Ye Yuâs expression shifted oddly as he regarded the reporting demon guard and asked in puzzlement, âYouâre saying the envoy from Dong Yao State has arrived to report?â
The guard replied, âReporting, Your Excellency: it is indeed the Dong Yao State envoy! Shall I admit her? If not, I can send her back at once.â
Though the guard was unsure why, he dared not ask further.
Ye Yu did not hesitate long and decided to receive the envoy.
Once the guard departed, Mo Geilian looked at his brother in bewilderment. âBig Brother, why are you reacting so strongly to Dong Yao State?â
âNothing in particular,â Ye Yu said with a slight shake of his head. âIt just reminded me of an old acquaintance.â
He recalled that in his first demon-realm dream, he had been in Dong Yao Stateâand at that time Bai Xichu still held the title of Demon Lord there. So much time had passed; surely the demon lord of Dong Yao State had changed many times since.
Before Ye Yu could ponder further, a graceful figure glided into the hall. She inclined her head in a polite bow and introduced herself, âGreetings, Lotus State Demon Lord. I am Xu Nanqiao, envoy of Dong Yao State.â
At her entrance, Ye Yu appraised the womanâs striking beauty and cool, regal mien, her clear, icy eyes leaving an unforgettable impressionâsurely Dong Yao State produced the finest demonesses around.
Yet Ye Yu quickly regained his composure and asked softly, âMay I inquire the purpose of your visit?â
Xu Nanqiaoâs gaze flickered to Mo Geilian. âDemon Lord, I wish to speak with you alone. Is â NĐŸvĐ”lÎčght â (Read the full story) that acceptable?â
Ye Yu cut her off immediately: âNo. He is my brotherâthere is nothing he must be excluded from.â
He refused without hesitation. Having just endured the tragedy of A Rui, Ye Yu would not allow Mo Geilian any further emotional wounds.
Indeed, men often mask a delicate heart beneath a careless façadeâmale demons no less so.
Upon hearing Ye Yuâs firm words, Mo Geilian straightened with pride.
Big Brother trusts meâhow could I be left out?
Yet he reminded himself to remain sensible.
He snorted softly at Xu Nanqiaoâs request and curtly replied, âVery well. I wonât stand here listening to idle words. Big Brother, I have other mattersâexcuse me.â
With that, Mo Geilian bowed briefly to Ye Yu and strode out of the hall with decisive steps.
Ye Yu raised an eyebrow and asked Xu Nanqiao in a low voice, âNow are you satisfied?â
She bowed respectfully and said, âForgive me, Demon Lord. It is not that I am overly particularâonly that the
Heaven-Conquering Plan
has not been made public. Some matters must be addressed only to each stateâs demon lord.â
âYou are an envoy,â Ye Yu remarked, ânot a demon lord.â
His single question silenced her; she stammered an apology. Wasting no time, she waved her hand and withdrew a large demon-realm map from her storage ring. On it were clearly marked the names and cultivation realms of every stateâs demon lord. Lotus Stateâs entry bore Ye Yuâs nameâbut its realm field remained blank.
Pointing first to Dong Yao State and then to Lotus State, Xu Nanqiao explained the mission. Both states were minor territories in the Demon Realm: lacking strength and land compared to the great states. Once the
Heaven-Conquering Plan
commenced, they would surely suffer.
Therefore, Bai Qingsong, Demon Lord of Dong Yao State, proposed that Dong Yao and Lotus States form an alliance and jointly undertake the
Heaven-Conquering Plan
.
Ye Yu did not answer immediately. He reflected on how, at Bai Miaoxiangâs fall, he had collected her lingering spirit and learned the true details of the
Heaven-Conquering Plan
. With the Demon Realmâs qi fully restored and the Five-Realm passages opened, all demons hungered to ascend.
Over half a year ago, the nine demon lords had convened and sketched out the plan: gather strength over six months, then ascend together at the appointed time to launch a surprise strike on the Heavenly Realmâambushing Immortal Kings and above to prevent organized resistance. Each lordâs subordinates would then fight over territory and treasures: what you seize is yours.
Brutal, direct, and chaoticâit was more brawl than strategy. Ye Yu had been disappointed upon learning the scheme.
Now under a month remained before the planâs start. Dong Yaoâs sudden proposal took him by surprise. His original intent had been to ascend alone, honing his power through continuous battle. Territory and spoil mattered little in a dream that reset upon waking. What counted was whether he could become Demon Emperorâor even reach the Divine Realm.
Seeing Ye Yuâs silence, Xu Nanqiao ventured, âDemon Lord Ye Yu, you do not wish to ally with Dong Yao State? Does Lotus State possess some secret weapon?â
Her question set Ye Yuâs mind racing. A solo ascent, however successful, would surely draw the envy and suspicion of the other demon lordsâpotentially inviting trouble. Better to accept the alliance, let it seem entirely natural, and thereby gain the perfect cover to act against them when the time was right.