Time had passed for so long, yet that deep, aged voice seemed to still linger in her ears.

Liu Shuang still remembered Tree Grandfather saying: “Liu Shuang! Terrible news! Someone has used a divine artifact to set up a barrier outside the Blue Lake, allowing entry but no exit. I have a premonition that the Karmic Fire will arrive early. Whatever you do, don’t come back, understand? If possible, beg His Majesty the Demon Lord for help. Only he can save all the living beings of Blue Lake.”

Someone had deliberately trapped all the living beings of Blue Lake before the Karmic Fire arrived.

At that time, she had just broken her spiritual bond with Yan Chaosheng. For the sake of Blue Lake’s living beings, she returned to beg Yan Chaosheng, nearly kneeling before him, but was blocked outside the Ghost Realm by Fu Hang.

No wonder the Demon Lord was unwilling to help her, even when she offered treasures in exchange. Nothing could move him in the slightest.

Because what he wanted had always been the lives of all Blue Lake’s beings. He wanted the Hui Ling power.

So from the beginning, marrying her was to carve out her heart. He repeatedly tricked her into drinking medicines that refined her heart, coldly watching as she suffered unbearably.

Why hadn’t he acted later? Was it because she had defied him by breaking their spiritual bond, preventing him from waiting for her to endure the final heavenly thunderbolt? He couldn’t wait, and that’s why he slaughtered all of Blue Lake.

But none of that mattered now. She had come back for another chance, not to watch past despair play out repeatedly. Today he killed Bai Zhuixu, and tomorrow? Chi Shui Chong and Bai Yuxiao?

No, no one should die. The only one who deserved death was he.

Yan Chaosheng agreed to give Bai Zhuixu’s remaining soul to Liu Shuang. He never dragged things out; the next moment, with a thought, he forcibly extracted the half strand of pure white soul remnant from the Primordial Mirror.

Liu Shuang saw his forehead covered in cold sweat. His expression remained calm, revealing nothing as he said: “I need to go out for a while. You rest well.”

He left the sleeping quarters, going off to do something unknown.

Liu Shuang carefully gathered that half-strand of remaining soul. A living person needs three hun-souls and seven po-souls; immortals are the same. Bai Zhuixu was already dead, with only half a wisp of soul remaining, which should have made resurrection impossible.

His remnant soul wasn’t warm like his person; it felt ice-cold in her palm.

Liu Shuang said softly: “Don’t be afraid.” Just like when she was little, he always stayed by her side.

Her fingers formed a seal, sending it into her heart, nurturing it with the Hui Ling power.

Soon after, the butterfly spirit named Cong Xia entered, reluctantly saying to Liu Shuang, “Drink your medicine.”

Liu Shuang took it and drank it all at once.

Seeing her drink so readily, Cong Xia deliberately said: “Some immortal lady you are, lying in a demon’s bed without shame. Let me tell you, I’ve poisoned the medicine.”

Liu Shuang lay back down, tucking herself under the covers, and said: “If you poison me, I won’t die, but you will, and so will Yan Chaosheng. If you do this, you’re the one who loses.”

Cong Xia didn’t understand why poisoning her would cause Yan Chaosheng to die as well.

The immortal lady on the bed turned to look at her, eyes like bewitching waters: “He would die of heartbreak.”

Cong Xia’s face nearly turned green. Was this still the same immortal lady who first came, so incompatible with the Mountain Master, who had stubbornly charged through the Weak Waters?

How had she become so thick-skinned?

Liu Shuang, however, was completely composed. When she was a little immortal herb, if she hadn’t been thick-skinned, she wouldn’t have married Yan Chaosheng or boldly adored him. Now, without being thick-skinned, she wouldn’t be able to retrieve Bai Zhuixu’s remaining soul.

At the very least, she had to pretend to care for Yan Chaosheng, not allowing others to covet him, so that he would fall even deeper.

Sure enough, Cong Xia was angered and left, replaced by someone else to look after her. Or perhaps to monitor her.

Yan Chaosheng hadn’t returned, busy with unknown affairs. It wasn’t until the evening of the next day that he returned to the Demon Palace. Cong Xia hurriedly complained, embellishing Liu Shuang’s words to Yan Chaosheng, who had just returned from outside.

“Mountain Master, that woman doesn’t know her place. She presumes to understand your thoughts and even says that one day, she’ll make you live and die for her.” How can you tolerate this?

Yan Chaosheng remained silent for a long time, not indicating whether he believed her or not. Without a word, he walked into the palace.

Cong Xia watched his retreating figure, feeling quite pleased. That woman was surely finished.

When Yan Chaosheng returned, Liu Shuang had just bathed, her hair loose, sitting cross-legged, reading one of Yan Chaosheng’s books.

It was a travel journal documenting the sights seen by a wandering immortal who had traveled to Mount Buzhou.

The text wasn’t obscure; on the contrary, it was quite entertaining. Liu Shuang noticed that Yan Chaosheng had marked certain places, all related to the Feng Clan’s terrain.

He was preparing for future warfare, but the resources he could utilize were limited.

Being born a demon yet able to cultivate, and even being literate, was already quite remarkable for Yan Chaosheng. Many minor demons couldn’t read.

“You haven’t left?” Yan Chaosheng spoke. “I thought once you got Bai Zhuixu’s soul, you would leave.”

Liu Shuang said earnestly, “I promised to stay with you. I won’t break my word.”

“Where did you put Bai Zhuixu’s soul?” Yan Chaosheng looked around her but couldn’t sense Bai Zhuixu’s remnant soul.

Liu Shuang said: “It’s a secret. What about you? Where have you been these past few days?”

He didn’t speak.

He was always like this. If it was a topic he didn’t want to discuss, or if he didn’t want to lie to her, he would remain silent. His gaze would turn cold, preventing her from asking further.

Liu Shuang indeed didn’t ask anymore. Seeing how tall he was, standing abruptly in the sleeping quarters, his shadow almost enveloping her, she had to look up to talk to him. She moved inward a bit and asked: “Do you want to come up?”

Outside the window, the wind rustled.

If it were the future Yan Chaosheng, the arrogant and cruel Demon Lord, he would lie down. But the current Yan Chaosheng wouldn’t. His youthful nature made him treasure the first person he liked.

Sure enough, he said, “No need. I’ll stay in another palace.”

Liu Shuang didn’t expose him. The Demon Palace was already fully occupied. The little palace maid who had brought her medicine these past few days had grumbled that the Demon Palace was already overcrowded. Newly joined demons could only sleep under the eaves at night, while another group of minor demons was busy building new palaces.

Even Cong Xia and Fu Hang had to share accommodations. Throughout the entire demon mountain, the most exquisite and spacious place was undoubtedly Yan Chaosheng’s residence. No wonder Cong Xia dreamed of climbing into Yan Chaosheng’s bed.

Now that this sleeping palace had been given to Liu Shuang, if Yan Chaosheng left, tonight he would have to squeeze in with Fu Hang and the others.

Liu Shuang secretly glanced at him, holding back a laugh.

She truly couldn’t imagine that scene—the future imposing Demon Lord sleeping in a communal bed with his subordinates. Not just his face but his authority would be lost.

She said, “Do you mind if I read your books?”

“As you wish.” He was still examining her, wanting to detect any trace of hatred on her face. Could she start anew because he had given her Bai Zhuixu’s remnant soul? Could they return to how things were before the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda, when they were still in Kung Sang?

Back then, Chi Shui Chong hadn’t tried to kill him or forced him to reveal his primordial form, and she had been trying to be good to him.

There was no hatred in her eyes; they were clear and bright as she looked up in confusion: “Do you want to read with me?”

“No need. You sleep.” He turned and left.

Liu Shuang heard his footsteps recede, but his shadow didn’t disappear. That shadow lingered at the door for a while before gradually leaving.

Yan Chaosheng didn’t go to Fu Hang’s place.

He went out to feel the cold wind, uncertain for quite some time how things had come to this. Behind him was his palace, this was his territory, he was the master of a mountain.

Returning after his busy work, he strangely had nowhere to go.

Liu Shuang had made room for him at the edge of the bed, but he had instinctively declined. No demon would choose as he did.

He couldn’t possibly go to Fu Hang. If he truly went there, rumors about the Mountain Master would spread wildly tomorrow, making it difficult for him to command respect in the future.

Yan Chaosheng simply took his halberd and went to meditate in the forest. It was quiet, and no one would see him here. This was where the demon bird roosted. The little demon bird came over, tilting its head to look at him, seemingly not understanding why its master had been reduced to living with it.

Yan Chaosheng meditated for a while, then clutched his inner pill, his expression somewhat grim.

Blood seeped from the corner of his lips. The little demon bird became very anxious: “Jiu jiu jiu!”

“It’s nothing,” Yan Chaosheng said. “Just not quite used to it yet.”

He wasn’t accustomed to cultivating with half a demon pill. When he extracted Bai Zhuixu’s half-strand of remnant soul from the Primordial Mirror, Bai Zhuixu had sacrificed himself for the magical artifact, becoming part of the Primordial Mirror.

An ancient magical artifact couldn’t bear even the slightest damage. Yan Chaosheng had used half of his primordial pill to repair the cracks in the Primordial Mirror, making its barrier impenetrable.

His demon body, originally impervious to weapons, had lost half its primordial pill and most of its ten-thousand-year spiritual energy.

Yan Chaosheng was extremely tired. As the night deepened and dew formed, his shoulders were already soaked. The demon bird circled him anxiously.

“Stop moving around. You’re making me dizzy. Go further away; I need to sleep for a while.”

He originally didn’t need sleep, but after carving out half his primordial pill, his body was truly exhausted. The demon bird obediently moved away.

The next day, he rose as usual, commanding the demon soldiers in their training.

Initially, his demon soldiers had been a disorganized rabble, but demons were naturally warlike and learned quickly. They just weren’t very disciplined. If Yan Chaosheng suppressed them, they would be much more obedient.

Bai Zhuixu’s death had thoroughly made the Demon Palace a target of public criticism. Yan Chaosheng knew that the Celestial Clan had already begun to plan against them. If they couldn’t fight, their only option was death.

But there were also benefits. Lately, more and more demons had come to join them. Gradually, Yan Chaosheng found himself with quite a few talented individuals under his command.

Among the demon soldiers, a burly man shouted: “Mountain Master, would you spar with me?”

He was a mighty bull demon with a straightforward personality. Fortunately, bearing an ancient demon bloodline, he was more powerful than other demons. Previously, he had been the master of a small mountain, but later joined Yan Chaosheng, though harboring many discontented thoughts of usurpation. Yan Chaosheng had defeated him several times, yet he persisted in challenging him.

A demon’s challenge couldn’t be declined.

Yan Chaosheng gripped his halberd and entered the arena to spar with him.

Liu Shuang arrived at this moment. Two great demons sparring was naturally a magnificent sight. Fearing damage to the Demon Palace, they didn’t use spiritual energy.

This was when physical ability became crucial. The bull used all his strength, each move carrying tremendous force.

The training arena carved out from the Demon Palace had been smashed into a pit by him.

Liu Shuang looked at Yan Chaosheng’s halberd, never expecting that, after all this time, even his weapon would be the same as in her previous life.

The bull prided himself on his immense strength, and Yan Chaosheng didn’t rely on tricks, choosing to match him in pure power.

Yan Chaosheng was tall and slender, with long, powerful legs, his eyes cold. When his halberd pressed down, the bull used a meteor hammer to receive it, yet he was still forced to bend his knees under the pressure.

The demons cheered enthusiastically.

Yan Chaosheng also noticed Liu Shuang. His gaze paused, then returned to the fight. The scene was lively, and Liu Shuang simply decided not to think about anything, joining them in applauding, laughing heartily. Few noticed Yan Chaosheng’s slightly pale lips.

Nearby, Cong Xia’s wrist moved slightly.

Several scarlet flame bees flew out.

These were ancient demonic creatures with tiny primordial forms, but after sucking blood, they would grow larger and larger, even bigger than a house.

The scarlet flame bees flew out and landed on the bull’s body. For others, they might be nothing, but for the bull, they were deadly natural enemies.

He howled “Aooo!” and lost his composure, unable to control his spiritual energy. The meteor hammer flew out toward Liu Shuang. Few dared to intercept a great demon’s artifact; even the bull couldn’t pull it back.

Finally, with a “thud,” it hit the back of the young man standing in front of Liu Shuang.

Yan Chaosheng asked her: “Are you alright?”

She was stunned, nodded, and fixed her gaze on his face.

The bull demon was still running around frantically. Yan Chaosheng’s fingertips released a dark mist that extinguished those scarlet flame bees. Only then did the bull stop, trembling with fear.

This time, the bull demon didn’t dare cause trouble, submitting with great grievance.

Yan Chaosheng turned to leave. Fu Hang also noticed something wrong and was about to follow, but Liu Shuang ran after Yan Chaosheng, waving Fu Hang off.

Fu Hang hesitated for a moment, then stopped.

The two walked along a small path. The demons had quite a sense of aesthetics, having recently transplanted many plants. A begonia bloomed vibrantly overhead.

“Yan Chaosheng!”

He didn’t turn around: “What is it?”

She caught up and moved in front of him. Yan Chaosheng’s face was somewhat pale. He frowned at her: “If you need anything, tell Fu Hang.”

Liu Shuang shook her head, raised her hand, and touched his back. His body stiffened as he caught her hand, but it was too late. Liu Shuang’s hand was covered in blood.

Something was wrong with his demon body. No wonder there had been the scent of blood earlier.

“What happened to you?”

He said: “Nothing.”

Liu Shuang sighed softly: “Stop walking away. Let me treat your wound. I won’t kill you.”

She pulled him to sit on a nearby stone bench. Yan Chaosheng looked up at her. After leaving the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda, when she learned he liked her, she had always maintained her distance, never being this intimate again. Yan Chaosheng was momentarily dazed and didn’t push her away, allowing her to guide him to sit down.

Liu Shuang formed seals with her fingers to treat his wounds.

The young woman was fully concentrated. He held her hand: “Don’t use spiritual energy. It doesn’t hurt. It will be fine soon.”

He could tell this was the Hui Ling power. If the Hui Ling power was used too much, she would have to undergo the blood vessel tribulation.

“Does it not hurt?”

“It doesn’t hurt,” he said.

“You didn’t need to shield me,” Liu Shuang said. “I have an immortal body. Being hit once wouldn’t hurt. But you—something seems wrong with your primordial form.”

She pressed her lips together: “I’m sorry. This is the second time. Last time, you shielded me from the collapsing Demon-Suppressing Pagoda, and I watched you leave injured. It was my fault.”

He looked at her. Could he truly believe her? Just like before, when she was willing to go to the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda so he could recover his cultivation.

If so many things hadn’t happened, would she have had some feelings for him and cared for him like this? Between them, there had never been a blood feud. He was willing to forget that her father had tried to kill him, and he had even used half his primordial pill to exchange for Bai Zhuixu’s strand of remaining soul.

Perhaps what stood between them was only his demon identity and his suspicions.

In the future, he would strive to become very powerful, not losing to Ji Shao You and Bai Zhuixu. Now she would even deliberately provoke Cong Xia. Could he try once more?

The young Demon Lord, like a snail extending its tentacles only to retract at the slightest pain, spoke in a hoarse voice, no longer contradicting himself, for the first time awkwardly saying: “I never blamed you. I just… want to be good to you.”