It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists
Chapter 505: Jade Empress Sister, I’m So Sorry…

Repelling the Forbidden Land of Life was a momentous event that shook Cloud Province to its core. This great victory put the Great Peng Emperor in high spirits, and celebrations erupted throughout the imperial palace.

The Forbidden Land of Life, one of the nine Forbidden Lands, operated under different rules and order than anywhere else in the Nine Provinces. Anyone who set foot inside, even Dao Integration Realm experts, risked injury or even death.

Yet, the encroaching ‘rules’ of the Forbidden Land of Life had been repelled by the Cloud Province ruler himself.

This display of power was a potent invigorator, sparking joyous celebrations within the palace and among cultivators throughout Cloud Province.

To commemorate this victory, the Great Peng Emperor declared a palace-wide celebration upon his triumphant return, also taking the opportunity to remind his court that he, and he alone, held true power in Cloud Province.

At that moment, within the Cloud Province imperial palace, magnificent halls stood amidst ancient, towering trees, their branches and leaves radiating a brilliant, otherworldly light.

The ministers, their powerful auras barely contained, celebrated the victory.

“It’s rather strange…we’ve never had any issues with the Forbidden Land of Life before. Why would they suddenly encroach on Cloud Province’s territory?” A minister voiced the question on everyone’s mind.

“Indeed, it’s quite suspicious. The Forbidden Land of Life has always been at peace with Cloud Province. This sudden expansion is truly baffling,” an old woman added, her eyes seeming to shimmer with a faint golden light, a divine aura surrounding her.

The Great Peng Emperor, seated at the head of the table in his black and gold battle armor, surveyed the crowd and said slowly, “I’ve already sent people to investigate discreetly. The Forbidden Land of Life has retreated and won’t be making any more moves anytime soon. There’s no need to worry.”

“If there’s any news, I’ll inform you immediately.”

Hearing this, everyone expressed their relief: “With the Great Peng Emperor’s words, we can rest easy.”

Then, another person suddenly asked, “I wonder how Her Highness the Princess is doing…She didn’t appear during the Forbidden Land of Life incident. Could she have gained some insight into Transcendence?”

The Great Peng Emperor shook his head and chuckled. “Transcendence isn’t so easily achieved. However, since you’re all so concerned about my beloved consort, I’ll personally visit her after the banquet.”

“As for now…” The Great Peng Emperor raised his cup, looking around at the assembled cultivators. “You’ve all worked hard, ministers. Let’s drink to our hearts’ content tonight!”

As his words fell, glasses clinked, and wine splashed.

Meanwhile…

In a quiet courtyard within the palace, the gentle and sensual Princess rested a hand on Mu Zhian’s shoulder, her soft voice, laced with an infinite charm, whispering in his ear.

He was momentarily dazed.

In the dimly lit room, their eyes met. The beautiful woman, dressed in a silver-white gown, her figure as alluring as a ripe peach, gazed at Mu Zhian tenderly, her beautiful eyes filled with affection. A sweet fragrance seemed to emanate from her dress,

a fragrance as intoxicating as the finest wine, making him slightly dizzy just from a whiff.

“Your Highness…what did you mean just now?” It took a moment for Mu Zhian to snap out of his daze and compose himself enough to ask. A premonition settled in his gut.

The Princess didn’t answer directly. Her sexy, alluring red lips parted slightly as she asked a seemingly unrelated question, “Do you know why so many people secretly pursued me in the past?”

Even the Great Peng Emperor hadn’t taken a wife in thousands of years for this Princess, hoping to make their relationship official. He didn’t just want to be seen as a loving couple; he wanted to become true Dao Companions with the Princess.

“Because of Your Highness’s breathtaking beauty?” Mu Zhian ventured.

“Smooth talker. You’re just good at making girls happy,” the Princess said, shooting him a playful glare.

Even her annoyed look was as alluring as a coquettish girl’s, filled with endless charm. Truly a seductive wife.

“I really don’t know…If not for your beauty, then why?” Mu Zhian asked, feigning helplessness, his eyes full of sincerity.

“The Great Dao,” the Princess revealed, not bothering with pretense.

She clasped her hands gently before her soft, ample bosom and said softly, “I was born connected to the Great Dao. Those who know this secret all speculate that they might be able to communicate with the Great Dao through me.”

“Do you know the relationship between the Great Dao and the three Daos of Heaven, Earth, and Human?”

Mu Zhian shook his head, asking humbly, “Please enlighten me, Your Highness.”

“The three Daos of Heaven, Earth, and Human are the inevitable choices for all cultivators. After choosing one Dao to resonate with, they can achieve Dao Integration.”

“But besides these, there’s another Dao that transcends all things in the universe. It never interferes in the disputes between cultivators, unless someone poses a threat to the universe’s destruction. Otherwise, it won’t intervene.”

The Princess gazed into Mu Zhian’s eyes and said softly, “That is the Great Dao.”

The ancients often said the Great Dao was merciless. Mu Zhian hadn’t understood its meaning in the past, but after hearing the Princess’s explanation, he suddenly understood a bit more.

Simply put, the three Daos of Heaven, Earth, and Human together established the rules of heaven and earth that restricted cultivators. Because there were living beings, there were the three Daos.

And the Great Dao… as long as the universe didn’t perish, the Great Dao wouldn’t disappear.

If the three Daos existed because of living beings, then the Great Dao existed because of the universe.

“The Great Dao emphasizes following the natural order…Every tens of thousands of years, a being connected to it might be born.”

“You’ve heard of the Spirit Dragon of the Two Polarities Sect, haven’t you?”

Heard of her? She’s my wife… Mu Zhian nodded demurely. “Senior Spirit Dragon is in my sect. I’ve indeed heard of her.”

“My situation is similar to hers,” the Princess said. “However, she is a creation beloved by the Great Dao, while I am innately connected to it.”

“So, what does this have to do with the Jade Empress…?” Mu Zhian hesitated.

The Princess raised an eyebrow, giving him a pointed look.

Did he really not understand, or was he feigning ignorance?

She had already hinted so clearly, did he still not understand her meaning?

The Princess’s eyes flickered, and she was about to speak.

Just then, a look of realization appeared on Mu Zhian’s face, and he asked in surprise, “Could it be that Your Highness can help others connect with the Great Dao?”

“I can help you connect with the Great Dao, but whether you can obtain its recognition depends on your own luck.” The Princess’s voice was tinged with regret. “The Great Dao favors those blessed with luck. It’s a pity the Spirit Dragon has been in seclusion in the Two Polarities Sect for thousands of years due to the Karmic Fire. Otherwise, with her luck, if you chose the Great Dao for your Soul Transformation, it wouldn’t reject you.”

“I have to try to know…What should I do to connect with the Great Dao?” Mu Zhian asked.

“I said it before, the method is actually very simple…but it might wrong the Jade Empress.” The Princess’s gaze, gentle and alluring, drifted towards Mu Zhian.

“Can we try now?” Mu Zhian asked.

A gentle, all-encompassing smile spread across the Princess’s face. “If you wish, naturally.”

“Close your eyes.”

Holy crap, really? Here in the palace?

This is…too exciting!

Sensing the tenderness in the woman’s eyes, Mu Zhian realized she wasn’t joking. His heart skipped a beat.

“Your Highness, how about we wait until we return to Yu State—”

Before Mu Zhian could finish, the Princess gently covered his eyes with her veil.

At the moment his vision was obscured, soft lips pressed against his.

The cool touch momentarily short-circuited his brain.

He never expected this reserved and gentle Princess to do this with him in the Great Peng Emperor’s palace…

Speaking of which, why cover my eyes? Is she worried I’ll see her shy expression…? Mu Zhian wondered.

But the thought quickly vanished as he lost himself in the thrill of the moment, his arms wrapping around the Princess’s soft, voluptuous waist, pulling her close.

The Princess’s body trembled slightly. She was initially overcome with shyness, but the scent of the young man’s warmth, the faint sounds of celebration from the ministers in the palace drifting in on the air, ignited an inexplicable excitement within her.

She removed the veil from Mu Zhian’s eyes, her own eyes fluttering closed as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, a look of pure bliss on her face.

Mu Zhian lowered his head slightly, his heart stirred by the shy blush on the beautiful woman’s face in his arms. He held her tighter, savoring the intimacy.

Rumble…

After a while, a thunderous boom echoed through Mu Zhian’s mind.

Darkness consumed him.

Then, a white light pierced through the void.

Mu Zhian found himself no longer in the room, but seemingly floating in the starry expanse of the cosmos.

An inexplicable awe filled him.

The Great Dao!

“I’ve actually seen the Great Dao…?”

Astonishment flooded Mu Zhian’s mind. He looked around, confirming that he was indeed in the universe.

Undoubtedly, the Great Dao was within this universe, though unseen and intangible.

Yet, its presence could be felt.

No wonder the Great Peng Emperor was so obsessed with the Princess. It wasn’t just her beauty, but also her body…or rather, her innate connection to the Great Dao.

However, his spiritual sense here was faint and weak, unable to remain for long…

Just a kiss with the Princess, and he could see the Great Dao…

Then, if he went further with her…

Even Mu Zhian couldn’t help but be excited by the possibilities.

“Mmm~”

Just then, he heard the Princess’s soft, melodious voice.

His vision blurred, and he found his spiritual sense back in the room. The Princess nestled in his arms, her eyes still closed, seemingly still lost in the afterglow of their intimacy.

A brief silence fell upon the room, the faint sounds of the celebratory banquet next door filtering through the walls.

After a moment, the Princess opened her eyes, moist with passion, and gazed at him tenderly. “Do you understand now?”

“…Yes.”

Mu Zhian was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly.

“Aren’t you worried I’m only after the Great Dao?” he suddenly asked.

The Princess simply smiled gently and shook her head. “You wouldn’t.”

She slowly caressed Mu Zhian’s handsome face. “Your eyes, your body, they don’t lie.”

She was right…Mu Zhian was indeed surprised and even envious when he saw the Great Dao, as it was related to whether he could comprehend it during his Soul Transformation.

However…the moment he left the Great Dao, his attention was immediately drawn back to the beautiful woman in his arms.

Bang!

Fireworks exploded in the night sky outside, signaling the end of the banquet.

The Princess’s beautiful face, illuminated by the fireworks, was bright and captivating.

“Want to experience it again?” she whispered suddenly.

Mu Zhian was taken aback.

She smiled seductively, leaning close to his ear, and whispered in a sweet, sensual voice, “Then focus only on me, lose yourself in me, and…”

“Let’s keep this our little secret from your Jade Empress Sister~”

Hearing her sweet, melting voice, Mu Zhian’s heart rippled, and he pulled her slender waist closer.

But before he could make another move, the Princess raised a finger to her lips, shushing him.

Before Mu Zhian could react, he heard the Princess’s usual gentle and calm voice, “Is there something you need, Great Peng Emperor?”

Great Peng Emperor…?

The Great Peng Emperor is here?!

Mu Zhian froze, then quickly reacted, instinctively concealing his aura.

But then, noticing the formations within the room, he chuckled self-deprecatingly and released his concealed aura.

The Princess was the Daughter of the Great Dao. With her formations, as long as no one outside deliberately scanned the room with their spiritual sense, they wouldn’t be able to sense that a little cultivator was spending the night with the Princess in her room.

“I heard my beloved consort has gained some new insights these past few days. Could it be that you’ve touched upon the Dao of Transcendence?”

Hearing the voice from outside, the Princess simply winked playfully at Mu Zhian.

“I did have some insights, otherwise, I wouldn’t have been in seclusion these past few days…I apologize for causing you so much trouble,” she replied in her usual gentle voice.

“I’ve suppressed the Forbidden Land of Life, there’s no need for my beloved consort to worry…But how exactly did you gain insight into the Dao of Transcendence?” The Great Peng Emperor finally asked the question he was most concerned about.

“Mmm…I happened to absorb some Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy in Yu State a few days ago, hence the insights,” the Princess said.

“I see…”

The man outside nodded thoughtfully. “As for Mu Zhian, when does my beloved consort plan to have someone send him back?”

It wasn’t like he hadn’t come into contact with Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy before. If that little bit of Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy was enough for Transcendence, he would have transcended long ago and wouldn’t have risked going to the Forbidden Land of Life to search for Immortal Medicine.

The Princess gazed at Mu Zhian seductively, stood on tiptoes, lightly kissed his cheek, then gave him a captivating smile that made his heart flutter. “I’ve already found the Cloud Smoke Willow. I’ll have someone handle Mu Zhian.”

“If there’s nothing else, you can go attend to your duties~”

…