Ye Yu was not the least bit daunted by the prospect of large-scale warfare. As long as Tang Tianjia did not reappear, every immortal who came would serve merely as an experience pack. He even hoped more Immortal Kings or half-step Immortal Emperors would show up—so he could trigger his Dreamborn ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ Talent Heaven Rewards Diligence again, learning through battle to advance his realm.
But such a sweet deal was unlikely. Immortal Kings and half-step Immortal Emperors were not cabbages by the roadside, easy to swarm in numbers. It seemed that if he wanted to grow stronger quickly, he’d need an even better plan.
Xu Nanqiao frowned and said gravely, “You’re far too optimistic! Fight? How will the Demon Realm fight? All the Demon Lords of the nine prefectures are dead—except you. Do you know what they’re calling you out there? ‘Demon-Lord Slayer!’ Almost every Demon Lord fell because of you; many suspect you aim to become the Demon-Realm King. Not just outsiders—so do I. But your timing was disastrously poor. Those Demon Lords were the realm’s strongest forces. With them gone, our overall strength has plunged. When Heavenly-Realm immortals invade, we’ll be at a complete disadvantage!”
Ye Yu’s eyes widened. “Hmm? That does make sense... A butterfly effect from killing the Demon Lords?”
“But what’s done is done,” Xu Nanqiao continued. “Dead demons don’t resurrect. Arguing about it now is pointless.” She saw Ye Yu silent and, fearing she’d been too harsh, added, “Given the situation, we can only take things step by step. If the day comes that the Heavenly Realm attacks, I suggest you lie low. You’re powerful, no doubt, but—”
Before she could finish, Ye Yu interrupted indignantly, “What? Lie low? When the Heavenly armies arrive, I’ll be the first to stand before them!”
Xu Nanqiao concealed a wry smile. This Demon Lord of Lotus Prefecture was as abstract as ever.
Just as she prepared to speak again, a huge hole was torn open in the wall by an unseen force. Xu Nanqiao tensed to attack, but upon seeing the newcomer, she immediately relaxed. It was Mo Geilian—Ye Yu’s top lieutenant in Lotus Prefecture.
“Big Brother! I’ve finally found you!” Mo Geilian rushed forward, arms open to embrace Ye Yu, but then froze at the sight of the gruesome sword scar on Ye Yu’s chest.
“Big Brother, how did you get hurt so badly? Did this woman do it?” His eyes reddened as he activated Demon’s Arrival in Heaven, demonic runes flashing across his body. With a step forward, he barreled toward Xu Nanqiao.
“Stop! She saved me!” Ye Yu called out. Mo Geilian halted mid-stride, the anger draining from his face into a sheepish grin.
“Oh? So you’re my savior—nice to meet you, benefactor.” He chuckled. “I was too hasty earlier without knowing the truth. Please don’t take offense. Let me give you five Immortal storage rings as a small token of thanks.”
He placed five storage rings before Xu Nanqiao, whose face paled. What kind of monsters inhabited Lotus Prefecture? Moments earlier, she had felt a mysterious force lock onto her; had that punch landed, she’d have shared Bai Qingsong’s fate. Was this the famed strongest body-refinement art of Lotus Prefecture? Truly formidable!
Ye Yu, observing everything, shook his head in mild amusement. “How did you find this place?”
Mo Geilian grinned. “That’s a long story.” He then recounted the recent events. When the Demon Realm’s army began to collapse in the Heavenly Realm, he had immediately returned to the Demon Realm with his spoils. He never worried for his brother—Ye Yu was the strongest person he’d ever known. Even if the entire army died in the Heavenly Realm, Ye Yu would remain safe.
But upon returning, Mo Geilian was surprised to find Ye Yu unreachable. No communication stone, no response. He feared Ye Yu had been left behind, and so prepared to return to the Heavenly Realm to search for him.
Yet at the passage, returning demons told him they had seen Ye Yu—he came back with a demoness, though they did not know where they’d gone. “A demoness?” Mo Geilian had blinked curiously. “Has Big Brother awakened? Found a partner?”
But something didn’t add up. Even if Ye Yu had found a demoness, he would have contacted him—after all, Mo Geilian had prepared a gift specifically to deliver to Ye Yu.
With that thought, Mo Geilian set out searching for Ye Yu, three days of tracking until he finally sensed his brother’s aura in the Lotus-Prefecture Demon Lord’s palace—and thus arrived at this scene.
Finishing his tale, Mo Geilian looked at Ye Yu. “So, what gift?”
Ye Yu frowned. Mo Geilian began making exaggerated winks and gestures. Xu Nanqiao sneered, “What, you still don’t get it? An Immortal Maiden—that’s your gift. Didn’t you tell him in the Heavenly Realm—”
Ye Yu’s eyes bulged. “Damn, he really stole an Immortal Maiden?”
Mo Geilian clasped his fingers, stealing a glance at Xu Nanqiao, then transmitted in Ye Yu’s mind, “Big Brother, is Sister-in-Law jealous? I shouldn’t have mentioned the gift—sorry!”
Ye Yu narrowed his eyes, annoyed, and telepathically snapped, “Who told you she’s my sister-in-law?”
“She’s not? Then why didn’t you say so earlier! Trust me, the Immortal Maiden I found for you is amazing. I swear, she’s the most beautiful in the entire Heavenly Realm!” Mo Geilian happily continued his loud sales pitch, evidently confident in his eye for a match.
Ye Yu scratched his head awkwardly. “You know, if you’re going to steal her, fine—did you have to shout it so loudly? What, are you the Demon Realm’s top salesman?”
