The moment the scroll landed heavily in his palm, He Mu snapped back to awareness. He lowered his head and cupped his hands respectfully. “As my teacher commands.”
Without another word, he turned and strode out of the Jade Pure Hall. Summoning his escape light, he departed from the Kunlun Realm, heading straight for the demonic star domain. A sensation of oppressive humidity and stifled breath weighed upon him.
This time, He Mu made no effort to conceal his aura or disguise himself as a demon. His sword light surged magnificently, like an inverted celestial river, cleaving through the dark void as it arced toward the borders of that vast stellar expanse.
Sensing this presence, a planet teeming with demons erupted with countless strange lights—pure white, azure, and crimson—converging into a colossal, tiger-headed, human-bodied monstrosity rivaling a star in size.
“Human, halt! What business brings you to our demonic star domain?” the terrifyingly massive demonic figure bellowed. An aura of legend, unique across all realms, emanated from it, forming a barrier that blocked He Mu at the edge of the starry sea.
He Mu halted his sword light and revealed himself, declaring clearly, “I am He Mu, disciple of the Primordial Heavenly Venerable Su Meng of the Jade Void Palace in the Kunlun Realm. By the decree of my sect master, I come to pay respects at the Demon Emperor’s Hall.”
Names carry weight, and shadows follow trees. At the mention of “the Primordial Heavenly Venerable Su Meng of the Jade Void Palace in the Kunlun Realm,” the minor saint guarding the demonic star domain’s borders instinctively softened his tone and reined in his aura.
“You claim to come under the Heavenly Venerable Su’s decree. Do you have proof?”
Since the earliest epochs, the number of true Other Shore powerhouses has always been few. In the present age, excluding aberrations like the Heavenly Dao Monstrosities and the Supreme True Buddha, there are only nine who have transcended the Sea of Bitterness. They tower above all realms, gazing down upon all living beings—and among them is the Primordial Heavenly Venerable Su Meng of the Jade Void Palace in the Kunlun Realm!
Faced with such figures, unless one were as unruly as the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, who wouldn’t feel a measure of awe?
He Mu smiled at the question. “You overthink, fellow Daoist. Were I to lie about such matters, divine thunder would have already reduced me to ashes. More importantly, would the Demon Empress herself not discern the truth?”
The tiger-headed minor saint froze momentarily before realizing: if this human were truly impersonating, how could the Demon Empress—an Other Shore powerhouse—fail to notice? He wouldn’t even get close to her hall!
With this realization, the colossal figure dissipated. A streak of white light shot from the planet, transforming into a massive winged tiger. Its voice rumbled like thunder: “I shall escort you to the Demon Emperor’s Hall.”
Clouds follow dragons; winds follow tigers. A roaring gale enveloped He Mu, disorienting him as he was whisked away at unimaginable speed into a mysterious otherworld. Yet his thoughts weren’t on the journey but on the anxious anticipation—would he encounter *her* during this visit to the demonic star domain?
As the winds faded, He Mu’s vision cleared, revealing an ancient, towering palace. At its entrance stood a woman in deep crimson robes, her beauty delicate, her demeanor elegant, her nobility innate.
*Thump-thump-thump!* At the sight of her, He Mu’s heartbeat raced uncontrollably. Even techniques derived from the “Heart Seal of the Primordial” couldn’t suppress it. This was the figure who had haunted his dreams for over a century.
Bound by the connection of the Primordial Blood merging with his body, He Mu had maintained contact with Phoenix Jiu Li after escaping the ruins of the Great Sage Nine Phoenix. They discussed cultivation, shared experiences, and his “disguised” travels through the real world as a human. Their feelings had deepened over time, culminating in private vows of lifelong commitment.
Just as He Mu pondered how to gradually reveal his true identity to Jiu Li with minimal upheaval, her passionate impulsiveness led her to sneak into the real world to find him. Caught unprepared, He Mu had no time to disguise himself as a demon.
Betrayed by his deception, Jiu Li stormed back to the demonic star domain. During that period, He Mu faced the destruction of Mount Kunlun, his master’s retreat into the Nine Netherworlds, and his own exile to the Eastern Sea. By the time he recovered enough to seek reconciliation, Jiu Li’s resentment had solidified—she severed all contact, leaving him in desolation until now.
Why this cruel coincidence today? Was it fortune or punishment that she happened to be guarding the Demon Emperor’s Hall?
Sensing the arrivals, Jiu Li glanced over—and locked eyes with He Mu.
Ripples of emotion surged in those beautiful orbs before freezing over. She turned her icy gaze to the legendary powerhouse. “Flying Tiger Minor Saint, what brings you here?”
The Flying Tiger Minor Saint felt an odd tension but dismissed it. “This is a disciple of the Heavenly Venerable Su Meng, Jade Void Palace’s sect master. He comes by decree to pay respects to the Demon Empress. Announce him.”
*A disciple of the Primordial Heavenly Venerable Su Meng…* Jiu Li showed no surprise, as if already aware, and turned to enter the hall.
He Mu meant to sigh to ease his nerves, but it emerged as a breath of bitter melancholy, deeper than years past.
The Flying Tiger Minor Saint gave him a puzzled look—humans were truly strange creatures.
Moments later, Jiu Li returned, her voice cool. “Her Majesty bids me bring him in.”
Relieved of duty, the minor saint departed immediately. He Mu followed Jiu Li, watching her crimson figure glide ahead like parting willow branches. His lips parted—then sealed shut under the glacial atmosphere.
The awkward silence persisted until Jiu Li halted abruptly. Before them hung layered curtains, through which a faint silhouette could be discerned.
Somehow, they’d already reached the Demon Empress!
Startled to awareness, He Mu bowed solemnly. “This junior, He Mu, pays respects to the Demon Empress.”
A voice both transcendent and gentle replied, “No need for formalities.”
Steeling himself, He Mu presented the scroll with both hands. “My sect master instructed me to deliver this to Your Majesty.”
The scroll floated unaided through the curtains. Catching it, the Demon Empress spoke as if anticipating its contents: “Fellow Daoist Su proposes a marriage alliance between you and Jiu Li.”
“*What?*” The exclamation burst from both He Mu and the frost-faced Jiu Li.
Neither could fathom that an Other Shore powerhouse would send such a missive for something so… trivial!
Though life-altering for them, to beings like the Heavenly Venerables, such matters held no more weight than bubbles in a dream.
After the initial shock, as elites of their respective races, they quickly regained composure. The Demon Empress’ word was absolute truth.
*No wonder the coincidence today…*
He Mu’s heart pounded as he glanced at Jiu Li, torn between hope and dread. Jiu Li’s face cycled through shades of anger and flush, a storm of rebellion brewing within.
*Are our fates to be decided by Others’ whims? Do our own wills count for nothing?*
Noticing her turmoil, He Mu’s eyes softened. Steeling himself, he stepped forward and bowed firmly. “Your Majesty, I was unaware of this arrangement and know not Jiu Li’s wishes. Should she refuse, I beg you not to compel her. I will explain to my master and bear all consequences.”
Jiu Li started at his words. The storm in her heart stilled slightly as she studied He Mu anew, some of her fury and pain fading.
The Demon Empress’ tone remained unruffled. “So you mean, if Jiu Li agrees, you’d gladly accept?”
The question shattered decades of He Mu’s mental cultivation, painting his face scarlet. Jiu Li’s cheeks similarly flushed.
*Such an embarrassing question!*
After a lightning-fast internal debate, He Mu answered as directly as his sword strikes: “Reporting to Your Majesty… this junior would indeed gladly accept…”
His voice trailed off but held firm to the end.
Jiu Li’s head dipped, overwhelmed by a tumult of past joys and resentments, now too tangled to parse.
Behind the curtains, the Demon Empress turned to Jiu Li. “You won’t be forced. What are your thoughts?”
He Mu’s gaze snapped to her, brimming with longing, fear, loneliness, and bitterness.
Jiu Li’s emotions warred—could she even distinguish hatred from joy now? After a long pause, she lifted her chin coldly. “With the Heavenly Venerable Su himself proposing, how could I refuse?”
“Hmm. It seems you’re willing too.” The Demon Empress saw through the act, her voice laced with amusement.
Jiu Li’s face burned crimson as she nearly fled in embarrassment. He Mu’s heart erupted in fireworks of elation.
Watching her half-turned back, He Mu suddenly remembered his past self—the rigid swordsman at Green Peak Martial Hall, watching Instructor Su recite poetry by a stove. Who could have foreseen this future?
How wondrous fate could be.
…
In the Pure Maiden’s Celestial Realm, Mystic Maiden Liu Luo of the Ninth Heaven meditated amidst swirling mists, her spirit wandering beyond form.
Suddenly, she stirred. Before her, light rippled into the figure of an emperor.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.” Liu Luo rose, bowing with mixed emotions.
The Celestial Emperor spoke calmly. “Go to the Demon Emperor’s Hall in my stead.”
“As an Ancient, the Demon Empress shows no signs of pursuing the Empty Reduction. Whether she conceals her path or harbors other designs remains unclear.”
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