It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Rain fell in the early morning. Mu Zhian, having changed his clothes, let out a refreshed sigh.

He glanced at the bed behind him. Lin Ling was huddled under the covers, her entire body hidden except for a single silver ahoge, her hand clutching the edge of the blanket.

She was already awake, just embarrassed.

Even Mu Zhian couldn’t help but feel his heart stir as he recalled the events of last night.

Mmm… Although he had been intimate with Lin Ling a few times, he hadn’t explored many… possibilities. As a seasoned veteran in the garden of love, he had many tricks up his sleeve and could slowly guide Lin Ling. He wouldn’t be bored for a long time…

After all, suppressing karmic fire didn’t necessarily require… the exchange of bodily fluids. The ultimate goal was to release the Heavenly Court spiritual energy from his Innate Celestial Furnace.

Yes… no matter the method, as long as the spiritual energy was released, it was enough.

Although Lin Ling had been reluctant to comply with some of his… requests last night, Mu Zhian wasn’t in a hurry.

After the first time, there would be countless more.

Mu Zhian sat at the table, wrote a reply to Shang Yanfei, folded it into a paper crane, and tossed it out the window.

His mood was excellent. He put on his white robes, glanced at the silver-haired beauty under the covers, and walked over, gently patting her shoulder. “Lin Ling, do you want breakfast? I’ll go prepare some for you.”

“Aaa?” Lin Ling clutched the blanket, most of her face hidden, her eyes staring at him warily.

Mu Zhian paused, then chuckled. “Not the… snacks from last night… Just normal breakfast.”

Sensing her resentful gaze, Mu Zhian’s heart stirred slightly. He sat beside the bed, gently stroking Lin Ling’s hair. “If you don’t like it, we won’t try it again next time.”

Lin Ling blushed and buried her face in the pillow.

Then, she placed her notebook on Mu Zhian’s lap.

“I don’t like it, but I don’t dislike it either… If it makes you happy, we can try again next time.”

“You’re so kind, Lin Ling.”

Mu Zhian gently stroked her silver hair, sighing with genuine emotion.

This feeling of slowly… coloring a blank sheet of paper was truly irresistible…

And more importantly, she wouldn’t refuse him. She was so obedient. This was something Mu Zhian had never experienced before.

After all, although the ‘fish’ in his pond were beautiful, they were also quite… fierce.

That was understandable. They were all talented geniuses, naturally proud, and wouldn’t share their Dao Companion with other women.

But Sister Lin Ling was different… She didn’t mind, or rather, she had no desire to compete.

Of course, as long as he didn’t provoke her.

Normally, Lin Ling was docile and adorable.

“Or… would you like to try something else before breakfast?” Mu Zhian suddenly suggested, wanting her to… experience more.

He could smell the fresh scent of soap on her, from her bath after… last night.

“Aaa.” Lin Ling shook her head gently, her face flushed, biting her lip shyly as she seemed to recall the events of last night.

“Does that mean you agree?” Mu Zhian teased deliberately.

He understood that she was refusing.

Lin Ling glanced at him and shook her head shyly. “Aaa~”

“That’s not what I taught you last night. You have to say you like it,” Mu Zhian said seriously.

He looked at the shy, innocent girl with a smug smile.

He was about to tease her further when Lin Ling suddenly opened her mouth.

Then, a clear, melodious voice echoed through the room.

“Mu Zhian will be free from desire for the next seven days.”

Mu Zhian’s smile froze.

…

“I didn’t expect to anger her… I hope she’ll undo this word spirit ability tonight.”

Mu Zhian left the room, entered the study, sat by the window, and watched the rain outside, sighing softly.

“You deserve it. You think she’s a docile little white rabbit, but even a white rabbit will bite if cornered.”

Ye Qingxin’s languid voice came from within the Innate Celestial Furnace. “Lin Ling has been with Shang Yanfei for so long. She has a temper.”

Mu Zhian paused. “You know what just happened, Senior Ye?”

Logically, she shouldn’t be able to see the outside world from within the Innate Celestial Furnace…

As if knowing what he was thinking, Ye Qingxin smiled faintly. “Your Innate Celestial Furnace has lost so much spiritual energy these past few days. I’m inside it. How could I not notice?”

Mu Zhian’s expression remained unchanged. “So, you know everything that’s happened?”

Ye Qingxin sat in the void, playing with a strand of hair. “If you’re talking about your… dual cultivation with Lin Ling… although I didn’t see it, I’m aware of it.”

“Aren’t you angry, Senior Ye?” Mu Zhian asked.

“Lin Ling was tormented by karmic fire. If you didn’t help her, she would have to cultivate in seclusion for a thousand years… A thousand years isn’t long, but it’s enough time for most people around her to grow old. I know you’re kind and wouldn’t abandon her.”

Mu Zhian was silent for a moment. “Lin Ling has helped me a lot in the past.”

“You don’t have to feel guilty. We’re not Dao Companions. You can be intimate with other women. I have no right to object. I didn’t come out to scold you.”

Ye Qingxin dangled her jade-like feet beneath her black and red dress, her eyes downcast. “I just have a feeling that something ominous is brewing. Be careful.”

“Are you referring to the demonic qi in the Lan family’s ancestral grounds?” Mu Zhian asked.

“It’s not related to the Lan family, but the rules of heaven and earth. Something’s not right,” Ye Qingxin paused. “You won’t be in danger after the ancestral worship ceremony. I’m planning to visit the Forbidden Zone and see some old friends, and also investigate the problem with the rules of heaven and earth.”

“What about your true body… When should I bring you down?” Mu Zhian hesitated.

“You’ll probably return to the sect and cultivate for a while after the Lan family’s ceremony. I’ll come find you during that time,” Ye Qingxin said.

“Alright, Senior Ye. You have your own plans. I won’t stop you,” Mu Zhian smiled. “But please remember, I’ll always be waiting for your return.”

The woman within him fell silent.

Then, Mu Zhian suddenly asked, “Do you know what happened last night?”

Ye Qingxin shook her head. “I didn’t hear anything, but I sensed a strong demonic qi during my cultivation.”

Mu Zhian sighed softly. “I promised the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox I would find her consciousness and help her be reborn.”

“But her consciousness is within the statue in the Lan family’s ancestral grounds. I can only retrieve it during the ancestral worship ceremony. And I wonder how many people will use the demonic qi in the Lan family’s ancestral grounds to cause trouble.”

Mu Zhian paused, then smiled wryly. “Well, I don’t know why I’m complaining. I’ll find a way to retrieve the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox’s consciousness myself during the ceremony.”

A golden light flickered in the study.

“You’re just waiting for me to offer my help, aren’t you? With our relationship, you can just ask directly.”

Ye Qingxin, dressed in her black and red dress, bathed in golden flames, looked incredibly divine.

She smiled, looking at the boy sitting by the door.

Although his aura was restrained, he still exuded a powerful pressure.

This wasn’t the Nascent Soul realm, but close to Dao Integration!

In the past, this wisp of Ye Qingxin’s consciousness had been close to the Soul Transformation realm. By burning her blood essence, she could temporarily reach Dao Integration.

But now, with the changes in the rules of heaven and earth and the surrounding spiritual energy, her strength had also increased.

Mu Zhian shook his head gently and smiled wryly. “I do hope you can help me, Senior Ye, but this is a Lan family matter. If you refuse, I understand.”

Ye Qingxin walked to the desk, sat down, and looked down at the boy’s handsome face with a playful smile. “The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox’s consciousness is indeed related to the Lan family, but more importantly, it’s related to those two girls.”

“If I intervene, I’ll be helping my two… rivals.”

“So, logically and emotionally, I shouldn’t help.”

She looked at the silent boy, casually placing her foot on his shoulder, and smiled. “You don’t seem very disappointed.”

“I know you haven’t finished speaking yet, Senior Ye,” Mu Zhian chuckled.

Ye Qingxin narrowed her eyes, her toes tracing his shoulder. She leaned closer, one hand on the desk, and looked down at him, a playful glint in her eyes. “You can beg me.”

“If you make me happy, I’ll do anything for you.”

Mu Zhian looked up at the woman before him.

Her beauty was breathtaking, her lips full and red, her seductive eyes filled with a playful smile.

Normally, Mu Zhian’s heart would be racing, and he wouldn’t be able to resist.

But now… he felt nothing.

Lin Ling’s word spirit ability is too powerful… Mu Zhian looked at the beautiful ancestor of the Ye family, her alluring eyes, yet felt no desire, his mind slightly disturbed.

He opened his mouth, about to speak.

“Just kidding,” Ye Qingxin said, placing her finger gently on his lips and smiling. “The Lan family’s ancestral worship ceremony… if you need help, I’ll be there.”

She caressed Mu Zhian’s face, her alluring red eyes filled with seductive charm. “But you know how you’ll have to… repay me, right?”

Her words sounded incredibly suggestive…

Mu Zhian instinctively reached out to embrace her waist, but Ye Qingxin slipped away, giggling. “Don’t worry. It’s not the right time yet.”

“After all, I want to save the best… experience for my true body.”

Ye Qingxin leaned close to his ear and whispered, “We can… play slowly in the Jade Empress’s room later.”

Mu Zhian’s heart stirred, but almost instantly, the word spirit ability took effect, and his desire vanished.

This feeling was incredibly frustrating. He had been aroused by Ye Qingxin, yet an invisible force suppressed his desire.

If Lin Ling wanted to play edging games, she could torture me to death… Mu Zhian thought, realizing the terrifying potential of her ability.

Ye Qingxin looked at the boy with a playful smile. “The word spirit ability is truly amazing.”

“But I’m curious. If your desire reaches its peak, can the word spirit ability still suppress it?”

Golden flames erupted around Ye Qingxin.

Then, as the flames dissipated, she was now wearing a thin, gauze-like green dress.

“Is that… Yao Meng’s dress?” Mu Zhian asked in surprise.

“I prepared it when I went to Yu State. Does it look good?”

Ye Qingxin twirled before Mu Zhian. The dress suited her surprisingly well, adding a touch of ethereal beauty to her alluring demeanor.

Although she seemed slightly shy, a strange excitement filled her heart.

Wearing the Jade Empress’s dress and even being intimate with her husband… This feeling was irresistible.

Mu Zhian sighed in genuine admiration. “It’s beautiful. You look as good as Yao Meng.”

Hearing this, Ye Qingxin couldn’t help but smile.

She gently caressed Mu Zhian’s face, then stood on tiptoe and kissed him lightly on the lips.

Mu Zhian was stunned. He transmitted his voice, “Senior Ye, didn’t you say you wanted to save… that experience for your true body…?”

“Yes,” Ye Qingxin wrapped her arms around his neck and chuckled softly. “I want to save the best for my true body, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have a little… appetizer now.”

…

Evening.

Lin Ling sat on the soft mat with her legs crossed, her eyes closed, the cauldron within her slowly circulating.

Her pocket dimension within the cauldron was connected to the Great Dao, providing her with an endless supply of spiritual energy. But besides that, there was now another type of spiritual energy within her cauldron.

It was the spiritual energy from the Heavenly Court.

Whenever the karmic fire burned within her cauldron, the Heavenly Court spiritual energy would silently suppress it.

When half of the spiritual energy in her cauldron was Mu Zhian’s, the karmic fire would be completely suppressed.

Actually, in Lin Ling’s current state, as long as she didn’t use her word spirit ability frequently, the karmic fire wouldn’t act up.

However, perhaps because of Mu Zhian’s teasing earlier, the previously suppressed karmic fire was now surging.

The burning karmic fire intensified, her face flushed, her breathing heavy, her brows furrowed as she struggled to suppress it.

After a long time, she slowly opened her eyes, her gaze hazy, her legs rubbing together, as she instinctively looked towards the study.

…

I can’t take it anymore. Senior Ye is too tempting… I can’t…

Evening.

Mu Zhian was exhausted, both physically and mentally, but also… satisfied.

Lin Ling’s word spirit ability was so powerful that even when he was intimate with Ye Qingxin, his desires would vanish the moment they arose.

“What the hell, if Lin Ling makes me stay in ‘sage mode’ for a year, I’ll explode…”

This terrifying thought made Mu Zhian shudder.

Then, he quickly relaxed.

Unlike the other ‘fish’ in his pond, Lin Ling was an innocent and naive girl. She wouldn’t do something so extreme…

If it were Yao Meng, Mu Zhian would probably be… ‘privatized.’

He arrived at Lin Ling’s closed door, saw the flickering candlelight inside, and knowing she was still there, didn’t disturb her, but found an empty room to meditate.

Occasionally, quiet meditation was also enjoyable.

Late at night, Mu Zhian faintly heard a noise by the window. He discreetly glanced towards the door and saw a strand of silver hair.

He closed his eyes, pretending to be meditating.

“Aaa…”

He heard a shy voice and opened his eyes, seeing Lin Ling standing by his bed, looking at him intently.

“What’s wrong? I’m meditating,” Mu Zhian asked, puzzled.

Something seemed amiss… Could she be suffering from the karmic fire again…?

He discreetly observed Lin Ling, confirming that the karmic fire was indeed acting up, although not as severely as before.

Lin Ling blushed, gently tugged on his sleeve, and looked at him with moist eyes. “Aaaa…”

She handed him a meat bun.

You’re trying to bribe me with a single meat bun…? Mu Zhian complained inwardly, then said reservedly, “Lin Ling, have you forgotten that your word spirit ability sealed my desires today?”

He was about to tease her further when the silver-haired beauty, seemingly losing her patience, opened her mouth. “Mu Zhian will be completely enamored with me tonight.”

Mu Zhian: “?”

I feel like Lin Ling is the man, and I’m the woman being… She kicks me out when I’m in ‘sage mode,’ and wants me back when she’s… in the mood… Mu Zhian complained inwardly.

But the next moment, his gaze was fixed on her, unable to look away.

Lin Ling held his wrist, a strange light flickering in her usually clear, red eyes, her lips glossy in the candlelight.

She pursed her lips and slowly leaned closer.

Mu Zhian could feel the warmth of her body, his heart racing, her fragrance filling his senses… It all felt incredibly real… He wrapped his arms around her waist, then leaned down and kissed her soft lips.

…

Two Polarities Peak.

A paper crane, emitting a faint white light, flew into the Two Polarities Sect, heading towards the back mountain.

A woman in a black dress lifted her finger, caught the crane, and casually unfolded it.

The message within appeared before her eyes.

She glanced at it, then casually put it away, her gaze falling on the bronze mirror on the table.

A beautiful, erotic scene appeared in the mirror, reflected in Shang Yanfei’s eyes.

She looked at the silver-haired beauty and the boy beneath her and couldn’t help but sigh softly.

She remembered her first encounter with Lin Ling.

The Spiritual Dragon was a creature favored by the heavens, born from the Great Dao, possessing the immensely powerful word spirit ability.

However, back then, Lin Ling couldn’t control her power and often caused trouble.

Therefore, wherever she went, people feared her.

Later, she took Lin Ling in, keeping her by her side and naming her Lin Ling.

Less than a thousand years later, Lin Ling broke through to Dao Integration, choosing to resonate with the Great Dao instead of the Heavenly, Earthly, or Humanly Daos.

It was also then that Lin Ling realized the Heavenly Dao Energy within Shang Yanfei was restricting her, so she used her word spirit ability to transfer three portions of it into herself.

Already plagued by karmic fire, Lin Ling had no choice but to enter seclusion in her pocket dimension to suppress it.

Until Mu Zhian appeared, and everything began to change.