Ye Yu was not the least bit daunted by the prospect of large-scale warfare. As long as Tang Tianjia did not reappear, every immortal who came would serve merely as an experience pack. He even hoped more Immortal Kings or half-step Immortal Emperors would show upâso he could trigger his Dreamborn â đđšđŻđđ„đąđ đĄđ â Talent
Heaven Rewards Diligence
again, learning through battle to advance his realm.
But such a sweet deal was unlikely. Immortal Kings and half-step Immortal Emperors were not cabbages by the roadside, easy to swarm in numbers. It seemed that if he wanted to grow stronger quickly, heâd need an even better plan.
Xu Nanqiao frowned and said gravely, âYouâre far too optimistic! Fight? How will the Demon Realm fight? All the Demon Lords of the nine prefectures are deadâexcept you. Do you know what theyâre calling you out there? âDemon-Lord Slayer!â Almost every Demon Lord fell because of you; many suspect you aim to become the Demon-Realm King. Not just outsidersâso do I. But your timing was disastrously poor. Those Demon Lords were the realmâs strongest forces. With them gone, our overall strength has plunged. When Heavenly-Realm immortals invade, weâll be at a complete disadvantage!â
Ye Yuâs eyes widened. âHmm? That does make sense... A butterfly effect from killing the Demon Lords?â
âBut whatâs done is done,â Xu Nanqiao continued. âDead demons donât resurrect. Arguing about it now is pointless.â She saw Ye Yu silent and, fearing sheâd been too harsh, added, âGiven the situation, we can only take things step by step. If the day comes that the Heavenly Realm attacks, I suggest you lie low. Youâre powerful, no doubt, butââ
Before she could finish, Ye Yu interrupted indignantly, âWhat? Lie low? When the Heavenly armies arrive, Iâll be the first to stand before them!â
Xu Nanqiao concealed a wry smile. This Demon Lord of Lotus Prefecture was as abstract as ever.
Just as she prepared to speak again, a huge hole was torn open in the wall by an unseen force. Xu Nanqiao tensed to attack, but upon seeing the newcomer, she immediately relaxed. It was Mo GeilianâYe Yuâs top lieutenant in Lotus Prefecture.
âBig Brother! Iâve finally found you!â Mo Geilian rushed forward, arms open to embrace Ye Yu, but then froze at the sight of the gruesome sword scar on Ye Yuâs chest.
âBig Brother, how did you get hurt so badly? Did this woman do it?â His eyes reddened as he activated
Demonâs Arrival in Heaven
, demonic runes flashing across his body. With a step forward, he barreled toward Xu Nanqiao.
âStop! She saved me!â Ye Yu called out. Mo Geilian halted mid-stride, the anger draining from his face into a sheepish grin.
âOh? So youâre my saviorânice to meet you, benefactor.â He chuckled. âI was too hasty earlier without knowing the truth. Please donât take offense. Let me give you five Immortal storage rings as a small token of thanks.â
He placed five storage rings before Xu Nanqiao, whose face paled. What kind of monsters inhabited Lotus Prefecture? Moments earlier, she had felt a mysterious force lock onto her; had that punch landed, sheâd have shared Bai Qingsongâs fate. Was this the famed strongest body-refinement art of Lotus Prefecture? Truly formidable!
Ye Yu, observing everything, shook his head in mild amusement. âHow did you find this place?â
Mo Geilian grinned. âThatâs a long story.â He then recounted the recent events. When the Demon Realmâs army began to collapse in the Heavenly Realm, he had immediately returned to the Demon Realm with his spoils. He never worried for his brotherâYe Yu was the strongest person heâd ever known. Even if the entire army died in the Heavenly Realm, Ye Yu would remain safe.
But upon returning, Mo Geilian was surprised to find Ye Yu unreachable. No communication stone, no response. He feared Ye Yu had been left behind, and so prepared to return to the Heavenly Realm to search for him.
Yet at the passage, returning demons told him they had seen Ye Yuâhe came back with a demoness, though they did not know where theyâd gone. âA demoness?â Mo Geilian had blinked curiously. âHas Big Brother awakened? Found a partner?â
But something didnât add up. Even if Ye Yu had found a demoness, he would have contacted himâafter all, Mo Geilian had prepared a gift specifically to deliver to Ye Yu.
With that thought, Mo Geilian set out searching for Ye Yu, three days of tracking until he finally sensed his brotherâs aura in the Lotus-Prefecture Demon Lordâs palaceâand thus arrived at this scene.
Finishing his tale, Mo Geilian looked at Ye Yu. âSo, what gift?â
Ye Yu frowned. Mo Geilian began making exaggerated winks and gestures. Xu Nanqiao sneered, âWhat, you still donât get it? An Immortal Maidenâthatâs your gift. Didnât you tell him in the Heavenly Realmââ
Ye Yuâs eyes bulged. âDamn, he really stole an Immortal Maiden?â
Mo Geilian clasped his fingers, stealing a glance at Xu Nanqiao, then transmitted in Ye Yuâs mind, âBig Brother, is Sister-in-Law jealous? I shouldnât have mentioned the giftâsorry!â
Ye Yu narrowed his eyes, annoyed, and telepathically snapped, âWho told you sheâs my sister-in-law?â
âSheâs not? Then why didnât you say so earlier! Trust me, the Immortal Maiden I found for you is amazing. I swear, sheâs the most beautiful in the entire Heavenly Realm!â Mo Geilian happily continued his loud sales pitch, evidently confident in his eye for a match.
Ye Yu scratched his head awkwardly. âYou know, if youâre going to steal her, fineâdid you have to shout it so loudly? What, are you the Demon Realmâs top salesman?â