299 - It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

### The Revelation of Truth: She's the Real Protagonist - Chapter 299 Author: ccc As it turned out, he was no longer eligible to participate in the Immortal Ascension Conference. Nigati and his associates assumed Mu Zhi’an was indifferent to the event, resorting to this desperate measure, but in fact, he desired to attend more than anyone. After all, if a certain girl next to him won the Immortal Ascension Conference, he’d have to prepare for 'marriage'… Ah, and conveniently, those potential grooms were starting to arrive. Mu Zhi’an spotted the purple silhouette appearing in the distance and the alluring woman in the white dress with an undeniably generous figure. He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. Under the hostile glares of Nigati and the others, Mu Zhi’an managed a gentle smile. "I warned you, divine retribution awaits you all." ### Chapter 279: Your Beloved is Great, But They're Mine in a Moment A lone practitioner in the Realm of Spirit Refinement blocking nearly twenty peers equal in cultivation level—such a tale would be met with disbelief outside these walls. Participants of the Martial World Examination are generally the prodigies within their clans, some even dispatched as paragons of the continents. Yet now, they were all intimidated by Mu Zhi’an’s solitary presence... no, they even considered fleeing the scene. Mu Zhi’an summoned the Pure World Green Lotus, and the impending thunder tribulation at his back suffused the air with a sense of cataclysm. Snowflakes fell thickly, driven by fierce winds, while the overcast sky seemed to collapse, the thunder illuminating the faces of the assembled practitioners. “Mu Zhi’an, have you lost your mind?! Facing a thunder tribulation of over twenty bolts, even you cannot escape unscathed. Don’t tell me you’ve given up on the Immortal Ascension Conference entirely?!” Nigati shouted in appalled anger. Even the wildest imagination would not have conceived someone keeping a thunder tribulation in reserve as a trump card, dragging everyone into its chaos... If they were knocked out of the competition here in the Martial World, returning to the Southern Wilderness would earn him a lifetime of taunts, and the holy status he sought would become an unreachable mirage. Others wouldn’t care about the process you endured; they only see the result. And the result was: Nigel failed to pass the Martial World Examination. At that moment, another East Continent practitioner urgently spoke, “Brother Mu, we are both from the East Continent; in this Immortal Ascension event, we should unite against other threats!” "Indeed. Release us now, and I assure you this favor will be repaid in the future!" The dozen practitioners caught within the tribulation collectively pleaded, even Ye Yu maintained a conspicuous silence. They all understood their fates were now entirely in Mu Zhi’an’s hands. If they turned to flee, that enigmatic green lotus would surely halt them, and should Mu Zhi’an choose to precipitate the thunder with his spiritual power, it would undoubtedly crash down. Fleeing then would be futile. Mu Zhi’an couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Now, they remember that solidarity among East Continent practitioners is important? Where was that unity when they turned a blind eye to the tribulation, making my servant’s ordeal more difficult? Their regrets stemmed not from acknowledging wrongdoing, but from lamenting Mu Zhi’an’s intervention and wishing they’d acted sooner to seize the heavenly essence. Amidst this tension and fear, other sect disciples, who had previously given face to Mu Zhi’an and withdrawn, were quietly counting their blessings. Had they, at the time, succumbed to greed and joined in the dash for the heavenly essence, they, too, would be ensnared in Mu Zhi’an’s thunder tribulation. To achieve nothing and jeopardize the Martial World Examination—what a costly mistake that would have been. Others, however, watched coldly, discussing among themselves. “Is Mu Zhi’an mad or does he have something else up his sleeve? Facing so many alone, no one could withstand such a tribulation, not even him.” “Remarkably devoted, though. Standing up for his partner despite angering so many. Isn’t he afraid of reprisal from East Continent forces once this is over?” This sparked a more animated debate. “Mu Zhi’an is likely suppressing the thunder storm to negotiate terms, perhaps demanding they each give up points to pass the exam.” “That’s the most logical move. Should he face the tribulation with them, even Mu Zhi’an might not survive. A sensible person would negotiate.” “Unless, someone among those threatened sees through and refuses. If pushed too far, with no choice left, it’s unclear what Mu Zhi’an may decide as an arrow poised for release.” Elsewhere, Wang Teng, alongside Tang Sufi, clapped a hand against his teammate’s. He retreated several steps, then shouted towards the sky, “Young Master Mu, I am Wang Teng of the Wang clan, could you grant me the favor of releasing my ungainly brother?” His voice carried through the spirit imbued air towards Mu Zhi’an. It seemed Mu Zhi’an heard him, looking over from beneath the stormy sky. With mocking laughter in his tone, he replied, “Who the hell do you think you are?” He recalled seeing Wang Teng attempting to enter the tribulation’s zone for the heavenly essence, halted only by Tang Sufi’s intervention. Now he wanted Acquiescence? Wang Teng’s face darkened, and observers who had kept out were amused at his misfortune. The Wang clan genius had been nothing short of arrogant before the Martial World entry, cultivating a reputation that rubbed many the wrong way. But since he was tied to the influential Wang family from the East Continent, others swallowed their discontent, avoiding confrontation. To those from outside the East Continent, however, Wang's influence meant less, though East Continent practitioners dared not provoke such a formidable force. Wang Teng glared angrily towards Mu Zhi’an’s position for a while, then scoffed, “Even if he escapes, passing the Martial World Examination is out of reach.” These words draped a shadow of sympathy over Mu Zhi’an. Wang Teng, with his superior sixth-grade Spirit Refining skills and unique Wang family techniques, was unbeatable among equals. Even if Mu Zhi’an had something up his sleeve, escape wouldn’t save him from Wang Teng’s wrath. Mu Zhi’an’s prior dealings within the Sect of Dual Instruments were known, yet few believed his strength surpassed Wang Teng's. Many in the Martial World owed favors to Wang Teng’s allies, and wouldn’t risk upsetting him. Furthermore, given the likelihood of Wang Teng ascending to clan leader, with Wang Yin, any attempt to sideline Mu Zhi’an could be easily accomplished with his family’s clout in the East Continent. Unless Mu Zhi’an planned to hide within the Sect of Dual Instruments indefinitely. Then, a melodious voice drifted from the crowd, “The Wang family boasts aggressiveness, but who passes the Martial World Exam is not for you to decide.” A voice serene yet commanding enough to draw every eye to the speaker. Recognizing her, someone exclaimed, “Ye Lingxuan?!” Ye Lingxuan’s name was known to East Continent practitioners, few aware of her forbidden ties, but within the Sect of Dual Instruments, she was among the select few hailed as a prodigy. Wang Teng turned, his gaze tightening, face hardening at the sight of the elegant woman: “Miss Ye, this doesn’t concern you.” Though others didn’t grasp Ye Lingxuan’s significance, Wang Teng—being of the Wang lineage—surely recognized the revered forbidden sect maiden. Ye Lingxuan spared no face for Wang Teng, her expression cold, “If you impose, then surely bracing for consequences was considered.” Some Wang-connected practitioners bristled, edging towards action. Then, a crisp voice carried from within, “Think carefully before acting. Our disciples in the Martial World are not to favor one another, but should any face undue aggression, action will be taken.” Heads turned, uncovering a woman clad in a moonlit dress gracefully stepping into sight. “Lan Muliang!” Murmuring rippled through the crowd, apprehensively eyeing Lan Muliang. As her sect's heir apparent, she remained a formidable contender, and despite her powers being constrained in the Martial World, those adept techniques restricted to higher realms were still at her disposal. Few dared cross such an entity. Gazing upon this scene, Wang Teng felt a growing frustration, his voice somber: “If you insist on siding with Young Master Mu, I have nothing further to say. However, should he use the thunderstrike to best my brother Wang Shuo, the victory is hollow, a fact evident to all.” ### The Revelation of Truth: She's the Real Protagonist - Chapter 279 Thunder tribulations are a potential ordeal during advancement within the Realm of Spirit Refinement. Strictly speaking, a tribulation isn’t a testament to one's intrinsic ability; it's a gamble. “With my brother Wang Shuo’s talent, there's no way he’d be knocked out of the Martial World in a direct confrontation! No, those caught in the tribulation alongside Mu Zhi’an are just as skilled.” That's when Bai Ruoxi suddenly interjected, “Is that talented brother of yours the one over there?” She looked up into the sky. Wang Teng turned his gaze and his expression froze. High above, Wang Shuo attempted to escape the tribulation's reach but was intercepted by Mu Zhi’an. Mu Zhi’an summoned the Pure World Green Lotus, and with the formation at his back, he delivered relentless blows upon Wang Shuo. A faint golden aura lent his black-gold robe a brilliant shine, and his eyes gleamed with daylight brightness. Lan Muliang’s eyes flickered with surprise. A physique akin to a Celestial Body of Destiny…? Wang Teng’s gaze flashed with disbelief as he stared intensely at Mu Zhi’an. That the tribulation hadn’t descended indicated Mu Zhi’an’s ongoing suppression of it... but theoretically, while controlling a breakthrough, one shouldn’t be able to engage in combat simultaneously. Clearly, this must be a ‘Natural Spiritual Body’ or something similar... But if that were the case, what was the source of this golden radiance he emitted…? Was he a Dual Constitution...? Even then, a mismanaged dual constitution might be less effective than honing a single path. As Wang Teng pondered this absurd possibility, he saw Mu Zhi’an draw a black sword from the void, and a breathtaking feminine silhouette appeared behind him. The woman, in a dark palace gown with an exquisite back, mirrored Mu Zhi’an’s every move as he raised his sword. The Solitary Star Sword! Boom! With that swing, radiant golden light enveloped Wang Shuo, causing Wang Teng’s pupils to contract from afar. A third constitution?! How could this be? A cultivator could possess at most two constitutions, never a third! Perceptive onlookers noted this anomaly, uncertainty and awe creeping into their gazes at Mu Zhi’an. None had pegged him as a significant contender in the Immortal Ascension Conference. His prowess today defied belief far beyond expectations. Few were his movements, yet his combat experience and extraordinary constitutions commanded respect. Wang Teng locked his eyes on the clashing figures, dumfounded by the possibility of Mu Zhi’an harboring three constitutions or more. Eventually, an outrageous thought surfaced in Wang Teng’s mind. ... Could he be Chaos Physique? Bai Ruoxi, too, eyed Mu Zhi’an with surprise. While aware of his Chaos Physique, she hadn’t known of his likeness to her own body type. The feminine apparition accompanying Mu Zhi’an matched the Gong Lianyue slumbering within Bai Ruoxi’s own form! Seizing the window of Wang Shuo’s miscalculation, Nigati and his companions turned swiftly, retreating from the tribulation zone! Mu Zhi’an stretched his arm, conjuring the Eight Desolate Dream Diagram, blocking their escape. Feeling its immense pull, their steps faltered. Nigati turned back, infuriated. “Mu Zhi’an, you dare—" “Guess whether I dare,” Mu Zhi’an laughed freely, booting Wang Shuo back into the tribulation, then releasing the suppression from his celestial alchemy furnace. Boom! Spiritual energy erupted, and instantly the thunder tribulation responded to the multitude of practitioners present, its roar deafening. Those ensnared within Mu Zhi’an’s trap fumed with shock and anger. Mu Zhi’an simply shut his eyes. With the magnitude of over twenty strikes, even Void Returning Realm practitioners would struggle against it. This tactic risked mutual destruction. Boom! In the sky, numerous lightning dragons coiled beneath the clouds, the thunder tribulation’s grandeur leaving all practitioners in awe, silently taking in the majestic display. Nigati and others exploded with curse-laden indignation, unable to spare thoughts on Mu Zhi’an as they channeled their spiritual energies, readied for a desperate stand against this terrifying tribulation. “This Mu Zhi’an is ruthless, taking no prisoners, even himself,” murmured a distant practitioner at the spectacle. “A shame, with the skill he’s shown today, he’d definitely earn a place at the Immortal Ascension Conference.” “Though his personality is quite appealing, risking everything in a fit of rage for his beloved, it seems his bond with that maid is truly deep.” “If I had someone as talented and beautiful as Mistress Wei, I’d be just as furious seeing my partner bullied.” Amidst the discussions, none noticed the chilling shift in atmosphere encroaching from behind.