It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists-Chapter 371: Fox-Eared Girls Are a Rare Resource!
A deathly silence hung over the Abyss Palace, so profound that even the sound of one’s heartbeat seemed amplified.
This cavernous space within the Abyss was littered with bones. Some were the recent remains of cultivators devoured by the ‘beast tide,’ while others were the remnants of those who had ventured into the Abyss over the past millennium, only to meet their demise.
Crack!
Suddenly, a hand burst from the earth, clawing desperately at the ground as a figure dragged himself out.
His eyes were bloodshot, yet filled with a lingering fear and a sense of fortunate survival.
“If it weren’t for the protection of the Heavenly Dao Energy, I would have truly perished here this time.”
“But that scoundrel Yao Shan actually dared to try and devour my consciousness. He truly underestimated my will.”
This cultivator, who had narrowly escaped death, was none other than Ye Yu, who had ‘died’ in the Abyss Palace two days prior.
When the Demon Empress had attacked, the will of the Heavenly Dao had descended, protecting him. And Yao Shan, who had attempted to devour his consciousness, had been ultimately backfired upon and completely erased after two days of struggle.
However, Ye Yu had now lost everything. His luck was depleted, and the consciousness of his former teacher, whom he had absorbed, was gone.
“Mu Zhian…”
Ye Yu slammed his fist into the ground, his eyes crimson with impotent rage.
Even with Yao Shan’s aid, he had never been able to defeat Mu Zhian. Now, with Yao Shan gone, his chances of turning the tables were even slimmer.
Fortunately, despite losing Yao Shan, he hadn’t returned empty-handed…
Ye Yu slowly opened his palm, revealing a translucent orb within.
Heavenly Dao Energy.
This orb of Heavenly Dao Energy could continuously strengthen his consciousness, even slowly repairing and nourishing it. His ability to counter Yao Shan was also thanks to this energy.
“Even you couldn’t have imagined that I would still be alive… Mu Zhian.”
A sneer appeared on Ye Yu’s face as he looked at the Heavenly Dao Energy in his palm. “Secretly colluding with the Demon Empress, harming fellow disciples… even if I can’t deal with you, someone else can.”
It was a pity that this trip had resulted in heavy losses, and even the treasures within the Abyss had likely been taken by Mu Zhian…
But what good was having treasures if you weren’t alive to use them…?
Ye Yu clenched the Heavenly Dao Energy in his hand, struggling to his feet, and prepared to leave.
However, at that moment, the Heavenly Dao Energy in his hand began to emit a faint light.
A wisp of consciousness entered the energy, and a slender figure appeared before it.
Her skin was like ice and jade, her red dress fluttering, her long, smooth hair cascading down, framing her beautiful, ethereal face.
Ye Yu was stunned the moment he saw her.
“Who… who are you?” he stammered.
The woman elegantly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, revealing a faint smile. “The Fourth Pillar God of the Southern Wilderness, the Goddess of Space.”
A subtle curve graced her lips. “You may also call me Xueyi.”
…
Shortly after the commotion in the Abyss, cultivators throughout the Eastern Continent, the Demon Realm, and the World Sea were startled.
The fact that the Demon Empress had subsequently requested to meet the Sect Master of the Two Polarities Sect sent chills down many spines.
The Eastern Continent and the Demon Realm had always been at odds. A conflict between two Dao Integration experts would be a disaster for the Nine Provinces.
Fortunately, when the Demon Empress made her request, the Jade Empress and the Sword Palace Master, Gong Lianyue, along with a mysterious expert, intervened and dissuaded her.
Because of this, many in the Eastern Continent were now praising the Jade Empress and Gong Lianyue.
But clearly, no one realized that their intervention wasn’t for the sake of the Nine Provinces.
The scene currently unfolding within the Jade Pool Holy Land revealed the truth…
“Mu Lang, after the Jade Empress took you away, I was worried about what she might do to you… Now that I see you’re alright, I’m relieved.”
Bai Ruoxi sat beside Mu Zhian on the edge of the bed, her head slightly bowed. A faint blush colored her beautiful cheeks, as if she had been… nourished. Her eyes sparkled.
She appeared more feminine and alluring, less cold than usual.
A pair of embroidered shoes lay scattered on the floor beneath the bed, along with a… dudou.
Compared to Bai Ruoxi, Mu Zhian appeared somewhat fatigued.
He gazed at the jade-like beauty in the white dress and said softly, “The Jade Empress is the First Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool, and we have a very good relationship with her. You don’t need to worry so much about my safety.”
“Ruoxi, rushing all the way to the Jade Pool Holy Land must have consumed a lot of your spiritual energy, right?”
Bai Ruoxi shook her head, her eyes downcast, her voice cold and pleasant. “I didn’t consume much. Besides, I just received quite a bit of spiritual energy from Mu Lang’s Innate Celestial Furnace, which is enough.”
As she finished speaking, she buried her face, a hint of shyness flashing in her eyes.
Collecting her thoughts, Bai Ruoxi glanced at the ‘sleeping’ Fairy Yao Meng, then raised her eyes. “Where exactly has the Jade Empress’s consciousness gone?”
Mu Zhian’s expression was subtle. “…She’s in the Heavenly Court.”
“I see. Then I’m relieved.”
Bai Ruoxi placed her hand on her ample bosom, as if truly relieved, and gave a delicate, charming smile. “The Jade Empress announced your relationship with her so publicly at the Ascension Ceremony. If she knew we were just cuddling in her cultivation room, she would be angry, wouldn’t she?”
“A Dao Integration expert’s anger… It’s a terrifying thought, isn’t it, Mu Lang~?”
Yes, yes, Mu Lang knows you’re scared. After all, Ruoxi is a delicate, pitiful little white rabbit, who dislikes palace intrigue and has no ill intentions. She’s just a good girl who cares about Mu Lang, and what happened earlier with the Jade Empress was just an accident…
Mu Zhian gently held Bai Ruoxi’s soft hand to comfort her, silently complaining in his heart.
He glanced at her again. A light sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead, her hair clinging to her beautiful face, giving her a languid air. Her dress was slightly wrinkled, and beneath the hem, her feet were encased in small white socks, her skin fair and translucent, giving her a pure, delicate beauty.
But from Mu Zhian’s angle, he could see an exceptionally delightful view, different from usual.
After all, whether it was romance or intimacy, Mu Zhian preferred the partially concealed to the fully revealed. For example, having Miss Bai wear this pure white palace dress while being intimate…
“By the way, if you came to find me, doesn’t that mean you gave up on the Ascension Ceremony matches?” Mu Zhian suddenly asked.
Bai Ruoxi hummed softly, nestling against Mu Zhian’s warm chest. “I thought about it, and compared to the Ascension Ceremony, Mu Lang is more important.”
“Besides, all the cultivators sent by the Nine Provinces, except for Regina, have already lost. As long as the winner is from the Eastern Continent, it’s enough.”
Mu Zhian’s eyes flickered. “What about Feiying’s match?”
“She encountered Senior Sister Lan just before the final match. During their fight, Senior Sister Lan’s Core Formation Rank 8 Heavenly Tribulation descended. To preserve Senior Sister Lan’s strength, Feiying forfeited,” Bai Ruoxi explained without hesitation.
“The Heavenly Tribulation doesn’t discriminate. It will engulf any cultivator who gets close… Senior Sister Lan and Feiying were competing within a pocket dimension, where space is limited. According to the rules, whoever leaves the pocket dimension first loses, right?” Mu Zhian mused.
Mu Lang is indeed clever, but he often doesn’t use his cleverness for the right things… Bai Ruoxi’s eyes flickered as she stroked Mu Zhian’s face, humming softly in agreement.
“What about Ye Yu?” Mu Zhian asked again.
“Why are you suddenly mentioning him?”
Bai Ruoxi’s tone turned noticeably colder at the mention of Ye Yu, clearly not wanting to discuss him further.
“Just curious. Although he died in the Abyss, I always felt that with his luck, he wouldn’t die so easily. So I was wondering if he had returned to the Two Polarities Sect,” Mu Zhian said.
Bai Ruoxi slowly shook her head. “I’m not sure. I haven’t returned to the Two Polarities Sect since I went to the Abyss.”
“Speaking of which, there will be an alchemy competition soon after the Ascension Ceremony. The winner will receive a Rank 8 pill…”
Mu Zhian pondered for a moment. “If I can win the competition and have Luo Tan exchange that pill for a Supreme Clarity Pill, things will be much easier.”
If he couldn’t win, he might have to sell his body…
Bai Ruoxi was taken aback. “Supreme Clarity Pill?”
“Mu Lang wants a Supreme Clarity Pill? Could it be for…”
Mu Zhian nodded slightly, speaking seriously, “Indeed, it’s for a fox-eared girl!”
He reached behind Bai Ruoxi, fumbling around. “Speaking of which, where are your tail and ears?”
Bai Ruoxi gave Mu Zhian a reproachful look. “Even demon cultivators can hide their identity and appear like ordinary cultivators.”
“Thinking about it now, I should have had you transform into a fox-eared girl earlier…” Mu Zhian said regretfully.
“Do you like fox-eared girls that much?” Bai Ruoxi tilted her head, puzzled, unable to understand Mu Zhian’s strange preference.
Isn’t it just three extra tails and a pair of fox ears… What’s the difference from her current form?
“Fox-eared girls are extremely rare… and occasionally transforming into one brings a lot of novelty. There are many possibilities. Let’s try a different approach next time?”
Mu Zhian gently embraced the girl’s waist, pulling her closer so he could fully appreciate the fragrance and softness of her body.
“If Mu Lang likes it so much, then next time…”
Bai Ruoxi closed her eyes slightly, snuggling against Mu Zhian.
“By the way…”
After a moment, she seemed to remember something. She took a blooming purple flower from her sleeve and looked up at Mu Zhian. “The Purple Sun Flower Mu Lang gave me before, was it really from the Demon Empress?”
Her bright eyes stared intently at Mu Zhian.
A Purple Sun Flower obtained from the First Demon Emperor was completely different from one obtained from the current Demon Empress.
If it was from the First Demon Emperor, it was equivalent to a gift from Mu Zhian.
But if it was a treasure obtained from the Demon Empress… who knew what price Mu Zhian had paid to obtain the demon qi-concealing treasure from her?
“It was from the Demon Empress,” Mu Zhian answered truthfully without hesitation.
Since Bai Ruoxi was asking, she likely already knew and just wanted to hear him confirm it. Lying at this point was pointless.
Besides, the Heart-Binding Lock was watching intently.
Bai Ruoxi’s eyes welled up as she gazed at Mu Zhian. “My cultivation is gradually increasing, and the demon qi in my body will become stronger and stronger. A way to conceal it is indeed urgent, but no matter what, I don’t want Mu Lang to specifically ask a complete stranger for my sake…”
It was akin to a wife secretly asking the CEO of another large company for a special document to help her husband, without her husband’s knowledge…
Thinking of the Demon Empress’s haughty demeanor, and how Mu Zhian must have pleaded with her to obtain the demon qi-concealing Purple Sun Flower, Bai Ruoxi subconsciously clutched her skirt, biting her lip, feeling both angry and aggrieved.
Seeing this, Mu Zhian took her hand and guided her to sit on his lap.
Her hips pressed against him through her white dress, her weight resting entirely on him. But she wasn’t heavy, and Mu Zhian cultivated a body refinement Dao.
He embraced Bai Ruoxi’s slender waist from behind, looking at her angry and aggrieved expression, and soothed her gently, “Don’t worry. I simply made a normal trade with the Demon Empress. I provided her with useful information, and she gave me a Purple Sun Flower in return.”
The usually cold Miss Bai gave off an untouchable aura, but now, her teary eyes made one want to hold her close and comfort her.
“Although the Demon Empress appears arrogant, she’s actually quite nice,” Mu Zhian said, burying his face in her fragrant hair and holding her tightly.
“Mu Lang, you don’t understand the Demon Empress at all. She’s not a kind person. She wouldn’t simply be nice to you. Every step she takes has a purpose.”
Bai Ruoxi lowered her voice. “Fortunately, the Demon Empress needs to be in seclusion for more than half a year. Even if she has some ulterior motive, by then, my other wisp of consciousness will have awakened, and we won’t have to fear her plotting against you.”
Why does it sound like I’m some naive little rabbit… Mu Zhian complained inwardly, but simply hummed in agreement.
He had nothing to offer. If the Demon Empress was helping him, it was either because she valued his abilities or because she was attracted to him. Either way, Mu Zhian didn’t really care.
But Ruoxi was worried about him, so he wouldn’t dampen her spirits.
After all, Ruoxi had the biggest… heart, so whatever she said was right!
After another moment of intimacy, Bai Ruoxi blushed, lowered her head, and tidied her disheveled clothes and hair. Sensing the young man’s burning gaze behind her, she whispered, “Are you planning to stay in the Jade Pool?”
Mu Zhian pondered for a moment. “Let’s return to the Two Polarities Sect first.”
Yao Meng needed at least a few days to cultivate in the Heavenly Court. During that time, the Ascension Ceremony would be nearing its end, and Luo Tan’s alchemy competition would be starting soon.
He also needed to confirm whether Ye Yu was truly dead… Regardless, he had to go back.
Moreover, he had to obtain the Supreme Clarity Pill that could help demon cultivators evolve.
Mu Zhian placed Yao Meng’s celestial body within the ancient coffin, glanced at the faint image of a green lotus in the room, and then left the pavilion with Bai Ruoxi.
The World Cleansing Green Lotus was summoned by Yao Meng as a precaution. Anyone other than those she recognized would be suppressed if they approached.
However, Yao Meng clearly hadn’t anticipated that someone she ‘recognized’ would enter the pavilion…
…
Two Polarities Sect.
The frequent tremors from the Abyss three days prior hadn’t affected the bustling activity here.
Spiritual energy permeated the sect. Raindrops fell on the bronze buildings, adding to the ancient beauty of this immortal sect that had witnessed countless dynasties rise and fall.
“So, you’re saying you were framed by the master of the Abyss and trapped in the Abyss Palace for ten thousand years?”
Ye Yu was currently flying towards the Two Polarities Sect on his sword, conversing with Xueyi, the Goddess of Space, who was hiding within his storage ring.
“That master of the Abyss is truly insidious and cunning! Not only did he take all the immortal opportunities for himself, but he also set a trap for other cultivators!”
Listening to Xueyi’s story, Ye Yu feigned indignation, but inwardly, he was overjoyed.
Although he had missed the immortal opportunities within the Abyss, he had encountered the framed Fourth Pillar God of the Southern Wilderness.
Yao Shan was dead, but he had found a Dao Integration level consciousness to protect him!
And she was such an alluring beauty, no less stunning than his former fiancée, Bai Ruoxi, or even his younger sister, Ye Lingxuan.
Although it felt somewhat inappropriate, Ye Yu was grateful that Xueyi had been framed by the master of the Abyss. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have stumbled upon such a great opportunity, awakening her with the Heavenly Dao Energy within him and even having her follow him.
“Don’t worry, Senior Xueyi. I will do everything in my power to help you condense a physical body! I’m an alchemist, and I will find a way!” Ye Yu vowed solemnly.
“There’s no need to condense a body.”
Xueyi’s voice was calm and gentle. “Before I went to the Abyss, I spent a great deal of effort creating a vessel for my ascension to the Transcendence Realm. I sealed her within a formation, nourishing her with numerous heavenly treasures. That vessel can shield itself from heavenly secrets, ignore the laws of heaven and earth, and read the consciousness of others.”
“If I’m not mistaken, she should have become the Holy Maiden of the Southern Wilderness, as agreed.”
“Once I find her, I’ll have a way to be reborn.”
Ye Yu was stunned. “The Holy Maiden of the Southern Wilderness?”
“Can you help me? You’re the only one I can rely on now,” Xueyi said softly.
Her gentle, melodious voice and delicate demeanor captivated Ye Yu.
“I understand. I’ll do everything I can to help you!” Ye Yu immediately replied.
A charming smile appeared on Xueyi’s face. “…Good boy.”
“But before that, I have some old and new scores to settle with Mu Zhian…” Ye Yu added, his eyes filled with unconcealed hatred.
Suddenly, Ye Yu seemed to sense something and looked up. He saw a gigantic Dragon Sparrow soaring over the Two Polarities Sect, seemingly blotting out the sky.
Two figures sat atop the Dragon Sparrow. The first wore a snow-white palace dress, her demeanor delicate and elegant.
The second wore luxurious black robes with gold trim, his bearing extraordinary. Although his skin was slightly pale, it didn’t appear out of place, but rather added a touch of fragility to his appearance, instantly evoking a protective instinct in many older women.
These two were, of course, Mu Zhian and Bai Ruoxi, who had just arrived at the Two Polarities Sect on the Jade Pool Holy Land’s Dragon Sparrow.
Mu Zhian also noticed Ye Yu and looked over. His dark eyes flickered, quickly becoming as deep and calm as a still pond.
Ye Yu looked up at them, a cold smile appearing on his face. “Didn’t expect this, did you, Mu Zhian?”
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I’m still alive… and I know about your collusion with the Demon Empress.
He stared intently at Mu Zhian, hoping to see surprise, confusion, bewilderment, or even… fear!
But Mu Zhian maintained his smile, his expression unchanged. He gestured for the Dragon Sparrow to descend and greeted Ye Yu proactively. “Brother Ye, long time no see. You seem to look a bit worse for wear?”
Ye Yu’s expression turned cold. “Mu Zhian, it’s just the two of us here. Whatever you want to say or do, there’s no need to beat around the bush. It just makes you seem hypocritical.”
Mu Zhian let out a sound of understanding and kissed Bai Ruoxi on her delicate cheek.
Bai Ruoxi gave Mu Zhian a resentful sideways glance, then buried her face in his chest, appearing obedient and well-behaved.
Ye Yu’s face flushed with anger. “You—!”
Seeing the usually cold Miss Bai acting so docile and gentle in Mu Zhian’s arms, even though he no longer had any relationship with her, a nameless rage burned within Ye Yu’s chest.
“Didn’t you say I could do whatever I want without beating around the bush?” Mu Zhian asked innocently, spreading his hands. He then patted the Dragon Sparrow’s head, signaling for it to leave.
Ye Yu took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
This time is different from last time. In the Abyss, you tried to kill me with the help of the Demon Empress. But within the Two Polarities Sect, can the Demon Empress still help you?
No.
In fact, Mu Zhian’s collusion with the Demon Empress would be the final straw that broke him!
Moreover, he now had the assistance of a Dao Integration level consciousness within him.
For this, he needed to win the alchemy competition and use the Rank 8 pill to nourish that consciousness!
With this thought, Ye Yu completely calmed down. He clenched his fists and said coldly, “We’ll see each other at the alchemy competition.”