In an instant, dozens of Demon Lord–level and above demons encircled Ye Yu, Mo Tian Jun, Bai Qingsong, and the others.
(Just so you remember the hierarchy: Earth Demon, Heaven Demon, Mystery Demon, Demon King, Demon Lord, Demon Emperor, Demon Venerate, Demon Sovereign.)
A short man—Xinmo—stepped from the crowd, clutching his groin in agony. Pain contorted his face.
Bai Qingsong recognized him at a glance.
“Hey, He Yan Prefecture’s Demon Lord, Zuo Zhijin?”
“Exactly, you old relic. I’ll give you credit for a decent memory. I don’t care what you and these immortals are up to—this little fairy belongs to me! Otherwise I’ll have my father level your Dongyao Prefecture!” Zuo Zhijin roared.
He was the only son of Zuo Lingguo, Demon Lord of He Yan Prefecture, coddled since birth and unbearably arrogant. He Yan Prefecture’s might was among the top three in the Demon Realm, completely overshadowing Dongyao Prefecture—hence his brazen threat.
Normally, of course, tearing off the veil in such fashion would be unthinkable. Bai Qingsong commanded a whole prefecture; even if his strength was second-rate, respect was due—especially during the War Against Heaven, when all demons should unite against immortals, not fight among themselves.
But Zuo Zhijin was clearly deranged, his reason swept away. He had become castrated just half an hour before.
After conquering several great sects in He Yan Prefecture, Zuo Zhijin had been in high spirits. He’d planned to take three or five succubi out for revelry—but then spotted Ye Nian hidden in the clouds.
His lecherous mind churned: such a beautiful little fairy would be breathtaking when grown. Better to seize and raise her now.
To avoid scaring her, he approached alone, smiling as he called out, “Little fairy, are you lost? Come with big brother—there’s candy at my place!”
Though still young, Ye Nian remembered the basics of good and evil from Ye Yu’s teachings: anyone ugly who tries to get close must be a villain. Without hesitation, she unleashed her strongest spell.
True Dragon Ascension!
A golden juvenile dragon erupted into being, soaring upward—and striking precisely at Zuo Zhijin’s most vulnerable spot. The baby dragon couldn’t kill him outright, but it shredded flesh without difficulty.
Zuo Zhijin’s howl of agony echoed through the clouds as Ye Nian turned and fled—that chase you witnessed earlier.
Having lost his most prized possession, Zuo Zhijin went mad—barking like a rabid dog. Ignoring why Bai Qingsong had two immortals at his side (after all, even immortals fear death), he assumed they were hidden aides.
Seeing Bai Qingsong silent, he thought he’d cowed him, and ordered his lackey to fetch Ye Nian. But that minion had barely taken two steps when Bai Qingsong’s sword flashed and severed him in half.
Enraged, Zuo Zhijin roared, “Bai Qingsong, are you really going to start a war between two prefectures over a mere fairy?”
Bai Qingsong’s eyes gleamed with bloodlust. “You brat, who do you think you are? Don’t imagine your useless father can protect you forever! If he hadn’t hidden, he’d be dead already. But your antics gave me the perfect excuse to draw him out!”
He lunged at Zuo Zhijin, sword poised. Though the demon lord was cowardly, he was also shrewd enough to know when to yield. Seeing that Ye Nian was Ye Yu’s daughter, Bai Qingsong threw himself into the fray to protect her—after all, he’d still need his big brother’s favor to rise in the future.
Meanwhile, Ye Yu learned everything from Ye Nian’s trembling voice: his daughter had ascended alongside Li Ruowang? Yet they’d arrived separately. That made sense—ascension points were random. Perhaps Li Ruowang appeared in the northern Celestial Realm, or the southern. No need to fret; Ye Nian held the Unity Jade, so she could find Wu Wei Tower herself.
These demons truly overstepped. They’d set their sights on his own daughter—did they not know the meaning of death?
Ye Yu raised his hand and invoked the Supreme Mandate Talisman. Borrowing the power of the scorching sun, he incinerated every demon present to ashes.
Bai Qingsong barely had time to lower his sword before his enemies were gone. Turning, he saw Zuo Zhijin utterly destroyed—his soul eradicated as well. Disappointment washed over him: he’d planned to use Zuo Zhijin as bait to draw out Zuo Lingguo. Now the plan was ruined.
“Big Brother, you struck too quickly!” he lamented.
Just then, a streak of light shot toward them, landing heavily on [N O V E L I G H T] the cloud layer.
“Who dares? Where is my son Zuo Zhijin?”
Mo Tian Jun and Ye Yu whirled to look—what nonsense was this? Were demons now speaking in riddles?
All Bai Qingsong could do was grin. “Zuo Lingguo, I never expected you’d deliver yourself! How fortuitous!”
The newcomer was none other than Zuo Lingguo himself, Demon Lord of He Yan Prefecture. He’d truly tried to lie low after the mysterious deaths of two demon lords. Yet upon learning his only heir was gone—and knowing the heirloom bloodline might end—he’d burst from hiding to find Zuo Zhijin.
What he found instead was a pile of ashes, Bai Qingsong, and a few immortals. What strange formation was this? And what did Bai Qingsong mean by “fortunate”?
Before Zuo Lingguo could answer, a sword light exploded before his eyes.
