Chapter - 269 - It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Regina regained her composure and shook her head lightly. "Mu Zhian is quite cunning. He knows there's no way I'd turn over the reincarnation spiritual energy to him before the Ascension Conference is over." "Then why did he come?" someone asked. Regina glanced sideways and said, "He wants the secret techniques of the Southern Wilderness." Gulban frowned and immediately objected, "Absolutely not! If the Southern Wilderness' secret techniques fall into the hands of an outsider, who knows what he'll use them for?" "What is Mu Zhian thinking, wanting the secret techniques of the Southern Wilderness?" the elder continued. Secret techniques are called secret for a reason—they're both confidential and crucial. Moreover, the Southern Wilderness' secret techniques involve cultivation systems, and only a handful of people in the entire vast Southern Wilderness even know of their existence. "Could he be trying to use the reincarnation spiritual energy as leverage to raise his asking price?" the elder speculated. Regina shook her head and smiled softly. "As I mentioned before, Mu Zhian is a smart man." "A smart man wouldn't do something foolish, nor would he make an absurd request. He knows that even if he raises his price, I wouldn't agree." Gulban shook his head. "Regardless, the secret techniques of the Southern Wilderness must not be given away—" "He wants to exchange a first-grade technique for it." Regina turned her head to look at Gulban. Her eyes were dazzling, as brilliant as stars, and she spoke calmly, "A first-grade technique that can evolve." This statement made Gulban pause, and his breathing quickened slightly. Then, his first thought was of its absurdity! Even across all of the Nine Provinces, there are few first-grade techniques to be found. Even within the Liangyi Sect, perhaps only a few exist in the library. Yet, Mu Zhian talks about a first-grade technique, one that can even evolve... The mere thought of it is preposterous. "Does Miss really believe in such things?" Gulban’s old face was furrowed with doubt. "How could a mere fourth-tier cultivator possess a first-grade technique? Even if he had one, he would've used it himself long ago. Why on earth would he save it for now?" "And an evolving one, at that? Would he truly believe what he's saying?" Regina cast a faint glance at Nijia, who was hiding by the door, and said indifferently, "I've just confirmed it. Mu Zhian wasn't lying." Her words made the elder's heartbeat falter momentarily, and Nijia, at the door, widened his eyes in sheer disbelief. Then, a wave of envy welled up within him. A first-grade technique—if one could acquire such a technique, wouldn’t the upcoming Ascension Conference become an event where they surpass cultivators of the same level? And this is even an evolving first-grade technique! Mu Zhian's offer is indeed grand... If it were him, he would've long since absorbed such a technique, not used it as a bargaining chip. "Miss, what are you planning to do...?" After a long silence, Gulban finally managed to suppress his emotions and calm himself as he asked. Such a superior technique would tempt not just Regina but also the gods of the Southern Wilderness. The stronger one is, the more one can unleash the power of a first-grade technique, especially when it can evolve... Imagining what lies beyond a first-grade technique is both curious and thrilling. "He has many secrets. I’ve already told him I’ll give him an answer before the Ascension Conference," Regina said, a sweet smile on her stunningly beautiful face, as she twirled a lock of hair around her slender fingers and tucked it behind her ear. "He approached me today, showing that he desperately needs the Southern Wilderness secret techniques to conceal certain truths." "So, let’s wait and see." She smiled enchanting as she added, "Who knows, he might just come find me again tomorrow out of impatience?" ... At this moment, Mu Zhian and Wei Mengrou had just exited the pavilion and were walking across the plaza of the Guiyi Palace. Along the way, Wei Mengrou couldn't resist glancing at the young man beside her several times, as if something was bothering her. "Why do you keep staring at me like that, Sister Mengrou?" Mu Zhian finally couldn't help but ask. Wei Mengrou stopped in her tracks, turning to scrutinize Mu Zhian's eyes. "Southern Wilderness’ secret techniques are not to be shared, yet she agreed to consider it... How did you persuade Regina?" Logically, for such a crucial secret, Regina should've outright declined Mu Zhian's request. However, for some reason, she seemed to relent... Without a doubt, Mu Zhian must have given her a tempting, irresistible offer. But what exactly did Mu Zhian offer in exchange... the servant girl couldn't fathom. "Don't worry, I haven't done anything contrary to moral principles. I simply provided her with a condition she couldn't refuse," Mu Zhian reassured her with a smile. If the roles were reversed, this scene would likely garner thousands of comments. The 'female lead' Mu Zhian being forced to strike a 'body trade' with the well-endowed and blonde Southern Wilderness' saintess for the sake of the 'protagonist,' while reassuring the 'protagonist' with a forced smile... The only difference is that all of this is part of Mu Zhian's plan, without any coercion from Regina. "However, Regina might not accept my terms so easily." Mu Zhian continued. Wei Mengrou expressed doubt, "How can you be sure?" "By finding her in the first place, we already showed we're seeking her help." Mu Zhian raised his head, watching the practitioners flying above in the Guiyi Palace while admiring the graceful silhouette of a woman in a blue dress he just passed. "In negotiations, the first to show a gesture of concession can often secure concessions from the other party." "The more convincingly this concession is played, the more concessions the other party might provide." "If I were Regina, I'd seize this opportunity to gain more benefits, perhaps even goodwill or possibly...” Regina had always desired her soul-transforming physique to be fully evolved before the Ascension Conference began, but she knew Mu Zhian would not agree. Yet this transaction presented her one such opportunity. For instance, while exchanging a heavenly-born Dao body for the Southern Wilderness' secret techniques, she could add an extra term: her physique must complete its evolution by the start of the Ascension Conference. "You already have a plan, don't you?" Wei Mengrou gave Mu Zhian a sidelong glance. Seeing the smile on his face, she understood his intentions. "Secret techniques to obscure fate aren't exclusive to the Southern Wilderness. They don't know our interest lies in the black mist; they merely assume we're after techniques to shield fate," Mu Zhian explained. "So, we need to make Regina realize the Southern Wilderness' techniques are not essential, just optional." "Then the deal will be secured." Chapter 263: The Original Witch 6K The next evening. Regina was in her room, deep in cultivation, eagerly awaiting Mu Zhian's impatience to drive him to come to her. Just then, there was a knock at the door. Regina raised her head slightly and said calmly, "Come in." The door opened, and seeing the elder standing there, a hint of curiosity flashed in Regina’s eyes as she asked, "Gulban, what is it?" "Mu Zhian has gone to see the World Sea's saintess, Tang Sufi," Gulban said solemnly. Mu Zhian went to see the saintess of the World Sea...? Regina couldn’t help but harbor a bit of skepticism. "Why would he involve himself with people from the World Sea? They shouldn't even know each other." Gulban pondered briefly, "I remember hearing that the World Sea also has a secret technique related to obscuring fate. Could it be..." Regina paused, then seemed to realize something. She bit her lip, fuming, "That double-faced man!" Didn't Mu Zhian already have a partner? Yet, while in negotiations with her, he approached another woman for terms?! "Miss, what should we do now?" Gulban's aged brows knitted tightly, his muddied eyes betraying a sense of conflict. The Southern Wilderness' secrets must remain sealed, but with the enticing offer of a first-grade technique—even one that evolves—even Regina, and indeed the very deities of the Southern Wilderness, would be tempted. A first-grade technique commands such value. Regina took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "Have someone invite him over." She glanced up at Gulban and spoke softly, "Tell him I've agreed to his terms." ... Guiyi Palace. At Regina's invitation, Mu Zhian found himself in her secluded courtyard, his eyes closed, absorbing the black mist swirling around him. The Southern Wilderness technique, camouflaging oneself in this black mist, blocks one's aura and fate. At this moment, the technique had already imprinted itself within Mu Zhian's mind. Mu Zhian slowly opened his eyes. "A pleasure doing business, Miss Regina," he said, looking at the blonde girl with a frosty look, his face maintaining a gentle smile. In truth, Mu Zhian hadn't visited any World Sea individuals—he merely strolled nearby the saintess of the World Sea without speaking to her. But just with that, the scene had already reached its peak. "Young Master Mu, don't forget that our dealings are more than just one. I hope you'll take care of yourself before that," Regina said, her face cold and her lips tightly pressed, her gaze fixed intently on Mu Zhian. Her original plan was to exchange the Southern Wilderness secret techniques for the first-grade technique, while also having Mu Zhian promise to complete the transaction before the Ascension Conference started. Yet today, Mu Zhian had gone to meet with the people of the World Sea... This made her slightly uneasy. If the World Sea agreed to a deal with Mu Zhian, the innate furnace matter would likely be exposed to other female cultivators. That would be a disadvantage for her. She couldn't afford any further complications. Mu Zhian paused, looking at the black mist coiling in his hand, and smiled, "Rest assured, Miss Regina, I never break my promises." "After the Ascension Conference is over, I will come find you." As she watched Mu Zhian rise and leave, Regina suddenly asked, "Young Master Mu, you'd trade a first-grade technique for secret techniques just for a servant’s fate?" Mu Zhian waved his hand, walking out of the hall without turning back, heading sword-flight towards Liangyi Peak. He needed to borrow a test monument from Lan Mulan, to see if the unlucky fate of Wei Mengrou could be altered after applying the Southern Wilderness technique. ... Tianhe Courtyard. Returning to the courtyard, Mu Zhian went straight into Wei Mengrou's room. The maid, in meditation, instantly sensed Mu Zhian's aura. After circulating her energy through a full cycle, she slowly opened her eyes. "Sister Mengrou, am I disturbing you?" Mu Zhian beckoned her over. "Where have you been?" Wei Mengrou asked. "Just visiting the hospitable Miss Regina," Mu Zhian replied with a smile, walking over to where she sat. He reached out to take the pendant from around her neck. After removing the bronze fragment, he sat at the bedside, his thumb gently rubbing the fragment's surface, with his eyes half-closed, his consciousness scanning it. Ever since Wei Mengrou had refined this bronze fragment, part of her bad luck seemed to have been suppressed, likely linked to the fragment's inherent fate-obscuring properties. If this hypothesis held true, it meant that as long as Wei Mengrou could entirely hide her presence and deceive the heavens, her bad luck might completely disappear. After about a stick of incense’s time, Mu Zhian suddenly opened his eyes, a trace of curiosity flickering as he observed the bronze fragment. Wei Mengrou, studying him intently, asked, "Have you discovered something?" "This bronze fragment indeed has the ability to obscure fate, and the method it uses is exactly the same as the Southern Wilderness technique." Mu Zhian raised his finger, allowing a wisp of black mist to envelop him noiselessly. Almost instantly, Wei Mengrou noticed she could barely make out Mu Zhian's features, his face obscured by the covering black mist, impervious even to her spiritual senses. Wei Mengrou frowned slightly. "Does this mean the bronze fragment might originate from the Southern Wilderness?" In ancient times, many powerful figures fell for various reasons, causing great unrest. When their weapons and treasures shattered, they broke into fragments scattered across the lands. Considering the thousands of years of evolution in the Nine Provinces, it's entirely possible such a bronze fragment could have ended up in the Eastern Continent. While fiddling with the bronze fragment, Mu Zhian's eyes held a contemplative light. It seemed necessary to investigate the Southern Wilderness further if he got the chance. Mu Zhian quickly gathered his thoughts, reaching out to take hold of Wei Mengrou's cool, soft hand. Before the maid could respond, she noticed the black mist that had been around Mu Zhian now slowly enveloping her. "The Southern Wilderness technique can conceal both the caster and those nearby within its mist, preventing others from divining anything about the caster," Mu Zhian explained. In some ways, this technique seemed perfectly suited for Wei Mengrou. With her innate concealment abilities enhanced by the Southern Wilderness technique, it might be possible for even those with higher cultivation levels to fail to detect her presence. Unfortunately, as Regina had stipulated, the technique could only be passed from each generation's saintess to a chosen individual. Since Regina had given it to Mu Zhian, he couldn't impart it to anyone else.