Chapter 3: The Villain’s Ally is Also a Villain

"I miscalculated; I didn't expect that the Natural Furnace Cauldron actually meant this," Mu Zhian muttered, staring at the introduction next to the title on the interface, momentarily speechless. In the realm of Xianxia, the Dantian serves as a cauldron, and there are Dantians scattered throughout the body. Monks often draw spiritual energy from the heavens and earth into these cauldrons. 

However, Mu Zhian's body was unique—it was born as a cauldron itself. This meant that some monks could potentially use him as a cauldron, absorbing the spiritual energy contained within him for their own purposes. Such a phenomenon made him a rare medicinal material. 

"The secret of this furnace must be concealed..." Mu Zhian concluded. His existence was reminiscent of Tang Seng; if anyone were to discover the truth about his physique, even the eldest son of the Mu family would likely lose sleep over it.

After calming his racing thoughts, Mu Zhian approached the bookcase and retrieved a thin booklet from the cabinet. As one of the foremost families in Tianxuan City, the Mu family possessed extensive knowledge of their lineage, allowing them access to information that remained elusive to outsiders. The booklet in his hands contained tales about the Liangyi Sect.

With a sect assessment approaching in a few days, Mu Zhian thought it prudent to familiarize himself with the Liangyi Sect in advance. He pulled up a chair in front of the desk and settled down, gazing out the window at the misty drizzle. It was late autumn, and the fallen leaves outside were withering, adding to the atmosphere of loneliness.

A young man with black hair and pale skin, looking almost sickly yet undeniably handsome, held the booklet in one hand. He leaned back in the chair, slightly lowering his head to read, exuding an air of bookishness.

"Ten thousand years ago, an empress from the Liangyi Sect resonated with the way of heaven, stepping into the realm of Dao integration and becoming an immortal. This remarkable feat has left a significant mark on history. It is said that the empress coexisted with heaven and earth, rendering her extraordinary; thus, she no longer manages the Liangyi Sect. With such a being overseeing it, it's no wonder the Liangyi Sect remains a revered sanctuary for aspiring monks."

Mu Zhian sighed internally as he absorbed the information. A powerful woman in the Dao Integration realm presided over the Liangyi Sect, and whether she was still alive or not was irrelevant; her legacy alone drew countless geniuses to the sect. In a world rife with chaos, the Liangyi Sect stood as a bastion of purity, where joining meant freedom from external threats—enemies dared not strike within its boundaries.

The Liangyi Sect had faced challenges before, yet every time, its enemies were subdued upon entering. This included malevolent cultivators that instilled fear even among monks. After quickly flipping through the booklet, Mu Zhian looked up at the rain cascading outside and murmured, "The Liangyi Sect possesses a strong foundation... I should explore it when the sect's examination begins." His interest in cultivating immortals remained piqued.

Just then, a flicker of movement caught his eye. A creature resembling a butterfly flitted gracefully through the rain. Upon closer inspection, Mu Zhian realized it was not a butterfly but a paper crane. 

"Butterfly... no, it's a paper crane?" He focused intently, extending his fingertips as the paper crane, seemingly guided by an invisible thread, landed delicately on his hand. Oddly enough, despite the downpour outside, the paper crane remained completely dry.

"How peculiar... This paper crane seems infused with energy. Tianxuan City should not harbor someone of such strength," Mu Zhian pondered aloud. He opened the crane, revealing a note that struck him as reminiscent of a reclusive young lady's lament from a prominent family.

The letter expressed her feeling of entrapment at home, her desire to escape, and her concern about how her departure might affect her family. The paper crane's journey to him could only be attributed to fate; it hadn't been intended for him but had fortuitously crossed his path.

After a moment of contemplation, Mu Zhian dipped his brush in ink and penned his suggestions on the back of the letter. He then folded the paper into a crane and tossed it out the window. The crane, as if possessing its own will, flapped its wings and soared into the sky, quickly vanishing from sight.

With that done, Mu Zhian set his brush down and gazed out at the rain curtain. After a pause, he finally spoke, "Who is it?" 

Silence enveloped the room, the rain pattering against the eaves like a cascade of pearl curtains, scattering to the ground like flowers in the wind.

Mu Zhian tapped the table lightly, stating, "If you don't come out, I'll have to ask someone to call you." He turned to the shadows nearby, and after a moment, a figure in a black robe emerged, thin and cloaked, with a hood obscuring most of his face. Cold eyes peered out from beneath the hood, locking onto Mu Zhian.

Mu Zhian narrowed his gaze, feeling a surge of wariness. A Core Formation monk... perhaps not as powerful as the maid at home, but still formidable. He sensed that this individual did not belong to Tianxuan City; he must be an outsider.

"It is said that the young master of the Mu family in Tianxuan City is a waste obsessed with beauty. It seems that rumors can be misleading," the black-robed man remarked, his voice hoarse yet laced with admiration.

"You are mistaken," Mu Zhian replied calmly. "The rumors are accurate."

"Oh?" The black-robed man raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "If the rumors hold true, how did you detect me?"

"The claim of being obsessed with beauty is indeed true," Mu Zhian retorted, eliciting a moment of silence from the black-robed man.

The man eventually smiled, though his surprise remained hidden. "Young Master Mu certainly has a penchant for humor." Despite his calm demeanor, he was secretly astonished; he had been confident in his ability to conceal his presence, yet Mu Zhian had still managed to sense him. This indicated that Mu Zhian's strength was likely comparable to his own.

"A guest is a guest. What is your name?" Mu Zhian asked with a smile.

The black-robed man shook his head, a sinister grin forming on his lips. "Names are inconsequential. I came to see you, Master Mu, to discuss a potential collaboration."

Mu Zhian nodded, encouraging him to proceed. "Please, go on."

"I've heard that you are pursuing the daughter of the Bai family," the man said, his grin widening. "However, Bai Ruoxi has had a childhood sweetheart, and their bond is quite strong. A typical pursuit may not be enough to win her heart, and it isn't exactly legitimate."

Mu Zhian regarded the man with surprise. "You seem to know quite a bit."

Bai Ruoxi indeed had a childhood sweetheart, Ye Yu, the son of the Ye family patriarch. Once a genius, Ye Yu's realm had inexplicably declined two years ago, rendering him nearly worthless. The Bai and Ye families had arranged their marriage since childhood, much to Bai Ruoxi's displeasure, as she had often clashed with her family over it. Despite their childhood connection, she held no affection for Ye Yu.

"The Ye family is in decline, and Ye Yu is no longer worthy of Miss Bai," the black-robed man continued, a cold smile crossing his face. "The Bai family wishes to withdraw from this marriage but finds it difficult to do so due to pride. However, if Ye Yu were to disappear, the engagement would naturally dissolve."

He paused, locking eyes with Mu Zhian, the implication clear: he was suggesting cooperation. "At that point, the Bai family would surely seek a more suitable fiancé for Miss Bai."