Chapter - 280 - It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Ye Qian is an insurance, as is Wei Mengrou. "If you want me to help you, I have a condition," Wei Mengrou suddenly stated. Suddenly, an aura reminiscent of deceitful fiction quietly filled the air. Mu Zhian kept his composure and said, "Please, Mengrou, state your condition." Wei Mengrou gazed at Mu Zhian and said, "After the Ascension Conference, I want to borrow the black box you have." Mu Zhian paused for a moment, puzzled, and asked, "What do you need the black box for?" He pondered briefly and then nodded slightly, saying, "I can lend it to you, but you must ensure that I am by your side when you use it." "Besides, it seems that only I can open that black box, right?" Mu Zhian added. From the current situation, it appeared that there might be some connection between the primordial witch and Wei Mengrou, making him uneasy about letting her handle the black box alone. Wei Mengrou nodded silently. "So... do we have a deal?" Mu Zhian asked cautiously. Wei Mengrou nodded, then, upon seeing her young master looking relieved, said coldly, "Isn't it a bit too early to relax now?" Mu Zhian shook his head and chuckled, "I trust in your abilities, Mengrou." "Moreover," he paused, raising his fingertip, where a blue lotus quietly bloomed. "Even though I'm armed with the Void-World Blue Lotus, this time the contestants are all at the God Refining stage, not too different from my level. The sealing ability of the Blue Lotus is particularly effective against them," Mu Zhian smiled. Not only did he have Ye Qian and Wei Mengrou, but he also had his own fighting capability. He couldn't say victory was certain, but even against Ye Lingxuan, he was more than capable of a fight. However, as he said this, Wei Mengrou remained silent, looking at Mu Zhian with a strange expression. "You don't know yet?" Mu Zhian turned his head with a smile, "Know what?" "Senior Sister Lan is also competing. She'll be joining us in the martial realm this time." "......" Mu Zhian's calm smile slowly stiffened on his face. What the heck?! What's her goal? Isn't this outright unfair? Originally, everyone was at the God Refining stage, competing with each other in battle experience and depth, but suddenly a Ground Immortal at the Void Returning stage shows up... It's practically a dimensional reduction strike. "It shouldn't be, right... Senior Sister isn't the combative type. Could it be she's interested in me?" Mu Zhian mumbled incredulously. Her noble and aloof demeanor is undeniable, and if there's an unfortunate early encounter with her during the Ascension Conference, Mu Zhian might as well consider surrendering in advance. The Void-World Blue Lotus only works on those of the same level. Against the Void Returning stage, its effect, while not negligible, can't be relied upon as a major weapon. "I'm not sure either. The news just came out earlier today," Wei Mengrou said nonchalantly. She then looked at her young master, whose expression had become somewhat unpleasant. The corners of the maid's lips couldn't help but curl into a faintly pleased smile. Seeing Mu Zhian troubled over such matters always cheers her up. After all, she's just an observer. "......" She should just be an observer.... Wei Mengrou suddenly felt a stabbing pain in her chest as if pierced by needles. Instinctively, she placed her delicate hand over her heart, her pupils slightly unfocused. In that moment, it was as if a voice was softly whispering within her heart. It said: He can only belong to me. Dazed, Wei Mengrou looked down at the bronze mirror on the table, which reflected a woman's face. A stunning, slightly pale, and unnaturally beautiful face. …… No matter how much Mu Zhian fretted over Lan Muli's participation, the day of the Ascension Conference was steadily approaching. And two days later, this event, which stirred all nine regions and revolved around three emperor-level medicinal herbs, finally officially began. Most people probably wouldn't expect that, in truth, Bai Ruoxi, the Lan sisters, and the others were eyeing the hidden rewards behind the Ascension Conference... Chapter 272: The 'Holy Grail' Battle! 4.5K The martial realm is located in the northern part of East Continent, a land of eternal winter. Harsh living conditions combined with the unique restrictions of the martial realm result in very few inhabitants. Once inside the martial realm, one's cultivation is mystically suppressed. Whether one is at the peak of the God Refining stage or at the Void Returning stage, upon entering the martial realm, their cultivation will be compressed below the fifth tier of God Refining. Some have speculated that the primordial witch may have once visited the martial realm, leaving behind secrets similar to those in the harbor city of the World Sea, suppressing the realms of those who enter. However, the truth of this matter has never been confirmed. "Even Senior Sister is participating. It seems this Ascension Conference will be far more challenging than I anticipated..." Mu Zhian stood on his sword, following the others, casting a glance at the elders responsible for safeguarding the event ahead of him, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. The letter from his sect leader sister and the brewing actions of several 'main characters' was enough to give Mu Zhian a headache, and now adding Lan Muli, whose cultivation level towers over her peers... Just thinking about it filled Mu Zhian with despair regarding the upcoming Ascension Conference. Fortunately, he wasn’t completely without hope. After all, he had the understanding sister Qian who cherished him, and the outwardly cold but inwardly warm maid accompanying him. Of course, regardless, he couldn’t leave his fate in the hands of others. He had to take this seriously and earn his place in the Ascension Conference by proving himself in the martial realm. Being eliminated from the martial realm would certainly be amusing, but not in a desirable way... As Mu Zhian pondered this, he casually scanned the dozen or so cultivators around him. Most of these cultivators bore unfamiliar faces, some hailing from across the nine regions, while others were sect disciples. The martial realm is vast, and with the initial areas within it determined by random draw, Mu Zhian wasn’t fortunate enough to be grouped with Ye Lingxuan and the others. Rather than bad luck, this was sheer misfortune. A few unfriendly gazes were fixed on him at that moment... Among them was Ye Yu, whom Mu Zhian had outsmarted several times in the past, and a West Region monk he didn’t know, named Jing Chen. I’ve always been a helpful person, so while it's understandable for Ye Yu to hold a grudge, why’s this monk on my case too... Mu Zhian internally bemoaned, resigning himself to sighing internally. "Could it be that Mengrou's bad luck is rubbing off on me, attracting all these strange people to my area?" Thankfully, he had the Southern Wilderness secret technique. Once inside the martial realm, by cloaking his fate with this technique, others wouldn't be able to discern his identity. As long as he quickly left the relevant area of the martial realm to rejoin others, passing the test to earn his spot in the Ascension Conference shouldn't be too difficult. At that moment, the chatter among the crowd suddenly fell silent, and many turned their heads as if sensing something. Following suit, Mu Zhian turned to see a beauty clad in a red gown with alluring curves, approaching on a flying sword. Although she didn’t expose much skin, the fullness of her attire against her chest made hearts involuntarily race. Soon, whispers erupted within the crowd. "Fei Ying? She's also in this area..." "Celestial Peak has sent two inner disciples and over a dozen regular disciples to compete this time. Fei Ying seems to be one of them... She hasn't lost against fellow disciples in recent sparring, making her a strong contender in this Ascension Conference." A Celestial Peak disciple whispered. The major peaks are distanced from each other, and with most cultivation happening in solitude, news isn’t the most circulated. Upon hearing this, several cultivators looked at the enchanting red-gowned beauty with a mix of admiration and concealed affection. A genius disciple like Lan Fei Ying, when seen within the sect, might greet others with warmth, but going beyond such acquaintances was as challenging as ascending to the heavens. Feeling the eyes of others on her, Lan Fei Ying smiled gently back before withdrawing her gaze, lingering on a particular youth in the crowd for a moment. She gave Mu Zhian a meaningful look before looking away. "Sister Fei Ying, once we're in the martial realm, let's look out for each other. This is my first time at the Ascension Conference, and I'm a bit nervous," Mu Zhian promptly transmitted. Lan Fei Ying gave Mu Zhian a bewitching glance that could make one's bones turn to jelly, her gentle and melodious voice ringing in his ears: "Sister advises you, should we be in the same area, beware of Mu Zhian." "Why?" Mu Zhian asked, puzzled. Lan Fei Ying's lips curled slightly, eyeing the crowd ahead, and she leaned closer, her ruby lips lightly opening by Mu Zhian's ear: "Because you're a little rascal." Without giving Mu Zhian much time to react, Lan Fei Ying gracefully flew away on her sword, avoiding drawing too much attention to their exchange. After a brief moment of speechlessness, Mu Zhian chuckled softly and communicated telepathically, "Sister Fei Ying, you might have some misunderstanding about me..." Lan Fei Ying glanced sideways, her eyes captivating like silk, "Oh?" "I may indeed be a rascal, but not a small one," Mu Zhian explained earnestly. Lan Fei Ying's lips curved into a teasing smile, the sound of her voice irresistible and soft as it lingered in Mu Zhian's ear: "We'll know for sure only after verifying, won't we~" Despite his promiscuous past, the gentleness in her voice made Mu Zhian's heart tremble, and he inwardly cursed her as an enchantress. One day, you'll feel the might of my resolve! At that moment, the leading elder suddenly looked up at the sky. After seeing the cultivators who were steadily heading towards the martial realm, he turned to the crowd and asked, "Has Huang Manting not arrived yet?" "It seems she was delayed by signs of a breakthrough. If she's not here by the time we're set to leave, we'll proceed without her... that's what she said," a female cultivator suddenly replied. Huang Manting is also in this area... Mu Zhian mused, but then he felt a chill down his spine and instinctively turned around. "Sorry to keep you all waiting. I hope I haven't delayed our departure?" A pleasant and soothing voice echoed around them, soft and alluring. And in his vision appeared a beauty in a raven-black dress, one of Mu Zhian's old acquaintances. Huang Manting. Her aura was significantly stronger than before. Had she encountered some fortuitous opportunity? Mu Zhian thought as he scrutinized the lady in black. Back in Tianxuan City, Bai Ruoxi was hailed as the city's most beautiful, with Miss Huang from the Dawn Chamber of Commerce as second. Their beauty was nearly equal, but Bai's demeanor was slightly superior and her ample bosom set her apart, placing Huang Manting a close second. Now, Miss Huang's presence had notably transformed. The black dress highlighted her alabaster skin, and beneath the hemline, her jade-like legs were wrapped in raven boots, exuding an exotic allure. Just one glance was enough to captivate. The crowd, even the female cultivators, looking at Huang Manting, had eyes filled with admiration. Even Mu Zhian was briefly entranced, his gaze wandering, feeling an inexplicable urge to surrender to her. At that moment, the aurora necklace on his chest emitted a faint glow, a cold touch flickering to his mind, snapping Mu Zhian back to reality. Has this seductress encountered some fortune, or why has she become so irresistible? Mu Zhian drew a sharp breath, casting a wary glance at Huang Manting. Perhaps sensing his gaze, Huang Manting turned her sight towards Mu Zhian, and when their eyes met, she flashed him a charming smile. "Young Master Mu, when we enter the martial realm, we should look out for each other," Huang Manting's soft voice whispered in his ear. Mu Zhian suppressed his racing heart and responded with a smile, "Miss Huang, your aura seems much stronger than before. If anything, I might need your protection." Huang Manting met his words with a silent, knowing smile. Mu Zhian quickly withdrew his gaze. He felt something was off about Huang Manting's aura, different from before, but he couldn't pinpoint why. For this venture into the martial realm, it would be wise to avoid her if possible. As Mu Zhian pondered these thoughts, a sect elder began speaking, "For this martial realm test, you'll each carry a jade slip. If you sustain life-threatening injuries, the slip will protect you and transport you out of the martial realm, but doing so means you forfeit the Ascension Conference. If you wish to quit, simply shatter the jade slip, and it'll also safely withdraw you." "Additionally, each of you holds a token with three points. Whoever first accumulates ten points passes the martial realm test." This rule didn’t surprise Mu Zhian, as he was well-informed beforehand. The test essentially serves as a sieve for the Ascension Conference, requiring contestants to acquire points from others. Once ten points are reached, shattering the jade slip secures their passage through the martial realm assessment. After all, with so many competitors, allowing each to compete onstage isn’t feasible. This test offers a straightforward, effective means of elimination. Moreover, this test has always captivated cultivators, largely because ancient treasures left behind by powerful beings reside within the martial realm. "Now that everyone is assembled, let's move out," the elder announced, sweeping his gaze over the crowd. …… Following the group, after a half-day's flight, Mu Zhian finally arrived at his destination—the Eastern Continent’s martial realm. Looking out over the scene, snowflakes danced wildly through the sky, blanketing the world in endless white, an all-encompassing backdrop.