It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Chapter 293: Friend of the Empresses, Mu Zhi’an

Mu Zhi’an sat in his study, gazing at the snowy scene outside the window. Wei Mengrou stood silently beside him.

The ground trembled slightly from time to time, and the large study, with only the two of them present, was eerily quiet.

“The Primordial Demon Emperor’s timing is… interesting. Is he unaware that the Ascension Ceremony is taking place, or is he forced to make a move now?” Wei Mengrou asked softly, breaking the silence.

It was the Ascension Ceremony, and various factions had gathered, their powerful members observing the events from the shadows.

For the Primordial Demon Emperor to act now was madness, unless he was confident he could take on at least three Dao Integration experts simultaneously.

Mu Zhi’an shook his head and chuckled. “The Demon Emperor who once united the Demon Realm can’t be a fool. Although I don’t know why he chose this time, he must either be confident or desperate… I’m leaning towards the latter.”

“But this means he’s already lost,” Mu Zhi’an continued.

He looked towards Two Polarities Peak, the image of the Sect Master, her alluring figure outlined by her black dress, flashing through his mind.

Shang Yanfei, the mastermind behind the scenes, pulling the strings without ever revealing her hand.

Every time Mu Zhi’an thought he had figured out her plan, he would discover another layer… Even the Primordial Demon Emperor had been caught in her web.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that the Sect Master was a deep and unfathomable woman. He had initially thought her agreement to the wagers with the Western Regions and the Southern Wilderness was foolish. After all, no one could guarantee victory in the Ascension Ceremony.

But after Lan Mulian’s participation, he knew victory was almost certain.

And now, it seemed…

This wager involved much more than just the three Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs.

“She’s dragging other Dao Integration experts into this mess…” Mu Zhi’an murmured.

Not only the Dao Integration experts of the Eastern Realm, but most of the prodigies from the Nine Realms were currently within the Two Polarities Sect. If a battle broke out, the power of Dao Integration cultivators would inevitably affect these young geniuses. Whether it was the Western Regions, the Southern Wilderness, or any other faction, they wouldn’t stand by and watch their disciples get hurt.

They didn’t need to defeat the Primordial Demon Emperor themselves, but they had to protect the Two Polarities Sect and their own disciples.

“This woman’s foresight is terrifying. If I end up with her, my life will be completely planned out…” Mu Zhi’an sighed, looking at the falling snow outside the window.

For the sake of the three Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs, each realm had sent their most talented disciples. The Dao Integration experts couldn’t ignore this situation. Firstly, it would demoralize their people. Secondly… the Primordial Demon Emperor was already a flickering flame. Even if he burned his essence, he could only temporarily return to the Dao Integration Realm.

And a single Dao Integration cultivator couldn’t stand against two or more.

Moreover, there were far more than two Dao Integration experts within the Two Polarities Sect.

“But right now, I’m more curious about why the Primordial Demon Emperor chose this specific time to break free from his seal.”

Mu Zhi’an stood up, stretched, and glanced at Wei Mengrou. “Let’s go for a walk. If I’m not mistaken, many disciples are probably evacuating right now.”

…

The Nine-Lived Heavenly Phoenix had once been the ruler of the Demon Realm. Many cultivators might not be familiar with this name, but they all knew the title ‘Primordial Demon Emperor’.

However, no one would have guessed that the former ruler of the Demon Realm had been sealed beneath the Two Polarities Sect’s Pilgrimage Palace for a thousand years by the Jade Empress and was now trying to break free from the Pure World Azure Lotus’s seal.

“Shang Yanfei, I’ll give you half an hour. Release me from this seal, or the entire Two Polarities Sect will be buried with me!” His sinister voice echoed from beneath the Pilgrimage Palace, filled with desperation and madness, sparking discussions among the cultivators, who were speculating about the identity of the sealed being.

And this voice alerted the powerful cultivators throughout the Nine Realms.

Several pairs of eyes, hidden in the darkness of the Southern Wilderness, the Western Regions, and Yu State, were watching the Two Polarities Sect.

Logically, the chaos in the Eastern Realm had nothing to do with them. In fact, if the Eastern Realm weakened itself through internal conflict, it would be beneficial to them.

However, the geniuses participating in the Ascension Ceremony were still within the Two Polarities Sect. If they were harmed, it would be a great loss for the other realms.

After all, for the sake of the three Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs, each realm had sent their most promising disciples, handpicked by their Dao Integration experts.

Countless gazes were fixed on Two Polarities Peak, waiting for the Sect Master’s response.

However, after fifteen minutes, there was still no reaction from the Two Polarities Sect, as if they were indifferent.

Suddenly, a phoenix cry echoed from the Pilgrimage Palace, and a black and red phoenix soared into the sky, dyeing the heavens crimson. The flames raged like the wrath of the heavens, threatening to incinerate the world.

Countless cultivators looked up at this awe-inspiring and terrifying sight.

Some, unable to withstand the pressure, fell to their knees, succumbing to the might of a Dao Integration expert.

Even those considered prodigies trembled, struggling against the pressure, their shoulders heavy as mountains, unable to straighten their backs.

As the black phoenix descended from the sky, some realized that if it landed within the Two Polarities Sect, the entire sect would be destroyed.

Mu Zhi’an, having just stepped out of the Garden of Heavenly Harmony, witnessed this terrifying scene. His body trembled, and he almost fell to his knees.

The immense pressure, like a crashing wave, threatened to overwhelm him, his legs weakening instinctively.

But he reacted quickly, grabbing onto Wei Mengrou’s leg, and under her disdainful gaze, he gritted his teeth and stood up, looking up at the sky.

“Mengrou, we can’t kneel! We can’t kneel to the Primordial Demon Emperor!”

He looked at Wei Mengrou, who seemed unaffected, her beautiful eyes filled with disdain. “You’re not affected?” he asked, surprised.

“I don’t feel anything,” Wei Mengrou replied, looking at him strangely. “You’re the one overreacting.”

She had initially thought he was being dramatic, but now, it seemed he was genuinely struggling against the invisible pressure.

“Dao Integration cultivators naturally exert pressure on others. The ones I’ve interacted with before always concealed their aura, but the Primordial Demon Emperor is different. He truly intends to destroy the Two Polarities Sect,” Mu Zhi’an said, his voice strained.

As for why Wei Mengrou wasn’t affected… It must be because of her Primordial Witch bloodline.

Wei Mengrou looked up at the black phoenix in the sky. “The Sect Master still doesn’t seem to be planning to intervene,” she said softly.

“She has her own plans. We just need to watch the show,” Mu Zhi’an replied.

For Core Formation cultivators, battles of this level were rare. Even observing it briefly could provide valuable insights for their future cultivation.

…

As the black phoenix, a symbol of death, descended from the sky, Regina stepped out of her residence in the southern part of the Two Polarities Sect and looked up calmly, her frail appearance seemingly unaffected.

The elder beside her, his body enveloped in Spiritual Energy, struggled to approach her. “Miss, we must leave the Two Polarities Sect immediately. This place will be destroyed soon,” he said with difficulty.

“If I leave, you’re finished,” Regina said, turning to look at him with a seductive smile.

“But if I stay here, they’ll protect us at all costs.”

As she predicted, just as the black phoenix’s flames were about to engulf the Two Polarities Sect, a powerful being in the depths of the Southern Wilderness finally opened his eyes.

A black mist descended from the sky, enveloping the flames.

Then, a sinister voice echoed through the Two Polarities Sect. “Sect Master Shang, this is an internal matter of your sect. Forcing us to intervene… isn’t that a bit too much?”

The powerful being from the Southern Wilderness was clearly enraged. Shang Yanfei was forcing them to act. Regina was still within the Two Polarities Sect, and even a genius like her couldn’t withstand the might of a Dao Integration expert.

Ever since they learned that Regina’s constitution could be further enhanced, her importance had skyrocketed.

Among the Four Pillar Deities of the Southern Wilderness, one had never revealed their true form. This deity was the true ruler of the Southern Wilderness, and Regina’s constitution was very similar to theirs. If she could truly evolve, she might even surpass her ancestors and become the strongest in the Southern Wilderness!

Therefore, nothing could happen to Regina, and Mu Zhi’an, who could help her evolve, also had to survive.

“Amitabha.”

A deep, resonant Buddhist chant echoed through the sky above the Two Polarities Sect, and a golden light shone as a Buddha, his hands clasped together, looked towards Two Polarities Peak with calm eyes.

“Isn’t this a bit excessive, Benefactor Shang?”

Then, a calm voice came from nearby, “The Western Regions, the Southern Wilderness, and even other realms intervened to prevent the Jade Empress from achieving Dao Integration. We were all using each other. Since that’s the case, there’s no point in complaining now.”

The Buddha turned his head and saw a figure appearing behind him.

The woman wore a white dress with gold embroidery, her long legs clad in black stockings, her feet in white boots. Although it was just an illusory figure, it was incredibly alluring.

It was Luo Tan, the Dao Integration expert and ruler of Yu State.

“You’re quite magnanimous, Luo Tan,” the powerful being from the Southern Wilderness said sarcastically.

Many had opposed the Jade Empress’s return to Dao Integration. Several realms had played a role in obstructing her, although they never admitted it openly.

After all, anyone who tried to achieve Dao Integration would be stopped.

Since they had intervened, there was no point in complaining about being used now.

“Sect Master Shang, we can protect the Two Polarities Sect, but you’ll have to deal with the Primordial Demon Emperor yourself,” the powerful being from the Southern Wilderness said, his gaze fixed on Two Polarities Peak.

“Agreed,” Shang Yanfei replied, nodding slightly.

Her words piqued the interest of the Dao Integration experts.

They had never seen Shang Yanfei fight before. If they could witness it today, this trip wouldn’t be a waste.

The powerful beings erected a barrier around the Two Polarities Sect, isolating the black phoenix unleashed by the Primordial Demon Emperor, while they secretly observed the Pilgrimage Palace, waiting for Shang Yanfei to appear.

A beautiful woman in a black dress hovered above the Pilgrimage Palace, her figure shrouded in a mysterious black mist, her true form concealed.

However, the Dao Integration experts present could easily discern her aura, even if it was just a wisp of her will.

One of the Evil Deities from the Southern Wilderness frowned after observing her for a moment. “That’s not Shang Yanfei.”

Their gazes shifted to the woman in the black dress, who was looking towards the depths of the Pilgrimage Palace. Although she was concealing her aura, some of the powerful beings sensed something unusual about her.

The woman in the black dress seemed to sense their gazes and turned to look at them, a seductive smile curving her lips.

The Demon Realm Empress!

This thought crossed their minds simultaneously.

The woman in the black dress wasn’t Shang Yanfei, but the Demon Realm Empress!

The Eastern Realm had made a deal with the Demon Realm Empress, allowing her to enter the Two Polarities Sect!

Shang Yanfei was truly bold. This was like inviting a wolf into your home to deal with a tiger. It could easily backfire.

Similar thoughts ran through the minds of the Dao Integration experts.

The Primordial Demon Emperor had been sealed within the Pilgrimage Palace for so long, and he was now desperately trying to break free, clearly sensing the Demon Realm Empress’s aura… It seemed the current ruler of the Demon Realm possessed abilities that threatened him…

However… the Demon Realm Empress was only a wisp of will. How could she possibly defeat the Primordial Demon Emperor, who had burned his essence?

Boom!

The black phoenix slammed against the barrier surrounding the Two Polarities Sect, and the cultivators below trembled, some even falling to their knees.

They realized that the Primordial Demon Emperor was fighting with his life on the line!

Boom!

Another earth-shattering roar echoed through the sect, filling the cultivators’ hearts with dread.

At that moment, a green light silently shone within the Pilgrimage Palace.

A serene, calming light, and a green and white lotus bloomed silently.

The Pure World Azure Lotus!

The Dao Integration experts’ eyes narrowed as they saw Yao Meng, her bare feet touching the ground, standing within the Pilgrimage Palace.

“The Jade Empress! You’ve recovered! That Core Formation brat was indeed on your side! I should have devoured him alive!” a furious roar came from the depths of the Pilgrimage Palace.

The Dao Integration experts’ gazes simultaneously shifted to Yao Meng, a single thought echoing in their minds.

A Core Formation cultivator…?

The Jade Empress was saved and even had her immortal body reconstructed… by a Core Formation cultivator…?

How is that possible?

If a Core Formation cultivator could reconstruct a Dao Integration expert’s Vessel, wouldn’t that mean their Spiritual Energy could even enhance a Dao Integration cultivator’s power?

As they pondered this, Yao Meng, her jade-like feet treading on air, descended like a celestial maiden, her flawless skin bathed in a faint silver light, her gaze fixed on the ground below.

She raised her hand, and the Pure World Azure Lotus’s light enveloped the Pilgrimage Palace.

“It’s useless! You can only suppress me, not destroy me!” the Primordial Demon Emperor roared.

His confidence stemmed from his true form.

The Nine-Lived Heavenly Phoenix. Each rebirth strengthened him. Although his Vessel had been destroyed by the Pure World Azure Lotus, as long as his consciousness remained, he couldn’t truly die within a thousand years.

If it were that easy to eliminate him, the Jade Empress wouldn’t have almost perished with him in the past.

Yao Meng looked down at the Pilgrimage Palace, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Sealing your Vessel is my task. As for the rest… it’s none of my business.”

For some reason, his words filled the Primordial Demon Emperor with unease.

Then, as if sensing something, he looked up abruptly and saw a woman in a black dress standing in the depths of the Pilgrimage Palace.

His pupils constricted. “It’s you… It’s you! You’ve finally come!”

The Demon Realm Empress smiled sweetly.

“Your era is over, old man.”

She reached out from within the black mist, her hand piercing through the Primordial Demon Emperor’s heart.

A dense demonic aura filled the Pilgrimage Palace as the enraged Primordial Demon Emperor clashed with the Demon Realm Empress.

In the distance, the Empress of Yu State’s eyes narrowed. “The Primordial Demon Emperor’s essence,” she murmured.

Essence represented a cultivator’s lifetime of cultivation. It was said that the Demon Realm Empress could absorb the essence of others, whether they were at the Nascent Soul Realm or the Dao Integration Realm, using it to enhance her own cultivation.

With enough essence, she could even transcend her limits and achieve immortality.

Ordinary cultivators couldn’t absorb the essence of others, but the Demon Realm Empress could.

The Nine-Lived Heavenly Phoenix was difficult to destroy, but the Demon Realm Empress’s ability was its perfect counter.

The Empress of Yu State looked at the scene, then glanced at the woman in the black robe who had appeared behind them at some point. She smiled. “You’re quite bold, Sect Master Shang. The Demon Realm and the Eastern Realm are eternal enemies. Aren’t you worried about the consequences of letting the Demon Realm Empress absorb the Primordial Demon Emperor’s essence?”

There were differences even among Dao Integration cultivators. Once the Demon Realm Empress absorbed and refined the Primordial Demon Emperor’s essence, her strength would increase dramatically.

And then, if the already powerful Demon Realm set its sights on the Eastern Realm, even the Two Polarities Sect would be in trouble.

Flames raged within the Pilgrimage Palace, and amidst this awe-inspiring and terrifying scene, a faint smile appeared on Shang Yanfei’s beautiful face.

“It’s fine.”

“You’re truly extraordinary, Sect Master Shang. We’ll just have to wait and see,” the Evil Deity from the Southern Wilderness chuckled.

The Demon Realm and the Southern Wilderness were far apart. Even if the Demon Realm Empress’s strength increased, it wouldn’t affect the Southern Wilderness. The Eastern Realm would be the first to suffer.

A green light flashed, and everyone’s gazes shifted as Yao Meng, her feet treading on air, approached them. The Southern Wilderness’s Evil Deity fell silent, and so did the Buddha from the Western Regions.

The Empresses of Yu State and Yun State seemed to know Yao Meng and greeted her immediately.

Then, the Empress of Yu State’s gaze fell upon the cultivators on the ground. Although the Primordial Demon Emperor’s essence was being refined, the black phoenix in the sky hadn’t disappeared yet.

Under its pressure, most cultivators were still kneeling on the ground, only a few managing to withstand it, struggling against the immense force.

“I heard the Southern Wilderness’s Holy Maiden is the most promising candidate to become the Fourth Pillar Deity. Seeing her now, it seems the rumors are true,” the Empress of Yu State said, her gaze fixed on the Southern Wilderness Holy Maiden, who was struggling to resist the Primordial Demon Emperor’s aura.

“Regina is the most talented individual in our Southern Wilderness. Her talent is naturally extraordinary,” the Southern Wilderness’s Evil Deity said with a smile.

“The Western Regions sent two geniuses this time. One of them seems to have been eliminated in the Martial Realm trial. I thought he was just average, but seeing him now, this monk is quite talented,” someone said, looking at Jingchen, who was bathed in a golden light, resisting the pressure.

The Buddha clasped his hands together and said calmly, “Jingchen was dragged into a tribulation by a fourth-grade Core Formation cultivator and eliminated.”

Hearing ‘fourth-grade Core Formation’, the Dao Integration experts lost interest.

After all, using a tribulation to eliminate others was a tactic they had never seen before in the Nine Realms. Although it was surprising, it wasn’t worth their attention.

Their gazes swept over the cultivators, and someone noticed a female cultivator summoning the Pure World Azure Lotus to resist the pressure. “Is that female cultivator the Jade Empress’s successor? Hmm… Although her Pure World Azure Lotus is far inferior to the Jade Empress’s, it’s still a headache for Core Formation cultivators,” he said.

“The Jade Empress has a successor? That’s surprising,” the Empress of Yu State said, looking at Yao Meng.

Yao Meng smiled sweetly. “Qian’er has helped me a lot in the past. I chose her partly to repay her kindness, and partly… as an apology,” she said, her voice clear and melodious.

“An apology?”

The Dao Integration experts exchanged puzzled glances.

A Dao Integration expert apologizing to a Core Formation cultivator…?

“This Ye Qian is quite talented. If she’s interested, she can come to Yu State for further training,” the Empress of Yu State said with genuine admiration.

Yao Meng smiled. “She would be delighted to hear that.”

Yu State’s unique environment and cultivation methods were different from the Eastern Realm’s. If Ye Qian could train there, her future growth would be even greater.

The Dao Integration experts continued to observe the cultivators below.

Seeing a young man in a black robe struggling to maintain his composure, one of them nodded slightly. “He’s a promising young man.”

Ye Yu, seemingly sensing their gazes, his eyes lit up with excitement, glanced at Mu Zhi’an, who was not far away.

But before these true experts, who was truly talented was clear!

Less than ten cultivators could withstand the Primordial Demon Emperor’s pressure, and he was one of them!

As for Mu Zhi’an, he was only able to stay on his feet because of the maid beside him.

If he could become an exchange student in Yu State, the resources and techniques he would receive would be far greater than what he currently had!

“This Ye Yu is like a cockroach. Even a twenty-person tribulation couldn’t kill him. The heavens are truly biased. Isn’t this blatant favoritism?” Mu Zhi’an muttered, his arms wrapped around Wei Mengrou’s waist to support himself.

He hadn’t expected to see Ye Yu here. And due to the Primordial Demon Emperor’s pressure, they could barely move, relying solely on their Spiritual Energy and willpower to resist.

He hadn’t had time to deal with Ye Yu in the Martial Realm, and now, he had even qualified for the Ascension Ceremony.

“Don’t you think it’s ridiculous, Mengrou?” Mu Zhi’an asked.

Wei Mengrou glanced at him disdainfully. “I only know that if you keep groping me, I’ll kick you off this cliff and send you to Ling Long.”

“I’m just trying to resist the Primordial Demon Emperor’s pressure,” Mu Zhi’an explained.

Wei Mengrou scoffed. “Have you ever seen anyone resist pressure by putting their hands on someone else’s waist?”

“Me,” Mu Zhi’an said cheekily.

Then, seeing the murderous glint in her eyes, he quickly withdrew his hand and chuckled. “I was just joking.”

He could actually withstand the pressure with his own Spiritual Energy, but then he wouldn’t be able to get close to Mengrou.

However, since she had spoken, he had no choice but to channel his Spiritual Energy and envelop his body, resisting the pressure.

The Empress of Yu State chuckled softly, glancing at the scene below. “This young man is quite comfortable being a kept man,” she said with amusement.

It was clear that Mu Zhi’an wasn’t truly resisting the Primordial Demon Emperor’s pressure. He was relying on the maid beside him.

This had nothing to do with talent.

As she was about to look away, she suddenly noticed something as Mu Zhi’an’s Spiritual Energy enveloped his body. She looked at him again, her eyes filled with curiosity.

A fourth-grade Core Formation cultivator, emitting an aura close to the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm…?

No…

This Nascent Soul aura… didn’t seem to be his own…

Yao Meng glanced at the Empress of Yu State, her eyebrows raising slightly, about to interrupt her thoughts.

However, after a moment of observation, the Empress’s eyes lit up with interest. “What’s that young man’s name?” she asked.

As soon as she spoke, the gazes of the other Dao Integration experts shifted towards Mu Zhi’an.