It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Great Qian Dynasty.

Imperial Garden.

Within a pavilion, the old emperor, dressed in Daoist robes, was playing Go with the current Imperial Advisor. The two held significant positions within the Great Qian Dynasty. However, recently, Imperial Advisor Gu Buxing had become much more haggard, his face somewhat pale.

In contrast, the old emperor, playing Go with him, looked radiant. He had recently withdrawn many medicinal ingredients from the imperial treasury to refine pills, extending his lifespan, and was naturally in excellent spirits.

“Ever since the Jade Empress’s reckoning that day, Imperial Advisor has been dispirited. Although your cauldron was sealed, at least Fairy Yao Meng spared your life, which is a blessing in disguise, isn’t it?” The old emperor held a Go piece, his tone calm, yet carrying an imposing aura.

Gu Buxing shook his head: “It wasn’t Fairy Yao Meng who spared my life, she spared the Great Qian Dynasty’s national fortune, and the people’s faith.”

Ever since becoming the Imperial Advisor of the Great Qian Dynasty, Gu Buxing had, in a sense, been bound to the dynasty. Although he couldn’t use this immense national fortune, he was connected to it. If Gu Buxing died, the Great Qian Dynasty’s national fortune might collapse.

And the Eastern Continent’s luck was actually related to this dynasty.

“So, Fairy Yao Meng is quite considerate of the common people? Otherwise, I might not be seeing you now, my dear advisor.” The old emperor took several white Go pieces from the board.

After a while, he regained his usual calmness and said faintly, “All these years, I’ve been planning immortality for Your Majesty, and even sent people to the World Sea several times to investigate the secret treasures left by the Primordial Witch, but I didn’t expect to end up making wedding clothes for someone else.”

The old emperor frowned, staring at the Go board, and pondered for a long time: “You mean, that spiritual sense of the Primordial Witch might have already told Mu Zhian the location of the secret treasures she left behind?”

“That Primordial Witch spiritual sense in the World Sea has a close relationship with Mu Zhian. It wouldn’t be strange even if she told him the location of the secret treasures… Since things have come to this, if Your Majesty wants longevity, you’ll have to find another way,” Gu Buxing sighed softly.

“It’s just a pity that my cauldron was sealed by the World-Purifying Green Lotus. I’m no different from an ordinary person now and probably won’t be able to help Your Majesty much in the future.”

Hearing this, the old emperor couldn’t help but rub his brows and said, “Is there a way to break the seal of the World-Purifying Green Lotus?”

“Even the First Generation Demon Emperor back then couldn’t withstand the World-Purifying Green Lotus, let alone this old man.”

Gu Buxing slowly shook his head, then paused: “Unless…”

“Unless what?” the old emperor immediately asked.

“There’s a Buddhist technique in the Small Leiyin Temple in the Western Regions that can refine the faith of all beings, even an entire dynasty’s national fortune, for a single person’s use. In the past thousand years, there have been many conflicts between the Western Regions and the Demon Realm, but even a powerful force like the Demon Realm couldn’t gain any advantage against the Western Regions.”

Gu Buxing revealed a faint smile: “A large part of the reason is because of this Buddhist technique, which can refine the faith of all beings, even an entire dynasty’s national fortune.”

“Some time ago, people from the Small Leiyin Temple in the Western Regions came and passed this Buddhist technique to this old man.”

Hearing this, the old emperor frowned slightly: “But if the Jade Empress finds out you want to refine the faith of all beings, I’m afraid…”

Gu Buxing was only strengthened by the faith of all beings in the past, but the Jade Empress’s arrival a few months ago caused a huge uproar in the Great Qian Dynasty. Rumors about Gu Buxing spread throughout the Eastern Continent, causing the common people to become deeply suspicious of him.

The common people’s doubts naturally affected the faith strengthening Gu Buxing.

“Rest assured, Your Majesty. The Jade Empress does dote on her Dao Companion, but don’t forget, her relationship with the Demon Empress isn’t good. Although she hasn’t done anything to other provinces after transcending, it doesn’t mean other great powers will tolerate her attacking the Great Qian Dynasty.”

One must know, the Jade Empress after Transcendence was already domineering. If she attacked the Great Qian Dynasty, it would inevitably make people think she wanted to seize the faith of all beings and the Great Qian Dynasty’s national fortune… Other great powers wouldn’t let her do this, even if it meant fighting to the death.

“Besides, we’re not targeting Mu Zhian, we just want to use that Buddhist technique to refine the faith of all beings and part of the national fortune…”

The old emperor’s face was expressionless, “If a nation’s fortune is lost, it will not only affect the common people, but even the Eastern Continent…”

Although he had devoted himself to cultivation these years, he still held tightly onto the affairs of the court. Having him give up part of the Great Qian Dynasty’s national fortune to the Imperial Advisor for no reason was something even a human emperor wouldn’t be willing to do.

“If I use the national fortune and the faith of all beings to break through the seal of the World-Purifying Green Lotus and successfully achieve Dao Integration, then within the Great Qian Dynasty, I won’t be affected by the rules of heaven and earth… Your Majesty, this isn’t just for the Great Qian Dynasty, but also for Your Majesty’s wish for longevity.”

Gu Buxing stood up, cupped his hands, and said, “I hope Your Majesty will heed my words.”

Seeing the old emperor still silent, Gu Buxing spoke again: “Not long ago, spies reported that cultivators from the Jade Pool Holy Land went to Tianxuan City.”

“But after those Jade Pool cultivators left Tianxuan City, they looked dazed, as if they had forgotten why they went to Tianxuan City.”

The old emperor was finally moved.

He understood the meaning of Gu Buxing’s words.

The power behind Mu Zhian was astonishing and terrifying. Not only them, but the memories of others who investigated his background were also inexplicably shielded by destiny.

Having such a person as an enemy, with the Jade Empress backing him, how could this human emperor not feel uneasy every day?

The old emperor pondered for a long time, then silently nodded.

“What does Imperial Advisor plan to do?”

“I know Your Majesty’s concerns, and just as Your Majesty worries, this matter might be difficult to achieve with just us.”

Gu Buxing said calmly, “A few days ago, the Space God returned to the Southern Wilderness and has already become the sole ruler of the Southern Wilderness. It’s rumored that Ye Yu, who saved her, was killed by Mu Zhian, and she also had some friction with the Jade Empress. I will send people to secretly contact the Space God, Your Majesty can rest assured.”

“Besides that, I will also secretly send people to the Demon Realm, Western Regions, Cloud Province, and other places.”

Transcendence and ascension were always a lingering concern in the hearts of the Nine Provinces’ great powers.

Although within their own territories, with the strengthening of formations, they could exert the power of the Transcendence Realm, it ultimately couldn’t compare to true Transcendence. And who could guarantee they would never leave their territory in this lifetime?

If there was a chance to weaken the Great Qian Dynasty’s national fortune, it would actually also weaken the Eastern Continent’s luck. Those great powers would definitely be willing to do this.

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Your Majesty can rest assured. I’ve sworn an oath that after achieving Dao Integration with the Heavenly Dao, I will find a way to extend Your Majesty’s lifespan, ensuring you become a thousand-year emperor.”

The old and frail emperor held a Go piece, looked at it for a while, placed it on the board, and said with a smile, “With your words, my dear advisor, I feel much more at ease.”

“Speaking of which, didn’t Your Majesty summon Princess Yongning today? Why hasn’t she come yet?” Gu Buxing suddenly recalled this matter.

“Perhaps she’s lost track of time reading again. I’ll send someone to Shou Kang Palace,” the old emperor shook his head and sighed softly, “It’s a pity Yongning isn’t a man. Otherwise, I could have more free time to focus on cultivation.”

The current crown prince was incompetent, the eldest prince died prematurely, and the third prince was locked up in a secret room. Among his children, the most intelligent one was Yongning.

It was a pity she was a princess.

While the two were talking, they didn’t notice that, beneath a plum blossom tree not far away, a woman quietly turned around. Her pale golden magnificent dress trailed on the ground, and her personal maid respectfully lifted her dress as they left the Imperial Garden.

“If today’s matters reach a third person’s ears, even I can’t save your life.”

Leaving the Imperial Garden, Princess Yongning glanced at the maid beside her and said softly.

The maid hurriedly nodded in agreement.

…

Three days later, Sword Palace.

Lin Ling floated around outside the Sword Palace, wanting to call out to the people inside several times, but ultimately held back.

It had been three days since she left Two Polarities Peak. At first, she wanted to use Words Manifest Reality to bring Mu Zhian to her side, but found it ineffective.

According to Lin Ling’s guess, there must be a great power protecting Mu Zhian, so even using Words Manifest Reality couldn’t directly teleport him to her side.

Thus, she could only search for him throughout the Eastern Continent, going to the Jade Pool Holy Land, Forbidden Zone, the Ye Clan’s Starry Sky Ancient Road, Tianxuan City, and other places, but didn’t find him.

At first, Lin Ling didn’t think of the Sword Palace. After all, the people from the Jade Pool Holy Land said the Jade Empress hadn’t returned for a long time, so Lin Ling naturally suspected Yao Meng had hidden Mu Zhian somewhere.

After all, she would also sometimes hide delicious snacks in her storage ring, only taking them out to eat when she had a craving.

Hiding a person and hiding snacks were the same principle.

However, after searching several places in the Eastern Continent and still not finding him, she thought he might be suffering from Karmic Fire like her in the past, so she had a flash of inspiration and thought of this heavenly palace floating near Xuanyin Temple.

However, if she went in to look for him like this, and couldn’t find him, Gong Lianyue would definitely look for him with her after finding out Mu Zhian was missing.

Then, what after finding him?

If Gong Lianyue asked her why she took Mu Zhian away, how would she answer?

Could she tell Gong Lianyue that the Sect Master was suffering from Karmic Fire and needed her Dao Companion to help her cultivate and suppress the Karmic Fire…?

No matter what, Bai Ruoxi was Mu Zhian’s official Dao Companion. It wasn’t appropriate to say that…

Lin Ling hesitated slightly, thinking of her close friend who might still be suffering from Karmic Fire in Two Polarities Peak. She finally stopped hesitating and opened her mouth slightly.

“Aaaaaa—”

…

Mu Zhian slowly opened his eyes, his pupils slightly unfocused, staring blankly at the ceiling, like a salted fish drained of Spiritual Energy.

He forced himself to sit up, got out of bed, supported himself against the wall, and slowly walked towards the basement door with unsteady steps.

Just then, smelling a faint, delicate fragrance, Wei Mengrou stepped forward and helped the young master walk up the stairs.

Mu Zhian silently glanced at her and said, “Sister Mengrou, I’m very disappointed in you.”

Three days.

Three whole days!

As the maid who should be protecting the young master, she didn’t do anything during these three days, just meditating and cultivating outside the Sword Palace?!

What happened to the promise of protecting the young master’s safety?!

There was no trust left between people.

Wei Mengrou seemed to understand what Mu Zhian meant, glanced at the young master, and sneered, “Wouldn’t you be disappointed if I saved you? You probably wished to be intimate with them, why would you need me to save you?”

Her tone was incredibly cold, her gaze at the young man filled with resentment.

If he didn’t look so weak right now, she would probably throw him back into the basement and let him fend for himself.

“How do you feel after these few days?” Wei Mengrou continued mockingly.

Mu Zhian’s eyes were clear as water. He pressed his palms together and said, “Form is emptiness, emptiness is form. The so-called women, the so-called dual cultivation, are nothing more than this.”

“Besides that? No other thoughts?” Wei Mengrou sneered.

If it were in the past, Mu Zhian would probably say ‘very moisturizing’ or something. However, looking at his current state, he had clearly temporarily lost his worldly desires, becoming a dried salted fish.

Mu Zhian pondered for a moment, then said, “If possible, Sister Mengrou, could you prepare some goji berries, oysters, duck eggs, and leeks for me later? And also buy some Essence Replenishing Pills and Body Strengthening Pills from the auction house…”

Wei Mengrou looked at the young master strangely. Although she wanted to make another sarcastic remark, seeing his ‘exhausted’ appearance, she couldn’t bear it and silently helped him out of the basement.

She hadn’t approached the Sword Palace basement these past three days, and there were female elders from the Sword Palace guarding outside, making it difficult to enter.

Besides, she knew that neither Fairy Yao Meng nor Bai Ruoxi would really go too far… There shouldn’t be any major problems.

However, now it seemed that although the young master was fine, in a sense, his spirit seemed a bit off.

“What exactly happened to you these past few days?” Wei Mengrou finally couldn’t help asking.

“They went too far this time,” the maid added silently, indirectly criticizing Yao Meng and Bai Ruoxi.

Implying, “Only I care about the young master.”

Mu Zhian gently shook his head, looked up at the sunlight streaming through the doorway, and said, “Actually, strictly speaking, they didn’t do anything…”

“Then why are you…” Wei Mengrou trailed off.

Mu Zhian sighed softly, “They just used some tools and inhuman methods. Every time they tried to make me release my essence, they would rewind time with the Principles of Time to a few seconds earlier, repeating this cycle endlessly…”

Wei Mengrou’s eyes held a hint of doubt, and she hesitated, “Then why do you look so exhausted now…?”

Mu Zhian silently looked at her: “Because I haven’t released my essence yet.”

Wei Mengrou was stunned.

After a while, she silently turned her face away, her shoulders trembling, covering her mouth, seemingly trying hard to suppress her laughter.

Mu Zhian silently looked at the maid. For a moment, he seemed to see an innocent and naive girl, not the usually cold and aloof maid.

“Sister Mengrou, aren’t you going to help your young master?”

Mu Zhian held her small hand and pulled her down to sit beside him on the basement steps.

Suddenly having her hand held, Wei Mengrou’s face flushed red. After a slight resistance, she silently lowered her head, tacitly accepting the young master’s action.

After a while, she felt a warm hand sliding up her waist. Her heart skipped a beat, and she snapped out of her daze, “The Palace Master only left temporarily because of some matters in the Sword Palace today. Aren’t you afraid of being seen?”

Mu Zhian looked at her and said softly, “Even if others see, as long as I can hold your hand like this, I’ll die without regrets.”

Wei Mengrou lowered her eyelids, the coldness in her eyes gradually softening, a shy look appearing on her face.

Time passed silently. Mu Zhian seemed to recall something and asked, “Right, where did Yao Meng go?”

“There are some murals left in the Sword Palace, depicting the Calamity Body destroying dynasties. She went to see the murals today,” Wei Mengrou explained.

Although she said that, Mu Zhian knew in his heart that the Jade Empress clearly couldn’t bear to go too far with him, so she was giving him time to ‘rest’.

Just as Mu Zhian thought of this, about to speak again, he faintly heard a pleasant and sweet song.

Mu Zhian reacted almost immediately, subconsciously murmuring, “Lin Ling?”

He glanced at Wei Mengrou. As expected of the woman who understood Mu Zhian the most, she immediately understood, placed a hand on his shoulder, and turned into a streak of light, flying out of the Sword Palace.

After a while, Mu Zhian saw the dazed Miss Spirit Dragon outside the Sword Palace.

She was as elegant, dazed, and beautiful as always. If one ignored her red starry eyes, as pure as rubies, they would involuntarily feel awe towards this Miss Spirit Dragon.

After all, the special aura brought by the immense Luck was truly too astonishing.

“Lin Ling? How did you know I was here?” Mu Zhian asked in surprise.

The moment Lin Ling saw Mu Zhian, she immediately floated to the Sword Palace square and handed him her small notebook.

“I’ve been looking for you for a long time… Also, the Sect Master needs my help?”

Seeing the content in the small notebook, Mu Zhian was stunned and asked, “Help with what?”

One must know, Sect Master Sister was a Dao Integration Realm expert… and she had already deduced destiny in advance, what could he possibly help her with?

“You’re not just hungry and want to eat snacks, so you came looking for me, are you?” Mu Zhian asked suspiciously.

“Aaa…” Lin Ling pecked her head like a little chicken.

She was indeed a bit hungry.

Then, she quickly reacted, her small brows furrowing slightly, unhappy.

She held up her small notebook: “I’m not joking with you, come back to Two Polarities Peak with me.”

“So what exactly are we going back to Two Polarities Peak for…?” Mu Zhian couldn’t help asking.

He was considering whether to tell Yao Meng and Ruoxi. If he left so suddenly… who knew if there would be another round of cun (a unit of measurement, often used euphemistically for ‘a little bit’ of lewdness) games afterward…

However, the next moment, as the content Lin Ling continued writing in her small notebook appeared in his vision, Mu Zhian’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Suppressing Karmic Fire…? Are you talking about Sect Master Sister’s Karmic Fire?”

Countless question marks filled Mu Zhian’s mind.

With Sect Master Sister being such a big shark… couldn’t she calculate when the Karmic Fire would burn and whether she needed his help?

Although he didn’t mind…

But the question now was, where did this Karmic Fire come from?

She had never left Two Polarities Peak, meaning this Karmic Fire should be caused by something related to her happening outside.

What happened recently that could even trigger her Karmic Fire…?

Mu Zhian pondered for a long time, then slightly collected his thoughts and nodded slightly:

“Okay, I’ll go with you to take a look.”