It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Ye Manor.

In the depths of the night, while most were soundly asleep, a single room remained illuminated by flickering candlelight.

Inside, a young man with delicate features slowly opened his eyes.

He circulated his spiritual energy, taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly.

A triumphant smile spread across his face as he whispered, “Peak Qi Condensation!”

In just a few short months, he had gone from a cripple to the pinnacle of Qi Condensation.

His progress had astonished everyone in the Ye clan, from his cousins and parents to the elders. They all looked at him with newfound respect.

However, this time, he wouldn’t let his success go to his head.

His time as a “cripple” had tempered his once-impulsive nature, instilling a newfound calmness within him.

He had to defeat Mu Zhi’an. Only then could he truly soar. Ye Yu clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with determination.

“Reaching Foundation Establishment in two days might be impossible, but with my trump cards, even fighting someone a realm above me shouldn’t be a problem.”

Mu Zhi’an might be at Foundation Establishment, but years of indulging in pleasure had weakened him.

Despite his higher cultivation, his true strength was likely comparable to his own.

“Just you wait, Ruoxi,” Ye Yu thought to himself.

After he soundly defeated Mu Zhi’an in two days at the Dragon Head Forest, she would regret her decision.

Remembering the humiliation of being rejected at the Bai Manor, the way she had looked at Mu Zhi’an, the coldness she had shown him after all his efforts to win her over, a wave of jealousy washed over him.

He might be able to maintain a calm facade in front of others, but seeing the woman he loved favoring that playboy was a bitter pill to swallow.

But it would all be over soon…

With this… Tianxuan City was merely his starting point.

He looked at the “Heavenly Dao Aura” swirling in his hand, his eyes filled with confidence.

According to the old man residing within his body, the Heavenly Dao Aura was a fragment of energy left behind by an ascended cultivator.

Each aura possessed unique abilities.

His granted him the ability to constantly refine and absorb spiritual energy from his surroundings.

And by actively utilizing it, he could accelerate the refinement process, boosting his cultivation speed.

It was the Heavenly Dao Aura that had allowed him to reclaim his status as a genius within the Ye family.

Unfortunately, the old man was currently slumbering. He would only awaken once Ye Yu reached Foundation Establishment.

If the old man were awake, defeating Mu Zhi’an would be child’s play.

Ye Yu collected himself, sat cross-legged on his bed, and took out the Heavenly Dao Aura. Closing his eyes, he resumed his cultivation.

…

Meanwhile, back at the Mu Manor, Mu Zhi’an returned late at night. He handed the Beast King Vine to Wei Mengrou for safekeeping, instructing her to give it to Elder Ren in the morning.

As he was heading to his room, he saw Bai Ruoxi standing in the courtyard.

She stood bathed in moonlight, her fair skin glowing, her beauty ethereal.

The sadness in her eyes, the weight of her burdens, made her seem even more delicate and alluring.

In just a few days, her family had been struck by misfortune. Her mother was a suspected traitor, her father gravely injured, and she couldn’t even return home.

It was as if the weight of the world had fallen upon her slender shoulders, leaving her exhausted both physically and emotionally. She had lain awake in the unfamiliar bed, unable to sleep.

The Bai family had once been so prosperous.

She had walked the streets surrounded by admirers… Now, while some still sought her favor, jealous gossips whispered behind her back.

When they were wealthy, they had called her aloofness “refined elegance.” Now, they called it “pretentious” and “fake.”

In every era, there were those who reveled in the misfortune of others.

Seeing someone else succeed was more painful than experiencing their own failures… That was the nature of envy.

Bai Ruoxi, clad in her white dress, looked up at the moon, a sigh escaping her lips as she thought about everything that had happened.

She felt a warmth on her shoulders and turned to see a light blue cloak draped over her.

“Young Master Mu?” she gasped, surprised to see him standing behind her.

He smiled gently. “It’s getting cold. You should dress warmly.”

Bai Ruoxi looked at him, her eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and sadness. “Thank you”

She hesitated, then added, “But Foundation Establishment cultivators can easily dispel chills with their spiritual energy”

Mu Zhi’an placed a finger on her lips, silencing her. He chuckled. “Don’t ruin the mood, Miss Bai.”

She fell silent.

Normally, she would have teased him back. But tonight, weighed down by her worries, she wasn’t in the mood for banter.

“I found the Beast King Vine,” Mu Zhi’an said suddenly.

Bai Ruoxi’s response was a distracted hum.

Then, realization dawned, and her eyes widened. She looked up at him. “What did you say?!”

The Beast King Vine was a rare herb that only grew near the Two Polarities Sect. She knew he had gone out, but she hadn’t expected him to search for the vine.

And he’d actually found it?!

“I’ve given it to Mengrou. We’ll go to the auction house tomorrow to gather the remaining ingredients. Then, Elder Ren can concoct the medicine for your father,” Mu Zhi’an continued.

Bai Ruoxi stared at him, her lips parted, her eyes blinking rapidly as she processed this information.

Finally, she seemed to recover. “Young Master Mu… is this… is this true?”

She looked up at him, her eyes, which had been dull with despair, now sparkling with hope. Her ample bosom heaved as she took a deep breath.

Mu Zhi’an looked at her, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Why would I lie to you, Miss Bai?”

She stood there in silence for a moment, then a smile bloomed on her face. “You’re right. Forgive me. I was… overwhelmed.”

It was true. There was no reason for him to lie. The truth would be revealed tomorrow.

“Go get some rest, Miss Bai. We’ll head to the auction house early tomorrow. I need to gather a few more ingredients,” Mu Zhi’an said, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.

Bai Ruoxi nodded, fighting to contain her joy. She turned and headed towards her room.

She paused at the doorway and looked back at him, her expression sincere. “Thank you, Young Master Mu. I won’t forget this kindness. I’ll repay you, I promise.”

“I believe you, Miss Bai,” Mu Zhi’an replied, smiling.

He did believe her.

The last time she’d pleaded with him in the carriage, her tone had been laced with a hint of insincerity. But this time, she was genuine.

The reason was obvious. It was due to their interactions these past few days and the hardships she had endured.

At this point, the outcome of his duel with Ye Yu was irrelevant.

Ye Yu had already lost.

He might still be the protagonist… but Bai Ruoxi was no longer the female lead.

The focus now wasn’t on Ye Yu, but on…

“Bandit suppression.”

Suppressing the black-robed “bandit.”

As he watched Bai Ruoxi disappear into her room, Mu Zhi’an turned to leave.

A figure emerged from the shadows.

It was one of his spies.

“What is it?” Mu Zhi’an asked.

“Young Master, the First Elder requests your presence in the secret chamber,” the spy replied respectfully.