Yan Chaosheng departed from You Mountain, immediately rushing toward the Demon Palace.

Fu Hang was already waiting at the entrance of the Demon Palace to welcome him. “Master of the Mountain.”

“How is the situation?”

Fu Hang knelt: “This subordinate is incompetent and unable to refine the Primordial Mirror. Bai Zhuixu’s soul is still resisting the Primordial Mirror, and now it has alarmed both the Kung Sang Immortal Realm and the Celestial Clan.”

“Stand up when you speak.” Yan Chaosheng’s expression remained calm. “With such a commotion at the Demon Palace, alarming the Feng Clan was only a matter of time.”

Fu Hang lowered his head. Usually expressionless, a trace of guilt now appeared in his eyes. If not for his inefficiency, the Mountain Master wouldn’t have had to rush back to handle the aftermath, and so many demon soldiers wouldn’t have died.

That person, called Bai Zhuixu, appeared so refined, unexpectedly preferred to destroy the Primordial Mirror rather than let them obtain it. His unyielding spirit shocked everyone and caught them unprepared. Now they couldn’t retrieve the Primordial Mirror, and they had alarmed the Feng family.

It was said that the Celestial Army was already on its way, and Kung Sang had also sent many immortals to assist.

If they couldn’t refine the Primordial Mirror and protect the Demon Palace before they arrived, everyone would have to leave this demon mountain, becoming homeless dogs or dying under the blades of the Celestial Clan.

The battle situation that Fu Hang could analyze clearly, Yan Chaosheng naturally understood as well. He said coldly, “You’ll accept punishment later. For now, follow me to shred Bai Zhuixu’s soul.”

If they continued this stalemate, the Primordial Mirror would shatter, and the various immortal clans would direct their swords at the Demon Palace. Without a protective formation, the Demon Palace was in grave danger.

A massive demon bird flew over, docilely landing at Yan Chaosheng’s feet. It folded its large wings, completely unaware of its imposing size, wanting to nuzzle against Yan Chaosheng.

In just a few days, it had grown twice as large as when Yan Chaosheng left the Demon Palace.

However, it still hadn’t developed much intelligence and still considered itself a baby bird.

Yan Chaosheng pressed down on its affectionate head and asked, “Who fed it?”

“Lady Cong Xia,” Fu Hang answered. Though the Mountain Master wasn’t at the Demon Palace, Cong Xia constantly thought about pleasing him, feeding anything she found to the demon bird. The bird wasn’t picky either, eating everything and growing larger by the day.

Yan Chaosheng did not comment and mounted it. “To the Immortal Clan’s encampment.”

The demon bird, connected to his mind, spread its wings. Before long, it carried them to where Bai Zhuixu had sacrificed himself for the Primordial Mirror.

In the air, a golden-red mirror rotated, with no one within hundreds of miles around it. Although the Primordial Mirror was merely a protective artifact, born in ancient times, its offensive power was not weak. When it had fallen into Bi Xun’s hands, it could devour other magical treasures and spiritual energy, and even make a city’s inhabitants enter illusory dreams. Thus, even though the immortal soldiers of Kung Sang desperately wanted to save Bai Zhuixu’s soul, they could only retreat for fear of falling into illusions, with no leader to guide them.

Not only them, but no one from the Demon Palace dared approach either.

Fu Hang opened a purple umbrella for Yan Chaosheng, blocking the strange light emitted by the Primordial Mirror.

Cong Xia, originally crouching far away, also held an umbrella identical to theirs.

It was called the Nullification Umbrella, forged by a demon in the Demon Palace skilled in artifact crafting. The demon appeared frail, with even his scapula broken. Originally, they were going to drive him down the mountain, but when Yan Chaosheng heard he could forge artifacts, he him kept well-fed and cared for. Now he forged artifacts daily behind the demon mountain, like a madman obsessed with his craft.

He didn’t create many things, but they were surprisingly useful. Just like now, the Demon Palace knew more about the Primordial Mirror’s situation than the Immortal Clan, precisely because of this umbrella. It allowed them to approach the Primordial Mirror without falling into its illusory dreams. Unfortunately, only two had been crafted so far.

Cong Xia flew over, overjoyed: “Mountain Master, you’ve returned.”

She quickly handed over a box: “Yuan Wei has finished crafting it. Please check if there are any issues, Mountain Master. He named it ‘Burial of Heaven’.” Yuan Wei was a demon skilled in artifact crafting.

Yan Chaosheng raised his hand to receive it, opened the box, and inside lay a silver halberd. It was sixteen feet long, gleaming with silver light throughout its body. At the end of the halberd was a point of brilliant red, like cinnabar or crimson blood.

This had once been a whip formed from Qing Luan’s soul.

That day beneath the Weak Waters, when Yan Chaosheng lost his flesh, it too was corroded beyond recognition. With only a trace of spirit left, Yan Chaosheng had gathered its essence and sent it, along with countless heavenly materials and earthly treasures, to Yuan Wei for forging.

Yuan Wei had asked him at the time: “What kind of weapon does the Mountain Master want?”

He replied: “One that makes killing effortless.”

Yuan Wei had then taken the initiative to forge a long halberd called “Burial of Heaven.” It was truly beautiful. Lying in the box, it already gave an extraordinary impression. Even Fu Hang beside him couldn’t help but look at it twice.

Yan Chaosheng took it from the box. As he grasped the weapon and turned his wrist, “Burial of Heaven” danced with his movements. The earth shook and mountains trembled, and a bottomless crack appeared on the ground.

Even Yan Chaosheng was somewhat surprised and praised: “Not bad.”

It lived up to its name, Burial of Heaven.

Cong Xia was even more astonished. In her heart, she hadn’t much respected Yuan Wei. That demon was skinny and looked weak, yet the Mountain Master treated him exceptionally well, even better than her.

Cong Xia wasn’t convinced. When Yuan Wei handed the box to her, she had secretly tried to take out Burial of Heaven to examine it.

Unexpectedly, the halberd weighed over a thousand catties. Her face turned green, yet she still couldn’t remove it from the box.

She had thought Yuan Wei had created a useless artifact, but now, seeing it in Yan Chaosheng’s hands, it truly could split mountains and seas.

If at first when Yan Chaosheng became Mountain Master, Cong Xia only had thoughts of climbing to glory, now her gaze looking at him was almost intense enough to drip water.

She gently moved closer, asking with concern: “Mountain Master, was your journey to You Mountain successful? Has your primordial body stabilized?” She was a butterfly spirit, with a graceful figure and particularly turbulent waves before her chest.

During Yan Chaosheng’s absence, passing by his sleeping palace in the Demon Palace, her heart stirred uncontrollably. She couldn’t help but regret not trying to seduce him, as his unstable primordial body was her best opportunity. The more she thought about it, the more she regretted it, thinking that now that the Mountain Master had returned, she didn’t want to miss any more chances.

Her chest heaved waves, but the two men before her remained unmoved.

Yan Chaosheng even coldly said, “If you have nothing to do, return to the Demon Palace.”

Cong Xia pouted and stamped her foot, unable to help wondering if the Mountain Master liked women at all.

At that time, she hadn’t realized that in a few days, she would know that the Mountain Master did like someone, just not her type.

Yan Chaosheng gripped “Burial of Heaven” and transformed into a dark flowing light, flying into the Primordial Mirror to find Bai Zhuixu’s soul and destroy it.

As dawn broke over You Mountain, Liu Shuang, having slept through the night, awoke feeling unsettled, as if something significant was about to happen.

She pressed her frantically beating heart and stumbled out to find Zhan Xueyang.

The Quicksand people surrounded her, bringing her to Zhan Xueyang’s door. She knocked: “Master.”

Zhan Xueyang was just concocting medicine and let her in: “What brings the Immortal Lady here?”

Liu Shuang couldn’t articulate what was causing her anxiety or what she was worried about: “Master, my heart palpitates severely. I feel something major is about to happen. Do you know what’s happening outside?”

Zhan Xueyang’s eyes flashed, thinking of Bai Zhuixu in the Primordial Mirror, about to have his soul scattered. He asked: “Does your Immortal Realm have any generals on expedition?”

Liu Shuang’s lips curved slightly upward, saying gently: “Yes, his name is Bai Zhuixu, gentle and brave, compassionate and kind.”

“Who is he to you?” Seeing her expression, Zhan Xueyang couldn’t help but ask.

“He is my elder brother,” she said in a crisp voice.

“Do you have a good relationship?”

Liu Shuang didn’t understand why Zhan Xueyang suddenly became interested in Bai Zhuixu. Remembering Shao You saying that Zhan Xueyang had a strange personality and liked hearing others’ stories, she nodded, treating it as repayment by telling him a story: “Yes, I grew up with Bai Zhuixu. When I was little, I was missing a soul and always got into trouble. Once, I took my father’s Heavenly Thunder Banner and called lightning in Kung Sang. That lightning destroyed an entire part of the mountain and ruined half the spirit pool. Father was extremely angry and wanted to punish me. But when the rod came down, all the blows fell on Bai Zhuixu.”

Recalling the past, she couldn’t help but smile gently: “He was in pain too, but he protected me completely, not letting me take a single hit.”

“I used to be very afraid of the dark, and Father often made me kneel at Nine Thoughts Pond. Do you know Nine Thoughts Pond? You can’t see your fingers in front of you inside. I was very scared alone, but later Bai Zhuixu came in. He was confined with me on the Lotus Platform, teaching me spells, hiding many snacks for me, and letting me sleep in his clothes. He created a sky full of fireflies inside. I was confined for half a year, and he stayed with me, never stepping away for half a year.”

“Father was busy with affairs, and Mother was frail. In my memories, he was the person who accompanied me the most. He protected me as I grew up and said that when I married in the future, he would, as my elder brother, carry me out of Kung Sang.”

Zhan Xueyang said softly: “Is that so?” Then you must care for him deeply.

When Liu Shuang spoke of Bai Zhuixu, even with her eyes covered, her entire being radiated warmth.

Zhan Xueyang glanced at her. Liu Shuang, on You Mountain, had no idea what was happening outside at this moment. He smiled mockingly; it was fated, she wouldn’t make it in time.

“Go out for now,” Zhan Xueyang said. “Your medicine will be ready soon.”

“Master, I…”

Without allowing any argument, Zhan Xueyang had the small Quicksand people escort Liu Shuang out.

Zhan Xueyang entered the inner room, looking at the two samples of blood before him, smiling sarcastically.

One was sent by Yan Chaosheng this morning, and the other was delivered last night by an immortal named “Wo Jiang.”

Ji Shao You had indeed returned to Kun Lun, but before leaving, despite his serious injuries, he killed that demon beast in Lurking Dragon Valley, extracted its blood, and had his master Wo Jiang deliver it.

Rushing as fast as they could, they barely made the half-month deadline.

When Wo Jiang arrived, his expression was grim. Zhan Xueyang guessed it was one of two situations: either Kun Lun was truly in crisis, or Ji Shao You was also seriously injured.

Zhan Xueyang had deliberated for a long time and, taking advantage of Yan Chaosheng’s absence, had hidden this blood. Ji Shao You’s action surprised him greatly. Shao You had kept his promise and brought back the “dragon blood,” though the price he paid was greater than originally imagined.

Zhan Xueyang hadn’t mentioned the dragon blood, as it was merely to test Yan Chaosheng’s attitude.

He wanted to see how much sentiment this future ruler still held in his heart. The result was the new “dragon blood” received this morning.

Not only that, but Yan Chaosheng had said this was the “dragon blood” brought back by Ji Shao You. He feared the little immortal maiden would be sad and had gone to such lengths.

Should a future ruler have feelings? Zhan Xueyang’s expression darkened.

No, Zhan Xueyang thought to himself, once he has a weakness, this path will surely not go far. Let alone someone exploiting his weakness to threaten him, and Yan Chaosheng compromising, but when the day comes that he needs the Hui Ling Heart as a catalyst to merge all immortal veins, would Yan Chaosheng bear to watch her have her heart carved out and die?

Zhan Xueyang laughed sharply, kicking over the “dragon blood” that Yan Chaosheng had brought. He looked at the other “dragon blood” and took it to concoct the medicine.

The roaring furnace fire rose before his eyes, and Zhan Xueyang’s lips revealed a smile.

No matter, Yan Chaosheng would eventually break completely with her. Wasn’t Bai Zhuixu’s death the perfect opportunity? Once His Highness killed her brother, how could she ever forgive His Highness?

Calculating the time, Yan Chaosheng should have entered the Primordial Mirror by now.

Outside the door, Liu Shuang clutched her heart, her unease growing stronger.

She even curled up slightly in pain, cold sweat pouring down. She had an immortal body and possessed the Hui Ling Heart; her chest should not hurt. Zhan Xueyang had not told her what was happening. She gritted her teeth, gasping, and said at the door: “Master, I need to leave You Mountain early.”

Something must have happened!

She untied the shark silk gauze, and the small Quicksand people surrounded her, exclaiming and trying to dissuade her.

Liu Shuang’s eyes shed a line of blood tears. Just as she was about to forcibly restore her five senses and leave You Mountain to see what was happening, the door opened from inside again.

Zhan Xueyang grabbed her wrist: “What’s the rush? The medicinal catalyst is here, and the medicine will be ready soon. Just wait for half an hour. Only half an hour, nothing will happen.” No need to go anymore; it’s too late anyway.

Half an hour later, Zhan Xueyang finished concocting the medicine and gave it to Liu Shuang.

After so many days, Liu Shuang finally regained her senses. Her body gradually solidified, returning to its previous form.

Liu Shuang opened her eyes, clearly seeing Zhan Xueyang before her, and said: “Thank you, Master.”

The unease in her heart wouldn’t dissipate: “Has Shao You returned? Why don’t I see him? Has something happened to him?”

Zhan Xueyang smiled and said: “Ji Shao You hasn’t returned. There was an issue in Kun Lun, so he went back. The medicinal catalyst you needed was provided by someone this morning.”

“Who?”

Zhan Xueyang said with surprise, “You don’t know him? Last night he came to visit you, and this morning he used his blood as a catalyst for your medicine. I thought you had a deep friendship, which is why he would do this for you.”

Speaking thus, Liu Shuang recalled last night, how someone had carried her back to her room and calmed her emotions with spiritual energy. That energy was warm and accompanied her all night.

Liu Shuang hesitantly looked at Zhan Xueyang, truly unable to think of who would do this besides Shao You. Could he be the source of her heart’s pain?

Zhan Xueyang smiled and uttered a name: “Yan Chaosheng.”

As his words fell, indeed, the little immortal before him changed her expression: “You mean Yan Chaosheng…” She pressed her lips tightly, and Zhan Xueyang couldn’t quite see what she was thinking.

Zhan Xueyang had to abruptly bring up another topic, saying: “By the way, I just remembered while concocting medicine that there seems to be an immortal general trapped in the Primordial Mirror, about to have his soul scattered. I wonder if it’s the elder brother you mentioned earlier.”

Liu Shuang’s face turned pale in an instant: “What did you say!”

Recalling that alarming sense of unease, she didn’t even bid farewell, hastily running out of You Mountain.

Zhan Xueyang had stirred troubled waters, watching her rush away with a string of small Quicksand people reluctantly following behind.

Originally not intending to speak, her departing figure inadvertently touched the most resentful pain of his seven thousand years.

“Wait,” Zhan Xueyang called out. When Liu Shuang turned back, he pressed his lips together. “Since you are from the Immortal Clan, do you know an immortal lady who likes to wear red clothes and has a scar on her wrist?”

Stopped by him, Liu Shuang hurriedly tried to recall. Which immortal in the clan likes to wear such a vibrant color as red? There seemed to be none, especially one with a scar on the wrist… Every immortal knew healing techniques; who would allow a scar to remain on their hand?

“I have never seen the lady Master speaks of.”

The faint light in Zhan Xueyang’s eyes gradually dimmed, becoming completely silent. After a long time, the man adorned with a forehead ornament smiled slightly: “I see. Farewell, Immortal Lady, have a safe journey.”

Liu Shuang left You Mountain.

Behind her, Zhan Xueyang’s false smile faded. He leaned against You Mountain’s only large tree, the flower seeds in his hand almost crushed.

His lips were nearly bitten bloody.

He could hardly remember her appearance anymore. He truly could hardly remember anymore.

He had guarded this place, day and night, planting flowers for seven thousand four hundred years. Long ago, he had wondered if it was because everything around him couldn’t grow, desolate and decaying, unable even to bloom a flower to please her. Like a powerless dog wagging its tail pitifully for her favor, despicable, that’s why she wouldn’t stay in this dead land and hadn’t come back to see him once in over seven thousand years.

Now, You Mountain had grown a great tree. He had waited until it became desolate, and still, she had not returned.