The so-called “Chosen One” was merely a well-fed leek in Mu Zhi’an’s eyes, ripe for harvesting.

If this were back in Tianxuan City, he might have considered Ye Yu a rival.

But now…

He was enjoying the benefits of being the Jade Empress’s Dao Companion. Although his ‘harem’ was almost in flames, at least the outside world knew he had the backing of not only the Two Polarities Sect but also a Dao Integration Empress.

Most Primordial Clans were eager to curry favor with him.

Who cared about the Child of Destiny or some trivial luck? With targeted efforts, any advantage could be overturned.

Come to think of it, as the ‘female lead’, I’m starting to act more and more like a villain… Befriending powerful clans, manipulating others to deal with the ‘protagonist’, watching him struggle and improve only to be crushed again… It was the classic villain playbook.

However, Mu Zhi’an wasn’t one to let his enemies grow stronger.

He didn’t eliminate these so-called “Chosen Ones” directly only because they were more valuable alive. They were convenient sources of… resources, both material and otherwise.

Whether it was Ye Yu or other Chosen Ones, they were all the same.

I wonder when Ye Qingxin will realize my sincerity… He thought of the beautiful Ye family ancestor in her alluring black and red dress, his heart stirring slightly.

“Are you thinking about another woman?” Wei Mengrou suddenly asked, her voice cold, a hint of displeasure in her eyes as she noticed his expression.

Mu Zhi’an pulled her closer, his arms wrapping around her slender waist, his hand casually caressing her. “I’m just thinking about when I can… do things with you after the Ascension Ceremony, Mengrou,” he said with a gentle smile.

His words made her blush, and she glared at him.

However, her disdain was a reward to him.

He found her even more captivating now.

“What does… do things mean?” Wei Mengrou asked, not understanding his slang.

Mu Zhi’an nuzzled her neck, inhaling her unique fragrance. “It means… intimate activities,” he whispered in her ear.

Wei Mengrou’s face flushed crimson. “Why are you always thinking about such things…? Can’t you focus on your cultivation?” she scolded, her tone like a teacher lecturing a student.

“But you’ll protect me, won’t you, Mengrou?” Mu Zhi’an’s hand continued to wander, ignoring her words.

“O-of course, but can you please restrain yourself? This isn’t your courtyard.”

Her body felt warm beneath his touch, but she bit her lip, holding back.

Although she was flustered, he was still injured.

“So it’s okay if we’re back in my courtyard?” he whispered in her ear.

His warm breath against her ear made her blush even deeper, her eyes moist.

Even the aloof Mengrou gets embarrassed… She’s so cute… Mu Zhi’an’s eyes twinkled with amusement as his hand gently caressed her leg, enjoying the smooth feel of the silk stocking against her soft skin.

“The top six will be decided tomorrow. I’ve reached my limit. It’s up to you now, Mengrou.”

He decided not to push his luck any further, afraid of angering her.

As for his own match tomorrow…

Reaching this stage at the third-grade Core Formation Realm was already a miracle. His injuries hadn’t fully healed, and even though his Spiritual Energy had recovered, he still needed time to recuperate.

Winning his next match would be incredibly difficult, unless he didn’t encounter any of the ‘protagonists’.

“You trust me that much?” Wei Mengrou asked, glancing at him, her face flushed, but her voice calm.

However, a slight tremor in her voice betrayed her shyness.

Mu Zhi’an looked at her and chuckled. “When have I ever doubted you?”

After all, she knew about his past visits to the brothels, probably even how many times he could… ahem… in one night, and his… preferences.

Wei Mengrou gently stopped his wandering hand and sighed.

“I think you should prepare yourself… for marriage.”

“I’m not confident about this Ascension Ceremony.”

Normally, she would be confident in winning against Bai Ruoxi, Ye Lingxuan, or any of the others.

But this time was different.

“Even you’re not confident?”

This surprised even Mu Zhi’an. It was rare for his aloof maid to express such doubt.

“This isn’t an ordinary Ascension Ceremony. The Sect Master, to ensure a certain outcome, is using you as bait to lure out your… Senior Sister.”

Wei Mengrou glanced at his hand, which was now back on her thigh, and said, her voice trembling slightly, “I’m being serious.”

“So am I,” Mu Zhi’an replied earnestly.

Seeing her roll her eyes, he continued, “Is Senior Sister Lan really that strong?”

“Lan Mulian’s strength is far greater than you imagine,” Wei Mengrou said seriously.

A Core Formation cultivator who comprehended Dao Rhyme could barely hold their own against a Nascent Soul expert.

And that was just barely.

“She’s that strong…?” Mu Zhi’an murmured thoughtfully, enjoying the different textures of her stockings.

He knew the Sacred Heavenly Body was a powerful constitution, but Lan Mulian was the first person Wei Mengrou had praised so highly.

“Well, even if Senior Sister wins the Ascension Ceremony, it’s not a bad outcome.”

After all, there was still that unspoken understanding between him and Lan Mulian. With her proud personality, as long as he didn’t make a move, she wouldn’t either.

Even if she won, she wouldn’t do anything to him.

“You were worried about your future earlier, but now you don’t seem concerned at all,” Wei Mengrou said, surprised.

He had been so anxious when he learned that he was the additional reward, but now he seemed indifferent.

Mu Zhi’an chuckled. “I can’t change anything now, so I might as well enjoy myself.”

He couldn’t influence the Ascension Ceremony’s outcome anymore.

“I hope you have the same attitude towards your cultivation,” Wei Mengrou retorted, her tone filled with disdain.

“You should be gentler, Mengrou. It makes people happy,” Mu Zhi’an said, offering some friendly advice.

Wei Mengrou glared at him, about to retort, when he suddenly pinched her thigh, then, before she could react, he kissed her.

Her eyes widened slightly as she fell back onto the bed, her hands instinctively grabbing his shoulders, as if trying to push him away, but her body felt weak and powerless.

Boom!

A loud rumbling sound, like thunder, echoed in the distance, and Wei Mengrou’s eyes snapped open.

Mu Zhi’an frowned, annoyed by the interruption.

He removed his hand from her waist, got out of bed, opened the door, and looked towards the southern bank.

The tribulation clouds were dissipating.

The rumbling sound had been the last of the tribulation lightning.

“Someone just finished their tribulation,” Mu Zhi’an murmured.

And it just so happened to coincide with the Heavenly Dao choosing a new Child of Destiny… What a coincidence…

If he remembered correctly, that was where Empress Luo Tan was residing.

Could it be that the new Chosen One is among the people from Yu State?

As Mu Zhi’an thought this, Wei Mengrou said softly, “I’ll leave you to cultivate now. You should meditate until dawn.”

“Are you returning to your courtyard, Mengrou? You can cultivate here,” Mu Zhi’an said, trying to keep her with him.

“Will you let me cultivate peacefully if I stay here?” Wei Mengrou asked, glancing at him, clearly not trusting him.

And in her current state, being near him made it difficult for her to focus.

“You know me too well, Mengrou.”

Mu Zhi’an gently played with her hair, looking at her with a warm smile, his voice filled with a playful helplessness.

If it weren’t for the circumstances, he would have… ‘suppressed’ her before dawn.

However, Ye Qingxin was cultivating in the next room. If she walked in and saw them…

He wasn’t that reckless.

As Wei Mengrou left, Mu Zhi’an was about to return to his room and continue cultivating.

His Spiritual Energy had recovered, but his body was still weak. He needed to rest.

As for the Ascension Ceremony… He had already weakened Ye Yu’s luck. He would let the ‘protagonists’ fight amongst themselves.

Suddenly, his pseudo-Innate Spiritual Body sensed a faint aura that wasn’t his or Ye Qingxin’s.

He paused, his eyes twinkling with interest, and looked in its direction.

It was coming from the hall where Ye Qingxin was cultivating.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay