“You have no reason to argue that,” Ye Yu said calmly regarding Mo Tianjun’s point. “I’ve experienced the power of a god myself. It truly stands above the Immortals. Even if he could wield only one percent of that power here in the Celestial Realm, he could slaughter Celestial Emperors with ease. Perhaps this Demonworld invasion might actually succeed!”
Yet Ye Yu’s mind was occupied by another question: how had this false god crossed over from the Divine Realm into the Celestial Realm? That detail was critical.
As he pondered, Mo Tianjun spoke up, “Let’s split up. If either of us locates the false god’s whereabouts, we’ll alert the other. Agreed?”
“You have my agreement,” Ye Yu replied without hesitation. Clearly, Mo Tianjun intended to seek out his planted informant within the Demonworld. Splitting forces would prevent Ye Yu from discovering that mole’s identity—an interesting tactic.
Mo Tianjun departed swiftly, and Ye Yu set about his own plan. He intended to track down the legendary false god using his own methods.
Soon, Ye Yu found himself before a dozen Demonworld scouts tasked with clearing the battlefield. He waved to them, and they halted in surprise—no Immortal had ever greeted them so cordially. But once they recovered their wits, they attacked without hesitation. Immortals were to be slain on sight.
In an instant, Ye Yu’s sword glowed with a blinding radiance, and eleven of the twelve demons fell dead—souls annihilated utterly, not even ashes remaining. The lone survivor trembled and froze in place, fearful of any further motion. He knew Ye Yu was not foolish enough to spare him without purpose: the Immortal sought information.
“Don’t kill me!” the demon cried. “Ask what you will, and I’ll tell you!”
Ye Yu stepped ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) forward. “I won’t kill you—but I also don’t trust you. Unless you become mine.”
Before the demon could comprehend, his vision blurred and consciousness slipped away. Ye Yu had employed the Divine Mind-Control Art (Shen Yù Kòng Xīn Jué). Though overkill for a lowly scout, he needed to interrogate the demon-lords’ subordinates: only they could know of the false god’s arrival. These foot soldiers were mere living maps.
After a few questions elicited the needed directions, Ye Yu could not help but smile. Fate had a most wondrous way of working.
———
Elsewhere, within a grand Immortal Sect hall, hundreds of demons were scavenging trophies of war, when a single figure strode in and seated himself upon the sect master’s throne. It was Bai Qingsong, the Demon Lord of Dongyao Province.
He surveyed the hall with satisfaction. This Pando War had been far easier than expected. At this pace, the entire eastern Celestial Realm would soon fall. Let the other demon lords fight; he would reap the spoils in safety behind them. Wealth and security—what a splendid strategy. Humming a demon’s tune, Bai Qingsong felt elated.
“Your singing is quite...emotional, though lacking technique!”
The unexpected voice made Bai Qingsong’s blood run cold. He spun around to see Ye Yu’s smiling face.
Curse his luck! He had prayed not to encounter this Immortal—and yet here he stood, and so silently too. Evidently, Ye Yu had grown stronger.
Bai Qingsong leapt up and bowed deeply. “Forgive my rudeness! When did you arrive, Immortal?”
Ye Yu regarded him for a moment before speaking, “It’s only been a little while, but your habits seem to have changed.”
At that, Bai Qingsong knelt once more, forcing a grin. “No wonder something felt off just now! From this angle, you truly look most...handsome.” His flattery dripped with abject survival instinct.
Ye Yu chose not to torment this amusing creature further, and instead inquired about the false god. Bai Qingsong’s expression turned blank. He had never heard of such a thing. The mastermind behind this invasion was none other than Qu Zhengding, the Demon Lord of Juque Province—a familiar face to Ye Yu, who had slain him in the dreamworld after the sect meeting.
But if Bai Qingsong spoke the truth, then Mo Tianjun had lied. Why fabricate a false god with such detail? Ye Yu pondered deeply before fixing Bai Qingsong with a meaningful gaze.
“Tell me—can I trust you?”
“Of course!” Bai Qingsong cried. “Brother, you know me! My loyalty shines like the sun and moon. Trust me completely!”
Ye Yu remained silent. Bai Qingsong’s voice faltered, his pride giving way to fear. He realized there was no escaping this moment. Better to survive than have his soul searched—though painful, at least he would live. With that resolve, he offered his neck.
“Here I am, Brother. Prove my innocence.”
Watching the demon lord’s near-suicidal courage, Ye Yu dismissed the idea of soul-probing. Bai Qingsong was a timid, small-minded lord—willing to die to prove his honesty. If he were guilty, he would have fled.
“There is another way to confirm Mo Tianjun’s story,” Ye Yu said. “We’ll find Qu Zhengding himself.”
Bai Qingsong’s eyes widened. “No soul-searching? Ha! You’re too kind, Brother. I’ll lead you to Qu Zhengding at once. I never liked that old devil anyway. We’ll finish him today! But...he is powerful. Beware.”
———
Meanwhile, in the Underworld, Shen Fuxin waited at their agreed meeting place, clad in white sable fur. Ye Yu had not appeared—only the lone, aloof figure now emerged from the gloom.
