhi’an stared at him, his gaze drifting towards the cave entrance. “I might not be able to do much, but perhaps you should take a look behind you?”

“Are you suggesting those fools have caught up already?”

The black-robed man laughed. “They think I’m dead. They’re probably still wandering around, searching for you.”

That was his true advantage.

As a demon, he could shed his skin every few months, creating a convincing illusion of death.

However, this ability could only be used when he was severely injured. If he didn’t use it within a certain timeframe, it would become unusable.

As a Core Formation expert, he rarely needed to resort to such tactics. He was powerful enough to handle most threats.

He’d underestimated this Foundation Establishment brat.

But it was over now. No one would interfere this time.

“Since you won’t hand over the aura, I’ll take it by force!”

He lunged at Mu Zhi’an, who stood his ground, seemingly resigned to his fate.

The black-robed man stared into his eyes, searching for fear, for a flicker of weakness, hoping to see his composure crumble, to hear him beg for mercy.

But he saw nothing but indifference.

Why is he still pretending?!

He channeled his spiritual energy, forming an invisible blade that shot towards Mu Zhi’an.

*Clang!*

A sword flashed out, blocking the attack.

The black-robed man whirled around to see a woman in a moon-white robe standing at the cave entrance. Her face was veiled, but her figure was alluring, her eyes cold and sharp as they met his.

“…The Two Polarities Sect.”

He stared at her, his voice a raspy whisper.

The Demon Empress had never dared to invade the Eastern Realm because of the Two Polarities Sect.

Countless demons had perished at the hands of the sect’s disciples. The Demon Empress, despite her immense power, was unwilling to face the Jade Empress.

Even the Sky Swallowing Python couldn’t guarantee victory against her.

For demons, the Two Polarities Sect was their greatest enemy, a foe they were sworn to destroy.

“Senior Sister!” Mu Zhi’an called out.

Lan Mulian glanced at him, her expression cold. Even without words, her message was clear: I am not your Senior Sister.

Her gaze shifted to the black-robed man, her voice icy. “A demon… at the foot of the Two Polarities Sect. You have some nerve.”

He stared at her, his eyes flickering with a mixture of fear and anger.

He backed away, his body dissolving into black smoke, attempting to escape.

Lan Mulian raised a hand, and a wave of pale light swept through the cave, forming a cage that trapped the smoke.

The light, seemingly harmless, burned the black-robed man, forcing him to struggle in vain against his confinement.

Severely injured, he was no match for Lan Mulian. He was at her mercy.

She ignored his futile struggles, her gaze passing over Bai Ruoxi before settling on Mu Zhi’an. A faint smile touched her lips.

“It seems I arrived just in time.”

She opened her hand, revealing a paper crane.

It was the crane Mu Zhi’an had released moments ago.

She had used it to track him down.

“Thank you, Senior Sister,” Mu Zhi’an said, bowing slightly.

If he hadn’t sent for her, he and Bai Ruoxi would have died here today.

Clinging to Senior Sister’s thigh was the right decision.

Lan Mulian nodded curtly.

“What are you going to do with him?” Mu Zhi’an asked.

“He’s cunning. I can’t hold him for long,” she replied. “We need to deal with him quickly.”

The demon’s roars had ceased. He had either given up or passed out from exhaustion.

“Before you do… I’d like to have a little chat with him,” Mu Zhi’an said.

Lan Mulian glanced at him, then nodded. “I’ll keep him restrained.”

She opened a gap in the cage, allowing Mu Zhi’an to enter. She then looked at Bai Ruoxi.

The girl was staring back at her.

Their eyes met for a moment, then they both looked away.

The silence was awkward, heavy with unspoken tension.

…

Inside the cage, Mu Zhi’an approached the black-robed man, who seemed to have given up, his body slumped against the shimmering barrier.

Although he couldn’t see the demon’s face, he could sense his resignation, his utter defeat.

The demon had believed that Tianxuan City would be easy prey.

He had researched the city, its factions and key players, carefully selecting Mu Zhi’an, the notorious wastrel, as his target. Such men were easily manipulated.

He never imagined he would be outmaneuvered, humiliated by a mere junior.

“I underestimated you, Young Master Mu,” the black-robed man said, his voice a low growl.

“Your cunning is exactly what the Empress needs.”

Mu Zhi’an raised an eyebrow. “Are you trying to recruit me?”

The black-robed man looked up at him, his expression calm. “Join us. I’ll introduce you to the Seventh Seat. With your talent, you could become one of the Empress’s most trusted advisors.”

Mu Zhi’an walked over and sat down across from him, his movements leisurely, as if they were old friends catching up after a long separation.

“I have no interest in the Demon Realm. I’m human,” Mu Zhi’an replied.

The black-robed man scoffed. “Human? Are humans truly superior? You’re consumed by greed and ambition, your courts are riddled with corruption, and your people suffer from droughts, floods, and countless other disasters. Your government offers no solutions.”

“Your empire is rotting from within. If not for the Two Polarities Sect, the Empress would have conquered the Eastern Realm long ago.”

“Humans are no better than demons. Human hearts can be far more monstrous,” Mu Zhi’an agreed, shaking his head with a wry smile. “But I have no desire to abandon my home and travel to the Northern Realm. It’s too far. I’d miss Tianxuan City.”

“Besides, do you really think I’d trust you in this situation?”

The black-robed man fell silent.

They were enemies, each plotting the other’s demise. A sudden offer of alliance… it was laughable.

“Honestly, I find it rather relaxing to chat with you,” Mu Zhi’an said suddenly.

The black-robed man stared at him, confused.

“Because you’re an idiot,” Mu Zhi’an explained.

The demon, confident in his strength, disdained cunning and deception. He was straightforward, expressing his desires openly. It was surprisingly refreshing to interact with such a simple, honest villain.

“That serpent, she wants the Heavenly Dao Aura?” Mu Zhi’an asked, changing the subject.

He was referring to the Demon Empress, the Sky Swallowing Python.

The black-robed man’s eyes narrowed dangerously at his disrespectful tone.

But seeing Mu Zhi’an’s calm demeanor, he forced himself to relax.

“You’ve eliminated Ye Yu and won over the beauty. What’s your next move, Young Master Mu? Will you kill Ye Yu? Or will you marry Bai Ruoxi?” he asked, also changing the subject.

He wouldn’t reveal anything about the Demon Realm.

Mu Zhi’an understood. He shook his head. “I won’t kill Ye Yu. And I have no plans to marry anytime soon.”

“You don’t want his life, and you don’t want the girl… What do you want?” the black-robed man asked, his gaze intense.

Mu Zhi’an met his gaze, a smile spreading across his lips.

“I want you… dead.”