The next morning, Ye Yu personally reinforced the sect’s main formation once more. Judging by the desiccation of the Three Corpses Hall immortal’s remains, he estimated the burial had occurred some two weeks earlier. That coincided exactly with the period when Zheng Nuanxiu had been away in the Demon Realm, absent from the sect.
So he and the noble ladies deduced that this cloaked traveler had likely been slain elsewhere and hastily interred here. At that time, the Evil-Slaying Immortal Sect had still been little more than smoldering ruins—no one gave the place a second thought, so the body was buried casually.
Such was the hazard of a single gate and a single immortal sect: when Zheng Nuanxiu was gone, the place was empty. Now, however, with the Wuwei Tower connected, they could stand watch for one another—and no longer feel so alone.
Still, Zheng Nuanxiu could not quite shake her unease. A mere immortal corpse might pass undiscovered with no harm done, but if an evil immortal had been hiding within the sect so brazenly, she would have suffered real danger.
Thus Ye Yu had volunteered to reinforce the formation. After all, it had been the wrong sect that Hong Luan first sought—and though the reception had been rocky, the genuine good faith remained. Ye Yu naturally wished to return that kindness.
Beyond that, he believed Mo Tianjun’s warning. If the Demon Realm truly launched another campaign against Heaven in the near future, a strong sect-formation might well save their lives.
After redeploying the main formation around the sect, Ye Yu returned to Wuwei Tower to instruct the noble ladies: in the coming days, do not leave the sect casually—remain within the formation walls, in case the Demon host arrived early.
At the corner, Banxia frowned slightly. The day before, Mo Tianjun had contacted her again via a communication stone, inquiring after her status here—and had issued a strict order: within a month, she must conceive Ye Yu’s child.
In truth, that task was not impossible. When Mo Tianjun had delivered Banxia here, he had given her an alchemical pill—one dose, taken before intimacy with Ye Yu, would ensure conception.
But Banxia was merely playing along. How could she possibly bear his child? Though Mo Tianjun had not spelled out the consequences of failure, his cold tone sent a chill through her spine. As an immortal of the Three Corpses Hall, Banxia knew too well the ruthless methods of its lord.
Ten days hence—how could she continue to stall Mo Tianjun?
In that instant, a flash of inspiration struck her—and she could not help but laugh aloud.
Though many fairies stood by with solemn expressions, Banxia’s laughter made her stand out vividly among them. Ye Yu noticed instantly.
“What are you laughing at, Banxia? There are powerful foes in the Demon Realm—you must not take this lightly!”
“Ah, nothing. Forgive me, forgive me!” Banxia hastily apologized, stifling her mirth. Twice she said “forgive me”—the first for disturbing the solemn air, the second out of the debt she owed Ye Yu. Truly, she was sorry. But to continue idling in Wuwei Tower, she must eventually attack his honor—she could only hope he would forgive her.
Ye Yu found her sudden courtesy puzzling but did not press the matter, for something more pressing remained.
“All of you may return,” he said. “Pei Chuxia, Xu Nanqiao, Bai Xichu, and Bai Miaoleng, stay behind.”
Those named were from the Demon Realm; the other sisters understood at once and departed discreetly. Pei Chuxia, Xu Nanqiao, Bai Xichu, and Bai Miaoleng remained.
Ye Yu spoke quietly, “When the Demon host attacks Heaven, I will naturally defend the Celestial Realm. As for you...”
Before he could finish, Bai Miaoleng interjected, “Husband, you needn’t say more. There is an ancient saying: ‘When you marry a chicken, follow the chicken; when you marry a dog, follow the dog.’ Since I chose to be your immortal consort, I will stand unwaveringly by your side. I care naught what the demons plot or what their fate may be. But if they dare strike Wuwei Tower, I shall be the first to slay them!”
At her words, Bai Xichu and Pei Chuxia echoed her pledge. Hearing their resolve, Ye Yu felt relief. After so many dream-simulations, he had come to understand each realm. The Demon Realm was forever obsessed with attacking Heaven. Bai Xichu and Bai Miaoleng had always viewed that as their life’s purpose. Xu Nanqiao—in the dream-world she had even led the heavenly campaign herself.
Under such circumstances, it was best to speak these truths in advance. He did not doubt their loyalty—he only wished them to understand: if they preferred not to witness the slaughter of demons, they might choose to seclude themselves. Nothing more.
Having spoken with them, Ye Yu turned and sought out Hong Luan. Yet before he even entered, a heavy aroma of wine reached his nostrils. Master, you drank yourself senseless yesterday—and today you still drink? How can you endure it?
Sure enough, inside Hong Luan was yet again guzzling from a large wine jar, two empty jars at her feet—and it was barely half an hour since he had parted from her.
“Husband, you’re here? Share a drink with me!” she greeted him enthusiastically.
He refused decisively. He opened his mouth, hesitated, then closed it. In truth, Ye Yu had intended to advise Hong Luan to drink less—constantly losing consciousness could harm their consort bond. But then he thought better of it: Hong Luan had only two ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) pleasures in life, drinking and dice. She was at least down to one. One could not demand too much—especially not deprive her of her only joy.
So he swallowed his admonition and gently asked instead, “I came to ask after Li Ruowang. You have ascended, and now in the mortal world only she and Ye Nian remain. Ye Nian is young and cannot ascend yet—that is understandable. But why has Li Ruowang still not ascended?”
This question piqued Hong Luan’s interest. She set down her jar at once. “You mean that straggler? I don’t know much about her. After the other sisters ascended, she returned to the Great Qian Dynasty, saying she would cultivate in solitude until she ascended. But in my view, it will take her some time—unlike me, who drank and then ascended in one go!”
She spoke with pride. At the Five-Finger Peak she and Li Ruowang had borne the stigma of being last in rank—and the psychological pressure had been immense. Now that she was finally free, she could not resist bragging and teasing her teammate.
Ye Yu could not share her amusement. These were volatile times in the Celestial Realm; the Demon host might strike at any moment. If possible, he still hoped Li Ruowang would wait a little longer before ascending—at least until matters had stabilized.
