In the Yaoming Hall, the lamplight was ambiguous.

The Buddhist cultivator dressed in a monk’s robes sat quietly below the high seat, his gaze fixed on the creases in his robes.

The woman on the high seat toyed with the exquisite silver lock in her hands, smiling: “Little Master, it’s been so long since we’ve met. Why don’t you raise your head to look at me?”

“Your Highness’s beauty remains as before.” After a pause, Ming Jing raised his head.

“After all these years, I’ve inevitably grown old.” Bujiang sighed, then looked at him again: “However, I truly didn’t expect you to follow Zanxing to Heishi City. It seems your Buddhist cultivation isn’t very good either—a Buddhist cultivator mixing with the demon race.”

“I no longer cultivate Buddhism.”

“Oh?” Bujiang raised her eyebrows slightly, seeming interested: “Why?”

“My heart harbors delusional thoughts. I dare not blaspheme Buddha.”

Hearing this, Bujiang smiled faintly. She shifted slightly, her long robes clinging to her body, outlining her graceful figure. Her pair of legs appeared and disappeared beneath the wide red robes. The beauty’s posture was leisurely, like an emperor controlling the overall situation, her voice carrying a hook: “You dare not blaspheme Buddha, but what about demons?”

Ming Jing’s Adam’s apple moved once as he averted his gaze from her.

“Fine,” seeing this, Bujiang lost some interest, “you followed to Heishi City, surely not just to say these boring words to me. What has happened?”

Ming Jing seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, his voice becoming calm again: “I heard that Heishi City’s spiritual veins have been gradually thinning, and it remains so even after Little Highness returned to the city.”

“You knew this long ago.” Bujiang said, “Perhaps the demon race’s fate is exhausted, and heaven is finding ways to torment people.”

“No.” Ming Jing said, “Has Your Highness considered that it might not be only Heishi City experiencing this?”

Bujiang’s gaze focused slightly: “What do you mean by this?”

“I have a discovery.” The monk lowered his eyes: “I wonder if it could resolve Heishi City’s urgent crisis.”

…

The rain in Heishi City fell all night.

There had been much rain recently, and both the mountain and its base were shrouded in a layer of water mist. The climate in the city wasn’t as warm as Yugo Mountain—Heishi City was always cold and damp year-round.

The rain dripped steadily, falling on the pale blue and white paper lanterns at the entrance. The lanterns didn’t get wet, but gradually seeped out faint ghostly figures, like enchanting beauties, strange and captivating.

Today’s breakfast wasn’t as frightening as yesterday’s.

Mendong used his chopsticks to pierce a palm-sized steamed bun. The bun’s skin was very thin, appearing crystal clear, and one bite left a lingering fragrance. He ate while greeting the others: “Master Uncle, Senior Sister Meng, why aren’t you eating?”

Mu Cengxiao came in from outside and hesitated upon seeing this: “Junior Brother, I heard that some demon races like to chop human flesh into meat filling to make various foods…”

“Cough cough cough—” Mendong choked, shouting: “Senior Brother Mu, are you doing this on purpose!”

“It’s not entirely impossible.” Tian Fangfang rubbed his chin: “After all, the demon race not only has different aesthetics from us, but their tastes might also differ. For safety’s sake, it’s better to eat vegetarian food.” He selected a sweet cake and took a bite, looking toward Gu Baiying nearby.

Gu Baiying sat by the window, staring at the rain outside in a daze, not knowing what he was thinking.

Meng Ying thought for a moment, then spoke softly: “Master Uncle, when I went out just now, I heard those demon race members say that junior sister came out of the Demon Yuanli Pool.”

Gu Baiying was startled: “What?”

“She came out early this morning.” Meng Ying said, “I think junior sister’s body should be fine now.”

“That’s wonderful!” Tian Fangfang stood up excitedly: “Then let’s go see her now!”

“It’s not like we can see her just because we want to.” Mendong poured cold water on his enthusiasm: “Yesterday in the Yaoming Hall, you heard the Demon Queen make it clear that Zanxing is now Little Highness of Heishi City with a different status. We small sect cultivators probably aren’t qualified enough. Unless Master Uncle is willing to become her eighth favored consort…”

As he spoke, he secretly glanced at Gu Baiying’s expression. It would have been better not to mention it, but once he did, as if reminded of Bujiang’s words from last night, Gu Baiying’s face immediately became ugly.

“Speaking of which, it’s getting late now.” Mu Cengxiao looked outside. This was their first time in the demon realm, and they were unaccustomed to the demon race’s architectural arrangements. They kept being awakened by ghost fires in the cave at night, so they only fell asleep late at night and got up late today. Mu Cengxiao said, “Since junior sister came out of the Demon Yuanli Pool early this morning and hasn’t sent anyone to ask about us until now, it seems she won’t actively look for us. If we want to see junior sister, we can only actively go to the Chaos Hall to request an audience.”

“Exactly.” Tian Fangfang nodded in agreement.

They didn’t mind much, but looking at Gu Baiying’s mood, it wasn’t very good. This was understandable—this youth had always been proud and arrogant. Back in Wufan City, when the mirage woman verbally teased him a few times, even in such a life-threatening moment, he never yielded. Now, having to actively admit he was willing to become the demon princess’s eighth favored consort was rather humiliating.

“Master Uncle, are you going or not?” Mendong asked.

“Not going.”

“Master Uncle,” he persuaded patiently with good intentions, “times are different now. She’s a demon princess now—swallow your pride.”

“Right, right,” Tian Fangfang nodded, “she has seven favored consorts in her hall—she’s not lacking men.”

“Annoying or not?” Gu Baiying looked coldly at the two of them: “If you want to go, go yourselves.”

“You’re the only elder here, of course, you have to take the lead.” Mendong pondered: “Master Uncle, are you feeling guilty?”

Gu Baiying: “Guilty about what?”

“Well,” Mendong sighed, “Previously, when we were at Yugo Mountain, that bone woman said Heishi City didn’t lack young, accomplished, and spirited handsome men. Your appearance and figure are second to none in our sect, but who knows, you might just be ordinary in Heishi City. Now that the scars on Zanxing’s face have cleared, if not devastatingly beautiful, she’s still as graceful as the moon and flowers. Add her noble status and profound cultivation, and her admirers are like fish crossing the river. Naturally, you’re not confident.”

Hearing this, Gu Baiying didn’t get angry but laughed instead: “Get lost. Do I look like I’m not confident?”

“Yes.”

“You!”

Just as they were about to argue again, Meng Ying spoke up, looking at Gu Baiying: “Master Uncle, no matter what, we should still go see junior sister first. Not to mention, she was injured—we don’t know how well she’s recovered. Since we parted after the Ten Thousand Kill Formation, we haven’t seen each other for two years. During the Yugo Mountain trip, we couldn’t talk properly due to the Demon Elimination Army. Now that we have the chance, we should clarify what happened back then. Aren’t you curious?” Meng Ying paused before continuing, “Why did junior sister go up Gufeng Mountain in the first place, and why did she become a demon princess?”

This question still has no answer.

The cave was quiet for a while.

After a moment, Gu Baiying stood up. He glanced at everyone and said irritably, “Let’s go.”