A moment later, an immortal maiden of fair appearance emerged from the Nirvana Tower. She sized Xu Nanqiao up and down for a long moment. Noticing that Xu Nanqiao’s face was completely hidden beneath her cloak, the maiden couldn’t help but frown slightly.
“Who are you? And why have you come seeking Ye Yu?” she asked.
“I... I am Ye Yu’s wife,” Xu Nanqiao replied after hesitation, “I’ve traveled a great distance to find him. May I see him?”
Xu Nanqiao bit her lip, unwilling to reveal that she was of the demon race—after all, one can never fully trust another’s heart. In this world, aside from Ye Yu, she trusted no one.
The maiden’s eyes widened in surprise. “Wife? He never once mentioned a wife!”
At those words, Xu Nanqiao’s face drained of color. Never mentioned? Why not?
Sensing her unease, the maiden hastened to say, “I am his sister, Ye Huilan. My little brother is not one for words and tends to keep everything to himself—perhaps he simply didn’t have the chance to tell me. But if you truly are his wife, come with me into the sect. Ye Yu is away traveling; it may be some time before he returns. You can speak with him then.”
Xu Nanqiao’s eyes went wide. “You’re not afraid I might be an impostor?”
Ye Huilan smiled and shook her head. “The moment you said you were Ye Yu’s wife, I knew you spoke the truth. He has not used the name ‘Ye Yu’ in nearly two hundred thousand years—only someone close would know it. Since joining the Heavenly Realm, he calls himself Xuan Chongzi.”
“Xuan Chongzi?” Xu Nanqiao murmured, repeating the name to commit it to memory.
Led by Ye Huilan, she entered the Nirvana Tower.
......
Ten days later.
Within the Wuwei Tower, Ye Yu sat cross-legged, gazing out at the mortal-scape beyond the sect gates with a frown. Something felt off.
By now, Xu Nanqiao should have long since left the Demon Realm and arrived in the Heavenly Realm. Why had she not come to find him? Could something have happened on the way? But that seemed unlikely—Xu Nanqiao was an exceptionally clever demoness. Once she gained strength, she never appeared in person, instead using a puppet demon lord to rule in her stead. Even fully concealed, and at the pinnacle of Demon Lord Realm, she should have had no trouble.
All along, Ye Yu never considered that Xu Nanqiao might have come to the wrong place. In the dream, he had mentioned the name Wuwei Tower in the central Heavenly Realm more than once—any parrot could repeat it, let alone a Demon Lord–level powerhouse.
Ye Yu began to ponder whether he should go out in search of Xu Nanqiao. Then he remembered another—Gan Zhizui! The Snake Spirit lady had been quite active lately. They had met in the dream, but since returning to the Heavenly Realm she, too, had not come to the Demon Realm to see him.
This didn’t matter at the time—Ye Yu had been wholly absorbed in cultivation. But now, back in reality, why hadn’t she come to Wuwei Tower either? Ever since dealing with the Devour-God Toad, Lan Lianyan, Su Yao, and Yun Roumu had ascended first; they’d been at Wuwei Tower for days. Xie Muling and Yin Feijing only arrived today. That left only Hong Luan and Li Ruowang stranded in the mortal world—and they were true laggards. But Gan Zhizui wasn’t like them! She should already be here—had she perhaps become embroiled in some secret realm again?
Growing more uneasy, Ye Yu rose to his feet, determined to search the Heavenly Realm for Xu Nanqiao and Gan Zhizui. He could not bear to worry for them endlessly.
Just as he stepped toward the gate, a streak of light shot past and came to rest before the sect entrance. The newcomer was none other than Mo Tianjun, Lord of the Three Corpse Hall! The chief of the demonic immortals, he bore a broad grin and waved at Ye Yu.
Ye Yu had no mind for idle chatter and pretended not to see him. But Mo Tianjun strode forward and blocked his path. “Ye Xianyou, your expression is so grave—where are you off to?”
“I have matters to attend to. Excuse me,” Ye Yu replied and tried to pass by, but turned back after only a few steps, squaring his gaze on Mo Tianjun. “If I’m about to leave, why don’t you go?”
Within Wuwei Tower, all were his immortal partners. Leaving a demon immortal at the gate made him uneasy—better to have Mo Tianjun go elsewhere.
But Mo Tianjun looked genuinely puzzled. Ye Yu sighed. “What did you come to see me about? Speak quickly, then be gone.”
“Oh, oh, Ye Xianyou, I had no other reason but to ask: do you want an immortal spouse? If you wish, I can have one brought to you by tomorrow!”
Mo Tianjun’s signature lecherous smile appeared, eyes glinting with playful intent. Ye Yu felt a chill run down his spine. Damn it, you pervert! How dare you say such things in broad daylight—asking about an ‘immortal spouse’ as if it were a normal ritual? If I said yes, you’d blush and claim, ‘Your spouse is standing right here’?
Murderous intent surged in Ye Yu. He had used Mo Tianjun only for information, and the old devil now tried to turn it # Nоvеlight # into something else? He almost acted on his impulse right then.
Sensing the shift in the air, Mo Tianjun hastily said, “Ye Xianyou, what do you mean? I’m serious! And the immortal spouse I’d find for you—appearance, figure—top tier. You’d be more than satisfied!”
Ye Yu snorted coldly. “Prove it—bring her to me.”
Mo Tianjun nodded... then hesitated. If he truly could bring one, he’d be the greatest matchmaker ever. It was all part of his scheme to lure Ye Yu into joining the Three Corpse Hall. But Ye Yu’s tone was so unlike a man eager for romance—more like one sulking.
Oh well. As long as the lady immortal appeared, Ye Yu might as well judge for himself. With that thought, Mo Tianjun’s form blurred and vanished.
