It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Chapter 207: A Gathering Storm at the Jade Pool

After the Jade Empress returned to his Innate Celestial Vessel, Mu Zhi’an prepared to leave the Ancestral Ground.

Ye Lingxuan, despite her reluctance, maintained her usual composure, only watching him leave before turning back to the Reincarnated Empress’s nine lifetimes of inheritance.

She wasn’t particularly strong yet. Though her talent was exceptional, the other girls she knew were also incredibly gifted.

Bai Ruoxi and Wei Mengrou had already reached the Core Formation Realm, and Senior Sister Lan had even reached Nascent Soul.

Only by receiving this inheritance could she gain a voice among them.

Furthermore, the Desolate Time Lock’s power was determined by its master’s cultivation level. It was the ancestral artifact of the Forbidden Zone, but no one had ever truly wielded its full power.

It was the Reincarnated Empress’s weapon, and only its true master could unlock its full potential.

As her cultivation increased, so would the chain’s power. Even if Mu Zhi’an wasn’t in the Eastern Realm, she could still use it to bring him back to her.

…

As she closed her eyes, beginning her inheritance, Mu Zhi’an stepped out of the Ancestral Ground.

He realized that the puppet had sent them to the deepest part of the Ancestral Ground. He was now in a vast, open area, surrounded by countless disciples.

He even saw his future aunt-in-law.

She was breathtakingly beautiful, her dark dress accentuating her curves, her brown hair cascading down her back, a faint black mist swirling around her, adding to her allure.

She was meditating, so he didn’t disturb her and continued walking.

“Your aura… it’s become even more delicious. Be careful at the Jade Pool. Don’t let anyone devour you,” a melodious voice echoed in his mind.

Ye Siyu, with her Sacred Spirit Body, was sensitive to spiritual energy, and she had sensed the change in his aura.

“Don’t worry, Aunt Siyu. I’ll be careful,” he replied, transmitting his voice, a smile on his face.

She might appear aloof, but she was actually quite kind. She considered him family because of Lingxuan.

He treated those who were kind to him with kindness.

Besides, he was rather interested in his aunt-in-law.

…

He soon spotted Wei Mengrou, clad in her yellow dress, standing in the shadows outside the Ancestral Ground.

She was so still that he almost missed her.

“When did you arrive, Mengrou?” he asked, approaching her with a smile.

“Yesterday,” she replied, her voice flat.

He was used to her coldness.

“When are we leaving for the Jade Pool Sacred Land?”

“Tomorrow,” he replied after a moment of thought.

According to the Jade Pool Holy Maiden, the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit wouldn’t ripen for a while, so there was no rush.

He glanced at the mirror reflecting the sky above. “Have you tried that mirror, Mengrou?”

It showed people their future selves. Though cultivators could control their appearance, he was still curious to see what she would look like in the future.

She shook her head.

“Why don’t you try it?” he asked.

“Aren’t you curious about your future self?”

She hesitated, then nodded silently. “Alright.”

Though only those with the Forbidden Zone’s bloodline could enter the Ancestral Ground, the mirror’s power affected everyone.

As she walked towards the mirror, he asked, “Do you want to try it too, Fairy Sister?”

“It can’t show the future of those who have reached Dao Integration. It’s pointless,” she replied, her voice echoing in his mind.

“Then why can’t it show my future…? Am I a Dao Integration expert?”

“It was likely created by the master of the Forbidden Zone or the Reincarnated Empress. It can see through time, but it can’t show the future of those who have surpassed Soul Transformation. Also, if someone’s destiny is concealed, it won’t appear in the mirror either.”

“Are you saying my destiny is concealed, Fairy Sister?” he asked, watching Wei Mengrou approach the mirror.

“It’s possible. But not necessarily.”

He frowned, lost in thought.

If my destiny is concealed, who did it…?

Could it be the freeloading Spirit Dragon? He wondered.

…

The mirror’s surface rippled as Wei Mengrou stepped onto it.

However, instead of showing her future self, it showed a scene.

A woman was walking through a ruined city, flames licking at the crumbling buildings.

She was clad in a simple robe, her delicate features still beautiful, though her eyes seemed to have lost their spark.

Who is that? She looks so much like Mengrou…

He frowned, studying the scene. It didn’t look like it was taking place in the Eastern Realm.

No, those ruins… they don’t look like buildings from this era.

And what are those characters? He noticed some characters on the buildings.

They weren’t characters from the Great Qian Dynasty.

What is this place?

Crack!

A sharp, cracking sound echoed through the air.

“Bring her back. The mirror can’t continue showing that scene. It’ll shatter,” the Jade Empress’s voice echoed in his mind.

“Mengrou, come back!” he transmitted his voice, his tone urgent.

She seemed to snap out of a daze, turning to him.

She then flew back towards him.

A crack appeared on the mirror’s surface, then slowly began to repair itself.

Like all artifacts, it had a spirit, and it could heal itself, though it would take time.

He watched her approach, his brow furrowed.

What era was that scene from?

Why did the mirror show him that when she stood before it?

“There are no two identical leaves in the world, but there are leaves that are similar in shape. And those leaves might be connected,” the Jade Empress said, sensing his confusion.

“So the woman in that scene… she might be someone who resembles Mengrou?” he murmured, lost in thought.

It seemed Wei Mengrou had more secrets than he had imagined.

He had gained the “Reincarnator” title after obtaining that bronze fragment.

And she had absorbed the fragment… so she must be the Reincarnator.

It was a logical conclusion.

However, based on her behavior, she didn’t seem like a Reincarnator.

He couldn’t see any signs of it.

“What is it?” she asked, noticing his gaze.

“Can’t I admire your beauty?” he asked with a smile.

There was no point in rushing things. He would investigate slowly

At least he knew she was loyal. That was enough for now.

He would uncover her secrets, and the truth behind that scene, in due time.

He had seen some characters on those ruined buildings. Characters that didn’t belong to the Great Qian Dynasty.

They looked like ancient characters.

Perhaps he should visit the Book Pavilion and ask Elder Yan if she recognized them.

…

He returned to his residence with Wei Mengrou, then, the next morning, he left the Forbidden Zone.

His priority was to rebuild the Jade Empress’s vessel and her body. Everything else could wait.

With her by his side, he would be much safer.

…

The Jade Pool Sacred Land had once been one of the most powerful forces in the Eastern Realm, witnessing the rise and fall of countless dynasties.

Even after the Jade Empress’s disappearance a thousand years ago, it had remained a prominent force.

Her tribulation had shaken the Nine Realms, sending shockwaves through the Eastern Realm.

Ancient families had been sending spies to the Jade Pool Sacred Land, hoping to learn more.

A Dao Integration Empress… if she was truly alive, the consequences for the Eastern Realm were unimaginable.

However, one thing was certain: the Jade Pool Sacred Land would rise to become one of the most powerful forces in the Nine Realms, rivaling even the Forbidden Zone.

There were many legends about the Jade Empress, but they all agreed on one thing: she was a beautiful and ethereal fairy.

“She’s already an Empress. Dao Integration experts only face two tribulations. If she’s facing another tribulation, it means something happened to her body,” a cultivator remarked, his voice filled with speculation.

He was among the many cultivators who had gathered in Sacred King City, near the Jade Pool Sacred Land, after the Jade Empress’s tribulation.

They were cultivators from ancient families, hoping to gain favor with the Jade Empress, and rogue cultivators, seeking opportunities.

Though the tribulation had occurred in the Forbidden Zone, the ancient families had sensed something amiss.

They suspected something had happened to the Jade Empress, and they knew the Jade Pool Sacred Land would do anything to heal her.

The increased security around the Heavenly Phoenix Tree was a clear indication of their desperation.

“Legend has it that the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit can regrow limbs and even resurrect the dead. The Jade Empress disappeared a thousand years ago, and now she’s facing another tribulation. If I’m not mistaken, she’ll be facing her Primordial Spirit Tribulation next. The Jade Pool Sacred Land won’t be trading any Heavenly Phoenix Fruits this year,” another cultivator said.

The Heavenly Phoenix Tree bore fruit once every few years, yielding five or six fruits each time.

If the Jade Empress was truly injured, they would keep all the fruits for her.

“If she returns, the power balance in the Eastern Realm will shift,” a rogue cultivator remarked, his tone amused.

“These ancient families… they’re all here for the Jade Empress, aren’t they?”

“Who isn’t here for her?” another rogue cultivator chuckled.

Who wouldn’t want to see the legendary Jade Empress? Even a glimpse would be enough.

She was a Dao Integration Empress. Even if they couldn’t gain any benefits from her, simply seeing her would be a blessing.

However, not everyone was happy about her return.

Some ancient families didn’t want to see the Jade Pool Sacred Land rise to power. It would disrupt the current balance of power in the Eastern Realm.

…

Sacred King City was buzzing with activity.

And within the Jade Pool Sacred Land, a commotion was brewing.

The Jade Pool Empress Mother sat on her throne, instructing the elders to activate the formations, ensuring the Jade Empress’s safety while she rebuilt her vessel.

Though the ancient families of the Eastern Realm were friendly towards the Jade Pool Sacred Land, it didn’t mean they would simply stand by and watch a Dao Integration Empress return to power.

As she was issuing orders, a maid rushed into the hall, her voice filled with excitement. “Empress Mother, Mu Zhi’an is requesting an audience!”

The Empress Mother’s eyes lit up, and even the usually aloof Jade Pool Holy Maiden, Yao Xin, seemed excited.

“He actually made it back from the Forbidden Zone…?” she murmured, her eyes filled with a strange glint.

She had known, since the Jade Empress’s tribulation a few days ago, that he had successfully obtained the Rebirth Water for her.

A mere Core Formation cultivator had actually convinced the master of the Forbidden Zone… if she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she wouldn’t have believed it.

The Empress Mother stood up, her figure as beautiful and alluring as a peony flower, her mature beauty surpassing youthful charms.

She looked at the maid, her voice calm but firm.

“Take me to him.”

…

Hundreds of forces had gathered in Sacred King City, their gazes fixed on the Jade Pool Sacred Land.

A rumor had spread through the city, originating from within the Jade Pool Sacred Land, on the day Mu Zhi’an had arrived.

A single sentence that had sent shockwaves through the city.

The Jade Empress has returned to the Jade Pool Sacred Land!