It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Chapter 189: Arriving at the Forbidden Zone

The Master of the Forbidden Zone was one of the few Dao Integration experts in the Eastern Realm, and he was also Ye Lingxuan’s father.

Since achieving Dao Integration, he had taken in two adopted sons and had one biological daughter, Ye Lingxuan.

He had sent her to the Ye Family for two reasons: the Heavenly Dao Aura, and a hidden demonic presence within the Forbidden Zone. He had feared for his newborn daughter’s safety.

He had planned to bring her back when she turned sixteen, but six months ago, he had received a report detailing her experiences at the Ye Family, ending with a succinct statement: “The Young Mistress might have been… defiled.”

If not for Ling Long’s intervention, he wouldn’t have bothered meeting Mu Zhi’an.

After all, he wasn’t ready to marry off his precious daughter.

However, her voice had jolted him out of his meditation.

Clad in a black robe, he emerged from his secluded chamber and looked up at the massive silver dragon soaring through the storm clouds, her body eclipsing half the Forbidden Zone, lightning crackling around her.

The younger disciples were relatively unaffected, but the Core Formation and Nascent Soul cultivators felt a wave of awe, their bodies trembling before her power.

He stared at her, his gaze unwavering as his black robe billowed in the wind.

Beside him, a dozen elders sat in meditation, struggling to resist the urge to kneel, their bodies trembling. Most of the Core Formation cultivators had already succumbed, either meditating with great effort or prostrating themselves on the ground.

“Commanding the laws with her words… to think she would intervene for a mere cultivator. How rare,” he murmured, then glanced at the disciples behind him.

Only one of his sons and two female disciples were still resisting. The others had either fallen to their knees or were struggling to maintain their composure.

“And you think you can teach Mu Zhi’an a lesson? He’s been living with Ling Long, and he hasn’t prostrated himself before her every day,” he said, his voice flat.

The young disciples hung their heads in shame.

He turned his gaze back to the Two Polarities Sect, his voice calm but firm. “Bring him here. I’ll grant him an audience.”

His words, like thunder, echoed through the Two Polarities Sect.

…

Two Polarities Peak, Back Mountain.

Shang Yanfei, the Sect Master, studied the Go board, her delicate finger tapping a piece thoughtfully.

The oppressive aura from the voice vanished.

Lan Mulian glanced at the board, her brow furrowed. “Master, why are there Xiangqi pieces on the Go board…?”

“I’m experimenting with new rules,” she replied with a smile, placing a “soldier” piece on the board.

“Why can the ‘soldier’ move so many spaces?”

“It’s special,” she chuckled.

“The other soldiers don’t have that ability.”

As she spoke, Lan Mulian noticed the black pieces on the opposite side of the board shifting subtly.

Her eyes widened as she stared at her Master.

Someone is playing Go with Master… but they’re not here…?

She glanced at Shang Yanfei, her eyes filled with curiosity.

Who is playing with Master…?

She suddenly noticed something else, her gaze lingering on Shang Yanfei. “Are you injured?” she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Her Master hadn’t left Two Polarities Peak. How could she be injured…?

“This isn’t an injury,” the Empress replied with a smile.

“It’s just… a slight disruption in my destiny.”

…

Though Shang Yanfei had neutralized the voice’s oppressive aura, it still reached every corner of the sect, sparking a flurry of anxious discussions among the disciples and elders.

They knew it was from an external source, and they wondered who could possess such power.

And who was the “he” the voice had referred to, the one granted an audience?

Speculations ran rampant throughout the sect.

…

At the Ye sisters’ residence, Zhou Hao and the two others, overwhelmed by Lin Ling’s voice, sat down, struggling to resist the urge to kneel.

Kneeling elsewhere wouldn’t be a problem, but with others watching… it was humiliating.

Ye Lingxuan remained seated, the Dragon Soaring Tendon within her emitting a faint glow, protecting her from the oppressive aura.

Mu Zhi’an stared at Lin Ling, his gaze sweeping over her beautiful features, her ample bosom, her long, slender legs, then back to her bosom.

Lust trumped awe.

However, as he resisted the urge to kneel, a sense of unease washed over him.

He hadn’t expected her to speak to the master of the Forbidden Zone… it was completely out of character.

He had never been worried about the master refusing to meet him. After all, he had “abducted” his daughter, and everyone knew how much he doted on her.

He would be scrutinized regardless.

But now…

Lin Ling’s intervention had changed everything.

Even if the master hadn’t intended to make things difficult for him, her words would likely spark a desire to test him.

She turned to him, holding up a piece of cardboard: “How did I do?”

Her crimson eyes sparkled with anticipation, like a child seeking praise.

“You were… amazing. Thank you,” he replied, forcing a smile, despite his inner turmoil.

“Was that your idea, Sister Lin Ling?” he asked.

Her words implied that she supported him, which would pique the master’s interest.

His future father-in-law might not have intended to make things difficult for him, but her intervention might have changed his mind.

“Aaa?” She tilted her head, confused.

“I’m asking if you decided to speak to the master of the Forbidden Zone,” he clarified, transmitting his voice.

She blinked her crimson eyes, tilting her head again. “Aaa?”

…

Alright, she’s playing dumb.

It wasn’t her idea… and as for who had suggested it, the answer was obvious.

There was only one person in the entire sect, perhaps even the entire Nine Realms, who could influence Lin Ling, the Spirit Dragon.

The Jade Empress, standing beside him, watched him, a strange glint in her eyes.

She had chosen him because of his Innate Celestial Vessel… and because he was a good person, trusted by her chosen successor.

However, even she was surprised by Ling Long’s willingness to intervene on his behalf.

Why was she helping him…?

She pushed those thoughts aside and turned to the three people from the Forbidden Zone. “If there’s nothing else, you may leave. I’ll be accompanying him to the Forbidden Zone in half a month,” she said, her voice calm but firm.

“…Yes, Senior,” they replied obediently, unable to defy her.

Liu Honghuai glanced at Mu Zhi’an, her eyes filled with a seductive invitation, but he quickly looked away, displaying impeccable self-control.

With his beloved beside him, he couldn’t afford to be distracted, even if it was just an act.

Besides, he had more pressing concerns…

He turned to the Jade Empress, his voice hesitant. “Fairy Sister, did you just wake up, or have you been awake this whole time…?”

She had said she would return to her slumber to nourish her consciousness, but it had only been a few days…

He suspected she hadn’t slept at all.

She shook her head, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “I was indeed sleeping, but I sensed Ling Long’s approach and woke up.”

Oh, is that so? But I feel like you’ve been watching everything… He didn’t voice his suspicions.

She turned to Lin Ling. “Thank you for your assistance, fellow Daoist,” she said.

Ling Long’s intervention was not only for Mu Zhi’an’s sake, but also for hers.

And the reason… it was likely related to the Sect Master.

Lin Ling simply shook her head. “Aaa.”

He watched them, noting their contrasting auras. The Jade Empress was like a celestial being from the Moon Palace, aloof and untouchable.

Lin Ling, on the other hand, seemed more… simple and innocent. How had she even reached the Dao Integration Realm?

Dao Integration required comprehending the Great Dao, harmonizing with its essence. What kind of Dao had she comprehended with her personality?

Perhaps being a natural-born glutton accelerated one’s cultivation?

“Aaaa~” She tugged at his sleeve, her voice soft.

“You want to go back?” he asked.

“Aaa!” she chirped, nodding happily, pleased that he understood her.

…

After seeing Lin Ling off, the Jade Empress, seemingly not wanting to intrude on their moment, returned to his vessel.

Silence descended upon the courtyard, and he and Ye Lingxuan stared at each other. After a long moment, she sighed. “It seems your trip to the Forbidden Zone will be more troublesome than I anticipated, Brother Mu.”

Though she hadn’t met with her father yet, his reaction today suggested he was displeased with her relationship.

And now, Ling Long had intervened… He wouldn’t harm Mu Zhi’an, out of respect for her, for Ling Long, and for the Two Polarities Sect.

But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t test him.

And Ling Long represented destiny itself. The man who had earned her favor, even her intervention… the young disciples of the Forbidden Zone would be curious about his capabilities.

This trip would be a trial by fire.

He frowned, his voice filled with mock concern. “What should I do, Lingxuan? What if your father beats me up?”

“And your servants don’t seem to like me very much.”

His gaze lingered on her alluring figure, her purple dress accentuating her curves, her hair cascading down her back like a waterfall.

He reached out, taking her hand in his.

“Brother Mu…?” she asked, her eyes filled with confusion.

“Let me… enjoy myself… before we go to the Forbidden Zone, Lingxuan,” he said, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. He pulled her towards him, gently pushing her onto the stone table.

She blushed, glancing around nervously. “Don’t… this is the courtyard…” she whispered.

He ignored her protest, removing her embroidered shoes, his gaze lingering on her delicate feet for a moment before he met her eyes. “Don’t worry. I won’t do anything,” he said softly.

“I just want to… sample the taste of Rebirth Water.”

…

The Forbidden Zone.

Ling Long’s words had spread throughout the Eastern Realm, reaching the palace of the Great Qian Dynasty, the Jade Pool Sacred Land, and every major power. And within the Forbidden Zone, the disciples were buzzing with excitement.

“Who is this Mu Zhi’an? To think he could convince Ling Long, the Spirit Dragon, to intervene.”

“It seems their relationship isn’t so simple…”

Zhou Cang, before being confined to his quarters for causing trouble at the Two Polarities Sect, had told his friends about Ling Long residing at the Garden of Heavenly Harmony. So some within the Forbidden Zone were aware of her presence.

However, her intervention today had surprised everyone.

And judging by her actions… it wasn’t simply a request for an audience. It felt more like… a marriage proposal!

Everyone knew about their Holy Maiden’s relationship with Mu Zhi’an, and though the master hadn’t expressed his opinion, his displeasure was evident.

And now, Ling Long had intervened.

It was a clear declaration of support for Mu Zhi’an.

The elders had believed that their young mistress’s partner should be someone of equal standing, a talented disciple from a prominent background.

But with a Dao Integration expert as a backer, there were no issues of incompatibility.

Her words had made Mu Zhi’an a household name within the Forbidden Zone, and the disciples were eager to meet him.

The usually reclusive disciples, who spent most of their time cultivating, were now eager to see the man who had stolen their Holy Maiden’s heart, to see if he possessed any extraordinary qualities.

And her words had forced many of them to their knees.

They couldn’t take their anger out on her, but they could direct it towards Mu Zhi’an.

After all, she had intervened on his behalf.

…

The Eastern Realm was vast. Most people would never leave its borders in their lifetimes. However, for Core Formation cultivators, distance was no longer an obstacle.

They could fly on their swords, covering great distances, and they could consume pills to replenish their spiritual energy.

Mu Zhi’an had no shortage of replenishing pills, thanks to the generous gifts from the Peak Masters and elders during his time at the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Half a month passed quickly, and he finally departed for the Forbidden Zone with the others.

He was actually looking forward to it, not because of the Forbidden Zone itself, but because he wanted to rebuild the Jade Empress’s body as soon as possible.

The night before their departure, he had… enjoyed Bai Ruoxi’s company… and he had left behind some snacks for Lin Ling, departing under her watchful gaze as she waved her handkerchief and sang, “Aaa.”

…

Three days later, the master of the Forbidden Zone’s voice, as powerful as thunder, echoed from the depths of the Forbidden Zone.

“Deactivate the barrier. Let them in.”

His words sent a wave of excitement through the usually quiet Forbidden Zone.

He had spoken! It meant Mu Zhi’an and the others had arrived!