Yan Chaosheng withdrew his hand, leaving Mi Chu momentarily stunned. She pressed her lips together without making a sound.

Though her face revealed nothing, a surge of annoyance welled up inside her. She had to admit that during the previous days at the Spirit Testing Platform, this disciple had performed exceptionally well. Mi Chu had briefly considered befriending him.

That day, everyone received rewards, but Mi Chu saw from a distance that this disciple knelt amid the crowd, completely ignored by others.

She understood that showing him favor now would surely be like sending charcoal in snowy weather—most appreciated in times of need. After hesitating for a long while and noticing his demon bloodline, she ultimately didn’t approach him, merely observing from afar. Taking in a disciple with demon blood would be an extremely embarrassing matter to make public; she lacked the courage to face the resulting gossip.

Later, after he had knelt for a long time and finally stood to leave, Mi Chu watched his departing figure with a sense of regret rising in her heart.

Winning someone’s loyalty was simple. If she looked past his demon bloodline, she could have had one of the clan’s uninvolved elders take him as a disciple. This way, he would still serve the Lou family. Regrettably, she realized this too late—he had already gone.

Today, Chi Shui Liu Shuang had come to discuss with her in advance, saying she would entrust this disciple to her care. Mi Chu was surprised, feeling a shallow happiness rise within her, and agreed to Liu Shuang’s request.

Looking at Yan Chaosheng again, she had only glimpsed him from afar at the Spirit Testing Platform that day, noting his extraordinary appearance. Today, seeing him up close, the young man’s features were cold and severe, with the unique shadowy quality characteristic of demon-kind, making him appear even more incomparably handsome. Even though Mi Chu was accustomed to seeing good-looking men, she had to admit he was truly beautiful.

He was even more outstanding than the two young masters of the Bai family, and even surpassed the Prince of the Eight Wildernesses from the Feng family, renowned throughout the realms.

When Liu Shuang placed their hands together, Mi Chu was astonished to feel that the young man’s constitution was icy cold, like a piece of extremely cold mystic ice.

Since Liu Shuang had asked for her opinion beforehand, she didn’t feel offended. Although Yan Chaosheng came from lowly bloodlines, he was simply too beautiful. Mi Chu couldn’t help but think that, as a celestial immortal willing to take him in and bestow kindness upon him, he must surely be both flattered and bashful.

The small disciple who swept her courtyard had reacted just this way when she gifted him immortal medicine.

But she never expected the young man to coldly withdraw his hand, showing none of the nervousness or delight she had anticipated. He didn’t even spare her a glance.

With many immortal disciples standing nearby, Mi Chu felt somewhat embarrassed.

She was inwardly annoyed but couldn’t show it, which made her feel stifled. She began to blame Liu Shuang for foisting this person on her, causing her to lose face.

Ever since Liu Shuang returned from Kun Lun, she had become inscrutable to Mi Chu. When Mi Chu occasionally went to see her, Liu Shuang always kept her doors closed and no longer obeyed Mi Chu’s every word. Though Mi Chu resented Liu Shuang for this, she couldn’t say it directly.

Fortunately, Bai Yuxiao couldn’t bear to see her slighted and immediately spoke up.

“Chi Shui Liu Shuang, what are you thinking, sending this demon spawn to Mi Chu’s palace! His mere presence there would sully Mi Chu’s domain.”

Yan Chaosheng listened with an expressionless face.

If earlier when he had approached, his demeanor had been like spring willows in a breeze, now he was like cold winter ice.

Even when Bai Yuxiao insulted him, saying he would dirty Mi Chu’s palace, he showed no additional reaction, remaining unexpectedly silent.

The many young immortal maidens and lords around them watched Yan Chaosheng with varied expressions.

Liu Shuang said, “I already informed Immortal Maiden Mi Chu beforehand. Moreover, anyone who enters our immortal realm is a disciple of the realm. There are no so-called ‘demon spawns’ here. Second Young Master, mind your words!”

Bai Yuxiao glared at her. He wasn’t sure whether he was angry that Mi Chu’s domain would be defiled or that Liu Shuang, as a member of an ancient immortal clan, was defending Yan Chaosheng in front of everyone!

Yan Chaosheng lowered his eyes coldly, showing neither joy nor sorrow.

Liu Shuang feared that Bai Yuxiao would further provoke Yan Chaosheng. Having just barely saved his life, couldn’t he cherish it properly? If Yan Chaosheng was truly driven to madness, no one would have a good outcome.

She felt somewhat troubled and secretly transmitted a message to Bai Yuxiao: “Second Young Master, behave yourself. This was Father’s decision. If you disagree, you can argue with Father. Also, stop provoking Yan Chaosheng. If you continue, it will only show that you’re narrow-minded and seeking personal revenge after losing the competition.”

Bai Yuxiao couldn’t stand being goaded and angrily responded via transmission: “You say I’m seeking revenge?”

“Yes, if you keep provoking him, that’s exactly what it is!”

Bai Yuxiao said, “I absolutely will not seek him out!” Only after speaking did he belatedly realize Liu Shuang was using reverse psychology, which infuriated him even more. “Chi Shui Liu Shuang, you…”

Liu Shuang consoled him: “Come now, don’t be angry. I’m doing this for your good. Focus on your cultivation. I’m entrusting Kung Sang to you. When I return, we’ll have a friendly match. You mustn’t lose, alright?”

Bai Yuxiao wanted to say something more, but seeing her trusting gaze and hearing her say “I’m entrusting Kung Sang to you,” he inexplicably found himself speechless.

From childhood to adulthood, everyone had always trusted his brother. No one had ever placed their trust in him.

Liu Shuang was the first. After a long silence, Bai Yuxiao said, “You still won’t be able to defeat me when you return.”

Liu Shuang understood something about the second Bai son. In a certain sense, her former self had been like Bai Er—never expected to achieve anything. So even though he seemed covered in thorns, she could still treat him with tolerance, like having compassion for her past self.

After telling Bai Er not to provoke Yan Chaosheng, she turned to Mi Chu.

“Immortal Maiden Mi Chu, you witnessed Yan Chaosheng’s performance at the Spirit Testing Platform that day. He was the champion. He will protect you well.”

Mi Chu said dejectedly: “Liu Shuang, since your return from Kun Lun, you’ve grown increasingly distant from me. You are my friend, and naturally, I will agree to all your requests. I won’t mistreat him.”

Liu Shuang nodded.

Liu Shuang didn’t believe in the friendship Mi Chu displayed toward her. She also didn’t know how much sincerity there was in Mi Chu’s future desperate departure from Feng Fuming and her painstaking efforts to return to Yan Chaosheng’s side.

But since she had a chance to start over, those who were destined to be attracted to each other would eventually be drawn together. Those meant to fall in love would ultimately do so.

Everyone had received their instructions, except for the cold-faced Yan Chaosheng.

After much hesitation, Liu Shuang spoke: “…Get along well with Immortal Maiden Mi Chu.”

His gaze was cold as he replied: “Certainly. Since it is your wish, how could I disappoint your expectations?”

Liu Shuang felt something was amiss, but with time pressing, and unable to identify the issue at the moment.

Someone urged her to proceed to the Demon Suppression Tower.

Although many had come to bid her farewell, she was still technically under punishment, so she reluctantly kept looking back as she followed several immortal officials away.

“Liu Shuang bids farewell to everyone.”

Yan Chaosheng didn’t spare her a single glance.

After everyone had departed, Mi Chu turned and said, “Yan Chaosheng, follow me.”

Her expression was calm, with a faint smile at the corners of her lips. Immortal Maiden Mi Chu was known throughout the immortal realm for her affability, as if she hadn’t taken Yan Chaosheng’s earlier withdrawal of his hand to heart.

Looking at her smile, Yan Chaosheng felt ice-cold inside. He realized for the first time that a demon’s body wasn’t as uninhibited as he had imagined. At the very least, facing this gentle and lovely immortal maiden, the cold anger in his heart hadn’t diminished one bit.

Chi Shui Liu Shuang!

She had left quite happily. Even though he was angry enough to strangle her, he’d lost his chance.

Seeing him motionless, Mi Chu turned to look at him: “Do you have reservations?”

After a moment of silence, Yan Chaosheng followed Mi Chu.

He thought resentfully that since this was the path Chi Shui Liu Shuang had arranged for him, wouldn’t he be ungrateful if he didn’t accept her “kindness”!

He followed Mi Chu back to her palace the entire way, yet kept hoping someone would catch up and say Liu Shuang had changed her mind, asking him to return to the bamboo grove in the outer mirror first. Although she had been stripped of her Young Lord title, as long as she bore the Chi Shui name, she still had the right to act willfully.

But no one came. Until he reached Mi Chu’s residence, he still couldn’t receive such news.

Yan Chaosheng had calmed down during the journey, his steps growing increasingly slower as he finally realized something was wrong.

If Liu Shuang truly cared for him, why would she push him toward a beautiful immortal maiden? His thoughts were already sensitive and suspicious. Before, he’d thought Chi Shui Liu Shuang was uninhibited, like other female demons, harboring intentions toward him.

But so much time had passed, and her actions never crossed any boundaries. Even just now, judging by her expression, she seemed completely unaware of why he was angry.

Could it be…? A part of his heart sank.

No, that’s impossible. If she truly had no interest in him, how could all those things she had done for him be explained? Her being punished to go to the Demon Suppression Tower—wasn’t that all for him?

Once the seed of doubt was planted, he reviewed every detail of their interactions in his mind. His heart grew heavier until he finally understood what was missing.

Her eyes, when looking at him, seemed to hold no love.

When Mi Chu smelled the scent of blood, she turned back in surprise to see Yan Chaosheng following behind her in his deep blue disciple robes, blood seeping from his tightly clenched fist.

“What’s wrong with you?”

He raised his eyes—a pair of pitch-black orbs—and smiled faintly: “Nothing.”

Mi Chu inexplicably felt cold.

Liu Shuang changed into the garments of the Demon Suppression Tower guards and entered the tower alone, concentrating on her father’s instructions: “The Night Demon Lord is on the topmost level of the Demon Suppression Tower, the thirty-fifth floor. Every level of the tower is extremely dangerous. Most demons are sealed, but a small number of powerful demons can still use their magical powers. Some are particularly skilled at bewitching minds. As you ascend, the higher you go in the tower, the stronger the imprisoned demons become. Don’t listen too much, don’t look too much, and don’t touch anything!”

She proceeded upward with a solemn expression.

Several immortal warriors stood at the entrance to each level.

These warriors came from different immortal realms, as the Demon Suppression Tower was the responsibility of all immortal domains. Seeing Liu Shuang pass by, they remained numbly cold in their demeanor. On the first level, someone might still raise an eyelid to glance at Liu Shuang, but as she ascended to the seventh or eighth levels, the warriors merely held their weapons, eyes half-closed, displaying an attitude of complete indifference despite hearing her footsteps.

The entire Demon Suppression Tower was deathly quiet, as if devoid of people or demons. Liu Shuang faithfully observed her father’s warnings, not looking at the chains inside, focusing solely on climbing the stairs by the dim lamplight.

At the tenth level, a sudden cackle erupted from within, the voice cold and eerie: “This wretched place has a new immortal disciple again!”

This exclamation seemed to suddenly wake everyone.

Various sharp, grating voices and laughter rose in succession.

“Look, it’s a little immortal maiden!”

“This lord has lived for ten thousand years, yet this is the first time seeing such a beautiful immortal maiden. I wonder how she would taste.”

Liu Shuang ignored them, pretending not to hear as she continued upward.

As she climbed higher, the vulgar language and insults increased. By the twentieth level, a fox demon used a seductive voice to sing lewd songs, causing the demons to roar with laughter.

On the twenty-sixth level, Liu Shuang saw a familiar face from her memories.

“Uncle Master Wu Chen.” This was one of her former self’s uncle’s masters. When the Demon Suppression Tower needed someone to guard it, this uncle master, having lost his beloved, had grown disheartened and volunteered. Counting now, it had been over two hundred years.

A man wearing black armor sat woodenly outside the door of the twenty-sixth level, holding a sword.

Hearing a voice, Wu Chen slowly raised his eyes. Gradually, his pitch-black eyes gained focus, and he hesitantly said: “Shuang Shuang?”

“It’s me!” Liu Shuang said joyfully. “Uncle Master Wu Chen, how did you end up like this?”

Once, Wu Chen had been renowned as one of the immortal realm’s most handsome men. Now he looked utterly defeated and wooden, emanating an icy numbness.

Wu Chen examined her and smiled bitterly: “In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown up. Shuang Shuang, why have you come here?”

Liu Shuang briefly explained.

“All warriors in the Demon Suppression Tower choose to seal their five senses and divine consciousness. Powerful demons still exist within the tower, and some are adept at bewitching minds. Only by sealing the five senses can one ensure focused vigilance in guarding this place.”

No wonder the immortal disciples Liu Shuang had passed were particularly cold.

The lower levels weren’t as dangerous, so the immortal warriors didn’t need to seal all five senses.

“You’re going to the thirty-fifth level?” Wu Chen frowned.

“Yes. Uncle Master Wu Chen, you’ve been here for two hundred years. Do you know about the Night Demon Lord?”

Wu Chen’s expression grew solemn: “Shuang Shuang, don’t go any further. Stay here with your Uncle Master, seal your five senses, and the fifty years will pass quickly. The Night Demon Lord has followed the Demon Emperor since ancient times and is an absolute madman. Though he has lost his powers, he’s more dangerous than anyone. In my two hundred years here, the Night Demon Lord sleeps and wakes irregularly. He sleeps most of the time, but when he awakens, not a single demon in the entire Demon Suppression Tower dares make a sound.”

Even without demonic power, such an intimidating presence revealed how dangerous a figure the Night Demon Lord must be.

Ordinarily, Liu Shuang would have heeded her uncle master’s advice and stayed. But only the Night Demon Lord, the sole survivor of the ancient war, knew the whereabouts of the fifth demon meridian. She had no choice but to go.

“Uncle Master, don’t worry. If anything seems wrong, I’ll seal my five senses immediately.”

She had assimilated the power of a divine artifact and could protect herself.

Seeing her insistence, Wu Chen sighed: “I’ll escort you up.”

Walking to the thirty-fourth level, Liu Shuang heard someone inside the tower say: “Would you like to know how the Azure Blue Immortal Realm mysteriously formed in the world?”

Liu Shuang was startled.

The present Azure Blue had not yet fully formed. She turned her head and witnessed a horrifying sight.

Thousand-year mystical iron pierced through a demon’s shoulder blades. Her grotesquely deformed tail had been severed, yet her face wore an eerie smile as she gazed at Liu Shuang.

The beautiful woman parted her crimson lips, her voice melodious and pleasing: “Little immortal maiden, you fear Kung Sang will follow Azure Blue’s fate, don’t you? Come closer, and I’ll tell you Azure Blue’s secret.”

She was barely clothed, yet her smile was gentle and warm.

A pair of hands covered Liu Shuang’s ears. Wu Chen said gravely, “She can read minds. Don’t listen, don’t believe.”

Liu Shuang pressed her lips together and nodded: “Mm, I understand. Thank you, Uncle Master.”

The woman giggled: “What I say is the truth, with knowledge of past and present. If you’re curious, you can come find me anytime.”

Liu Shuang didn’t look back and continued upward.

Upon reaching the thirty-fifth level, Wu Chen said, “Shuang Shuang, take care.”

“Don’t worry, Uncle Master. You take care as well.”

After hesitating momentarily, she pushed open the door.

Inside the empty chamber, apart from intersecting chains and dim wall lamps, there was nothing.

Thirty-two mystical iron chains pierced a man’s body, suspending him in midair. Not only his shoulder blades, but all the major acupoints on his body were locked.

He hung with his head down, sleeping soundly, his body covered in dried blood stains. For a man, his form was surprisingly delicate.

A head of pitch-black hair cascaded down to his ankles.

Hearing a sound, he awakened from his sweet dream and slowly raised his head.

Liu Shuang saw a tender young face—how to describe it—like a startled small beast that instinctively made one want to comfort it. His appearance was extremely pure and innocent, like a frail thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy from the mortal realm.

Even more striking was when he innocently opened his eyes, revealing an exceptionally beautiful pair of silver irises!

Liu Shuang doubted she had counted correctly. Was this truly the thirty-fifth level? The person before her—surely he couldn’t be the Night Demon Lord?

The youth looked at her, slightly twitching his nostrils. His lips curved upward, his voice unexpectedly clear and refined.

“It seems that after tens of thousands of years, he has been successfully born.”