It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Chapter 108

BOOM!

The dragon puppet’s massive claws slammed against the floor, shaking the entire hall. The Foundation Establishment cultivators staggered, struggling to maintain their balance. Huang Manting, her black dress accentuating her alluring figure, looked up at the puppet, its comical appearance belying its terrifying strength.

“If you hold back any longer, none of us will pass Senior Ling Long’s trial!” she called out, her voice melodious and captivating.

The disciples who had entered the Two Polarities Sect might have included a few individuals who lacked common sense, but most were intelligent. They understood that wasting their spiritual energy here would jeopardize their chances in the subsequent trials. And losing the opportunity to gain destiny would be a source of regret for years to come.

“We have to fight with everything we have! We need to repel these puppets!” a disciple shouted.

“Easy to say, but if someone holds back, how would we know?” another retorted.

The disciples, struggling against the puppet’s oppressive aura, exchanged glances, their thoughts hidden. They were all talented individuals, their strength and potential undeniable among their peers. But they were only strong relative to others their age. Against these puppets, which seemed to be at Core Formation, especially with everyone holding back and their hearts divided, they were outmatched.

Ye Yu dodged the puppet that was pursuing him, then looked up, his voice filled with anger. “This is all Mu Zhi’an’s fault! If not for him, we wouldn’t be facing this difficult trial!”

Gongsun Cheng turned to look at him. “What do you mean, Young Master Ye?”

“Didn’t you see? That silver-haired woman beside him, she was Senior Ling Long! Perhaps he’s the one who made the trial so difficult!”

He chuckled coldly. “Didn’t you see what happened to the Third Prince? He criticized the trial, he insulted Mu Zhi’an, and Senior Ling Long immediately expelled him. Perhaps he’s found a way to curry favor with her…”

The hall fell silent. His words made sense, but they weren’t so easily swayed.

“Perhaps we’re just wasting our time. Mu Zhi’an might have already taken the destiny inheritance,” Gongsun Cheng added, his voice laced with a hint of malice.

“Senior Ling Long wouldn’t stoop to such deception. She wouldn’t leave us with nothing,” a disciple protested, chuckling.

“She might not, but we can’t be sure about Mu Zhi’an. Perhaps he’s already found the inheritance and left,” another agreed.

“Are you seriously discussing this before even passing the trial?”

A melodious voice rang out, and the disciples turned to look. It was Huang Manting, the young mistress of the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce, who had passed the entrance exams with flying colors.

“You’re not fools. If you give up so easily, you might as well leave now.”

She raised her hand, gathering her spiritual energy, forming a barrier to protect herself from the puppet’s aura.

“Miss Huang is right. We need to focus on these puppets, not on infighting,” a female disciple said, her voice clear and sweet, her gaze fixed on Huang Manting’s beautiful face, a hint of admiration in her eyes.

“It’s too early to be discussing such things,” another agreed, also looking at her.

In just a few days, Huang Manting had gathered four or five followers, three of them beautiful women. If Mu Zhi’an were here, he would be impressed. Her ability to captivate was astonishing.

“What if we pass the trial, but the inheritance is gone? What if Mu Zhi’an has already taken it? What if there’s only one inheritance left? How will we divide it?” Ye Yu asked.

“It’s all because of him! He’s taken one of the inheritances!” Gongsun Cheng added, fueling the flames of discontent. “And perhaps the one he took was the only one…”

Huang Manting looked at Ye Yu, then at Gongsun Cheng, her brow furrowing slightly. They’re determined to make him the target. But the other disciples weren’t fools. They wouldn’t be so easily swayed. They were intelligent. They wouldn’t turn against Mu Zhi’an because of a few rumors. Of course, they wouldn’t defend him either. He was a stranger to them. Not making enemies, but not helping others; it was the way of the world.

She narrowed her eyes, deciding not to speak up for him. He was definitely with Ling Long earlier. Perhaps he had received an inheritance. He has even charmed Ling Long, not just Senior Sister Lan. Perhaps he’s more capable than I thought. She looked up at the puppets, her thoughts racing.

She wasn’t sure if she could have remained calm in Ling Long’s presence. It was Ling Long, the embodiment of destiny. Who wouldn’t have thoughts about obtaining its immense power? And it was sensitive to malicious intent. Most, upon meeting it, would be immediately expelled. How had he managed to approach it without revealing any greed?

She didn’t realize that there was a certain breed of man known as the “Lust Seeker Protagonist.” They valued beauty above all else.

BOOM!

A deafening roar echoed through the hall, and the disciples looked up to see the two puppets shaking their heads, their bodies radiating a powerful aura. Judging by their aura, their true strength was far beyond Core Formation. At least not early Core Formation. But they didn’t attack. They simply returned to their original positions, as if ordered to stand down.

The hall fell silent, the disciples staring at them, their eyes filled with confusion.

“What’s happening…?”

“They stopped attacking…?”

As they wondered what was going on, a calm, gentle voice echoed from the far end of the hall.

“I was only gone for a short while, and it’s already so lively…”

“I thought I heard someone discussing me…”

They turned to look and saw a young man approaching, his luxurious robes flowing gracefully, a gentle smile playing on his lips. He scanned the crowd, then stopped before them, chuckling.

“I apologize for the wait…”

“…Mu Zhi’an.”

Ye Yu glared at him, his voice cold. “What are you doing here?”

“I encountered Senior Ling Long when I entered the realm. After much effort, I managed to persuade her to reveal the locations of two destiny inheritances within this hall,” Mu Zhi’an replied, smiling. “I’m here to guide you.”

“If you know the locations, why don’t you go yourself?” Ye Yu asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

“Destiny inheritances aren’t simply claimed by the first person who finds them. It depends on whether your destiny is compatible,” Mu Zhi’an explained calmly. “If it’s not compatible, even Senior Ling Long can’t force it upon you.”

“That’s just your word,” Gongsun Cheng said, his voice laced with disbelief.

Mu Zhi’an chuckled. “If you don’t believe me, ask the sect elders.”

“But I have one condition.”

He looked at them, his voice clear and firm. “I went through a lot of trouble to obtain this information from Senior Ling Long. So if we find the inheritances, I want to be the first to test them, to see if I’m worthy.”

The disciples nodded, their previous resentment fading.

“It’s only fair, Young Master Mu. You’ve worked hard for this.”

“Even if you receive an inheritance, it’s only natural.”

They had been jealous, but now, their gazes were filled with gratitude.

“How can we be sure you’re leading us to the right places, Young Master Mu?” Gongsun Cheng asked suddenly.

Mu Zhi’an smiled. “If you don’t trust me, leave.” If you’re so suspicious, find the inheritances yourself. I don’t have to cater to you.

He ignored Gongsun Cheng’s darkening expression, bowing to the others. “There are many trials within this hall. Some paths are incredibly difficult, and even if you pass them, there might not be any inheritances. If you trust me, I’ll lead you to the right places.”

He paused, then added, smiling. “If not, feel free to explore on your own. But if you trigger any traps, don’t blame me for not warning you.”

His words were sincere, and the disciples nodded, their trust in him solidified.

He smiled, pleased. “You’ve all exhausted yourselves fighting those puppets. Rest for a while, then we’ll set off.”

He found a spot to sit and meditate.

“Why are you helping them?” Wei Mengrou’s voice whispered in his mind. As a Core Formation cultivator, she shouldn’t be able to enter this hall, but Ling Long had bent the rules for her.

He smiled, his gaze sweeping over the disciples, discreetly comparing their figures. “It’s more believable this way,” he replied mentally. After all, people were more likely to believe in something earned through effort. And even in the world of cultivation, one had to navigate social dynamics.

The disciples who left the Two Polarities Sect rarely failed in life. He didn’t want to make enemies. Others might choose to be lone wolves, but he preferred the brotherhood of cultivation.

The disciples knew that Gongsun Cheng and Ye Yu were trying to provoke them, but they hadn’t spoken up for him. Because he was a stranger to them. But after today, whether they received an inheritance or not, they would remember his kindness. If someone spoke ill of him in the future, they might not defend him, but they wouldn’t oppose him either. It was a matter of reciprocity.

And there was another benefit to adventuring with these disciples. Several of the female cultivators were glancing at him, their gazes lingering on his handsome face. And since they were indebted to him, they were naturally inclined to please him. Of course, with so many people watching, none of them dared to approach him. But their current hesitation didn’t mean they wouldn’t approach him later, perhaps during their journey, or even within the sect.

Of course, he was a devoted man. Even if some women pursued him, he wouldn’t give in easily. He wasn’t that kind of casual person.

He sat there, enjoying the scenery, the beautiful faces surrounding him, and Wei Mengrou’s disgusted gaze, which seemed to be saying: You’re such a creep.

She had clearly guessed his other intentions. But he didn’t care. She knew him intimately. She understood his nature. With other women, he might have pretended to be a kind and gentle young man. But with her, there was no need. It would only seem insincere.

If he ever conquered her, he would definitely say something like: Please step on me, Mengrou. He imagined her reaction, her disgust. It would be exquisite.

“What if Ye Lingxuan receives an inheritance from Lin Ling and her strength increases dramatically? Aren’t you afraid you won’t be able to control her?” Wei Mengrou asked suddenly, her voice a mental message.

He snapped out of his thoughts, looking at her, her figure almost blending into the shadows, and he chuckled. “Their strength increasing only benefits me, doesn’t it?”

“Not just Lingxuan, but also Ruoxi and Qian’er. The stronger they are, the more secure I am.” He didn’t mention Senior Sister Lan. She was already strong. That was why she was so difficult to conquer.

He paused, then added, “And perhaps Ling Long’s inheritance can reduce your bad luck, Mengrou.”

She scoffed. “Don’t waste it on me.”

“My bad luck, it’s not something that can be offset by a mere destiny inheritance.”

“If one isn’t enough, we’ll get three,” he said, smiling. “Any improvement in your luck, Mengrou, it’s worth any price.”

She looked at him, then remained silent.

Fifteen minutes passed.

He stopped chatting with her, standing up and looking at the disciples, smiling. “It’s time to go.”