It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

In the verdant depths of the Dragon Head Forest, several Core Formation cultivators soared through the air on their flying swords. Gongsun Xiong, dressed in luxurious robes, his face grim, scanned the forest below.

Beside him, the Gongsun family retainer shared his displeasure.

It was understandable. He’d agreed to accompany Gongsun Xiong on this “bandit suppression” operation without hesitation.

But the appearance of the Heavenly Dao Aura had changed everything.

Such a rare and valuable treasure was impossible to ignore.

To see it vanish before their very eyes… He was doing his best to control his anger.

Gongsun Xiong turned to Elder Ren and Wei Mengrou, his voice cold. “Elder Ren, Miss Wei, perhaps you can explain where did Young Master Mu and Miss Bai go while we were dealing with the black-robed man?”

Elder Ren, sitting leisurely on his sword, didn’t even bother to open his eyes. “Young love… it can be quite passionate. Perhaps they couldn’t resist finding a secluded spot to… resolve their urges.”

Gongsun Xiong narrowed his eyes. “Do you believe that yourself?”

Ye Yu, struggling to control his sword with the old man’s assistance, spoke in a cold voice. “I told you! That Mu Zhi’an is hiding something! He lured me to the Dragon Head Forest because he knew about the Heavenly Dao Aura within me!”

“That ‘bandit suppression’ duel… it was all a charade! He was after the aura from the very beginning!”

Elder Ren’s voice was calm, measured. “Let’s not jump to conclusions before we have all the facts.”

He gestured with his hand, summoning a small birdcage. Inside, the black-robed man’s companion, his spirit now imprisoned by Elder Ren’s secret technique, floated listlessly.

“Perhaps the black-robed man stole the aura himself?”

Gongsun Xiong snorted. “He’s dead. Unless he had an accomplice.”

“If he had an accomplice, he wouldn’t be in this state.”

“You can’t be sure of that,” Elder Ren replied with a faint smile.

However, as he turned away, his brow furrowed with worry.

If Young Master truly took the aura, it would be both a blessing and a curse.

For the Heavenly Dao Aura, the Gongsun family and the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce… they might even turn on the Mu family. It would be troublesome.

“There they are.”

The Gongsun family retainer pointed towards a cave hidden behind a cluster of trees.

Mu Zhi’an and Bai Ruoxi stood at the entrance, clearly aware of their approaching guests.

As Gongsun Xiong and the others descended, their faces grim, Mu Zhi’an greeted them with a warm smile. “Uncle Gongsun, it seems you’ve finished your business?”

Gongsun Xiong was in no mood for pleasantries. He nodded curtly, his voice grave. “The Heavenly Dao Aura… it’s gone.”

Mu Zhi’an’s jaw dropped, his eyes widening in feigned shock. He was putting on quite a performance.

“Stolen? By whom?” he asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

Gongsun Xiong narrowed his eyes. “Where were you, Young Master Mu?”

“It vanished shortly after you left. Don’t you find that a little too convenient?” Old Tian added, his gaze fixed on Mu Zhi’an.

“We went after the black-robed man’s clone,” Mu Zhi’an replied.

Gongsun Xiong scoffed. “He’s dead.”

Mu Zhi’an shook his head. “You’re mistaken, Uncle. His true form is that of a serpent demon. He used a ‘shedding’ technique to feign death. Ruoxi and I noticed it and gave chase.”

“Escaping right under our noses… Are you taking us for fools, Young Master Mu?” Gongsun Xiong’s tone was sharp, laced with suspicion.

“You won’t believe me, but Elder Ren has captured his companion’s spirit. Ask him yourself,” Mu Zhi’an said, gesturing towards the birdcage.

Gongsun Xiong hesitated, his gaze searching Mu Zhi’an’s face. He didn’t believe him, yet the young man’s confidence was unsettling.

Mu Zhi’an was the prime suspect, but… could a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator control the Heavenly Dao Aura?

He turned to Elder Ren. “Elder Ren, if you would be so kind… question the demon.”

Elder Ren nodded, opening the cage.

The demon’s spirit floated in the air, its eyes dull and lifeless.

Elder Ren glanced at Mu Zhi’an, confirming that the young man wasn’t showing any signs of panic. He then addressed the demon. “Does your companion possess the ability to feign death?”

“He can shed his skin and create an illusion of death when severely injured,” the demon replied, its voice monotone, devoid of emotion.

A heavy silence fell over the clearing.

“What was your objective?” Mu Zhi’an asked suddenly.

“To rendezvous with our comrades in Tianxuan City, establish a base of operations, and acquire the Heavenly Dao Aura,” the demon replied.

They exchanged uneasy glances.

There were other demons in Tianxuan City.

“Who are they?” Gongsun Xiong demanded.

However, the demon remained silent, its gaze vacant.

Its mouth opened and closed, but no sound emerged.

After a long moment, its form began to fade, dissolving into nothingness.

An unsettling silence descended upon the clearing.

Mu Zhi’an’s expression turned serious. “It seems there are other demons lurking in the city. They must have stolen the aura.”

Gongsun Xiong’s face darkened, but he couldn’t argue.

He was still suspicious, but pressing Mu Zhi’an further would only antagonize the Mu family.

Besides, he found it more plausible that another demon had stolen the aura than a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Ye Yu, however, glared at Mu Zhi’an. “You claim a demon stole it, but where were *you* and Miss Bai all this time?”

Mu Zhi’an chuckled, shaking his head. “As I said, we pursued the black-robed man. Unfortunately, even injured, he was still a Core Formation expert. We couldn’t risk pursuing him too far. Ruoxi even got hurt.”

Ye Yu refused to let it go. “You’re also a suspect.”

Mu Zhi’an laughed. “Young Master Ye, even if I *had* taken it… what’s it to you?”

Ye Yu sputtered, but with Wei Mengrou and Elder Ren present, he couldn’t express his anger freely. “It’s mine!”

“If it truly belonged to you, why did it abandon you?” Mu Zhi’an countered.

“And you found it, didn’t you? Found items should be turned over to the authorities,” Mu Zhi’an said, his tone serious.

Ye Yu was speechless. He knew Mu Zhi’an was twisting the truth, but he couldn’t formulate a proper response.

He *had* found the aura, and it *had* abandoned him. He clenched his fists, glaring at Mu Zhi’an.

Mu Zhi’an ignored him, turning to Gongsun Xiong. “Are you still doubting me, Uncle Gongsun?”

Gongsun Xiong hesitated, then laughed heartily. “It seems it was all a misunderstanding! I never truly doubted you, Nephew. I was simply concerned about the aura. I apologize if my tone was harsh.”

He then asked, “Where did that black-robed man go? Do you have any leads?”

“He was killed by a disciple of the Two Polarities Sect,” Mu Zhi’an replied.

“A disciple of the Two Polarities Sect.”

Gongsun Xiong’s eyes widened, a flicker of excitement in their depths. “One of the examiners for the entrance exams?”

The exams were less than half a month away. If he could meet the examiner, perhaps… establish a connection… it might be beneficial for his family’s disciples.

Normally, the examiners wouldn’t descend the mountain so early. This one must have come for the black-robed man.

This was a golden opportunity.

Not just Gongsun Xiong, but Old Tian and even Elder Ren were intrigued.

The Mu family had a guaranteed spot, but if they could secure a few more.

They had to seize this chance.

Despite the missing aura, Gongsun Xiong, ever the pragmatist, made a decision. “Gentlemen, I have some urgent business to attend to. Now that the demons are dead, I’ll take my leave.”

He would instruct his servants to wait outside Tianxuan City. Perhaps they could intercept the examiner upon their arrival.

Old Tian bowed. “I must also depart. Farewell.”

Mu Zhi’an nodded. “Take care, Old Tian.”

He then looked at Gongsun Xiong, who was about to leave. “Uncle Gongsun, I’m afraid you can’t leave yet.”

Gongsun Xiong paused, turning back to face him. “Is there something else, Nephew?”

“My name has been cleared, but… yours hasn’t,” Mu Zhi’an replied.

Gongsun Xiong frowned. “What do you mean?”

“It’s a… personal matter you need to resolve,” Mu Zhi’an said with a smile.

He pulled Bai Ruoxi back, away from the clearing.

A wave of killing intent erupted, targeting Gongsun Xiong. He tensed, sensing the approaching threat.

He turned to see a muscular figure approaching on a flying sword, his expression murderous.

It was Bai Heng, fully recovered and fueled by rage.

His overwhelming aura pressed down on Gongsun Xiong, wiping the smile from his face.

Weakened from his battle with the black-robed man, he was in no condition to face a peak Core Formation expert like Bai Heng.

“Let’s go, Ruoxi,” Mu Zhi’an whispered.

She looked at him, her eyes filled with concern. “But Father.”

“He’ll be fine.”

Mu Zhi’an glanced at Gongsun Xiong, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

“But he might not be so lucky.”

The other Core Formation experts, weakened from their battle, wouldn’t risk their lives for Gongsun Xiong. And the Gongsun family retainer, facing a furious Bai Heng and his two guards, wouldn’t fight to the death either.

Gongsun Xiong was on his own.

Bai Ruoxi nodded, allowing Wei Mengrou to lead her away from the impending battle.

That day, Gongsun Xiong sustained grievous injuries.

And that same day, news of the Two Polarities Sect examiner’s arrival in Tianxuan City spread like wildfire, sparking fervent discussions among the populace.