It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Chapter 296: Master and Disciple Showdown

Within the grand and ancient hall, the alluring Demon Realm Empress leaned back against her throne, her hand pressed against her forehead, her thoughts in disarray.

Her usually seductive eyes were now filled with a sense of loss and uncertainty.

This world wasn’t the first playthrough; it was the second, having already been reset once!

The ‘second playthrough’ meant the game had been cleared and restarted, or perhaps it had gone through a cycle of reincarnation.

In other words, this was the second cycle.

Silence filled the hall as she processed this information. After a long time, the Demon Realm Empress finally looked up, her gaze fixed on a certain direction in the Eastern Realm, as if piercing through the barriers, reaching someone within the Two Polarities Sect.

Who would have thought that a mere Core Formation cultivator had been her Dao Companion in the previous playthrough?

Even now, she found it hard to believe.

However, besides disbelief, a sense of nostalgia filled her heart.

If she hadn’t regained her memories before entering seclusion, she wouldn’t have known, would she?

No wonder Shang Yanfei had so readily given her the Primordial Demon Emperor’s essence. On one hand, Shang Yanfei was overconfident, and on the other… she wanted her to focus on refining the essence and enter seclusion.

To give away the Primordial Demon Emperor’s essence just to make her enter seclusion… what was Shang Yanfei’s true purpose…?

Before regaining her memories, the Demon Realm Empress wouldn’t have been able to understand.

But now, she had a vague idea.

She pursed her lips, her long legs crossed, her slender fingers tapping the armrest of her throne.

Tap.

Her fingers paused, and her eyes flickered.

Could it be that Shang Yanfei was also a reincarnator?

Shang Yanfei wanted her to spend the next year in seclusion, refining the Primordial Demon Emperor’s essence. And the reason… was likely related to Mu Zhi’an.

However, even that woman wouldn’t have expected her to regain her past life’s memories before entering seclusion, right?

The Demon Realm Empress gently placed her hand on her ample bosom, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath, as if savoring the feeling of her heart racing, a sensation she hadn’t felt in a long time. A strange emptiness lingered within her.

She opened her alluring eyes, her gaze falling upon the maid who had entered the hall.

“Your Majesty, the medicinal bath is ready.”

The maid, her head lowered respectfully, presented the prepared bath.

“I’ll officially enter seclusion in half a month. I’ll leave everything here to you and the others,” the Demon Realm Empress said.

“I’ll handle everything and won’t disappoint you, Your Majesty,” the maid replied immediately, her head lowered, concealing the excitement bubbling within her.

The Demon Realm Empress’s charm affected everyone, regardless of gender. And with her mind-reading ability, it was incredibly difficult to hide one’s thoughts from her. If one didn’t empty their mind of all desires, their true intentions would be easily exposed.

Although the Demon Realm Empress regaining her memories might have been unexpected for Shang Yanfei, she had already absorbed the Primordial Demon Emperor’s essence. She had to refine it, or it would become an obstacle on her cultivation path.

Therefore, she had to enter seclusion, no matter what…

With the aid of a medicinal bath, she might be able to fully refine the Primordial Demon Emperor’s essence in three or four months, instead of a year or more.

However, before that, there was something she needed to do…

“There’s one more thing I need you to handle,” she said.

The maid looked up at the Demon Realm Empress, who was sitting on her throne, and waited for her instructions. “There’s a young cultivator named Mu Zhi’an in the Two Polarities Sect. Contact the Seventh Seat and have her find a suitable opportunity to bring him to the Demon Realm,” the Empress said.

The maid bowed respectfully and replied, “Yes, Your Majesty.” Then, after a moment of hesitation, she asked, “Isn’t Mu Zhi’an Your Majesty’s informant in the Two Polarities Sect? Why bring him back now…? Could it be that he possesses some important secret?”

“No secrets.”

The Demon Realm Empress stretched lazily, her gaze fixed on the Two Polarities Sect.

“His existence is far more valuable than any secret.”

…

If she used a medicinal bath, she might be able to fully refine the Primordial Demon Emperor’s essence in three or four months.

However, before that, there was something she needed to do…

“There’s one more thing I need you to handle.”

The maid looked up at the Demon Realm Empress. “There’s a young cultivator named Mu Zhi’an in the Two Polarities Sect. Contact the Seventh Seat and have her find a suitable opportunity to bring him to the Demon Realm,” the Empress said.

The maid bowed respectfully and replied, “Yes, Your Majesty.” Then, after a moment of hesitation, she asked, “Isn’t Mu Zhi’an Your Majesty’s informant in the Two Polarities Sect? Why bring him back now…? Could it be that he possesses some important secret?”

“No secrets.”

The Demon Realm Empress stretched lazily, her gaze fixed on the Two Polarities Sect.

“His existence is far more valuable than any secret.”

…

Dexin Courtyard.

After chatting with her sister in the courtyard, Ye Qian stood up to leave.

“I’m going back to cultivate, Sister. Although Brother Mu is fine now, we should still focus on our cultivation for the upcoming Ascension Ceremony.”

Ye Lingxuan looked at her sister with a smile. “I told you he would be fine in the Martial Realm, but you didn’t believe me and insisted on leaving early. Are you regretting it now?”

Ye Qian blushed and glanced at her sister. “Weren’t you also worried, Sister? You even summoned your ancestral artifact and chased those cultivators all over the Martial Realm.”

“Why do you make it sound like I was herding ducks…?” Ye Lingxuan chuckled. “I believed Brother Mu would be fine, but I still wanted to see him as soon as possible.”

Ye Qian tilted her head slightly. “Isn’t that because you were worried about him?”

Ye Lingxuan was speechless.

“I saw Brother Ye Yu earlier outside the Jade Glass Palace. He seemed much stronger, and he was staring at us,” Ye Qian suddenly said.

Ye Lingxuan simply replied with a noncommittal “mm-hmm”.

To her, Ye Yu was just a member of the Ye family. She called him ‘Brother Ye Yu’ out of courtesy, but she had never had any feelings for him.

Actually, if he had been kinder to Ye Qian when they were younger, perhaps their relationship wouldn’t be so strained now.

Ye Qian nodded slightly, looking at her sister’s beautiful face. “You’re right. Brother Ye Yu can’t give you happiness, but Brother Mu can.”

Ye Lingxuan rolled her eyes. “What are you talking about? You’re the one who likes Brother Mu. You’re the one who will be happy with him.”

Ye Qian looked at her sister intently. “But haven’t you and Brother Mu already…?” she whispered.

Ye Lingxuan froze, her usual calm demeanor gone. “…You know?”

Ye Qian blushed and nodded slightly. “I heard you outside… You sounded very… happy—”

Before she could finish, Ye Lingxuan covered her mouth. Under Ye Qian’s sparkling gaze, she blushed furiously. “Don’t say that… It’s embarrassing,” she whispered.

The Forbidden Zone’s Holy Maiden might be a polite and elegant young lady in the eyes of others, but when it came to romance, she was completely inexperienced. She had only been intimate with Mu Zhi’an once, and being teased by her sister about it made her want to disappear.

As if to change the subject, Ye Lingxuan suddenly asked, “When are you planning to confess to Brother Mu?”

Ye Qian shook her head and smiled gently. “As long as you’re happy, Sister, I’m happy.”

Ye Lingxuan looked at her sister, who had grown up with her, with a worried expression. Could it be that her sister was lovesick? Would she secretly watch them while they were… intimate?

She couldn’t understand Ye Qian’s peculiar hobby. If possible, she wanted her sister to find happiness… even if it meant sharing Mu Zhi’an with her.

“I’m going back to my room now, Sister. I need to visit the Garden of Heavenly Harmony tomorrow. I have some questions about the Pure World Azure Lotus technique I want to ask Master,” Ye Qian said.

Ye Lingxuan seemed to want to say something.

“What’s wrong?” Ye Qian asked, noticing her sister’s hesitant expression.

“Mu Zhi’an is so fickle… I’m a bit worried about Fairy Yao Meng staying in his body…” Ye Lingxuan trailed off, unable to voice her concerns.

Ye Qian shook her head with a smile. “You’re overthinking it, Sister. She’s a Dao Integration expert. Even Brother Mu can’t force her to do anything against her will. Besides, he’s not that kind of person.”

Ye Lingxuan looked at her sister’s innocent smile, but the image of Yao Meng and Mu Zhi’an by the Rebirth Pool flashed through her mind.

Although Fairy Yao Meng had done it to reconstruct her immortal body, their intimate interaction was still unforgettable.

Now that Yao Meng had returned to the Dao Integration Realm, she no longer needed Mu Zhi’an’s Spiritual Energy.

Logically, nothing should happen between them anymore…

Ye Lingxuan’s eyes flickered, then she relaxed and smiled. “You’re right.”

…

The next morning.

After cultivating through the night, Ye Qian felt the abundant Spiritual Energy within her body and slowly opened her eyes. She headed towards the Garden of Heavenly Harmony.

She had changed into a beautiful outfit, a layered dress with intricate embroidery, a light blue jacket draped over it. At sixteen or seventeen, she was the picture of youthful innocence, her beautiful clothes and delicate features radiating a carefree charm.

As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw Wei Mengrou, who was cultivating in the garden. Seeing her open her eyes, Ye Qian bowed slightly and smiled. “Sister Mengrou, have you seen Brother Mu?”

“He’s still in his room,” Wei Mengrou replied calmly. Her gaze towards Ye Qian was much gentler than her usual cold demeanor towards her young master.

“Do you need something from him?”

Ye Qian shook her head gently. “I have some questions about my cultivation technique I want to ask Master. She should be with Brother Mu.”

Wei Mengrou nodded in understanding, not asking any further questions.

Although she was Mu Zhi’an’s maid, she didn’t know everything he did, especially after their… intimate encounter… Even now, just thinking about her ‘confession’ made her blush.

She didn’t want to face Mu Zhi’an for the time being.

As Wei Mengrou’s thoughts wandered, Ye Qian walked along the path towards Mu Zhi’an’s room.

…

At that moment, in his room, Mu Zhi’an had just woken up, feeling the invigorating energy of the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit flowing through his body, its sweet scent mingling with the lingering fragrance of the fairy’s skin…

He turned to look at Yao Meng. A faint blush still lingered on her beautiful face, her fair shoulders peeking out from beneath the blanket, her green dress clinging to her skin, her beauty a captivating blend of purity and allure.

He gently lifted the blanket, revealing her exquisite figure, her snow-white skin bathed in a faint silver glow, like a celestial maiden descended from the heavens, her beauty sacred and inviolable.

Mu Zhi’an looked at her with reverence, his hand beneath the blanket starting to wander.

Yao Meng slowly opened her eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips. “You’re becoming bolder, aren’t you?” she said, her voice clear and melodious.

She remembered when they first met; he had only dared to steal glances at her, his desire hidden deep within his heart.

Now, he acted on his desires… and with increasing boldness.

“I’m simply trying to satisfy you, Empress,” Mu Zhi’an replied with a righteous tone.

Yao Meng glanced at him, her expression calm, but a hint of shyness flickered in her eyes.

Although she wanted to guide him as an ‘older sister’, when it came to experience in bed, Mu Zhi’an was clearly more… knowledgeable… Maintaining her composure was already her limit.

After showering Yao Meng with affection for a while, Mu Zhi’an got out of bed and started to dress.

Yao Meng sat up, the blanket clutched to her chest, and looked at him with a smile. “Are you afraid of being discovered by your Dao Companion? You’ve never been in such a hurry to leave before.”

Mu Zhi’an shook his head and chuckled. “It has nothing to do with Ruoxi. I have something to discuss with Qian’er.”

Ye Qian had seen him being intimate with Mengrou yesterday… Although she hadn’t said anything, it was probably because Ye Lingxuan was present.

He needed to talk to her.

It would be troublesome if Qian’er told Lingxuan…

Although he had never experienced the full power of the Desolate Time Lock, Mu Zhi’an was still wary of its ability to capture targets from a distance. He didn’t want to be locked up in the Forbidden Zone by a yandere Ye Lingxuan.

Yao Meng, one hand clutching the blanket to cover her body, tilted her head slightly, a strand of hair falling over her shoulder. “Qian’er…? What about her?”

“It’s nothing, just a minor matter—” Mu Zhi’an said, but before he could finish, the door suddenly opened.

“Brother Mu—”

A sweet voice rang out, and Mu Zhi’an looked up to see Ye Qian standing at the door, staring at the scene before her with wide eyes.

Yao Meng, one hand clutching the blanket, her alluring figure barely concealed, and Mu Zhi’an, who had just finished dressing, his buttons still undone.

Well… this might be a problem now.