Ye Yu stood motionless, gazing at the Hidden Spirit Flower, and said coolly, “From the very beginning, your target was never this flower, but me, wasn’t it?”
“Exactly—but only now do you realize it. Aren’t you a bit too late?” Bai Xiao’s voice echoed from all directions.
Ye Yu smiled inscrutably. In truth, the moment he saw Feng Kai, he had sensed something was amiss. Feng Kai had battled Kuang Mingkui for a century and, though victorious, had not detained his opponent—evidence of some hidden injury. Otherwise, he would never have let an Immortal Emperor Realm powerhouse walk away so boldly. And Bai Xiao himself, fat and unassuming as he appeared, gave off an aura rivaling that of the Abyss Demon Clan’s Endless Night.
Under those circumstances, Bai Xiao could have slain Feng Kai and seized the Hidden Spirit Flower himself. Why, then, summon Ye Yu to assist? The only explanation: Bai Xiao had ulterior motives—though Ye Yu could not yet discern them. So he pressed the question aloud: “If your true goal is me, what is your reason? Is it simply that I’ve been the most prominent figure in the Demon Realm lately, and you crave the title of Strongest Demon?”
“Yes...and no,” Bai Xiao admitted. “I sought you because you are the strongest known in the Demon Realm. But it’s not for some hollow title—I want your power.” He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. “Though I am a Heart Demon, I scorn relying on thralls whose minds I control. I prefer to enhance my own cultivation. After wandering the Demon Realm for countless years, I devised a rapid method to grow stronger: devouring. By absorbing another’s power completely into myself, I can leap forward in strength! Though each devouring demands great time to assimilate, to me it is worth it. And you, Ye Yu, are the finest sustenance I could hope for. Once I have devoured you utterly, I will ascend another tier! I will show you the splendors of the Divine Realm!”
No sooner had Bai Xiao spoken than he revealed his true form—with him, five other figures appeared. Their expressions were dull, their eyes glowing red; each was a peak Demon Lord Realm cultivator. Together, they constituted an undeniable force.
Ye Yu’s brow tightened. “You intend to kill me with just these six? That’s hardly realistic. Besides, didn’t you say you disdain thralls whose minds you control? What does this make you now—a ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) fickle hypocrite?”
Before Ye Yu could ponder further, Bai Xiao wove a strange hand seal. Ye Yu’s expression darkened; he recognized the pattern: a forbidden art—Sacrificial Veil of Passing! As Bai Xiao intoned obscure demonic runes, a colossal violet apparition nearly a thousand zhang tall manifested behind him. Its face was a grotesque mask, like an eldritch god crawling from the abyss. Its body, gaunt as ever, was draped in a white robe, and fine runes glowed brilliantly upon its exposed wrists—so vivid that merely gazing at them invoked a mysterious power.
Ye Yu’s eyes went wide. This was the legendary Heart Demon God—the very entity that had slain him in that prior dream! Though time had passed, the memory remained fresh.
Perhaps noticing Ye Yu’s horror, Bai Xiao knelt on one knee and cried out, “Great Ancient Heart Demon God, I offer the souls of these five mighty Demon Lords—grant me victory over my enemy!” At his words, the five peak Demon Lords stepped forward, heads bowed as though awaiting death.
The giant apparition looked down and nodded its approval. “Accepted.”
Rage flared in Ye Yu’s heart. “Accepted, my ass!” In that dream he had died this same way—this time he would not repeat the mistake. With hope of fracturing the void and ascending still alive, he refused to surrender to another dream.
Ye Yu spun to leave—only to see Bai Xiao smirk. A purple mist had already enveloped the area; no matter how hard Ye Yu strove, he could not break through it.
“I advise you not to waste your strength,” Bai Xiao’s mocking voice echoed. “When the Great Ancient Heart Demon God descends, this place is sealed from the outside world. Here, he is the true master, and this mist is the perfect barrier to prevent escape. It holds both you and me within his domain. If I fail to supply a satisfactory sacrifice, I too will die. But I planned for everything—including tonight’s scene.” Bai Xiao’s tone turned respectful. “Ye Yu, you are formidable—so formidable I didn’t know how to kill you, so I resorted to this method. Now, accept your fate.”
The Heart Demon God ignored their banter and glided forward. With a single inhalation, it devoured the souls of the five peak Demon Lords. Their bodies collapsed, lifeless and pale.
Sated, the Heart Demon God turned its gaze to Ye Yu. “A strong ant, indeed...you pique my interest.”
Bai Xiao’s grin widened. “Ant—such a fitting term! No matter how strong you are in the Demon Realm, before the Heart Demon God you remain an ant to be crushed...though try not to bruise too much, for I intend to devour you afterward!”
Seeing no escape, Ye Yu abandoned caution and faced his fate. He turned back, eyes blazing, and said coldly, “You’re nothing but a projection—what gives you the right to act so arrogantly?”
