It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists
Chapter 590: Forbidden Zone Lords: Bringing a Referee to a Fight, Are We Still Playing?

For Isis, and indeed for most of the Forbidden Lands now, Mu Zhian’s value was indescribable.

He was even more valuable than the Great Qian Dynasty’s national fortune.

To the ancient beings of the Forbidden Lands, the national fortune was an incredibly precious resource. But to the Forbidden Zone Lords like Isis, Mu Zhian’s priority was higher.

However, it was a pity that by the time they discovered Mu Zhian possessed the Innate Celestial Furnace, it was too late. Not only did he have the protection of the Jade Empress and the Sword Palace Master, but even the Forbidden Zone, another Forbidden Land, was on his side.

Under these circumstances, approaching Mu Zhian was impossible, let alone taking him back to the Forbidden Lands.

However, now they had an opportunity.

The Great Qian Dynasty was on the verge of collapse. Many came flocking at the news, and unexpectedly, Mu Zhian was also among them.

Hearing the maid’s words, Isis couldn’t help but chuckle softly. She had been racking her brains, trying to figure out how to capture Mu Zhian.

And now, he had delivered himself to her doorstep.

Although she had heard that Mu Zhian was a playboy with countless Dao Companions, for him to be walking on the streets with a woman so openly… he was truly bold.

“Who is the woman with him? Do you recognize her?” Isis suddenly asked casually.

“This subordinate was unable to determine her identity… She’s a stranger, I’ve never seen her before,” the maid said in a low voice.

“Oh?” Isis’s interest was piqued. She crossed her long, sexy legs beneath her exotic dress, twirling a strand of hair between her fingers, “So, she’s a newly acquired lover?”

She initially thought he was setting up an ambush by appearing so openly, but now it seemed she might have overthought it.

Just then, Isis’s train of thought was interrupted. Her beautiful eyes casually glanced out the window.

“The Eternal Lord… What is he doing here?”

A cold glint appeared in her beautiful eyes.

When it came to competing for the national fortune, the Forbidden Lands could compete ‘fairly’.

But when it came to Mu Zhian, there was no such thing as fair competition.

It seemed that taking away the Innate Celestial Furnace this time would be much more difficult than she imagined… Isis slightly raised her proud chin, a captivating smile quickly appearing on her lips.

But because of this, it also proved Mu Zhian’s value…

It seemed that not only her, but the other Forbidden Zone Lords also realized the importance of the Innate Celestial Furnace, far surpassing the Great Qian Dynasty’s national fortune.

Just as Isis stood up, intending to make her move, she suddenly sensed something and casually glanced in a certain direction in the sky.

The Eternal Lord had just transmitted a message to her, asking her to meet him there.

…

“It seems I’m quite the attraction, being targeted by so many people just after going out.”

“But it makes sense. The Innate Celestial Furnace is no longer a secret, at least many great powers in the Nine Provinces already know about it… and the Forbidden Lands have long known my identity.”

Mu Zhian and Miss Heavenly Dao walked along the bustling streets of the Great Qian capital, casually glancing at the shops around them, sighing inwardly.

He could already sense several auras locked onto him. And Miss Heavenly Dao beside him was acting as his informant, telling him the identities of those who were currently watching him.

“Master, are you sure this is alright?”

Miss Heavenly Dao asked via voice transmission, a hint of warning in her tone, “If a Forbidden Zone Lord attacks you, due to the constraints of the rules of heaven and earth, I can’t directly help you.”

“If I were you, I would have already sent a voice transmission to the Jade Empress or the Sword Palace Master, asking them to come to the Great Qian Dynasty and protect you, instead of openly going on a date with the Heavenly Dao’s will in broad daylight.”

Just then, another cold voice echoed in Mu Zhian’s mind.

It was Taboo, another personality now assimilated with Miss Heavenly Dao.

“Are you worried I’ll be captured by some Forbidden Zone Lord? But even if they capture me, they won’t kill me, right?” Mu Zhian asked with a smile, seeing the worry in Miss Heavenly Dao’s eyes.

“As for Yao Meng… even if I don’t tell them to protect me, they’re probably watching me from somewhere right now,” Mu Zhian continued.

“Only four of the Forbidden Lands don’t want to kill you. The other five want you dead. After all, your existence is a threat to them,” Taboo replied coldly.

The story of Shang Yanfei suppressing the Nine Forbidden Lands had left an indelible shadow in the hearts of the Forbidden Zone Lords.

Just a Dao Integration Realm expert, yet she could single-handedly suppress nine Forbidden Zone Lords, and she seemed to possess an endless lifespan… At least, every time the Forbidden Lands emerged, they would encounter that mysterious being who suppressed them.

How could they not be afraid?

And that was just at the Dao Integration Realm. If that person transcended with the help of the Innate Celestial Furnace in the future… wouldn’t the Forbidden Lands be completely annihilated?

Even if Mu Zhian wasn’t close with Shang Yanfei, just the Jade Empress, Gong Lianyue, and the Demon Empress were enough to make people wary.

Because according to the Forbidden Lands’ understanding, these three Dao Integration Realm experts’ Transcendence was inseparable from Mu Zhian.

If, because of Mu Zhian, more and more great powers in the Nine Provinces transcended in the future, then the Forbidden Lands probably wouldn’t have a next time to emerge.

They would be wiped out before then.

Mu Zhian couldn’t possibly not understand this. Or rather, he was very clear about the threat his existence posed to the Forbidden Zone Lords.

He said with a smile, “Don’t rush. There are too many people here. Let’s go for a walk outside the city first. Being cooped up in the palace these past few days was getting boring.”

“Or are you saying you’re bored of our date and want to go back?” Mu Zhian gazed at Miss Heavenly Dao’s icy, beautiful face and asked again gently.

“I and Taboo are just worried Master will be attacked by someone from the Forbidden Lands and meet with misfortune… I’m very happy to be out on a walk with Master,” Miss Heavenly Dao said calmly.

“Alright… Since Master insists, then let’s go for a walk.”

Seeing that she couldn’t persuade Mu Zhian, Miss Heavenly Dao finally gave up and silently followed him, enjoying their date amidst the current chaos.

Just as Mu Zhian was about to move, he suddenly sensed a familiar aura and couldn’t help but smile with amusement.

Mu Zhi is also here…

This makes setting the trap even easier.

…

While Mu Zhian and Miss Heavenly Dao were out on their date, high above in the sky, an indifferent gaze was coldly looking down at the young man.

The Eternal Lord stood with his hands behind his back, his black robes fluttering in the wind, looking down upon all beings.

He seemed quite interested, observing the young man who was walking out of the city with a mysterious woman.

“From what I understand, Mu Zhian is no fool. I’m not surprised he came to the Great Qian Dynasty, but to be so openly on a date with a woman at a time of impending chaos, completely disregarding us, that’s not his usual style.”

“Should I say, because the Jade Empress and the Sword Palace Master are secretly protecting him, so he’s trying to lure us into a trap? Perhaps the Demon Empress is also hiding somewhere?”

The Eternal Lord’s seemingly soft murmurs reached the ears of the other Forbidden Zone Lords faintly visible in the sky.

A Transcendence Realm expert could rewrite the forbidden rules within a certain range for their own use, even rewriting time.

This was a heaven-defying ability. Even the Forbidden Zone Lords, who had existed since the birth of the Nine Provinces, were incredibly wary.

But wary didn’t mean they would sit and wait, watching as Mu Zhian’s power gradually grew.

At least, now, in this crowded Great Qian Dynasty, was the best time to act.

“Three Transcendence Realm experts. The last time I felt this kind of pressure was tens of thousands of years ago on the World Sea,” the Eternal Lord said with a chuckle.

In the past, the Forbidden Lands were never as active as they were now. Even when they absorbed national fortune during a dynasty’s collapse, they did so discreetly.

However, this time, the masters of eight of the Forbidden Lands had all made a move. This itself was baffling.

“I remember that time on the World Sea, the Master of Reincarnation was cursed by the Witch and was severely injured. Is he still in the Forbidden Land of Reincarnation?” the Eternal Lord asked casually, his gaze fixed on the faintly visible graceful figure at the edge of the sky.

The Lord of the Forbidden Land of Reincarnation in the Western Regions, also the second-generation Master of Reincarnation.

The Master of Reincarnation smiled, “The former Master of Reincarnation? Are you talking about that old fool who was so scared after the battle on the World Sea that he went into hiding in the mountains?”

“He was your teacher, after all. Treating him like this isn’t very becoming of a disciple,” a gentle voice came from nearby.

The second-generation master of the Eternal Forbidden Land, Yu Die .

The Master of Reincarnation sneered, “Yu Die, stop with the hypocrisy. You’re just like those bald monks from the Western Regions, with your fake compassion. You’ve been searching for the Eternal Celestial for so many years, isn’t it because he took the Eternal Forbidden Land’s forbidden object with him when he left?”

Isis smiled gently and said softly, “Alright, everyone, if you want to argue, you can set a time and duel later. But for now, don’t we all have a common goal?”

“I know some of you want him dead, but he is my beloved. If possible, I hope he can obediently come back to the Immortal Forbidden Land and serve me well.”

Isis licked her lips, her seductive voice echoing again, “But whether you want Mu Zhian dead or want to take him back to the Forbidden Lands, I hope you all remember that we have a common goal now.”

“Mu Zhian cannot continue to stay with the Jade Empress and the others.”

Isis stated the final conclusion.

Before this, the Forbidden Lands were divided into two factions: one hoping to kill Mu Zhian and end the threat, and the other hoping he would submit to them, providing an endless supply of Innate Celestial Furnace Spiritual Energy.

The Forbidden Lands had always been at odds with each other, so there was no possibility of cooperation.

However, now, they faced a great crisis.

If they let Mu Zhian continue cultivating in the Nine Provinces, it was hard to guarantee what changes his Innate Celestial Furnace would undergo when he reached Dao Integration.

Just now, because of Mu Zhian, three Transcendence Realm experts had appeared. If this continued, there might be no place for the Forbidden Lands in the future.

“Let’s capture Mu Zhian first. As for his fate, we can decide later. Any objections?”

The Lord of the Forbidden Land of Order spoke softly, her gentle gaze sweeping over the other Forbidden Zone Lords in the sky.

She wore a silver-white and black dress made of silk, accentuating her graceful figure. She wore delicate short boots, a soft glow seemingly emanating from her feet, her long, slender legs, encased in white silk stockings, revealed with every step.

“Lord of Order, it seems you’ve been visiting other civilizations again?”

Just then, a crisp and pleasant voice came, and a seemingly harmless little girl looked at the Lord of Order with innocent eyes.

It was Mu Zhi, the master of the Forbidden Land of Life, who had just arrived in the Great Qian Dynasty, also the only ‘traitor’ among the eight Forbidden Zone Lords this time.

Long before the eight Forbidden Zone Lords gathered, Mu Zhi had already transmitted a message to Mu Zhian, informing him of their intentions, but Mu Zhian had simply told her to wait and see.

Although she didn’t know what Big Brother was planning, since he said so, Mu Zhi naturally went along with it and continued to play with them.

“The Nine Provinces are vast, with many civilizations. Since we’re all wary of that mysterious expert and don’t dare to emerge, why not use a wisp of our spiritual sense to see the customs of other places as a pastime?”

The Lord of Order smiled faintly, “But you can rest assured, to avoid alerting that person, I haven’t descended upon the Nine Provinces with my true body.”

The Forbidden Land of Order had a very special characteristic compared to the other Forbidden Lands. The No Man’s Land, where the Heavenly Dao’s will slumbered, was located within the Forbidden Land of Order.

Whether because of this or not, whenever the Lord of Order intended to descend with her true body, it would always awaken the Heavenly Dao’s will in the No Man’s Land… And after that, that mysterious expert who suppressed the Nine Forbidden Lands would also awaken.

The Eternal Lord looked around at the several Forbidden Zone Lords, “The Jade Empress, Gong Lianyue, and perhaps the Demon Empress? Does Mu Zhian really think three Transcendence Realm experts can protect him forever? Is that why he’s so openly strolling with another woman at this juncture?”

“Or does he think his identity as a disciple of the Two Polarities Sect will make us wary?”

The Two Polarities Sect was indeed a prominent power in the Nine Provinces, but to the ancient Forbidden Zone Lords, in this world, besides the Heavenly Dao, there was no one they would truly submit to.

Even that supreme expert who suppressed the Nine Forbidden Lands, they weren’t truly convinced… Although they were repeatedly suppressed, she couldn’t completely erase them from this world either.

Ultimately, her strength should be on par with theirs, it was just that her techniques were too varied and complex, making her difficult to deal with.

“According to our previous agreement, if Mu Zhian really has the Jade Empress and the others protecting him, you all will intervene, and I will take him away,” the Eternal Lord said slowly. “I’ve sworn an oath to the Great Dao before, I won’t deal with him immediately after capturing him. I’ll wait until everyone is present before making a decision. There should be no objections to this, right?”

Mu Zhi glanced at the tall man with her dark eyes and said casually, “Then what about the Great Qian Dynasty? You’ve all secretly contacted the Great Qian imperial family and incited them to rebel, right?”

“When the Great Qian Dynasty falls, how will the national fortune be divided?”

Isis said with a smile, “The national fortune will be up for grabs. Anyway, the Great Qian Dynasty must fall this time. Only then can the Heavenly Dao descend upon the Nine Provinces and grant us more authority. I can feel that the Heavenly Dao’s power is much stronger than before, it must be on the verge of recovering its former supreme glory.”

She looked around at everyone and said with a smile, “Since no one has any objections, let’s capture Mu Zhian first~”

“Mu Zhian’s strength is not as simple as it seems on the surface. Directly attacking him might fail. If possible, we can start with the woman beside him,” Mu Zhi suddenly said.

As soon as these words were spoken, the several Forbidden Zone Lords were stunned. Isis even narrowed her beautiful eyes and said, “Are you sure capturing the woman beside him can make him submit?”

Mu Zhi said faintly, “Mu Zhian is very sentimental. If you capture that woman, he will definitely submit.”

“You didn’t see the combat power he displayed during his Transcendence. If you attack him directly, who can guarantee he won’t unleash power beyond his realm again?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the sky fell silent.

After a while, the Eternal Lord chuckled softly, “The master of the Forbidden Land of Life is right. In that case, let’s start with the woman beside him.”

The Eternal Lord slowly extended his hand, a withered leaf silently appearing in his palm.

The forbidden object of the Eternal Forbidden Land, the Red Dust Leaf.

The user had to sacrifice one-third of their lifespan, but in return, the Red Dust Leaf could encompass all things, and no one in this world could escape its grasp.

Although the price seemed heavy, the Forbidden Zone Lords’ lifespans were practically infinite, as they were strengthened by the Heavenly Dao.

Therefore, in the Eternal Lord’s hands, the Red Dust Leaf could naturally unleash its greatest power!

A single leaf represented the mortal world. Even if the Eternal Lord’s true body wasn’t here, just using this forbidden object was enough to take away the woman with Mu Zhian.

She could only blame her bad luck for choosing Mu Zhian as her Dao Companion.

…

On a city outskirts in the afternoon, Mu Zhian sat under a large tree, his eyes half-closed, looking at the dappled sunlight, holding Miss Heavenly Dao’s small hand, enjoying this leisurely moment.

Suddenly, a chill ran down his back, an inexplicable coldness spreading from the bottom of his heart, and goosebumps rose all over his body.

“It seems a Forbidden Zone Lord finally couldn’t resist making a move.”

Mu Zhian smiled and turned to look at Miss Heavenly Dao, who was sitting on the grass in a simple dress.

She leaned against Mu Zhian’s shoulder, looking well-behaved and obedient.

She wore a hazy veil, her beautiful face, which seemed meticulously sculpted by the heavens, her eyes exceptionally serene.

Her figure was also perfectly proportioned. From her body, he couldn’t see a single flaw.

Although beautiful, she had a cold and frosty air.

“Will you blame me?” Mu Zhian suddenly asked.

“To me, Master gave me a second life, so I will obey any of Master’s commands,” Miss Heavenly Dao said calmly, gazing at Mu Zhian. “Even if the enemy is a Forbidden Land, it’s no exception.”

Miss Heavenly Dao tilted her head slightly and continued, “However, Master, are you sure they’ll target me first instead of you?”

“Although you’re powerful, you don’t understand the human heart, especially the hearts of the Forbidden Zone Lords,” Mu Zhian said with a smile.

The Forbidden Zone Lords were indeed very strong. With the strengthening of the forbidden rules, they could even fight on par with Transcendence Realm experts, not to mention the strengthening of their forbidden objects.

However… after being suppressed by Shang Yanfei for so many years, those Forbidden Zone Lords, who hadn’t emerged for a long time, had become overly cautious.

If he hadn’t met Mu Zhi before, Mu Zhian wouldn’t be so sure he could lure them out.

But now, with Mu Zhi ‘advising’ the other Forbidden Zone Lords, he didn’t need to do anything, just wait for Mu Zhi’s impromptu performance.

Miss Heavenly Dao still had some doubts and was about to speak.

Just then, a gentle voice suddenly echoed beside them, “Young Friend Mu is truly enjoying life, going on a date with a girl at a time of impending chaos.”

Within a soft light, a tall and straight man descended from the sky.

His aura instantly locked onto Mu Zhian as he toyed with the leaf in his hand.

The sudden voice made Mu Zhian’s eyes widen slightly as he stared at the man before him, “A Forbidden Zone Lord?!”

“No need to pretend. A Transcendence Realm Human Emperor, even if you’re anywhere in the Nine Provinces, they can still locate you at any time. You’re on a date with a woman today, aren’t you just trying to lure us into a trap?” the Eternal Lord said with a faint smile. “However, you probably underestimated the unity of the Forbidden Lands.”

Mu Zhian’s expression finally changed slightly, “You’ve joined forces?!”

The Eternal Lord said noncommittally, “You should be glad. Besides you, the only other person who could make us join forces was that person.”

“The Jade Empress will probably come to your rescue with the other two Transcendence Realm experts after sensing our actions…”

The Eternal Lord’s expression suddenly turned cold, “But before that, you’ll be in my hands!”

He abruptly extended his hand, throwing out the Red Dust Leaf.

The seemingly ordinary forbidden object instantly exerted an immense suction force, pulling towards Mu Zhian.

However, just then, a clear light flashed, forcibly blocking the Red Dust Leaf’s power.

The Eternal Lord looked at the Measuring Ruler floating beside Mu Zhian with some surprise and praised, “The master of the Forbidden Land of Life was right, you’re truly hard to deal with.”

The Measuring Ruler formed a light barrier, enveloping both him and Miss Heavenly Dao. Mu Zhian smiled and said, “Should I thank the Forbidden Zone Lord for the compliment?”

“No need for thanks.”

The Eternal Lord narrowed his eyes, suddenly made a hand seal, and waved his hand. The Red Dust Leaf’s power suddenly converged, then transformed into a blur, shooting towards the woman beside Mu Zhian.

Mu Zhian’s pupils contracted abruptly, and he was about to intervene.

“Young Friend Mu, don’t get distracted during a battle,” a woman’s gentle voice suddenly came from beside his ear. Mu Zhian abruptly turned his head and saw a beautiful woman beside him.

“You can call me the Lord of Order,” the woman said with a smile, reaching for Miss Heavenly Dao.

Mu Zhian’s expression changed slightly, “Don’t touch her!”

However, he was too late. He could only watch as the Lord of Order grabbed Miss Heavenly Dao’s shoulder and pulled her away from his side.

Seeing the woman beside him not resisting at all, the Lord of Order’s beautiful eyes looked her over a few more times, then she inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

She initially thought Mu Zhian was setting a trap for them, but now it seemed… his greatest reliance was just the Jade Empress and the Sword Palace Master.

Shi Zixuan was far away in the Demon Realm and couldn’t possibly arrive at the Eastern Continent in time, unless she was with Mu Zhian from the start.

So the Lord of Order initially suspected that the woman beside Mu Zhian was the Demon Empress.

But now…

“This woman wears a veil that conceals her true appearance, I thought she was the Demon Empress.”

Although her aura was somewhat strange, it was certain that she didn’t have a trace of Demonic Qi.

Then things would be much easier~

As long as she could make Mu Zhian submit to her, she wouldn’t even care about the Great Qian Dynasty’s national fortune this time.

A seductive smile appeared on the Lord of Order’s face. She looked at Mu Zhian’s angry expression, then casually lifted the mysterious veil of the woman she had captured.

A breathtakingly beautiful face appeared.

Her long hair cascaded down, her eyes were as clear and cold as crystal, without a single flaw, her almost perfect beauty and flawless skin deserving of all the praise in the world.

Even the Eternal Lord, who was suppressing Mu Zhian, couldn’t help but look a few more times.

Then, the Eternal Lord quickly reacted. Looking at the seemingly dazed Lord of Order, he frowned slightly, “Order, what are you waiting for? If we delay any longer, the Jade Empress and the others will notice.”

Once the Jade Empress and the Sword Palace Master arrived… it wouldn’t be so easy to take Mu Zhian away.

“I know…”

The Lord of Order said, but her gaze remained on the beautiful woman, somewhat surprised.

For some reason, she felt this woman looked familiar…

Just then, a cold and emotionless voice suddenly echoed in the ears of the Lord of Order and the Eternal Lord, “You have violated the rules of heaven and earth, attacking the Heavenly Dao’s will. You shall be punished with a nine-lifetime tribulation.”

“?”

Goosebumps rose all over the Eternal Lord’s back. As if realizing something, his pupils contracted slightly, and he abruptly looked up at the woman before him.

Behind her, a holy sun was slowly rising.