[As the Memory Stone was infused with spiritual energy.]


    [A projection of Bai Miao Leng suddenly appeared.]


    [In this image, she had reverted to her human guise.]


    [The horns on her head had vanished.]


    [Her clothes once again transformed into a simple white gauze dress.]


    [She looked as gentle and endearing as ever.]


    [It almost made Ye Yu feel as if everything he had just seen by the Locking River of Spirits was nothing more than a nightmare.]


    [This seemed to be the real Bai Miao Leng.]


    [But, of course, that was impossible!]


    Bai Miao Leng smiled and said, “It hasn’t been long since we parted, yet I miss my husband terribly.”


    “I wonder, does my husband think of me too?”


    “To be honest, even though I had prepared for everything before heading to the Locking River, it was still hard to truly make a move.”


    “Husband, take some time to think it over.”


    “If you wish to join me in ruling the human realm, then come back to me.”


    “I promise, I won’t harbor any more murderous thoughts toward you.”


    “When that time comes, I will rule the world, and you will rule over me—won’t that be wonderful?”


    “But if you decide not to return, that’s fine as well.”


    “For now, I won’t make a move against you.”


    “I’ll give you some space to grow.”


    “A hundred years from now, I’ll come find you again.”


    “If you still refuse to be with me then, I’ll have no choice but to use force!”


    “Of course, if you grow strong enough by then, you could always kill me.”


    “But please remember to carry my soul with you—I’d be willing to stay by your side for eternity.”


    “If you can’t bring yourself to do that, there is a second optiopletely conquer me, so I dare not even think of anyone else—that’s fine too.”


    “Sometimes, I long to live the life of a canary in a gilded cage.”


    “Enough chatter.”


    “There are two more things I need to tell you.”


    “First, in the storage ring, you’ll find some rare treasures and spirit stones. Consider them my dowry.”


    “Please accept them, and work hard to become stronger.”


    “Second, regarding my identity as a demon, you can choose whether or not to tell others.”


    “But honestly, even if you do, who would believe you?”


    “Even in the unlikely event that someone did believe, it doesn’t matter.”


    “It would merely be an early start to my plan.”


    “Given the current forces at play, I am nearly ready to devour the entire human realm.”


    “However, if you decide not to reveal my identity to others, I will take it as a gesture of your deep affection.”


    “Finally, a word for you, my husband.”


    [But, at this very moment, within the Yellow Springs Monastery...]


    [Dozens of corpses lay strewn about.]


    [At the entrance to the main hall...]


    [Master Xiao Yinjian bore two deep, bone-exposing wounds across his body.]


    [Blood slowly dripped from them.]


    [Two middle-aged men with cold expressions stood before him.]


    [They were members of Chaos Valley, a sacred land in the Northern Wilderness Continent.]


    [Their names were Cui Yuehua and Cui Heyan.]


    [Both were Tribulation Stage cultivators.]


    Cui Heyan sneered, “Insect, hand over the artifact, and I’ll give you a swift death.”


    “Otherwise, you’ll suffer immensely!”


    Xiao Yinjian shouted, “In your dreams!”


    [Cui Yuehua and Cui Heyan exchanged a glance, a smirk in each other’s eyes.]


    [Cui Heyan stepped forward, preparing to kill Xiao Yinjian.]


    [But just as he took his first step...]


    [A figure suddenly appeared in front of Xiao Yinjian.]


    [It was none other than Ye Yu!]


    Xiao Yinjian’s eyes widened in shock.


    [He never expected his disciple to return at this moment.]


    [For a brief moment, his heart clenched.]


    [He quickly transmitted his thoughts, “Leave now; this has nothing to do with you.”]


    [But Ye Yu ignored him.]


    [Looking coldly at Cui Heyan and Cui Yuehua, he said, “How dare you trespass on Yellow Springs Monastery. You’re walking a path to death!”]


    [At these words, the two sacred cultivators said nothing.]


    [Instead, they stood shoulder to shoulder, preparing to cast their spells.]


    [They could sense that Ye Yu, too, was at the Tribulation Stage.]


    [But a two-on-one scenario still gave them confidence in victory.]


    [However, in the next second...]


    [Cui Heyan suddenly trembled violently.]


    [In an instant, he collapsed to his knees.]


    [His body began to wither at an alarming speed.]


    [Seeing this, Cui Yuehua’s heart skipped a beat. He lowered his gaze to investigate.]


    [But a formation suddenly appeared beneath his feet.]


    [At that moment, a surge of black flames rose up, reaching toward the heavens.]


    [In a single breath’s time, Cui Yuehua was utterly annihilated, leaving not even a trace.]


    [Meanwhile, beside him, Cui Heyan had completely shriveled, like a sheet of paper.]


    [This was one of Ye Yu’s mastered forbidden techniques—the Blood-Burning Heavenly Flame!]