After hearing Niu Erhuaâs account, Ye Yu was astonished. So all those injured bull demons had been struck down by Nangong Jingtang?
He did not doubt her power, only that she could commit such deeds. After all, during their time in LunÂyao City, Nangong Jingtang had always been exceedingly gentle. (Note: Lord Zhu Rixianâs outburst didnât countâshe had just reincarnated, so a bit of morning grumpiness was understandable.) Later, she treated everyone with courtesy, even hiding behind him in unfamiliar surroundings. How had she become so aggressive now?
Puzzled, Ye Yu turned and asked, âWhat really happened?â
Nangong Jingtang gripped his sleeve. âI felt your aura here, so I came searching for you. They wouldnât let me in, so I fought my way through.â
Ye Yu shook his head in wry amusement. Missing him so intensely that sheâd become rash? He understood, though it was hardly advisable.
He opened his mouth to dissuade her, but she pressed on: âThose two she-demons tried to stall me so I couldnât see you. I almost wanted to kill them both!â
Ye Yuâs eyes widened. At that moment, he could clearly feel the tangible murderous intent radiating from her. If her earlier rashness was understandable, this was downright pathological. What had sparked such a murderous rage?
He sensed something amiss.
Niu Erhua, furious, snapped, âWho stalled you? Youâre the one refusing to say Brother Ye Yuâs name, then blaming us! Brother Ye Yu, judge for usâwhoâs at fault here?â
Nangong Jingtang fell silent, her gaze growing even colder. Ye Yu watched, troubled.
At that moment, Yue Wanqiuâs expression turned grave. She raised a hand and formed an intricate gesture. In the next instant, the spectral image of Bai Ze appeared behind her, a faint glow bathing Ye Yu and Niu Erhua in warmthâwhile a dense black aura swirled behind Nangong Jingtang.
Seeing this, Yue Wanqiu transmitted urgently to Ye Yu: âYour demon consort has been possessed by a heart demon! You must deal with it swiftly!â
A heart demon? A Demon Kingâlevel heart demon? Ye Yu frowned. He was no longer a novice; heâd faced many dreamscapes and knew that heart demons, once born, were hard to eradicate and could destroy a cultivatorâs soul. Yet every realm possessed talismans and methods to suppress themâand few immortals ever succumbed. A Demon Kingâlevel heart demon was unheard of.
His first reaction was disbelief, but then he recalled that when he last left, Nangong Jingtangâs mind and memories were not fully intactâher diary written on bamboo slips hinted at disturbances by day seven. A heart demon could indeed have taken root.
Yue Wanqiuâs voice came again: âTrust meâI am Bai Ze. I see through right and wrong. She is truly possessed, and the demon has grown dangerously strong. We must purge it, or she may be lost!â
Ye Yuâs face turned solemn. At that moment, Nangong Jingtangâs grip on his sleeve tightened dramatically. He glanced back to see her trembling as if in agony.
In the next instant, she lashed out toward Yue Wanqiuâbut Ye Yu gently blocked her and pressed her behind him.
âDonât stop me! I want to kill that she-demon. She makes me uncomfortable!â Nangong Jingtangâs voice was icy. The black aura behind her issued a feral roar.
At that moment, Ye Yu believed wholly in her possession by a heart demon. He asked, âHow do we exorcise this heart demon?â
Yue Wanqiu replied seriously, âI can help, but first you must subdue her.â
Ye Yu nodded and immediately cast
Thousand Dreams Illusion
. Nangong Jingtang fell into a deep slumber. He then drew the
Spirit-Ghost Array Diagram
and set nearly a hundred binding â NĐŸvĐ”lÎčght â (Read the full story) formations, imprisoning her completely. âThese arrays will hold her for about an hourâwill that suffice?â
Yue Wanqiu answered softly, âItâs enough. Iâll take her to the main hall. We need a quiet spaceâplease remain as her protector.â
Ye Yu readily agreed, glad to help. After watching Yue Wanqiu carry Nangong Jingtang into the hall, he surveyed the battlefieldâs aftermath. From his sleeve he produced a storage ring and sighed, âIâm sorry for bringing such trouble to the Manniu Clan. I have many healing demon fruits hereâplease distribute them to your people.â
Niu Erhua refused the ring and spoke earnestly, âI donât need healing fruitsâwe have plenty. I want to ask you something: I donât like that woman. Why did you choose her as your demon consort? Isnât Aunt Yue Wanqiu beautiful enough?â
Ye Yu paused, puzzled. How could he answer that? And why compare Yue Wanqiu?
Before he could find words, several powerful auras descended from the sky in an instant.