Chapter - 276 - It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Gong Lianyue's gaze inadvertently flicked towards Mu Zhian, her lips pressing together as she replied coolly, "You seemed to enjoy it just now, didn't you? Weren't you planning to get a closer feel of the primordial sorceress?" "He's always been like this with others in the past. I've seen it a few times when I awoke occasionally," Yao Meng replied in a serene yet melodious tone. "Our Sword Palace has a sacred ground," Gong Lianyue said, finally turning her full attention to Mu Zhian. Her voice dropped to a measured calmness, "Whenever one of our disciples commits a mistake, they go there for repentance. After six months, they emerge renewed, their cultivation soaring. After the Immortal Ascension Conference concludes, I shall personally take you there for a half-year of cultivation." From the sleeves of her black palace gown, a twin-heart lock seemed to stir restlessly. Crap, are they planning to lock me in a dark room or something... Mu Zhian felt the heavy weight of mental pressure. Luckily, as Mu Zhian had previously presumed, Fairy Yao Meng was a kind and gentle goddess—beautiful and benevolent. Her rosy lips parted, and her voice spoke like a warm breeze reaching into one's heart: "He cannot be separated from me for the next thousand years. May I suggest you abandon such unrealistic thoughts." Yet Mu Zhian barely had a moment to breathe in relief before Yao Meng casually glanced at him and continued, "Even if he must repent, he ought to return to the Yaoshi Ancestral Land with me thereafter." Mu Zhian: "..." Weren't you two just at each other's throats? Why are you suddenly teaming up against me?! And since when was the Yaoshi Ancestral Land so sacred? Weren't we frolicking in its baths just the other day... Mu Zhian silently ranted in his thoughts. Just then, he felt something cool and soft touch his face, prompting him to look up instinctively. The primordial sorceress, without his knowing, had lifted her delicate hands to cup Mu Zhian's face. Yao Meng frowned slightly, but made no move, merely observing the primordial sorceress. There was no need for her to intervene now, for she knew that the sorceress's lingering sentiment left behind in the peach blossom was about to vanish. Gong Lianyue's gaze also rested on the primordial sorceress, drawn to those gentle yet profound eyes. For some reason, a strange feeling stirred within her heart. Why would a sorceress's sentiment from a millennium ago develop feelings for Mu Zhian? Was it simply a case of mistaken identity on the part of the primordial sorceress? Impossible. Even as a mere sentiment, it was not something to be underestimated—how could she mistake someone else for him? Mu Zhian looked into the sorceress's soulful eyes amidst her dark mist and, with hesitation, asked, "Senior, who are you searching for? Perhaps I could help you someday." The sorceress did not answer, but raised her head, gazing at him with a deep, longing stare. For a reason unbeknownst to him, looking into her eyes stirred immense sadness and sorrow within Mu Zhian, as if the emotions might soon drown him. The primordial sorceress suddenly revealed a captivating and bewitching smile. "Wait for me." As her voice, gentle and sweet, reached everyone’s ears, she wrapped her arms around Mu Zhian's neck, her cool, soft lips meeting his. She stepped forward again, pressing him against a stone pillar, passionately and hungrily claiming his kiss, her arms holding him tightly as though afraid he would vanish. Mu Zhian did not disappear. But the primordial sorceress did. A peach blossom danced lightly in the cold wind, catching Mu Zhian's eye. He instinctively reached for it. The blossom spiraled gently, like a boat on water, landing softly in his palm. A soft, inviting voice echoed within the pavilion, reaching all present. "I will come back to take you home." Mu Zhian felt a sudden conviction. The sorceress's sentiment held within the black box might finally have disappeared. Cradling Wei Mengrou's head with one hand, he regarded the peach blossom in the other, a reflective expression in his eyes. What sort of remarkable woman was the primordial sorceress, to ascend from enlightenment to conjunction in under three years, unifying the sea of the world before mysteriously vanishing, leaving only a black box behind? Could it be... that she foresaw events millennia into the future, deliberately leaving the black box? "Hmm..." At that moment, Mu Zhian heard a soft sound from the beauty in his arms, redirecting his attention from the blossom to the yellow-robed maid. Her face was fair, her lips full, and her thick lashes quivered slightly, as if awakening from a long slumber. Mu Zhian gazed at Wei Mengrou, his thoughts swirling. After a momentary daze, he quickly reacted, intending to gently push her away. But, before he could, Wei Mengrou gradually opened her eyes. Their gazes locked, and she blinked at him in speechless connection. Mu Zhian’s hand rested on the back of her head, their proximity considerable—perhaps even negative. Their lips intertwined, and on her complexion, she could feel his subtle exhalations, while her own gentle, warm breaths brushed against his skin. Time seemed to freeze at this moment. After a pause, Wei Mengrou finally reacted, her eyes flickered like a frightened fawn. She reflexively pushed Mu Zhian away, retreating half a step, her hand brushing her flushed lips as her heart raced uncontrollably. How did things turn out like this... What just happened? Her mind was in chaos, and upon closing her eyes, all she recalled was Mu Zhian’s close-up face. Despite seeing it so many times before, now, in such intimate proximity, it filled her with unfamiliar awkwardness and panic. Mu Zhian, watching on silently, couldn’t help but smile at her embarrassment. To see a maid, usually so indifferent to her young master, react so awkwardly when brought close... this stark contrast stirred something within him. But soon, he realized something and coughed lightly, explaining, "It’s a bit complicated, but moments ago, the primordial sorceress’s sentiment possessed you, that’s why..." Mu Zhian explained briefly what had transpired, but even as he finished, Wei Mengrou's gaze remained cold and disdainful. Even if Mu Zhian spoke truth, she couldn’t overlook that he seemed to enjoy the kiss, wanting to savor it further—that was why she had panicked. Yet, in the presence of two empresses, Wei Mengrou, with her reserved nature, could hardly voice such thoughts. Yao Meng watched them with serene eyes, then sighed with genuine emotion, "Most things in this world fade with time, but for the sorceress’s sentiment to endure a millennium is truly commendable." "She seems to be waiting for someone. But after a thousand years, who but someone at the unified realm could still live?" Gong Lianyue remarked calmly. Was it possible she mistook Mu Zhian for the one she loved? However, even as that thought crossed her mind, the sorceress’s words, "I will come back to take you home," still lingered intriguingly. What if... Mu Zhian really was the one the primordial sorceress awaited? As the sorceress's sentiment dispersed, silence fell over the pavilion. Wei Mengrou glanced at Mu Zhian, then slightly lowered her gaze, seemingly concealing her emotions within. Mu Zhian remained absorbed in the profound love of the primordial sorceress, sighed softly, and placed the peach blossom back into the black box, saying, "There are many clues left by the primordial sorceress. The black box might hold more secrets, but for now, we can only proceed with a slow investigation." Gong Lianyue licked her lips, her eyes revealing a deep coolness, "There's no rush concerning the primordial sorceress; we can investigate it gradually later." Though the sorceress had acted rather rashly, it was merely an apparition. She wasn’t petty enough to resent a mere kiss. But it was different with Yao Meng. Gong Lianyue's gaze returned to Mu Zhian, speaking softly, "But there are still things left unsaid between us." Yao Meng’s gentle gaze also found Mu Zhian. Mu Zhian: "..." Clearly, his attempt to divert attention had failed. He realized that dealing with ‘leviathans’ like Yao Meng or Gong Lianyue, in contrast to minor distractions, proved far more challenging. **Translation:** Over the years, they had gone through so many experiences that their wisdom was unparalleled. They could see through Mu Zhian's lies with just a glance in most situations. Moreover, being at the Conjunction Realm allowed them to intercept private transmissions and even eavesdrop on the secret whispers of others. Hence, Mu Zhian didn't dare send any whispered sweet nothings to each of the empresses in their presence. Just imagine the horror—what should be a private one-on-one message only for it to be overheard by another empress... the very thought was enough to fill him with despair. In essence, a private conversation could easily turn into a group discussion if he tried to communicate in secret with both empresses present. Of course, while their life experiences were vast, it didn't necessarily mean they had equal experience in matters of the heart. At least among the beauties Mu Zhian knew, most had focused solely on cultivation without engaging in romantic affairs, which gave him some room to maneuver. "The primordial sorceress's sentiment has left the peach blossom. While it's unclear whom she's seeking, at least for now, she won't reappear," Gong Lianyue said, her gaze soft as she met Mu Zhian's eyes. Mu Zhian's eyes moved slightly, instinctively looking towards the Sword Palace master, her black gown exuding an enigmatic air. "Do you mean the primordial sorceress might still be alive?!" "Beings at the Conjunction Realm don't completely disappear even if their physical form and Dao perish. Unless their last trace of consciousness vanishes from the world entirely. If the primordial sorceress is indeed searching for someone she deeply loves, she may have left behind a way to revive herself in the future," Gong Lianyue explained. Could it be that the ruler of the World Sea is still alive...? And given that the divine son and daughter of the World Sea have come to the Eastern Continent, with their previous remarks suggesting that... could the primordial sorceress be in the Eastern Continent? Mu Zhian’s eyes held a thoughtful gleam. At this moment, Gong Lianyue's tone shifted as she gazed at him, a hint of tenderness in her eyes: “Before considering that, do you remember what you promised me earlier, Mu Lang?” Mu Zhian jolted back to reality. “You told me once we're back at the sect, you’d distance yourself from all those bothersome women,” Gong Lianyue stated, casting a scrutinizing glance at Yao Meng, her earlier warmth turning to coolness. “If you’re too soft-hearted to hurt others' feelings, I can help clear away those unnecessary relationships for you, to avoid future troubles.” "For instance, the very Fairy Yao Meng who claims to be your Dao companion." Though the jab was aimed at Yao Meng, the eternal Azure Emperor maintained her serene demeanor, her lips curving into a soft smile as she replied, "Our relationship does not require judgments from others." “While Miss Bai might legitimately be his Dao companion, you are but a newcomer who barely knows him,” Yao Meng said indifferently. Gong Lianyue’s eyes narrowed slightly, a light laugh escaping her, “So you do realize you wronged my sword sheath?” “Cultivators can have more than one Dao companion, and he did pursue me first,” Yao Meng casually glanced at Mu Zhian, her eyes lingering on his handsome face, a hint of amusement around her lips. "Anyway, I’ve taken steps to make amends with Miss Bai," Yao Meng added. She had offered Bai Ruoxi a Heaven Mending Pill and an Enlightenment Seed as compensation. No matter how mutual the feelings, Yao Meng felt some degree of guilt towards Bai Ruoxi for having laid with her Dao companion... though truthfully, she felt more excitement than remorse. At this point, Yao Meng’s tone shifted again, smiling as she added, “However, Miss Bai is Miss Bai, and you are you. Even if you’re the same person, you're still two different consciousnesses.” "In essence, trying to take Miss Bai's place to make decisions is just not fitting." Gong Lianyue’s eyes narrowed: “And you mean...?” “If you didn’t understand, I could simplify it for you.” Yao Meng’s smile deepened, “To put it plainly...” “You don’t qualify.” The atmosphere in the pavilion suddenly turned tense. While the winter snow could not chill Mu Zhian, the piercing cold from the two women did. Gong Lianyue chuckled coldly, “If Lady Yao thinks I’m not qualified, fine, why not let him decide for himself whether I qualify to make decisions on his behalf?” Yao Meng smiled sweetly, her verdant eyes quietly fixed on Mu Zhian. Can’t you just let me stay low-key and invisible?! Mu Zhian's eye twitched, his inner self shouting in protest. Looking ahead, he said, “Ladies, erm, I am technically free, so...” Yao Meng interjected softly, “Yet when you were with me, you didn’t say that.” “You mentioned that both your body and soul belong to Fairy Sister.” Though her gaze remained gentle, a hint of danger lurked deep in her eyes. “Those words do sound familiar. How many women have you told this to?” Gong Lianyue sneered, eyeing Mu Zhian. Internally deliberating whether he should bring Mu Zhian back to Sword Palace after the Immortal Ascension Conference, where with ample resources and her guidance, he could cultivate effortlessly without unnecessary distractions from other women. Mu Zhian’s heart raced, his scalp tingling under their scrutiny. Even Master Mu, with all his planning, had no effective tactics against two of the world's most powerful existences. While a fierce verbal battle raged here, Wei Mengrou sat quietly at a nearby tea table, sipping her hot tea, observing her lord as he maneuvered through his romantic entanglements. Though she had quietly followed Mu Zhian for years, keeping a low profile as a maid, one couldn’t deny Wei Mengrou’s exceptional beauty. Whether it was her graceful silhouette accentuated by the goose-yellow dress or her beautiful yet cold expression, her noble and commanding presence was evident. ---