321 - It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

### Chapter 321 In the hushed confines of the room, the words of the two women were an exclusive exchange, inaudible to others. The Queen of the Demon Realm lifted her head slightly, gazing at the dissipated figure of the first demon emperor. She extended her slender, jade-like hand to catch a snowflake in her palm and said softly, "To resolve that old problem, my strength has grown even more. Is it that you trust the Demon Realm would not invade the Eastern Continent, or are you confident enough in your own strength?" As she spoke, she cast a casual glance at the stunning beauty in the black robe. Shang Yanfei smiled brightly, "A bit of both." The Queen of the Demon Realm narrowed her captivating eyes, speaking with a calm tone, "To protect your sect, you even opened the gates and allowed your enemies into Two Mandalas Sect. If this were a game of chess, you'd likely be losing terribly." "Perhaps," Shang Yanfei responded with the same calmness. The Queen of the Demon Realm gave her a deep look, waved away the black mist with a raise of her hand, and then vanished into the night. Having absorbed the essence of the first demon emperor, she would need time to refine it before her strength, already at the Convergence State, would surpass others and ascend to the Immortal State. Shang Yanfei quietly watched her leave, then shifted her gaze towards the entrance of the Glazed Palace, landing on Mu Zhian who stood there. Sensing a vaguely familiar yet somewhat alien gaze, Mu Zhian looked up. The ethereal sect leader, floating in mid-air, smiled gracefully at him. "You've lost quite thoroughly," she whispered. Though it was unclear to whom she directed these words. --- ### Chapter 295 - This is... a Second Cycle World! With the departure of the Queen of the Demon Realm, the presence of the first demon emperor vanished entirely from the Pilgrimage Hall. Most cultivators were oblivious to what had occurred, only vaguely aware that something evil had once been sealed deep within Two Mandalas Sect, and now, that evil had been eradicated. Mu Zhian watched the scene unfold, the fading might of the first demon emperor, and couldn't help but release a long breath. Recalling the earlier events, he mused, "That beautiful snake truly is dangerous, capable of beguiling the masses, yet devouring them whole. One must be careful around her." "It seemed like she consumed something… but I couldn't quite discern what," Bai Ruoxi suddenly mentioned. The Queen of the Demon Realm consumed something? Mu Zhian's thoughts grew more active upon hearing this. The Queen of the Demon Realm didn't assist the Eastern Continent and Two Mandalas Sect without reason. There must have been some transaction between her and Shang Yanfei, a transaction so lucrative it prompted her to 'collaborate.' Now, it seemed likely that the crux of this transaction was something left by the first demon emperor. "I suspect it was the essence," a familiar, melodious voice chimed from behind. Mu Zhian turned in surprise, "Lingxuan, when did you arrive at the sect?" Ye Lingxuan gracefully descended the steps of the great hall, her delicate features pure as snow, hair cascading freely, clad in a slender purple dress that accentuated her petite figure, while her slender legs were complemented by intricate embroidered shoes, exuding an air of innocent grace and subtle elegance. With a cheerful smile, she approached, "I returned not long ago. I was worried but seeing you now, it seems like everything’s alright." "Lingxuan, you mentioned essence earlier. What is it? Why hadn’t we noticed?" Mu Zhian asked out of curiosity. "Every cultivator possesses essence, essentially encapsulating their entire cultivation journey. The Queen of the Demon Realm absorbed the essence of the first demon emperor just now," Ye Lingxuan explained softly. "However, only someone like the Queen of the Demon Realm, with a unique constitution, could absorb someone else's essence. Ordinary people attempting it would likely explode before they could even refine it." So the Queen of the Demon Realm desired the first demon emperor’s essence, prompting her intervention at Two Mandalas Sect... Mu Zhian pondered, understanding slowly dawning on him. Yet, it also birthed concern. If she refines the essence of the first demon emperor, just how powerful would the Queen of the Demon Realm become? "By the way, has Mengrou's heaven's aura been extracted?" Ye Lingxuan suddenly inquired. The mention of this caused Wei Mengrou, who had been silent, to show signs of discomfort, while Bai Ruoxi watched Mu Zhian with a gentle smile. Noticing something amiss, Ye Lingxuan blinked, turning to Mu Zhian, "Did it fail?" "Thanks to Mengrou’s help, everything went smoothly," Mu Zhian maintained his usual smile. Then, he proposed to escort Ye Lingxuan and Ye Qian back, while giving Wei Mengrou a discreet signal, "Mengrou, can I entrust Ruoxi to you?" Wei Mengrou cast a disdainful glance at Mu Zhian but didn’t refuse. Knowing his ways and nature all too well, she expected him to ask. Just as Mu Zhian prepared to escort Ye Lingxuan, several powerful beings withdrew their auras after the first demon emperor's demise. The Buddha from the Western Domain departs quietly, hands pressed together. Meanwhile, the Southern Desolation God scrutinized Mu Zhian persistently, unable to fathom how this young cultivator accomplished the evolution of Regania’s spirit body. "Something you want?" Yao Meng abruptly interrupted, addressing the Southern Desolation God with a cold tone, breaking his reverie. Though male cultivators couldn't discern Mu Zhian's innate Furnace attribute, Yao Meng preferred to minimize unwanted attention. Insidiously, the Southern Desolation God remarked, "I was just curious how this lad drew Yao Meng's attention. It seems there's some talent." A rather superficial compliment, often reserved for unclear achievements. Having previously obstructed the Azure Emperor, the Southern Desolation God avoided further embarrassment, offering perfunctory words before departing Two Mandalas Sect. With two troubles resolved, Yao Meng’s attention turned to the final figure. She looked at the Empress of Yuzhou with a charming smile, "What’s the matter, Lodan? Have you found someone of interest among these cultivators?" Lodan observed Ye Lingxuan’s retreating form with interest, "She's a natural spirit body, isn't she? Exceptional for cultivation or alchemy... makes one want to take her as a disciple." Yuzhou has long been revered as a sanctuary for alchemists, partially due to the Empress being a heavenly-grade alchemist, with many renowned recipes originating there. "The daughter of the Forbidden Zone's master, matured within the Waters of Rebirth, her innate spiritual potential is unparalleled. In terms of alchemical talent, she likely surpasses Yuzhou’s geniuses," Yao Meng remarked with a gentle smile. Intrigued, Lodan inquired, "I recall Yao Meng didn't interact with the Forbidden Zone; how do you know so much?" Yao Meng raised her elegant brows, "Her sister, Ye Qian, is my disciple, so I've heard a few things." The truth was, Ye Qian didn’t know much beyond what Mu Zhian casually mentioned or what she occasionally overheard in his presence. Naturally, Yao Meng couldn’t reveal this, given Lodan's apparent interest in Mu Zhian. Without the dragon’s artifact, the secret of the innate Furnace might have been exposed. Should that happen... who knows if the Empress would take an interest in such a rare attribute? Suddenly, Shang Yanfei suggested, "If you're interested in Ye Lingxuan, after the Ascension Banquet, perhaps organize an alchemy contest. If you're inclined, take her as a disciple." Lodan narrowed her enchanting eyes, admiring the elegant sect master with a voluptuous figure, and remarked, "Would you willingly let such a stellar disciple join me?" With a nonchalant smile, Shang Yanfei replied, "If a stint to Yuzhou honed her skills, all the better." After a moment’s thought, Lodan agreed with a smile, "In that case, I'll linger in Two Mandalas Sect for a few more days." She glanced in the direction where Mu Zhian had gone. "Truth be told, there's something more that piques my interest..." ### Desirable Courtyard Mu Zhian escorted Ye Lingxuan and Ye Qian back to their courtyard. As he was about to leave, Ye Qian asked, "Brother Mu, won't you come in for a while?" Ye Lingxuan, noticing this, smiled gently, "Since Qian’er has invited you, Brother Mu, why not come in for a chat?" Ye Lingxuan, being a reserved girl, would usually maintain her elder sister demeanor in front of her sister and wouldn't actively invite Mu Zhian to stay. However, since Qian’er had extended the invitation, she had no objections. Hearing this, Mu Zhian nodded slightly, smiling, "In that case, I’ll accept the invitation. When I think about it, it has been a while since we sat down for a good chat." --- ### Tranquil Pavilion Walking alongside Wei Mengrou through a quiet corridor, Bai Ruoxi stopped at the door, her gentle voice carrying softly, "Mengrou, this is far enough." Wei Mengrou nodded slightly, but just as Bai Ruoxi opened the door, she hesitated momentarily and asked, "Do you not blame me?" She was referencing the situation between herself and Mu Zhian in her room earlier. Bai Ruoxi shook her head gently, her smile serene, "It's not Mengrou's issue, but instead Brother Mu’s request, isn’t it? So if there’s anyone to blame, it should be Brother Mu." After a pause, she continued, "Of course, I won't do anything too harsh to him. I know his feelings for me haven’t changed." For Bai Ruoxi, who received heavenly energy and was assisted through her troubles by Mu Zhian without complaint, these were acts of sincere love, even if he was a bit of a philanderer. "If you don't give him a memorable lesson now and then, he would never learn," Wei Mengrou 'sold out' her friend with a smile. Bai Ruoxi raised her chin thoughtfully at Wei Mengrou's suggestion. "A memorable lesson..." Then she chuckled softly, "I believe I won’t need to do much." Turning her head slightly, she added to Wei Mengrou, "I’m quite easygoing, but the other ‘me’ might not be." Though the idea occasionally crossed her mind to lock Mu Zhian away forever, Bai Ruoxi was intrinsically a gentle and caring person. As for Gong Lianyue, the head of the Sword Palace, she was different—forceful and domineering. Should she awaken from her slumber upon refining godly powers in the future, Mu Zhian's troubles would just be beginning. But for now, perhaps it was best to grant him a bit of 'freedom.' --- ### Late Night The incident of the evil's unsealing at the Pilgrimage Hall today left the cultivators without the will to cultivate, enthusiastically discussing the event among themselves. The combined appearance of the Southern Desolation God, Western Region's Buddha, Yuzhou's Empress, and the mysterious 'black mist expert' defeated the evil. Although the fighters' identities remained unclear, those witnessing the spectacular battle felt the awe-inspiring Convergence Realm pressure, making it a rare topic for future tales among cultivators. Aside from the event, the unmatched beauty of Lodan, Yao Meng, and Shang Yanfei had left a deep impression. Their unique charms resonated with the disciples: the sect master, a symbol of sanctity; Yuzhou’s Empress, a paragon of elegance; and Yao Meng, whose sheer mystique, even aside her 'innate heavenly body' constitution, rendered her the object of countless admirations. However, these sentiments were kept secret, mindful of disturbing that celestial status. While conversations buzzed within the sect, Mu Zhian returned to Tranquil Pavilion after some time spent with the Ye sisters. Exhausted from his interactions with Bai Ruoxi, he intended to rest for the night. Yet upon entering his chamber, he found Yao Meng waiting near the bed. Draped in a thin sky-blue gown embroidered with white patterns, her graceful figure was captivating. Her enchanting face bore a gentle smile, while the hem of her dress revealed her alabaster-like legs and snow-white bare feet. She held a finely-carved, fiery red fruit in her hand. "You seem quite busy these days. I’ve been waiting here for nearly an hour," Yao Meng teased, her gaze tender as it settled on Mu Zhian. Quick to respond, Mu Zhian offered a light cough, saying, "Qian’er had some questions about her cultivation which took some time." He closed the door behind him, chuckling, "If I knew you were waiting, I’d have come sooner." Yao Meng’s emerald eyes twinkled softly, "I suppose if you knew I was here, perhaps you wouldn’t have those intimate exchanges with Lingxuan and my disciple, would you?" Mu Zhian replied with a helpless smile, "You misunderstand me, Fairy Sister. They're merely my sisters." Yao Meng didn’t seem perturbed by his response and beckoned him closer with a gentle gesture. As Mu Zhian approached, she handed him the fruit. "I initially planned to give this after the Ascension Banquet, but since you’ve left the Martial Realm early, it's best to refine it now while the trials are still ongoing," Yao Meng said with a smile. Mu Zhian glanced at the fruit, recognizing it, "The Heavenly Phoenix Fruit?" Yao Meng nodded lightly, "It can grant you a rebirth opportunity in case of severe injuries and will notably aid in recovering your spiritual energy." Upon observing his hesitation, Yao Meng raised her gaze with a faint smile, "You’re not going to say it's too precious to accept, are you?" No single Heavenly Phoenix Fruit could equate to the aid Mu Zhian had received from her. Ultimately, considering the sacrifices for his rebirth, a single fruit was insignificant. Snapping back to awareness, Mu Zhian took the fruit with a smile, "I was just thinking about how to refine this." As he held the fruit, ready to move forward, chapters awaited, with new worlds to unfold and challenges to conquer.