It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Chapter 226: Some People Are Alive, But Already Dead Inside

It was the dead of night. Mu Zhi’an lay in the ice coffin, surrounded by several snow lotuses and three peach blossoms.

The snow lotuses were gifts he had given to the girls around him in Tianxuan City, tokens of his affection.

The peach blossoms were for Bai Ruoxi, Ye Qian, and Lan Mulian.

An eerie silence hung in the air.

“Brother Mu… You’re really alive!” Ye Qian cried tears of joy, finally snapping out of her shock. She rushed forward and hugged him tightly, her eyes sparkling.

Lan Mulian’s cold demeanor softened, the heavy weight that had settled upon her since entering the Garden of Heavenly Harmony lifting from her shoulders. Although her face was veiled, the joy in her eyes was evident.

Lan Feiying gripped her sister’s arm, both anxious and excited, unsure if this was a case of reanimation or true resurrection.

Ye Lingxuan was also overjoyed. Seeing Mu Zhi’an open his eyes after witnessing his ‘death’ was a stark contrast that brought tears to her eyes, but she bit her lip, holding back her tears.

Yan Ruyu looked at Mu Zhi’an with relief, saying softly, “It’s good that you’re alive.”

Bai Ruoxi sobbed uncontrollably, her eyes never leaving Mu Zhi’an, fearing that this was just an illusion.

She had never felt a sense of belonging in her family, always lacking security. Mu Zhi’an had filled a void in her heart, and his ‘death’ had left her feeling empty and lost.

Seeing him alive again filled her with immense joy, and she couldn’t hold back her emotions.

Wei Mengrou’s gaze remained fixed on her young master.

Compared to the others, her reaction was the calmest. She watched as Lin Ling, kneeling beside Mu Zhi’an, poked his face curiously, a faint smile playing on her lips.

As the initial wave of joy subsided, the Jade Empress looked at Mu Zhi’an with a gentle gaze. “Your consciousness hasn’t fully recovered yet. You’ll need to recuperate for a while.”

The former Jade Empress had experienced something similar to Mu Zhi’an, but her situation had been far more dire. Her consciousness had nearly been extinguished.

In the end, she had managed to recover thanks to Mu Zhi’an’s Innate Celestial Furnace. Later, with the help of Rebirth Water and the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit, she successfully reconstructed her Vessel.

The powerful beings who had intervened probably never imagined that the magnificent Empress’s rebirth was made possible by the Vessel of a Core Formation cultivator.

“Brother Mu, are your injuries not fully healed yet?” Ye Qian asked, gradually regaining her composure. Her watery peach blossom eyes stared at Mu Zhi’an.

She could sense that his Vessel was somewhat weak, and his body seemed frail.

Mu Zhi’an shook his head and smiled. “It’s fine. Once my consciousness recovers, I can slowly heal my physical injuries.”

Hearing this, Ye Qian felt relieved.

However, a hint of confusion appeared in the Jade Empress’s eyes. “Did you take the Turtle Breath Pill before, which allowed you to preserve a wisp of consciousness?”

Mu Zhi’an nodded slightly. “Lingxuan’s Turtle Breath Pill saved my life.”

Normally, Core Formation cultivators possessed their own consciousness. As long as their consciousness remained, even if their bodies were destroyed, they could slowly heal and regenerate.

However, when enemies attacked, they would usually try to destroy both the body and the consciousness.

Mu Zhi’an suspected that his consciousness had remained undetected for two reasons: first, because of the Turtle Breath Pill, and second, because of the last title on his status screen.

Heaven’s Protection… He didn’t know which ‘protagonist’ had given him this title or when it had appeared on his status screen.

Mu Zhi’an embraced Ye Qian, stroking her hair, and looked at everyone present, a sense of gratitude washing over him.

He had truly been lucky to survive this time, all thanks to being a kept man.

Otherwise, he would be dead.

The Turtle Breath Pill Ye Lingxuan had given him wasn’t high-grade, but it required an Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb to refine. It was no wonder the Forbidden Zone only had one or two.

Apart from Ye Lingxuan, no one else would have casually carried a life-saving Turtle Breath Pill with them.

Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs were heavenly treasures that only grew once every ten thousand years. Even the Forbidden Zone, with its vast resources, probably only had two or three.

For the Western Regions and the Southern Wilderness to each contribute an Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb to heal Mu Zhi’an’s injuries was like cutting off a piece of their own flesh.

Unlike the Eastern Realm, the conditions for growing medicinal herbs in the Southern Wilderness and the Western Regions were much harsher. Even after searching the entire Southern Wilderness, they might only find four or five Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs. Moreover, Shang Yanfei had specifically requested a certain type of herb.

The Soul Returning Pill refined from these two herbs might even allow him to comprehend a trace of Dao and gain enlightenment ahead of time.

The wager the Southern Wilderness and the Western Regions had proposed was actually separate from the apology. It was just a way for them to save face.

They apologized, but out of unwillingness to accept defeat, they proposed a wager. After all, producing an Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb took a very long time.

It could take ten thousand years for a single herb to grow, and even Dao Integration cultivators might perish during that time if they weren’t careful.

But they were in the wrong. Even though they had only added fuel to the fire after discovering the Primordial Demon Emperor’s actions, they were still involved. Now, they could only swallow their pride and accept the consequences.

Cultivating new Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs would be a long and arduous process…

The Soul Returning Pill refined from two Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs… If I truly comprehend the Dao after taking it, my strength should increase by at least half… Mu Zhi’an couldn’t help but feel excited.

However, he suspected that even if he comprehended the Dao, the benefits would likely be absorbed by his Innate Celestial Furnace.

As Mu Zhi’an was lost in thought, he felt the girl in his arms squirm slightly. Her pretty face flushed as she shyly slipped out of his embrace.

After the initial joy subsided, she suddenly realized that everyone was staring at her, and a wave of embarrassment washed over her, causing her to avert her gaze.

Qian’er is still as shy as ever, not good at hiding her emotions… Mu Zhi’an smiled knowingly. He sat up and stepped out of the ice coffin.

Looking at everyone present, he saw the relief and joy in their eyes. The peak masters looked at him with the care and sincerity of elders.

Admittedly, although Mu Zhi’an looked somewhat frail after his ‘rebirth’, his weakness, coupled with his handsome features and noble aura, evoked a protective instinct in the older women.

Mu Zhi’an noticed Lan Mulian’s gaze and looked at her. The usually cold and aloof senior sister quickly averted her eyes, avoiding his gaze.

Even Senior Sister has a soft spot… This near-death experience wasn’t in vain… Mu Zhi’an grinned and turned to look at Lan Mulian’s younger sister, Lan Feiying, who stood beside her, her curvaceous figure accentuated by a red cheongsam.

Compared to the reserved Lan Mulian, Lan Feiying was much more open and direct. Her seductive eyes gazed at him intently.

The atmosphere in the hall was warm and comforting, the previous sorrow replaced by a sense of relief.

Mu Zhi’an had truly turned misfortune into fortune.

Even the most talented individuals in the Primordial Clans wouldn’t have access to Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs. After all, even Dao Integration cultivators wouldn’t use them lightly.

Because Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs couldn’t be cultivated solely through effort; luck also played a significant role.

Normally, it was already difficult for a medicinal herb to survive for two thousand years, even with meticulous care. The next three thousand years, or even ten thousand years, was a gamble.

A gamble that the herb would survive long enough to become an Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herb.

However, the odds were incredibly low. Most herbs were harvested and refined before they reached ten thousand years old.

“My dear… Are you really alright?” A gentle and soft voice came from beside him. Bai Ruoxi, dressed in a white palace dress embroidered with beautiful plum blossoms, gazed at Mu Zhi’an with concern and affection.

Mu Zhi’an looked at her, his gaze lingering on her worried eyes, feeling the love in them. His heart warmed.

He smiled gently. “I just need to recuperate. It’s nothing serious.”

It was a shame he still needed to wait for the Soul Nourishing Pill to be refined. Otherwise, he could enjoy Bai Ruoxi’s warmth tonight.

But it didn’t matter. There was plenty of time in the future.

Once he refined the Soul Returning Pill and healed his body, he could start cultivating the baby orca in his pond again…

Lingxuan’s inheritance wasn’t complete yet, but she could continue receiving it in the Two Polarities Sect, which would make things easier for him in the future…

And Senior Sister seemed to be interested in him. If he strengthened his bond with Feiying, perhaps he could unlock new… possibilities…

Also, Yao Meng’s Vessel had been condensed, but she still needed time to absorb Spiritual Energy. During this period, she might need his help…

As Mu Zhi’an thought about this, he looked at Yao Meng, who stood before him, her body enveloped in moonlight.

Suddenly, Ye Qian’s soft voice came from behind him, “By the way, do you still want your flowers?”

Her seemingly innocent question brought Mu Zhi’an’s thoughts to a screeching halt, pulling him back to reality.

The previously harmonious atmosphere instantly shifted.

Everyone’s gaze subtly fell upon the snow lotuses and peach blossoms in the ice coffin.

Previously, they had been too worried about Mu Zhi’an to think about the flowers.

But Ye Qian’s words had awakened a sense of unease within them.

Wei Mengrou, standing amidst the crowd, observed her young master, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

She had once advised him against his philandering ways, and he had confidently assured her that his actions wouldn’t cause any problems.

…And now?