Chapter 873

“Honestly, I don’t like people pretending to be fools in front of me.

If you, Qiao Wensong, were truly a half-step Demon Emperor, I’d say nothing—here in the Demon Realm, you’d have the right to posture. But you’re merely at the peak Demon King realm, aren’t you? How inconvenient! Sorry—just enough for me to control you!”

Ye Yu raised his hand, ready to enact the Divine Mind Control Technique. Time was urgent; he needed to reach Beast City quickly. If anything happened to Nangong Jingtang, it would be disastrous.

To his surprise, Qiao Wensong offered no resistance and instead asked, “Have you decided?”

Ye Yu paused. “What do you mean?”

Qiao Wensong smiled lightly. “If you strike me, there will be no turning back. I know you’re strong—young and mighty, at Demon Lord realm you felled three Demon King opponents: Manshan, Zhenyue, and Shetong. Such achievements give you pride. But you must understand that the Demon Realm is never short of prodigies. Don’t think yourself invincible!

“I, too, once did as you do, slaying even more Demon Kings. I advise you not to act rashly—you will die. Think carefully: join the Sanctuary, and I will let all past offenses go.”

Ye Yu took a deep breath, filled with regret. Why had he stopped to listen to this posturing? Now he felt sickened.

Without further hesitation, Ye Yu unleashed the Divine Mind Control Technique. Instantly, Qiao Wensong trembled, his eyes flashing gold. He sank to one knee and said with utmost respect, “Greetings, Master!”

Ye Yu struck him sharply on the head. “Wherever you are from now on, don’t ever pretend again. Understand?”

“Yes, Master!”

Qiao Wensong’s demeanor grew humble—far more palatable. For convenience, Ye Yu stepped onto his back and sped toward Beast City.

But more importantly, Ye Yu was reading Qiao Wensong’s memories. Nangong Jingtang’s description of the Sanctuary had been too one-sided; Envoys knew little. Yet Qiao Wensong, as an Elder, held insider knowledge—perhaps he could reveal more.

As Ye Yu probed his mind, his understanding of the Sanctuary transformed. As he suspected, Demon King realm marked only the beginning for Envoys, even at the pinnacle. To become an Elder required at least half-step Demon Emperor realm! Indeed, Qiao Wensong had once reached half-step Demon Emperor. Before the cataclysm, he’d been gravely injured, his resolve shaken, causing his power to wane. He awakened too early, just before the calamity struck—yet that fortune meant a great opportunity.

In the Demon Realm, demons dream of becoming Demon Emperors—but few know that true Demon Emperor status demands not only colossal fortune but a personal Dao, recognized by the world’s qi. Without that, half-step Demon Emperor is the ceiling; aspiring higher is a fool’s dream.

For Qiao Wensong, time now was on his side. Find his Dao, and he could ascend. Rumor held that the Sanctuary possessed a wondrous technique that could, in short order, forge one’s Dao. If any other faction claimed this, none would believe it—but ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) the Sanctuary’s ancient power made the tale plausible.

Thus Qiao Wensong had been accumulating Contribution Points. Even as an Elder, he abided by Sanctuary rules. And because of Ye Yu’s feats among the Manox Clan, the Sanctuary unprecedentedly set a bounty of thirty thousand points for recruiting him. Whoever brought Ye Yu in would claim them.

Hence Qiao Wensong’s arrival: he believed he was guaranteed that prize. His injuries were healed; he stayed at Demon King realm only because the Demon Realm’s qi could not yet support higher awakening. But that mattered little—recruitment was formality. In his eyes, Ye Yu, however dazzling, was still only Demon Lord realm—no threat. He scoffed at Manshan and Zhenyue, the other Demon Kings. Demon King realm to Demon King realm were not equal. Qiao Wensong’s pride was well-earned... yet it was precisely that pride that let Ye Yu’s Divine Mind Control take him by surprise.

Perhaps it was fate.

Emerging from Qiao Wensong’s memories, Ye Yu arched an eyebrow. How fortunate to subdue him early—otherwise, he’d have been a tough opponent.

Exhaling, Ye Yu accelerated, while a sly thought of harvesting Justice Points surfaced: was that dishonorable? Ah, earning Justice Points—no shame in that! Let’s do it!

In Beast City’s center, a slight youth twisted his hands in swift formations. A massive web descended from the sky, engulfing the city. The scene mirrored thirty thousand years ago. It was the human-faced spider, Shang Jinleng! He had not forgotten his original vow upon escape: to absorb every demon in Beast City!