It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Chapter 180: The Gathering Storm

Azure Yang Hall.

Mu Zhi’an entered the hall and saw a vast arena.

Nearby was a teahouse overlooking a serene lake, the scenery picturesque.

Many disciples were sparring in the arena, while others engaged in discussions at the teahouse.

He casually observed the spars, returning the curious gazes of the disciples with a friendly smile.

He believed in maintaining good relationships, or at least avoiding conflict, whenever possible.

Of course, if someone provoked him, he wouldn’t back down.

He suddenly felt two familiar gazes on him and turned to see Ye Lingxuan and Ye Qian.

They greeted him shyly, Lingxuan with a polite smile, Qian’er with a soft “Brother Mu.”

They were both at the Foundation Establishment Realm, and this area was primarily for Core Formation disciples.

“Lingxuan, Qian’er, what brings you here?” he asked, his smile warm and welcoming as they approached.

“Sister said you would be here if you came to the Azure Yang Hall today, so she brought me along,” Qian’er replied, glancing at him shyly.

As I suspected, it was Lingxuan’s idea… He turned to Lingxuan, who was smiling mischievously. “Brother Mu and Sister Ruoxi are both at the Core Formation Realm now. I wanted to confirm my suspicions.”

“It seems I was right,” she added, her gaze shifting to Bai Ruoxi.

“Brother Mu has business at the Enforcement Hall later, doesn’t he? If you don’t mind, I can show Lingxuan and Qian’er around,” Bai Ruoxi offered, her voice gentle as she looked at him, her demeanor that of a sweet and submissive woman.

“What are you doing at the Enforcement Hall, Brother Mu?” Qian’er asked, unable to contain her curiosity.

“It’s likely related to the Nascent Soul breakthrough in Tianxuan City a few days ago,” Lingxuan said.

She had overheard some senior disciples discussing it at Dao Peak. Someone in Tianxuan City had reached the Nascent Soul Realm.

The Mu Family was a powerful force in the city. If it was one of their members, it wouldn’t be a problem. But if it was another family… it could disrupt the balance of power.

A Nascent Soul cultivator was a force to be reckoned with, capable of influencing events wherever they went.

He nodded, impressed. “You’re truly perceptive, Lingxuan.”

She smiled sweetly. “It was a simple deduction. I knew you would want to return to Tianxuan City.”

She paused, her expression turning serious. “You’re a disciple of the Two Polarities Sect now, Brother Mu. If the one who reached the Nascent Soul Realm isn’t from the Mu Family… they wouldn’t dare harm you directly. However, you must refrain from striking first. It would give them justification to retaliate.”

Outsiders treated disciples of the Two Polarities Sect with respect.

They rarely dared to attack them, fearing retribution.

However, if a sect disciple initiated a conflict, the other party would have a valid reason to retaliate… and even the Two Polarities Sect couldn’t intervene.

“Do I seem like the impulsive type?” he asked, chuckling.

She stared at him, her smile unwavering. “No.”

“However,” she added, “you can be quite impulsive when it comes to… matters of the heart.”

For example, two nights ago, if she hadn’t stopped him, he would have stayed in her room… and what would have happened next… it wasn’t difficult to imagine.

Bai Ruoxi also glanced at him, her voice soft. “My dear can be quite impulsive when it comes to… certain matters.”

That’s not impulsiveness. It’s just my LSP acting up… He smiled awkwardly, feeling their gazes on him.

I want them to get along, but that doesn’t mean they have to gang up on me…

Of course, he wouldn’t mind them “ganging up” on him… in bed.

And Ruoxi seems to be getting along well with Lingxuan and Qian’er… He glanced at Bai Ruoxi, then nodded, agreeing to her earlier offer. “I’m heading to the Enforcement Hall. I’ll leave Qian’er and Lingxuan in your care.”

She smiled and nodded, watching as he walked away.

Qian’er stared at his retreating figure, her voice filled with worry. “Will he be alright, Brother Mu?”

She had sensed a storm brewing ever since the Nascent Soul breakthrough in Tianxuan City.

Mu Zhi’an might know the Peak Masters, but that didn’t mean he could ask them to solve his problems.

The Two Polarities Sect’s neutrality was one of the reasons for its revered status in the Eastern Realm. They only intervened in matters concerning the safety of their disciples or the presence of demonic cultivators.

Mu Zhi’an wouldn’t ask them to break that precedent.

Besides, he wouldn’t burden them with his personal problems.

“Don’t worry. He’s a disciple of the Two Polarities Sect. As long as he’s here, no one in the Eastern Realm would dare harm him openly,” Lingxuan reassured her.

Qian’er’s brow remained furrowed. “But what if someone provokes him, like Sister said?”

If he retaliated, the other party would have justification.

“He won’t. He’s rational,” Lingxuan said softly.

She stared at the calm lake, her voice turning cold. “If anyone dares to harm him… that family will cease to exist.”

Bai Ruoxi also stared at the lake, her expression unreadable.

In six months, once she reached the Nascent Soul Realm, she would be a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Realm.

Then, she could truly protect those she cared about.

Qian’er clenched her fists, her determination growing.

She was no longer the weak and timid girl she had once been. With the Jade Empress’s inheritance, her future was bright.

The true “protagonists” were maturing.

If Mu Zhi’an had heard their conversation, he would have been incredibly proud.

…

Unaware of the events unfolding at the Azure Yang Hall, Mu Zhi’an followed a path, arriving at the entrance of a Dongtian.

This Dongtian had been created by the Hall Master of the Enforcement Hall, a powerful figure within the sect, independent of the nine peaks.

The Enforcement Hall and the Book Pavilion were the only two neutral powers within the Two Polarities Sect.

As he was about to enter, a disciple stopped him.

“Who are you?” the disciple asked, his gaze cold and assessing.

“Disciple Mu Zhi’an. I’m planning to leave the mountain for a while and came to request permission from the Enforcement Hall,” he replied respectfully.

Normally, disciples could leave the mountain freely, but for extended trips, they needed permission from the elders of the Enforcement Hall.

He had only intended to make a quick trip to Tianxuan City a few days ago, so he hadn’t bothered informing them.

However, for trips longer than three days, it was mandatory.

He had come to the Azure Yang Hall to assess the other disciples’ strength and to request permission to leave the mountain.

“So you’re Mu Zhi’an…” the disciple said, his expression softening slightly. He had clearly heard the rumors.

“Please wait outside, Junior Brother Mu. I’ll inform Master.”

He returned a moment later. “You may enter.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother,” Mu Zhi’an said, bowing politely.

He entered the Dongtian.

It appeared small from the outside, but the interior was vast and spacious.

A magnificent hall stood before him, and he walked towards it, passing numerous notice boards filled with various missions.

Completing sect missions earned contribution points.

Contribution points were far more valuable than Spirit Stones within the Two Polarities Sect.

They could be used to purchase pills and herbs that were either unavailable for Spirit Stones or exorbitantly priced.

Therefore, contribution points were highly sought after.

As he was about to enter the hall, he saw a young man in luxurious attire exiting.

He wasn’t handsome, but his aura was imposing. His thin lips, arrogant eyes, and sharp features gave him a sinister air.

He’s clearly a minor antagonist, the type Ye Yu would use as a stepping stone…

“Young Master Gongsun, what a coincidence. What brings you to the Enforcement Hall?” he asked with a smile, his voice warm and friendly.

Gongsun Cheng ignored him, and he continued, his smile widening, “Did you do something wrong?”

“Unlike you, Young Master Mu, I’m here to accept a sect mission,” Gongsun Cheng scoffed, then brushed past him, leaving the Enforcement Hall.

Mu Zhi’an watched him leave, his gaze lingering on the mission token in his hand, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Normally, he wouldn’t care about Gongsun Cheng’s activities.

But he had come to the Enforcement Hall to request permission to leave the mountain… at this particular time… it was clearly more than just a short trip.

That was interesting.

He entered the hall.

…

Tianxuan City.

Gongsun Family Residence.

Gongsun Xiong opened his eyes, his gaze clearing after his meditation.

That Meridian Connecting Pill from Bai Yuanfeng… it was tainted… His expression darkened.

It made sense. His health had been deteriorating ever since he had consumed it.

He hadn’t suspected the pill at first, but after a recent breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm, guided by a mysterious expert, he had finally realized the source of the anomaly within his body.

Bai Yuanfeng had never betrayed the Bai Family. She had been plotting to seize the Gongsun Family’s territory all along… and the Meridian Connecting Pill had been the first step.

If not for the pill’s effects, with his current Nascent Soul cultivation, conquering Tianxuan City would be child’s play!

He glared at the servant standing before him. “What did the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce and the Bai Family say?”

“I didn’t see Master Huang at the Chamber of Commerce, Master. As for the Bai Family…” the servant hesitated.

“They chased me away before I could even meet with the Patriarch.”

Gongsun Xiong chuckled, his eyes cold. “Master Huang is a shrewd businessman. He wouldn’t take sides so easily. He’s not a threat.”

“But the Bai Family… do they think they’re safe just because they have the Mu Family’s protection?”

He turned to the servant. “Send someone to the Mu Family and invite their guest elder.”

The Mu Family’s guest elder was Ren Gao, one of the few alchemists in Tianxuan City.

“Master, he won’t come with us without a reason…” the servant said hesitantly.

“Without a reason?” Gongsun Xiong chuckled. “The Bai Family is harboring a demonic cultivator, and Mu Zhi’an is close to the demon’s daughter. Do you think the Mu Family can escape unscathed?”

The servant’s eyes widened in horror as he realized his master’s intentions.

“Master, are you planning to attack the Mu Family…?”

“Attack?”

He frowned, his smile cold. “This is the Eastern Realm. Do you know the punishment for harboring a demonic cultivator?”

“I will cleanse Tianxuan City of this filth!”

“But what if the Mu Family stops us from inviting Elder Ren?” the servant asked, his voice trembling.

Gongsun Xiong shook his head. “They won’t.”

Tianxuan City was too close to the Two Polarities Sect. Once Bai Yuanfeng’s identity as a demonic cultivator was exposed, the Mu Family would be implicated as well.

He had supported Mu Zhi’an because it had been the pragmatic choice, but now that he had reached the Nascent Soul Realm, he no longer needed to play their games.

It was time to end the four-way power struggle in Tianxuan City.

…

That afternoon, Mu Zhi’an submitted his request to leave the mountain and reserved a spot for the trip to the Forbidden Zone in a month.

As he returned to the Garden of Heavenly Harmony, he felt a cold gaze on him.

“Mengrou, weren’t you meditating? Why are you here?” he asked, surprised to see her standing at the entrance.

She didn’t answer, simply staring at him. “You’re going back to Tianxuan City?”

“I need to confirm something. If it’s truly Gongsun Xiong who reached the Nascent Soul Realm, I need to come up with a plan,” he replied.

Though he doubted it.

Gongsun Xiong likely hadn’t noticed the anomaly within the Meridian Connecting Pill, and if he had consumed it, his spiritual energy would be in disarray. He wouldn’t be able to reach the Nascent Soul Realm.

A paper crane landed beside him.

He had sent a message to the Mu Family via Lan Mulian’s paper crane two days ago, and it seemed they had replied.

Under Wei Mengrou’s watchful gaze, he unfolded the letter.

A single sentence was written within: “Gongsun Xiong has reached the Nascent Soul Realm.”

He stared at the words, his expression turning serious. Wei Mengrou also saw the message, and she said after a moment of silence, “If it’s truly Gongsun Xiong, there’s nothing you can do.”

The difference between the Nascent Soul Realm and the Core Formation Realm was vast. Nascent Soul cultivators were called “earthly immortals” for a reason.

While there seemed to be many Nascent Soul experts within the Two Polarities Sect, they were rare in most parts of the Nine Realms.

He put the letter away, sighing. “Returning to Tianxuan City might not be useful, but…”

He paused, his gaze shifting towards Boundless Sea Peak.

“Spreading the news of my return… that might be very useful.”