Chapter 3: The Ally of a Villain is Also a Villain
“I miscalculated! I didn’t expect ‘Inborn Celestial Vessel’ to mean this…” Mu Zhi’an stared at the description next to the title on the interface, speechless.
In the world of Xianxia, the Dantian was like a cauldron, a furnace within a cultivator’s body. Cultivators absorbed spiritual energy from the heavens and earth into their Dantian.
However, Mu Zhi’an’s body was naturally a vessel. In other words, some cultivators could use him as a cauldron, absorbing the spiritual energy within his Dantian for their own use.
This was an incredibly rare and valuable asset.
“This vessel secret must be kept hidden” Mu Zhi’an immediately came to this conclusion.
His existence was akin to a priceless treasure. If someone were to discover his true nature, even as the young master of the Mu family, he would never sleep soundly again.
Pushing these thoughts aside for the moment, Mu Zhi’an walked over to a bookshelf and pulled out a thin booklet.
As one of the most powerful families in Tianxuan City, the Mu family naturally possessed a wealth of knowledge. Information that was impossible to find elsewhere could be unearthed within the walls of the Mu Manor.
The booklet in Mu Zhi’an’s hand contained stories about the Two Polarities Sect. Since he was planning to attend the entrance examination in a few days, it wouldn’t hurt to familiarize himself with the sect beforehand.
Mu Zhi’an pulled up a chair by the window and sat down, the gentle autumn rain creating a hazy backdrop. Outside, leaves fell from the trees, adding to the desolate atmosphere.
The young man, with his jet-black hair and pale, almost sickly complexion, possessed a strikingly handsome face. He held the booklet in his hand, leaning back in his chair, his head slightly bowed as he read. He looked every bit the scholarly gentleman.
“…Millennia ago, the Two Polarities Sect was once led by an Empress. She resonated with the Heavenly Dao, stepped into the Dao Integration Realm, ascended, and became an immortal, leaving an indelible mark on history. Legend has it that the Empress exists in harmony with heaven and earth, transcending the mortal realm. As such, she no longer directly governs the Two Polarities Sect. With such a powerful being safeguarding the sect, it’s no wonder the Two Polarities Sect remains a coveted destination for aspiring cultivators…”
Mu Zhi’an couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion as he read the description.
A Dao Integration Realm expert watching over the Two Polarities Sect, even if her current status was unknown, was enough to make countless geniuses yearn to join.
Moreover, in this chaotic world, the Two Polarities Sect was a sanctuary. Once within its gates, cultivators no longer had to fear their enemies.
No one dared to even think about harming anyone within the sect.
The Two Polarities Sect had faced countless challenges in the past, but all those who dared to threaten it were swiftly dealt with upon setting foot within its boundaries.
This included even the most fearsome rogue cultivators.
After skimming through the booklet, Mu Zhi’an looked up at the rain outside the window and murmured, “The Two Polarities Sect, with its profound heritage. I’ll see it for myself when the entrance examination begins.”
He was actually quite interested in cultivation.
As he pondered this, something in the courtyard outside caught his eye—a “creature” gliding through the air.
It resembled a butterfly, flapping its papery wings as it danced gracefully in the rain. If one didn’t look closely, they might mistake it for an ordinary butterfly.
“A butterfly… No, a paper crane?”
Mu Zhi’an’s gaze sharpened. He reached out with his index finger, and the paper crane, as if pulled by an invisible string, flew towards him and landed gently on his fingertip.
Strangely, despite the rain, the paper crane remained completely dry.
“How peculiar. This paper crane seems to be imbued with spiritual energy. There shouldn’t be any cultivators of that level in Tianxuan City”
Mu Zhi’an muttered to himself. He carefully unfolded the paper crane and examined the message written inside.
The message read like the heartfelt outpouring of a sheltered young lady from a powerful family. It spoke of her longing for freedom, her desire to break free from the confines of her home and explore the world. She yearned to leave, but worried about the pain it would cause her family.
As for how the paper crane ended up here… it could only be attributed to fate.
The paper crane wasn’t specifically heading towards Mu Zhi’an. It just happened to be passing by when he intercepted it.
Mu Zhi’an pondered for a moment, then picked up a calligraphy brush, dipped it in ink, and penned a thoughtful reply on the back of the message. He then carefully folded the paper back into the shape of a crane and tossed it out the window.
As if possessing a mind of its own, the paper crane flapped its paper wings and soared into the sky, disappearing from view.
Mu Zhi’an set down the brush and gazed out at the rain.
After a long silence, he spoke, “Who’s there?”
The room remained silent save for the sound of the rain.
Raindrops pattered against the eaves, like strings of pearls cascading down, scattering like shattered jade in the wind.
Mu Zhi’an tapped his fingers lightly on the table. “If you don’t come out, I’ll have someone drag you out.”
He turned his head towards the shadows near the corner of the room.
After a long moment, the shadows flickered, and a figure clad in black robes materialized.
The figure was slender, its face obscured by the deep hood of its robe. A pair of cold eyes stared out at Mu Zhi’an from beneath the hood.
Mu Zhi’an’s eyes narrowed slightly as a surge of caution washed over him.
A Core Formation Realm cultivator. Not as strong as the maid in his household, but not far off either.
There shouldn’t be anyone like this in Tianxuan City.
Could this person be from outside?
“I’d heard rumors that the young master of the Mu family was a good-for-nothing obsessed with women,” the black-robed figure spoke, their voice raspy. “It seems those rumors were unfounded.”
“You’re wrong,” Mu Zhi’an replied calmly. “The rumors are true.”
“Oh?” the black-robed figure sounded intrigued. “If the rumors are true, then how did you detect my presence?”
“The part about me being obsessed with women is true.”
The black-robed figure fell silent for a moment.
Then they chuckled. “You’re quite the joker, Young Master Mu.”
Despite their casual demeanor, the black-robed figure was inwardly shocked. They were confident in their strength and their ability to conceal their presence. Yet, Mu Zhi’an had seen through their concealment with ease.
This could only mean that the young master’s strength was on par with their own.
Mu Zhi’an smiled. “A guest should be treated with courtesy. May I know your name?”
The black-robed figure shook their head. “Names are unimportant. I’m here because I have a proposition for you, Young Master Mu.”
Mu Zhi’an nodded. “I’m listening.”
“I hear you’ve been pursuing the apple of the Bai family’s eye,” the figure said, a malicious grin spreading across their face. “However, Bai Ruoxi has a childhood sweetheart, and they are quite close. Even with your status, Young Master Mu, winning her over through conventional means might prove difficult. Not to mention, it wouldn’t exactly be proper.”
Mu Zhi’an raised an eyebrow. “You seem to be quite well-informed.”
It was true that Bai Ruoxi had a childhood sweetheart—Ye Yu, the son of the Ye family patriarch.
Ye Yu was once considered a genius, but two years ago, for unknown reasons, his cultivation had mysteriously regressed. He was now no different from a cripple.
The Bai and Ye families had arranged a marriage between their children when they were young. Bai Ruoxi had thrown quite a few tantrums over it.
Although they were childhood friends, Bai Ruoxi had no feelings for Ye Yu. Learning that she was betrothed at such a young age had naturally displeased her.
“The Ye family is in decline, and Ye Yu is nothing more than a waste. He’s not worthy of Miss Bai.”
The black-robed figure chuckled, their smile cold and calculating. “The truth is, the Bai family also wishes to break off the engagement. They simply care too much about appearances to do it themselves. But if Ye Yu were no longer in the picture” the figure’s voice trailed off, their gaze fixed on Mu Zhi’an.
The implication was clear.
They were asking Mu Zhi’an if he was willing to cooperate.