It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

The next day, early morning.

Mu Zhian woke up early, his mental state quite good. After advancing from Core Formation to Nascent Soul, not only his Innate Celestial Furnace, but even his own cauldron had become much stronger, opening up ten ‘Grotto-Heavens’ .

“Whether Core Formation or Nascent Soul, there’s only one cauldron. But after Nascent Soul Realm, ten Grotto-Heavens can be opened within the cauldron, each Grotto-Heaven equivalent to a cauldron… No wonder they say the difference between Core Formation and Nascent Soul is like heaven and earth. It would be strange if the gap wasn’t huge.”

Mu Zhian yawned lazily, standing by the clothes rack changing his robes.

“After Nascent Soul Realm, the ten Grotto-Heavens can merge into one large Grotto-Heaven. Although you haven’t reached that stage yet, it probably won’t be difficult for you.”

Yao Meng licked her vermilion lips, sitting on the edge of the bed, nonchalantly combing the hair scattered over her snow-white shoulders, her tone soft and gentle.

“I’ve heard before that after Nascent Soul Realm, the strength gap between each rank is enormous. Where exactly does the difference lie?” Mu Zhian held the green dress from the clothes rack in his arms, returned to Yao Meng’s side, and handed it to her.

Sensing the young man’s direct gaze, a faint curve appeared at the corner of Yao Meng’s mouth. The next moment, her body was enveloped in a hazy immortal mist, her snow-white skin revealing a sparkling, crystalline glow.

The damned holy light… Mu Zhian glanced over, but could only vaguely see a graceful figure within the hazy immortal mist, unable to see clearly.

“Is it the Dao Seed you gifted me back in the Pilgrimage Palace?” Mu Zhian asked thoughtfully.

He had basically given away all the Dao Seeds obtained in the Pilgrimage Palace back then. The little fish had developed quite well.

“The Dao Seed contains the Dao of my Jade Pool Holy Land, or rather, it contains my Dao Rhyme. Those who refine it can grasp one or two tenths of that Dao Rhyme, so the Dao Seed isn’t wasted.”

Yao Meng picked up a hairpin, gathering the waterfall-like hair scattered down her back. Her temperament was holy, yet her face held an intoxicating blush, revealing a hint of lazy, worldly charm.

Mu Zhian pinched her small waist, pressing close beside her, sighing softly with some regret: “Unfortunately, I can’t refine the Dao Seed.”

He had tried to refine the Dao Seed before, but the thing was inexplicably absorbed by his Innate Celestial Furnace.

Yao Meng gently pushed the young man away, tidying the layered, complex green dress, then shot him a pouting: “I still have to return to the Jade Pool Holy Land later, don’t mess up my dress again.”

She paused, then continued, “The so-called Dao Seed is actually a heavenly material and earthly treasure obtained from lightning tribulations. However, the Dao Seed contains the path walked by the person undergoing the tribulation, but actually, my Dao isn’t particularly suitable for you.”

“But actually, even if it’s not suitable, if you refer more to the paths walked by cultivators in the past, you might be able to comprehend your own path.”

Mu Zhian possessed the Chaos Body, and the constitutions he had, Innate Spiritual Body, Sacred Heavenly Body, etc., all came from those around him. Therefore, when he ‘comprehended the Dao’ in the future, the Dao Rhyme he comprehended would definitely be completely different from any other cultivator.

He could choose one constitution to follow, or he could choose multiple constitutions, try to blend them together, and achieve the Dao of Chaos.

“Unfortunately, I haven’t consumed a Dao Seed.” Mu Zhian sighed softly. He felt some regret, but didn’t regret it.

After all, he had already set the goal early on to give the Dao Seeds to the girls around him.

Making them stronger was, in a sense, also making him stronger.

Yao Meng glanced at him, a playful smile on her devastatingly beautiful face: “If you’re interested in the Dao Rhyme of my Jade Pool Holy Land, even without the Dao Seed, I do have a way to let you experience it.”

“Dao Seeds are indeed rare, only having a chance to be produced during lightning tribulations. But if a Dao Integration Realm expert is willing, they can share their own Dao Rhyme with others.”

Mu Zhian showed some interest: “Since that’s the case, why haven’t you mentioned this before?”

Yao Meng crossed her delicate, beautiful legs under the green dress, her tender white jade feet crystal clear, her light jelly-colored nail polish shining with a translucent luster. She teased, “Under normal circumstances, who would be willing to share their Dao Rhyme with others? Besides, sharing requires “demanding” part of the other person’s Spiritual Energy.”

Mu Zhian was stunned for a moment, thinking about Yao Meng’s words.

He seemed to think of something and looked up, “The Spiritual Energy you mentioned demanding, refers to…”

Yao Meng’s red lips quirked slightly, forming a faint curve. Her bewitching green eyes stared straight at Mu Zhian: “I can give you however much you want.”

“However—”

Her tone suddenly changed. She lightly tapped her plump red lips with a fingertip and said playfully, “The process, you’ll have to handle yourself.”

…

In the afternoon, spring sunlight upon the ancient-styled beauty of the Two Polarities Sect.

Mu Zhian held his waist, slowly walking out of Senior Sister’s room, strolling along the path towards the back mountain courtyard, his steps unsteady.

At this moment, only one thought was in his mind: “Damn it, I fell for it…”

Last night, he was blinded by Yao Meng’s ‘begging for mercy’, thinking that now, after reaching the Nascent Soul Realm, he could really suppress her.

Only this morning during the broad daylight did he realize that Yao Meng was just teasing him all along.

The Transcendence Realm Human Emperor, her Spiritual Energy was almost inexhaustible, her body also wouldn’t feel any fatigue, and even her mental strength was unprecedentedly strong.

If Yao Meng was willing, she could even destroy a person’s consciousness using only her mental strength.

How could such a powerful Empress possibly experience ‘exhaustion’ or similar situations?

However, at least judging by her expression, she was indeed satisfied yesterday… and she did beg him for mercy.

Mmm, in a sense, he won.

“It’s not my fault, she’s really just too good at it…”

Mu Zhian sighed with emotion, feeling the ‘authority’ bestowed by Yao Meng flowing within his body.

The Dao Rhyme of the Jade Pool Holy Land, or rather, the Dao Rhyme Yao Meng had walked so far, was currently flowing in his cauldron.

If he could comprehend even a fraction of it, it would be of considerable help to his future Dao comprehension.

Mu Zhian walked along the path in a cheerful mood, finding the silver-haired beauty who was bored in the back mountain.

Heh, my Lin Ling looks much more mature, probably thanks to me… This thought surfaced in Mu Zhian’s mind.

Before the thought could last long, Lin Ling sensed Mu Zhian’s wicked thoughts and held up her small notebook: “Don’t think bad things.”

“Why don’t I see Sect Master Sister?” Mu Zhian asked with a smile, coming to her side.

“She went to study Go skills, seems like she almost lost to the Jade Empress today,” Lin Ling wrote in her small notebook.

I remember Yao Meng doesn’t seem to play Go much, could it be that I couldn’t tell, she’s actually very good at Go, even almost beating Sect Master Sister…?

But that wasn’t important. After all, Mu Zhian came looking for Lin Ling today not because of the Sect Master.

Mu Zhian looked at the naturally dazed girl beside him: “The Fourth Seat’s position, are you used to it yet?”

“Still need some time to study it before getting used to it,” Lin Ling wrote.

Mu Zhian nodded slightly: “Yao Meng was able to transcend and ascend in the past because she obtained the First Seat of the Heavenly Court, but also because she resonated with the New Heavenly Dao of the Heavenly Court… Do you want to join the Heavenly Court too, and resonate with the New Heavenly Dao?”

Lin Ling’s eyes lit up slightly, holding up her small notebook: “Okay!”

Mu Zhian showed a gratified smile and said, “Then I’ll take you to the Heavenly Court again later, and let you resonate with the New Heaven—”

Boom!

Just then, under the bright sunny sky, a deafening roar suddenly sounded. The thunder seemed to echo from beyond the Nine Provinces, booming in Mu Zhian’s heart, causing his body to involuntarily stiffen slightly.

“Aaaaa?” Lin Ling looked at Mu Zhian doubtfully, making a concerned sound.

“It’s nothing… I thought about it carefully, Lin Ling is fine just the way she is now, no need to resonate with the New Heavenly Dao,” Mu Zhian forced a smile.

But the smile was somewhat strained.

Holy crap, does the Great Dao really have no consciousness… Why did it warn me when I tried to poach its corner?

Mu Zhian complained wildly inwardly, feeling a bit more wary of the aggregate consciousness of the universe that ‘birthed’ the Spirit Dragon.

Mu Zhian reached out, rubbed Lin Ling’s head, and said gently, “I still have some things to do, I’ll bring snacks to see you later.”

Originally hearing Mu Zhian was leaving, Lin Ling was somewhat reluctant.

But hearing the latter part, she immediately held up her small notebook: “I’ll wait for you.”

…

After leaving Two Polarities Peak, Mu Zhian stepped onto the void, heading towards Dexin Garden.

He stood before the entrance, opened his mouth slightly, and a voice transmission immediately sounded in Ye Lingxuan’s ear.

After a short while, the classic and elegant girl lightly pushed open the courtyard gate.

The beautiful and refined little beauty glanced resentfully at Mu Zhian and said softly, “I thought Brother Mu had already forgotten about Lingxuan.”

Mu Zhian looked at the little girl’s pouting little eyes, reached out, held her small hand, and said, “If I weren’t busy these days, I would have wanted to fly immediately to my Sister Lingxuan’s side.”

The little girl’s face instantly turned slightly red. Under Mu Zhian’s gentle gaze, her beautiful eyes couldn’t help but mist over. She said in a low voice, “There are many eyes and ears here, Brother Mu, don’t be like this.”

Then, she reached out to tidy Mu Zhian’s collar. While doing this action, she leaned down slightly and sniffed.

Hmph… Sure enough, it’s the Jade Empress’s fragrance.

Being completely arranged by the big shark these days, occasionally being with this little beauty who would cry for a long time after one punch, seems much more relaxing… Mu Zhian thought.

In the past, Mu Zhian always felt he had rich experience navigating the flowers (flirting), and could easily manage even if his fishpond expanded.

However, Dao Integration Realm was Dao Integration Realm after all. They were not only powerful but also experienced. Although they hadn’t experienced romantic love, the salt they had eaten was more than the rice Mu Zhian had eaten. Plus, the book “The Art of Managing Your Husband”, whose author was unknown, resulted in Mu Zhian being completely arranged.

Mu Zhian held Ye Lingxuan’s small hand and walked into the courtyard, glanced at the white-robed beauty silently following behind, and asked hesitantly, “How much of the Reincarnated Empress’s power has Sister Lingxuan inherited now?”

“About twenty percent, I suppose.”

Ye Lingxuan said, “After reaching the seventh rank of Nascent Soul Realm in the future, I still need to return to the Forbidden Zone.”

In some time, the next successor of the Forbidden Zone would be chosen in the Forbidden Zone Ancestral Land.

According to Ye Lingxuan’s own previous estimation, she should be able to step into the seventh rank of Nascent Soul Realm before then.

After all, Ye Lingxuan’s cultivation speed was different from others. She had left herself measures in the past, so her cultivation could be said to be soaring like a rocket.

Mu Zhian said, “Then I’ll accompany you back then.”

Ye Lingxuan’s eyes first lit up with joy, but soon, filled with some worry, she said softly, “My father doesn’t seem to like Brother Mu very much. If we go to the Forbidden Zone, I’m afraid…”

“How about Brother Mu stays behind to accompany Qian’er then,” she looked up and said softly.

“It’s fine. For Sister Lingxuan’s sake, I’ll have to get my father-in-law’s approval sooner or later anyway, right?” Mu Zhian comforted gently.

“My father actually already approves of Brother Mu, he just thinks Brother Mu is too much of a playboy,” Ye Lingxuan said, her delicate brows furrowing slightly.

She glanced at Mu Zhian again and said softly, “Brother Mu is indeed very much a playboy, but it’s not Brother Mu’s fault.”

“It’s just that there are too many fox spirits around Brother Mu, confusing Brother Mu.”

A hint of darkness appeared in her magnificent purple eyes, the Jade Empress immediately coming to mind.

The humiliation from the Jade Empress in the past, after transcending and ascending in the future, must be repaid in full!

The little girl was still thinking about ‘thirty years east, thirty years west’ (fortunes change over time), when suddenly, a rumbling thunder sounded within the Two Polarities Sect.

Then, like parting the clouds to see the sunrise, a pale golden staircase quietly descended from the sky.

A woman dressed in a black and red dress was slowly walking down the pale golden staircase.

Her immortal posture was like jade bone. With every step, sparks seemed to scatter from beneath her black and red robes, and her long, curling hair flew wildly.

“This is… Ancestor’s true body descending to the lower realm?”

A surprised and joyful girlish voice suddenly came from behind.

Ye Qian was looking up, staring straight at the graceful figure in mid-air, like a fairy in fire.

After a short while, sensing Mu Zhian’s gaze, she quickly called out shyly, ‘Brother Mu’.

Mu Zhian came back to his senses, smiled, and beckoned to Ye Qian: “My Qian’er seems to have developed quite a bit again, come let Brother Mu take a look.”

Looking closely now, Ye Qian and Ye Qingxin truly deserved to belong to the Ye family. Ye Qingxin was the type of clear and charming great beauty, while Ye Qian was also pure and charming, yet carried a hint of youthful tenderness appropriate for her age, blending into the purity expected of her age.

She is Sister Ye’s descendant after all, sure enough, she looks very similar to her… Mu Zhian sighed inwardly.

Not just the face, even the chest development is very similar…

“So you’re all here. I thought finding you would take some time.”

Just then, a woman’s pleasant voice came from mid-air. Accompanied by a flash of fire before their eyes, Ye Qingxin walked out from the pale golden flames.

“Ancestor.”

Ye Qian immediately reacted and called out softly.

Ye Lingxuan also politely bowed.

“Haven’t seen you for a while, both of your realms have advanced by leaps and bounds. It seems your cultivation hasn’t slacked off.”

Ye Qingxin glanced around at the two young girls, a hint of gentleness in her eyes.

Her crimson flames held black and golden sparks, looking exceptionally brilliant.

Although she didn’t emit the slightest aura, just meeting her bewitching red eyes made one feel a deep sense of awe.

The black and red dress outlined her figure, making it exceptionally sexy and charming. Her full chest seemed about to burst through the fabric, swaying gently with every step.

This was Ye Qingxin’s true body, one of the few Dao Integration Realm experts in the Nine Provinces who had ascended to the Heavenly Court!

Moreover, both her body and cauldron had been strengthened by Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy, her strength even more unfathomable.

After Ye Qingxin’s gaze swept over the Ye sisters, her sight quickly fixed on Mu Zhian.

Sensing the young man’s burning gaze, her originally indifferent posture suddenly gained a hint of gentleness. Then, feeling somewhat guilty, she glanced down at Ye Lingxuan and Ye Qian. Seeing the sisters hadn’t noticed, she inwardly sighed with relief.

She was the ancestor of the Ye clan after all. If these two girls discovered her involvement with Mu Zhian… Although the sisters might not say anything, she would feel guilty in her heart.

“By the way, Ancestor, why did you let your true body descend to the Nine Provinces… What if you can’t return to the Heavenly Court later?”

Just then, Ye Qian suddenly remembered this matter and couldn’t help asking worriedly.

Ye Qingxin slightly collected her thoughts, speaking with a somewhat elder-like tone: “The Nine Provinces are currently turbulent. With me here, I can at least protect you, and besides…”

Ye Qingxin paused, casually glancing at Mu Zhian.

Her gaze quickly retracted, and she said seriously, “Qian’er, the reason our Ye clan declined back then was related to the fall of several ancestors, but more importantly, no one in the Ye clan has yet been able to pass the inheritance left by the Ye clan.”

“Are you willing, for the sake of the Ye clan, to attempt the trial for that inheritance?”

Ye Qian looked somewhat lost and bewildered, looking up, “Inheritance trial? But I…”

The little girl was clearly lacking confidence, stammering somewhat at the moment.

Ye Qingxin’s red lips parted slightly, transmitting her voice: “If you can pass the trial, in the future, if you want to be close to your Brother Mu, you won’t be hindered by others.”

Ye Qian’s eyes went from weak to gradually calm: “Ancestor, Qian’er is willing to try!”

Ye Qingxin nodded with satisfaction, a hint of gentleness in her eyes.

Back when she descended upon the Nine Provinces with her clone, she ultimately couldn’t open the inheritance left jointly by several Ye clan ancestors from the past.

And now that her true body had descended, the first thing she thought of was naturally the descendants of the Ye family.

“What were you two talking about just now?” Mu Zhian naturally sensed the two had just used voice transmission and couldn’t help asking curiously.

Ye Qingxin slowly shook her head and smiled, “Nothing, just gave Qian’er this child a little encouragement.”

Even being in the Two Polarities Sect, she could sense the Ye clan members in Tianxuan City.

Among those people, they were either too young and unsuitable for cultivation, or too old.

And among the Ye family, the one with the best talent was Ye Qian.

If she could pass the Ye clan’s trial, it would also fulfill the agreement made back then with those Ye clan first-generation elders who had already passed away.

“Ancestor, then what should I do?” Ye Qian asked.

“After this, I will take you to the Ye clan’s Starry Sky Ancient Road. The inheritance ceremony will be held there.”

Ye Qingxin’s tone was gentle as she said softly, “As long as you can fight me on the Starry Sky Ancient Road and last ten rounds, you will have passed this trial.”