Chapter 42: Sigh, Too Many Villains
The cage created by Lan Mulian shattered, and Mu Zhi’an reappeared in the dimly lit cave.
Lan Mulian looked at the handsome young man. “What happened to the demon?”
“He’s dead,” Mu Zhi’an replied.
He paused, then added, “But not entirely.”
The black-robed man was dead, but his death had summoned the Demon Empress, the ruler of the Demon Realm.
…If he told her that, she probably wouldn’t believe him.
Why would a powerful empress appear in such a remote location? And why would she ask him, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, to join the Two Polarities Sect and spy for her?
…It sounded absurd.
Perhaps it was the “Friend of the Antagonists” achievement. He could only console himself with that thought.
Lan Mulian frowned. “What do you mean?”
His words made no sense. What did he mean by “dead but not entirely”?
“He’s dead, but before he died, he marked me. According to him, I’m now on the Seventh Seat’s hit list.” Mu Zhi’an glanced at the “Friend of the Antagonists” achievement in his status window. The description had changed: Has Gained the Attention of the Demon Empress.
I really don’t want to be a villain… He sighed inwardly, looking at Lan Mulian with pleading eyes. “Senior Sister, what should I do?”
He was asking for her protection.
“If you join the Two Polarities Sect, even the Seventh Seat won’t be able to harm you,” she replied calmly.
She paused, her expression turning serious. “However, the entrance exams are extremely difficult. Only a handful of candidates from each district are accepted. If you don’t cultivate diligently, with your current level, I’m afraid…”
She was urging him to work harder. He possessed decent talent, yet he was still stuck at the third level of Foundation Establishment. It was a shame.
Mu Zhi’an blinked. “The exams are that difficult?”
Lan Mulian nodded.
He fell into deep thought.
“Don’t be discouraged,” she said gently. “Even if you don’t get in this year, you can try again next year. Focus on your cultivation.”
Mu Zhi’an snapped out of his thoughts, shaking his head. “It’s alright, Senior Sister. I’ll get in this year.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Your talent is decent, but it’ll be difficult to pass the exams this year.”
She glanced at Bai Ruoxi, who was also dressed in white, her features delicate and refined. “She should have no problem.”
“I’ll be fine too,” Mu Zhi’an insisted.
Lan Mulian looked at him, then shook her head. “It’s highly unlikely.”
She was one of the examiners, but she couldn’t bend the rules for him, even if they were acquainted.
It was a matter of principle.
“It’s not unlikely,” Mu Zhi’an repeated.
Before she could respond, he explained, “The Mu family has some influence in Tianxuan City. I’ve already been guaranteed a spot in the sect.”
Lan Mulian stared at him, speechless.
He was teasing her. If he’d already secured a spot, why ask so many questions?
“Those cultivators are searching for you. Deal with the rest yourselves. I’ll visit Tianxuan City later,” she said, changing the subject.
As a disciple of the Two Polarities Sect, she couldn’t interfere in worldly affairs.
Mu Zhi’an nodded, his expression turning serious. “Thank you for your help, Senior Sister.”
She nodded curtly, then turned and walked away.
Mu Zhi’an watched her go, his gaze lingering on her graceful figure until she vanished from sight. He then turned to Bai Ruoxi, extending his hand. “Can you walk?”
She nodded weakly, clutching her injured shoulder. She took his hand, using his support to rise to her feet.
Her lips were pale, and her usual aloofness was replaced by a fragility that tugged at his heartstrings.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” he asked, concern lacing his voice.
She shook her head. “I’m fine… The venom hasn’t spread. I should recover in a couple of days.”
“That’s good,” he said, relieved.
He glanced at the cave entrance.
However, returning to the city wouldn’t be easy.
The Heavenly Dao Aura had vanished, and they had disappeared at the same time. Gongsun Xiong and the others weren’t fools. They would suspect them.
There’s going to be a confrontation. He looked towards the entrance, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Bai Ruoxi, watching him, asked softly, “That Senior Sister, what’s your relationship with her?”
Mu Zhi’an snapped out of his thoughts, turning to face her. He smiled. “She’s my Senior Sister. What else could it be?”
“Are you planning to join the Two Polarities Sect?” she asked.
He nodded. “If I want to improve my cultivation, the Two Polarities Sect is the best option. Don’t you want to join as well?”
His initial reason for joining the sect had been to enhance his cultivation. But now… he had another task, a more treacherous one. He had to spy for the Demon Empress. It was a heavy burden.
He hadn’t told anyone about her appearance. He didn’t know the extent of her powers, and it was better to keep this encounter a secret.
Bai Ruoxi, hearing his response, sighed inwardly, relieved. “I was planning to. That’s why I asked.”
Not just her, most of the talented cultivators in Tianxuan City would be attending the entrance exams. As his personal guard, Wei Mengrou would likely participate as well.
However, with her Core Formation cultivation, passing the exams shouldn’t be a problem for her.
She looked at Mu Zhi’an, who had fallen silent. “The black-robed man is dead. Is there something else troubling you?” she asked hesitantly.
Mu Zhi’an blinked, turning to face her. “The landlord is dead, but now they have no common enemy. What do you think will happen?”
She stared at him, speechless.
He grinned, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “They’ll turn on each other. The real fun is about to begin.”
