Chapter - 253 - It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

"I thought I heard something just now, so I wanted to check if anything happened, sister," Ye Qian's soft voice came from outside the room. Ye Lingxuan and Mu Zhian exchanged a glance. She whispered, "It's nothing... Just the Lock of Temporal Desolation acting up a bit while I was receiving the inheritance." The Lock of Temporal Desolation peeped out from Ye Lingxuan's sleeve, its lock head forming a question mark, "?". Ye Qian seemed unconcerned, muttering to herself, "I see..." "The night is getting late. You should head back and rest early. The inheritance just ended today, but you probably haven't fully grasped the technique yet, right?" Ye Lingxuan advised, in the tone of an elder sister teaching her younger one. At the same time, she gently flicked away Mu Zhian's warm hand, which had been slowly creeping down her waist, exuding a hint of grievance in her eyes. Does Brother Mu really not understand timing? How inappropriate to act so whimsically at a moment like this... Ye Lingxuan slightly held her breath, her natural spiritual physique proving advantageous until she sensed Ye Qian's presence vanish at the doorway, prompting her to exhale a long breath and whisper, "That scared me to death. Brother Mu, weren't you afraid Qian'er might find out?" Although Ye Qian likely wouldn't make much of it, perhaps might even feel thrilled seeing her beloved Brother Mu getting close to her cherished sister... Mu Zhian placed a hand back on Ye Lingxuan's leg, earnestly saying, "I know what I'm doing. Don't worry." "Stop fooling around, Brother Mu. Why are you here tonight?" Ye Lingxuan gently snapped at Mu Zhian's mischievous hand. If it were anyone else, Ye Lingxuan wouldn't hesitate to use the Lock of Temporal Desolation to throw them out. However, the warmth of the young man beside her left her reluctant to part. Mu Zhian clearly noticed her internal conflict. Sitting beside her, he wrapped an arm gently around her slender waist, bringing her closer. Leaning slightly, he softly said by her delicate ear, "Lingxuan, you've been in closed cultivation for so long. I missed you, so I came to see you. Is that wrong?" "Didn't you miss me?" Ye Lingxuan lifted her gaze, meeting Mu Zhian's eyes full of affection. The candlelight highlighted her sparkling peach blossom eyes. After a moment, she softly murmured, "Hm." "Oh, and I have something to give you." Seeming to recall something, Mu Zhian retrieved a special spirit stone from his storage ring, glowing with a purple hue. It was only the size of a teacup but shone with an enchanting purple glow in the dark, captivating anyone who looked at it. Instinctively looking up at him, Ye Lingxuan asked, "A Purple Lightning Sacred Rock?" "You know this?" Mu Zhian asked, surprised. As expected of the forbidden area's saintess, Ye Lingxuan was well-aware of various special spirit stones and swiftly recognized it. He had only seen it in ancient texts, and in the Eastern Continent, a teacup-sized Purple Lightning Sacred Rock was worth over a hundred thousand spirit stones. Clutching her storage ring with a playful smile, Ye Lingxuan responded, "I've seen it recorded in ancient books before." Pausing for a moment, she continued with a smile, "Thank you, Brother Mu. I really like it." "As long as you like it," Mu Zhian smiled. He had learned not to trip over the same stone thrice, like giving away an Aurora Gem to the Jade Pool Saintess, which everyone around him knew was just a formality; there'd be no big issue even if she presented him with an Aurora Necklace in return someday. As for Lin Keyu, her innocent nature, similar to Ye Qian, meant she wouldn't realistically present him the necklace in public. With Ye Lingxuan, the approach needed to be more delicate, opting to gift something different. After exchanging some casual conversation in Ye Lingxuan's chamber, Mu Zhian began to rise, preparing to leave. "Brother Mu is leaving?" Ye Lingxuan looked up at Mu Zhian, surprise evident in her eyes. Yet beneath the surface lay a deeper layer of reluctance. She had thought he'd propose something regarding his past-life legacy after hearing tales from the Reincarnation Empress; perhaps tonight would be pivotal... but seemingly, she had misunderstood Mu Zhian's intentions. Brother Mu respected her, not intent on exploiting the reincarnation pretext for anything untoward tonight... Watching Mu Zhian’s retreating figure, a rush of shame surged through Ye Lingxuan, and she gently patted her flushed face. He had no intention of any misdeeds. Securing such a spirit stone at the Sword Palace brought her to mind first and foremost; surprising her was his sole aim this night. Yet she had conjured such mindless scenarios... In her imagination, she had thought he'd sway her with sweet words, pressing her onto the bed teasingly, then proceed to... "When did I become such a rakish girl..." Ever composed and elegant, Ye Lingxuan mused over Mu Zhian’s earnest demeanor, lamenting her wild imagination tonight, almost yearning for an escape into the earth. While leaving, Mu Zhian paused at the doorstep, and noticing Ye Lingxuan’s puzzlement, stepped back towards her. "Is there something else, Brother Mu...?" Ye Lingxuan asked softly, lowering her gaze as past daydreams flashed in her memories and shyly avoiding eye contact. "Didn’t I mention wiping off your rouge? I almost forgot," Mu Zhian chuckled. Following his words, he picked up a handkerchief, covering her eyes with it. Before she could react, her soft lip, tinged with a warm hue, was seized by Mu Zhian's lips, tasting the cool subtlety and full-bodied spirit energy said to stem from the nourishing Transcendental Water. His previous hunch was spot-on; Lingxuan herself might very well be akin to a miniature reincarnation pool... Mu Zhian mused, observing her delicately contoured face. Catching herself in time, Ye Lingxuan instinctively removed the handkerchief, wanting to whisper something, yet stilled under his tender gaze. She slowly closed her eyes, her long, curled lashes quivering slightly, hands coming to rest around Mu Zhian’s neck, settling on the desk edge while allowing him to savor the fresh rouge she had applied not long ago. Outside, the snow began to fall heavily, the cold wind beating against the window panes, carrying faint howls in the night. Eventually, breaking away from the tender embrace, Mu Zhian brushed some residual rouge from her lips with a smile, "Cleaned up for you." Enraptured by his glance, Ye Lingxuan's cherry blossom eyes glistened with a twinkle, leaving any intended rebuke powerless. Seizing the moment, Mu Zhian extended his farewell, "It's getting late. I’ll come see you tomorrow." "Hm." Despite her fondness, Ye Lingxuan’s lingering blush held back her impulse to ask him to stay, watching him disappear into the snow-laden night beyond the door. After the door closed, she took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Only then did she seem to revert to the perfect goddess, gracious and serene but maintaining her polite distance with others. Ye Lingxuan moved to the desk, gazing at the Purple Lightning Sacred Rock in her hand, before quietly drawing out a head-sized one from her ring, handing it to the quietly observing Reincarnation Empress in the corner. "Keep this for now, will you?" Ye Lingxuan said. The Reincarnation Empress tilted her head, "Why...?" "If Brother Mu finds out, it could stir up unnecessary trouble. Also, could you craft it into a pair of bracelets?" Ye Lingxuan handed the recently gifted stone to the Reincarnation Empress. "This one's too small; a ring would suffice," the Empress suggested. Contemplating briefly, Ye Lingxuan nodded, "Then a ring it is." "If you want bracelets, the larger one will work," the Empress reminded. "It's different," Ye Lingxuan tapped her lips as if feeling the recent warmth from them. "Why?" The Empress tilted her head. After a silent pause, Ye Lingxuan smiled sweetly, "Different is simply different." "A gift from Brother Mu isn’t the same as one of my own. You wouldn't understand." ... Returning to Tianhe Court, Mu Zhian didn't head straight to his room but went directly to the front of Bai Ruoxi’s chamber. He quietly pushed open the door, relieved to see the beautiful figure clad in a palace gown, seemingly meditating with her eyes slightly closed. Turning to shut the door softly, he approached the bedside and sat cross-legged next to Bai Ruoxi, preparing to enter a meditative state himself. But just then, a melodious and gentle voice interrupted him, "Mu Lang, were you perhaps trapped in the Sword Palace today? Why are you returning so late?" Bai Ruoxi's eyes had quietly opened, a touch of tenderness in her gaze. Yet, for some reason, the warmth in her eyes felt subtly perilous to Mu Zhian. After a moment’s hesitation, Mu Zhian decided honesty was the best policy and confessed, "I visited Lingxuan today. We discussed matters concerning the Reincarnation Aura." "Reincarnation Aura?" Bai Ruoxi, who had been prepared to watch his 'performance', now showed a hint of confusion. He confessed...? I was even ready to use the Binding Heart Lock... "Yes, I sought out Lingxuan to discuss the Reincarnation Aura," Mu Zhian deftly caught a glimpse of the Binding Heart Lock peeping from Bai Ruoxi's sleeve before looking gently at her. "Lingxuan received an inheritance in the forbidden zone, and completing it requires some assistance from me... That's why I visited her tonight." Normally, Bai Ruoxi would be deep in her meditative cultivation at this hour. But not tonight—no doubt Wei Mengrou tipped her off about his whereabouts. Since hiding was no longer possible, explanation had to suffice. It's frustrating; that maid seems eager for problems rather than concealing his movements as she should... Perhaps he had been too lenient with Mengrou the last time she lost the bet; more retribution was warranted... Mu Zhian mused regretfully. Yet judging from this, Ruoxi didn't seem ready to let things slide tonight... Mu Zhian noticed the icy chains silently slipping from Bai Ruoxi's sleeve, appearing ready to gently ensnare him. "Ruoxi, what’s that over there!" Mu Zhian's eyes flickered momentarily before pointing behind Bai Ruoxi. Were it anyone else, this supreme beauty wouldn't be fooled by such a childish trick, but she couldn't help reacting since it was Mu Zhian. Instinctively turning her head, Bai Ruoxi felt the Binding Heart Lock snap around her wrists before she realized it. Bai Ruoxi: "..." Miss Bai only then comprehended, raising her eyes in flustered annoyance and shooting him a glare: "Let me go!" "Weren't you planning to play a little game with this Binding Heart Lock? Or did I misunderstand?" Mu Zhian, an arm around her fragrant shoulder, whispered playfully in her ear. "It came out on its own, nothing to do with me..." Bai Ruoxi's gaze flickered, a hint of panic in her eyes. Though she owned the Binding Heart Lock, and overcoming Mu Zhian would be simple given her strength, being in his embrace left her heart fluttering like a startled fawn, unsure of her next move. Seizing the opportunity, Mu Zhian pressed on her shoulders and gently pushed her back. Bai Ruoxi reclined, seeing the ceiling beams above and Mu Zhian's handsome face, softly lit by the warm glow of candlelight. He pulled up the blanket, nestling himself beneath its warmth. Bai Ruoxi was about to speak, but sensing something, she stopped and looked down at the young man in her embrace, her cheeks warming with a shy glow. Trying to push him away became an arduous task due to the Binding Heart Lock. With a stubbornly bitten lip, Bai Ruoxi seemed to suppress any sound. After a while, Mu Zhian's head emerged from the covers, his hands tender on her blushing face as he softly asked, "Did you enjoy it?" Avoiding his gaze, Bai Ruoxi murmured, "Dislike..." However, the Binding Heart Lock responded, indicating her dishonesty. Her face grew ever redder, embarrassed that her chosen path at the Spirit Refinement Realm betrayed her for Mu Zhian. "What if she wakes up..." Bai Ruoxi, left with no choice, shifted to a 'threatening' tone. Mu Zhian naturally understood she meant the Sword Palace Master, another spirit consciousness dwelling within her. But he showed no fear, smirking, "Even if the Palace Master shows up, I'll suppress her just the same!" After all, they were still both Bai Ruoxi, and the sword sheath should always be larger than the blade, right? Words no longer necessary, Mu Zhian wrapped himself in her embrace, contributing his part to the Ascension Ceremony. In the biting winter, only Ruoxi’s warmth could truly soothe his soul. ... The next morning. A sheet of snow covered the ground outside, and the air turned chillier. Refreshed, Mu Zhian rose, dressed, and left the room, looking with satisfaction at the somewhat fatigued Bai Ruoxi. While she hadn’t meditated last night, the benefits for Bai Ruoxi far surpassed any meditation session. Sitting in the courtyard sipping tea, Mu Zhian flexed his hand gently and then sighed with a shake of his head. Indeed, conquering the summit with bare hands proved too challenging. As expected of Ruoxi.