It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Chapter 155: Ruthlessness is Key in Cultivation!

Evening descended upon the back mountain of Boundless Sea Peak.

Ying Guhuan sat languidly on her throne, her legs crossed elegantly, her gaze fixed on the entrance to the hall.

There were thirteen Seats within the Demon Realm, and she ranked seventh.

The rankings weren’t based on strength, but on the order in which they had joined the Demon Realm.

A thousand years ago, when she was still at the Qi Condensation Realm, she had left her impoverished village in the Northern Realm and joined the Demon Realm.

She had caught the eye of the Demon Realm Empress while at the Core Formation Realm, becoming the Seventh Seat and receiving a wealth of resources.

Few earned the Empress’s favor, and she was one of them.

She wasn’t the only demonic cultivator within the Two Polarities Sect. She had five trusted subordinates, each embedded within one of the main peaks.

These subordinates rarely contacted her, only reporting when something significant occurred.

The last report she had received was on a certain night not long ago.

It contained only one piece of information: Ye Yu’s Heavenly Dao Aura had vanished. The two most likely suspects were Mu Zhi’an and Bai Ruoxi.

She had examined Mu Zhi’an and confirmed he didn’t possess the aura.

Therefore, Bai Ruoxi was the most likely candidate.

However, considering the aura wasn’t a pressing matter, and she couldn’t be certain of the truth, she had taken no action.

But recently, Ye Yu had accused Bai Ruoxi of possessing the Heavenly Dao Aura.

And Mu Zhi’an had claimed it for himself…

It was a curious development.

She hadn’t sensed the aura when she had examined him…

A young disciple entered the hall, his voice clear and melodious. “Master, there’s a disciple requesting an audience.”

Ying Guhuan, who was playing with a strand of her hair, looked up.

“It’s Mu Zhi’an, an inner disciple of the Book Pavilion. He says he has something important to report,” the disciple continued.

Her secluded mountain retreat was rarely disturbed, even by Yi Hao, the Peak Master of Boundless Sea Peak. Mu Zhi’an was the first to be so bold.

“Mu Zhi’an?”

She tapped her finger on the armrest, her eyes narrowing. “Bring him in,” she said, her voice a seductive purr.

Mu Zhi’an, escorted by the disciple, entered the hall and found Ying Guhuan in the side chamber.

She wore a sheer red dress that revealed glimpses of her smooth, white skin. She sat with her legs crossed, sipping tea leisurely.

She was alluring and seductive, the red dress enhancing her captivating charm.

“Young Master Mu, shouldn’t you be tending to your Dao Companion? Why have you come to Boundless Sea Peak?” she asked, her voice soft and inviting.

“Do you have something important to discuss with me?”

Her eyes held a glimmer of anticipation.

He bowed respectfully. “Indeed, Senior. I have something to discuss with you.”

“What is it?”

He glanced around, then said, “Could you please dismiss the others?”

She raised an eyebrow, then gestured to the two disciples attending her. Once they had left, she invited Mu Zhi’an to take a seat.

“You’re only at the Eighth Stage of Foundation Establishment. You’re still far from the Core Formation Realm. Focus on your cultivation, young man. Don’t worry about other matters,” she said gently.

Her words were filled with warmth and concern, but her eyes held a predatory glint.

He chuckled wryly. “I would love to focus on my cultivation, Senior, but trouble seems to find me… You witnessed what happened today. I didn’t seek out conflict. Someone is trying to get revenge on me.”

She scoffed. “Bai Ruoxi, Ye Lingxuan, Ye Qian… they’re all highly sought-after beauties, even within the sect. And even your maid is a stunning woman.”

“Having a close relationship with one girl is one thing, but you’re involved with so many at once. It’s no wonder people resent you and seek revenge.”

“My conflict with Ye Yu started back in Tianxuan City. It’s not something I can control,” he sighed.

“As for the Third Prince, he tried to harass my sisters during the sect entrance examination. That’s how our conflict began. I never expected him to resort to such methods to harm those close to me.”

“It’s difficult to focus on cultivation with all these distractions,” he said, his voice laced with frustration.

She raised an eyebrow, taking a sip of her tea.

She shifted her position, revealing a glimpse of her long, slender legs beneath her sheer red dress. “I’ll speak to the Enforcement Hall about the Third Prince. He’ll be confined to his quarters even after he returns to the Great Qian Dynasty. You won’t have to see him again.”

“What about Ye Yu?” he asked.

She fell silent.

If Bai Ruoxi truly possessed the Heavenly Dao Aura, she wouldn’t stand idly by.

It seems I came at the right time… He understood her silence. “Senior, are you the Seventh Seat?” he asked directly.

She stared at him, surprise flickering in her eyes. “How did you find out?” she asked, her voice low.

“Your subordinate revealed it before he died,” he replied.

She lifted his chin with her delicate finger, her touch sending shivers down his spine. “You know too much. Aren’t you afraid you won’t leave this hall alive?” she asked, her voice a seductive whisper.

He took her hand in his, his gaze meeting hers. “My loyalty to you is unwavering, Senior. Heaven and earth can bear witness.”

She chuckled. “No one would believe you even if you reported me.”

“Tell me, what is your true purpose here?” She discreetly withdrew her hand, her eyes softening.

“You must have heard Ye Yu’s accusations about the Heavenly Dao Aura,” he said.

She nodded. “Yes, I know it’s within your vessel,” she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Is there another Heavenly Dao Aura within Bai Ruoxi?” she asked casually.

Her voice, soft and alluring, sent shivers down his spine. He almost blurted out the truth.

However, the Heavenly Dao Aura within him shielded his mind, snapping him out of his daze. He looked at her, a hint of fear in his eyes.

Was this demonic cultivator a fox in disguise? Her charm was far more potent than any woman he had encountered before… except for the Demon Realm Empress.

“There’s only one Heavenly Dao Aura, and it’s with me,” he said earnestly.

She narrowed her eyes, studying his handsome features. “Do you take me for a fool?” she asked, her voice laced with amusement as she traced the rim of her teacup with her finger.

“I wouldn’t dare deceive you, Senior. You’re far too intelligent.”

He set down his teacup and changed the subject. “At your level of cultivation, Senior, the Heavenly Dao Aura is probably useless, right? It chooses its master. If it recognized you, it would find its way to you eventually.”

He was referring to the fact that the Heavenly Dao Aura didn’t simply fly towards its chosen master. It subtly guided events to ensure its arrival. Bai Ruoxi’s Heavenly Dao Aura was a prime example.

“Forcing the Heavenly Dao Aura to submit… it seems pointless, unless you intend to return it to the Demon Realm,” he said.

“You’re right. Even if I obtained it, I would simply return it to the Demon Realm,” she said with a chuckle. “But doing so would earn me a reward. Why would I refuse such an opportunity?”

She paused, her gaze meeting his. “Unless… you can offer me something more enticing?”

Her voice was laced with a seductive drawl. Her red dress, seemingly too small for her curves, clung to her body, highlighting her voluptuous figure.

Her fragrance filled his senses, and her long hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall. Even Mu Zhi’an, a seasoned veteran of countless romantic encounters, felt his mouth go dry.

However, he didn’t avert his gaze. He met her eyes, his heart pounding as he savored her alluring presence.

He boldly took her hand in his, her skin soft and cool against his.

“I can’t offer you anything material, Senior. All I can offer is my sincerity.”

“There might be many Heavenly Dao Auras in this world, but only I can truly benefit you.”

She narrowed her eyes, her gaze unwavering. Even a simple gesture, coming from her, was filled with a seductive charm.

“You’re quite bold.”

“And clever.”

“So, what do you say, Senior Ying…?” he asked tentatively.

“Focus on your cultivation. Don’t worry about anything else. If you encounter any trouble, come to the back mountain and discuss it with me,” she said with a smile.

Relief washed over him.

“I’ll cultivate diligently, Senior Ying. I won’t disappoint you,” he said, bowing respectfully.

…

Mu Zhi’an left the back mountain of Boundless Sea Peak and found his maid waiting for him. “We can go now, Mengrou,” he said, approaching her.

She glanced at him, her expression softening as she saw his smile. She knew he had succeeded.

She summoned her flying sword, then asked, “She agreed?”

He nodded. “Whether Ruoxi has the Heavenly Dao Aura or not, she won’t pursue the matter further.”

Ye Yu had assumed that alerting the demonic cultivator within the sect would create a huge problem for Mu Zhi’an. However, he hadn’t anticipated that Mu Zhi’an was a double agent for the Demon Realm.

Or rather, he was a triple agent, a blade dancing between the Demon Realm and the Two Polarities Sect.

And he had already met his superiors.

“She doesn’t care about the Heavenly Dao Aura?” Wei Mengrou asked, her brow furrowed with disbelief.

He chuckled, wrapping his arm around her slender waist, enjoying the scent of her hair. “The Heavenly Dao Aura is valuable.”

“But my Heavenly Dao Aura is even more valuable.”

Even without the aura, he would still be valuable to Ying Guhuan.

On one hand, she had the Heavenly Dao Aura, which she would have to surrender immediately upon obtaining it. On the other hand, she had his Innate Celestial Vessel, amplified by the Heavenly Dao Aura, and his connection to Ling Long.

The choice was obvious.

As expected of his most trusted maid, Wei Mengrou immediately understood. “You made her choose between you and the Heavenly Dao Aura?” she asked, her eyes widening.

If that was the case, Ying Guhuan’s decision was understandable.

Even if she handed over the Heavenly Dao Aura to the Demon Realm, all she would receive were pills and cultivation techniques.

While such rewards were tempting, they were ultimately external possessions.

True strength came from within.

Seeing his silence, she knew her guess was correct. She glanced at him, a hint of amusement in her eyes.

So that’s why he’s been receiving so many pills… The Peak Masters are all coveting his vessel, eager for him to reach the Core Formation Realm.

She steered the flying sword away from Boundless Sea Peak.

“Don’t go back yet, Mengrou. Take me to the Book Pavilion,” he said suddenly.

She glanced at him. “You’re going to see Master Yan?”

“Not Master Yan,” he said with a smile.

“I’m going to see the Princess.”

Princess Yongning had paid a million Spirit Stones on the Third Prince’s behalf. She definitely had an ulterior motive.

Even royalty wouldn’t part with such a sum without expecting something in return.

Judging by her tone when she had mentioned the Third Prince, she held no affection for him.

Which meant she needed him to do something for her.

What could a useless prince like him possibly do for her?

“What are you planning?” Wei Mengrou asked, her gaze fixed on him.

“The Princess is aware of everything that happens within the sect, but there are only one or two disciples with royal connections,” he said, his voice laced with a hint of mischief.

“Where do you think she gets her information, Mengrou?”

She hesitated. “You’re saying she had the Third Prince report to her?”

“He was likely one of her sources,” he replied.

“So what does that have to do with you visiting her?”

“I’m going to be her new informant.”

He smiled. “The Third Prince’s mission ends once he leaves the sect.”

…

As they left Boundless Sea Peak, news of the events at the Pilgrimage Palace reached the ears of the Peak Masters.

Within the main hall of the Peak of Celestial Secrets, Yu Xuanji, clad in a black robe, sat in meditation atop a lotus flower floating in a pool of water. She read the report, a seductive smile gracing her lips.

It was almost certain now. Mu Zhi’an was an Innate Celestial Vessel.

Realization dawned on her.

So that’s why the Peak Masters had been showering him with pills… She had initially assumed it was because of his connection to Ling Long.

But they were simply trying to accelerate his progress to the Core Formation Realm.

The reason was obvious.

The effectiveness of an Innate Celestial Vessel increased with the user’s cultivation level.

Once Mu Zhi’an reached the Core Formation Realm, his vessel would be incredibly beneficial to Nascent Soul cultivators, even allowing them to break through their bottlenecks.

Each stage within the Nascent Soul Realm was like an insurmountable chasm, and an Innate Celestial Vessel could bridge that gap.

Those two sisters from Dao Peak and the founding Peak Master of Boundless Sea Peak… they’re truly ruthless in their pursuit of power…

She scoffed, tossing the report aside.

She glanced at the disciple beside her. “Send some Qi Gathering Pills to the Garden of Heavenly Harmony tomorrow.”

Despite her disdain, she knew… ruthlessness was key in cultivation.