It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

The next morning.

Mu Zhian yawned lazily as he got out of bed and changed his clothes.

Shi Zixuan, dressed in a red dress that accentuated her alluring figure, leaned against the bed, the flickering candlelight making her appear even more seductive. Her long, loose hair framed her face, giving her a languid air, and she looked at the boy with a playful smile. “I have to return to the Demon Realm today and deal with some accumulated political affairs.”

Mu Zhian’s face fell. “Although I’m reluctant to part, it seems we must say goodbye… I’ll contact Your Majesty through the mirror when I’m free and ask for guidance on my cultivation.”

The Demon Empress’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “But your heart is saying: This vixen is amazing, but she’s a Dao Integration expert. One night is fine, but if it’s like this every night, I’ll be completely drained… After I reach Dao Integration, I’ll make her beg for mercy.”

“What’s a ‘fish pond’? And how do you plan to make me beg for mercy?” the Demon Empress asked, yawning languidly and sitting up, blinking at Mu Zhian with feigned confusion.

Mu Zhian: “…”

I’m so embarrassed… This damned mind-reading is my nemesis… Mu Zhian covered his face.

Fortunately, the Demon Empress didn’t dwell on the topic and quickly changed the subject. “I see you’re at Core Formation Rank 7. The First Seat has a cultivation technique for two people. If you come back to the Demon Realm with me, I can ask her for it. You can reach the peak of Core Formation within half a month.”

Reach the peak of Core Formation in half a month…?

Mu Zhian’s thoughts stirred, but he shook his head slowly. “Your Majesty, people say that cultivation requires steady progress and a solid foundation. If I take this shortcut…”

“Cultivation requires steady progress, but dual cultivation doesn’t,” the Demon Empress said calmly.

Mu Zhian said reservedly, “But I’m not that kind of person…”

Before he could finish, the tall beauty walked towards him in her boots and whispered in his ear, “That’s not what you said last night.”

Her seductive fragrance filled his senses, and as he looked into her alluring eyes, he saw a faint pink mist swirling within.

He smoothly embraced her waist.

Just half a month… it’s not a big deal…

…

Half a month passed uneventfully.

Deep within the Demon Realm Palace.

If someone happened to pass by the curtained bed, they would see a young man embracing a woman’s waist, lying in her arms, both seemingly fast asleep in the flickering candlelight.

But no one would ‘happen’ to pass by.

After bringing Mu Zhian back to the Demon Realm half a month ago, the Demon Empress had ordered all the servants to be removed from the palace. No one except the First Seat could enter.

Logically, neither the Demon Empress nor Mu Zhian needed sleep to recover their mental energy.

But Mu Zhian was still at the Core Formation realm and needed to meditate.

He hadn’t been sleeping well lately and was mentally and physically exhausted.

Of course, the exhaustion was worth it.

With the Demon Empress’s help, Mu Zhian had reached the peak of Core Formation.

‘Shang Yanfei,’ dressed in a luxurious black dress, her hair slightly disheveled, held Mu Zhian in her arms, a pleased smile on her lips.

Clearly, she had transformed into Shang Yanfei again last night and been intimate with her… disciple.

“Your Majesty, I really have to leave the Demon Realm today,” Mu Zhian said softly.

The Demon Empress turned to look at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying his face in her bosom. She said seductively, “You can also choose to stay. Perhaps you can reach the Nascent Soul realm in two or three months.”

Mu Zhian chuckled. “I promised the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox that I would help her be reborn. I have to keep my promise.”

“And you have a seat in the Heavenly Court. As long as you resonate with the new Heavenly Dao, you can try to reach the Transcendence Realm. Staying here will only delay your cultivation. You can try to break through during this time,” Mu Zhian continued, trying to persuade her.

Since the ‘sharks’ in his pond were already trying to drag him down and keep him for themselves, he might as well make them even stronger.

And he couldn’t let the Jade Empress become too dominant. Otherwise, if he messed up his multitasking and was locked up, there would be no one to save him…

Although he didn’t think the Jade Empress would go too far, unless she found out about his daily… activities with the Demon Empress… and his occasional visits to Mengrou for comfort, even while wearing the Green Lotus Ring…

If the Demon Empress ascended to the Transcendence Realm, he would at least have some protection and wouldn’t be completely helpless if he was locked up.

“Ascending to the Transcendence Realm is much more difficult than you think.”

The Demon Empress stroked the boy’s hair. “The Jade Empress’s successful ascension was partly due to her strength, but mostly due to her luck. Besides the Spiritual Dragon, who was born with immense luck, no one can guarantee a successful ascension.”

“If the Jade Empress can do it, so can you. The Zixuan I know is the arrogant ruler of the Demon Realm, a rare genius who reached Dao Integration in just a thousand years.”

Mu Zhian looked at Shi Zixuan’s alluring eyes, smiling. “You have the potential to ascend. I believe in you.”

The beautiful woman in the red dress narrowed her eyes, gazing at him seductively.

She suddenly smiled. “Of course.”

“After all, I am the Third Seat.”

Mu Zhian smiled. “Indeed.”

A golden light illuminated the Third Seat in the Heavenly Court.

The ‘Fight’ rune flickered, and a demonic red dot appeared on the Demon Empress’s forehead.

Mu Zhian’s heart stirred. The ring connecting him to the Heavenly Court glowed, and in his mind, a magnificent palace materialized, countless celestial structures appearing, majestic and solemn, filled with a rich spiritual energy.

Mu Zhian’s consciousness entered the Heavenly Court. He stood there in white robes, his hands clasped behind his back, like the Lord of the Heavenly Court, ruling over the nine heavens.

Nine runes appeared before him.

Each rune corresponded to a throne, and at the end of the nine thrones was an ancient, majestic bronze throne.

A pink light shone before the Third Seat, engraved with the ‘Fight’ rune, as if seeking confirmation.

“Acknowledge,” Mu Zhian whispered.

A name appeared on the Third Seat: Shi Zixuan.

He looked at the scene and nodded in satisfaction.

“Now, even if the Jade Empress locks me up, I can rely on Zixuan to save me…”

This is what true planning and multitasking looks like!

This is the Lord of the Heavenly Court’s scheme!

Even Sect Master Lin couldn’t compare!

Mu Zhian closed his eyes, his consciousness returning to the Demon Realm, back into the Demon Empress’s embrace, and began to plan his next move.

The Lan family’s ancestral worship ceremony was approaching, but before that, after returning to the Eastern Continent, he could use the Soul Locking Bell to find the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox’s consciousness.

After rescuing her consciousness and storing it within his Innate Celestial Furnace, his transaction with the fox-eared girl would be complete.

But this trip to the Lan family would be troublesome.

Mu Zhian didn’t intend to interfere with the Lan sisters’ family matters. He would only ensure their safety.

And for that, he alone wasn’t enough.

He would probably need the Jade Pool guest elder token.

Mu Zhian suddenly felt a strong reaction from his personal interface and opened it.

Below his many titles, a new, crimson title had appeared.

[Heaven-Devouring Constitution (The Worldly Serpent is a demon that devours all things, able to absorb and utilize the essence of anything)]

Heaven-Devouring Constitution? If I remember correctly, this is Zixuan’s constitution…?

Mu Zhian’s interest piqued.

If he remembered correctly, Zixuan could even devour the First Demon Emperor, who was at the same realm as her, and refine his essence.

He wondered how much of the Heaven-Devouring Constitution’s power he could wield.

“Zixuan, what’s the highest realm the Heaven-Devouring Constitution can devour?”

Mu Zhian looked at the title on his personal interface, pondering for a moment, then asked.

“Those of the same realm are no problem. As for Transcendence Realm cultivators… I haven’t tried yet,” the Demon Empress immediately replied.

Then, she asked suspiciously, “Why are you asking this?”

“Nothing. Just curious,” Mu Zhian chuckled casually.

The tall, alluring woman in the red dress seemed to want to ask something else, her lips parting slightly, as if emitting an endless charm.

But Mu Zhian spoke first.

“Since you can devour cultivators of the same realm, those of lower realms are naturally no problem, right?”

“Of course,” the Demon Empress glanced at Mu Zhian, puzzled. “Why are you asking something so obvious?”

“Can you devour me then?” Mu Zhian asked sincerely, a hint of doubt in his voice.

The Demon Empress looked at Mu Zhian seductively, holding him tighter. She said playfully, “Even if I could, I wouldn’t be willing to.”

“The Heaven-Devouring Constitution is truly powerful,” Mu Zhian sighed, finally freeing himself from her embrace and inhaling her fragrance. He gently touched her lips with his finger.

“But I don’t think you can devour me.”

The Demon Empress raised an eyebrow. “Are you questioning me?”

“Yes, I don’t think you can do it,” Mu Zhian chuckled.

Their gazes met, and the Demon Empress, sensing the playful glint in his eyes, followed his gaze and realized he was staring at her lips.

She blushed and glared at him playfully.

“In your dreams~” she said, then pulled the curtains, which Mu Zhian had opened earlier.

“Why…?” Mu Zhian suddenly realized something.

A silvery laughter echoed through the bedchamber. The Demon Empress ignored the maid outside and caressed Mu Zhian’s face, smiling. “I’ll be in seclusion for a while, trying to reach the Transcendence Realm, so…”

“You’ll have to compensate me for all the… love you owe me.”

…

Outside the bedchamber, the First Seat stood alone, seemingly lost in thought.

As the leader of the Thirteen Seats of the Demon Realm, she had been loyal to and even admired Her Majesty since before she even reached Dao Integration.

In fact, most demon cultivators in the Demon Realm had an almost blind worship for Her Majesty.

However, these past few days, the First Seat felt her worldview crumbling.

If Her Majesty was simply interested in a young cultivator, it would be one thing, but she had even been having Mu Zhian revert to his younger form…

If word of this got out, what would others think of Her Majesty?

The Demon Empress has a… strange hobby!

If such rumors spread, the Demon Realm’s image would be tarnished.

The First Seat took a deep breath and quietly left, not wanting to disturb the Demon Empress, but as soon as she left the bedchamber, several demon cultivators surrounded her.

“Lord Miaoyan, how is Her Majesty’s seclusion going?”

“Has she reached the threshold of the Transcendence Realm and is attempting to break through?”

Questions came from all sides. The ministers of the Demon Realm were both worried and hopeful about Her Majesty’s sudden seclusion half a month ago.

They were worried that she might fail her ascension, leaving the Demon Realm without a leader.

Although there was the Dragon Void Ancient Emperor, he was a martial fanatic with no interest in the throne and was rarely seen.

And they were hopeful… If Her Majesty ascended to the Transcendence Realm, the threat posed by the Jade Empress’s ascension would be neutralized.

It was no wonder these ministers were so concerned. Besides the First Seat, Shi Miaoyan, no one knew what the Demon Empress was doing in her bedchamber.

“Her Majesty’s aura is much stronger than before. She’s preparing for her ascension. No one is allowed to disturb her during this time. Violators will be executed without mercy.”

Shi Miaoyan answered calmly.

“Alright, you can all leave now. I’ll take care of things here.”

She waved her hand, dismissing the demon cultivators.

After they left, Shi Miaoyan rubbed her forehead, feeling tired, and a sense of helplessness washed over her as she recalled the… nightly activities of the past few days.

She was starting to suspect that Mu Zhian was a spy sent by the Eastern Continent to bewitch Her Majesty.

In the past, a dynasty in the Eastern Continent had been destroyed by a fox demon from the Demon Realm, weakening the Eastern Continent’s luck for nearly a century.

But she hadn’t expected this to happen to the Demon Realm.

Was the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox truly that terrifying, to the point of even bewitching Her Majesty?

“But if I remember correctly, when Mu Zhian arrived, his aura was only at Core Formation Rank 7. He shouldn’t be able to bewitch Her Majesty to the point of neglecting her duties…”

Shi Miaoyan hadn’t seen Mu Zhian since he returned to the Demon Realm with Shi Zixuan half a month ago.

Although the Demon Empress claimed he was in secluded cultivation, gaining insights… every night, through the curtains of the bedchamber, Shi Miaoyan could vaguely see the… captivating shadows within.

Even she, who had no interest in such matters, couldn’t help but be tempted, even having such rebellious thoughts as ‘I wonder what the Innate Celestial Furnace’s spiritual energy feels like.’

The Heavenly Court spiritual energy, mixed with charm, was simply too alluring.

“Well, Her Majesty isn’t needed for such trivial matters in the Demon Realm anyway…”

Shi Miaoyan shook her head, a hint of displeasure in her eyes.

It should be time for Mu Zhian to leave the Demon Realm. After all, the Lan family’s ancestral worship ceremony was approaching, and knowing Mu Zhian’s character, he wouldn’t abandon the Lan sisters.

Although Her Majesty favored Mu Zhian, he would still leave today.

It’s better for him to leave soon. Although he’s only at the Core Formation realm, if he truly bewitches Her Majesty, it will be troublesome…

Shi Miaoyan sighed inwardly.

Suddenly, she sensed a terrifying surge of spiritual energy from the bedchamber behind her, vast and boundless, like a giant serpent churning within the clouds.

Shi Miaoyan’s heart skipped a beat, and she looked up at the dark sky.

“Has Her Majesty… reached the Dao of Transcendence…?” she murmured in disbelief.

Could Her Majesty have truly been cultivating all this time…?

Shi Miaoyan instinctively turned to look at the bedchamber, but seeing the faint shadows behind the curtains, she was even more confused.

It didn’t seem like Her Majesty had been cultivating diligently either.

She had been… intimate with Mu Zhian every day, and somehow, she suddenly touched the threshold of Transcendence?

Shi Miaoyan stared at the two figures behind the curtains, her eyes flickering. Then, as if realizing something, she whispered, “…The Innate Celestial Furnace?”

Mu Zhian’s Innate Celestial Furnace was completely different from any other…

No wonder Her Majesty was so interested in him. It all made sense now.

She had initially thought Her Majesty was simply obsessed with his beauty and even had some strange… hobbies… But now it seemed Her Majesty had been farsighted.

…

Two Polarities Sect.

A woman in a moon-white dress leaned against the door, holding a sword, her face covered by a veil, exuding a cold, unapproachable aura.

Even with the veil, it was clear that she was a breathtaking beauty, but her aloof demeanor was enough to deter countless admirers.

“Let’s go, Sister,” Lan Feiying said calmly, looking at the letter from the Lan family in her sister’s hand.

Lan Mulian hesitated slightly, then hummed in response.

“Are you waiting for that guy to return?” Lan Feiying suddenly asked.

Seeing Lan Mulian’s silence, she continued, “It might not be a good thing for him to come with us. He has the Jade Empress’s backing, but this is a family matter between us and the Lan family. If he comes, it might cause trouble.”

Lan Mulian remained silent.

Her sister was right.

But although she didn’t want Junior Brother to come, she also wanted to see him again before going to the Lan family.

But after he became a Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, she didn’t know where he had gone. There had been no news.

But he could probably change his appearance now, even reverting to that boyish form…

If she still hadn’t seen him after returning from the Lan family, hmph…

Lan Mulian toyed with the summoning talisman in her hand, a playful glint in her eyes as she thought of something interesting, then quickly regained her composure.

“Let’s go to the Lan family.”

It was time to remove the thorn the Lan family had left in their hearts when they were young.