Chapter Three: His Majesty the Demon God Emperor Summons

The next day, Bai Nianxuan went to find Bai Yue.

Arriving at Bai Yue’s chambers, Bai Nianxuan saw her dressed in a flowing ivory gown. Today, Bai Yue's face was tinged with healthy color, her expression gentle, and her gaze toward Bai Nianxuan was soft and kind.

“Sister.”

“Do you love Long Xingyu?”

Bai Nianxuan looked at Bai Yue with utmost seriousness; her voice was soft but earnest.

“Does it matter?” Bai Yue smiled gently at her. “He is my husband. That is all that matters.”

Of course, Bai Yue loved Long Xingyu. If not, she would not have married him, would not have become his wife.

“Um...” Bai Nianxuan hesitated, recalling yesterday’s events, uncertainty written on her little face. “But I feel like his family doesn’t respect you at all.”

She could tell from Long Tianyin’s indifferent attitude that he did not care for Bai Yue.

“Silly girl.” Bai Yue shook her head and smiled helplessly. “Whether or not his family respects me is of little importance. What matters is that he respects me. Other people’s opinions don’t concern me. You needn’t let those rumors trouble you.”

Seeing Bai Nianxuan’s expression, Bai Yue understood immediately.

A gentle smile blossomed on Bai Yue’s delicate face. “Husband and wife are one. It is my honor to be his wife.”

“But... Mother said that if Aunt hadn’t died, Long Xingyu wouldn’t be worthy of you.” Bai Nianxuan protested, “Aside from his decent cultivation and status, what part of Long Xingyu could possibly be worthy of you? So what if he’s a ninth-rank Divine Seal Knight? One day, I’ll be even stronger than him!”

“With me as your sister, you don’t need to rely on Long Xingyu at all!”

Hearing her childish words, Bai Yue’s smile widened. “Then when you grow up, you must protect your sister well.”

“All right!” Bai Nianxuan replied sweetly.

“Yue’er.”

Long Xingyu’s voice suddenly came from outside the door. “Pack your things. We need to go to Demonbane Pass.”

“What’s happened?”

“There’s an urgent mission at Demonbane Pass. I can’t rest easy leaving you behind, so I’m taking you with me.”

“Sister, I want to go with you too.” Bai Nianxuan clung to Bai Yue’s hand, refusing to let go. “I’ve never been to Demonbane Pass.”

“All right, you may come with us.”

Half an hour later, Bai Nianxuan set off for Demonbane Pass with Bai Yue and Long Xingyu. Out of concern for Bai Nianxuan’s safety, their parents accompanied them as well.

After half a month’s journey, they finally arrived. Only then did Bai Nianxuan learn the true reason for Long Xingyu’s mission.

The eighth and ninth-rank powerhouses from the Six Great Sanctuaries had joined forces to launch a campaign against the Fifty-Fourth Earth-Thunder Demon God, Lielajin.

Demonbane Pass lay near the Demon-Tamer Mountains, and was guarded by the Assassin’s Sanctuary. While Long Xingyu and the other Sanctuary elites joined forces to sally out and besiege the demon god, Bai Yue took Bai Nianxuan by the hand and climbed to the city walls of Demonbane City.

“Sister,”

“Do you think they’ll succeed?” Bai Nianxuan asked in a hushed voice.

She gazed at the gigantic figure a kilometer away, formed of brown and blue, its back adorned with a brown disc inscribed with blue runes. In form, this demon god bore no resemblance to a human.

“They will succeed. Xingyu is the youngest Divine Seal Knight, after all.” Bai Yue’s voice was gentle. “And those fighting alongside him are all powerhouses from the great Sanctuaries. With them there, the demon god is doomed.”

“Mhm!” Bai Nianxuan nodded, for once agreeing with her sister.

Watching the dazzling display of battle techniques, envy flickered in Bai Nianxuan’s eyes. She, too, wished to become so powerful.

Bai Yue settled her on the parapet so she could see more clearly.

The battle below was stable. She saw Long Xingyu, sword in hand, working with the others to fell the Fifty-Fourth Demon God, Lielajin.

When that massive form was shattered, a crown-like blue object emerged from the scattering blue light—so swift that if not for her keen eyes, Bai Nianxuan might have missed it.

She saw the six pursuing the Demon God’s Crown.

Yet suddenly, the sky was streaked with violet-black light, and gold flashed in Bai Nianxuan’s dark eyes. She felt a terrifying power.

A disdainful voice sounded from above.

“Insects, all of you.”

Even from the walls of Demonbane Pass, Bai Nianxuan could feel the imminent threat.

“How dare you covet the possessions of a demon god!”

A violet rift tore open in the sky, and a towering purple figure appeared above the pass.

Bai Nianxuan’s eyes widened in terror; her body trembled. Even watching from afar, she felt overwhelming fear.

This was the mightiest of the demon race—the Demon God Emperor, Feng Xiu.

He stood upon the void, his long black hair floating behind him in the shape of a dark disc. His magnificent black robe hung down, faint purple patterns glimmering across its surface. Behind him, a black dragon coiled and revolved.

The Demon God Emperor Feng Xiu had come to Demonbane Pass in person.

“Annihilating Unity.”

Bai Nianxuan saw space itself halt. It was a skill unique to the demon race’s supreme leader.

Annihilating Unity—this one move brought the six from the Sanctuary Alliance crashing to the ground, able only to defend themselves with spiritual power. All were grievously wounded.

Bai Nianxuan leapt from the wall to Bai Yue’s side, sensing a dreadful gaze fixed upon her.

That gaze emanated from the Demon God Emperor. Just a glance, and it felt as if her very soul had been laid bare—a deeply unsettling feeling.

Though the Demon God Emperor was battling Long Xingyu face to face, his eyes fell upon Bai Nianxuan and Bai Yue.

The realization made Bai Nianxuan’s breath falter.

Especially as his gaze lingered on her for three whole seconds.

She could not be mistaken.

“Nianxuan, you look pale,” Bai Yue said, frowning with concern.

“Sister, let’s leave this place. I’m scared.” Bai Nianxuan clung to Bai Yue’s hand, her instincts screaming that they must leave at once.

It was far too dangerous.

“All right.”

Hand in hand, they made their way deeper into Demonbane City, intentionally avoiding crowds as they returned to their quarters—the most remote part of the city, closest to the Demon-Tamer Mountains.

There, a group of figures in black cloaks barred their path.

Bai Nianxuan clung nervously to Bai Yue’s sleeve, anxiety filling her heart.

She could see it clearly: these black-cloaked figures radiated a purple-red demonic aura.

It was obvious—they were not human, but demons.

There were demons within Demonbane Pass!

Bai Nianxuan had never expected this.

“Come with us,” they said. “His Majesty the Demon God Emperor wishes to see you both.”

Bai Yue and Bai Nianxuan’s faces turned ashen at once.

“Sister,” Bai Nianxuan’s body trembled.

“It’s all right,” Bai Yue forced herself to remain calm, nodding toward the cloaked figures.

A minute later, Bai Yue led Bai Nianxuan toward a flat fissure. At its end yawned a black spatial rift.

The cloaked figures followed close behind.