Chapter - 256 - It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Mu Zhian: "..." "If that's truly the case, then aren't you going to end up as a dowry maid?" Mu Zhian jested. It was evident that the young lady maid enjoyed stirring up trouble, eagerly hoping her master would encounter some setbacks. After a brief silence, Mu Zhian collected himself quickly, pondering for a moment before saying, "Actually, I don’t necessarily have to win first place at the Ascension Conference." "There might be a better way..." As Mu Zhian spoke these words, he glanced at Wei Mengrou intentionally or unintentionally. Wei Mengrou frowned slightly. "What way?" "For instance, if Sister Mengrou were to win first place at the Ascension Conference..." Mu Zhian suggested tentatively. "Why should I help you?" Wei Mengrou scoffed, dismissing the idea outright. "Don’t be so quick to refuse." Pausing for a moment, Mu Zhian looked at Wei Mengrou’s flawless, cold face and chuckled, "Sister Mengrou, think about it. You've always been my maid listening to me. If you win first place, our roles could be reversed; I could serve you tea, massage your shoulders, and even attend to your sleeping needs..." "Let's skip that last part," Wei Mengrou replied indifferently, though her eyes flickered slightly, revealing a ripple of emotion. Though the idea of having Mu Zhian as a ‘reward’ didn’t appeal to her, she was often teased by him when serving tea, making her somewhat irritated. If Mu Zhian were the servant... Wei Mengrou looked at Mu Zhian silently and, after a moment, said, "I’ll think about it." "Do you have confidence, Sister Mengrou?" Mu Zhian asked. "As long as she doesn't participate, there won't be any issues," Wei Mengrou said. Mu Zhian was puzzled at first, then quickly realized what she meant. Clearly, the ‘her’ mentioned by the maid referred to the reclusive Lan Muli, currently residing at the Liangyi Peak. Technically, cultivators of the Return to Void stage shouldn't participate in the Ascension Conference. However, Lan Muli's age was similar to theirs, and the specifics would have to await the conference's rules. "Are you talking about Senior Sister...?" Mu Zhian mused aloud, "If absolutely necessary, I’ll have to personally go and subdue her." Wei Mengrou nonchalantly acknowledged this with an 'Oh', pretending to believe him. She paused, continuing, "More importantly, you need to address those people at the gate first." "After you integrated the emperor-grade medicinal herb into the Heavenly Furnace earlier, it stirred quite a bit of interest," Wei Mengrou mentioned somewhat pointedly. After the emperor-grade medicinal herb was absorbed by the Heavenly Furnace, some traces of its aura escaped. While male cultivators didn't detect it, some female cultivators at the Return to Void stage did sense something. "Well, let them simmer," Mu Zhian grinned. However, the letter in his hand had wiped the smile off his face. Compared to the aura of the emperor-grade herb, the real challenge was this letter... Aside from striving to win, he'd have to devise another strategy... Was there truly a way to secure the three emperor-grade herbs without letting the girls around him win? Mu Zhian silently folded the letter and stored it in his spatial ring. Standing by the window, he gazed at the snowy scene outside, lost in thought. ... Just as Yao Meng had mentioned upon awakening, Mu Zhian had no real issues refining emperor-grade herbs. However, Mu Zhian hadn't anticipated that the fragrance of an emperor-grade herb would be so potent. Even the Heavenly Furnace couldn't absorb all its aura, allowing some to escape. Previously, Zifu Peak's head had set up a formation when refining the Soul-Returning Pill for Mu Zhian to prevent the fragrance from spreading. Yet, this was Tianhe Pavilion, and although some female cultivators suspected the presence of an emperor-grade herb, they wouldn't act rashly even if they confirmed it. At most, they’d make discreet contact with him when he was outside. Harboring any malicious intent was virtually impossible. Firstly, the spiritual dragon resided in Tianhe Pavilion and so did the Azure Emperor... Though most were unaware of this, it offered significant protection. Secondly, the sect master, his 'older sister,' also kept everything in check. Although tempting, nobody dared take such a risk for the herbs. By noon, rumors of an emperor-grade herb in Tianhe Pavilion had been dismissed by many female cultivators. Since Mu Zhian hadn't left, they couldn’t barge in either. ... Dexin Pavilion. Ye Lingxuan casually toyed with a paper crane in her hand, resting her chin in her palm as she gazed out at the snowy landscape, seemingly lost in thought. Had Mu Zhian been present, his perspective might have shifted again. The contents of this paper crane were identical to the one Mu Zhian held, indicating the Saintess of the Forbidden Grounds shared similar concerns. In each reincarnation, the Rebirth Empress left behind a trace of aura. When these nine auras united, the Rebirth Empress’s legacy was deemed flawlessly inherited. However, one aura remained in Mu Zhian's possession... In usual circumstances, Ye Lingxuan wasn’t worried; when the time came, the ninth aura would naturally return to her under the Heavenly Furnace’s enhancement. Yet, the arrival of this letter shattered her usual calm. She was growing impatient. Under ordinary conditions, possessing the eight auras already ensured victory at the Ascension Conference. But this was a golden age, brimming with emerging geniuses. Ye Qian had once received the Azure Emperor’s legacy. Bai Ruoxi served as the scabbard left by the Sword Palace Master. Then there was Wei Mengrou, shrouded in mystery. While no one knew her true nature, her monstrous cultivation speed and strength marked her as a formidable contender. Then there were the Lan sisters—one with a cold temperament and high pride, unlikely to join the conference. But Lan Feiying... Ye Lingxuan barely knew this bewitching woman but had heard rumors of her skyrocketing power, astonishing elders across the main peaks. Even Huang Manting had encountered fortuitous events, rendering her strength immeasurable. So, did she truly have to retrieve the ninth aura from Brother Mu...? Ye Lingxuan rested her chin on her hands, her exquisite shoes bobbing gently, her usually serene expression tinged with hesitation. She quietly took out an intricately crafted box. If Mu Zhian were present, he’d probably quip, “Isn’t that a wedding ring box?” Indeed, it was a box for a ‘wedding ring.’ The Rebirth Empress had recently used Sacred Thunder Ore to craft a ring, and this box was meant for holding it. "Once the ring is done, should I just take it to Tianhe Pavilion and give it to him...?" Ye Lingxuan pondered aloud. But even so, after presenting the ring, what would she say to him...? "Brother Mu, I need the ninth aura, so..." Ye Lingxuan covered her face, finding it impossible. Imagining that scene alone reddened her gentle face, filling her with embarrassment. "Sister...?" Suddenly, she heard a soft, melodic voice behind her. Instinctively, Ye Lingxuan turned to see Ye Qian standing there, hands behind her back, concern in her eyes. "Sister, you seem distracted. Is something on your mind?" Ye Qian asked with genuine concern. This ever-composed and graceful sister had such a flushed face, lost in thought. Naturally, anyone would worry. Ye Lingxuan composed herself, maintaining her elegant demeanor as an older sister and smiled gently. "It's nothing, just thinking about the Ascension Conference." But hearing ‘Ascension Conference’ made Ye Qian tense, her hand subconsciously covering her spatial ring as she smiled nervously. "Weren't you not interested in the conference before, Sister? Why now..." Her soft eyes gazed at Ye Lingxuan. However, Ye Lingxuan discerned an unusual expression on her sister’s face, having grown up together. She scrutinized her closely. "Could it be... you’ve also received that letter?" Ye Lingxuan abruptly inquired. Ye Qian paused, her gaze meeting Ye Lingxuan's. "You too, Sister...?" Both held paper cranes in their hands. ... Liangyi Peak. Lan Muli sat before the pavilion, seemingly lost in thought. Across from her, Lan Feiying, clad in a black qipao that accentuated her exquisite figure, toyed with a teacup while casting a bewitching gaze at her cold and noble sister. She flashed a soft, alluring smile, "Sister, you seem to have something on your mind?" "Could it be because of this?" Lan Feiying retrieved a paper crane from her spatial ring and placed it on the table. Lan Muli's eyes flickered slightly as she lifted her head, casting a peculiar look at her sister. "You received one too...?" Lan Feiying rested her chin on her hand, her curvaceous legs crossing elegantly. The qipao accentuated her creamy, smooth legs, complemented by high-heeled sandals imported from the Southern Wastelands, as she chuckled, "I received it while in closed cultivation today. It seems you know about it too, sister?" Lan Muli massaged her brow, saying, "It's something sent by our master." "Master...? You mean the Sect Master of Liangyi Sect?" Lan Feiying looked at her sister in mild surprise, "What is the Sect Master intending?" Lan Muli slowly shook her head. "I don't know." "There are things even you don't know?" Lan Feiying teased with a narrowed smile. Lan Muli remained silent. As the Sect's number one prodigy and beauty, she had a clear grasp of most matters, including what cultivators outside thought, even understanding Mu Zhian's thoughts toward her. Yet, regarding their master, she couldn't fathom her intentions at all. Could it be to pressure her to join the Ascension Conference? That didn’t align with her master's style. She wasn’t someone who would coerce others. However, she couldn't decipher why her master decided to add 'prizes' for a few select girls. "Are you planning to participate, sister?" Lan Feiying changed the topic. "If you aren't planning to join the Ascension Conference, then maybe I'll fetch your junior brother and present him to you," she jested. Lan Muli shot her a glare. "Stop joking around. He's merely a close junior brother." Lan Feiying smiled charmingly, observing Lan Muli’s stunningly cold face, seeing through her without outing the truth. If her sister did join the Ascension Conference, the outcome of the event might be sealed. Southerners and westerners probably believe the talents across Kyushu are similar, possibly thinking their own locality harbors stronger prodigies... Yet, they would never anticipate a seemingly insignificant cultivator would completely alter the nature of the Ascension Conference. ... Two days drifted by unnoticed. In this span, more young elites from various parts of Kyushu arrived at the Liangyi Sect. Besides descendants of ancient families, some were exceptionally gifted wandering cultivators. On that very afternoon, Mu Zhian received more news while in Tianhe Pavilion. The eldest princess of the Great Qian Dynasty had arrived! Previously, Princess Yongning had visited Liangyi Sect privately, consulting Yan Ruyu on poetry. This time, however, she represented the Great Qian Dynasty itself. Though this dynasty seemed on the verge of decline, even the ancient families dared not underestimate it. The reason? It wielded the 'Power of the Masses' granted by its people. This power wasn't intangible but could provide significant augmentation. If utilized correctly, the aggregated power of a dynasty's populace could unleash a strike nearly equal to the Unity Stage.