It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

“Is this Luo Tan’s palace?”

“As expected of an alchemist, it’s truly luxurious.”

Mu Zhian followed a maid into the magnificent palace.

As befitting a long-established immortal dynasty, he saw many rare spirit beasts and various unknown heavenly treasures along the way.

These things alone were worth a fortune.

There was a saying that no dynasty could last more than three hundred years, but that applied to mortal emperors.

An immortal dynasty founded by a Dao Integration Empress, as long as the Empress lived, would be difficult to destroy.

Lost in thought, Mu Zhian followed the maid for a while, then suddenly realized something was amiss.

“We don’t seem to be heading towards the Dao Initial Palace.”

And more importantly… what kind of palace was accessed through a small path?

“Her Majesty has decreed that due to some private matters, she wishes to speak with you alone in her residence, the Medicine Heart Hall,” the maid patiently explained, pointing to a nearby hall. “It’s right there.”

She couldn’t help but glance at the boy a few more times, a subtle look in her eyes.

Although Her Majesty had mentioned Mu Zhian’s age regression, she was still surprised when she saw him.

She wondered what important matters Her Majesty had to discuss with him in her private bedchamber…

As a maid who had served Her Majesty for years, Gan Sui naturally paid attention to her affairs.

After all, she had never seen Her Majesty show such interest in any man before…

“Is there something you want to tell me?”

Mu Zhian noticed the maid’s subtle gaze and asked directly.

The maid shook her head slightly, gesturing for Mu Zhian to follow her to the Medicine Heart Hall. Then she suddenly asked, “Young Master Mu, have you heard the story of the mortal emperor whose dynasty fell after marrying a bewitching beauty?”

Mu Zhian thought for a moment, then chuckled. “Are you referring to the sixth dynasty of the Eastern Continent?”

He remembered the story recorded in ancient texts. The sixth dynasty was one of the most prosperous in the Eastern Continent, its ruler wise and his lifespan extended by cultivation. The dynasty was peaceful and prosperous.

However, the ruler later married a breathtakingly beautiful woman and even granted her a high position.

From then on, the ruler became obsessed with her, neglecting his duties, and the dynasty gradually declined.

“If I remember correctly, the emperor’s concubine was a fox demon from the Demon Realm, sent to weaken the Eastern Continent’s luck,” Mu Zhian said.

“But why are you asking about this?”

The maid looked at the handsome boy with a hint of disdain, but a faint smile appeared on her face. “I just suddenly remembered it. Don’t mind me, Young Master Mu.”

“I see.”

Mu Zhian smiled faintly.

Just suddenly remembered it?

This was clearly a warning from her Majesty, implying that he should restrain his… thoughts.

To put it bluntly, she suspected him of being a ‘spy’ sent by the Eastern Continent to weaken Yu State’s luck.

However, he was a man, not some ‘Daji.’ He didn’t have the natural charm constitution and couldn’t possibly be a beauty that could topple nations.

The maid didn’t speak to Mu Zhian again along the way, but he could still sense her ‘hostility.’

However, being in a foreign land, even with Yao Meng’s backing, Mu Zhian decided to avoid trouble.

“Young Master Mu, please wait outside the hall.”

They arrived at the Medicine Heart Hall. After giving Mu Zhian a brief explanation, Gan Sui entered the hall.

…

Mu Zhian waited for half an hour.

A full half hour!

If I didn’t know that Luo Tan had no grudge against me, I would think she was deliberately making things difficult for me… Mu Zhian waited patiently outside. After a long while, Gan Sui finally reappeared.

She looked at Mu Zhian and smiled faintly. “Young Master Mu, Her Majesty invites you in.”

“Was Her Majesty busy?” Mu Zhian asked.

Gan Sui shook her head gently. “Her Majesty was bathing and changing. I couldn’t disturb her.”

“My apologies, Young Master Mu.”

She bowed politely.

However, this seemingly polite gesture effectively blocked any further questions from Mu Zhian, giving him no opportunity to complain.

I’ve already apologized. Are you still going to make things difficult for a mere servant like me?

This was the underlying meaning of her actions.

Mu Zhian hummed in response, glanced at the maid, and followed her into the depths of the Medicine Heart Hall. He took a sip of hot tea, and after a while, Luo Tan, dressed in a luxurious white dress, finally appeared.

Her features were delicate and beautiful, her hair cascading down her back. As she looked at the boy, her eyes lit up slightly, but she maintained a calm smile. “Long time no see, Young Master Mu. It seems quite a bit has happened.”

She walked over and sat down on a chair, crossing her black silk-clad legs beneath her white dress, her white boots dangling gently.

Her gaze remained fixed on Mu Zhian, studying him from head to toe.

“No wonder the Jade Empress asked me to refine the Supreme Clarity Pill, hoping to restore you quickly… This is your appearance from a few years ago, right?” Luo Tan asked with a smile.

Does Yao Meng really want me to recover quickly? I don’t think so. She seems quite happy with my current state… Mu Zhian complained inwardly, then chuckled. “This is indeed my appearance from a few years ago.”

He paused, then asked concisely, “You wanted to confirm whether I truly have the Three-Tailed Fox constitution?”

Luo Tan shook her head. “I trust the Jade Empress’s judgment. Since she said so, there’s no need for confirmation.”

Mu Zhian was stunned. “Then why did you tell her you wanted to see me alone—”

“Isn’t it obvious? Our transaction isn’t complete yet. It’s only natural for me to want to see you and confirm your current condition.”

Luo Tan rested her chin on her hand. “I know you must be wondering why I didn’t choose any of the other Innate Celestial Furnaces I’ve met in the past, but chose you after only meeting you a few times.”

She glanced at him, her eyes alluring, yet carrying an air of authority that made it difficult to look directly at her.

“Your Innate Celestial Furnace is different from anyone I’ve met before. Like me, yours can evolve, and… your spiritual energy is even richer than mine.”

“And—”

Luo Tan stood up gracefully, her long hair cascading down her back, her white dress accentuating her figure, revealing her long, sensual legs encased in black silk stockings with a unique pattern.

A sliver of her fair thigh was visible between the hem of her dress and her stockings, her skin smooth and dazzling, alluring and seductive.

She stepped closer, one hand on the armrest of Mu Zhian’s chair, the other on his face, leaning forward, a faint smile on her breathtakingly beautiful face.

“You’re the Jade Empress’s Dao Companion.”

You Dao Integration experts are so strange. Do you all share this… NTR hobby…? Mu Zhian looked into her beautiful eyes, filled with amusement, and complained inwardly.

He had to admit, this woman was truly beautiful, but only he could appreciate it.

Few in Yu State dared to look directly at the Pill Emperor, especially with her imposing aura.

A strand of hair fell across her lips, adding to her allure.

She seemed to have just bathed, and a faint, sweet medicinal fragrance emanated from her, like a rare, intoxicating wine.

After a moment of silence, Mu Zhian suddenly embraced her waist, gently kneading it, and leaned forward, about to kiss her.

However, a slender finger gently touched his lips. Luo Tan licked her lips, a playful smile appearing on her face.

Then, she spoke in a calm, authoritative voice, “Is there something you need?”

A maid stood outside the hall, her head slightly bowed. They were in a corner, partially hidden by a luxurious pillar, making it difficult to see them clearly.

“The Jade Empress sent me to ask when Your Majesty plans to start refining the Supreme Clarity Pill, if you’ve confirmed that Young Master Mu has the Three-Tailed Fox constitution.”

As Luo Tan’s trusted maid, Jingxi naturally knew the Jade Empress’s intentions.

Sensing Mu Zhian’s gaze, Luo Tan licked her lips and smiled. “Tell her I’ll personally deliver the Supreme Clarity Pill within three days.”

She looked at Mu Zhian, a faint smile on her face. “Whether he can refine it or not depends on his own abilities.”

…

Hearing the receding footsteps, Luo Tan looked at Mu Zhian, who seemed relieved, and suddenly whispered, “Exciting, wasn’t it?”

“It wouldn’t have mattered even if we were seen.”

It wouldn’t matter to you, but if word of this reaches the other girls, I’ll probably have to live in the dungeon… Mu Zhian shook his head gently and whispered, “Your Majesty is the Empress of Yu State. If news of our… closeness spreads, it might affect your image in the eyes of your subjects.”

“I don’t mind, but it wouldn’t be good for Your Majesty. After all, your servants seem to be quite concerned about this…”

“My servants?” Luo Tan asked, puzzled. “Who was talking about this?”

“It wasn’t exactly a discussion. They just mentioned the story of the fox demon who caused the downfall of an Eastern Continent dynasty…”

Mu Zhian paused, forcing a smile. “Forget it. It’s not a big deal. You don’t have to worry about it, Your Majesty.”

Luo Tan raised an eyebrow, looking at Mu Zhian meaningfully.

Although he said it wasn’t a big deal, his expression suggested otherwise.

After all, Mu Zhian was her guest. If her servants were gossiping behind his back… she would have to deal with it.

They even dared to make things difficult for the man she had chosen… It seemed she had been too lenient with her servants these past few years.

Luo Tan narrowed her eyes, collected her thoughts, and said, “You seem much weaker than before. After you refine the Supreme Clarity Pill, I’ll have someone prepare some pills to help you recover.”

Mu Zhian looked touched and bowed immediately. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Actually, I’m feeling much better now. I spent half an hour basking in the sun outside. I should be much healthier,” Mu Zhian said with a gentle smile.

Luo Tan hesitated. “Didn’t the servant I sent to receive you bring you inside?”

“She said you were bathing and couldn’t be disturbed, so she had me wait outside.”

Seeing Luo Tan’s cold expression, Mu Zhian continued, “Actually, that servant sister is quite kind. Perhaps she was worried that it would be inappropriate for a boy like me to enter the hall while you were bathing, so she had me wait outside. She was only thinking of you, Your Majesty. Please don’t blame her.”

Luo Tan’s voice was cold and sharp. “You’re my important guest. If I can’t even control my own servants and let them disrespect their master, you wouldn’t feel safe staying in Yu State with me, would you?”

Before she could continue, a pair of arms wrapped around her waist. The Empress of Yu State’s eyes flickered, and she was about to speak, but the boy’s voice echoed through the hall first.

“Can I hold you like this for a while? I won’t do anything,” Mu Zhian whispered.

“Just holding you like this makes me feel safe.”

If it were the older, handsome Mu Zhian doing this, it might seem contrived.

But with his current frail, youthful appearance, it was completely different.

As she felt his warmth, a ripple of emotion stirred within Luo Tan’s usually calm heart.

She looked down at the boy, gently stroking his soft hair. “As you wish. I’ll have someone take you to your guest room later.”

“Also… Mmm~”

Luo Tan’s body suddenly trembled, and she was about to say something, but noticing his restless hands, her eyes became hazy, and she glared at him playfully.

For the Innate Celestial Furnace and the Innate Celestial Furnace to achieve the best dual cultivation results, a certain pill was needed. That was why she had stopped him before.

But come to think of it, it didn’t really matter.

As long as they didn’t go all the way…

In other words, it was fine as long as they stopped before the final step.

The Three-Tailed Fox body… If he could evolve into a Nine-Tailed Fox with the Supreme Clarity Pill, he would be the first male Nine-Tailed Fox cultivator in the history of the Nine Provinces.

It was said that the Nine-Tailed Fox could charm all beings. She wondered if a male Nine-Tailed Fox could do the same…

Luo Tan leaned against the boy, crossing her legs and dangling her white boots, a meaningful look in her eyes as she gazed at Mu Zhian.

…

The black silk stockings made in Yu State feel quite nice…

After a period of… intimate interaction with Luo Tan in the hall, Mu Zhian, admiring the texture of the black silk, followed a servant to his guest quarters, still thinking about what had just transpired.

He entered a pavilion and saw his maid and Yao Meng waiting for him.

“How did it go?” Yao Meng asked.

Mu Zhian nodded slightly. “The Pill Emperor has confirmed that I do have the Three-Tailed Fox bloodline, but she said whether I can evolve through the Supreme Clarity Pill, and whether I can reach the Nine-Tailed level, is still unknown.”

“The Supreme Clarity Pill can enhance your demon cultivator constitution, but whether you can reach its peak depends on you.”

Yao Meng paused, looking at the boy with a smile. “But even if you can’t become a Nine-Tailed Fox, it’s enough to restore you to your original form and even freely switch between forms.”

Sensing the anticipation and excitement in the Jade Empress’s eyes, Wei Mengrou couldn’t help but pout disdainfully.

She didn’t understand why these people were so fond of Young Master’s current form… Although it was novel, it was a bit too much.

“What’s wrong, Mengrou?”

Noticing the maid’s disdainful look, Mu Zhian turned to her, puzzled.

“Nothing,” Wei Mengrou calmly looked away.

But she couldn’t help but recall the night she had taken Young Master back to his room, the feeling of being in control, even dominating him.

Wei Mengrou’s beautiful face flushed slightly, and she lowered her gaze, maintaining her composure, but her thoughts raced.

Young Master was already so charming in his current state. If he refined the Supreme Clarity Pill and became a Nine-Tailed Fox… no, even without reaching Nine-Tailed, just evolving his Three-Tailed Fox body further, what would his Innate Celestial Furnace become…?

Despite her disdainful expression, a hint of anticipation arose within her.

…

Three days passed uneventfully.

Deep within the Dao Initial Palace was a vast, open-air area, perpetually enveloped by formations that even Dao Integration experts couldn’t easily penetrate.

Within the formations stood a simple, unassuming bronze cauldron.

The Myriad Transformations Cauldron!

It was the only known cauldron in the Nine Provinces that was close to the Immortal grade. Yao Shan had almost died trying to obtain it.

And it was indeed worth the risk.

After all, an Immortal-grade pill meant the potential creation of a Transcendence Realm Human Emperor.

Luo Tan stood before the Myriad Transformations Cauldron, taking out the ingredients from her storage ring.

Thirteen demon cores, various spirit ores, even incredibly rare Emperor-grade herbs, and a pile of heavenly treasures.

The materials required for a Rank 9 pill were numerous.

An ordinary cultivator might not be able to find even one of these materials in their entire lifetime.

Only Dao Integration experts, after accumulating resources for thousands of years, could gather them all.

But even with all the ingredients, a Rank 9 alchemist was still needed.

Mu Zhian sat in the hall, sipping hot tea and admiring his maid’s beautiful figure, enjoying her disdainful gaze.

“You’re quite lucky. If it weren’t for your connection with the Pill Emperor, no one else in this world could refine the Supreme Clarity Pill,” Wei Mengrou said indifferently.

A Rank 9 pill tribulation was no less than the tribulation for advancing from Soul Transformation to Dao Integration. They couldn’t go near it, lest they be caught in the crossfire.

Only Yao Meng had gone, intending to protect Luo Tan after she refined the Supreme Clarity Pill and help her withstand the tribulation.

Mu Zhian shook his head and chuckled. “What are you saying, Mengrou…? Although it’s partly luck, it’s also because of my own efforts.”

If it weren’t for him needing the Supreme Clarity Pill, Luo Tan wouldn’t necessarily refine it.

Wei Mengrou scoffed, glancing at him. “Your ‘efforts’ refer to sacrificing your body, right?”

Mu Zhian coughed. “You misunderstand me, Mengrou…”

“Heh.”

Wei Mengrou gave him a disdainful look.

She knew her Young Master very well. Although the Jade Empress was domineering, she hadn’t fully grasped Mu Zhian’s character. Was he really visiting Luo Tan’s bedchamber so frequently just because she needed his ‘assistance’ in refining the Supreme Clarity Pill?

Although she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she doubted it.

After all, the temptation of the Innate Celestial Furnace was difficult to resist, even for a Dao Integration expert…

Rumble!

A deafening roar, as if shattering the sky, echoed through the air.

Mu Zhian looked up towards the source of the tribulation. “The Rank 9 pill tribulation has descended.”

“The Jade Empress has ascended to the Transcendence Realm. With her protecting the Pill Emperor, there won’t be any problems. Don’t worry,” Wei Mengrou said.

Mu Zhian hummed in response, then looked at Wei Mengrou with a complex expression.

“Mengrou, if I refine the Supreme Clarity Pill, will it react with my Innate Celestial Furnace…?”

His Innate Celestial Furnace’s aura was usually concealed by the talisman given by the Spiritual Dragon.

But the Nine-Tailed Fox could charm all beings, an ability similar to the ‘charm’ of the Innate Celestial Furnace.

The Innate Celestial Furnace naturally attracted the affection of female cultivators. If it absorbed the effects of the Supreme Clarity Pill…

“You can choose not to refine the Supreme Clarity Pill,” Wei Mengrou said.

“The Jade Empress can restore you after she masters the Dao of Time.”

Mu Zhian shook his head. “A demon cultivator’s constitution is inherently stronger than that of Eastern Continent cultivators. If I can become a Nine-Tailed Fox, I’ll become stronger. It’s not just about returning to my original form.”

“Besides…”

He looked up at the celestial maiden who had just appeared at the doorway and the seven-colored pill floating before Luo Tan. He smiled. “Since the Supreme Clarity Pill is ready, why wouldn’t I refine it?”

“What are you two chatting about so happily?”

The Empress of Yu State, dressed in a luxurious white dress, walked over and handed the pill to Mu Zhian.

“Nothing much. Just chatting with Mengrou,” Mu Zhian replied, taking the pill and examining the seven-colored, translucent pill with interest. “So this is the Supreme Clarity Pill?”

“Is there anything I should be aware of after consuming it?” he asked, looking up at Luo Tan.

“Just like any other pill, refine it within your cauldron,” Luo Tan said with a smile, then couldn’t help but glance at the boy a few more times.

Although she knew Mu Zhian had the Three-Tailed Fox bloodline, the thought of him potentially awakening the ‘natural charm’ constitution after refining the Supreme Clarity Pill… made her feel strangely excited.

It was… irresistible.

After all, a Nine-Tailed Fox could see through a person’s weaknesses. If this ability was used for… seduction… Luo Tan’s eyes flickered, maintaining her usual elegant demeanor.

“I’ll protect you here. Focus on refining the Supreme Clarity Pill.”

Yao Meng looked at him gently.

Mu Zhian nodded slightly, walked into the hall, sat cross-legged within a pre-arranged formation, took out the Supreme Clarity Pill, and swallowed it.

Time passed slowly, and the two powerful beings waited patiently outside the hall.

“Jade Empress, do you think he can fully absorb the Supreme Clarity Pill’s effects?” Luo Tan suddenly asked.

“I don’t know. Shang Yanfei said he could potentially become a Nine-Tailed Fox.”

Yao Meng looked up at the darkening sky, anticipation rising in her heart.

In the past, the Nine-Tailed Fox had commanded great respect in the Nine Provinces, with countless demon cultivators bowing before it.

But the Fox Clan had gradually declined.

After all, reaching the Nine-Tailed level wasn’t just about hard work.

It had been a long time since a Nine-Tailed Fox had appeared in the Nine Provinces. Even the Demon Realm must be watching.

If he could truly become a Nine-Tailed Fox, he would be able to freely change his age…

Suddenly, the spirit beasts in the Dao Initial Palace scattered in panic, and a faint pink aura emanated from above the hall.

Demonic qi surged into the sky!

Luo Tan looked towards where Mu Zhian was cultivating, seeing the first illusory fox tail slowly unfurl above the hall. She murmured, “It’s beginning.”