That’s right, in Ye Yu’s mind, there was no such thing as forming an alliance or not.
Once I break into the Demon Lord Realm, all the major demon lords will become my hunting targets.
The reason is simple: only those demon clans can be worthy opponents.
This will trigger the Heaven Rewards the Diligent path to strengthening.
And in the process I can directly plunder the resources in their hands, achieving a massive boost in strength and supplies.
This is the simplest and fastest way!
Don’t ask if there’s anything wrong with this.
Ye Yu thought: I’m out here running things—who do I have to answer to?!
First I get stronger, then I worry about everything else!
Thinking this, Ye Yu readily agreed to Xu Nanqiao’s proposal for cooperation. Both sides set the terms: when the Ascension Battle began, the demon clans of Dongyao State and Lianhua State would unite to assault the Heavens together. Any territory or resources won would be split evenly. Ye Yu had absolutely no objection to such a plan, and everything proceeded smoothly.
To show her sincerity, Xu Nanqiao presented as a gift to the demon lord hall of Dongyao State a top-grade demon-immortal robe. She then turned and left.
Moments later, Xu Nanqiao returned to the Demon Lord Hall of Dongyao State. When Demon Lord Bai Qingsong saw her arrival, he immediately dismissed the guards at the door and, sniffling with excitement, descended from the throne to bow respectfully.
“Master has returned.”
Xu Nanqiao paid him no mind and sat down on the throne herself, her movements practiced—clearly not the first time she had done this. The scene made their true identities plain to anyone who knew.
In fact, Bai Qingsong was universally acknowledged as the Demon Lord of Dongyao State. Yet no one realized that Xu Nanqiao was the true ruler; Bai Qingsong was merely a puppet. With only the two of them present, there was no need for pretense.
Seeing Xu Nanqiao’s troubled expression, Bai Qingsong tentatively asked, “What is it, Master? Has something gone wrong? Has the new Demon Lord of Lianhua State refused our alliance?”
“It’s not that,” Xu Nanqiao replied, her face grave. “It’s just that Ye Yu feels... off. When we spoke of ascending to Heaven, he /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ showed none of the excitement or yearning a demon clan should have. Although he’s only at the pinnacle of the Demon Emperor Realm, he gives me a dangerously unsettling feeling—I couldn’t even use an infiltration dream!”
“This time going to Lianhua State,” she continued, “it was less about cooperation and more a test. Since I already control Dongyao State through Bai Qingsong, if I can secure another province before the Ascension Plan kicks off, we’ll achieve far greater success in the Heavens. That’s why Ye Yu caught my eye.”
“There were reasons for choosing him,” Xu Nanqiao explained. “First, his cultivation base isn’t high—rumored only at the peak of the Demon Emperor Realm—and he focuses on body refinement. People like that often neglect soul cultivation and are easy to infiltrate with a dream. But what I didn’t expect was that Ye Yu truly is a dream demon. Infiltrating a fellow dream demon’s mind is the hardest test—any slip and they detect you.”
“After much thought, I held back and offered cooperation instead. This two-pronged plan was ready in advance. Although I’m not satisfied with the outcome, it’s too late to turn back—I must see how things unfold.”
After hearing her account, Bai Qingsong bowed deeply on one knee. “Master, if he truly vexes you, let me eliminate him. Even the strongest Demon Emperor Realm warrior is still only at that realm!”
Xu Nanqiao shook her head. “You may not be his match. That title of the strongest body-refinement technique in the demon world may sound laughable, but it is certainly no ordinary art—or he wouldn’t have slain the previous Demon Lord Bai Miaoxiang! We’ll wait and see...perhaps another target will suit better.”
As she spoke, Xu Nanqiao opened a map of the demon world and marked directly under Lianhua State, writing “Peak Demon Emperor Realm” in bold characters and placing a heavy dot afterward—a habit of marking dangerous figures.
More than twenty days passed swiftly, and the Ascension Plan was about to begin. Ye Yu ordered Mo Geilian to summon all demon lords above the Demon King Realm in Lianhua State. It was not a strict requirement—any who could come should come, and those unwilling need not force themselves. As long as some demon clans stood forth at Ascension, it didn’t matter what achievements they made.
Yet Ye Yu had not expected that in just one day, more than three hundred demon lords above the Demon King Realm would gather outside the Demon Lord Hall—including familiar faces from the sect’s Great Assembly. Standing at the front was Wen Yinqing, Grandmaster of Suoxian Valley, her expression brimming with excitement!
Curious, Ye Yu transmitted in his inner voice to Mo Geilian, “What’s going on? What did you say to summon so many demon lords so quickly?”
“I didn’t say much—just that the Demon Lord has called. I didn’t even mention what it was about!” Mo Geilian replied, equally puzzled.
Unbeknownst to them, as time passed the Ascension Plan had spread like wildfire through the other states. Though Lianhua State was small, at the mention of Ascension every demon was fired up, long awaiting the summons.
Before Ye Yu could speak, a demon lord shouted, “Demon Lord, we all know this summons is for the upcoming Ascension. Tell us, how are we fighting, and how will spoils be divided? Let’s hear something concrete—no vague talk!”
Ye Yu couldn’t help but smile. Since everyone already knew, he needn’t belabor the point. He spoke loudly, “This Ascension, Dongyao State wishes to ally with Lianhua State, to advance and retreat together, splitting resources evenly afterward. I agreed to their terms, but execution depends on you. If you wish to cooperate, do so; if not, Lianhua State will fight on its own.”
“In short: when we ascend, grab grain, grab gold, grab fairy treasures—take as much as you can stomach. Whatever you obtain, I claim not a single coin.”
At these words, the many demon lords instantly erupted in cheers. Their greatest fear had been that Ye Yu, like other state Demon Lords, would demand half of all spoils, claiming credit for repelling the Heavens’ superior forces. Yet to their surprise, Ye Yu asked for nothing. Such reasonableness—and directness—won their hearts.
Really loved it!
