Yan Chaosheng wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and struggled to stand up from the ground. The crimson python laughed coldly and struck again. Yan Chaosheng tried to dodge the blow, but the giant serpent’s body was too massive. The attack crashed heavily into Yan Chaosheng’s chest, nearly shattering his internal organs.

“This master commands you to kneel!”

The crimson python spewed a mouthful of red mist. Some invisible force bound Yan Chaosheng, forcing him to kneel. With his clothes in disarray, the veins on the back of his hand bulged as he pressed firmly against the ground, refusing to bend his knees. His hands sank into the ground, dislocating his bones.

The crimson python was visibly enraged but tormented him slowly and deliberately.

Perhaps this was the nature of demons—valuing dignity above all else, demanding others to submit. One forced the other to kneel, while the other resisted to the death.

Liu Shuang watched anxiously, unsure whether to hope for Yan Chaosheng to defeat the crimson python or for the python to finish off Yan Chaosheng.

At the very least, Yan Chaosheng was helping her protect Taichuan City. If he were tortured to death by the crimson python, she would have nowhere to run. Just as she was about to step forward, Si Yun’er grabbed her sleeve. “Immortal, what are you going to do?”

“Save him.” Mainly to save herself and the people of Taichuan City. Fighting together with Yan Chaosheng against one enemy was better than facing the crimson python alone later.

Si Yun’er said, “Two demons fighting each other—it’s perfect to let them destroy each other. Immortal, don’t go out yet. Wait until they’re exhausted, then find a way to deal with whoever survives. Bi Xun has no demon core; each transformation drains his demonic power. We just need to wait a little longer.”

Her tone was unusually calm as she watched the crimson python attack Yan Chaosheng with hatred.

Liu Shuang pushed her hand away. “Miss Si, you’re overthinking this. If Bi Xun wins, I won’t be able to defeat him at all.”

Si Yun’er: “…”

Liu Shuang said, “Hide yourself well. Don’t come out under any circumstances.”

With that, Liu Shuang flew out, throwing a jade-boned umbrella of brilliant blue. The umbrella opened, blocking the snake’s tail as it came down.

The jade-boned umbrella landed in Liu Shuang’s hand. With twenty-four blue jade ribs, it spun like a blooming bright blue flower. Liu Shuang gripped the handle, feeling it grow slightly warm. The jade-boned umbrella seemed quite excited, igniting with battle spirit.

This was the original owner’s celestial weapon, the “Crimson Pearl Umbrella,” specially forged at the order of Chi Shui Chong when his daughter turned one hundred. Considering his daughter’s weak and unreliable spiritual power, Chi Shui Chong hadn’t focused on giving Liu Shuang an offensive weapon but instead put all his effort into a defensive one designed to preserve her life.

Before leaving, Fu Liu had worried Liu Shuang might forget how to use it and gave her specific instructions. The Crimson Pearl Umbrella was resilient and could withstand several strikes from the crimson python.

Bi Xun struck the Crimson Pearl Umbrella once, and seeing the celestial weapon unharmed, he looked down at Liu Shuang, who stood protectively before Yan Chaosheng. “So an immortal has infiltrated as well? Hmph, how presumptuous and suicidal.”

With that, he no longer showed mercy. His tail slammed down, causing the Crimson Pearl Umbrella to vibrate violently. Though it still showed no cracks, it clearly wouldn’t last much longer.

At this point, even without using spiritual power, Bi Xun could kill them with his physical form alone.

What could they do when outmatched? Run, of course! Liu Shuang deployed the Crimson Pearl Umbrella, which floated in the air, protecting them, as she hurried to help Yan Chaosheng. “Let’s leave this place first.”

The young man looked up, the corners of his eyes reddened, and stood up shakily. The upper half of his garment was torn to pieces. Under the bright blue umbrella, the faint light coming through tinted the black scales on his body with a cold, eerie glow. Fresh blood seeped from between the scales.

He was seriously wounded.

When Liu Shuang’s hand touched his arm, Yan Chaosheng stiffened, his body trembling slightly before violently knocking away her hand.

Liu Shuang winced in pain and glared at him. “What are you doing?!”

Yan Chaosheng said, “Get lost. I don’t need you to save me.”

Liu Shuang almost laughed from anger. This wasn’t about saving him—he was being quite presumptuous. But there was no time to explain. Seeing the Crimson Pearl Umbrella about to give way, continuing to forcefully resist would only cause it to shatter. The umbrella trembled as it returned to Liu Shuang’s hand. Just as she caught the closed umbrella, she found herself face-to-face with an enormous snake head, and her eyes widened in shock.

Ah! She should never have listened to Yan Chaosheng and entered the city to look for an exit. This wasn’t finding an exit—it was courting death!

The snake’s mouth opened, about to swallow Liu Shuang whole.

Liu Shuang’s reactions had never been so quick. She knew that in this situation, no one could protect her. Her fingers swiftly formed a seal, sending a pale blue light into the crimson python’s eyes. She spread her arms and leaped backward, barely managing to obstruct Bi Xun for a moment.

The giant serpent hissed with its tongue flickering, its snake eyes struck and turned bloodshot with rage.

Liu Shuang’s attack didn’t do much damage, but poking someone in the eye was highly insulting. The giant python momentarily forgot about Yan Chaosheng, enraged by Liu Shuang and pursuing her instead.

Liu Shuang wanted to cry, but had no tears. She turned and ran.

Where the giant python passed, the stones in the courtyard collapsed. The entire landscaped garden of the city lord’s mansion was destroyed in an instant.

With the unseen divine artifact serving as the array’s focal point, the immortal energy around Liu Shuang dissipated bit by bit. The giant python coiled its tail around Liu Shuang’s waist, forcibly dragging her back from midair.

Liu Shuang felt her waist nearly breaking, unable to breathe.

She struggled to reach her qiankun pouch, but as the snake’s coil tightened, she could barely move, let alone touch the pouch.

The snake’s mouth was right before her eyes when suddenly, a silver ring descended from above, firmly clamping around the vital point at the back of the crimson python’s neck.

Liu Shuang saw that behind the crimson python, the young man had shakily stood up. His face was covered in blood, nearly obscuring his handsome features.

Yan Chaosheng spread his fingers and clenched tightly. The silver ring constricted, causing the crimson python to writhe and reluctantly release Liu Shuang.

Liu Shuang fell to the ground and quickly rushed toward Yan Chaosheng.

Thank heaven and earth—they still had the Ten Commandment Ring given by Liu Shuang’s Chi Shui father! Fighting together was indeed better than fighting alone.

However, the Ten Commandment Ring could only bind and restrain; it couldn’t kill enemies. Liu Shuang ran back to Yan Chaosheng’s side. “Let’s go, go, go! While he’s trapped, we need to leave quickly and think of another plan.”

Yan Chaosheng turned to look at her, his expression obscure.

“Unless the crimson python dies, we cannot leave. An array has been set up here. Only when it dies can we escape this city. Otherwise, no matter where we go, we will be found.” He spoke while staring at Liu Shuang. “Young Lord, we must kill it.”

“How do we kill it?” Liu Shuang looked up at him, hoping Yan Chaosheng would offer a solution to this predicament.

Seeing him staring at her without speaking, Liu Shuang pushed him. “Hey, say something! Bi Xun is about to break free.”

As they gazed at each other, a slender finger hooked onto Liu Shuang’s waistband.

Yan Chaosheng exerted force, pulling Liu Shuang closer to him.

The young man’s face was covered in blood; he was so severely injured he seemed near death, yet his tone was light and cold: “I need your help, Young Lord.”

Liu Shuang urged him to speak quickly while dissatisfiedly trying to pry his fingers off. Although Yan Chaosheng was helping her save people, there was no need to get physical while talking!

Yan Chaosheng’s feelings were complex. He hadn’t expected that when facing the crimson python, the pampered Young Lord of Chi Shui would rush out to save him.

In the moment he thought he would be killed by the crimson python, she had flown to him, standing before him with a brilliant blue jade-boned umbrella that opened beautifully like a flower.

But what did it matter?

He had initially thought it was an ordinary demon, and obtaining its demon core would allow him to find a way to recover his lost cultivation. He never expected it would be Bi Xun, a great demon with ancient bloodlines.

Yan Chaosheng lowered his gaze. In a place she couldn’t see, his vertical pupils carried killing intent.

His method, of course, was to let her die.

On Bi Xun’s territory, if they delayed, both would die.

Yan Chaosheng knew clearly that now was the best opportunity. If he killed the girl before him and absorbed all her vitality, he could recover the spiritual power he had worked so hard to cultivate. No matter how weak Liu Shuang of Chi Shui might be, she still possessed the bloodline of an ancient immortal clan. His cultivation was lost because of her; she should repay that debt! With spiritual power restored, what would he fear from a Bi Xun without his demon core?

All of a demon’s cultivation is stored in a single demon core. After observing for some time, Yan Chaosheng confirmed that Bi Xun had no demon core and could only fight in his original form.

Yan Chaosheng’s eyes deepened in color as he calculated: if he killed Liu Shuang of Chi Shui in Taichuan City, he could frame Bi Xun for it. This way, he would recover his spiritual power and could return to Kung Sang to continue his immortal cultivation.

This journey had been too difficult. With Liu Shuang’s death, his path to immortal cultivation would be secured.

The girl before him was completely unaware of the danger, subconsciously trusting him. Her eyes were pure, filled with confusion, seemingly wondering why he wasn’t continuing, and what exactly was this “method” to kill the crimson python.

Yan Chaosheng thought, fortunately… fortunately, Chi Shui Chong had raised her to be so foolish that she didn’t suspect him at all.

She shouldn’t have come back to save him. His gaze hardened.

Only in this situation did he have the opportunity to steal her spiritual power.

Just as Yan Chaosheng’s fingers were about to move, the sound of flesh being pierced echoed in his ears. He paused and looked up as Liu Shuang also turned to look.

They saw that the giant python, which had been bound by the Ten Commandment Ring, now had a light sword piercing through the vital point at the back of its neck.

That sword was held by a woman.

“Miss Si…” Liu Shuang hadn’t expected Si Yun’er to seize this moment to drive a sword into Bi Xun’s body.

The giant python, which had been frantically struggling moments before, suddenly grew quiet.

Under everyone’s gaze, he transformed back into an elegant man. The sword remained embedded in his heart.

With crimson eyes and black hair, his gaze held only Si Yun’er.

“Do you truly wish for my death so badly?”

Si Yun’er seemed frightened, her hand trembling as she released the sword and backed away repeatedly. Bi Xun gave a sorrowful smile and calmly pulled the sword from his heart.

Bi Xun said gently, “Yun’er, a mortal’s sword cannot kill me. Perhaps I must disappoint you.”

Si Yun’er dared not look at him and quickly turned to Liu Shuang, saying, “Immortal, immortal, kill him quickly! He’s wounded and at the end of his strength. I can sense his life won’t last long. Immortal, kill him now!”

Bi Xun stood stiffly, the smile at the corner of his mouth disappearing.

The wind whistled past, stirring the hem of his bridegroom’s attire. His true form was so powerful, yet in human form, he appeared pitifully vulnerable.

“Why?” Bi Xun asked. “Why treat me this way?”

“You’re a demon! You’ve harmed so many people! You deserve to die!” All the fear and panic Si Yun’er had experienced these days were recklessly vented today. “You forced me into this! I didn’t want to push things this far, but you kept pursuing me!”

“I have cultivated for seven thousand years and never thought to harm anyone. Yun’er, I did this so you could live.”

Bi Xun stepped forward, but Si Yun’er pushed him away.

Liu Shuang saw that even after transforming back into human form, Bi Xun still had a snake’s tail behind him. He could barely maintain his human shape.

Si Yun’er’s face showed disgust. “If I had known your demon core was such a filthy thing, I would never have wanted to know you, even if it killed me!”

Bi Xun’s face turned deathly pale, his lips trembling, unable to speak a word.

Si Yun’er pulled out the hairpin from her head and aimed it at her abdomen. “Die! Die now, or I’ll pierce your demon core, and you’ll die anyway. Don’t you love me? You should be happy as long as I’m alive.”

As she spoke, Si Yun’er made to stab her abdomen.

At the last moment, a hand grasped hers. The snake demon’s temperature was perpetually cold, so cold that Si Yun’er’s fingers trembled.

Si Yun’er looked up to see a handsome, otherworldly face. Bi Xun said, “I’ll grant your wish. Don’t hurt yourself. I’ll grant your wish.”

Under Si Yun’er’s delighted gaze, Bi Xun’s hand plunged into his chest cavity, gouging out a brilliant red heart.

“Look,” Bi Xun said as a tear rolled down his face. “A demon’s heart is the same as yours. It’s not dirty.”

Si Yun’er stepped back in disgust, not even glancing at the heart in his palm. She quickly asked Liu Shuang, “Immortal, will he die like this?”

Liu Shuang looked at the vivid red heart in Bi Xun’s hand and silently nodded.

Without his demon core, he might have survived, but without his heart, there was no chance of survival. The handsome man in red fell, transforming into a crimson snake as he closed his eyes.

A descendant of the Ascending Serpent from seven thousand years ago, who knew how many heavenly tribulations of suffering he had endured, how many lonely years he had persevered to reach this point. His corpse nearly covered half the courtyard.

With no one to control the divine artifact, rain began to fall from the gray sky. The barrier disappeared, and raindrops fell on their skin, bringing a slight chill.

The people who had been controlled regained consciousness and rushed to Si Yun’er’s side. “Young Lady, are you all right?”

Si Yun’er shook her head and smiled. “I’m fine.”

She glanced at the crimson python’s corpse and said coldly, “Chop this demon into pieces and throw him out to feed the wild dogs. As for him,” Si Yun’er pointed at Yan Chaosheng, “he’s a demon too. Quickly find the city’s practitioners and kill them.”

Almost all the citizens of the city had gathered at the city lord’s mansion. Now freed from control and prompted by Si Yun’er, they all looked toward Yan Chaosheng.

In the light rain, the tall young man’s body, with his clothes torn away, revealed black snake scales. Blood ran down his body. His gaze was icy as he coldly confronted the entire city’s population.

The people backed away fearfully. “Demon! There’s another snake demon accomplice!”

“Kill him! Kill him quickly!”

The citizens picked up pieces of shattered stone from the mansion and hurled them at him.

A sharp stone cut across Yan Chaosheng’s face, leaving a bloody mark. Yan Chaosheng closed his eyes briefly, knowing that in his weakened state, he couldn’t fight against an entire city of people and soldiers. He staggered away, gritting his teeth as he turned to leave.

Si Yun’er said, “Quickly, chase him! Don’t let the demon escape.”

Liu Shuang stood holding her umbrella, saying nothing.

Though it was pitiful that Miss Si had been forced into marriage by a snake demon, both she and Yan Chaosheng had come to save people. Si Yun’er had forced Bi Xun to his death and immediately turned to kill Yan Chaosheng. Others might not know, but Si Yun’er clearly understood everything yet still chose to act this way.

Human hearts were cold and indifferent.

See, even with hearts, they were no different from her.

Liu Shuang couldn’t be bothered to look at Si Yun’er and went to find someone.

Ordinary mortals could not kill Yan Chaosheng with his demonic bloodline. Any attempt would only lead to casualties among the people of Taichuan City. Now that Bi Xun was dead and Yan Chaosheng was severely wounded, wasn’t this precisely the opportunity she had been waiting for?

With the divine artifact’s restraint gone, immortal power could be used once again. Liu Shuang found Yan Chaosheng in an abandoned residence.

The young man sat in a corner, his gaze cold and dark. The residence was sealed shut, but seeing his severe injuries and weakness, the citizens were trying to break in.

Liu Shuang passed through the wall and crouched before him.

“Yan Chaosheng,” she called with a hint of excitement as she examined him. “Are you all right?”

Of course, Liu Shuang knew this was a meaningless question. The young man’s gaze was somber as he stared at the blood streaks washed away by the rain, saying nothing. He trembled slightly from the pain.

The pool of blood beneath him had almost formed a small puddle. With his upper body bare, he gazed at his reflection in the bloodied water.

Being exposed was rather awkward. Liu Shuang had long wanted an excuse to remove the six layers of ridiculous clothing she wore. During the battle with the crimson python, though she hadn’t been strangled to death by Bi Xun, she had nearly suffocated from her clothes. A thought occurred to her, and she said, “Wait a moment.”

Liu Shuang thought to herself that the citizens would soon break in, and she couldn’t kill Yan Chaosheng in front of them.

Since there was time, she would take him away and kill him slowly. Ha ha! She could kill him however she pleased.

Finally, with only one garment left, she casually picked up the last piece she had removed and handed it to Yan Chaosheng.

Quickly put on the clothes, and I’ll send you on your way.

Seeing Yan Chaosheng take it, Liu Shuang had no interest in watching him dress and immediately turned her back.

She held up her umbrella to shield herself, happily contemplating how to kill Yan Chaosheng once they were away from the citizens’ sight.

Yan Chaosheng hadn’t expected her to come looking for him. She asked softly, “Are you all right?”

He didn’t respond, staring at his blurred face in the bloodied water.

After a while, the sound of rustling cloth reached his ears.

In the mortal realm, a heavy rain fell. From the corner of his eye, he saw different colors swirling in the bloodied water. He coldly raised his gaze to see the young woman removing her clothes layer by layer—

Pink, light purple, white gauze skirts…

Finally, there was a layer of dark blue immortal robes. She removed the dark blue robe, turned around dressed in a small golden armor, and then a warmth enveloped his body as the dark blue immortal robe was draped over him.

He heard the young woman say softly, “Don’t worry, men can wear this color too.”

With a flick of her wrist, she opened the Crimson Pearl Umbrella and turned her back to him. The umbrella sheltered this small space, protecting him from the rain falling from the sky.

The dark blue immortal robe still carried the warmth from the young woman’s body, covering the ugly, mottled black scales on his body.

Yan Chaosheng coldly raised his eyes to look at her.

The jade-boned umbrella was broad, perfectly sheltering both him and her in this small corner.

The young woman held the umbrella for him against the rain, not turning around.

After wandering for countless years, this was the first time someone had held an umbrella for a demon like him.

Yan Chaosheng pressed his lips together and lowered his head with resentment.

She had seen him in every state, as had all the citizens of the city—truly hateful! Blood surged in his chest, and Yan Chaosheng didn’t know whether he should hate, be angry, or…

He felt somewhat irritated. Even with her doing these things, he still wouldn’t forgive her, wouldn’t forget who had caused his misery. Yan Chaosheng closed his eyes briefly. He should have drained her spiritual power earlier!