345 - It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

**Chapter 345: The Revelation of Their Roles** It’s quite unrealistic to fully recover from a fierce battle in just one night. After all, the spiritual furnace at the Soul Refining Realm is far more advanced than those at the Essence Refining or Qi Training Realms. In such circumstances, cultivators aim to bring their bodies to the best possible state, or they resort to taking elixirs. Among peers, having someone from the Harmony Realm assist, as Mu Zhian did, ensuring balance and even subduing great powers, is something unparalleled in the Nine Provinces. … Mu Zhian embraced Yao Meng’s soft, silky body, snuggling comfortably with her under the warm quilt. After nearly half an hour of teasing and intimacy, Yao Meng stopped disturbing him. She lifted the quilt, her dark tresses cascading down her back, gracefully reaching her calves, leaving only an exquisite silhouette. Glancing sideways with affectionate eyes and a slight smile, Yao Meng said, "I won't bother you tonight, focus on your cultivation." “Are you leaving, immortal?” Mu Zhian inquired. “I can't tread on your inborn spiritual furnace for now. I might as well take this opportunity to visit Yao Yue’s place,” Yao Meng replied cheerfully. “After all, she is the Saintess of our Sacred Pool." Mu Zhian nodded slightly, watching Yao Meng’s departing figure with a hint of hesitation. He wanted to ask if the Holy Pool still had Nirvana Silks available, but in the end, he refrained. Although I wouldn’t mind, it feels a bit improper to ask Yao Meng to request such things from the Holy Pool… Perhaps later, I can negotiate directly with the Holy Pool’s Saintess. With this thought, Mu Zhian closed his eyes silently, concentrating to circulate and cycle the spiritual energy within his body. In his mind, the words 'Heavenly Phoenix Art' began to manifest. Though mastering this powerful method before the Ascension Conference might not be feasible, even grasping a fraction could prove a crucial advantage. His Lonely Star Sword technique focuses power to an extreme point, channeling qi entirely into a sword. One strike can decimate enemies at great personal cost. Should he master the Heavenly Phoenix Art, he could revive his qi by burning the energy furnace after it is depleted by the Lonely Star Sword. However, the Heavenly Phoenix Art’s difficulty is exceptionally high. Even someone like Mu Zhian, considered a genius in the Eastern Continent, finds it challenging to even approach its threshold. In his meditation training, Mu Zhian envisioned a vast world of white, representing the essence of the Heavenly Phoenix Art. Even without guidance, he knew that if he could escape this blinding expanse, he might glimpse a fragment of the art. Yet, no matter how he moved, everything remained overwhelmingly bright, obscuring even his hand from view—a brilliance too intense to bear. After nearly half an hour in this endless white terrain, Mu Zhian dejectedly opened his eyes, retrieving the ring of the first Monster Emperor, which left him deep in thought. The Heavenly Phoenix Art was obtained by the first Monster Emperor from the celestial realm and perfected. Logically, there was no need to leave it behind... As he gently clutched the ring, his eyes flickered, pondering aloud, "Perhaps the issue isn’t with my cultivation, but rather, there’s an entry barrier I’ve yet to reach." "Or, could the problem lie with this interspatial ring?” "Maybe it’s required to unlock the secrets of the Heavenly Phoenix Art." Despite feeling close to accessing the art several times, Mu Zhian had been perpetually a sliver away—a distance seemingly insignificant, yet insurmountably vast. Much like pioneers and trailblazers, pioneers are honored for forging new paths, while trailblazers expand those paths, reaching uncharted territories. Mu Zhian now faced such a predicament—the gateway to the Heavenly Phoenix Art seemed within reach, yet elusive. It wasn’t necessarily a flaw in his cultivation, but rather the absence of some critical element… He regarded the ring in his hands, pondering silently. But after thoroughly examining it, the only artifact left from the first Monster Emperor appeared to be this ring... After a long consideration, Mu Zhian rose to change into fresh robes, proceeding to his study where he penned a letter. This letter was one of Lan Muli's treasures—when folded into a paper crane, it would autonomously fly to a predetermined location. As the paper crane took flight, vanishing beyond the horizon, Mu Zhian turned away, asking, “Meng Rou, do you have any fragrant balm?” He didn’t need his innate sense to know Wei Mengrou was nearby. The prideful figure in a yellow dress gradually emerged in his view, her gaze filled with unspoken questions: "What do you need fragrant balm for?" "Sometimes I just want to spruce myself up," Mu Zhian replied with a bright smile. However, Wei Mengrou’s icy gaze brushed past the young master, "You simply want to mask the scent of the Green Emperor, right? Planning to meet someone?" Meng Rou really knows me so well, Mu Zhian mused, nodding slightly, "I remember you've used perfume sometimes?" Wei Mengrou shot him a chilly look, "You came to me because it wasn’t convenient to ask others, fearing their jealousy?" Mu Zhian didn’t deny it, nodding. If he asked Bai Ruoxi, she’d probably immediately spot Yao Meng’s unique fragrance. Should it be known that Mu Lang had clandestine liaisons with Qing Emperor... not just losing the competition, there’s a good chance he wouldn’t see tomorrow’s sun, let alone attend the Ascension Conference. He could be whisked back to the Sword Palace overnight. As for Ye Lingxue... she just caught him with someone today, the little sister couldn’t suspect the full extent. Though they’ve shared some intimacy, she's ultimately still an innocent beauty, unprepared for her brother’s promiscuity. While Ye Qian might understand, she couldn't keep secrets from her little sister, likely causing suspicions. Thus, the only confidant remaining was Meng Rou. Seeing Mu Zhian's slightly guilty expression, Wei Mengrou sighed softly, "Wait here." “Mengrou, you’re the best,” Mu Zhian exhaled in relief. Yet, Wei Mengrou didn’t leave immediately; she gracefully approached him. “What is it?” Mu Zhian asked. Even though he was in his serene state, her enticing figure stirred his heart. With a waterfall of hair and a dress accentuating her figure, she wore dainty shoes, elegant legs beneath, adding charm to her high, cold demeanor. Ignoring his gaze, Wei Mengrou leaned closer, whispering, "Don’t think approaching me is consequence-free." Instinctively, Mu Zhian looked up at her, her eyes carrying a hint of displeasure. She softly said, “I can feel envy too.” Before he could respond, a fragrant breeze moved, and Wei Mengrou appeared at the doorway, leaving a softly echoing voice. “Don’t do it again.” Mu Zhian only snapped back to reality with her departure. Seems next time I’ll have to sneak to Tianxuan City for some perfume… He thought. She used to be just a maid, but now Wei Mengrou was much more… After waiting in the study, Wei Mengrou returned, tossing him a box of pink balm. Then, she turned to leave. Before departing, she hesitated and asked, "Where are you headed? Do you need my company?" Mu Zhian shook his head, "Stay here and practice, I’m not leaving the sect, just seeking advice from a senior sister." Among those he knew, the only one understanding the Heavenly Phoenix Art might be the Empress of the Demonic Realm. However, seeking the help of the Demonic Realm Empress might be seen as discourteous since they had just interacted for official business. Calling on her again for personal matters could potentially cause annoyance. Excluding the Demonic Realm Empress, the next person Mu Zhian could turn to was Lan Muli. With her Destiny Physique, she could comprehend the essence of all things, including techniques and tribulations. Lan Muli, having once suppressed thunder tribulations multiple times to ascend directly to the Soul Refining Realm, possessed this extraordinary trait. If anyone could unravel the secrets of the Heavenly Phoenix Art, it might be her. After waiting for nearly half an hour, Mu Zhian noticed a paper crane flying towards the window. He opened it to find a succinct message agreeing to meet. The message consisted of just two words: "All right." … At the Two Instruments Peak. As Mu Zhian approached the peak, he spotted a tall, cold beauty standing in mid-air not far away. Her white dress seemed to float around her, and her black hair flowed down her back, slightly disheveled by the cold wind. Her moon-white gown matched her well-proportioned figure. Unlike Bai Ruoxi's frail aloofness, Lan Muli exuded a robust beauty akin to a gym-goer, her skin snow-white and taut. Even Mu Zhian couldn't help but admire Lan Muli’s beauty as he watched her. Probably due to the late hour, she hadn't covered her face with a veil. Her hair danced in the chilly wind, framing her enchanting, flawless face as she greeted him with a soft smile. "You have time to visit me; you must be quite free today." Why does that sound a bit sardonic… Mu Zhian feigned ignorance and smiled, "I've been diligently cultivating these days; otherwise, I wouldn't have reached the fourth level of the Soul Refining Realm so swiftly." He sighed, "If it weren't for the thunder tribulation punishment in the Martial World, I might have advanced to the fifth level by the Ascension Conference." The biting wind pressed Lan Muli’s clothes against her graceful figure. Noticing the dejection in Mu Zhian’s gaze, a hint of empathy edged into her cold eyes as she said, "Come inside." Even knowing Mu Zhian was playing the sympathy card, her emotions overpowered her judgment. The snow that fell for days had stopped tonight, but the sharp wind still numbed the brain. Mu Zhian flew on his sword behind, watching the cold beauty walk above the ground. He took off his coat, caught up to her, and draped it over Lan Muli’s shoulders. The unexpected warmth caused her to stiffen slightly. Her delicate hand instinctively pressed on the coat, and she glanced at Mu Zhian's thin clothing behind her. "I’m not afraid of the cold, you should take it back." As she spoke, she attempted to remove the coat. At that moment, Mu Zhian rested a hand on hers, feeling the soft, cool skin. He looked into the eyes of this admired sister within the sect and whispered, "I can’t do much for sister, but while cultivators may not fear the cold, at least it symbolizes my goodwill." For those beyond the Soul Refining Realm, the cold is no threat, but this coat warms more than just the body—it warms the heart. Lan Muli’s eyes glimmered with a subtle smile, "How many women has junior brother Mu won over with this trick?" "And next time, make sure to rid yourself of another woman’s scent before saying such things." Her tone was cool and detached. "Scent?" Mu Zhian was puzzled, looking into Lan Muli’s clear, cold eyes, then realized and pulled a box of balm from his ring. "Is this the scent sister refers to?" Her eyes narrowed slightly, "And this is…?" "A balm I chanced upon recently. I thought I should make some preparations before visiting sister…" Mu Zhian said as he passed the balm to Lan Muli. "I’ve used a bit, but if sister doesn’t mind… please accept it. It may not benefit cultivation, but it can enhance a woman’s allure." Lan Muli’s eyes flashed as she looked at Mu Zhian, and ultimately, she accepted the balm. Watching this, Mu Zhian felt a sense of relief. Initially, he suspected her odd demeanor was due to infrequent correspondence. It turned out it was the balm causing tension. This woman, though appearing cold as ice, possessed a fierce possessiveness—a stern CEO type. If the unspoken bond between them wasn’t still veiled, she might have held him under tight control. Regardless, the previous gestures had softened Lan Muli’s demeanor toward Mu Zhian, and they found themselves naturally arriving at a secluded courtyard. Adorned with classical elegance, the setting was serene. Upon her gesture, Mu Zhian sat by the table and, taking in the quiet environment, commented, "It’s quite tranquil here, doesn’t sister find it too quiet living alone?" Lan Muli placed the balm into her ring, a faint smile on her lips, "Fei Ying visits sometimes, and our master often brings a chessboard for matches." "And you used to write here often," she added, her gaze slightly colder. Though she hadn’t voiced discontent over his recent distance, her words and actions subtly conveyed her dissatisfaction. "Apologies… a lot has happened recently, and the Ascension Conference is crucial. Naturally, I want to enhance my skills." Mu Zhian paused, sighing, "Once the conference concludes, I hope to have more free time." Lan Muli’s face remained expressionless: "You came today, also for something related to the Ascension Conference, didn’t you?" Mu Zhian shook his head, saying, "Also because it’s been a while since I’ve seen sister."