It turns out, they were the main characters.

Of course, before that, we should ask Ruoxi again. She has sparred with Xiao Hua and should know best about Xiao Hua's changes in battle.

Mu Zhian found an excuse to say goodbye to Xiao Shuixian and then went to the vicinity of the martial arts arena.

As Bai Ruoxi stepped down from the dueling platform, all the disciples turned their gazes toward this aloof and delicate young lady.

"Congratulations, junior sister. After this battle, the resources that Canghai Peak can obtain in the future will also increase several times over."

Several senior brothers and sisters from Canghai Peak congratulated Bai Ruoxi.

This Ascension Ceremony was extremely special, and those who could stand at the end of the Ascension Ceremony could be said to be exceptionally talented, and Bai Ruoxi was one of them.

If she can win, then Canghai Peak, which was once the last of the main peaks, can also finally hold its head high.

"To have achieved so much in less than a year since joining the sect, Junior Sister's talent is truly enviable."

Despite the various praises around her, Bai Ruoxi remained humble and chatted with her senior brothers and sisters.

If Bai Ruoxi was merely a genius in Tianxuan City in the past, she is now a peerless beauty who can stand proudly over the entire land.

But beneath this glamorous facade, no one else knows how much Mu Zhian has silently sacrificed behind the scenes; only Bai Ruoxi is aware of it.

Behind every successful protagonist, there is naturally a selfless and dedicated 'female lead'.

Bai Ruoxi knew that without Mu Zhian, she could not have come this far on her own.

Thinking of this, Bai Ruoxi, who was surrounded by admirers, glanced at the crowd below the arena and met Mu Zhian's gaze.

A blush rose on her pretty face, her beautiful eyes sparkling with sweet tenderness. After chatting with everyone for a few moments with a smile, she watched Mu Zhian leave and then made an excuse to slip away, following him.

After a short while, they noticed a wisp of spiritual energy that Mu Zhian had deliberately released after leaving the Ascension Platform.

Bai Ruoxi gracefully arrived on her flying sword and saw Mu Zhian admiring the mountain scenery on a talisman bridge on the south bank. She said softly, "Mu Lang, why did you come out here by yourself?"

"It's crowded and noisy inside, it's quieter here."

"Congratulations on getting this far. Senior Yi Hao must be very proud."

Mu Zhian stepped forward, took Bai Ruoxi's slender, cool, and soft hand, and said in a gentle voice.

His gaze fell on Bai Ruoxi, who was wearing a white palace dress that blended perfectly with the snow. It seemed that the battle just now had caused Gong Lianyue to show signs of awakening. Bai Ruoxi's usually cold and gentle appearance seemed to have a bewitching quality that she had never had before.

"What I truly want, I haven't gotten yet," Bai Ruoxi said softly, raising her eyes to gaze at Mu Zhian's handsome face.

"What do you want?" Mu Zhian asked, feigning ignorance.

Bai Ruoxi turned her face away, her cheeks flushed slightly, but she pursed her lips and looked at Mu Zhian with a resentful expression, remaining silent.

This feminine demeanor, paired with her cool and delicate face, makes her even more alluring, enough to arouse a man's protective instincts, and even a desire to tease her in bed.

Mu Zhian's heart also fluttered, and he stared straight at Bai Ruoxi's flawless face.

"By the way, regarding Xiao Hua, whom you asked me to keep an eye on, I did feel something was off about him just now..."

At this moment, seemingly embarrassed by Mu Zhian's stare, Bai Ruoxi suddenly changed the subject.

“Your feeling is correct. When Xiao Hua fought me earlier, I did feel that he was not the real Xiao Hua... There seemed to be a lingering obsession within him.” Bai Ruoxi’s expression became much more serious.

Only Bai Ruoxi, who was in the cave at the time, could truly feel this sensation, because Xiao Hua's spiritual pressure was directed only at Bai Ruoxi.

However, Xiao Hua, who was a powerful figure in his previous life, did not expect that his opponent would also be a chosen one.

You could even say he's the 'protagonist' of this world.

"Does Xiao Hua harbor obsessions that are not his own?"

Mu Zhian narrowed his eyes, quickly making a connection, and a hint of amusement appeared in his eyes.

Obsession, which is different from spiritual consciousness, refers to unfulfilled wishes from one's previous life, and thus wanders in the human world.

Recalling what Xiao Shuixian had said earlier, Mu Zhian had some guesses in his mind.

So, is he a reincarnated person?

No, it should be called a time traveler?

The spirit takes over the original owner's body... This seems to be a very popular transmigration story.

"Ruoxi, you've been a great help."

Mu Zhian quickly collected his thoughts, gazing at the voluptuous Miss Bai and her exquisitely beautiful face accentuated by her cascading, smooth hair.

"It's good that I can help... But what are Mu Lang's plans next? To deal with him?" Bai Ruoxi looked up and asked curiously.

If I were to directly deal with Xiao Hua, how would I reduce his luck? Naturally, I would have to squeeze the Treasure-Hunting Rat dry first... Mu Zhian said, "I don't like fighting with people, so I naturally don't plan to deal with him directly."

Yes, I don't plan to take direct action.

He prefers to be passive rather than proactive.

……

Xiao Hua returned to the main hall on the south bank with a gloomy expression.

I was in a terrible mood, and even felt incredibly humiliated.

First he was defeated by Bai Ruoxi, and then he was mocked to his face by Mu Zhian... Although Mu Zhian didn't say anything at the time, the other party was chatting with Xiao Shuixian while giving him a fake nod and smile. Wasn't that blatant mockery?!

"Your performance today was quite good. His Majesty Luo Tan said you don't need to feel apologetic. Your opponent's identity is beyond your imagination. Losing is not shameful."

The maid beside Luo Tan spoke in a soft, calm voice, offering words of comfort.

Xiao Hua forced a smile at her, but she was still very annoyed inside.

"Fortunately, I have already refined the elixir, and the Nightmare is ready..."

After seeing the maid off, Xiao Hua's expression gradually turned cold. He stretched out his palm, and from his palm, a round, lustrous pill appeared.

"Roar……"

Suddenly, a cold wind howled in my ears, and within that wind, a strange black shadow with only one eye appeared in my field of vision.

Nightmare, or more accurately, Void Nightmare.

This nightmare originates from the world Xiao Hua once inhabited. It can travel through the void and was painstakingly nurtured by him over nearly half his life.

However, this nightmare does not recognize him as its master, and each time he allows the nightmare to erode others, he needs to expend a large amount of his life essence.

By activating this nightmare to invade other people's dreams, it can devour those dreams.

The next day, the other person will have no memory of the dream.

Over time, the other person will gradually become immersed in the dream and find it difficult to wake up.

He had just seen Mu Zhi'an leave the South Bank, while the Azure Emperor was still in the Ascension Platform. This was the perfect opportunity to make his move.

"Although I am injured, those who offend me should be prepared for the consequences."

Xiao Hua tossed the pill to the Void Nightmare, and in that instant, a strange, mysterious black shadow stirred up a whirlwind of raven black, and a sinister aura almost enveloped the entire room.

The next moment, the nightmare completely swallowed the pill.

This elixir, equivalent to the sum of hundreds of dreams, is a sacrifice used to nurture the nightmare of the void.

Only in this way can the Void Nightmare obey his commands.

However, even after Xiao Hua gave the order, the Void Nightmare did not make any move, but just stared at him with eerie eyes.

A single Rank 6 pill containing hundreds of dreams isn't enough?!

Xiao Hua's eyes turned cold, and he gritted his teeth in secret, then coughed up a mouthful of blood.

The blood contained his essence, which had also been devoured by the Void Nightmare.

At this moment, an extremely terrifying black whirlwind emanated from the Void Nightmare, signifying the completion of its contract with Xiao Hua.

Despite having lost nearly one-fifth of his vital essence, Xiao Hua's expression remained indifferent. He raised his hand to form a hand seal, and mysterious black runes flickered behind him.

"By devouring Mu Zhian's dream, your mission will be complete."

As soon as the words fell, a cold wind howled, and a corner of space was torn open out of thin air. The nightmare, accompanied by a chilling aura, burrowed into the void.

Xiao Hua's legs went weak, and he knelt on the ground, panting heavily.

After he pays the price, the Void Nightmare will also fulfill his request.

"This time, even if you don't die, you can forget about breaking through to the Refining God Realm in the future..." Xiao Hua quickly sneered, his tone full of ease and relief.

Although he had struggled for a long time about whether to summon the Void Nightmare, after today's battle with Bai Ruoxi, he finally made up his mind.

If you've offended someone you shouldn't have, it's best to disappear from their life as soon as possible.

……

at the same time.

Mu Zhian had just returned to the villa, which was now quite quiet.

That's true. There's a second match today, and the match that Bai Ruoxi won is of great significance. Naturally, Canghai Peak will also make a gesture, so they sent her to Canghai Peak.

Mu Zhian first went to the kitchen at a leisurely pace to prepare a sumptuous afternoon snack, and then came to Lin Ling's room.

After knocking on the door, I waited at the door for a while, but there was no response from inside.

"Sister Lin Ling..." Mu Zhian called softly.

Although Lin Ling lives in Tianhe Garden, she is not there every day; she is rarely seen.

Since leaving her grotto, it's no exaggeration to say that the major peaks have been in complete chaos. Everything that flies in the sky, swims in the water, or runs on the ground has been ravaged.

Although the elder chief was somewhat annoyed, he was also quite relieved.

Lin Ling is a divine beast of the sect, having followed the sect leader for tens of thousands of years. For them, her eating those foods can be considered a divine encounter.

However... Lin Ling doesn't like eating raw food and doesn't know how to cook, so people have always been curious about who cooks for her.

Mu Zhian wasn't sure if Lin Ling was inside. If she wasn't, she was probably at Liangyi Peak, which he would have to visit later.

Currently, everyone in the sect knows about his relationship with the Azure Emperor. If anyone wants to deal with him, they naturally wouldn't dare to do it in front of the Azure Emperor.

Even if they get so angry they lose their minds, they will always wait for the right opportunity.

The Azure Emperor was at the Ascension Platform, and his return alone presented a suitable opportunity.

However, Mu Zhian has more than one protector.

People from other states naturally wouldn't know about this...

"Lin Ling—"