Ye Yu immediately grew wary.
“Why are you following me?” he asked.
Hong Zhencheng gave an awkward smile and lowered his voice. “Brother—no, Supreme God, you and I share the same lineage. As demons, we revere those stronger than us. I sensed your great power and hoped to stay close to learn from you. If you could teach me just a little, it would be my greatest honor.”
At that, Ye Yu’s mind raced. Teaching others was an excellent way to harvest vast amounts of Loyalty Points. After all, his rapid rise from the Demon Realm to the Divine Realm had relied on that very strategy at Jumo Peak. Yet when he met Hong Zhencheng’s earnest gaze, Ye Yu declined.
He had already harvested from him once—any second attempt would yield at best half as many points, perhaps even less. Moreover, Hong Zhencheng stood at Great God Realm; not so easily fooled as the demons of the Demon Realm. If he sensed no real gain in cultivation, suspicion would follow—and Ye Yu had no interest in needless complications.
Besides, a sermon that truly impressed needed an audience. One or two students brought no benefit: no epiphany, no genuine conviction.
“Your path is not mine,” Ye Yu said decisively. “Since you have already entered the Divine Realm, it means you are walking your own path. Only you can guide yourself on it. Do you understand?”
Hong Zhencheng nodded thoughtfully, as if realizing the truth of those words. “Indeed, that makes sense.” He clasped his hands. “Thank you, Supreme God, for enlightening me. I spoke rashly. Before we part, please allow one piece of advice: do not crush those storage rings yet. Leave them intact for a while—perhaps three or five years—then open them one by one. That will be safest.”
Curious, Ye Yu raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
In a low voice, Hong Zhencheng explained, “You have just arrived in the northern Divine Realm—you may not know this. The gods in purple robes belong to the Funeral Burial Divine Alliance, and those in blue robes to the Seven Treasures Divine Alliance. The latter pose no problem, but each storage ring issued by the Funeral Burial Divine Alliance carries a sealing talisman. If you attempt to force one open, the alliance will immediately detect it and lock onto your location. They even claim there’s a Five‐Second Projection Stone function—though I’m not sure if that’s true.”
He paused, then continued earnestly, “Of course, I believe you fear no god alliance. But the Funeral Burial Divine Alliance is notorious for acting like rabid dogs. You do not want to be harried by them—so I offer this warning in good faith.”
Ye Yu’s expression flickered with amusement. “They really go that far?” He shook his head. “Their method is devious—but effective, I admit. At least it gives their members a measure of security. Even if they fall, their alliance avenges them. But for newcomers like me—very unfriendly. Had you not warned me, I might have walked right into it. Being hunted by a divine alliance would be far from worth it.”
He feigned regret. “Alas, I have been in seclusion too long and lost touch with the Divine Realm. Tell me, young friend, will you also wait three or five years before opening yours? Or is there a shortcut?”
Hong Zhencheng beamed. “Me? I am of Wuliang Hall—bitter enemies of the Funeral Burial Divine Alliance. I can return to them and ask someone to remove the seal without hesitation.”
Ye Yu’s lips twitched. What a slap in the face! Why not say so earlier?
Suppressing his irritation with a forced smile, Ye Yu handed the storage rings back. “Then please, help me. Return to the alliance and break their seals. I will owe you my thanks.”
Hong Zhencheng examined the rings, then laughed. “In that case, Supreme God, why not accompany me back to the alliance as my guest? Once the seals are lifted, I can hand everything directly to you.”
Ye Yu glanced indifferently at the rings. These gods he had just fought against were no higher than Heavenly God Realm. They should possess few resources. Was Hong Zhencheng so foolish as to risk enmity over such meager spoils?
Yet he agreed to visit Wuliang Hall.
Along the journey, Hong Zhencheng assumed Ye Yu’s long seclusion had dulled his awareness and eagerly filled him in on current Divine Realm affairs—information Ye Yu found quite valuable. He also grew intrigued by Wuliang Hall. A divine alliance whose motto amounted to “If you don’t yield, we fight”—how had they survived? They sparred with one group after another, and none of them were top‐tier powers.
Night fell. Under Hong Zhencheng’s guidance, Ye Yu arrived at Wuliang Hall. It was far smaller than Wuzhong Mountain and its architecture lacked the flashy designs of those self‐aggrandizing sects. Yet it brimmed with gods—and each one clutching a Communication Stone ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) spoke as though delivering a battle proclamation.
“Damn! If you won’t yield, let’s settle this now!”
“Name your target and I’ll go crush them!”
“Looking for someone? Don’t make me laugh. You forgot I’m of Wuliang Hall!”
Hong Zhencheng blushed at their bluntness and whispered, “They’re all combatants, Supreme God, but sincere in their own way—that I guarantee!”
Ye Yu merely smiled and nodded.
Soon they reached a side hall, where an elder stood with his back to them. His remaining strands of hair fluttered in the breeze.
Hong Zhencheng bowed respectfully. “Elder Ge, please assist with these matters.”
The old man slowly turned, his gaze locking onto Ye Yu.
