It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists-Chapter 377: Does the Pill Emperor Want to Keep Me?

Yao Meng breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as he hadn’t left the Eastern Continent, it wasn’t a big deal. She could find him later.

“What is he doing at the Two Polarities Sect?”

“A few days ago, the Ascension Ceremony concluded, and Lan Mulian, a disciple of the Two Polarities Sect Master, won the final match. The Pill Emperor of Yu State wanted to take this opportunity to hold an alchemy competition. According to the news from Yao Yue, Young Master Mu seems to be participating,” the Jade Pool Matriarch explained.

“Does he even know alchemy?” Yao Meng murmured.

No… He must be using his special spiritual energy for alchemy.

“If you’re worried, Jade Empress, I can send someone to check. Or do you intend to go personally?” the Jade Pool Matriarch asked with a warm smile.

“No need.”

Yao Meng shook her head. “I was worried that he might be in danger if he left the Eastern Continent, but if he’s just at the Two Polarities Sect, there’s no rush to find him.”

Yao Meng’s attempt to appear indifferent was unconvincing. She looked at the Jade Pool Matriarch. “Besides, those old geezers in seclusion in the Nine Provinces are quite sharp. When I glimpsed the Transcendence Realm earlier, the shackles of heaven and earth bound me. If you could sense the anomaly here, so could others.”

“I need to prepare the formations in the Jade Pool Holy Land these next few days, so I can use them to comprehend and attempt to break through to the Transcendence Realm.”

Despite her explanation, it felt like she still wanted to go to the Two Polarities Sect… The Jade Pool Matriarch’s expression was subtle. She gave Yao Meng a meaningful look and couldn’t help but sigh.

“The Jade Empress is truly fond of him.”

Countless cultivators in the Nine Provinces had pursued the Jade Empress, and even Dao Integration experts were tempted by her Innate Dao Body, but none had captured her heart.

Yet now, a Core Formation cultivator had succeeded, and she cared so much for him, completely smitten…

“If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have been able to touch the threshold of the Transcendence Realm and gain a glimpse of it,” Yao Meng said softly.

The Jade Pool Matriarch’s eyes widened in surprise. “Jade Empress, you mean… you were able to reach the Transcendence Realm because of Mu Zhian?”

“Could it be related to the Innate Celestial Furnace?”

She knew that Mu Zhian’s Innate Celestial Furnace was special, but cultivators with the Innate Celestial Furnace constitution weren’t unheard of in the Nine Provinces.

Although dual cultivating with someone possessing the Innate Celestial Furnace could greatly replenish one’s spiritual energy, it shouldn’t be this exaggerated, to the point of even helping a Dao Integration expert break through the shackles of heaven and earth and surpass the limits of cultivation.

A brief silence fell over the room.

Yao Meng casually observed the Jade Pool Matriarch’s subtle expression. Although this beautiful woman had cultivated for hundreds of years, there were no traces of age on her.

Her skin was still firm, and her well-maintained figure exuded the mature charm of a ripe peach, full and voluptuous.

Aside from the Jade Empress and the innocent Yao Xin, the Jade Pool Matriarch was considered one of the most beautiful women in the Jade Pool Holy Land.

Yao Meng looked away and said calmly, “The news I announced at the Two Polarities Sect not long ago should have spread throughout the Eastern Continent. Since he is now my Dao Companion, we will be married in a month.”

Yao Meng smiled at the Jade Pool Matriarch. “Do you have any suggestions?”

The Jade Pool Matriarch quickly recovered and pondered for a moment, then smiled gently. “The marriage is a pretense, a trap for others, but I believe your feelings for Young Master Mu are genuine. Even if it’s a fake marriage, it can become real.”

The ever-evolving Innate Celestial Furnace was indeed tempting, but since he was the Jade Empress’s Dao Companion, she could only suppress her thoughts.

The Jade Pool Matriarch then said worriedly, “However, if you truly intend to break free from the shackles of heaven and earth and achieve supreme Dao fruition, you might attract many demons and monsters during your breakthrough.”

The last time the Jade Empress had reconstructed her celestial body, a hidden Dao Integration expert had intervened to stop her. If, as she claimed, she had reached the threshold of the Transcendence Realm… could the old monsters of the Nine Provinces tolerate her?

Even just a glimpse of the Transcendence Realm was enough to inspire fear.

The Dao Integration experts of the Nine Provinces had been at peace, but now, if they discovered that one of them had found a way to break free from the shackles of heaven and earth and even planned to break through…

Even if the Jade Empress claimed she had no intention of conquering other territories, she would still be viewed as an enemy by some.

When she attempted to break through to the Transcendence Realm, the Jade Pool Holy Land would likely be in turmoil…

Yao Meng spoke softly, “I’ve encountered demons and monsters before. This marriage is meant to eliminate some of the trouble in advance.”

“Do you plan to attempt the breakthrough in the next few days?” the Jade Pool Matriarch couldn’t help but ask.

Yao Meng smiled without answering.

Although every inch of her skin radiated a holy glow and her smile was gentle, the Jade Pool Matriarch couldn’t shake the feeling that this celestial maiden was… scheming.

“Rather than such trivial matters, I’m more interested in his ranking in the alchemy competition. Did Yao Yue mention it?” Yao Meng asked casually.

“Yao Yue’s news was from before the competition began. But if I remember correctly, Young Master Mu doesn’t know alchemy,” the Jade Pool Matriarch said.

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“He doesn’t understand alchemy,” Yao Meng raised an eyebrow, covering her mouth with a chuckle. “But he has many tricks up his sleeve.”

If Mu Zhian was refining pills, he couldn’t actively use the spiritual energy in his Innate Celestial Furnace, but his own cauldron also contained Heavenly Court spiritual energy.

Spiritual energy and pills were linked. If he used Heavenly Court spiritual energy, the pills he refined wouldn’t be too bad.

Knowing Mu Zhian, he wouldn’t participate in the alchemy competition without some confidence.

“Forget it. After I finish preparing the formations in the next few days, I’ll go to the Two Polarities Sect myself.”

Yao Meng smiled faintly. “I’ll bring him back to get married and have him play a role in my little play.”

But if this fake marriage turned into a real one… it wouldn’t be a bad thing.

…

Two Polarities Sect.

The Two Polarities Sect seemed much quieter today. During the Ascension Ceremony, cultivators flying on swords were a common sight, but today, few cultivators could be seen around the main peaks.

It wasn’t because the Ascension Ceremony had ended, but because all the cultivators were gathered near the alchemy platform on Boundless Sea Peak.

Pavilions stood on either side of the alchemy platform, filled with cultivators. Even the area below the platform was crowded with cultivators from ancient clans.

They observed the alchemists on stage, transmitting their voices to the elders of their families, discussing the alchemists they favored.

Although Mu Zhian’s alchemy today was noteworthy, he wasn’t within the consideration of the ancient clans.

After all, with the Jade Empress’s protection and his ambiguous relationship with the Holy Maiden of the Forbidden Zone, he wouldn’t lack resources and wouldn’t accept their invitations.

After giving Ye Lingxuan his special spiritual energy, Mu Zhian stepped off the alchemy platform and quickly found Bai Ruoxi in a corner of the crowd.

She wore a gentle expression, her white palace dress clinging to her figure. Her hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, and a strand of hair fell loose, swaying in the cold wind, adding to her delicate, pitiful appearance.

“Mu Lang, your performance today was truly eye-catching. Although you didn’t win the competition, everyone is talking about you,” Bai Ruoxi said with a smile as Mu Zhian approached.

Her expression was normal, as if nothing had happened.

However, her seemingly gentle voice sent a chill down Mu Zhian’s spine.

“It was an emergency. If I hadn’t helped, Nigati would have won,” Mu Zhian said, tucking a strand of hair behind Bai Ruoxi’s ear.

Bai Ruoxi hummed softly, appearing obedient and smiling. “I know. I believe Mu Lang isn’t the type to show off in front of so many people.”

Mu Zhian felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

He hadn’t misjudged her. Ruoxi was indeed understanding and gentle.

“If it weren’t for the circumstances, Mu Lang would have been intimate with Lingxuan in private, not in front of so many people,” Bai Ruoxi added with a faint smile.

Mu Zhian: “…”

“He’s always been like this. Even if he’s intimate with a girl, he wouldn’t be so high-profile,” Wei Mengrou added coldly, glaring at Mu Zhian.

Mu Zhian couldn’t refute her words.

Both Bai Ruoxi and Wei Mengrou knew his character well. They knew he wasn’t the type to be openly intimate with a girl in this setting.

But if it were in private… he wouldn’t be so restrained.

Fortunately, Bai Ruoxi knew that this wasn’t the right time to punish him. She looked towards the stage. “Lingxuan has won.”

Mu Zhian looked up. The other alchemists had finished, and Ye Lingxuan had also passed her pill tribulation. A flawless Rank 7 pill was presented before everyone.

It emitted a faint, multicolored glow, and its medicinal fragrance was incredibly rich, mixed with a potent spiritual energy.

Although it hadn’t been enhanced by the Innate Celestial Furnace, the Heavenly Court spiritual energy alone made it incredibly alluring.

“It seems the winner of the alchemy competition has been decided.”

At that moment, a beautiful, noble woman appeared at the alchemy platform.

“Empress Luo Tan.”

Respectful voices echoed from the platform.

Luo Tan looked around, then at the Rank 7 pill in Ye Lingxuan’s hand, a smile in her eyes. “Your control of spiritual energy is exquisite, just as I expected.”

The first Holy Maiden of the Forbidden Zone to perfectly inherit the Innate Spiritual Body was indeed incredibly talented.

Among the alchemists, Ye Lingxuan’s control of spiritual energy was the most refined, without any waste.

This was crucial for an alchemist.

“Thank you for your praise,” Ye Lingxuan bowed slightly.

Luo Tan gestured to her maid, who immediately understood. “Miss Lingxuan, please come with me.”

She then smiled politely at Nigati, who had placed second, and the third-place alchemist, gesturing for them to follow her to receive their rewards.

Nigati glared at Mu Zhian below.

He felt that Mu Zhian’s kiss with the Holy Maiden of the Forbidden Zone wasn’t as simple as it seemed, but since Luo Tan hadn’t said anything, if he questioned it now, wouldn’t he be questioning her decision as well?

He could only swallow his anger.

Meanwhile, Mu Zhian was comforting the two beauties beside him when he suddenly heard a maid’s voice transmission.

“Young Master Mu, Empress Luo Tan requests your presence at the Precious Flower Pavilion.”

The Precious Flower Pavilion was one of the pavilions near the alchemy platform.

Why is Luo Tan looking for me? I haven’t even approached her yet… Mu Zhian quickly reacted and nodded with a smile.

He turned to the two beauties beside him. “Ruoxi, Mengrou, I have something to attend to. We’ll talk later.”

He couldn’t miss this opportunity… After all, the difference between a Three-Tailed Fox and a Nine-Tailed Fox was immense.

He had to obtain the Supreme Clarity Pill, no matter the cost.

…

After excusing himself, Mu Zhian quickly sensed the unique aura emanating from Luo Tan within the bustling pavilion.

He ascended to the pavilion and soon found the Empress of Yu State in a private room.

She sat with her legs crossed, her elaborate white dress embroidered with gold and silver thread. A luxurious, round spirit jade hung from her waist, and her black silk-clad legs were encased in pristine white boots, tapping lightly against the floor.

She was breathtakingly beautiful, her demeanor noble and elegant, with an air of undeniable authority.

“Young Master Mu, is your spiritual energy depleted?” Luo Tan asked with a smile.

“It’s fine. I only consumed a little. It’s nothing,” Mu Zhian replied, sitting down opposite her at her gesture.

Luo Tan nodded with a smile. “That’s good to hear.”

She was already incredibly beautiful, but the light makeup she wore, the touch of red at the corners of her eyes, her slightly pursed lips, and the faint smile in her phoenix eyes made her even more alluring.

“I wonder why Your Majesty has summoned me today?” Mu Zhian asked tentatively, his gaze lingering on her beautiful face.

“Logically, Lingxuan should have won today. Nigati and Tang Sufi also performed well…”

Luo Tan smiled faintly. “I am indeed interested in the Holy Maiden of the Forbidden Zone… but I’m also interested in you.”

Mu Zhian hesitated. “Your Majesty, what do you mean…?”

“You’re a smart man. I won’t beat around the bush.”

Luo Tan smiled and said sincerely, “I wish to take you back to Yu State to cultivate for a few years. What do you think, Young Master Mu?”

Mu Zhian had a vague guess and discreetly observed the elegant woman. “Why me…?”

He had expected Luo Tan to say that she admired his talent, but her next words stunned him.

“You are an Innate Celestial Furnace, and so am I.”

Luo Tan paused. “As for why I’m interested in you…?”

She traced the back of Mu Zhian’s hand with her slender finger, resting her chin on her other hand, and looked at him playfully.

“What do you think?”