The Primordial King smiled leisurely and said, “So the princess has hidden her strength. But I’m afraid that it’s still not enough to stop me. May I ask the princess to enlighten me a little, Yuan Shi?”
“Giggles… Yuan Shi, if you wish to die with clarity, that’s easy enough!”
Under Yu Shan’s feet, clouds churned and mist swirled as her peerlessly graceful demonic body lifted into the air. Her tone suddenly shifted, turning sharply fierce and coldly stating, “Just withstand this fan strike from this queen, and you’ll understand naturally!”
The white jade fan, a treasure of heaven and earth, once again expanded with the wind, and the Queen of Ten Thousand Demons infused all her demonic power into it. The illusory fan shadow kept growing larger, and deadly arcane winds circled the treasure, emitting piercing shrieks.
“Boom—”
The white jade treasure fan and the “Celestial Law” Sutra finally collided in midair. Yu Shan and Yuan Shi almost simultaneously hurled their treasures, commencing the most perilous magical duel.
Furious winds raged and sparks flew. This time, the vast underground formation suffered a devastating blow.
As powdered stone flew, Qiao San seized the opportunity to revert to his original form. Instinctively driven by fatherhood, he grabbed Xiao Hongyun in the first instant. Nearby, Taiyuan Yünu, who had originally intended to attack him, found herself unable to summon any killing intent upon witnessing the scene, despite her usual sanctity.
“Daddy, it’s bad! Mommy can’t beat that evil immortal!” Xiao Hongyun anxiously hugged onto the rogue, her adorable eyes wide and bright like shining stars.
Indeed, Yu Shan was no match for Yuan Shi. The “Celestial Law” Sutra pressed in relentlessly, forcing the white jade fan to retreat continuously. The Queen of Ten Thousand Demons could already feel her breathing being controlled by the book.
As Yu Shan seemed to have no room left to retreat, Qiao San trembled and was about to rush forward. However, the Queen of Ten Thousand Demons suddenly burst into delighted laughter: “Giggles… Yuan Shi, rest in peace!”
A deafening explosion erupted inside the Primordial King, and a flame suddenly burst forth from the chest of the Great Luo Immortal Sage. Then, a newly-born Fenghuang bird emerged from Yuan Shi’s chest, soaring into the sky surrounded by divine fire.
“Ah—”
Despite Yuan Shi’s immense magical power, he could not withstand this soul-tearing transformation. He let out a world-shaking scream of agony as his tall immortal body collapsed to the ground, his chest wide open and emitting lingering smoke. The bizarre scene was beyond comprehension.
A piercing cry came from Taiyuan Yünu. Ignoring the residual soul-burning fire from the divine bird, the holy female immortal rushed forward and embraced Yuan Shi, whose soul was already disintegrating.
In the next moment, colorful ribbons swiftly wrapped around her body, forming a protective barrier in the air. Overcome with grief, Taiyuan carried her husband toward the exit.
A cruel gleam shone in Yu Shan’s eyes, tangible in its intensity. With a flick of her wrist, the white jade fan locked onto Taiyuan’s figure. Unexpectedly, Qiao San suddenly stepped in, blocking her line of sight.
“Dare you! What are you doing? Do you want to oppose me again?!”
Fueled by intense rage, Yu Shan felt an overwhelming urge to kill Qiao San for the second time. She couldn’t understand why this man never seemed to think the same way she did. If only he did, what a perfect combination they could have been.
By the time she hesitated, Taiyuan Yünu had already flown beyond the range of the white jade fan. Enraged, the demonic beauty twirled her wrist and immediately aimed her treasure at Qiao San.
“Mommy, Hongyun is hungry…”
As the rogue and the demoness were about to clash again, a pair of pigtails swinging into the air caught Yu Shan’s eye. As soon as she heard Xiao Hongyun’s voice, the ferocity in Yu Shan’s eyes melted away like snow.
A warmth filled her heart, and the Queen of Ten Thousand Demons regained her composure. With a wave of her sleeve, the white jade fan shrank back to its normal size. Then, feigning both tenderness and reproach, she scolded Qiao San: “Hmph, you stinking man, I’ll let this go this time, but don’t let it happen again.”
“Daddy, hug me—”
Though the killing intent still lingered in Qiao San’s eyes, Xiao Hongyun leapt into his arms, playfully poking at his nose and ears. The rogue’s mood immediately lightened, and he laughed heartily, all resentment dissipating.
With a subtle shift in thought, Qiao San gently explained, “Yuan Shi is beyond saving now. Why must we exterminate them completely? Earlier, if Taiyuan Yünu had attacked, Hongyun would have been in danger. Let’s consider this as repaying her a favor.”
Watching Qiao San and Hongyun play together, a warm current flowed through Yu Shan’s heart. Returning to her true nature, she even felt a tinge of regret: “Mm, let Taiyuan go. After all, Yuan Shi is already gone. Giggles… Daredevil, you’ve made a great contribution by eliminating one of Heaven’s main pillars!”
“Was it partly thanks to me?!”
Qiao San spun around with Hongyun in his arms, his heart light and his mind unusually clear. A sudden inspiration struck, and his thoughts flew back more than a year ago: “Oh, I understand now! Back then, you gave Taiyuan Yünu a Nine Heavens Divine Fire Pill, and it had another hidden purpose all along. I admire you greatly!”
Yu Shan twirled gracefully, her beautiful figure brightening the dark space slightly. “I merely used this Thunderfire Formation to accelerate the awakening of the slumbering Fenghuang divine bird. Add to that Yuan Shi’s singular focus on confronting you, and with the timing, location, and human factors all aligned, giggles… it was nearly impossible for him to avoid soul destruction!”
As she spoke, Yu Shan raised her hand, and the newly-born Fenghuang bird obediently flew into her palm. Qiao San became even more convinced that, although she spoke lightly, the preparations she had made must have been extremely complex.
“Waah, Mommy, you’re so amazing! When I grow up, I want to be just like you!”
Xiao Hongyun joyfully threw herself into her mother’s arms, her cute face glowing with boundless admiration that made Qiao San break out in cold sweat beside them.
With the shocking outcome now settled, when Qiao San returned to the ground, all the earthly cultivators had vanished without a trace. The human rebels had obediently knelt before the retired emperor, while the puppet little emperor continued playing with his wooden horse.
Had Qiao San still been under the influence of demonic power, he would have pursued and slaughtered mercilessly. But now, with Ye Nu’s blood integrated within him, he simply waved his hand lightly, effortlessly erasing the rebellion and sparing everyone.
The storm had passed without serious consequences. The retired emperor gathered all the women in the palace and, without rest, held a three-day “court session” before reluctantly dragging himself away from the indulgent pleasures of wine and women.
The Primordial Heavenly King smiled leisurely and said, “So the princess has been hiding her strength. However, I’m afraid it’s still not enough to keep me here. Could the princess enlighten me a bit?”
“Giggle, giggle… Since Brother Primordial wishes to die with clarity, that’s easy enough!”
As the Jade Fan’s feet stirred the clouds and mist, her unparalleled, ethereal form rose into the air. Her tone suddenly shifted, becoming cold and ruthless as she declared, “As long as you can withstand this strike from me, you’ll naturally understand!”
The White Jade Fan, a treasure of heaven and earth, grew larger once again in the wind. The Queen of Ten Thousand Demons poured all her demonic power into the fan. The illusory shadow of the fan continued to expand, and the deadly mystic winds around the treasure emitted a sharp, piercing howl.
“Boom—”
The White Jade Fan and the “Heavenly Law” scripture finally collided in the void. The Jade Fan and Primordial unleashed their treasures almost simultaneously, initiating the most perilous battle of spiritual power.
Fierce winds roared, and sparks flew in all directions. The massive underground formation suffered a devastating blow this time.
Amidst the flying debris, Qiao San seized the moment to revert to his original form. Driven by paternal instinct, he immediately scooped up Little Red Cloud. The Taiyuan Jade Maiden, who had intended to attack him, found herself momentarily devoid of killing intent upon witnessing the scene.
“Daddy, it’s bad! Mommy can’t beat the bad god!” Little Red Cloud clung nervously to the rogue, her adorable eyes wide and bright, shining like stars.
The Jade Fan was indeed no match for Primordial. The “Heavenly Law” scripture pressed forward relentlessly, forcing the White Jade Fan to retreat step by step. The Queen of Ten Thousand Demons’ breathing gradually came under the control of the scripture.
Seeing the Jade Fan with no room to retreat, Qiao San’s body tensed as he prepared to charge forward. But the Queen of Ten Thousand Demons suddenly burst into triumphant laughter, “Giggle, giggle… Brother Primordial, rest in peace!”
A deafening explosion erupted within the Primordial Heavenly King’s body. A burst of flames shot out from the chest of the Great Luo Immortal Saint, followed by a newborn phoenix emerging from Primordial’s chest, trailing true fire across the sky.
“Ah—”
Despite the Primordial Heavenly King’s profound spiritual power, he could not withstand this soul-rending transformation. With a piercing scream, his immortal body collapsed to the ground, his chest wide open, smoke curling up in a bizarre and inexplicable scene.
A mournful cry escaped the Taiyuan Jade Maiden’s lips. Ignoring the residual flames of the divine bird scorching her spirit, the holy maiden embraced the Primordial Heavenly King, whose spirit had already dissipated.
In the next moment, colorful ribbons swiftly wrapped around her body, forming a protective barrier in the air. Grieving, Taiyuan flew toward the exit with her husband in her arms.
The ruthless light in the Jade Fan’s eyes seemed almost tangible. With a flick of her wrist, the White Jade Fan locked onto Taiyuan’s figure. Unexpectedly, Qiao San suddenly stepped in, blocking her line of sight.
“How dare you! What are you doing? Do you wish to oppose me again?”
Fury and hatred surged within the Jade Fan, and for the second time, she felt a strong urge to kill Qiao San. She couldn’t understand why this man always seemed to be at odds with her. Otherwise, what a dreamlike combination they could have made.
In that fleeting moment of delay, the Taiyuan Jade Maiden had already flown out of the White Jade Fan’s range. Enraged, the demoness turned her wrist, and the treasure immediately aimed at the rogue, Qiao San.
“Mommy, Red Cloud is hungry…”
Just as the rogue and the demoness were about to clash again, at the critical moment, a pair of perky pigtails caught the Jade Fan’s eye. The sound of Little Red Cloud’s voice melted the ferocity in the Jade Fan’s eyes like ice.
Warmth filled the Queen of Ten Thousand Demons’ heart, and she regained her composure. With a wave of her sleeve, the White Jade Fan shrank back to its normal size. She then pouted and scolded Qiao San, “Hmph, you stinky man. I’ll let it slide this time, but don’t let it happen again.”
“Daddy, hug me—”
The murderous intent in Qiao San’s eyes still lingered, but Little Red Cloud leaped into his arms, playfully tugging at his nose and ears. The rogue’s mood lightened, and he laughed heartily, all resentment dissipating.
With a subtle shift in his thoughts, Qiao San, for once, explained gently, “The Primordial Heavenly King is beyond saving. Why should we go all the way to annihilate him? If the Taiyuan Jade Maiden had struck earlier, our Little Red Cloud would have been in danger. Let’s just consider it as repaying her a favor.”
Watching Qiao San and Red Cloud play together, warmth flowed through the Jade Fan’s heart. Returning to her true nature, she even felt a bit apologetic. “Well, let Taiyuan go. After all, we’ve already dealt with Primordial. Giggle, giggle… Bold one, you played a crucial role in taking down one of the pillars of the heavenly realm!”
“Me too?!”
Qiao San spun around with Red Cloud in his arms, feeling relaxed and clear-minded. A flash of insight struck him, and his thoughts flew back to over a year ago. “Oh, I see now! That day, you gave the Taiyuan Jade Maiden a Nine Heavens Mystic Fire Pill. So there was more to it. Impressive, truly impressive!”
The Jade Fan twirled gracefully, her beautiful figure brightening the dim space. “I merely borrowed the Thunder Fire Formation to accelerate the awakening of the slumbering phoenix. Combined with Primordial’s focus on dealing with you, the timing, the location, and the harmony of forces… Giggle, giggle… It was impossible for him not to have his spirit shattered!”
As she spoke, the Jade Fan beckoned, and the newborn phoenix obediently flew into her palm. Qiao San was certain that, despite her casual tone, the preparations she had made must have been incredibly complex.
“Wow, Mommy, you’re so amazing! When Red Cloud grows up, I want to be just like you!”
Little Red Cloud cheered and threw herself into her mother’s arms, her apple-like face filled with boundless admiration for her mother, making Qiao San break out in a cold sweat.
With the sudden turn of events settled, by the time Qiao San returned to the surface, all the human cultivators had vanished without a trace. The human rebels obediently knelt before the Supreme Emperor, while the puppet emperor continued to play with his wooden horse.
The Qiao San who had been consumed by demonic energy would have pursued the matter and unleashed a massacre. But now, infused with the blood of the Night Maiden, he simply waved his hand, casually wiping away the rebellion and sparing everyone.
The storm had passed without major incident. The Supreme Emperor gathered all the women of the palace and held a three-day “court meeting” without rest, finally managing to tear himself away from the decadence.
“Bold one, won’t you return to the Nine Nether Palace with me?”
After receiving Qiao San’s affirmative response, the Jade Fan persisted, “What if I abdicate in your favor? The beauties of the underworld are far more enticing than those here, enough to keep you, the King of Ten Thousand Demons, entertained for millennia.”
After receiving a firm nod from Qiao San, Yu Shan persisted stubbornly: “How about I hand over my throne to you? The beauties of the underworld are far more tempting than those here. There will be more than enough to entertain you, the King of Ten Thousand Demons, for thousands of years.”
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