Mu Zhi’an sat beneath the towering tree, his eyes closed, immersed in the intricacies of the formation, the mist swirling around him.

“I’ve never experienced such pleasure, not even with a woman…”

The formation was incredibly complex, its patterns intricate and profound, but whether it was due to the Demon Realm Empress’s mark or something else.

He could decipher it, unraveling its secrets, understanding its workings.

It was… exhilarating!

Like solving a difficult math problem, the satisfaction of understanding, the urge to share his discovery with the world.

He had been meditating within the formation core for nearly half an hour, lost in its depths, memorizing its patterns, oblivious to the passage of time.

Then he sensed a presence nearby.

And behind them, there were several cultivators, staring at him intently, led by a handsome young man in a golden robe.

Who’s that? He’s quite handsome, but still not as handsome as me. He noticed a gaze filled with hostility and met Ye Yu’s eyes, his black robes a stark contrast to the vibrant forest.

Holy shit… How did you attract all the enemies?

He saw the sisters’ troubled expressions and understood.

He stood up, stretching, and approached them, his gaze lingering on the handsome young man, who was slightly less handsome than him… “And you are…?”

“How dare you! You don’t even recognize the Third Prince of the Great Qian Dynasty?!” one of the attendants shouted.

Mu Zhi’an feigned surprise, his eyes widening. “You’re the Third Prince?”

Those dark circles, he must have indulged in pleasures even more than me.

The Third Prince looked down at him, his expression aloof. He grunted in acknowledgment, but the hostility in his eyes had lessened. He was pleased by Mu Zhi’an’s respectful demeanor.

“Who are you?” he asked, glancing at the sisters.

They had clearly rushed over because they had sensed this young man’s presence. And now they were witnessing his humility. Perhaps they should reconsider who could truly help them pass the exams.

Mu Zhi’an bowed. “I’m the Third Young Master of the Gongsun family from Tianxuan City. You might not have heard of me, but my family… we have some influence.”

“The Gongsun family from Tianxuan City?” The Third Prince frowned. “The patriarch has six sons, if I’m not mistaken. What’s your name?”

“Gongsun Cheng,” Mu Zhi’an replied with a smile.

Ye Yu’s mouth opened slightly, as if he wanted to speak, but he held back.

He hated Mu Zhi’an, but exposing him now, he wasn’t sure if he could protect the sisters alone.

Gongsun Cheng… The Third Prince searched his memories, then his expression softened in recognition.

He had heard of Gongsun Cheng. The Gongsun family was well-known, not just in Tianxuan City, but throughout the Great Qian Dynasty.

And Gongsun Cheng was their most talented son. This was… problematic.

Mortal emperors had limited control over cultivation families. It wasn’t that the families feared them. The Great Qian Dynasty had many powerful individuals, and the current emperor, having cultivated for a century, was quite strong.

And the Imperial Advisor was a formidable figure.

But generally, even government officials avoided offending powerful families like the Gongsun family.

The Third Prince might be obsessed with women, but he wasn’t a fool. He had some logic.

He studied Mu Zhi’an, his expression shifting, then he smiled. “So you’re the Gongsun family’s Third Young Master. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Neither did I, Your Highness. I suppose we’re similar. We want to experience the exams,” Mu Zhi’an replied with a smile.

“Indeed. I haven’t had many opportunities to test myself. This is a rare chance to temper my spirit,” the Third Prince said, nodding.

Mu Zhi’an nodded enthusiastically. “You’re right, Your Highness. You’re truly wise. Your words are profound.”

Ye Yu watched as their relationship improved. He wanted to speak, but he couldn’t find an opportunity.

After exchanging pleasantries, the Third Prince changed the subject. “Young Master Gongsun, what is your relationship with these young ladies from the Ye family?”

Ye Lingxuan and Ye Qian looked at Mu Zhi’an, their gazes questioning.

That idiot. He’s revealing our connection. How am I supposed to manipulate them now? Mu Zhi’an smiled. “Are you interested in one of them, Your Highness?”

It was the art of answering a question with another question.

A direct answer would only disappoint the sisters. With both of them present, he couldn’t claim they were his conquests or his sisters.

The Third Prince was silent for a moment, then he chuckled. “If you withdraw, Young Master Gongsun, I’ll remember your generosity.”

“And I’ll reward you handsomely.”

Mu Zhi’an pondered for a moment. “My family, we’re not lacking in rewards.”

“So you’re refusing?” The Third Prince’s gaze hardened.

The atmosphere shifted, the earlier warmth replaced by a chilling tension, the attendants behind him glaring at Mu Zhi’an.

Footsteps approached from the forest, and Mu Zhi’an glanced over.

It was Gongsun Cheng.

The real one has arrived.

Is he attracted by Ye Yu’s constitution, or by me? He sent a mental message to the sisters. “Follow me!”

He grabbed their hands and ran.

One of the attendants reacted swiftly, reaching out to grab them.

But he suddenly froze, his body immobilized.

Ye Lingxuan raised her hand, a green light emanating from her palm. She clenched her fist, and the attendant’s body stiffened, his movements restricted.

“Don’t let them escape!” the Third Prince shouted.

But then he saw Mu Zhi’an looking at Gongsun Cheng, his expression filled with relief. “Second Brother, help me! Stop them!”

Gongsun Cheng looked up, confused, to see Mu Zhi’an running towards him, pulling the two girls along. Before he could understand the situation, the Third Prince, his voice cold and sharp, said, “Stop them! I’ll deal with Gongsun Cheng!”

Gongsun Cheng: “?”

The attendants charged towards him without hesitation.

The Third Prince also ran towards Mu Zhi’an, his pursuit relentless.

The imperial court avoided offending cultivation families, but this was the Two Polarities Sect. Status and influence didn’t matter here.

“Stop, Mu Zhi’an!” Ye Yu shouted, his anger flaring as he chased after them.

Mu Zhi’an, his movements swift and sure, pulled the sisters into a clearing, activating the formation beneath their feet.

The Third Prince, catching up to them, saw them vanish as they entered the clearing.

Gongsun Cheng, having been ambushed by the prince’s attendants, glared at him, his voice filled with fury. “You were tricked! I have nothing to do with him!”

…

Mu Zhi’an sat in a cave, staring at his hand, sighing inwardly. “I’m still not proficient with this formation. If I had mastered it, I could have sent them directly to the summit.”

He sensed a sweet fragrance and looked up to see Ye Lingxuan kneeling before him, her purple dress pooling around her, her beauty breathtaking, her eyes filled with concern.

“Are you alright?” Ye Qian asked, approaching him, offering him a handkerchief, her worry evident.

He shook his head, smiling. “I’m fine.”

He had planned to recruit some of the candidates to deal with Gongsun Cheng.

After all, he could do what Gongsun Cheng could do.

He could even do it better.

But now, it was no longer necessary.

The “Friend of the Antagonists” effect, it wasn’t entirely negative.

If not for the Demon Realm Empress, he might not have discovered the secrets of the Trial Forest’s formation.

He looked outside, noticing the fading light. “It’s getting late. Let’s rest here for tonight.”

He had memorized the formation’s patterns. He could study them further while sleeping with the sisters. He would surely master it soon.

But he wasn’t in a hurry.

The entrance exams were an adventure.

Sharing this hardship with the sisters would only strengthen their bond.

As for the exams.

Once he mastered the formation.

He would decide who passed and who failed…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com