It turns out, they are the protagonists 92

Chapter 92: I Just Want to Give Every Girl a Warm Home

Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.

Mu Zhi’an sat beneath a large tree in the northwest corner of the Trial Forest, his eyes closed, meditating.

Ye Lingxuan sat beside him, her posture elegant and graceful, her white skin peeking through the folds of her purple dress.

Ye Qian sat beside her sister, her demeanor shy and demure.

Despite the presence of over thirty other candidates in the clearing, a heavy silence hung in the air.

They were all maintaining their distance, their movements quiet and discreet, careful not to disturb Mu Zhi’an’s preparations.

Ye Lingxuan glanced at him, her gaze lingering on his handsome face.

Sunlight illuminated his features, highlighting his high cheekbones and sharp jawline, the wind ruffling his hair. He looked youthful and carefree, just like his usual demeanor.

She wasn’t particularly concerned with appearances. Most women weren’t.

But when talent and charm were combined with good looks, and a knack for saying the right things… it became a powerful advantage.

Mu Zhi’an clearly possessed all of those qualities.

Even though she knew his feelings for her were more than just brotherly, she couldn’t help but feel drawn to him.

Perhaps accepting that snow lotus had been the first step towards falling for him.

He seemed to sense her gaze, opening his eyes and looking at her, his voice a soft murmur in her mind. “Why are you staring at me?”

She quickly looked away, flustered.

But she quickly composed herself, meeting his gaze, her voice a mental whisper. “I have a question, Young Master Mu.”

“Who’s Young Master Mu? I only know Brother Mu,” he replied teasingly.

She bit her lip, then, as if giving up on pretending, she looked at him, her voice soft. “Brother… Brother Mu… The Mu family has a guaranteed spot. Why are you here?”

He met her gaze, his voice a soft murmur in her mind. “What do you think?”

His gentle gaze, she already knew the answer. A wave of shyness washed over her, but it was accompanied by a strange sweetness.

“Is it because of Qian’er?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

He looked at her, his voice soft. “You know who I’m talking about.”

He wasn’t sure about her relationship with her sister. A direct confession might upset her.

But saying it was because of Ye Qian would also upset her.

She was both disappointed and relieved that he hadn’t given her the answer she wanted.

She wasn’t ready. He was so close to Bai Ruoxi. Accepting him would mean accepting her as well.

And Qian’er was so fond of him. To compete with her sister for a man… would she still be the respected elder sister that Qian’er had always looked up to?

“Qian’er seems to like snow lotuses. Perhaps you could give her one. She’ll take better care of it than I would,” she said, her voice a mental whisper.

He nodded, then glanced at Ye Qian, who was leaning against her sister’s shoulder, her eyes closed, seemingly asleep. “Are you jealous?” he asked, his voice teasing.

She rolled her eyes, scoffing. “I’m not that petty. And besides, you’re not anyone special to me.”

The air between them grew heavy.

After a long silence, he sighed.

She looked at him, noticing his downcast eyes, his disappointment. She felt a pang of sympathy and quickly looked away.

The silence stretched, and she finally turned to face him, about to speak, when a rustling sound came from the nearby bushes.

“Your Highness, we’ve found him!” a voice called out.

The peaceful atmosphere shattered.

The candidates, who had been guarding Mu Zhi’an, looked towards the source of the noise.

The Third Prince emerged from the bushes, kicking them aside.

Boom!

His spiritual energy erupted, clearing a path.

Ye Qian, startled awake, looked up to see the prince approaching, his four attendants flanking him.

And from another direction, Gongsun Cheng arrived, accompanied by several cultivators.

Ye Yu, hidden in the shadows, glared at Mu Zhi’an, who was sitting so close to Ye Lingxuan, his jealousy burning.

I have to stay calm. Now’s not the time. I’ll wait for them to attack, then I’ll rescue Qian’er and Lingxuan. That will impress them. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to suppress his impulses.

He was the mantis stalking the cicada, and the oriole was behind him.

He would wait for Mu Zhi’an to be attacked, for his cousins to be in danger, then he would swoop in, a hero saving the day.

His anger subsided, replaced by a cold, calculating anticipation.

The Third Prince approached them, his gaze fixed on Mu Zhi’an and the sisters, a mocking smile on his lips. “Being chased, yet you returned to the same spot, bringing the girls along, flirting with them, relaxing.”

“You truly are carefree, Young Master Mu.”

Mu Zhi’an’s expression shifted, feigning surprise. “Your Highness?!”

He looked at Gongsun Cheng. “You’re here too?!”

Gongsun Cheng simply glared at him, his silence cold and menacing.

Having been outsmarted twice, he had learned his lesson. He wouldn’t fall for Mu Zhi’an’s tricks again.

He would wait for the prince to attack, then he would strike.

The Third Prince looked at the sisters, his gaze lingering on their beauty, then he turned to Mu Zhi’an, his voice cold. “Leave this place in ten breaths, and I’ll spare you.”

Mu Zhi’an’s voice trembled. “Your Highness, Young Master Gongsun, I don’t want to fight you. Can’t we just forget about this?”

It’s too late for apologies… The prince chuckled inwardly, then waved his hand, and his four attendants charged towards Mu Zhi’an.

One of the candidates suddenly stepped forward, blocking their path.

The prince glanced at him, his voice indifferent. “It seems we have a hero among the audience.”

He could sense the presence of other candidates nearby, drawn by the commotion.

But to interfere during the entrance exams, wasn’t that foolish?

To risk failing the exams because of this?

“Don’t hold back. Eliminate them all,” he ordered.

Mu Zhi’an stood up, bowing to the candidates. “Thank you for your assistance. The formation will be ready soon.”

Over thirty candidates activated their spiritual energy simultaneously, a wave of power surging through the clearing, stopping the prince’s attendants in their tracks. They stared at the candidates, their expressions filled with shock and confusion.

Something’s wrong.

They weren’t just spectators… they were Mu Zhi’an’s allies?!

The Third Prince and Gongsun Cheng exchanged a panicked glance.

Ye Yu, who had been ready to intervene, also froze, staring at the candidates, their unity unnerving.

The atmosphere had shifted dramatically…