It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Chapter 208: Let Him Stay in My Chambers Tonight

Unaware of the commotion in Sacred King City, Mu Zhi’an arrived at the Jade Pool Sacred Land and was escorted by the Jade Pool Empress Mother to a spacious and brightly lit hall.

A faint mist, imbued with spiritual energy, swirled around the hall. At its end stood a majestic throne, flanked by rows of white jade tables, where a dozen elders were seated.

Some were elderly, their hair as white as snow, while others were middle-aged, their beauty mature and alluring.

He recognized two of them: the Jade Pool Holy Maiden, Yao Yue, and Yao Xin, the fairy who had tried to recruit him earlier.

Both were beautiful and elegant, one exuding a calm and composed aura, her fair skin shimmering with a faint silver light, the other more lively and energetic, her eyes filled with complex emotions as she looked at him.

She had confidently declared that he wouldn’t be able to obtain the Rebirth Water from the Forbidden Zone.

And yet, in less than a month, he had not only obtained it, but he had also helped the Jade Empress rebuild her body.

He glanced around the hall, then bowed respectfully. “Greetings, seniors. I am Mu Zhi’an.”

He was used to dealing with elders, having spent considerable time with the Peak Masters of the Two Polarities Sect.

“Please, have a seat, Young Master Mu,” the Jade Pool Empress Mother said with a smile, gesturing towards a seat.

She was a beautiful and alluring woman, her luxurious robe adorned with a golden hairpin, a faint holy light emanating from her, illuminating her fair skin.

He sat down beside the Jade Pool Holy Maiden, offering her a polite smile.

“Young Master Mu, did the Jade Empress not return with you?” an elder asked.

“She’s currently resting within my vessel, Senior, but she’s awake,” he replied, smiling at the elder.

The elders straightened their postures, and the Jade Pool Holy Maiden glanced at him, her gaze lingering on his black and gold robe.

Since learning about his Innate Celestial Vessel, she understood why the Jade Empress had chosen to reside within his vessel.

It was a treasure, perfect for both cultivation and nourishing one’s spirit.

She didn’t know what the Jade Empress was thinking, but she had to admit… she had been tempted when she had sensed the potent spiritual energy within his vessel.

“We would normally hold a feast in your honor, Young Master Mu, but the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit is of utmost importance. We’ll have to postpone the feast until after it has ripened,” the Jade Pool Empress Mother said.

The Heavenly Phoenix Fruit was a coveted treasure, and countless eyes were watching it.

The reason was obvious… the Jade Empress’s tribulation had been witnessed by many, and the ancient families knew how important the fruit was to her recovery.

If they were to sabotage or steal the fruit, it would jeopardize her recovery.

The Jade Pool Sacred Land had deployed most of its forces to protect the Heavenly Phoenix Tree.

Mu Zhi’an nodded understandingly.

“Speaking of which, are most of your forces currently guarding the Heavenly Phoenix Tree?”

The Jade Pool Empress Mother nodded.

They didn’t know much about him, but he was trusted by the Jade Empress, so they saw no harm in sharing this information with him.

“Do you have something to say, Young Master Mu?” an elder asked, sensing his hesitation.

“I was thinking… you might want to withdraw some of your forces,” he said after a moment of thought.

Before they could ask why, he continued, “Those who are targeting the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit are likely powerful ancient families, perhaps even rivals of the Jade Pool Sacred Land. And there might be more than one family involved. Keeping your forces there… it might lead to unnecessary casualties.”

“We’re prepared to sacrifice everything for the Jade Empress, Young Master Mu. You needn’t worry,” the Jade Pool Empress Mother replied, shaking her head.

Yao Xin, resting her chin on her hand, studied him. “We wouldn’t want any casualties, Young Master Mu, but we can’t risk losing the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit.”

“Unless… you have a better solution?”

The elders turned to him, their gazes expectant, and even the Jade Pool Holy Maiden looked at him with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

He wasn’t the type to speak without thinking. He must have a reason for suggesting they withdraw their forces.

Perhaps he had a better solution?

Though it seemed unlikely.

He was just a Core Formation cultivator. He couldn’t possibly change the situation.

At least not with the resources he currently possessed.

“I wouldn’t say I have a solution,” he replied, shaking his head. “I’m just a Core Formation cultivator. I can’t protect the Heavenly Phoenix Tree from those powerful families.”

“However, just because I can’t do it, doesn’t mean the Jade Empress can’t.”

Silence fell upon the hall.

Yao Xin frowned. “Even if the Jade Empress has rebuilt her body, she doesn’t have a vessel yet. How can she use her spiritual energy to fight?”

If she had a vessel, his suggestion would make sense. But she had just rebuilt her body. Her vessel hadn’t been restored yet.

They had hoped he had a solution, a way to avoid sacrificing their disciples or resorting to using their ancestral artifact to deter their enemies.

If the Jade Empress could intervene, she could easily suppress them all.

But without a vessel, she was powerless.

He chuckled.

They were all mistaken.

The Jade Empress didn’t have a vessel, and the ancient families knew it.

She had faced a Body Tempering Tribulation, despite already being a Dao Integration expert. Why?

The older experts had already guessed the truth: she had rebuilt her body.

That was why she needed the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit.

Under normal circumstances, the Jade Pool Sacred Land would have to defend the Heavenly Phoenix Tree with their lives, even resorting to using their ancestral artifact.

But these weren’t normal circumstances.

He was the solution to their problem.

As long as the Jade Empress agreed…

The Jade Pool Empress Mother shook her head. “You don’t seem to understand Dao Integration, Young Master Mu. The Jade Empress doesn’t have a vessel yet. She can’t use her spiritual energy. We’ll repay your kindness later.”

“Leave this matter to us. You’ve done enough for the Jade Empress.”

As she spoke, a clear and melodious voice echoed through the hall. “I actually think his suggestion is a good idea.”

The hall fell silent, and they all turned to see the Jade Empress hovering in the air beside Mu Zhi’an.

She was breathtakingly beautiful, her figure ethereal, her delicate feet seemingly touching the void, ripples spreading outwards from her, her voice as soothing as a gentle breeze.

“Senior Jade Empress!” the Jade Pool Holy Maiden exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Yao Xin also stared at her, her admiration evident.

The elders stood up, and even the Jade Pool Empress Mother rose from her throne, her gaze fixed on the Jade Empress’s alluring figure.

“Does this mean… your vessel has been restored…?” the Jade Pool Empress Mother asked, her voice trembling slightly.

If she agreed with his suggestion, it meant she was willing to intervene and suppress their enemies!

Did it mean she had not only rebuilt her body, but also restored her vessel?!

However, before their excitement could grow, she shook her head. “My vessel hasn’t been restored yet.”

“But there are other ways to obtain spiritual energy.”

She looked at Mu Zhi’an, remembering Ye Lingxuan kissing him in front of her.

She didn’t elaborate, quickly changing the subject. “It’s getting late. We should rest.”

“Are my chambers still available?” she asked, her voice soft.

“Yes, Senior! We’ve been cleaning them every day. They’re ready for your return!” an elder exclaimed, his voice trembling with excitement.

The Jade Pool Empress Mother turned to the Jade Pool Holy Maiden. “Yao Yue, Young Master Mu must be tired. Escort him to the guest chambers.”

The Jade Empress shook her head, her lips curving into a faint smile. “You needn’t worry about him.”

The Jade Pool Holy Maiden stared at her, about to ask why, when she spoke again.

“Let him stay in my chambers tonight.”

Silence fell upon the hall, and they all stared at her, their expressions blank.

The Jade Pool Holy Maiden’s eyes widened, and she looked at Mu Zhi’an, realization dawning.

The Jade Empress seemed oblivious to their reactions. She turned to him, her lips moving slightly, her eyes filled with a playful glint.

“Since you suggested that plan…”

“You should… take responsibility, shouldn’t you?”