Xue Yu got up and stepped onto the ground, walking across the soft velvet carpet to his side. Sea breeze poured in through the window, wrapping around her skirt hem and sweeping over his robe’s edge. Neither spoke, creating a moment of profound quietude.

Su You’s hand stopped mid-stroke. Finally, he set down his brush and turned to look at Xue Yu.

She had just awakened, wearing no makeup, her long hair completely loose over her shoulders. Her small face, when without a smile, always showed a kind of worldly indifference. Following her slightly loose long dress downward, he noticed her snow-white toes sinking into the velvet carpet—she wasn’t even wearing shoes. Her entire being emanated an ethereal quality, like some spirit born from nature’s essence.

Su You wrapped his arm around her, bringing her into his embrace, pressing her waist and lifting slightly. She naturally settled onto his lap.

“What are you looking at?” From leaving the ancestral ground until now, Su You had spoken fewer than ten sentences. Opening his mouth now, he was slightly stunned, then buried the gloom in his eyes and heavily pressed his Adam’s apple.

Xue Yu loosely pinched his wrist: “What are you doing? It’ll be fine in a few days.”

“It doesn’t sound good.” He tried desperately to suppress his tone, but it still sounded clear and cold. Every word that escaped carried an indescribable layer of frost, making even grievance and dissatisfaction sound like cool statements of fact.

Xue Yu lightly touched his chin with her index finger, tapping it as if knocking, and said quite honestly: “It’s acceptable.”

When she said acceptable, that’s truly what she meant—just acceptable.

Su You stared at her steadily for two glances, his brilliant golden pupils reflecting her gradually clarifying features. Finally, nose tip touching nose tip, their breaths intertwined. First came tender and passionate sucking, then he bit as if venting frustration, his voice finally wrapped in a layer of intoxicated magnetism: “I just… opened one hundred thirty letters, read twenty-nine documents. Can’t Your Highness say something nice to comfort me?”

After that ice-cold “A Yu,” he stopped calling her name carelessly. Your Highness worked, as did Young Lady—in any case, those two words “A Yu” probably wouldn’t be heard again until his voice recovered.

But people are always like this—the more someone avoids something, the more others want to expose it. Looking at that face so close to hers, Xue Yu discovered for the first time that she had such a malicious streak.

“Your Highness?” She chose a comfortable position to nestle into his chest, her voice carrying the laziness of recent awakening: “You’re not working under me anymore.”

“I heard.” Su You held her in his full embrace, gradually unable to withstand such an atmosphere. He took her tender white earlobe between his teeth to lick, his breathing slightly heavy: “The day after I left, I was removed from the Front Office roster. Chao Hua was promoted to replace my position.”

This method of erasing all traces the moment one turned around was so decisive that when Jiu Feng mentioned it, she repeatedly cast sympathetic glances his way.

Xue Yu made a sound of acknowledgment.

As they say, a brief separation is better than a new marriage. Before long, the man tasting such pleasures for the first time couldn’t help but lift his chin slightly, leaning close to her ear to whisper: “Everything that needs handling is mostly dealt with. Won’t Your Highness spare me some time too?”

This sentence should have carried desperate pleading, but spoken in that tone, paired with those majestic and profound golden pupils, it sounded more like a secret command.

Xue Yu stepped onto the velvet pad and rose, her gauze skirt rippling at her ankles like blooming water flowers. She pointed toward the canopied bed hidden beyond the hanging curtains: “You go up there. Let me examine the Heaven-Imprisoning Cage.”

Su You truly hadn’t expected things to turn out this way.

The originally spacious carved bed seemed to have become very small. He half-knelt within it, his long wings extending out like flying eaves, appearing forged from immortal iron. When the feathers touched and rubbed together, they even produced crisp collision sounds.

They hung quietly over the bedding. Though making no unusual movements, they displayed explosive danger, that lurking posture unable to conceal the towering ferocity hidden beneath. All signs indicated that this was not only the famous Heaven-Imprisoning Cage, but also an unparalleled weapon of mass destruction.

Xue Yu knelt behind him, admiring this brilliantly glowing scene. Indeed, as he had said, this body had absorbed too much power. This “Heaven-Imprisoning Prison” was more gorgeous and sharp than what she’d seen before.

The Heaven-Imprisoning Prison was formed from Tian Ao’s tail feathers—the most solid cage in the world, yet also the most sensitive part of his body.

Xue Yu’s fingers brushed past each feather, like casually plucking strings on a qin, producing resonant sounds. Finally lingering over that particularly outstanding feather, she reached out to lightly grasp it, as if catching a sword overflowing with flowing light from afar.

In that instant, torrents exploded through his limbs and bones. The surging, unfamiliar sensation immediately occupied all his senses. Su You suddenly clenched his fingers, silently gasping for air, almost unable to maintain his kneeling position.

She was truly seriously studying the obscure symbols on the Heaven-Imprisoning Cage—natural patterns born with it. She held that feather for close examination, often remaining silent for long periods.

Su You’s knuckles were pressed bone-white, deeply sunk into the bedding. He felt like that feather itself, controlled by her within inches, unable to advance or retreat, even his life and death at her whim.

Xue Yu wanted to memorize the flowing symbols on the Heaven-Imprisoning Cage and integrate them into the Firmament Array Diagram. This way, the All-Life Array would possess both killing power and prison-like solidity, capable of offense and defense, with exponentially increased might.

But this was difficult. Heaven-gifted objects, relying on human replication and simulation, required not only deep research into spirit symbols and array formations, but also another condition—Tian Ao’s submissive cooperation.

This was the most difficult point.

Xue Yu held the advantage in the latter.

For a full half hour, she remained silent. Su You’s nose tip was covered with a layer of sweat beads, his palms supporting him on both sides showing raised meridians, his body rigid as a wall cast from immortal gold and iron. By the end, even his gaze became deeply confused.

“Alright. Get up.” Xue Yu patted his shoulder. As he slowly turned around, her finger movements didn’t stop, flowing smoothly along that feather to the end, contracting and gathering at the tip, startling the entire room with clanging sounds.

The force wasn’t light. To say she hadn’t deliberately bullied him, even Xue Yu herself didn’t completely believe it.

Their eyes met. The cold white color on his cheeks was replaced by sultry pink, his lips bearing deep bite marks, like a perfectly ripe peach, everywhere showing careful cultivation ready for picking.

Except for those pure, brilliant, golden pupils.

Xue Yu slowly leaned over, her lips touching his reddened eye corners, lightly pressing, gathering some astringent moisture. Slightly stunned, she then murmured unconsciously: “The tyrant… even shed tears.”

Not on a life-and-death battlefield, but on a small bed, in her gentle yet careless hands.

Su You couldn’t bear such words. Not a single syllable.

He restrained her waist, almost self-destructively pressing against her lips. The two words “A Yu” were finally uttered by him, his breath trembling, the syllables cut into fragments.

That evening, the people living in their giant tree gathered in the magnificent hall, forming a lively long table. Everyone’s faces showed brilliant, flying spirits, appearing very interested in tomorrow’s competition.

They should indeed be interested.

Chen Longzhi and Sui Yu had deliberately cleared space in this giant tree, selecting exactly one hundred elites from the three lands. It could be said that any random person passing by had considerable fame outside and impressive combat ability.

This wasn’t about power crushing, but mainly to provide betting guidance for hesitant people.

Shenyu Pavilion and the Sui family hoped to make a fortune from this.

When Xue Yu and Su You arrived, the three Sui family members, the Qin brothers, Jiu Feng, Shan Shu, Yin Ling, and Lu Qin Lu Chengze were chatting happily. Besides these familiar faces, along the long table sat over ten young men and women they’d met but weren’t particularly close to.

These were human prodigies. The leading young man wasn’t particularly handsome, but had a clean, scholarly temperament—a seedling cultivated at great expense by a prestigious orthodox sect. Seeing Xue Yu and Su You, he smiled, revealing a row of white teeth: “You’ve got to be kidding, Xue Yu. I just heard Jiu Feng mention it and felt dizzy, didn’t dare believe it.”

“Would I lie to you?” Jiu Feng was the same as everyone. She lazily leaned against Feng Shangyu’s shoulder, sitting like she had no bones, saying: “Don’t say I didn’t introduce you. Su You, the Sui family’s second legitimate son, future co-ruler of the Demon Capital.”

That person looked at Su You, nodding with somewhat appraising politeness: “Lu Chen of Sinking Sky Mountain. Meeting today, with much future contact, I hope Brother Sui will look after me.”

“Young Mountain Master is too polite.” Su You nodded slightly, his tone unhurried, yet the sense of pressure he gave was particularly intense.

Lu Chen turned to look at Jiu Feng, his brow slightly moving: “Is this the news your demon race has been making such a big fuss about announcing at this assembly? Another ruler? Can the Jiu Feng clan be happy about this?”

“You underestimate my magnanimity.” Jiu Feng held a silver spoon, stirring red ginger threads in her teacup, methodically sneering: “I’m standing right here. Among all demons, anyone with the strength to defeat me—not even defeat, a draw would work—let alone one ruler, even ten rulers, our demon race would welcome with both hands and feet.”

“Something that can strengthen the Demon Capital and share some of my burden—this kind of windfall, I couldn’t dream of.”

“The Chu family truly lives up to its reputation. This kind of magnanimity is beyond words.” Lu Chen immediately showed deep respect. He looked at Xue Yu and Shan Shu again, bringing up his greatest recent concern: “The letters I sent you before sank like stones with no response. Today, with no outsiders here, just us dozen or so who know each other’s backgrounds, give us a straight answer. What have the Sacred Lands been doing lately? All these major moves since leaving the Flying Cloud Realm—this isn’t your usual style.”

Xue Yu looked at him, her lips pale: “Ask directly. Don’t give long official speeches.”

“Fine.” Lu Chen raised his hands in surrender: “What I mean is, is the court brewing something? Some earth-shaking grand plan? Like the warning from the Fusang Tree?”

“Yes.” Just when Lu Chen thought Xue Yu would express things subtly or deny, to calm the situation, she directly tore apart the surface peace: “The Human Emperor is using dragon breath to try eliminating the demon race from the mortal world. We don’t yet know his specific arrangements, but… we’ve already recovered five dragon breaths. Whether there are others, how many others, we don’t know.”

Xue Yu thought clearly. To change today’s situation, one or two people’s strength was completely insufficient. Even the Sacred Lands and the Demon Capital joining hands couldn’t solve it. The court was controlled by impassioned veteran officials, but the true pillars of the future were people like Lu Chen, who were growing up—they were humanity’s new hope.

Sacred Lands could do good deeds without leaving their name, but for this matter, the human race had the right to know.

They also must know.

Lu Chen’s expression changed several times. After Xue Yu finished speaking, he rubbed the goosebumps rising on his arms: “My father’s been absent-minded lately, analyzing your actions daily. So there is such a thing. What is the Qiu family thinking?”

“I don’t know what Qiu Tong is thinking, but there’s another matter to tell you.” Xue Yu said softly, “According to Cang Ju’s revelation, this realm can’t bear the burden. Qiu Tong’s plan doesn’t need complete success—just succeeding in a small part could cause ancient times’ situation to reoccur.”

Speaking of those ten years in the Flying Cloud Realm, every young prodigy who’d entered the Secret Realm Abyss remembered it vividly, unforgettably so.

Speaking of demons, they truly provided material for countless nightmares.

“We can’t interfere in court matters. Human cultivators and the court often maintain clear boundaries, only becoming closely entangled for major events. But as humans, we must indeed prioritize them. This matter is extremely serious. If you need Sinking Sky Mountain’s help anywhere…”

“We do.” Xue Yu’s pupils were a clear black, making her appear calm and composed regardless of what she said: “Sacred Lands and the Demon Capital don’t belong to the human race. Acting openly would cause much controversy and wouldn’t yield information. Sinking Sky Mountain and Xuanming Sect hold high positions among humans. You should investigate the three continents and five cities.”

“Agreed.” Lu Chen exchanged glances with a Xuanming Sect disciple beside him and responded.

After finishing business, this table of similarly aged acquaintances with comparable abilities quickly shifted to other topics, relaxing the atmosphere.

Lu Qin kicked the dejected Lu Chengze under the table: “Come on, competitions start at dawn. Can you show some spirit?”

“Don’t mind him.” Yin Ling didn’t even lift her eyes, speaking particularly mercilessly: “No one can counsel him now. This person’s depression isn’t from losing the Holy Son position. He can’t understand how brothers who were emotionally close for so many years could step on him to climb up, then blame him for not doing well enough. No one’s advice works. It’s like when Cang Ju stubbornly wanted no one else, only recognizing his Crown Princess—completely obsessed.”

Cang Ju pulled over a nearby chair and turned it, looking up with a frown: “What nonsense are you spouting?”

“At least you achieved a happy ending. What about him? You don’t know how outrageous it is.” Yin Ling seemed fed up. She said: “Following the case files Xue Yu threw out, we investigated old cases and discovered how many ‘good deeds’ this Song Heng has done. Let me put it this way—among demons who entered Chi Shui’s private prison and were interrogated by him, not one survived in the end.”

Xue Yu looked over.

The grip on her wrist bone tightened. Su You looked toward Lu Chengze, his golden pupils profound, saying sternly: “When the blade doesn’t fall on oneself, those who speak standing up never know the pain. Being generous with others’ suffering, moving one’s lips—anyone can do that.”

The mocking meaning in these words made Lu Chengze involuntarily wipe his face.

He now understood Xue Yu’s feelings. Both had their trust betrayed, then were blamed in return. Compared to Xue Yu, who in her previous life lost her father and the Yedu people, even giving up her position as Yedu’s Crown Princess, a secondary Holy Son position wasn’t much.

Lu Qin had known Lu Chengze for many years. Yin Ling was family, so harsh words caused no harm. But Su You’s extremely merciless statement made him somewhat unable to bear it. He pushed away his cup: “Kicking someone when they’re down—the Demon Capital’s future ruler has quite a set of skills.”

Sui Yu and Sui Jinyu looked over successively. Jiu Feng stopped smiling and slowly sat straight. Xue Yu frowned, about to speak, but Su You grasped her hand.

He sat there, slowly raising his eyes, the flowing light in his pupils reaching a blinding intensity. His vast majesty spread along that long table from one end to the other, like a blade pushed across, capable of severing everything: “Lu Chengze, come. You tell me yourself—my kicking you while you’re down today, how does it compare to your past complicity in evil?”

Lu Qin was about to speak, but was pulled back by Lu Chengze. He deeply exhaled, his chest trembling: “Let him speak. This is what I deserve.”

Good, with this sentence, regardless of what unknown events had occurred, it was Lu Chengze’s fault.

Lu Qin stopped moving. He dusted his sleeve corner and lowered his voice to ask: “What did you do? Was it serious?”

Lu Chengze smiled bitterly and nodded.

Lu Qin fell silent. He made a sound of understanding, sat back down, and said: “Then you bear it yourself. I can’t speak for you.”

Su You didn’t say much more. Sacred Land successors’ relationships didn’t need to be very good, but they couldn’t deteriorate at this time. Xue Yu’s concerns, he understood clearly and acted with measure.

Xue Yu had rarely been so publicly defended by someone. This feeling was strange. It was just a matter of arguing about right and wrong, but examining it deeply, it seemed not quite that simple.

She used to always defend him. Seeing him gradually become capable of standing alone, she hadn’t expected him to do anything someday. But he had grown into the most beautiful and vigorous form of this age. The sharpness in him wouldn’t hurt her, but he strove to protect her.

Just then, Chen Longzhi strode in holding a thin sheet of paper. Seeing them, he stopped and smiled: “Everyone’s here? Perfect. Tomorrow’s arrangements are out. It’s chaos outside. You prodigy reserve candidates should take a look too.”

From his expression, he wanted to tell everyone to perform well and not affect his profits.

Xue Yu and others glanced at the paper listing the schedule. With Kunlun hosting this time, Lu Qin, as Kunlun’s chief disciple, explained: “All standard procedures. Dawn assembly, I’ll read an inspiring opening speech, around noon twenty competition platforms start simultaneously, draw lots to compete. The first dozen matches are elimination rounds, advancing to promotion rounds days later.”

“Judges are arranged. Elimination rounds are just going through motions. The first few days don’t even involve us. Those present won’t meet each other so early.”

“The first few days are child’s play for everyone present—appetizers—but don’t be careless. Because of the Flying Cloud Realm, many hidden families also came to join the excitement. Those families have deep foundations, and their disciples aren’t weak.”

After Lu Qin finished, Lu Chen laughed. He looked at the Sacred Land successors: “This time, our human race also produced many unprecedented geniuses. How about it? Old rules, shall we compete?”

Jiu Feng rolled up her sleeves: “Come on. I wouldn’t be called Jiu Feng if I feared you.”

Lu Chen looked at Xue Yu. Rarely, her eyes also held a smile: “Certainly.”

Early the next morning, the entire Penglai Island slept in thick fog. Seawater rose and fell, the surface showing endless azure blue like a huge gem embedded between heaven and earth. With good weather, even the wind seemed gentle.

Penglai Island was full of people. Thirty-five huge competition platforms were covered by spiritual light shields, not yet activated. The invited judges were all respected elders from the three lands. During competitions, three judges per table managed one platform. Besides determining victory and defeat, they monitored forbidden techniques—pills that temporarily unleashed great potential at the cost of damaging one’s foundation were prohibited.

Additionally, competitors couldn’t attempt to take lives on platforms. If one side surrendered, the other couldn’t continue attacking.

These were well-worn old rules. Xue Yu and others listened half-heartedly until Lu Qin’s voice from the high platform reached the final drawn-out sentence: “…This Three Lands Grand Assembly now begins. Please activate the competition platforms!”

Xue Yu squinted toward her side. Those thirty-five spiritual light shields seemed to receive simultaneous commands, slowly opening in her vision.

The Three Lands Grand Assembly lasted fifteen days, with competitions not every day. They would soon draw lots—not specific numbers, but major group classifications like “A,” “B,” “C,” “D.”

For the first five to eight days, groups A, B, C, and D would compete separately, roughly leaving the top two hundred from each group. Such competitions looked exciting, but were very fast, just an initial screening. Later, when groups began fighting each other, eliminating the weak and keeping the strong, the final strong-versus-strong battles would be most attractive.

A grand voice rang like an ancient bell: “Please step forward to draw lots.”

After speaking, a wooden barrel holding tens of thousands of bamboo sticks hung in the clouds, appearing before thousands of young people almost as a small world. This was already a magical treasure with generated spiritual consciousness. Lot-drawers only needed to input their spiritual power to immediately get results.

Xue Yu sent her aura among thousands of spiritual energies and demon powers, drawing out a bamboo stick with a colorful decorative head. Flipping it over, she saw a large “B.”

She turned to look at Su You’s, finding his stick the same color as hers, appearing extremely brilliant. Looking at the back, it showed an “A.”

“Our timing is staggered.” Xue Yu’s eyes slightly curved, showing scattered points of a smile: “Good. I’ll have time to watch your competitions.”