Inside the ruined sect.
Qu Zhengding sat in the relatively intact main hall, yet every detail felt wrong to him. He thought the Celestial Realm’s sect paled in comparison to his own Demon Lord Palace. But this was only temporary; once he fully conquered the Celestial Realm, he would build the greatest Demon Lord City in history, to be worshipped by all demons! At the thought, his spirits soared.
At that moment, Shen Fugui—his expression dazed—approached, cupping his hands. “Demon Lord, Bai Qingsong, Demon Lord of Dongyao Prefecture, requests an audience. He claims there is an urgent matter to discuss.”
Qu Zhengding snorted in disdain. “What could that worthless wretch want? His strength is mediocre; he wouldn’t dare join the front lines and risk his life against the immortals. He’s only fit to scavenge leftovers in the rear. Were it not for his title, I’d have killed him long ago!”
Shen Fugui’s expression remained unchanged. “Demon Lord, perhaps you should see him. It might really be important!”
After repeated urging, Qu Zhengding sighed and waved him off. Soon, Bai Qingsong and Ye Yu strode into the hall. Shen Fugui stood silently behind Qu Zhengding.
“Lord Bai, why aren’t you scavenging food in the back? What brings you to me?” Qu Zhengding said, eyeing Ye Yu. This newcomer was unfamiliar. Yet from the demonic aura around him, he was not to be underestimated. When had Dongyao Prefecture produced such a figure?
Ye Yu in turn studied Qu Zhengding. He looked different from the version in Ye Yu’s dream—then he’d worn a magic-artifact robe. Now he wore jet-black battle armor that shimmered faintly, looking extraordinary. A new trophy seized from the Celestial Realm?
Bai Qingsong’s face darkened. They were both Demon Lords—did Qu Zhengding have to insult him with “scavenging”? How hateful! He cast a soundproof barrier at the door. “Old Qu, don’t get cocky! My elder brother has business with you; you’d better answer properly—or you’ll regret it!”
Qu Zhengding blinked in surprise. He hadn’t expected the usually submissive Bai Qingsong to be so bold.
“Elder Brother, you mean that horned male demon? He—” Qu Zhengding began, but before he could finish, Shen Fugui slapped him on the head.
“Do not disrespect Elder Brother!” Shen Fugui warned.
Qu Zhengding pressed a hand to his head and stared at Shen Fugui in disbelief. Crazy—all insane! Even his most trusted lieutenant dared strike him. Had he lost his mind?
“Fugui, do you know what you’re doing?” Qu Zhengding demanded.
“Of course I do. And you must never call me Fugui again—that name is only for Elder Brother. I am the best loyal dog under Elder Brother. Woof woof!” Shen Fugui barked twice, then slapped Qu Zhengding again. As Qu Zhengding reeled, Shen Fugui crouched at Ye Yu’s feet, looking up with a pleading expression. With no tail to wag, his devil’s horns bobbed. He was the perfect obedient dog.
Ye Yu smiled and patted his horns. Indeed, he was far better behaved now!
Bai Qingsong, seeing this, felt a flicker of fear. He’d just watched Ye Yu seize Shen Fugui’s mind in an instant, turning him into a toy. Thank goodness he’d knelt quickly—otherwise he’d have suffered the same fate!
“Ah!” Qu Zhengding roared in fury. The surrounding space warped as he glared at Ye Yu. “Who exactly are you?”
From Shen Fugui’s crazed expression, Qu Zhengding knew his once-loyal subordinate had been mind-controlled. The instigator had to be this newcomer, Ye Yu. Bai Qingsong lacked both the ability and the nerve!
Ye Yu stepped forward, his cultivation stabilizing the space. “Who I am is unimportant. What matters is, do you know Hua Jiuming?”
Qu Zhengding’s eyes widened. His secret collaboration with Hua Jiuming was known to no one—not even the other Demon Lords. How did this man know the name?
Ye Yu smiled, then appeared before Qu Zhengding. “Since you know him, why not tell me everything? If you refuse, I’ll uncover it myself.”
“You’re courting death!” Qu Zhengding roared and moved to strike—but Ye Yu was faster. His fist slammed into Qu Zhengding’s chest.
Qu Zhengding flew backward like a cannonball, crashing through two columns before coming to rest. Ye Yu eyed his right hand in surprise. Qu Zhengding was only half a step into the Emperor ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) Realm—this punch should have killed him. Yet he lived. Was it the armor?
Qu Zhengding coughed up two mouthfuls of old blood; his armor had a huge dent at the chest. It looked dire—but he was still alive! Moreover, the armor visibly began to mend itself. Indeed, a true treasure. Ye Yu decided on a different approach.
He held one hand forward and summoned a purple talisman on his fingertip. With a gentle toss, the blazing sun above blazed brighter. A beam of light pierced the hall’s roof, engulfing Qu Zhengding. Fire from the sun burned him from within! This was the Taishang Commanding Edict (Taishang Chimìng Jue — commanding the power of heaven and earth).
Qu Zhengding howled in agony as his demon body was utterly incinerated, leaving only the black armor on the floor. A wisp of his soul tried to flee—but a powerful suction drew it into Ye Yu’s palm. The translucent form of Qu Zhengding struggled in vain as Ye Yu read his memories.
Only then did Ye Yu understand why Bai Qingsong had never heard of Hua Jiuming. Six months earlier, a bloodied young man had appeared at the Juque Prefecture Demon Lord Palace. Qu Zhengding, arrogant to the core, had intended to expel him—but was defeated instantly. Faced with death, he became compliant and produced many top-grade healing pills at the man’s command. The next day, Qu Zhengding learned that this bruised, battered man was called Hua Jiuming.
