Yan Chaosheng finished dealing with Nan Jing’s people and brought Su Lun back with him.

He spoke concisely: “Try to run, and I’ll break your legs.”

Su Lun: “…”

Foxes, being a cunning race, were accustomed to watching from the sidelines and playing tricks. Even if other races faced extinction, they would always manage to survive.

Now Yan Chaosheng’s calm yet ruthless words didn’t sound like a joke at all. Su Lun sheepishly followed him back, his mind still dwelling on what he had witnessed earlier.

He scrutinized Yan Chaosheng with curiosity, feeling the Demon Lord knew far too much. However, no matter how clever he was, he couldn’t possibly imagine where the man before him truly came from.

Yan Chaosheng never intended to hide anything. Compared to his youth, he had grown thicker-skinned and more caustic. Just as he hadn’t concealed his Xiangyao bloodline from Su Lun, he didn’t plan to hide his origins either.

They would eventually figure it out, especially since the fall of Yao Mountain served as clear evidence: he was the future sovereign who would unify several realms.

Keeping Su Lun around had many advantages; the man was truly useful, even if somewhat despicable.

During this period, many immortal soldiers and spies had come to the Ghost Domain, all having their necks snapped by Fu Hang. Yan Chaosheng wasn’t busy; he sat with his legs crossed in the palace, listening to a storyteller.

The butterfly spirit was skilled at flattery and had found a talented storyteller from the mortal realm. The man was well-versed in major events from both immortal and mortal realms over the past three years, and entertainingly told stories.

Yan Chaosheng didn’t immediately go looking for Liu Shuang. He had been separated from her for too long, and having suddenly arrived in this world, he didn’t want her to recognize him.

This callous and heartless Demon Lord that he was now wasn’t someone good in her memories. Starting over was too difficult; better to leave her with the memory of that pure, innocent youth who had sacrificed everything for her.

“Tell me everything you know, whether true or false,” he said.

Yan Chaosheng had memories of his younger self. The moment he awakened, he knew that the Liu Shuang of this world was once his little immortal grass.

She still carried her memories, along with her hatred for him, but without any trace of the love she once had. On the day Yan Chaosheng awakened, his soul vaguely sensed a guidance—the power of the Heart of Huiling from the Soul-Pacifying Lamp. While in disbelief, he also felt a subtle sense of absurdity.

The little immortal who had been hurt would no longer love him, yet she could be moved by a fool. But he was no longer that fool; he was now an outright troublemaker who harmed others without benefiting himself.

Three years had passed since Yan Chaosheng’s death, and through the storyteller’s words, he sought to understand the changes Liu Shuang had brought about. He wanted to know what this world had become.

The storyteller looked at the black mist on the throne, cold sweat streaming down his face.

The person on the throne was the Ghost Lord! And apparently, he had been some kind of snake demon in his previous life. Either way, both identities made the storyteller tremble with fear. With the Demon Lord listening to his stories, he feared one slip of the tongue would cost him his head.

Yan Chaosheng’s lips curved into a smile. Not bad—given a second chance at life, she had finally grown smarter and was doing well for herself. So much so that the world was no longer the one he remembered.

The storyteller began with events from three years ago, precisely when Mountain Lord Yan Chaosheng had shed his blood in the great hall of Kun Lun. He stroked his beard, sighing deeply.

“The Mountain Lord, harboring deep affection, ultimately met a tragic end with his soul scattered…”

The storyteller didn’t know that the Demon Lord before him was once the Mountain Lord. This scene stirred memories belonging to that youth within Yan Chaosheng.

He remembered the young man weeping tears of blood, still carrying a wedding dress in his chest. That youth despised Liu Shuang, yet was obsessed with one question: had she ever truly loved him?

Yan Chaosheng pressed his hand against his chest. The pain and hatred of that youth remained so vivid, as if it were just yesterday. He even felt a sense of empathy.

If he had been revived without his current memories, he would surely have sought revenge. He would have torn her to pieces alongside himself, never allowing her a moment’s happiness in her lifetime.

But the current Yan Chaosheng, with memories of once annihilating her entire clan, understood her hatred all too well.

He remained silent, appreciating her growth. The little immortal grass who once cowered behind him, trembling in fear of heavenly thunder, had finally made progress. Learning to kill was better than standing stupidly, being deceived, and having one’s heart carved out.

Yan Chaosheng was different from the pure youth he once was.

In the life before meeting Liu Shuang, his youth had been exceedingly bitter. Even emotions like hatred were rarely spared for him by others.

Yan Chaosheng thought: This is good. Her love had been given to him, and her hatred was also reserved for him alone. Everything belonged to him, with none spared for others.

Recalling her hateful gaze, he felt a subtle excitement within his body.

Yan Chaosheng sighed, smiling as he supported his forehead. Truly… complicated feelings. If she were to see him like this again, she would surely despise him, probably spotting his differences at first glance.

How could he dare to go see her immediately upon his return? A well-laid plan couldn’t be ruined again.

The storyteller’s topics were diverse, soon shifting to major events involving Feng Fuming. Yan Chaosheng pondered: “This differs somewhat from my memories.”

As the storyteller continued, he remembered something. Before coming, he had accepted a bribe from the butterfly spirit. Cong Xia had only one request: defame Chi Shui Liu Shuang!

So the storyteller hastily added, “The young mistress of the Chi Shui Clan is quite a romantic figure. Three years ago, in the great hall of Kung Sang, she schemed to kill the Mountain Lord of the Demon Palace. In the following years, she had an ambiguous relationship with the young lord of Kun Lun. After bidding farewell to her father, she stayed at Kun Lun for a long time. The young lord of Kun Lun cherished her and prioritized her in everything. Earliest of all, this immortal lady had a relationship with the Heavenly Lord. It is said that upon first sight, the Heavenly Lord was attracted by her beauty, leading to a romantic interlude. All in all, countless men have been involved with her…”

As he spoke, the storyteller increasingly felt something was wrong. Looking up, he saw Yan Chaosheng gazing at him with an enigmatic smile.

“This Lord doesn’t know the truth of other matters the storyteller mentioned, but regarding this part, there may be discrepancies. Allow this Lord to correct a thing or two.”

“Wh-what?” the storyteller stammered.

“From beginning to end, only one man has ever been involved with her,” the male voice said from behind the ghostly mist, smiling faintly without elaborating further.

That day, the storyteller was carried out with his buttocks beaten to pulp. When others inquired about the reason, they merely learned that his storytelling wasn’t good enough and had displeased the Demon Lord.

This minor incident didn’t cause the slightest ripple. Outside, battles raged fiercely. Immortals fighting each other meant mortals suffered. On the battlefield where Kun Lun fought against the Heavenly Clan, for hundreds of miles around, not a blade of grass grew, only smoke and devastation.

Yet the Demon Lord watched from the sidelines, showing no intention to interfere.

Every three days, the Ghost Domain held a court assembly. A demon general couldn’t help but ask: “Both sides have suffered losses now. Why don’t we take advantage and strike, leaving none alive?”

They speculated that the Demon Lord’s strength seemingly surpassed Feng Fuming’s, so there was no need to fear him. Why did he still hesitate to act? Currently, both sides’ immortal soldiers were exhausted, including those from Kung Sang who had been drawn into the conflict. These immortals were all their enemies, and in his opinion, it would be best to kill them all!

“There’s no hurry,” Yan Chaosheng said. “The prolonged nature of this conflict is unusual. Feng Fuming is waiting to see if this Lord will make a move. Wait a few more days; when Kun Lun can no longer hold out, this Lord will naturally make a decision.”

Since he spoke thus, no one raised further objections.

Yan Chaosheng waited patiently for the right moment. However, before he could act, one night he had a dream—a vision of the Xiangyao clan’s massacre. Blood flowed like rivers, wails filled the air, children were slaughtered like livestock, souls trapped within spirit veins, unable to find rebirth.

After waking, Yan Chaosheng remained silent, his eyes cold. Before dawn broke, he went to Wuqing Palace.

Wuqing Palace still resembled what he remembered.

Entering, Yan Chaosheng gazed at the cold pond for a while before saying: “Come out, Dream Concubine.”

With a wave of his hand, the beautiful, gentle soul floated out from the cold pool. The soul bore a heavy, murderous aura—Dream Concubine, hidden in the Ghost Domain, had become a vengeful, resentful ghost.

“When the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda shattered, you’ve been hiding here all along?” he asked.

Dream Concubine had anticipated being discovered when she used her ability to evoke his hatred. She stared at him fixedly: “You… Your Highness, you’ve awakened your bloodline power.”

“Wonderful! After tens of thousands of years of waiting, this day has finally arrived. Now we only need the Heart of Huiling, and the Xiangliu clan can restore its ancient glory!”

Her expression was maniacal, identical to years past. Even her words were entirely similar. How familiar—this was exactly how they had pressured him back then.

Yan Chaosheng looked at her, this woman who was half a mother to him. How laughable, he thought. Are there such mothers in this world? Not satisfied that her child wasn’t enough of a madman? Needing to drive him insane again and again with such methods?

This was exactly how he had gradually gone mad, tricking Liu Shuang into drinking the Heart-Refining Spirit Liquid.

Dream Concubine covered her lips: “Since Your Highness has awakened your bloodline, you should know that blood debts must be repaid. You already know where the Heart of Huiling is—this is her destiny. Dream Concubine knows Your Highness once had feelings for her, but now times have changed. Has Your Highness still not given up?”

Having spoken, she raised her hand, attempting to touch Yan Chaosheng’s brow.

Her hand was swatted away as Yan Chaosheng smiled: “Dream Concubine, who gave you permission to probe my heart?”

Dream Concubine froze in shock. She couldn’t hear anything—her ability had failed!

Growing anxious, her expression turned ferocious: “Could it be Your Highness still can’t bear to harm her!” Back then, Night Demon Luo and others had used all their strength to preserve a fragment of her soul, all for this moment—to help Yan Chaosheng succeed.

Yet since the Highness’s return, he had not made any move against that woman.

Dream Concubine had no choice but to create dreams, making him relive the clan’s extermination nightmare again and again.

Yan Chaosheng stared at her coldly, eventually smiling: “Dream Concubine, you’ve truly lived… long enough. Do you think I’m still a helpless child to be manipulated by you?”

Dream Concubine widened her eyes in terror: “What are you planning to do? I am your mother!”

“Mother?” Yan Chaosheng laughed sarcastically. “Yan was born and raised naturally, without a mother.”

With a wave of his hand, a formation appeared: “Stay here properly, Dream Concubine. It’s not that this Lord lacks the resolve to kill you. The next time this Lord comes, it will be your death day. This Lord knows what to do, without your presumptions.”

Dream Concubine lunged forward frantically, only to collide with the barrier.

After a court assembly one day, Yan Chaosheng held back Zhan Xueyang.

“Give me the Heart-Refining Spirit Liquid you’ve prepared.”

Zhan Xueyang asked: “Is the Demon Lord planning to avenge his death?”

Since Yan Chaosheng left Yao Mountain, Zhan Xueyang had been preparing the Heart-Refining Spirit Liquid, thinking it would certainly be needed someday. Now that the liquid was ready, Zhan Xueyang handed over the transparent crystal bottle.

Yan Chaosheng looked at the bottle, his pupils contracting imperceptibly.

He recalled long ago, on the swing behind that courtyard, the little immortal with a pale face in pain. How many times had she voluntarily drunk it? With her timid nature, she must have been terrified.

“Yes, revenge,” Yan Chaosheng said softly.

Zhan Xueyang harbored no doubts. After all, it was a blood feud. Zhan Xueyang had heard how tragic it had been; Yan Chaosheng couldn’t possibly still love Chi Shui Liu Shuang.

The crystal bottle now in his hands felt smooth and cool. With a bone-chilling coldness, Yan Chaosheng rotated the bottle, his eyelashes casting cold shadows.

None of that would happen again. He had paid a heavy price to finally discover the correct path to take.

Within a few days, stories about how Liu Shuang had previously trapped and killed Yan Chaosheng spread like wildfire throughout the Ghost Domain.

Even more extreme rumors claimed: “The Demon Lord has announced a bounty on Chi Shui Liu Shuang. Whoever can capture and bring her to the Ghost Domain will be richly rewarded.”

The ghost cultivator Yan Chaosheng was now the most powerful being in the entire Ghost Domain. Many believed these words, waiting for Liu Shuang and Ji Moqing to be defeated by Feng Fuming so they could take advantage and capture her.

Although this sounded utterly fantastical.

Ghost cultivators whispered among themselves: “Since ancient times, ghost cultivators’ magical powers have been limited by heavenly laws, unable to break through. I heard whoever captures the Demon Lord’s mortal enemy, the Lord, will reveal cultivation secrets.”

“To be willing to reveal such secrets to outsiders, the Demon Lord must truly hate that immortal lady to the extreme. If she ever falls into the Demon Lord’s hands, she will surely beg for death but be unable to die.”

“Of course. The Demon Lord’s methods of killing are so ruthless—even the Thousand Blade Sect was treated in such a manner. How much worse would it be for this immortal lady who has a grudge against him and betrayed him?”