How Did I Become the Protagonist?

A crane's cry rang out as a gaunt old Daoist descended from the clouds atop a red-crowned white crane.

This man was none other than Venerable Zhongyu, the vice sect master of the Immortal Crossing Sect, a Heavenly Immortal Realm expert ranked among the top ten in the sect's cultivation.

Venerable Zhongyu appeared with auspicious clouds as his companions, two green lotuses floating at his side. No aura leaked from him, yet he carried a solemn, dignified presence.

As soon as he arrived, he didn't launch into a lengthy speech but directly gave his instructions.

"When you venture out this time, you must always remember the sect rules, uphold the Immortal Crossing Sect's prestige, and do nothing to disgrace our conduct..."

After these brief words, he handed matters over to Elder Ge and finally departed on his crane without lingering, leaving only the disciples bowing in farewell.

Elder Ge stepped forward, cupping his hands toward the direction Venerable Zhongyu had gone.

"Those heading to the East Sea Coast to slay demons and vanquish evils, come to the far left. Cultivation must not be below the Qi Refining Sixth Stage..."

Soon, the first ten of the twelve locations were all assigned. Lan Ling'e, unlike in the original story, did not head to the East Sea Coast but chose the southeastern border of the Central Divine Continent.

Dozens of disciples went with her, all uniformly at the Spirit Transformation Realm.

Only two locations remained: East Sea Lin Yun Island and the Chaotic Miasma Treasure Forest in southeastern Northern Juru Continent.

Both places were extremely dangerous, with disciples often getting injured, so they were typically only used as training grounds for the 'immortal seeds' of each peak.

Soon, seventeen people chose the safer East Sea Lin Yun Island.

Only six remained on site, including Li Yang and Li Changshou.

At this moment, Li Yang had already shifted his gaze from Fairy Jiujiu and landed on Youqin Xuanya, who wore a fiery red immortal dress and carried a broad-bladed sword on her back.

'Her cultivation is decent. Sixty years since joining the sect, Void Refining Fourth Stage. Still a bit lacking compared to Junior Sister.

Her appearance is good, truly a national beauty, with features that could sink fish and fell geese.

But then...'

Li Yang glanced at Youqin Xuanya, then moved his gaze to the refined, gentle young Qi Practitioner behind her.

This man was none other than the first antagonist in the original story, 'Yuan Qing,' with Void Refining Fifth Stage cultivation.

Don't let his current appearance—eyes never leaving Youqin Xuanya, like an infatuated fool—fool you. He was actually a schemer and a deep old fox.

'If not for Senior Brother, you would have succeeded.

But then... with the butterfly effect caused by my arrival, what will your ending be?'

Li Yang was very cold. He was eager to see if these things would change.

If they did, it would mean that lunatic could only control the so-called grand trends, but not these fine details—or at least not completely.

Who knows?

A faint, pleasing curve appeared at the corner of Li Yang's mouth, then vanished, giving people a sense of illusion.

Only Li Changshou, who was always watching his junior brother, noticed this change. He then fixed his gaze on Youqin Xuanya and Yuan Qing, pondering what Li Yang meant.

He believed Li Yang wouldn't do anything pointless.

There had to be something about these two that caught Li Yang's interest.

So what was it?

That Youqin Xuanya, or that Yuan Qing, who seemed like a lapdog?

Thinking this, the cautious man also kept a mental note.

At that moment, Elder Ge said, "Disciples heading to the Chaotic Miasma Treasure Forest in southeastern Northern Juru Continent, wait inside the hall. This mission is extremely perilous; minimum requirement is Spirit Transformation Ninth Stage."

As soon as Elder Ge finished speaking, Youqin Xuanya opened her eyes, lightly tapped her toes on the ground, and drifted into the hall under everyone's gaze.

Yuan Qing followed closely. Li Changshou, taking advantage of everyone's attention on these two, displayed Void Refining First Stage cultivation and stepped into the hall.

After him came Liu Yan'er from Du Lin Peak and Wang Qi from Lesser Spirit Peak, and finally Li Yang, who barely met the requirement with Spirit Transformation Ninth Stage cultivation.

Inside the hall, over a dozen curious gazes fell on Li Changshou and Li Yang.

Those on Li Changshou wondered who he was—Void Refining First Stage, yet they had no impression of him.

Those on Li Yang knew who he was—ten years since joining the sect, Spirit Transformation Ninth Stage. Such talent was too terrifying.

Fairy Jiujiu held a bamboo strip in her hand, her expression unpleasant.

'Yuan Qing, Youqin Xuanya—they're the cultivation prodigies of Sky Breaking Peak, ranked second and sixth in cultivation among this generation of disciples. Liu Yan'er and Wang Qi are also talents in the top twenty.

As for Li Yang, though his cultivation is low, he's a genius among geniuses.

Sending such young genius disciples to the Chaotic Miasma Treasure Forest—has our sect become this stingy with such disciples?

And Li Changshou, a hundred years of cultivation at Void Refining First Stage, isn't bad either, but going to the Chaotic Miasma Treasure Forest is still very dangerous.'

Thinking this, Fairy Jiujiu's face darkened, and she directly scolded Li Yang.

"Li Yang, what are you, a mere Spirit Transformation Ninth Stage, doing going to the Chaotic Miasma Treasure Forest? Go fight those shrimp demons at the East Sea!"

Li Yang: "..."

Huh?

Isn't this Senior Brother's treatment? Why...

Oh, so now I'm that Ninth Stage of Spirit Transformation cultivator from Lesser Qiong Peak!

Then it's fine!!

Thus, he could only put on a solemn expression and bow to Fairy Jiujiu with a salute: "Martial Aunt Jiujiu, this disciple needs to go to the Northern Juru Continent to find a medicinal herb, so I must trouble you, Martial Aunt!"

"What herb?"

Fairy Jiujiu curled her lip, exasperated at his lack of foresight: "With your current cultivation, going to the Northern Juru Continent is a good way to get yourself killed.

If a genius disciple like you dies there, I'll lose more than just ten years' worth of wine money.

Besides, what are you trying to prove by risking your life there?"

As she spoke, Fairy Jiujiu fished a jade slip from her wine-stained short robe and tossed it to Li Yang.

"I have some connection with Master Li. Take this to the Scripture Pavilion and find Elder Qiling. Ask for the herb you need and tell him to put it on my monthly allowance."

With that, she turned to glare at Li Changshou and scolded: "And you! As Li Yang's senior brother, you just let him run wild like this.

How old are you, and how old is he?!

Have you thought about what happens if he dies there? That crybaby master of yours will come wailing to me.

Do you have any idea how annoying that is?!"

The innocent Li Changshou took the scolding, feeling quite frustrated inside, and let out a bitter laugh.

"Martial Aunt, this was Junior Brother's choice. As his senior brother, I can't overrule him. Besides, according to sect rules, you can't refuse a disciple's request to go out and train, can you?"

The moment Li Changshou finished speaking, Li Yang seized the opportunity to step forward with the jade slip, bowing low, holding it up with both hands, and offering it back to Fairy Jiujiu.

"Martial Aunt, if I had a choice, this disciple wouldn't want to risk going to the Northern Juru Continent either. But this time, it's truly unavoidable. I beg you to grant this request."

Fairy Jiujiu frowned slightly, gave Li Yang a serious look, snorted coldly, and snatched the jade slip back.

"What a hassle! You there—Yuan Qing, Xuanya, Changshou."

The three answered in unison: "This disciple is here!"

Fairy Jiujiu said irritably: "If you three have any spare energy, keep an eye on him. Don't let him die."

Then she shot a fierce glare at Li Changshou: "Especially you. As his senior brother, you'd better take good care of him!"

Youqin Xuanya replied expressionlessly: "This disciple accepts the order."

Li Changshou cupped his hands in acknowledgment: "This disciple understands."

Yuan Qing looked at Li Yang with eyes full of goodwill, his smile gentle and refined—a true gentleman through and through.

"Martial Aunt, rest assured! I will definitely take good care of Junior Brother Li Yang!!"

Fairy Jiujiu looked over the group. Once all the other disciples in the Hall of Hundred Affairs had left, she tossed a gourd into the air, which expanded into a massive calabash.

"All aboard. Time to set out!"