Chapter -264 - It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

“Just wait.” Regina's lips curled slightly as she turned and walked away with grace. The grand formation of the Liangyi Sect had rarely been fully activated in the past. Its nine smaller formations were hidden within the nine main peaks, and if it weren’t for Shang Yanfei, the head and elders would not have activated the long-dormant formation. At this moment, in a secluded area, the nine heads of the sect had gathered together — a rare occurrence. The formations on the nine main peaks were currently overseen by more than twenty elders, while the sect's heads were here to identify the eye of the formation. Yi Hao stood with his hands behind his back, gazing up at the bright moon...almost resembling a soft white light. A warm white light. “What on earth is this thing, and why does it feel so familiar to me?” Yi Hao gazed at the moon, furrowing his brows in contemplation. Ning Yuan also looked up, saying, “The Sect Leader probably knows something.” They had only been ordered to activate the formation by the Sect Leader but were not informed of the reason. Could it have something to do with this light in the sky? “Sister Yu is skilled at divination, does she know anything?” The Sword Peak head's gaze fell on Yu Xuanji, wearing a feathered robe and possessing an enchanting silhouette. Upon hearing this, the other heads couldn't help but look toward the head of the Divination Peak. The Divination Peak excelled at foreseeing fate, and Sister Yu’s expertise was particularly formidable — perhaps she would know the answer. However, Yu Xuanji simply shook her head, smiling faintly, “This matter doesn't concern us. We should curb unnecessary curiosity and focus on our cultivation.” Yu Ziyan inquired, “Sister, do you seem to know something?” “I haven’t divined anything. But since the Sect Leader wants us to activate the formation, it’s implied that knowing won’t benefit us, and might even add complications,” Yu Xuanji replied with a gentle smile. Yu Ziyan arched an eyebrow slightly, glanced at the light in the sky. With the formation activated, the light that once almost illuminated the entire night sky had now dwindled to a single beam. Yet even so, its gentle radiance continued to engender an inexplicable sense of goodwill, causing people to relax their vigilance. Why was the Sect Leader so wary of a seemingly benign light, going so far as to shield the sect with the grand formation? Yu Ziyan’s eyes flickered, forming a hand seal with a secret technique to take another look. This glance left Yu Ziyan momentarily stunned; her expression shifted subtly, and she instinctively stepped back a half pace. This light was peculiar! “What’s happened, sister?” Yu Xuanji immediately noticed her senior's unusual behavior and inquired urgently. “This light seems to possess consciousness, as if it’s searching for something within our sect,” Yu Ziyan suppressed the unease within and kept her eyes fixed on the mild luminescence. Initially, the light resembled a gateway to a paradise. But under her scrutiny, it suddenly felt like a chilling passage to a village of the dead. The other heads exchanged glances and then looked toward the sky. After a moment of silence, they instinctively knew that Yu Ziyan's observation was correct. The light did seem to have a consciousness and was searching the sect for something! But what could it be searching for? The likely answer seemed linked to whoever or whatever had triggered these celestial phenomena this evening. As the thought occurred, the gaze of several female heads simultaneously shifted toward the direction of the Glazed Palace. Though many speculated about the source of such commotion, only few guessed the truth. They suspected it was related to Mu Zhian. Specifically, it involved whoever had been intimately connected with Mu Zhian tonight. We must investigate the Glazed Palace...Yu Ziyan’s eyes twinkled, her mind piecing together emerging clues. … De Xing Residence. After returning to her residence, Ye Lingxuan, dressed in a simple white gown, sat cross-legged on her bed, meditating for an hour. When her spirit rejuvenated, she opened her eyes and lazily stretched. Despite it being winter, the warmth of burning charcoal in the room, combined with a cultivator's resistance to cold, ensured she felt no chill. Her white attire was somewhat thin, and her stretching motion accentuated the perfect curve of her bosom. In terms of size alone, Ye Lingxuan was admirable, though slightly overshadowed when compared to Nai Xi. While stretching, the hourglass figure of her waist was distinctly seductive and alluring. She glanced towards the door, sensing something amiss, and asked, “Who’s outside?” The door creaked open, revealing Ye Qian in knee-length attire at the threshold, peeking in at her sister. “Am I disturbing you, Sister?” Ye Lingxuan shook her head, smiling, “It’s cold outside, come in.” Ye Qian stepped into the room, closing the door behind her. “Why have you come at such a late hour? Is something on your mind?” Ye Lingxuan asked with a teasing smile as Ye Qian sat beside her on the bed. Ye Qian looked complexly at her sister, whispering, “Did Brother Mu visit you tonight?” Ye Lingxuan’s smile slowly faded. After a moment, and under her sister's focused gaze, she sighed softly and nodded. “So it was you who grasped Dao rhythm tonight?” For some reason, Ye Qian seemed relieved upon receiving her sister’s affirmation. Ye Lingxuan was taken aback, then apologetically said, “Do you blame me?” Ye Qian gently shook her head, “I told you before, seeing you with Brother Mu excites me…” She cleared her throat, “Seeing the two of you together makes me really happy.” Ye Lingxuan regarded her sister quizzically. Her demure posture and pure allure masked an unusual fondness that few would suspect. Only limited to her sister...It was a small solace for Ye Lingxuan. “Don't tell Sister Siyi about this; I worry she might secretly report it,” Ye Lingxuan suddenly communicated through a transmitted voice. Undoubtedly, Ye Siyu harbored opinions about Mu Zhian. Until her perspective altered, caution was prudent. Ye Qian nodded in agreement, then curiously asked, “When I came earlier, Brother Mu was with you, wasn’t he?” Her eyes, bright and filled with curiosity, gazed intently at Ye Lingxuan. Ye Lingxuan hesitated briefly, ultimately nodded with restrained dignity. Ye Qian's innocent face lit with an expression of realization, reflecting on it as she stared fixedly at her sister, her eyes sparkling brightly. Ye Lingxuan blushed and shifted topics, “Is your inheritance complete?” Noticing, Ye Qian withdrew some of her interest from her sister, nodding slightly. She paused a moment and, from her robe, took out a paper crane, “Sister, I received a paper crane, seemingly from Liangyi Peak…” Ye Lingxuan’s eyes widened slightly, recalling something with a peculiar glint. Could it be...Qian also received one? Under Ye Lingxuan's curious gaze, Ye Qian unfolded the paper crane, revealing the same message her sister had previously read. Quietly, Ye Lingxuan also took out a paper crane and unfolded it. The sisters exchanged a knowing look, their silence deliberate. Ye Qian broke the pause, asking, “What could the Sect Leader be planning?” “It seems likely that Ningxi and others received paper cranes as well.” Maintaining poise, Ye Lingxuan mused, “Ultimately, winning the Ascension Conference might solve our concerns, even if we bring him into a restricted area.” Ye Qian cast a startled glance at her sister. “Do you think you can win?” The unsettling thought of losing to someone else and Mu Zhian being taken away forever loomed unwelcome. “Others are challenging, like Ningxi and the rest,” Ye Lingxuan remarked calmly, “But I’ll win.” Her words radiated confidence, as if she were stating a simple fact. That’s true. With Ye Lingxuan now grasping a trace of Dao rhythm, her strength surpasses that of a normal Cultivator in the Spirit Refinement Stage, which explains her confidence. Ye Qian thought for a moment and asked, “What if Brother Mu ends up as your final opponent in the Ascension Conference? Are you confident you can face him?” “Even if it’s him, I won’t show any mercy,” Ye Lingxuan replied with a soft snort. Despite having pleaded for mercy several times under Mu Zhian’s suppression earlier, as the Holy Maiden of the forbidden grounds, she feared no opponent talent-wise. She mused about asking Brother Mu to move to De Xing Residence after winning the Ascension Conference. While Ye Lingxuan was lost in her thoughts, a faint golden light flickered in the room. Then, silently, a woman draped in loose robes, exquisite as a painting, materialized in the room. Comparatively, Yu Ziyan, with her refined maturity, was more of a classic beauty than the blooming young maidens. Even with her brows slightly furrowed in concern tonight, she couldn’t hide her sultry elegance. “Master?” Ye Qian almost blurted out. Yu Ziyan’s smile was gentle as she said, “Is it too late? I hope I didn’t interrupt your cultivation.” Ye Qian shook her head and, well-behaved, clung to her sister’s arm, “My sister and I were just talking about Brother Mu.” “Mu Zhian?” A hint of confusion crossed Yu Ziyan's face. At this moment, Ye Lingxuan discreetly placed a hand over Ye Qian’s hand, then raised her gaze to Yu Ziyan, whose maturity seemed to require regular nurturing. “Master, visiting us at this hour, there must be something important.” Yu Ziyan’s gentle smile faded slightly. “Indeed, I have something to ask you.” Her gaze fixated on Ye Lingxuan as she continued, “Have you comprehended a trace of Dao rhythm?” Hearing her master inquire about this, Ye Lingxuan couldn’t help but blush slightly but nodded gently. “Is it the Heavenly Dao, Earthly Dao, or Human Dao?” Yu Ziyan asked, more solemnly this time. Ye Lingxuan hesitated briefly, “Heavenly Dao.” “But it seems somewhat different from the Heavenly Dao,” she continued. During dual cultivation with Mu Zhian tonight, she realized choosing the Heavenly Dao would mean yielding to its will. Thus, she eventually gave up on the Heavenly Dao, intending to pursue either the Human or the Earthly Dao if harmonizing in the future. Yet upon abandoning the Heavenly Dao, she discovered a new aspect of it — a distinct Heavenly Dao that felt intimate and didn’t overly assert dominance over the cultivator. Upon hearing Ye Lingxuan's explanation, Yu Ziyan promptly reached for her pupil's wrist. Her understanding of 'natural' principles, much like an innate physique, was profound due to Dao Peak’s secret methods. Once Ye Lingxuan relaxed, Yu Ziyan's spiritual sense swiftly scanned her, detecting something which caused her to stare intently and mutter, “I understand now…” Previously, Mu Zhian had sought her assistance in investigating Wei Mengrou's ill fortune, a matter that had puzzled Yu Ziyan greatly, leaving her without leads. However, the mysterious white light in the sky tonight provided this Dao Peak head with a significant clue. Wei Mengrou’s misfortune was unparalleled not only in the sect but throughout the Nine Provinces. But suppose, her severe misfortune wasn’t innate? ... Upon returning to Tian He Residence, Mu Zhian felt uneasy about Wei Mengrou’s ominous aura of the evening. Hence, he spoke to Bai Dameiren first, “Ruo Xi, let me escort Sister Mengrou back to her room. I’ll come to you shortly.” Bai Ruoxi, her graceful face lit with understanding, replied, “Muke Lang, go ahead.” As it involved Wei Mengrou, Bai Ruoxi had little concern. She didn't fear Mu Zhian would find himself unexpectedly entangled in any precarious situations while with Wei Mengrou. With that, Mu Zhian led Wei Mengrou back to her quarters, giving the maid a few additional glances. Due to the lingering white light in the sky tonight, the black aura enveloping Wei Mengrou hadn’t dissipated either. Clad in an ochre-yellow dress, she seemed shrouded in a fine black mist, having not uttered a word. “Are you feeling unwell anywhere?” Mu Zhian queried.