It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists-Chapter 374: Trading the Innate Celestial Furnace for a Supreme Clarity Pill, A Profitable Deal

In this Ascension Ceremony, Regina, the Holy Maiden of the Southern Wilderness, had fought to the very end. Although she lost to Lan Mulian, it was sufficient.

After all, a Nascent Soul cultivator participating in a competition meant for Core Formation cultivators was a disaster for the latter.

As for Nigati, although he couldn’t participate in the Ascension Ceremony matches, if he could obtain a Rank 8 pill in the alchemy competition… their objective would be partially achieved.

“By the way, Elder, is there any news of Lady Xueyi?” Nigati suddenly asked.

The smile on the elder’s face faded slightly, and he shook his head. “There’s been no news.”

“I thought the commotion in the Abyss earlier was caused by Lady Xueyi, but I later heard it was related to the Demon Empress.”

Nigati pondered, then said softly, “Lady Xueyi left the Southern Wilderness alone to seek a method for ascending to the Transcendence Realm. She’s been gone for tens of thousands of years. The people of our tribe thought she had perished, but unexpectedly, she’s still alive.”

“Lady Xueyi is the strongest god of the Southern Wilderness. She wouldn’t perish so easily… She’s likely trapped somewhere in the Eastern Continent. Our task this time is to find her. As for other matters, we’ll leave them to the three experts.”

The elder seemed to remember something and continued, “By the way, for the competition in three days, if you find it difficult to win, you can add this herb to your cauldron. It will guarantee your victory.”

He took a deep blue flower from his sleeve. An infant’s face seemed to be imprinted on the flower, giving it a rather eerie appearance.

Nigati was stunned. “A Hundred Refinements Flower?”

The Hundred Refinements Flower was a special herb that had undergone a hundred refinements. Adding it to any pill would enhance its spiritual energy and increase its quality by half a rank.

And this half a rank was often enough to determine victory or defeat for high-level alchemists.

“A Rank 8 pill contains an Emperor-grade herb. Only Empress Luo Tan would be willing to offer it as a reward for the alchemy competition. This competition isn’t just for you, but also for the Holy Maiden.”

The elder patted Nigati’s shoulder. “Don’t disappoint me and the Holy Maiden.”

Nigati’s eyes lit up with fervor. He bowed. “I understand!”

…

Mu Zhian slowly opened his eyes, feeling slightly tired, but refreshed.

He glanced at the sleeping Bai Ruoxi, then at the maid behind him, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

There wasn’t just one Chosen One in this world, but without exception, every Chosen One’s path of cultivation was paved with countless stepping stones.

And Mu Zhian was just one of those stepping stones… At least, that’s what he had thought back in Tianxuan City.

However, now it seemed that although he was a stepping stone in the path of the Chosen One, he was the largest one. Therefore, if the Chosen One wanted to continue on their path of cultivation, they would inevitably have to remove this largest obstacle.

For this reason, even if Mu Zhian didn’t provoke them, they would encounter him eventually.

But now, Mu Zhian didn’t feel much about the Chosen Ones.

After all, he had survived when he was alone, let alone now?

After cultivating for so long, although his own realm hadn’t improved much, at least the protagonists around him were all nearing the Nascent Soul realm.

Wei Mengrou was just a step away.

Bai Ruoxi was still a rank away, but she was getting there.

Coupled with her Three-Tailed Fox constitution… If she could obtain the Supreme Clarity Pill, her future would be limitless.

Therefore, it was time for him to make his move.

…

Two days passed uneventfully. Besides helping the ‘protagonists’ around him improve their strength, Mu Zhian spent his time chatting with Yan Ruyu in the Book Pavilion, seeking guidance on alchemy.

“I’ve never seen you interested in alchemy before. Why are you so enthusiastic these past few days? Could it be that you’re also planning to participate in the alchemy competition after the Ascension Ceremony?”

Yan Ruyu, dressed in elegant and luxurious robes that accentuated her mature figure, sat in the side hall, looking at Mu Zhian with a smile.

Her skin was fair and firm, her eyes filled with a gentle light. She was at the peak of her womanhood, exuding a mature charm that young girls lacked.

“There are no requirements for participating in the alchemy competition. After all, the threshold for becoming an alchemist is already very high. I happen to meet the requirements, so I thought I might as well give it a try since I have nothing better to do,” Mu Zhian said with a smile.

He wasn’t supposed to be able to become an alchemist, but his Chaos Body contained the Innate Spiritual Body, which was one of the most suitable constitutions for alchemy.

Yan Ruyu smiled warmly. “That’s a good idea. Participating in the alchemy competition can be considered a form of training.”

“However… besides the alchemy competition, you should also focus on your own cultivation.”

Mu Zhian nodded sincerely. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

After chatting for a while, Mu Zhian suddenly asked, “By the way, Master, you were stuck at the Nascent Soul bottleneck for many years. Have you…?”

“Thanks to the immortal opportunity bestowed by the Jade Empress, I’ve already broken through that bottleneck.”

Yan Ruyu gave him a charming look. “If it weren’t for you, I don’t think the Jade Empress would have bestowed such an opportunity upon the Two Polarities Sect.”

Her expression turned complex.

She had chosen Mu Zhian mainly because of his Innate Celestial Furnace. But Mu Zhian had always been considerate of her, his incompetent teacher…

Yan Ruyu sighed softly. “Thinking about it, I’ve really wronged you. I didn’t choose you solely based on your talent.”

“And I haven’t given you much help. I chose you because of your…”

Before she could finish, Mu Zhian placed his index finger gently on her lips, smiling warmly. “I already know what Master wants to say, even if you don’t say it.”

Yan Ruyu was stunned. “You mean…”

“Perhaps I know everything you know, but I don’t mind,” Mu Zhian smiled.

Yan Ruyu was silent for a moment, then a gentle look appeared in her eyes. She took a simple-looking jade slip from her sleeve.

“This jade slip contains the insights and experiences of many alchemists from the past. You can crush it, and those insights will naturally appear in your mind. However, how much you can learn depends on you.”

Jade slips that could directly transfer memories were extremely rare and difficult to create. Mu Zhian knew its value and immediately bowed. “Thank you, Master!”

Yan Ruyu’s attitude made Mu Zhian feel a little embarrassed. After all, he had benefited so much from her.

But Yan Ruyu wasn’t currently at a bottleneck and didn’t need his help. If she needed him in the future, even if it meant sacrificing himself a little, Mu Zhian wouldn’t mind.

After all, the Peak Masters, especially his Master, had treated him very well, bestowing many favors upon him since he joined the sect.

After talking with Yan Ruyu for a while, Mu Zhian excused himself and left, heading straight for Dexin Courtyard.

Curtains hung from the four corners of the pavilion, blocking the wind. A charcoal fire burned brightly within, dispelling the winter chill.

Inside, Mu Zhian vaguely saw a young woman with a classic, elegant demeanor. She wore a purple dress adorned with colorful patterns.

Mu Zhian concealed his aura and quietly approached Ye Lingxuan from behind. He lifted the curtain and saw her holding a thin book, her cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkling as she stared at the pages.

She looked both embarrassed and engrossed, like she was secretly reading something inappropriate.

Mu Zhian was about to lean closer to see what she was reading so intently, but as he approached, the familiar warmth of his presence startled Ye Lingxuan. She turned abruptly.

Seeing his handsome face, Ye Lingxuan subconsciously moved back, clutching the book, her face flushed red. She looked at Mu Zhian, a mixture of annoyance and nervousness in her eyes. “Brother Mu, why didn’t you say anything when you came over? You scared me.”

Mu Zhian glanced at the book in Ye Lingxuan’s hand, seeing how tightly she held it. He chuckled. “Aren’t you an Innate Spiritual Body? I tried to sneak up on you before, and you always sensed me. Why did I manage to scare you today?”

“And what are you reading so intently?”

Ye Lingxuan glanced at him, blushing, and placed the book on her lap, covering the title. “I won’t tell you.”

“By the way, why are you free to visit me today, Brother Mu? Did you lose interest in Sister Ruoxi and remember me?”

She gave him a meaningful look.

Mu Zhian smiled helplessly. “I just wanted to chat with you. But since you’re not very welcoming, I’ll visit another time.”

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He stood up and turned to leave.

Ye Lingxuan ignored him, turning her head away to maintain her composure.

Seeing that Mu Zhian was actually about to leave, Ye Lingxuan subconsciously bit her lip and gripped the Desolate Time Lock in her sleeve.

The next moment, the Desolate Time Lock transformed into a golden light and shot towards Mu Zhian.

Within seconds, a bound Mu Zhian was tossed back into the pavilion by the Desolate Time Lock.

“Sorry, it seems the Desolate Time Lock doesn’t want Brother Mu to leave so soon,” Ye Lingxuan said with an elegant smile.

She lifted her finger, and the Desolate Time Lock released Mu Zhian.

I’ll pretend I believe that… Mu Zhian leaned closer to Ye Lingxuan and sniffed. “Did you just take a bath? You smell like rose milk.”

Ye Lingxuan’s face flushed crimson. She glared at the teasing young man and changed the subject. “Brother Mu, did you come to see me about the alchemy competition?”

Mu Zhian put his arm around Ye Lingxuan’s slender shoulders, looking at her blushing face, and smiled. “Not just for the alchemy competition. I mainly wanted to see you and Qian’er.”

Ye Lingxuan lowered her eyes, her fingers tracing the cover of the book in her hand. A character, ‘驭’ (yù – manage, control), was faintly visible.

She said softly, “Qian’er has been cultivating diligently ever since she lost in the Ascension Ceremony matches. She should still be in her room.”

She looked at Mu Zhian suspiciously. “Brother Mu, you’re not planning to participate in the alchemy competition just for Sister Ruoxi’s Supreme Clarity Pill, are you?”

“How do you know everything?” Mu Zhian was surprised.

“Because it’s about Brother Mu, so I know a little bit about it,” Ye Lingxuan smiled faintly.

Only at times like this did Ye Lingxuan revert to her usual elegant demeanor, as if she had everything under control.

It seems Lingxuan has her own intelligence network even within the Two Polarities Sect… Mu Zhian thought silently.

The Forbidden Zone’s influence couldn’t reach within the Two Polarities Sect, but they would naturally send people to protect Ye Lingxuan, the beloved daughter of the Forbidden Zone Master. As long as the Forbidden Zone didn’t interfere with the sect’s disciples, the Two Polarities Sect would turn a blind eye.

“Do you know anything about alchemy, Lingxuan?” Mu Zhian asked.

Ye Lingxuan glanced at him. “As expected, Brother Mu is doing this for Sister Ruoxi…”

A pang of jealousy welled up within her.

Before she met Mu Zhian, Ye Lingxuan had always been an elegant and reserved beauty, addressing him politely as Young Master Mu. Even after their relationship was confirmed, she maintained her ladylike demeanor.

However, hearing that Mu Zhian was going through so much trouble for the Supreme Clarity Pill made her inexplicably jealous.

“That’s because Ruoxi needs the Supreme Clarity Pill. If it were you who needed it today, Lingxuan, I would do the same for you,” Mu Zhian said softly, holding her hand.

“That’s what you say, but who knows if it’s true,” Ye Lingxuan muttered, frowning slightly.

However, her beautiful peach blossom eyes sparkled with joy and shyness. Under Mu Zhian’s expectant gaze, she feigned indifference. “Alchemy isn’t difficult to understand. Simply put, it’s about controlling the cauldron, infusing it with your spiritual energy, and adjusting the heat to refine the pill.”

Mu Zhian suddenly realized, “So, the most important aspects of alchemy are the quality of one’s spiritual energy and the ability to control it?”

“It’s a pity I can’t actively use the spiritual energy within my Innate Celestial Furnace. Otherwise, wouldn’t I be able to refine the highest quality pills every time?” Mu Zhian felt a twinge of regret.

“Participating in the alchemy competition on such short notice, it’s unlikely you’ll get a good ranking. Brother Mu, you’re thinking too simply about alchemy.”

Ye Lingxuan paused, then continued, “However, I’m also somewhat interested in the alchemy competition—”

She deliberately drew out her words and glanced at Mu Zhian.

The charcoal fire in the pavilion flickered, catching the light in her long eyelashes and casting a warm glow on her delicate face.

She raised her chin slightly, her beautiful face composed, and continued in a serious tone, “Since Brother Mu also wants to participate in the alchemy competition, why not stay at Dexin Courtyard these next few days? It would be more convenient for us to discuss.”

Mu Zhian looked at her in astonishment.

He hadn’t expected the usually unassuming Lingxuan to have such a domineering side…

After a moment of thought, Mu Zhian nodded, accepting Ye Lingxuan’s suggestion. “You’re right. The alchemy competition is only a few days away. Studying together will be much more effective than me working alone.”

A sweet smile bloomed on Ye Lingxuan’s face, but then she said worriedly, “If Sister Ruoxi finds out that Brother Mu has been with me all this time, will she be angry?”

Mu Zhian shook his head and smiled. “It’s fine. I’ll explain it to her.”

With Ruoxi’s generous heart, she would surely understand.

After all, this alchemy competition was for her Supreme Clarity Pill.

“By the way, there’s something I need to remind you, Brother Mu.”

Ye Lingxuan seemed to remember something. “Even I can’t guarantee victory in the alchemy competition. So, if you plan to participate, you should be prepared.”

“If you really want the Supreme Clarity Pill that much, I’ll also think of a way for you.”

Coming from the Holy Maiden of the Forbidden Zone, these words were quite convincing.

Mu Zhian gently stroked Ye Lingxuan’s hair. “Don’t worry. Whether I win or lose the alchemy competition, I’ll find a way.”

If it meant exchanging his Innate Celestial Furnace for a Supreme Clarity Pill… it didn’t seem like too bad of a deal.