Ye Yu was quite surprised to see Yue Wanqiu’s arrival.
“Why have you come all of a sudden?” he asked.
Yue Wanqiu did not rush to answer. She studied Ye Yu intently, confirming he was unharmed, before slowly recounting her experience.
It turned out that after the four Demon King–ranked powerhouses perished at the hands of the Manniu Clan, the Sanctuary sent a Sanctified Envoy to find Yue Wanqiu. They invited her to join the Sanctuary, promising that if she agreed, they would no longer investigate the deaths of Zhen Yue or She Tong. And, they said, Ye Yu would also agree to join.
Yue Wanqiu did not trust them. She asked for a few days to consider, vowing to decide only after seeing Ye Yu.
The Envoy said nothing further—perhaps he believed that if even a Sanctuary Elder struck, Ye Yu would be an easy conquest.
Without hesitation, Yue Wanqiu set out for Rogue Demon City. Before she arrived, she felt the overwhelming demonic aura and encountered many fleeing demons. From them she learned that Ye Yu was still inside the city, and so she hurried to help.
But when she reached the scene, the battle was already over.
Upon hearing this, Ye Yu could not help but smile.
“It’s all right—everything’s finished now.”
“Good, I’m glad you’re safe. I...”
Before Yue Wanqiu could finish, Nangong Jingtang, standing nearby, interrupted: “You’re the demon who helped me purge my inner devil before, aren’t you? I’m truly grateful.”
“If not for you, I might have become ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) a demon consumed by slaughter—and couldn’t stay with Ye Yu.”
As she spoke, Nangong Jingtang stepped before Yue Wanqiu. Taller and tilting her head slightly, she looked like a proud peacock. Though she smiled, it carried little warmth.
Only then did Yue Wanqiu notice Nangong Jingtang’s presence. She had been so worried about Ye Yu’s safety that she saw only him and ignored everyone else.
By her tone and bearing, it was clear Nangong Jingtang had recovered from her weakness—and her hostility was genuine. As Ye Yu’s bonded demon companion, she had every right to guard him jealously.
Yue Wanqiu forced a smile, her heart aching. “You flatter me, Demon Friend. I merely offered assistance—not worth mentioning. Since you and Ye Yu are safe, I will take my leave.”
In a flash, Yue Wanqiu’s figure vanished—she had arrived in haste, and departed just as hurriedly.
Ye Yu felt the awkward tension. Before he could speak, Nangong Jingtang broke the silence.
“Although she saved me once, I don’t like her—she has other designs on you!”
Ye Yu was equal parts amused and exasperated. “Other designs? You’re overthinking. We’re simply demon friends—three meetings, that’s all.”
Nangong Jingtang shook her head and drew close, slipping her arm through his. “Never doubt a woman’s sixth sense. I won’t let anyone take you from me!”
Her voice was soft, but Ye Yu could feel the core of her possessiveness.
Well, that wasn’t exactly healthy. “Don’t worry—you won’t be losing me. But you have many sisters; you must accept that.”
Ye Yu opened his mouth, then gave up. Clearly, this wasn’t the moment for psychological counseling. He would find a better time to temper her fierce possessiveness.
The next day, Ye Yu arranged for Nangong Jingtang to stay within the Peacock Clan’s territory, then set out for the Sanctuary. This time he did not go out of a desire to join, but for the Sanctuary’s legendary tome of cultivation art.
According to Qiao Wensong’s memories, to ascend to Demonic Emperor Realm one must forge one’s own Dao. Ye Yu was already late Demon King Realm—Demonic Emperor was within reach, and he needed to consider his path.
Moreover, the demonic energy had only just revived. The powerful Demonic Emperors had yet to fully awaken; now was the best time to claim the Sanctuary’s art. Delay would only make it harder. That was why Ye Yu departed in such haste.
Nangong Jingtang had wanted to accompany him but was firmly refused. The Sanctuary was no place for dilettantes—its Sanctified Envoys were almost all Demon King Realm. Traveling alone was far more convenient; bringing her would be a distraction.
Hearing this, Nangong Jingtang had no choice but to warn Ye Yu to be careful, and that if he failed to obtain what he wanted, he should not force the issue—after all, survival was paramount.
Ye Yu agreed wholeheartedly—he had perished in his dream dozens of times by now, in all sorts of bizarre ways. He had even learned that the higher the realm, the more caution one needed: with so many variables, a single hidden trap could mean death. This was his closest approach yet to Demonic Emperor Realm, so he would tread lightly.
Shortly thereafter, Ye Yu arrived at the Sanctuary’s gates. They were as grand as ever, with a Sanctified Envoy on duty outside.
Seeing Ye Yu, the Envoy barred his way and snarled, “No invitation? Begone—or die!”
Without a word, Ye Yu unleashed the Divine-Steed Mind-Control Art and seized the Envoy’s will. Then he followed the Envoy into the Sanctified Hall—the Sanctuary’s most mysterious place, where every treasure imaginable could be found: demon arts, heavenly materials, spirit beasts, spirit robes... if you could think of it, it existed there.
According to Qiao Wensong’s memory, the wondrous cultivation art was hidden within. But the required Contribution Points were astronomical—Ye Yu had never intended to obtain it by normal means.
