It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

At the Bai Manor, led by a servant, Mu Zhi’an arrived at Bai Ruoxi’s room. He knocked gently, and upon hearing her response, he pushed open the door, finding the young mistress with the outrageously ample bosom sitting gracefully on her bed.

She wore a simple white dress, devoid of any embellishments, her lips adorned with a layer of glossy rouge, making them appear plump and alluring. Perhaps because she was at home, her attire was more relaxed than her usual elegant style, but her natural beauty shone through, her flawless complexion needing no further adornment.

After instructing the servants to serve tea, Bai Ruoxi dismissed them, turning her attention to Mu Zhi’an. “You’re here about my mother, aren’t you?” she asked, her voice as clear and melodious as a mountain stream.

This girl is sharp. She knows why I sent her back. Mu Zhi’an didn’t deny it. “I was wondering, has there been any reaction from your mother?”

Bai Ruoxi hesitated. “They’re… acting as if nothing happened.”

That’s strange. What man wouldn’t react to such a betrayal? To act as if everything was normal.

And her father was a hot-tempered warrior. He wasn’t exactly known for hiding his emotions.

Could there be more to this story?

Mu Zhi’an pondered for a moment. “If you notice anything, let me know immediately.”

Bai Ruoxi nodded, then changed the subject. “Did you visit the Rising Phoenix Inn this morning?”

Mu Zhi’an noticed a subtle shift in her demeanor. Her usually bright eyes had darkened, a hint of suspicion in their depths.

It was as if she were asking: Did you go have a tryst with another woman?

Compared to their first encounter in the carriage, her attitude had changed drastically.

In the past, she wouldn’t have cared who he interacted with. In fact, she would have preferred him to be occupied with other women, leaving her in peace.

Mu Zhi’an sighed. “I went to see Senior Sister Lan. She’s one of the examiners, after all. I’m only at the third level of Foundation Establishment. I need to make a good impression. Otherwise, I might not even be allowed to enter the sect.”

“My father sent someone to invite her this morning as well, but she refused to see them.”

“As an examiner, she has to avoid any impropriety. Did you manage to see her, Young Master Mu?” Bai Ruoxi asked, her voice soft, almost wistful.

Mu Zhi’an shook his head. “No. She’s not receiving any visitors.”

He was surprised by her interest, by how quickly the news had reached her. It seemed the Bai family had truly recovered with her father’s return.

It was understandable. With Bai Heng back in charge, the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce wouldn’t dare to target them again. They had retreated, fearing the consequences.

And with Gongsun Xiong injured and clinging to power, the Gongsun family was too preoccupied with internal strife to bother with the Bai family.

The Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce wouldn’t make a move anytime soon either.

Most importantly, Bai Ruoxi and the Mu family were close. It was a deterrent.

Mu Zhi’an had assumed her questions would end there. She wasn’t usually interested in such matters.

But she continued, “The Mu family has a guaranteed spot in the sect. Persisting in your pursuit of the examiner… it might annoy her. She might even make things difficult for you during the exams.”

She sounded concerned, but her message was clear… Stop pursuing her.

She’s surprisingly possessive for someone so demure… Mu Zhi’an glanced at her, surprised, then nodded calmly. “You’re right. I’ll take your advice. I won’t disturb Senior Sister any further.”

He would communicate through letters instead.

Bai Ruoxi nodded, satisfied.

She summoned the Heavenly Dao Aura, her voice soft. “If you’re worried about being judged for your cultivation level, Young Master Mu, you’re welcome to cultivate in my room. I’ll control the aura and have it refine spiritual energy for you.”

First, she criticized his Senior Sister, then offered him her support… He knew it was a tactic, but he couldn’t help but feel a warmth spread through his chest.

He looked at the aura in her hand, a thought striking him. So he needs to be near her for it to work. Is this… a roundabout way of dual cultivation?

Does that mean he has to be near her whenever he wants to cultivate?

He pushed aside those thoughts and nodded. “Let’s try it.”

He sat down on the bed, and Bai Ruoxi, with a gesture of her hand, guided the aura towards him.

The aura began to rapidly absorb the surrounding spiritual energy, refining it and channeling it towards him.

His internal cauldron spun, absorbing the purified energy.

Such pure energy… no wonder everyone desired it. Even a pig could become a powerful demon with this.

As he marveled at the aura’s efficiency, Bai Ruoxi stared at him, her brow furrowed in confusion.

That’s odd. It’s not all being absorbed.

She studied him, noticing two distinct streams of spiritual energy flowing into his body.

Normally, a cultivator only had one cauldron, formed during Foundation Establishment. But she could sense two cauldrons operating within him.

Curious, she sat down beside him, reaching out to gently touch his face.

She had always found him repulsive, but now… she found herself drawn to his handsome features.

No… now’s not the time for this. She shook her head, focusing on the two streams of energy entering his body. She gasped, covering her mouth with her hand.

An Inborn Celestial Vessel.

Her eyes widened in shock.

That explained the two streams of energy. He didn’t have two cauldrons… His entire body was a cauldron!

An Inborn Celestial Vessel… on its own, it wasn’t particularly useful. But if a female cultivator engaged in… intimate activities with such a being… its value increased exponentially.

A simple act of intimacy could help a peak Core Formation cultivator break through her bottleneck, reaching Nascent Soul.

If his secret were to be revealed…

She stared at him, her heart pounding, her emotions a tangled mess.

Mu Zhi’an suddenly opened his eyes.

She flinched, quickly withdrawing her hand as if she’d been burned.

Sensing his gaze on her, she turned away, trying to sound calm. “Young Master Mu, why did you stop cultivating?”

“I felt someone touching my face. I thought someone might have entered the room,” he replied, his eyes fixed on her.

Her jawline was delicate, her nose straight, her lips slightly parted. A strand of hair had fallen across her cheek, lending her a classical beauty.

She felt her heart skip a beat, forcing herself to remain calm. “I sensed two cauldrons within you, Young Master Mu. I was simply confirming. I apologize for interrupting your cultivation.”

The silence was heavy, awkward. She quickly changed the subject. “It would be wise to keep your… other cauldron a secret. If people find out, you might become a target.”

While it was useless to male cultivators, to female cultivators… it was a priceless treasure.

Seeing his silence, she turned to look at him.

But before she could speak, she felt his warm hand covering hers. She looked up to find him gazing at her intently.

Her heart pounded in her chest. She tried to pull away, but a strange reluctance held her back.

He stared at her flushed cheeks, a smile playing on his lips.

The usually aloof and untouchable Bai Ruoxi, seeing her flustered and shy… it was strangely alluring.

He tightened his grip, their fingers intertwining.

He leaned closer, and she felt like a trapped rabbit, her back pressed against the bedframe, nowhere to escape.

She looked up at him, her long lashes fluttering nervously, her eyes downcast.

“May I?” he asked softly, his face inches from hers.

She raised her eyes to meet his, a warmth spreading through her chest. “Yes…” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

He hesitated no longer. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close, his lips capturing hers.

He had no ulterior motives. He was simply curious about the flavor of her rouge.