At this moment, Wei Jie was punching the energy barrier one fist after another. Although he channeled his full true qi, he couldn’t shake that barrier. He said nothing, only smashing until both hands were bloody, his eyes glowing with deep black as he glared like a wolf at the man who had lifted Xiaoxiao’s collar.

There was one jar of vinegar, and two men fighting to drink it – not enough to go around.

But what Wei Jie hated most at this moment wasn’t Dong Yuan, but himself!

If he were strong enough, why would he be unable to break through this so-called divine barrier? And why would he let Xiaoxiao suffer that beast’s humiliation right before his eyes?

Thinking of this, the darkness accumulating in Wei Jie’s eyes grew ever denser. His entire body seemed to have countless air currents surging, flowing downward like plant roots and stems, then spiraling upward…

Xiaoxiao knew she couldn’t defeat a true god now, so she didn’t struggle. She just politely reminded him when Dong Yuan glared at Wei Jie: “Are you done looking? Could you please let go of my collar?”

Dong Yuan slowly turned his gaze back to Xiaoxiao, finally showing a genuinely warm smile on his face: “Do you… Know who you are?”

Xiaoxiao didn’t understand what he meant and couldn’t help but make a questioning sound.

Dong Yuan didn’t release his grip, but placed his large palm on Xiaoxiao’s cheek, as if gently caressing a recovered treasure, saying softly: “Your past life was Phoenix Divine Lord, my destined immortal companion…”

Before he could finish speaking, Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

She had heard such presumptuous words before.

For instance, Qin Lingxiao, once the world’s number one sword sect leader, had also grandly appointed her as his fiancée, graciously granting her a wedding date.

Could it be that after Dong Yuan possessed Qin Lingxiao’s body, he also contracted the original owner’s arrogance and liked to drag women into arranged marriages?

Dong Yuan wasn’t surprised by Xiaoxiao’s reaction. He pulled Xiaoxiao into his embrace again, gently caressing her cheek and saying slowly: “It doesn’t matter if you don’t believe it. I’ll prove it to you. However, you need to quickly end your unclear relationship with Wei Jie. I don’t tolerate sand in my eyes, and I certainly can’t allow you to be unclear with that kind of trash mortal…”

Xiaoxiao finally looked directly at Dong Yuan. The smile on her face faded, and she suddenly raised an eyebrow and asked: “If you’re going to say that, I need to inquire thoroughly. Fine, let’s set aside whether I’m the reincarnation of Phoenix Divine Lord you mentioned. Let me ask you first – that Phoenix supposedly violated heavenly law and was punished by heaven, falling into the Underworld. Why couldn’t she, a divine being, withstand heavenly tribulation? As her immortal companion, where were you when she faced heavenly tribulation?”

Dong Yuan’s brow furrowed in pain: “The heavenly tribulation came early then, and she was severely injured. I didn’t know…”

Xiaoxiao interrupted him again, saying with sudden realization: “Oh, so it was such a coincidence – she happened to be injured, the heavenly tribulation happened to come early, and you happened not to be by her side… Are you sure this was heavenly punishment and not premeditated murder?”

Dong Yuan was questioned into tight-lipped silence, seemingly unwilling to answer.

Xiaoxiao coldly pushed away his hand, reaching for her cheek and asked again: “You call Wei Jie trash mortal? Then let me ask you, noble divine being – when your immortal companion fell into the Underworld and couldn’t be reborn, what were you doing?”

Dong Yuan squinted, explaining with slight guilt: “I’ve always wanted to rescue you. I tried to break into the Underworld several times, but that bastard Emperor Ancient Flame kept blocking me. Only then did I understand – he had improper designs on you…”

Xiaoxiao was too lazy to listen to his continued lies and sneered: “Your great name is too famous – there are legends about you everywhere among the people. I remember now, Yu Ling’er told me that you fancy yourself a romantic, having unclear relationships with many female divine beings. After she died, because of your unbearable grief, you went to Jade Pool to dispel your sorrow and had affairs with two goddess attendants beside the Saint, achieving the immortal realm’s tale of Ehuang and Nüying. Isn’t that right?”

Dong Yuan’s frown deepened – the immortal realm also had disputes over competing for human incense offerings, so divine beings smearing each other and leaking each other’s private scandals to the human world was common.

He just didn’t know which loose tongue had spread romantic tales to the human realm that even he couldn’t remember, which then reached this young woman’s ears.

However, these were all insignificant details. After all, he couldn’t even remember what those women looked like.

Most importantly, he had finally found his Phoenix. In the future, he would make her understand that besides her, he needed no other woman.

Seeing that even Dong Yuan, who was best at lying and deceiving, was somewhat at a loss for evasive words, Xiaoxiao knew her guess was correct.

That poor goddess had probably trusted the wrong person back then, loving someone she shouldn’t have – a prideful son of heaven who wasn’t blessed by the Heavenly Lord.

She didn’t believe that if Phoenix had truly been the Heavenly Emperor’s intended daughter-in-law, she would have committed such errors and suffered such severe punishment.

Looking at those myths, unless it was minor immortals who worked night shifts, kept watch, or guarded gates, making mistakes, which true god with a golden body would suffer heavenly punishment for their errors?

As true gods, as long as they didn’t covet the Heavenly Emperor’s position, flirt with women who had ambiguous relationships with the Heavenly Emperor, or tease the robes of the Queen Mother’s saint daughters, divine positions were carefree and worry-free for ten thousand years.

But this Phoenix goddess, who had once achieved outstanding military merits and was even as famous as Dong Yuan and Ancient Flame, must have somehow threatened some true god’s interests to suffer such severe punishment.

Heavenly tribulation coming early? It looked more like deliberate persecution, wanting to eliminate her quickly!

Having witnessed the world’s fickleness since childhood, Xiaoxiao could deduce with a little thought that the death of the Phoenix goddess was inescapably connected to the Dong Yuan Emperor before her.

So, having probed this far, Xiaoxiao sneered at Dong Yuan: “Compared to you, although Wei Jie can’t be called a golden, shining god, he’s a real man! When he thought I was in the Underworld, he’d rather shatter his divine essence than rescue me. Such trash mortals are worth their weight in gold. I’m not stupid – why would I abandon him for you? Not to mention, I’m not Phoenix at all. Even if that goddess were truly before you, she probably wouldn’t want anything to do with someone like you anymore, right? Those words you said to me – why don’t you save them for when you burn paper money on the first and fifteenth to move yourself!”

Xiaoxiao’s words could be said to pierce the heart with every word, making Dong Yuan nearly lose control.

He had always been coldly calculating, but his only miscalculation in a thousand years was underestimating Phoenix’s weight in his heart.

Hearing Xiaoxiao’s words, Dong Yuan angrily grabbed her neck, and for once, this usually eloquent man was speechless.

The energy shield blocked sound. Dong Yuan gripping Xiaoxiao’s neck appeared to those on the other side of the barrier as if he wanted to break her neck, making everyone’s hearts clench!

While Xiaoxiao spoke these supremely sarcastic words, the corner of her eye kept watching Tang Youshu and the others on the other side of the barrier.

Tang Youshu had told her earlier that there was a place with soft geology to the north, which should be where the formation’s eye was located. Perhaps they could dig through and drill out.

While she was verbally sparring with Dong Yuan over incomprehensible nonsense, Tang Youshu had already activated an earth-drilling talisman and was exploring downward from that soft spot.

Earlier on the island, they could feel the entire island swaying slightly like a large ship, so Yu Ling’er’s seasickness hadn’t completely recovered after landing, and she would occasionally vomit.

Tang Youshu boldly speculated that this so-called island should just be a layer of soil floating on the sea surface – an “earth ship” made of fertile soil.

In legend, Zhangwei Mountain was not on land, not in the sky, not in the sea – it was exactly like this.

Because this mountain should be on this artificially constructed “island.”

Xiaoxiao pinned her hopes on this “island’s” soil layer not being too thick, so Tang Youshu could drill through quickly. Then he, Wei Jie, and Yu Ling’er could first leave this strange island through the underground tunnel.

As for herself, she was now deliberately provoking Dong Yuan, actually just wanting to attract his attention as much as possible to give the others a chance to escape.

Although the sea surface was turbulent with waves, the underwater was often relatively calm. As long as they could avoid critical points, they would have greater chances of escaping danger.

Now that Xiaoxiao was being choked by Dong Yuan, she wasn’t without fear.

She had already planned that after Tang Youshu and the others escaped danger, she would find a way to pretend to be that Phoenix and perform some reconciliation drama with Dong Yuan to see if she could stabilize this true god.

However, Xiaoxiao was wrong. Tang Youshu wasn’t digging downward at all, but toward the other side of the energy barrier.

When Xiaoxiao saw Tang Youshu emerge from the soil not far from her like a field mouse, she was so angry she wanted to roll her eyes.

Stupid Old Tang! This wasn’t the time to run – what was he doing here for nothing? Planning to throw eggs at rocks?

Dong Yuan also sensed someone had entered the energy barrier. Turning to see it was Tang Youshu, he immediately struck at him without hesitation.

But Tang Youshu was surprisingly agile, actually managing to snatch away the statue of Zhu Jiuyin wrapped in Dong Yuan’s sleeve.

However, how could Tang Youshu withstand divine spiritual energy that scorched everything in its path? He was immediately struck flying object.

Seeing this, Xiaoxiao’s heart jumped, and she immediately shouted: “Master!”

She saw clearly that when Tang Youshu was struck by Dong Yuan, he immediately spat out a large mouthful of blood, appearing seriously injured.

Since separating from the Talismonger Sect, she had never called Tang Youshu master again. But in this moment of urgency, “Master” slipped out!

However, Tang Youshu’s disruption distracted Dong Yuan. The energy barrier surrounding them was suddenly shattered, and a man with half his face covered in black scales appeared like a demon descending, using tremendous thunderous force to smash Dong Yuan’s energy barrier to pieces.

Xiaoxiao was now firmly held by Dong Yuan, unable to move. She could only watch with shock and uncertainty as that man covered in black scales approached her and Dong Yuan with a face full of sinister killing intent…

This kind of man was exactly like the Demon Lord from her previous life, actually reflecting from her dreams into reality, slowly approaching, wrapped in hellish fury.

He… how did he grow black scales?

Before Xiaoxiao could figure it out, Wei Jie had already suddenly leaped up like a black hurricane, fiercely attacking Dong Yuan.

The demonic power he carried was even more compelling than the Heavenly Punishment Sword’s might. When Wei Jie attacked, even the ground was impacted with deep grooves!

Dong Yuan knew the current Wei Jie was not to be underestimated. He first pushed Xiaoxiao aside, then prepared to block Wei Jie’s strike with one hand.

Unfortunately, he was too overconfident! When that demonic power impacted him, Dong Yuan’s newly formed energy shield was shattered again. Dong Yuan felt his entire arm go numb with pain, even hearing the crack of a bone fracture.

Not good! His arm was fractured from the shock! How was this possible? Wei Jie’s spiritual energy had increased by who knows how many times?

Before Dong Yuan could think more, Wei Jie’s fists wrapped in demonic power rained down like raindrops!

The speed was too fast. Dong Yuan had just dodged the first few punches when his waist received two heavy blows, and the remaining fists were almost all aimed at his face.

Rather than calling this a fight between immortals, it was more like a brutal brawl between men! Without energy swords or shields, only fist meeting flesh could resolve the hatred in their hearts!

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Xiaoxiao had already rushed over to help Tang Youshu up, while Yu Ling’er also pounced over, anxiously embracing Young Master Tang.

Xiaoxiao felt his pulse and was immediately shocked. Tang Youshu’s pulse showed no spiritual power at all, almost like an ordinary mortal.

“What’s going on? Where’s the Demon Pearl on your body?”

Tang Youshu spat another mouthful of blood and smiled: “I… I’ve already returned it to its rightful owner, giving it back to Master… Now, Master has two lifetimes of demonic energy. Whether he can control his demonic nature depends on you… Otherwise, given his current demonic nature, even divine beings might find him difficult to control. You must not let him repeat past mistakes and harm living beings…”

No wonder Wei Jie had suddenly grown black scales and his demonic power greatly increased, actually suppressing Dong Yuan – it turned out Tang Youshu had given the Demon Pearl back to Wei Jie!

In his previous life, Wei Jie’s descent into demonhood came after countless twists and humiliations, step by step through blood and tears. This kind of demonic transformation process bred cold-hearted evil demons who would kill Buddhas upon meeting them.

In this life, because of Xiaoxiao, although Wei Jie showed signs of becoming demonic, it was still controllable, retaining considerable humanity.

But with two lifetimes of demonic nature superimposed, even Tang Youshu dared not estimate what would happen to Wei Jie.

No wonder Dong Yuan, momentarily careless, was completely suppressed by Wei Jie.

But Tang Youshu giving the Demon Pearl back to Wei Jie and risking death by drilling into the tunnel to attract Dong Yuan’s attention so Wei Jie could break the energy barrier to save Xiaoxiao had put himself in danger.

His body was still young. Without the Demon Pearl and lacking cultivation, how could he withstand Dong Yuan’s strike?

Tang Youshu’s words were completely like final words. Yu Ling’er’s crying was already mixed with fox cries!

But Xiaoxiao was so angry her face turned iron-blue, her lips trembling: “Are you crazy! Wei Jie told you to attract Dong Yuan’s attention, and you mindlessly listened to him? Didn’t you know this was suicide?”

Tang Youshu covered his chest, smiling with difficulty: “Master didn’t instruct this… it was my idea. I caused you to be stranded two hundred years ago. Even if I die, I won’t let… let anyone harm you… I’m your master – I should protect you like a daughter… I’m sorry, Xiaoxiao. Master didn’t do well, I’m sorry…”

Speaking, he tremblingly handed the blood-stained statue of Zhu Jiuyin to Xiaoxiao: “Take it. With this, you can go back… I buried two chests of silver in the stones behind Lingshan. That’s all of our Talismonger Sect’s wealth. After you return, you’ll at least not worry about… food and clothing, and can be a truly carefree sect leader…”

After saying this, Tang Youshu turned to look at Yu Ling’er, who was crying with a tear-stained face.

This silly girl had been so infatuated with Master in her previous life, silently giving without seeking return. These touches couldn’t move Master’s already hardened heart, but he saw it all.

His love for Yu Ling’er had somehow gradually changed flavor, but unfortunately, her eyes never held him. This love could only be buried deep in his heart.

Later, when he possessed the Demon Pearl and returned over two hundred years later, meeting Yu Ling’er again, she had someone in her heart – this time, she fell for Qin Lingxiao.

He could only watch quietly again, silently staying by her side, not letting Ling’er repeat her previous life’s mistakes.

Even when Yu Ling’er finally cut off that karmic bond and turned her gaze to him, he could only pretend not to know and dared not respond – because he wasn’t worthy! He had seen his own crane-haired, chicken-skinned appearance and knew where his mediocre cultivation’s limits lay.

A person destined to die of old age, even experiencing it again, would ultimately become a decrepit, wrinkled old man!

Could he let Yu Ling’er love once, then have the black-haired person send off the white-haired person two hundred years later?

Fox and scholar romances in all theater scripts never had good endings.

Heaven knew how much willpower he needed to restrain himself from responding when this innocent girl privately kissed him with passion and initiative.

So every time, his indifference made Yu Ling’er’s eyes redden with hurt and tears.

Now it seemed his past persistence was right. Looking at his beloved little fox’s reddened eyes, let him… make her cry one more time.

Then dust would return to dust, with no debts between them. Eventually, Yu Ling’er would forget him and find a suitable Taoist companion to achieve proper results.

Thinking this, he slowly grasped Yu Ling’er’s hand, using his blood-stained lips to gently touch her slender fingertips. All the inexpressible love condensed in this gentle kiss.

Just as Tang Youshu suddenly released his hand and his body stiffened, Yu Ling’er was completely terrified, desperately hugging Tang Youshu’s neck and sobbing: “No! You’re not allowed to leave! You bastard!”

Before she could fall into mad wailing, she was forcefully pushed away by Cui Xiaoxiao!

Xiaoxiao suddenly channeled her energy, forcing out the fox clan spirit stone from her abdomen, then desperately pressed it toward Tang Youshu’s abdomen. Yu Ling’er immediately understood Xiaoxiao’s intention and joined her in channeling power to force the spirit stone toward Tang Youshu.

While channeling power, Xiaoxiao shouted angrily: “You old bastard! Stinking master! Even if you die, find the right place! This demon island absorbs souls! If you die here, you’ll truly never be reborn! Open your eyes and hold on a little longer!”

Spirit stones could only attach to spiritual places or spiritual beings. If Tang Youshu completely died, even if they both used all their strength, it would be impossible.

This spirit stone was something Goddess Nüwa gifted to the fox clan. She didn’t know if it could save a dying life at this critical moment.

Unfortunately, no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t force the spirit stone into Tang Youshu’s body.

Xiaoxiao became anxious and was about to spit out her Golden Core when Yu Ling’er suddenly transformed into a fox and spat her fox pearl into Tang Youshu’s mouth first.

After the fox pearl entered Tang Youshu’s mouth, it immediately disappeared, and the spirit stone Cui Xiaoxiao was pressed, also instantly vanished into Tang Youshu’s abdomen.

The next moment, Tang Youshu, who had been rigid and motionless, suddenly coughed up another mouthful of clotted blood, then gasped heavily and suddenly jumped up, sitting.

Cui Xiaoxiao had expended countless spiritual power to press down the spirit stone and was now exhausted, collapsed on the ground.

Tang Youshu was amazed as he touched his body, discovering that his ribs, shattered by the impact, seemed to have instantly healed, and his body was even lighter than when the Demon Pearl possessed him.

When he looked down at the spirit stone in his abdomen, and then turned to see the little white fox collapsed on the ground, he immediately understood everything!

At this moment, the little white fox’s proud three tails had become a somewhat balding single tail, and her fur looked dim and lusterless.

Fox clan members who lost their fox pearls were equivalent to losing all cultivation. Yu Ling’er had scattered her cultivation to save her beloved and could never transform into human form again!

Tang Youshu’s lips trembled as he embraced the collapsed little white fox, choking up and crying out loud.

Xiaoxiao’s heart also ached, but now wasn’t the time for spring sorrow and autumn grief. Her only thought now was to bring both the person and the fox safely off the demon island.

As she said, even if they died, they couldn’t die on this demon island that used souls and lifespans as fertilizer.

Just then, Wei Jie and Dong Yuan’s fight finally showed results.

At this moment, Dong Yuan’s heart held the second regret of his thousand years – why did he have to possess someone’s body, and it had to be Qin Lingxiao’s!

Although he had successfully suppressed the original owner and occupied this body, some of the original owner’s inherent reflexive habits were also retained.

For instance, when he possessed Ye Yi’s body, he couldn’t help but look more at beautiful girls, and when eating dishes Ye Yi liked, he would eat more.

But this Qin Lingxiao’s habits were fucking terrible!

His habit was – after being slapped by Wei Jie, he would freeze like a mouse stared at by a snake!

How had he forgotten that this Qin Lingxiao had once been Demon Lord Wei Jie’s disciple, and that fear of his master had already penetrated his bones!

So Dong Yuan, who had long forgotten what being beaten felt like, really got a taste of it now!

After receiving slap after slap from Wei Jie, he even had the urge to follow the original owner’s impulse and kowtow to his master on the ground!

In a fight between two evenly matched opponents, this was deadly! Dong Yuan would always be distracted momentarily to suppress this body’s instinctive impulses, while Wei Jie fought more courageously, beating Dong Yuan until his mouth corner split!

Just then, the surrounding waves had already surged over, and the entire island began sinking faster. There was even an indescribable suction force keeping them firmly attached to the ground, not allowing them to fly on swords.

Once they were swept up by the waves, who knew how this island would scheme against them! Dong Yuan coldly said to Wei Jie, “If we keep fighting, we’ll all die here!”

If he hadn’t been saying this with a swollen red face, his words might have been more convincing.