Chapter - 260 - It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Boom! A deafening clap of thunder echoed across the sky, startling the cultivators meditating within the Liangyi Sect from their deep focus. Many of them left their courtyards and looked up at the night sky, only to be met with a luminescent scene as bright as daylight. The lightning flickered within the clouds, casting light on every cultivator’s face. The Saintess of the Xuanyin Hall had arrived at the Liangyi Sect not long ago. Upon hearing the unusual thunderclap, she slowly opened her eyes and got up to push open the window. The blazing hearth burned steadily, filling the room with a slightly stifling carbon dioxide-laden air. As the window swung open, the night air, fresh and slightly cool, swept in. Lin Keyu raised her head slightly, her flawless porcelain-like features accentuated by her gently fluttering lashes, as she gazed intently at the sky which was as bright as day. Snowflakes drifted down from the heavens, and deep lightning flashed and churned within the clouds. She stretched, her slender white inner garment clinging to her youthful form, outlining her languid and graceful curves. She quietly draped a pale pink robe over her alluring figure, its semi-translucent, ankle-length hem hinting at snow-white legs as smooth as jade. Finally, she took the white cloak hanging on the rack and draped it over her shoulders, leaving the room. Lin Keyu raised her eyes to the sky, the heavy tribulation clouds a grand spectacle. "Is someone undergoing a tribulation...?" she murmured softly. However, even if it were a tribulation, it didn’t explain why the sky was as bright as day. Yet...such matters really had nothing to do with her. As if recalling something, Lin Keyu's fingers lightly brushed over the storage ring on her delicate hand, from which emerged a partly translucent and exquisite necklace. The Aurora Necklace, forged from Aurora Gem and two other special spirit stones, is beneficial for quickly entering a meditative state during cultivation or for maintaining composure against certain charms. "Miss, it's so late, do you plan to visit Young Master Mu at Tianhe Garden tonight?" a melodious voice suddenly came from beside her, her young maid who had grown up with her, approached unexpectedly, and asked cheerfully. Lin Keyu turned slightly, glancing at her maid's delightful grin. She retorted, "I merely awoke from my slumber due to the thunder, that's all!" At her words, the maid’s smile waned slightly as she gazed up at the ominous clouds and said: "Such an anomaly wouldn’t be caused by a God Refining realm cultivator; perhaps it's someone at the Return to Void realm?" "If that's the case, who could it be?” Lin Keyu pondered briefly before answering, "A small test will reveal the truth." If she desired, she could sense who the thunder tribulation was aimed at, provided they were nearby. She could even pinpoint their location. Lin Keyu closed her eyes, made a prayer gesture with her hands, and tilted her head slightly upward. The spiritual energy within her began to circulate, and, within moments, she opened her eyes again, her gaze still moist and gentle. But her eyes now held a trace of hesitation, as she glanced towards the direction of the Glazed Hall and softly muttered, “It’s there…?” All the cultivators at the Glazed Hall were new disciples. Considering this anomaly’s magnitude, it would suggest someone at least in the Return to Void realm caused it. Could someone among the half-year-old disciples at Liangyi Sect already have reached the Return to Void realm…? Her maid followed her gaze, thought for a moment, then suddenly spoke: "Miss, are you referring to the Glazed Hall? As I recall, Young Master Mu is there too, isn’t he?" Lin Keyu faltered slightly at these words. "Miss was troubled about how best to approach Young Master Mu, wasn’t she? Here’s a perfect reason to visit." Her maid proposed shrewdly. “You mean…?” Lin Keyu’s eyes, clear as autumn waters, gazed at her maid. “With such a commotion tonight, surely we’re not the only ones to notice the anomaly originated from the Glazed Hall. Many will likely head there to check it out, right? So why not use this opportunity to join the crowd and present the necklace to the person dear to you?” her maid suggested. Lin Keyu appeared pensive but nodded lightly in agreement. Yet, noticing the deeper meaning in her maid’s eyes, she retorted, giving her maid's shoulder a light tap, "What nonsense are you spouting, it’s merely to repay a favor from before!" “I’ve never seen someone act so lost in thought daily as if out of gratitude.” Her maid chuckled, dodging any potential scolding, and scampered off. Lin Keyu stood in silence, opening her palm and looking at the Aurora Necklace, then towards the Glazed Hall. Finally, as if decisively, she clasped her hands, summoned her sword, and turned into a pink streak of light, heading toward the Glazed Hall. At that same moment, at the front of the nine main peaks, nine Peak Masters and over twenty elders stood. They all looked up at the sky, as bright as day. On the surface, it appeared to be a simple thunder tribulation, the magnitude only explained by its occurrence due to a cultivator of considerable power. Yet, it was not truly a tribulation. The specifics were unclear, but the Sect Leader’s words hinted at something broader. The grand array of the sect has two abilities: one being the killing array, within which any enemy is rendered defenseless. Even those at the Dao Integration realm, like Shang Yanfei, are no match. Inside the Liangyi Sect, the Sect Leader is invincible. The second ability is to shield secrets of heaven. This is the most common array ability, divided into nine smaller arrays within the sect, with the Tianji Peak’s array as the shield of heavenly secrets. This time, the Sect Leader ordered the initiation of the sect’s grand array to temporarily isolate the Liangyi Sect from external contact... as to why, no one knows now. Nonetheless, the Sect Leader’s orders will be executed unconditionally. ... Liangyi Peak. Lan Mulian gracefully flew back to a pavilion on Liangyi Peak. Her moon-white dress fluttered gently with the night breeze. Her demeanor was cold, her face veiled, like an ethereal presence alongside the moonlight. “According to the master’s instructions, the nine Peak Masters and twenty-seven elders have activated the arrays of the main peaks,” Lan Mulian reported. Shang Yanfei glanced at her, a gentle smile playing on her stunningly beautiful face: “You’ve worked hard. Sit down and have some tea.” Lan Mulian remained unmoving, only gazing at her wise and enigmatic master. She spoke suddenly, “I just sensed that the anomaly isn’t related to anyone reaching the Return to Void realm, and the response originated from the Glazed Hall. Master, do you know the reason?” Shang Yanfei’s slender, jade-like fingers tapped the table lightly. She raised the teacup, taking a dainty sip. “No need to worry, it’s merely a small matter.” Under Lan Mulian’s scrutiny, Shang Yanfei gazed at the fading white light, a remnant of the activated sect array, and whispered softly, “At least, for now, it’s just a small matter.” Lan Mulian silently regarded Shang Yanfei for a few moments, her lips parting slightly as if wanting to say more. However, Shang Yanfei interjected with a gentle smile, “If you’re worried about your junior brother, just go see him directly. You don’t need confirmation from me for his safety.” Lan Mulian replied coldly, “You misunderstand, Master. He hasn’t even reached the fourth tier of the God Refining realm. This anomaly clearly has nothing to do with him.” “The anomaly may not relate to him, but it doesn’t mean it won’t affect him,” Shang Yanfei replied with a smile. Lan Mulian’s eyes flickered as if she had thought of something. “Nonetheless, don’t grow lax in your cultivation.” Under Lan Mulian’s attentive gaze, Shang Yanfei suddenly smiled brightly, “Even if you compete in the Ascension Gathering this time, victory isn’t guaranteed, you know?” ... In Ye Lingxue’s chamber, a faint sandalwood aroma mingled with an enchanting fragrance that quickened the heart. Ye Lingxue covered her rosy lips with her slender hand, her eyelashes quivered as she let out a small yawn. Then, she lazily stretched her arms, the thin blanket slipping off her. Her delicate inner garment outlined her youthful form, her blushing face now imbued with a captivating allure compared to its prior purity. Her long black hair was slightly tousled, her white neck arching into a graceful curve. “Your aura feels different than before. Has the legacy completed its course?” Mu Zhi'an reached out to wrap his arms around Ye Lingxue’s slender waist. Ye Lingxue’s earlier languor vanished, her cheeks flushing as she instinctively curled her legs, glancing at the boy beside her and saying, “Brother Mu, with such a ruckus just now, we can’t be reckless anymore.” Earlier, this celestial anomaly had originated from the skies above Dexin Garden. While external cultivators might remain oblivious, those familiar with Mu Zhi'an and Ye Lingxue — especially those who knew of Ye Lingxue's reincarnation as an empress — might begin to suspect something. "Seems like Lingxue, my dear sister, has misunderstood me deeply. I just wanted to give you a simple hug and nothing more," Mu Zhi’an tried to justify himself. Ye Lingxue gave a slight huff, "That's what you said when you entered my room tonight, and yet...?" "But that’s because Lingxue is just too enchanting, you can’t blame me," Mu Zhi’an replied helplessly. Holding her slender waist, even through the thin fabric, he could distinctly feel the girl's soft, alabaster skin. "So it’s my fault?" Ye Lingxue glanced at Mu Zhi'an sideways. "It's not your fault, it's Lingxue's irresistible charm!" Mu Zhi’an responded earnestly, as his hand slowly moved upward. Ye Lingxue immediately noticed, swatting his hand away with a face flush with embarrassment. Mu Zhi’an flexed his hand, feeling rather unsatisfied. Well... it might not be much now, but there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. Once there’s a first time, perhaps the next time it won’t be him initiating, but Ye Lingxue herself. Noticing her annoyed yet shy gaze, Mu Zhi’an thought for a moment and reassured her, "Don’t worry, Lingxue, one day I’ll achieve your dreams with my own hands." Ye Lingxue blinked, then, following his gaze to her chest, realized what he meant. She chided, "You’re awful, get out!" She gave him a gentle push, as if trying to shove him off the bed. This girl was all sweet and tender during dual cultivation, and now she’s pretending otherwise... Mu Zhi’an arched a brow and pulled her back into his arms playfully, tickling Ye Lingxue’s waist. “Ah~” Ye Lingxue’s body shivered delicately, attempting to wriggle free but unable to escape from Mu Zhi’an’s grasp, and she cried out, "Stop it, shouldn't we go see what’s happening? Aren’t you worried Sister Ruoxi will come looking for you later?" Left with no choice, she invoked Bai Ruoxi's name, hoping to make Mu Zhi’an behave. Mu Zhi’an grinned before finally releasing Ye Lingxue. He had always joked that one day this little girl's rudeness would face some discipline, and tonight’s lesson appeared to be a success. A reincarnated empress, yet she still succumbs, doesn't she?! After some more playful banter with Ye Lingxue, noticing her panting lightly with her cheeks flushed, Mu Zhi’an finally suggested it was time to go, "Lingxue, it’s getting late. You should get some rest." Undoubtedly, tonight’s celestial anomaly was caused by Ye Lingxue, and for Mu Zhi’an to not be anxious would be a lie. After all, such a phenomenon would attract attention from regular cultivators, let alone Bai Ruoxi or even the Senior Sisters? It was crucial to maintain a low profile and not get too reckless... Though she had been complaining about Mu Zhi’an’s teasing moments ago, when he mentioned leaving, Ye Lingxue appeared slightly reluctant, gazing up at him. "I’ll walk you out," she offered gently. "No need, rest well inside and focus on fully integrating the Dao resonance," Mu Zhi’an declined politely. Yet, Ye Lingxue was obstinately insistent on accompanying him. Seeing this, Mu Zhi’an could only nod, "Alright, I’ll wait for you to change." Ye Lingxue was indeed a stubborn girl; if she set her mind on something, there was no changing it, regardless of how tenderly she called him brother earlier. However, since the distance to Tianhe Garden wasn’t far, waiting wouldn’t be a problem. ... When Mu Zhi’an opened the door, he was greeted by a bright, serene moon hanging quietly in the night sky. Despite the ongoing snowfall and heavy clouds filling the sky, this moon seemed extraordinarily bizarre on such a snowy night. "What on earth…?" Mu Zhi’an squinted, focusing on the moon hovering in the sky, which radiated a soft light, rendering a strangely warm feeling. Yet, for reasons unknown, just a glimpse of this moon birthed within him a mysterious awe... and inexplicable disdain. "Brother Mu…?" Suddenly, a puzzled voice echoed from nearby. Turning, Mu Zhi’an saw Ye Qian standing at the corridor, her form bathed in a faint golden light, making her snow-white skin appear ethereal with a divine sheen. Dressed in a pale blue top with a front clasp, it accentuated her full, rounded bosom. Her hands were pressed to her royal skirt, and her large, soulful eyes gazed at him with surprise. "What are you doing outside my sister’s room…?" For some unknown reason, her voice carried a slight tremor. Mu Zhi’an’s expression remained unchanged as he casually strolled to Ye Qian’s side, "Your sister encountered some setbacks in her practice, so I came to offer guidance tonight." "That's why there’s an anomaly tonight." Ye Lingxue’s lifeforce, condensed over nine lifetimes, merged with the furnace, and subsequently, she grasped a sliver of Dao resonance. Although the specific type she chose was unknown, it was clear that this ‘moon’ was directly linked to her.