It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Luo Tan returned to the Imperial Heart Hall, followed by her maid. The hall wasn’t lavishly decorated, but a faint fragrance of medicinal herbs lingered in the air.

Soft carpets stretched from the entrance to the throne at the far end, giving the hall a solemn and majestic atmosphere.

“Invite the Great Peng Emperor to the hall,” Luo Tan instructed softly.

Her hairstyle was intricate and elegant, adorned with a precious golden hair ornament. A priceless golden scale pearl was inlaid at the end of the golden tassel, swaying gently with her graceful steps, beautiful and noble.

The maid discreetly glanced at the Empress. A faint blush still lingered on Her Majesty’s beautiful face, but she had already regained her usual noble and inviolable demeanor, clearly having recovered from her earlier emotional state.

If she hadn’t personally witnessed Her Majesty being embraced by a man… she wouldn’t have believed such a thing, not even if she were beaten to death.

The maid quickly lowered her head and immediately left the hall to summon the Great Peng Emperor.

After a while, Luo Tan heard a hearty laugh from the distance: “Pill Emperor, it’s quite difficult to see you. However, I have urgent matters to discuss, so I came uninvited. Please forgive my intrusion.”

A rather handsome man in dark battle armor, a golden crown holding his hair in place, walked into the hall.

“Since the founding of Yu State and the consolidation of its national fortune, we’ve had close ties with Cloud Province. We are allies, Great Peng Emperor, there’s no need to be so polite.”

Luo Tan smiled, casually glancing at the envoy following the Great Peng Emperor, then retracting her gaze, and said, “However, in the past, communications between Cloud Province and Yu State were mostly through envoys. What urgent matter brings the Emperor himself to my Yu State today?”

The Great Peng Emperor gave the envoy beside him a look, and the envoy immediately understood, quietly withdrawing.

A playful glint appeared in Luo Tan’s eyes. It seemed the Great Peng Emperor’s sudden visit to Yu State truly was for something very important.

“You may also withdraw,” she said to the maid beside her.

“Yes.”

After preparing tea for the two, the maid bowed slightly and left the hall.

The Great Peng Emperor took a sip of tea, then said with a smile, “Although it’s the same Dao Comprehension Tea, the one from Yu State is much more fragrant than the one from my Cloud Province. As expected, in terms of alchemy, Yu State’s skills far surpass other places.”

Luo Tan’s expression remained unchanged. She lowered her eyelids slightly and said, “Emperor, please speak frankly.”

Anyone with discerning eyes could tell that the Great Peng Emperor’s visit today was definitely for an important matter, let alone Luo Tan. Moreover, she wasn’t in the mood to exchange meaningless pleasantries with him.

Hearing this, the Great Peng Emperor couldn’t help but smile, “The Pill Emperor is truly clever. Actually, I came here today for this…”

He took out an exquisite jade box from his storage ring.

The moment he opened the jade box, a burst of astonishingly dense Spiritual Energy erupted, and a captivating rosy light filled the hall, as if two phoenixes were circling within.

Luo Tan’s eyes finally changed slightly, somewhat surprised: “Emperor Medicine…? No, its Spiritual Energy far surpasses Emperor Medicine, close to Immortal Medicine? You cultivated Immortal Medicine?”

Immortal Medicine, this was beyond the scope of what Dao Integration Realm experts could cultivate. Let alone great powers, even true immortals might not be able to cultivate Immortal Medicine.

In the past ten thousand years, Luo Tan had also tried to cultivate Immortal Medicine many times, but all ended in failure.

One must know, her Pill Immortal Physique was naturally close to all kinds of pills and heavenly materials and earthly treasures in this world, yet even she hadn’t cultivated Immortal Medicine. The Great Peng Emperor taking out such a quasi-immortal medicine was naturally surprising.

The Great Peng Emperor smiled: “Even the Pill Emperor hasn’t cultivated Immortal Medicine, let alone others.”

“I obtained this Immortal Medicine by chance earlier. It was on a cliff in the Northern Frontier. The Spiritual Energy of cultivators passing through there would be sealed. Even my Spiritual Energy seemed to be suppressed when I stepped inside.”

Luo Tan nodded silently, understanding.

The Nine Provinces was a miraculous land where ‘Immortals’ were once born. In this vast and boundless alien starry sky, only the Nine Provinces had ever nurtured such existences as ‘Immortals’.

And when that Immortal fell in the past, she left behind many miracles in the Nine Provinces. This Immortal Medicine was perhaps also created by the Immortal.

“Emperor coming to find me, it shouldn’t be just to show off this Immortal Medicine, right?” Luo Tan said faintly.

“The Pill Emperor is very clever. Actually, I came here this time to borrow something from you.”

Luo Tan raised a delicate eyebrow: “What?”

“The Myriad Transformations Qi Cauldron,” the Great Peng Emperor said, staring intently into Luo Tan’s eyes.

“I know the importance of the Myriad Transformations Qi Cauldron to Yu State. I can swear that in half a month, I will definitely return it.”

Luo Tan seemed to realize something and said softly, “You want to refine Immortal Medicine and transcend?”

She quickly shook her head: “In the Nine Provinces, even I’m not sure I can refine immortal-grade pills. Even if you borrow the Myriad Transformations Qi Cauldron, how do you plan to refine the pill?”

The Great Peng Emperor smiled: “There’s no need for the Pill Emperor to worry about that. What you truly need to consider is whether you’re willing to lend the Myriad Transformations Qi Cauldron.”

“What if I refuse?” Luo Tan asked casually.

The smile on the Great Peng Emperor’s face faded slightly, and he slowly said, “Last time, during the Jade Empress’s Transcendence, all parties in the Nine Provinces secretly made some moves, but Yu State and the Demon Realm were exceptions… And this ultimately resulted in the Jade Empress successfully transcending, breaking the established order of the Nine Provinces.”

Luo Tan chuckled softly, “You mean to blame me for not stopping the Jade Empress back then?”

Although her smile was bright, her tone was cold.

The Great Peng Emperor shook his head: “I just feel it’s a pity. With the Pill Emperor’s reputation in the Nine Provinces, if you had called out back then, there would have been many great powers willing to give you face.”

“But what benefit would I gain from doing that?” Luo Tan asked faintly.

“I know Cloud Province also participated in the Jade Empress’s Transcendence, but you didn’t contribute much from the shadows, wanting to reap the benefits, didn’t you?” Luo Tan continued.

Cloud Province wanted to reap the benefits, and now they were secretly blaming her?

Seeing Luo Tan’s displeased expression, the Great Peng Emperor’s eyes flickered. He quickly smiled and said, “The Pill Emperor has her own plans. If I truly had any objections, I would have spoken to you long ago, why wait until today?”

“Besides, it’s too late to say anything now. The Jade Empress has already transcended, and the Jade Pool Holy Land stands alone. If the Jade Pool Holy Land continues to grow stronger in the future, and she starts having ideas about other powers, it will be troublesome.”

The Great Peng Emperor changed the subject: “If I can transcend and ascend at this time, I can guarantee that Yu State will always be a steadfast ally of Cloud Province in the future.”

Luo Tan hummed softly: “I’ll think about it.”

The Great Peng Emperor frowned slightly. Although he was dissatisfied with this result, since she didn’t explicitly refuse, it meant there was still hope. He couldn’t press her further now.

He quickly changed the topic: “If I remember correctly, my beloved consort also came to Yu State. Is she in your palace now?”

Luo Tan nodded gently: “If you want to see her, you can go. However, the Princess is an important guest of my Yu State. I don’t want to see unnecessary conflicts in my territory.”

The Great Peng Emperor nodded: “Naturally, no matter what, I won’t cause trouble for my ally.”

Luo Tan smiled faintly, watching as the Great Peng Emperor turned into a blur and vanished from sight. Only then did a cold look gradually appear in her eyes.

Ally?

Did he really think she didn’t know how Cloud Province gradually rose to power all these years?

She casually retracted her gaze and said faintly, “Prepare a petal bath in Tang Xue Palace.”

The maid entered the hall, and hearing Her Majesty’s words, she couldn’t help but be stunned: Her Majesty is going to Tang Xue Palace?

Tang Xue Palace was an extremely luxurious place, usually only rewarded to talented young ladies from noble families. There were even rumors that after bathing in Tang Xue Palace, one’s cultivation realm could advance a level within just a few days.

As the Pill Emperor of Yu State, it was natural for her to enjoy some luxury, but Her Majesty had just been there a few days ago. It was rare for her to go again so soon…

The maid quickly reacted and bowed slightly: “Yes, this servant will go and make the arrangements.”

…

Mu Zhian sat under the pavilion, seemingly casually admiring the scenery outside, but secretly observing the Princess, whose figure was as alluring as a ripe peach.

Undoubtedly, this Princess of Cloud Province was indeed a very beautiful woman.

Only when Mu Zhian sat down opposite her did he notice she was wearing a long, fitted dress, a thin sash outlining her slender waist. Her beautiful eyes always held a hazy look, as if filled with spring, charming and gentle.

However, judging from how this Princess dared to bicker with Yao Meng earlier, it wasn’t hard to guess that this woman only appeared gentle as water on the surface. Only when you got close to her would you realize that she was like a deep pool of water, completely unfathomable.

“There’s something I want to confirm.”

Just then, the Princess’s voice pulled Mu Zhian back to reality. She toyed with her teacup, her gentle and charming eyes gazing at Mu Zhian: “You and the Jade Empress are Dao Companions, correct?”

Although she didn’t make any seductive moves, her every action seemed to carry an alluring charm, like a ripe peach waiting to be picked.

It was no wonder the Great Peng Emperor was so infatuated with her. This Princess was not only powerful, but also possessed exceptional temperament and beauty.

“The Jade Empress and I are indeed Dao Companions,” Mu Zhian didn’t deny it. Everyone in the Nine Provinces knew this, and he had just encountered this Princess when he came to Yu State with Yao Meng earlier.

How close Yao Meng and Mu Zhian were was something this Princess had witnessed with her own eyes.

“How honest, I like honest, good boys.”

A charming smile bloomed on the Princess’s beautiful face beneath her veil. She tilted her head slightly, sizing up Mu Zhian: “Then what is your relationship with Luo Tan?”

Her voice remained incredibly gentle, as if asking an ordinary question, but her tone carried the arrogance of a superior.

Clearly, although Mu Zhian was the Jade Empress’s Dao Companion, Nascent Soul Realm was just Nascent Soul Realm. To her, Mu Zhian was just a junior.

Towards a junior, there was no need to be polite.

“Since you’ve already seen it, why ask again?” Mu Zhian also noticed the Princess’s arrogance, so his tone became more casual.

“I know you have a close relationship with her, but I don’t understand. In the past ten thousand years since achieving Dao Integration, she has never had any physical contact with any man, devoting herself to her Immortal Dynasty and alchemy, but why—”

Before the Princess could finish speaking, Mu Zhian interrupted faintly, “Since you heard our conversation earlier, you should have also heard what she said later, right?”

The Princess was momentarily silent.

“A great power’s lifespan is extremely long, and she’s also the Pill Emperor, her lifespan even harder to estimate… But doing the same things day after day, it’s inevitable to feel bored over time.”

Mu Zhian said, “So, Her Majesty being intimate with me now is probably because she wants to find some excitement in this boring life…”

Is this explanation reasonable enough? I know you’re her best friend, but I’ve already given such a reasonable explanation, so don’t bother me anymore…

However, hearing this, the Princess couldn’t help but shake her head slowly: “With her personality, she wouldn’t choose a little cultivator who just reached Nascent Soul Realm, especially since you already have Dao Companions.”

Her beautiful eyes gazed at Mu Zhian tenderly: “Can’t you tell me the real reason?”

Mu Zhian sighed softly, “This junior has already told you everything I know. If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do.”

He paused, then continued, “Perhaps it’s because during the alchemy competition at the Two Polarities Sect some time ago, Her Majesty saw some skill in my alchemy and thus developed an appreciation for my talent.”

“Mere appreciation for talent isn’t enough to make her so infatuated with you.”

The Princess spoke again, her voice always gentle, like gently scratching an itch in one’s heart, “You should know Luo Tan’s identity, right?”

Before Mu Zhian could answer, she continued leisurely, “She’s the Empress of Yu State. In Yu State, her status is equivalent to a god. If the matter of you being intimate with her today were to spread… What do you think would happen?”

Is this breaking us up…? Mu Zhian nodded gently, “I know, so we weren’t intimate outside. If it weren’t for Your Highness being here today, probably no one else would know about this.”

The Princess’s delicate brows furrowed slightly.

This little cultivator seemed easy to talk to, but he was actually quite stubborn.

“What will it take for you to leave her?”

She had realized Mu Zhian was a tough nut to crack, but she was also somewhat displeased with his persistence, “A stalk of Emperor Medicine, is that enough?”

Mu Zhian was stunned, a playful glint appearing in his eyes: “I’ll give Your Highness two stalks of Emperor Medicine, how about you package yourself up and give yourself to me?”

A flash of anger appeared in the Princess’s eyes, but it quickly vanished, her gaze returning to its usual gentleness: “As expected of the Jade Empress’s Dao Companion, your strength isn’t much, but you’re quite the smooth talker.”

Mu Zhian shrugged: “Does Your Highness really think a stalk of Emperor Medicine can make someone submit?”

Having finally gotten close to Luo Tan, he wouldn’t give up just because of a stalk of Emperor Medicine, right?

Not to mention the Empress’s status and position in Yu State, just her beauty and the dual cultivation benefits from her Innate Celestial Furnace weren’t something a stalk of Emperor Medicine could compare to.

“What exactly do you want?” The Princess’s tone had lost some of its gentleness, becoming colder.

Once the matter between Mu Zhian and Luo Tan spread, it would undoubtedly damage Luo Tan’s reputation.