It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Chapter 325: For the Jade Empress, I Shall Cuckold All My Rivals!

Mu Zhi’an noticed the woman approaching from the Ascension Stage. Seeing the sword with dark gold engravings in her hand, his eyes lit up with desire.

Magical artifacts possessed spirits and were categorized into different grades. A first-grade Artifact Spirit was a treasure wielded by Dao Integration experts. The materials required to create one were incredibly rare.

Its value was comparable to a Primordial Clan’s ancestral artifact.

I didn’t pass the trial, so why is she coming to see me…? Mu Zhi’an wondered.

And this woman is… incredibly hot…

He looked at Ye Qingxin, her appearance now fully within his view.

She wore a red dress with black patterns, the fabric clinging to her alluring figure as it billowed in the wind, revealing her long, fair legs and delicate feet in boots.

Her long hair cascaded down her back, framing her beautiful face, a seductive tear mole beneath her eye, her captivating red eyes radiating an air of authority that made it difficult to meet her gaze.

Beautiful, fair skin, and most importantly, ample assets that jiggled enticingly with every step.

Mu Zhi’an assessed her appearance, then he suddenly noticed a sharp gaze from the side. He turned his head and saw the Jade Empress, her beauty ethereal in her green dress, her eyes smiling, her lips rosy and full, her gaze seemingly saying: Enjoying the view?

Something’s wrong. Yao Meng wasn’t this possessive before…

No, she doesn’t seem jealous. She seems… amused…

Fortunately, my weakness is genuine, even if it wasn’t intentional. They can’t just leave me here and fight amongst themselves, can they? Mu Zhi’an thought, feeling confident in his plan.

Under the gazes of the cultivators, Ye Qingxin finally reached him.

She’s almost as tall as me. If she wore high heels, she would be incredibly intimidating… What kind of car would she drive?

Bai Ruoxi placed a hand on Mu Zhi’an’s back, channeling her Spiritual Energy into him. Then, she looked up at Ye Qingxin. “Is there something else you need, Senior?” she asked, her voice laced with hostility.

Ye Yu, who had just emerged from the Celestial Realm, also watched them, wanting to speak, but seeing the powerful aura emanating from his ancestor, he held back. However, looking at the first-grade Artifact Spirit in her hand, he had a bad feeling.

The Celestial Realm had collapsed for some reason, and no one should have passed Ye Qingxin’s trial… Mu Zhi’an had simply gone further than the others.

After all, she was the Celestial Realm’s creator. She should be the one to decide who passed… Yet, Mu Zhi’an had opened the gate, while he had been stopped.

If she gave the Artifact Spirit to Mu Zhi’an now… wouldn’t that be unfair?

As Ye Yu’s mind raced, Ye Qingxin raised the magical treasure in her hand. “This is the Heaven-Asking Lock. When I found it in the Heavenly Court, it was almost completely shattered. I spent a thousand years nurturing it, and it has finally regained its former glory.”

She handed the sword to Mu Zhi’an. “As promised, this first-grade Artifact Spirit is yours.”

Even Mu Zhi’an was stunned. He hadn’t expected her to be so generous.

And it’s clearly a sword. Why is it called a ‘lock’?

Mu Zhi’an, despite his weakened state, reached out and took the sword. “Thank you for this gift, Senior!”

Although he didn’t understand her intentions, it was a first-grade Artifact Spirit. He couldn’t refuse.

Refusing would be hypocritical, like asking a woman in bed if she really wanted it, even though she kept saying no.

Ye Qingxin looked at his sincere expression and couldn’t help but remember the scenes she had witnessed in the painting.

If she hadn’t seen how he had treated her in his fantasy, even tearing her clothes… she wouldn’t have been able to reconcile this polite and gentle young man with the unrestrained beast in his imagination.

Yao Meng was also surprised. She glanced at Ye Qingxin.

Logically, Mu Zhi’an hadn’t passed the trial. If Ye Qingxin wanted to, she could keep the Artifact Spirit.

After all, she had already bestowed great fortune upon the disciples with this Celestial Realm, and a first-grade Artifact Spirit was a treasure even Dao Integration experts coveted.

Yet, she was giving it away so readily…?

As Mu Zhi’an held the Heaven-Asking Lock, a flood of memories, hazy and indistinct, filled his mind.

This first-grade Artifact Spirit was truly extraordinary. It could transform into various weapons, not limited to a single form. No wonder it was so powerful…

He closed his eyes, trying to change its shape, but it didn’t react.

As if knowing what he was doing, Ye Qingxin said, “You need to refine the Heaven-Asking Lock before you can use it. It has many secrets you’ll need to unravel.”

Mu Zhi’an nodded, understanding.

It was a first-grade Artifact Spirit. Refining it first was normal.

Ye Qingxin, seeing his thoughtful expression, hesitated for a moment, then transmitted her voice, “What is your relationship with the Master of the Heavenly Court, young friend Mu?”

Mu Zhi’an snapped out of his thoughts and replied through voice transmission, “I don’t understand what you mean, Senior. I’ve never heard of this ‘Master of the Heavenly Court’.”

Ye Qingxin looked at him intently, then sighed softly.

His answer was within her expectations.

He had a grudge against her descendant and wouldn’t reveal the truth to a Ye family ancestor.

However, even if he wasn’t the Heavenly Court’s Master, he was definitely connected to them… He was important to her.

But befriending him now would be unfair to Ye Yu.

After all, he was also a descendant of the Ye family.

She would have to wait and see…

Ye Qingxin sighed inwardly and was about to look away when a sudden voice rang out, “Ancestor, Mu Zhi’an didn’t pass the trial, did he? Isn’t it a bit rash to give him the first-grade Artifact Spirit?”

Everyone’s gaze shifted to the young man who had spoken.

Ye Yu stared at Mu Zhi’an, his hand gripping the Heaven-Asking Lock, his fists clenching tightly.

Ye Qingxin said calmly, “Young friend Mu did pass the trial. There’s no need to discuss this further.”

Ye Yu looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with disbelief and resentment, staring at the treasure in Mu Zhi’an’s hand.

This sudden turn of events caused a commotion among the cultivators below. Ye Qingxin frowned slightly. “Are you questioning my judgment?” she asked.

Only she and the Jade Empress had seen the images within the painting. The Jade Empress was clearly on Mu Zhi’an’s side, and as a Ye family ancestor, she wouldn’t harm Ye Yu.

Ye Yu’s words implied that she and Mu Zhi’an were colluding against him.

He opened his mouth, as if wanting to say something.

Ye Qingxin’s sharp gaze silenced him.

However, his eyes were still filled with resentment.

Mu Zhi’an feigned a troubled expression and transmitted his voice, “Senior, is this really alright? Causing conflict between you and Ye Yu…”

“It’s fine. My descendant isn’t that petty. He’ll understand eventually,” Ye Qingxin replied calmly.

It seems you don’t know your descendant very well… Mu Zhi’an thought to himself.

Suddenly, Ye Yu said coldly, “Mu Zhi’an, if you have the guts, fight me now!”

His gaze was fixed on Mu Zhi’an and the beautiful Ye family ancestor, his hatred barely concealed.

Although he couldn’t hear their voice transmissions, judging from their exchange of glances, he could guess what they were talking about.

His anger surged, and he wanted to attack Mu Zhi’an right there and then.

However—

Mu Zhi’an coughed weakly, looked up at Ye Yu, and said softly, “Ye Yu, I know you have a grudge against me, but let’s put the past behind us… Senior Ye wouldn’t want us to fight.”

He glanced at Ye Qingxin.

However, Ye Yu simply scoffed and turned to leave, ignoring him.

It was too late for reconciliation now.

With his ancestor’s protection, even if Mu Zhi’an had the Jade Empress’s backing, she couldn’t stop them from fighting, could she?

I hope you survive until the end of the Ascension Ceremony… Mu Zhi’an.

Ye Qingxin watched him leave and shook her head inwardly.

Suddenly, she heard Mu Zhi’an’s voice transmission, “You mentioned there are many secrets within the Heaven-Asking Lock, Senior. It would take a long time for me to unravel them on my own… Could you perhaps… offer some guidance?”

Ye Qingxin glanced at him and said coldly, “Cultivation is a personal journey. You should comprehend it yourself, young friend Mu.”

She had already given him a first-grade Artifact Spirit. She wasn’t going to teach him how to use it.

As she was about to leave, she heard his voice transmission again, “In exchange, I’ll tell you everything I know about the Heavenly Court, Senior.”

“Although I don’t know about its Master, I can change its rules.”

Ye Qingxin stopped in her tracks and slowly turned to look at Mu Zhi’an.

His black and gold robe gave him an air of nobility, and his slightly pale lips made him seem delicate and vulnerable, evoking a protective instinct in any woman.

However, having seen his earlier fantasies, Ye Qingxin wasn’t fooled.

But she had to investigate the Heavenly Court…

Thinking about it, this was indeed an opportunity.

She nodded slightly, accepting his offer.

Meanwhile, as Ye Yu was leaving the Ascension Stage, a sense of unease washed over him, and he couldn’t help but look back.

Mu Zhi’an was looking up at Ye Qingxin with a bright smile. “It’s a deal then, Senior?”

Ye Qingxin nodded faintly.

Ye Yu stared at them, stunned.

When had he ever been humiliated like this, except by Mu Zhi’an?

Even when his cultivation had been crippled, he had been able to recover, a mysterious force always helping him overcome adversity.

But Mu Zhi’an… He was the only one who constantly hindered him, and now, he had even colluded with his ancestor!

“Mu Zhi’an…”

Ye Yu’s eyes burned with rage as he repeated the name, his voice a low growl.

Thinking of Mu Zhi’an’s fake gentle smile, and the fact that his own ancestor had made a deal with him, he felt a surge of frustration and anger.

“Go back and rest. You’ve absorbed some of the Heavenly Court’s Spiritual Energy within my Celestial Realm. Refining it will help you improve your cultivation.”

“Your match isn’t until this afternoon, right?”

Ye Qingxin’s clear and melodious voice suddenly rang out beside him.

She had appeared unnoticed, her expression calm and serene, her beauty breathtaking.

Ye Yu was stunned for a moment, then, his heart filled with resentment, he looked up at her and asked in a low voice, “What kind of deal did you make with Mu Zhi’an, Ancestor? What did you promise him?”

He didn’t hide his anger, directing it at Ye Qingxin.

He felt betrayed. He was a descendant of the Ye family, yet his ancestor was helping Mu Zhi’an repeatedly, even giving him a first-grade Artifact Spirit…

“It’s a great secret. It’s not time to reveal it yet,” Ye Qingxin replied, shaking her head gently, her voice calm and indifferent, as if unfazed by his anger.

If possible, she would bring all her descendants to the Heavenly Court and grant them immortality.

But it wasn’t the right time to reveal this. After all, Ye Yu was only a Core Formation cultivator. Revealing such a secret now would only put him in danger.

Ye Yu fell silent.

A promise to Mu Zhi’an, but she couldn’t tell him… This answer wasn’t enough, and his heart was filled with rage.

He turned and stormed off.

Mu Zhi’an, naturally, had witnessed the entire scene.

Seeing Ye Yu’s anger, he almost burst out laughing.

It seemed his ‘green tea’ tactics were very effective.

As long as he continued to interact with Ye Qingxin, Ye Yu’s luck would decrease even further.

He glanced at his personal interface and noticed that his luck had increased from 85 to 87.

The description below the luck stat was simple and straightforward: Immune to falling damage. Guaranteed to find treasures within ancient ruins.

When it reaches 100, will I encounter beautiful women everywhere I go…? Mu Zhi’an thought to himself, amused, then closed his interface.

Suddenly, he noticed an elder looking at him from a nearby arena.

“Is there something you need, Senior?” Mu Zhi’an asked.

He was still weak, his voice barely a whisper, making Bai Ruoxi and Ye Lingxuan’s hearts ache with worry.

The elder hesitated for a moment, glancing at the Jade Empress, then said, “Your match begins in fifteen minutes… Are you planning to forfeit, young friend Mu?”

If he forfeited this match, he would have to compete with the other eliminated cultivators for a chance to advance.

If it were just Mu Zhi’an, the elder wouldn’t have bothered to remind him. However, the Jade Empress had just declared him to be her Dao Companion. Even the highest-ranking members of the sect had to treat him with respect now.

“Can’t the match be postponed, Senior?” Ye Lingxuan asked, looking up at the elder.

The elder hesitated for a moment, then shook his head gently. “Postponing it would be unfair to the other participants.”

Lan Mulian silently approached Mu Zhi’an, her face veiled, her aura cold and aloof. “Give me your hand,” she said, her clear eyes fixed on him.

Mu Zhi’an extended his hand towards her.

Then, under the gazes of the ‘protagonists’, she gently took his hand.

This intimate gesture drew the attention of the nearby disciples.

The Jade Empress’s earlier declaration had already shocked them, and now, seeing this usually aloof senior sister acting so intimately with Mu Zhi’an…

“Wait… Is Senior Sister channeling her Spiritual Energy into him?” a disciple suddenly asked, realizing what was happening.

“Indeed, Mu Zhi’an’s Spiritual Energy is recovering…”

Hearing this, the other disciples relaxed slightly.

After all, someone as cold and aloof as Senior Sister Lan wouldn’t fall for Mu Zhi’an.

Lan Mulian withdrew her hand. “I can only give you a portion of my Spiritual Energy. It won’t be enough for a full recovery,” she said.

Mu Zhi’an shook his head and smiled. “I feel much better now. Thank you, Senior Sister.”

Bai Ruoxi, while also channeling her Spiritual Energy into him, looked at him with concern. “What happened in that Celestial Realm, Mu Lang? Why is your Spiritual Energy so depleted?” she asked softly.

Mu Zhi’an shook his head. “It’s a long story. I’ll explain it to you later.”

Bai Ruoxi murmured in response.

Then, she suddenly said, “You’ve been staying out all night recently, Mu Lang. I thought your depleted Spiritual Energy was because of… Fairy Yao Meng.”

Her seemingly casual words were a direct attack on Yao Meng.

Ye Lingxuan, her hand on Mu Zhi’an’s arm, looked at Yao Meng. “Back in the Forbidden Zone, Senior Jade Empress, you explained that you kissed Brother Mu to absorb his Spiritual Energy and overcome your tribulation. I thought you were so kind to him because he helped you reconstruct your immortal body…”

She paused, then continued, “But judging from your words today, your feelings for Brother Mu seem to be… more than just gratitude.”

Wei Mengrou remained silent.

This is bad. They’re ganging up on her… Mu Zhi’an’s heart skipped a beat as he looked at Yao Meng.

Yao Meng, her alluring figure clad in a green dress, elegantly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her beautiful face framed by her slightly disheveled hair, her smile as bright as ever.

Her long hair cascaded down her back, her aura ethereal and untainted, as she looked at Mu Zhi’an with a playful smile.

“You’re right. It’s my fault that he’s so weak,” she said calmly, admitting it so readily that everyone was stunned.

Mu Zhi’an immediately said, “It has nothing to do with you, Empress. It’s my own fault—”

However, Yao Meng shook her head gently and said softly, “You have a match soon. I would feel guilty if I let you compete in this weakened state.”

“So I’ll make it up to you.”

Mu Zhi’an was stunned, then, seeing Yao Meng floating towards him, he looked up, meeting her gaze.

Her eyes were filled with affection, a playful smile curving her lips.

For some reason, Mu Zhi’an felt a sense of unease. He instinctively tried to back away.

However, a vine suddenly wrapped around his ankle.

Then, under countless envious and disbelieving gazes, Yao Meng placed a hand on the back of his head, leaned down, and gently kissed him.

The vine around his ankle grew rapidly, and a warm energy flowed into his body, revitalizing him.

He could feel the warmth of her immortal body against his, and he almost lost control and wrapped his arms around her waist.

His depleted Spiritual Energy quickly replenished. He was no longer weak.

However, the burning gazes of the surrounding cultivators made him feel a chill run down his spine.

His back was drenched in cold sweat.