Ye Yu’s expression shifted oddly as he regarded the reporting demon guard and asked in puzzlement, “You’re saying the envoy from Dong Yao State has arrived to report?”
The guard replied, “Reporting, Your Excellency: it is indeed the Dong Yao State envoy! Shall I admit her? If not, I can send her back at once.”
Though the guard was unsure why, he dared not ask further.
Ye Yu did not hesitate long and decided to receive the envoy.
Once the guard departed, Mo Geilian looked at his brother in bewilderment. “Big Brother, why are you reacting so strongly to Dong Yao State?”
“Nothing in particular,” Ye Yu said with a slight shake of his head. “It just reminded me of an old acquaintance.”
He recalled that in his first demon-realm dream, he had been in Dong Yao State—and at that time Bai Xichu still held the title of Demon Lord there. So much time had passed; surely the demon lord of Dong Yao State had changed many times since.
Before Ye Yu could ponder further, a graceful figure glided into the hall. She inclined her head in a polite bow and introduced herself, “Greetings, Lotus State Demon Lord. I am Xu Nanqiao, envoy of Dong Yao State.”
At her entrance, Ye Yu appraised the woman’s striking beauty and cool, regal mien, her clear, icy eyes leaving an unforgettable impression—surely Dong Yao State produced the finest demonesses around.
Yet Ye Yu quickly regained his composure and asked softly, “May I inquire the purpose of your visit?”
Xu Nanqiao’s gaze flickered to Mo Geilian. “Demon Lord, I wish to speak with you alone. Is ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) that acceptable?”
Ye Yu cut her off immediately: “No. He is my brother—there is nothing he must be excluded from.”
He refused without hesitation. Having just endured the tragedy of A Rui, Ye Yu would not allow Mo Geilian any further emotional wounds.
Indeed, men often mask a delicate heart beneath a careless façade—male demons no less so.
Upon hearing Ye Yu’s firm words, Mo Geilian straightened with pride. Big Brother trusts me—how could I be left out? Yet he reminded himself to remain sensible.
He snorted softly at Xu Nanqiao’s request and curtly replied, “Very well. I won’t stand here listening to idle words. Big Brother, I have other matters—excuse me.”
With that, Mo Geilian bowed briefly to Ye Yu and strode out of the hall with decisive steps.
Ye Yu raised an eyebrow and asked Xu Nanqiao in a low voice, “Now are you satisfied?”
She bowed respectfully and said, “Forgive me, Demon Lord. It is not that I am overly particular—only that the Heaven-Conquering Plan has not been made public. Some matters must be addressed only to each state’s demon lord.”
“You are an envoy,” Ye Yu remarked, “not a demon lord.”
His single question silenced her; she stammered an apology. Wasting no time, she waved her hand and withdrew a large demon-realm map from her storage ring. On it were clearly marked the names and cultivation realms of every state’s demon lord. Lotus State’s entry bore Ye Yu’s name—but its realm field remained blank.
Pointing first to Dong Yao State and then to Lotus State, Xu Nanqiao explained the mission. Both states were minor territories in the Demon Realm: lacking strength and land compared to the great states. Once the Heaven-Conquering Plan commenced, they would surely suffer.
Therefore, Bai Qingsong, Demon Lord of Dong Yao State, proposed that Dong Yao and Lotus States form an alliance and jointly undertake the Heaven-Conquering Plan.
Ye Yu did not answer immediately. He reflected on how, at Bai Miaoxiang’s fall, he had collected her lingering spirit and learned the true details of the Heaven-Conquering Plan. With the Demon Realm’s qi fully restored and the Five-Realm passages opened, all demons hungered to ascend.
Over half a year ago, the nine demon lords had convened and sketched out the plan: gather strength over six months, then ascend together at the appointed time to launch a surprise strike on the Heavenly Realm—ambushing Immortal Kings and above to prevent organized resistance. Each lord’s subordinates would then fight over territory and treasures: what you seize is yours.
Brutal, direct, and chaotic—it was more brawl than strategy. Ye Yu had been disappointed upon learning the scheme.
Now under a month remained before the plan’s start. Dong Yao’s sudden proposal took him by surprise. His original intent had been to ascend alone, honing his power through continuous battle. Territory and spoil mattered little in a dream that reset upon waking. What counted was whether he could become Demon Emperor—or even reach the Divine Realm.
Seeing Ye Yu’s silence, Xu Nanqiao ventured, “Demon Lord Ye Yu, you do not wish to ally with Dong Yao State? Does Lotus State possess some secret weapon?”
Her question set Ye Yu’s mind racing. A solo ascent, however successful, would surely draw the envy and suspicion of the other demon lords—potentially inviting trouble. Better to accept the alliance, let it seem entirely natural, and thereby gain the perfect cover to act against them when the time was right.
