It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists-Chapter 339: Project: Furnace Expansion

Ye Qingxin’s seductive gaze softened as she looked at him. “I was just joking,” she chuckled. “Even without your Innate Celestial Furnace’s energy, my consciousness can last for centuries in the Nine Realms.”

“If you need anything, you can find me on the southern bank. But with the Jade Empress personally guiding your cultivation, I doubt you’ll need my help.”

“You’re too kind, Senior. Everyone’s cultivation path is different. And you’ve been to the Heavenly Court… I’m quite interested in it, to be honest.”

Unlike Ye Yu, who didn’t appreciate his ancestor’s help, Mu Zhi’an wouldn’t let go of such a valuable connection.

If he and Ye Qingxin were closer, he would gladly become her loyal follower.

Ye Qingxin smiled faintly and nodded.

“You’re practically a member of the Ye family now. And our agreement won’t be fulfilled until you reach Soul Transformation. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

His respectful demeanor contrasted sharply with Ye Yu’s, making her feel even more favorably towards him.

“Thank you, Senior!”

Then, remembering her earlier words, Mu Zhi’an asked, “Aren’t you planning to stay at Dexin Courtyard, Senior?”

“There’s a special formation on the southern bank that can nourish my consciousness,” Ye Qingxin explained with a smile.

“The Pill Emperor of Yu State also sent a wisp of her consciousness down. Sect Master Shang must have prepared that formation in advance.”

Sect Master Shang again… Did she know Ye Qingxin would descend…?

Mu Zhi’an didn’t press further. “If you need anything, Senior, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’m eternally grateful for the Heaven-Asking Lock and your guidance for my younger sisters. I’m willing to do anything for you.”

This young man, despite his fickle nature, is far more capable and resourceful than Ye Yu. If it weren’t for the other consciousness residing within his Innate Celestial Furnace, I would be willing to protect him and… nourish my consciousness with his energy… Ye Qingxin thought, looking at the polite and respectful young man.

He had been so magnanimous, even after she had sided with Ye Yu against him.

She felt a warmth in her heart.

“You’ve done so much for Ye Yu, Senior. He’s truly ungrateful,” Mu Zhi’an sighed softly. “By the way, Lingxuan and Qian’er have been having some trouble with their cultivation. If you’re free, you could visit Dexin Courtyard. Sister Siyu is also there.”

Ye Qingxin didn’t refuse, her eyes downcast in thought.

Mu Zhi’an waited patiently.

“Alright,” she finally replied.

He smiled brightly. “I’m practically a Ye family member now. Can I ask for your guidance in the future, Senior?”

He knew she wouldn’t refuse.

However, Ye Qingxin looked up at him, her eyes meeting his, and leaned closer, whispering in his ear, her voice soft and seductive, “I’m afraid you want to ask me about more than just cultivation, don’t you?”

…

Ye Qingxin’s words were a clear invitation. Mu Zhi’an understood her intentions. However, he feigned surprise.

“You’re joking, Senior. Although I’m fond of the Jade Empress and Ruoxi, I wouldn’t betray them,” he said, his expression a mix of surprise and helplessness.

“Although my words might not be convincing… I’m not that kind of person.”

His sincere tone dispelled the last of her wariness.

She had initially suspected him of manipulating the situation with Ye Yu. However, his behavior towards her was undeniable. She should be thanking him.

But then, another question arose… Why was he so friendly towards her? Her earlier words had been a test.

“I’ll do my best to find a way to extend your consciousness, Senior. I swear,” Mu Zhi’an said.

If I can’t find another way, then ‘dual cultivation’ will be inevitable…

Ye Qingxin chuckled. “I was just joking. My consciousness can last for centuries.”

“If you need anything, you can find me on the southern bank. But with the Jade Empress guiding you, I doubt you’ll need my help.”

“Everyone’s path is different, Senior. And you’ve been to the Heavenly Court… I’m quite interested in it.” Unlike Ye Yu, he wouldn’t let go of this valuable connection.

Ye Qingxin smiled and nodded. “You’re practically a Ye family member now. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.” His respectful demeanor contrasted sharply with Ye Yu’s.

“Thank you, Senior!”

“Aren’t you planning to stay at Dexin Courtyard?” Mu Zhi’an asked.

“There’s a special formation on the southern bank,” Ye Qingxin explained. “The Pill Emperor is also here. Sect Master Shang must have prepared it.”

Sect Master Shang again… Did she know…?

“If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’m grateful for the Heaven-Asking Lock and your guidance for my sisters,” Mu Zhi’an said.

This young man is far more capable than Ye Yu. If it weren’t for the other consciousness in his Innate Celestial Furnace… Ye Qingxin thought.

She felt a warmth in her heart, touched by his magnanimity. She chatted with him for a while longer, then left.

Mu Zhi’an watched her leave, a hint of regret in his eyes. If only the Primordial Witch’s consciousness were still in Mengrou’s body, Ye Qingxin could have entered my Innate Celestial Furnace… He would have to find another way.

He glanced at the brightly lit room where Ye Lingxuan and Ye Qian were staying, then hesitated.

He had come to Dexin Courtyard to appease them, but Lingxuan was still angry. She might attack him with the Desolate Time Lock.

However, he still went to their door and knocked.

No response.

After a while, he sighed inwardly.

He could sense they were inside, but they didn’t want to see him.

It was to be expected. After all, Senior Sister Lan had just… made a move on him.

Sometimes, he didn’t need to see them to appease them…

Meanwhile, inside the room, Ye Qian looked out the window, watching Mu Zhi’an leave.

“He’s gone, Sister,” she said, turning to Ye Lingxuan.

“Let him go,” Ye Lingxuan replied calmly.

She wasn’t truly angry with him. After all, it was Senior Sister Lan who had kissed him. He hadn’t done anything.

“Should we call him back?” Ye Qian asked softly.

“You have a match tomorrow. You should rest… He’ll be fine,” Ye Lingxuan said. “Senior Sister Lan’s younger sister is also at the seventh-grade Core Formation Realm. And although she doesn’t have a special constitution, she’s dangerous. Be careful.”

Ye Qian’s eyes were filled with disappointment, but she nodded. “I understand…”

“I’ll go back to my room now, Sister.”

Ye Lingxuan smiled faintly. “Go ahead.”

However, as Ye Qian turned to leave, her smile faltered.

She also wanted to see Brother Mu… but she wouldn’t open the door for him, even if he came. She was still ‘angry’.

“Sister, look! There’s a letter!”

Ye Qian picked up two jade bottles and a letter from the doorway.

“It must be from Brother Mu. Do you want to read it?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with surprise and delight.

Ye Lingxuan’s eyes flickered. She wanted to see what he had written, but noticing her sister’s excitement, she maintained her composure.

“Just leave it there. I’ll read it later.”

Ye Qian placed the letter on the table, weighing it down with the pills Mu Zhi’an had given her, then she glanced at its contents, a sweet smile curving her lips.

After she left, Ye Lingxuan got up and picked up the letter.

“Lingxuan, I know you’re still angry. Although I lost today, I’ll be cheering for you. It’s cold tonight, so dress warmly. There are some pills in this bottle that will help regulate your Vessel. Take care…”

It was a short letter, signed ‘Mu Zhi’an’.

Ye Lingxuan, her beautiful eyes filled with warmth, carefully folded the letter and held it close to her heart.

“Brother Mu…”

She put the letter away, her gaze lingering on the jade bottle containing the pills, her feet, clad in delicate embroidered shoes, swinging gently, her eyes sparkling with joy.

…

That night.

In a hall on the southern bank, Xiao Hua slowly opened his eyes.

Remembering what had happened in the Jade Glass Palace today, and his sister’s behavior towards Mu Zhi’an, a nameless rage burned within him.

The way Mu Zhi’an had looked at Xiao Shuixian… like a predator eyeing its prey.

He was a powerful being in his past life, yet he had to watch helplessly as his sister was being seduced by Mu Zhi’an?

And this Mu Zhi’an, he already had the Jade Empress, yet he wasn’t satisfied… Wasn’t he afraid of angering her?

Xiao Hua’s anger intensified, but he had to be patient.

“I can’t confront him directly. He has the Jade Empress’s backing…”

“But… what about an indirect approach?”

Although his current strength was a fraction of his past life’s, he still remembered the techniques he had mastered.

Dealing with a Core Formation cultivator should be easy.

Mu Zhi’an had protectors, but the Jade Empress couldn’t be with him all the time.

He remembered a secret technique from his past life. With the right materials, he could create a ‘Nightmare’ that could devour a person’s dreams, trapping them in an endless slumber.

But first, he needed to refine the pills required to control the Nightmare…

He left the hall, preparing to gather the ingredients.

“Where are you going so late at night?”

A cold, clear voice suddenly came from behind him. He turned around and saw Xiao Shuixian, her figure alluring in her gray robe, approaching.

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“Sister…”

He almost blurted out the word, then quickly calmed himself down, suppressing his excitement. “What are you doing here, Sister? Are you here to see Her Majesty…?”

“And it’s so late. Are you just returning?”

“I just met a friend and chatted for a while,” Xiao Shuixian replied calmly.

Unlike her gentle demeanor towards Mu Zhi’an earlier, her tone was cold and distant, as if she was deliberately maintaining her image.

Just chatted? If you weren’t already close, you would have stayed there for the night!

She didn’t want him to know she had been with Mu Zhi’an, enjoying his company… This secrecy infuriated Xiao Hua.

“Mu Zhi’an is not a good person. I saw you talking to him earlier today. Don’t be fooled by his appearance,” he said seriously, his tone condescending.

“Although you’re a prodigy of Yu State, you’re still naive when it comes to judging people’s character.”

“Has Young Master Mu done anything wrong?” Xiao Shuixian asked, her brow furrowed slightly.

She was annoyed by his condescending tone. He had never spoken to her like this before.

And Mu Zhi’an hadn’t done anything wrong. He had even given her a pill out of concern. He didn’t seem like a bad person at all.

Xiao Hua was at a loss for words.

What wrong has he done…? It would be too late if he waited for him to actually do something.

But he couldn’t think of anything specific…

Xiao Shuixian looked at him with suspicion. “You’ve been acting strange these past two days,” she said softly.

He had never spoken to her like this before…

Xiao Hua quickly reacted. “I’m just worried… That Mu Zhi’an is involved with so many girls. I don’t want you to get hurt, Sister.”

Xiao Shuixian’s expression softened slightly. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing,” she said.

Then, she asked casually, “Where are you going?”

“I have a match tomorrow. I want to refine a pill and stabilize my cultivation, to increase my chances of winning,” Xiao Hua replied.

He knew she had given him her spot in the Ascension Ceremony. His words were meant to improve their relationship.

After all, they rarely talked, and the original owner of this body had always kept his feelings hidden.

This wasn’t conducive to winning her over.

He had to find common ground, perhaps even ask her for guidance on his cultivation…

However, Xiao Shuixian stared at him in disbelief. “You’re refining pills…?”

“So the pill tribulation I saw yesterday… was it you?”

Noticing her surprise, Xiao Hua smiled faintly and nodded. “I needed a certain pill, so I gathered the ingredients and refined it.”

He enjoyed her astonishment, but maintained a calm demeanor. “By the way, who were you visiting tonight, Sister?”

Xiao Shuixian’s gray robe billowed in the wind, clinging to her alluring figure. She looked at him with a complex expression, then shook her head gently. “It’s nothing…”

Mu Zhi’an was right…

With his weak consciousness, Xiao Hua shouldn’t be able to refine pills. Then how…?

What happened to him?

A deep suspicion grew within her heart.

She was about to probe him further when a powerful pill tribulation suddenly descended upon the hall.

Their faces paled, and Xiao Shuixian instantly recognized the aura. “Is Her Majesty refining a pill?”

But why would she be refining a pill now…?

After a moment of surprise, she calmed down, glanced at Xiao Hua, shook her head inwardly, and went to a secluded chamber to cultivate.

She would observe him more closely. Simply asking him might not be enough.

…

As Xiao Shuixian was becoming suspicious of her brother, Mu Zhi’an had just returned to his room and was healing his injuries.

“Ruoxi has a match tomorrow. I’ll visit her after her match… As for Mengrou… I want to… punish her, but Yao Meng will probably come to see me soon. I should be more discreet,” he thought as he meditated.

As expected, after about an hour, he sensed a familiar aura.

“How’s your cultivation going?”

Yao Meng’s clear, melodious voice echoed in his ears, and he opened his eyes, seeing the beautiful fairy in her green dress.

“Jade Empress…” He was about to speak, but she placed a finger on his lips, silencing him.

“No need to explain. I know everything.”

Her green eyes twinkled with amusement. “After all, I resided within your body for a while.”

Mu Zhi’an was silent.

Indeed, among all the girls, Yao Meng was the one who knew him best.

“I have something for you.”

Under his curious gaze, she raised her hand, and a pill, emitting a strong medicinal fragrance, appeared in her palm.

“What’s this…?” Mu Zhi’an asked instinctively.

Yao Meng looked at him intently. “The Dao Heart Pill.”

“Consuming it will further expand your Innate Celestial Furnace.”

Expand my Innate Celestial Furnace?!

“Where did you get this, my love?” Mu Zhi’an asked, his heart pounding with excitement.

His Innate Celestial Furnace could barely accommodate a Dao Integration consciousness. This Dao Heart Pill could actually make it evolve further… How much effort had she put into this?

However, Yao Meng simply said calmly, “Don’t worry about that. Just take it.”

She looked up at him, her lips curving into a seductive smile. “After all, it’s for you. You won’t refuse, will you?”

I thought she would be angry about Senior Sister’s actions, but it seems I was wrong…

She’s so generous…

“In that case…” Mu Zhi’an reached for the pill.

However, Yao Meng pulled it back.

Then, under his gaze, she placed the pill between her lips, her eyes filled with a playful seduction.

Her actions spoke louder than words.

Mu Zhi’an gently pushed her onto the bed, his hand on her shoulder.

Then, he leaned down and… savored the pill.