It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

A single strike had shattered Gongsun Cheng’s Golden Bell Shield!

Even though Mu Zhi’an knew Bai Ruoxi was powerful, he was still taken aback.

He knew the bronze sword amplified her strength, but he hadn’t expected it to be this potent.

“Young Master, are you alright?”

Two servants rushed to Gongsun Cheng’s side, helping him to his feet.

He clutched his chest, his spiritual energy in turmoil. He felt humiliated, countless eyes fixed on him, judging him. He glared at Bai Ruoxi, his voice trembling with anger.

“Miss Bai, the Bai family just recovered! Are you trying to provoke another conflict with the Gongsun family?!”

Bai Ruoxi frowned, staring at him silently.

“If you back down now, I’ll pretend this never happened,” he said coldly.

Seeing her silence, he smirked, about to speak again, when Mu Zhi’an interrupted him, his voice laced with amusement. “Resorting to your family name after being defeated? How pathetic.”

“Do you even represent the Gongsun family?”

The Mu family had only recently granted him authority, and there were still several Core Formation elders in seclusion. If anything happened, they would intervene.

But Gongsun Xiong had six children. Gongsun Cheng was the fourth son. Competition within the family was fierce. He couldn’t possibly speak for the entire Gongsun family.

He was simply bluffing, trying to intimidate them.

“If your father finds out about your behavior, will he break your legs?” Mu Zhi’an asked casually.

Gongsun Xiong was currently focused on recovering from his injuries. If he knew his son had provoked the Mu family’s young master, he would be furious.

Gongsun Cheng understood, but he glared at Mu Zhi’an. “Do you dare face me in a duel, Young Master Mu?”

“I don’t,” Mu Zhi’an replied, spreading his hands.

“Besides, what’s the point? Your eighth level of Foundation Establishment is clearly inflated. Being defeated by someone at the same level… it’s hardly motivating.”

He paused, then added, his tone concerned, “Oh, I have some healing medicine at the manor. I’ll have someone deliver it to you.”

Gongsun Cheng felt a surge of anger, his blood boiling.

“Young Master, calm down. He’s provoking you. Don’t let him get to you,” a servant whispered.

Gongsun Cheng suppressed his rage, his voice cold. “I acknowledge Miss Bai’s strength. She’s probably invincible among her peers. But what does that have to do with you? A third-level Foundation Establishment wastrel – you dare lecture me?”

Mu Zhi’an chuckled, his smile infuriatingly pleasant. “I might not be able to defeat Ruoxi, but you, an eighth-level cultivator, were also defeated with a single strike. What’s the difference between us?”

“We were both humiliated. I could have done just as well or worse.”

Gongsun Cheng’s anger erupted. He glared at Mu Zhi’an, his killing intent barely contained.

“Besides…”

Mu Zhi’an, seemingly oblivious to his fury, turned to Bai Ruoxi and, to everyone’s astonishment, gently took her hand.

“Ruoxi and I, we don’t have any grudges, do we?” he asked, smiling at her.

All eyes turned to Bai Ruoxi, who blushed slightly, her gaze downcast. But she didn’t pull away, nor did she strike him with her sword, as many had hoped.

She simply allowed him to hold her hand, her voice a soft murmur. “No”

The male cultivators in the arena felt a surge of envy, wishing they were in Mu Zhi’an’s place.

They had suspected a connection between them, but seeing him hold her hand so openly was unbearable. They understood Gongsun Cheng’s rage. They wanted to teach that Mu boy a lesson.

But then, they looked at Bai Ruoxi, remembering her power, and they calmed down, sighing inwardly.

“To break through Gongsun Cheng’s Golden Bell Shield with a single strike, Miss Bai truly is invincible among her peers…”

“Her technique is strange. I doubt she can use it repeatedly, but if she can unleash that sword several times in a battle, who could stand against her?”

“The Bai family might be struggling now, but with her, they have a bright future.”

“I wonder who will win her hand” someone murmured.

“Isn’t it obvious? Look who’s holding her hand.”

The male cultivators fell silent, their envy palpable.

“Why do I suddenly want to punch Mu Zhi’an in the face?” someone whispered, expressing the sentiment shared by many.

“Not just punch him… I want to obliterate that smug look on his face.”

“Go ahead. Try it.”

“Why don’t *you* try it?” the other retorted.

Bai Ruoxi’s power was undeniable. Even though they suspected she couldn’t use her sword repeatedly, they didn’t know how many times she could unleash it in a single battle.

And besides, attacking the Mu family’s young master in Tianxuan City… it was suicide.

Gongsun Cheng had been reckless, arrogant, believing that the Mu family wouldn’t retaliate against the Gongsun family.

But his arrogance had come at a steep price.

‘Gongsun Cheng, the Gongsun family’s top genius, defeated by Bai Ruoxi with a single strike’ If that story spread, he would be humiliated.

Even if he joined the Two Polarities Sect, it would be a stain on his reputation.

The two Gongsun family servants, realizing they had gained nothing from this encounter, helped Gongsun Cheng to his feet, preparing to leave.

“Oh, Young Master Gongsun,” Mu Zhi’an called out, as if remembering something important. “Instead of meddling in other people’s affairs, perhaps you should focus on your own family.”

Gongsun Cheng paused, turning to face him. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, our individual strength is irrelevant. What matters is the foundation,” Mu Zhi’an replied with a smile.

Your family is crumbling, and you’re worried about a duel with me?

Gongsun Cheng stared at him, a sense of foreboding creeping into his heart.

As he limped away, supported by his servants, Mu Zhi’an turned to the crowd, bowing slightly.

“I apologize for the interruption. Ruoxi and I were simply here to observe the practice matches. We won’t take up any more of your time.”

They bowed back, their responses polite but distant.

He was the Mu family’s young master, after all. They wouldn’t offend him unnecessarily.

Not everyone had a grudge against him, like Gongsun Cheng and Ye Yu.

Although seeing him with Bai Ruoxi… it was difficult not to feel envious.

The practice matches continued, the crowd buzzing with gossip about the recent events.

Ye Yu, whose talent had been the subject of much admiration, was now overshadowed, forgotten.

They no longer marveled at his ability to defeat Foundation Establishment cultivators while still at the peak of Qi Condensation. Their attention was now focused on Bai Ruoxi and Mu Zhi’an.

Compared to her, his talent seemed ordinary.

And a ninth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator with a third-level wastrel, especially if that cultivator was Bai Ruoxi… it was a scandal waiting to happen.

Mu Zhi’an led Bai Ruoxi to a nearby bench, their hands still clasped together. The usually aloof young mistress seemed shy and demure, but only around him.

The sunlight streamed through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Carriages rumbled along the street, passing by ancient buildings.

Mu Zhi’an leaned back, enjoying the warmth of the sun, his hand still holding hers. He looked at her, a playful smile on his lips. “Ruoxi, are you hiding your tail? Show it to me.”

She blushed, shaking her head. “I don’t have a tail, Young Master Mu. Stop teasing me.”

“I don’t believe you. Show me.”

She rolled her eyes.

How could she show him? Her ears were visible, but her tail.

“You should stay at the Mu Manor until the entrance exams,” he said suddenly, changing the subject.

He had to be careful with his teasing. He didn’t want to upset her.

She hesitated. “Why?”

He leaned in close, his voice a low whisper. “The Heavenly Dao Aura purifies the spiritual energy around you. And it also exposes your mother’s demonic aura.”

Her eyes widened, and she turned to face him.

“Really?”

“How do you think I discovered her secret?”

So that’s how he knew. She nodded silently.

“I’ll stay at the manor then. Thank you.”

She felt his fingers playing with hers, and she blushed, glancing around to make sure no one was watching them.

He was already this bold, and they weren’t even living together yet. What would he do if she stayed at the manor?

She felt a flicker of apprehension.

Oblivious to her concerns, Mu Zhi’an continued to hold her hand, his gaze fixed on the sparring arena, a contented smile on his lips.

“Ye Yu wins!” a clear voice announced.

Mu Zhi’an looked up to see Ye Yu, dressed in black robes, emerging victorious from another practice match. His opponent was a second-level Foundation Establishment cultivator.

He’s stronger than before… Mu Zhi’an thought, intrigued.

Ye Yu noticed him watching and smirked, giving him a thumbs-down.

Afraid to accept a challenge from a mere peak Qi Condensation cultivator. That’s how weak you are, Mu Zhi’an… He didn’t need words to convey his disdain.

Mu Zhi’an simply chuckled at the childish provocation.

He turned to Bai Ruoxi, brushing a strand of hair from her face, and kissed her cheek.

Then, he gave Ye Yu a thumbs-up.

That was how you played the game.

“What was that for?” Bai Ruoxi whispered, her cheeks flushed, her voice a mixture of annoyance and amusement.

“Nothing. You’re just too cute,” he replied, squeezing her hand gently.

Ye Yu froze, staring at them, speechless.

He couldn’t understand why she had chosen Mu Zhi’an over him. Even a blind man could see that his talent was far superior, that his future prospects were brighter.

Yet she preferred Mu Zhi’an. He clenched his fists, a jealous rage burning within him.

“Brother Ye Yu, the elders summoned you. They have something to discuss with you,” a sweet voice called out from the crowd.

Mu Zhi’an looked over to see a lovely young woman, dressed in a light blue robe, a thin belt cinching her waist, her long black hair cascading down her back. She wore deerskin boots, her appearance as youthful and innocent as a college student.

If he remembered correctly, she was Ye Qian, the daughter of the Ye family’s First Elder.

Ye Yu, his mood clearly soured, jumped down from the platform and looked at his cousin. “Do you know what they want?”

She shook her head. “They didn’t say.”

He nodded curtly, turning to leave.

Ye Qian hesitated, then called out, “Brother Ye Yu, you’re an alchemist, right? I’m at the peak of Qi Condensation. Could you refine a Foundation Establishment Pill for me? I’ll pay for the ingredients and your labor.”

He didn’t answer, his voice flat. “We’ll discuss it later.”

Their relationship had been strained during his years as a “cripple.” They had only recently started to interact again. And after being provoked by Mu Zhi’an, he was in no mood for idle chatter.

She watched him go, her head bowed, a flicker of disappointment in her eyes.

If he refused, she would have to ask an alchemist from the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce…

It would be more expensive, but she needed a Foundation Establishment Pill to ensure a smooth breakthrough.

She sighed, walking towards the Ye Manor, preparing to return home.

But then, a figure stepped in front of her.

He had soft, dark hair, and he was dressed in luxurious robes, his demeanor as gentle and refined as a scholar, a warm smile on his handsome face.

To a young woman like Ye Qian, experiencing her first stirrings of romance, Mu Zhi’an was the embodiment of every fantasy. She stared at him, captivated.

She quickly recovered, shaking her head, her eyes wary. “Young Master Mu, is there something I can help you with?”

She knew her cousin and Mu Zhi’an were rivals, and she was aware of his notorious reputation.

Her elders had warned her repeatedly to avoid him.

She had taken their words to heart, and this was her first direct interaction with him.

He smiled. “Don’t be nervous. My issues with Ye Yu are personal. You don’t need to be so guarded.”

He retrieved a delicate box from his storage ring and offered it to her.

What is this? She frowned, glancing at him, then opened the box.

Inside, a perfectly round pill gleamed in the sunlight. It was a Foundation Establishment Pill!

“I can’t accept this, Young Master Mu,” she said, quickly closing the box and offering it back to him.

He smiled gently. “If you refuse now, you’ll have to acquire the ingredients and find an alchemist yourself. It will be costly and time-consuming. I’m not giving you this pill. I’m simply selling it to you… at cost.”

“You can have someone deliver the payment to the Mu Manor later.”

He doesn’t seem as villainous as the rumors suggest. She looked at his warm smile, his sincere eyes, and hesitated for a moment. Finally, she accepted the pill.

“I didn’t bring any Spirit Stones with me today. I’ll deliver the payment tomorrow.” She bowed slightly, clutching the box, then hurried away.

Her deerskin boots tapped against the ground, her skirt swaying gently in the breeze, revealing a glimpse of her slender legs.

Mu Zhi’an watched her go, a smile spreading across his lips.

Helping others, it was a surprisingly pleasant feeling.

He returned to Bai Ruoxi, sitting down beside her, his gaze sweeping over the sparring arena, a contented sigh escaping his lips.

He teased her occasionally, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the company of a beautiful woman.

…

At the tea house.

“What do you think of the Mu family’s young master, Sister?” Feiying asked with a smile, her eyes gleaming with amusement.

Lan Mulian turned away from the window, her voice calm and measured. “He’s adequate.”

“He has decent talent and intelligence. As for his character, it remains to be seen. He’s a promising candidate.”

Ye Yu and Gongsun Cheng, on the other hand, had been disappointing.

Their talent was undeniable, but their temperament was lacking.

A true cultivator shouldn’t be so easily swayed by emotions.

“What about Bai Ruoxi?” Feiying asked.

Lan Mulian pondered for a moment. “If Master saw her, she might consider taking her as a disciple.”

Bai Ruoxi’s performance had been impressive. She was practically invincible among her peers… No one at Foundation Establishment could withstand the power of that bronze sword.

Feiying glanced at the temptress from the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce, who had just entered the arena. “We’ve had enough tea, Sister. Shall we go down and take a closer look? I’m sure you’re curious about the Bai family’s young mistress.”

She looked at her sister, a knowing smile on her lips.

Lan Mulian, oblivious to her sister’s amusement, took another sip of tea.

She glanced at the beautiful young woman in the arena below, then nodded.

“Very well.”