Seeing that Ye Chen truly held no blame toward her—and hadn't even noticed it was intentional—Yao Yuezhi finally exhaled in profound relief.

She took the initiative to wrap her arms around his neck, tilting her head up slightly, eyes brimming with earnest plea. "Brother, I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to. I promise—next time I'll definitely find you an even prettier maidservant! You have to believe me! And if there's any female cultivator among the myriad races you fancy, just tell me. I have many friends there—I can help persuade her!"

Ye Chen's lips curved upward.

Believe you?

He feared that even after ascending to immortality, he'd still be waiting for the maidservant she promised! As for telling her who he fancied? He genuinely worried that any woman he named—who couldn't defeat her—might quietly vanish without a trace.

He gently patted Yao Yuezhi's head and smiled faintly. "Enough about maidservants. Having you by my side is more than enough."

Pausing, curiosity flickered in his eyes as he asked, "But what was that form you took earlier?"

Yao Yuezhi's delicate face stiffened instantly. Her heart clenched. Fearing he disliked that appearance, she explained cautiously, "That should be the Heavenly Demon Ancestral Form—a change brought by my cave heaven's sublimation. I pored through ancient records for ages before finding similar descriptions. But that's not my true self. This is. I've never deceived you, truly…"

She bit her lower lip, as though steeling herself for a great resolve, and added, "And I promise—I'll never let Brother see that form again."

Ye Chen shook his head at once. "No—that won't do. The moment we're back, you're showing me…"

Yao Yuezhi opened her mouth to protest. But Ye Chen continued, "I love you no matter how you look! The you now—I love. The Heavenly Demon Ancestral Form—I love too. And right now, it's that Form I want!"

Yao Yuezhi: "…"

Though something felt oddly off. Brother loved every version of her! The thought of his deep affection filled her with irrepressible joy.

Under countless shocked, speculative, and restless gazes, she and Ye Chen rose together, flying side by side toward the Heavenly Demon clan's encampment.

As they walked, Ye Chen sensed numerous appraising stares laced with eager intent. He grew puzzled. Before, strolling the streets, no one had dared look at him this way. Many prodigies wouldn't even meet his eyes. Now, why did it feel like so many wanted to burst his coins?

Confused, he transmitted a question to Yao Yuezhi. She quickly explained that Feng Youhuang had revealed her shattered cave heaven before dying—news that had already spread. The outside world had likely guessed. Her restored paradise and explosive combat strength came from draining Ye Chen dry.

At this, Yao Yuezhi overflowed with self-reproach. She had been too flamboyant. Instead, it exposed Ye Chen's supposed weakness, inviting trouble. After all, as the Heavenly Emperor heir, he drew endless attention. A tiger fallen to the plains would attract countless challengers.

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Yet Ye Chen's eyes lit up upon hearing it. He had labored painstakingly to feign weakness before—to no avail; no one believed him. Now Yao Yuezhi had grown ferocious, and everyone assumed he'd weakened—growing restless. This was simply perfect. A heaven-sent opportunity. A major reason for coming to Central Province was to gather origin for his fiancée, thereby elevating his own Body once more. Feng Youhuang's physical origin had suffered heavy losses. He could recoup it from these people.

Thus, beneath countless watchful eyes, Ye Chen's figure trembled faintly—as though suddenly assailed by weakness. But it vanished in a blink, and he resumed his normal poise. Unobtrusively, he continued alongside Yao Yuezhi toward the Heavenly Demon clan encampment. Once back, he intended to study it thoroughly. To see just what this so-called Heavenly Demon Ancestral Form entailed, and exactly how her body changed after transforming.

…

As the two finally departed, the scene erupted in a heated discussion. Everyone debated the battle they had just witnessed, marveling at Yao Yuezhi's ferocity. They casually speculated that the Heavenly Emperor heir's women were all this strong. Just how monstrous must the Heavenly Emperor heir himself be? Could he already contend with the Saints?

Yet the seasoned patriarchs of great clans—who had guessed the reason for Yao Yuezhi's recovery—did not share this view. The Heavenly Emperor heir had only appeared at the very end. His aura was steady, showing no abnormality—even breaking through to mid-third heaven. As though proclaiming to the world that he remained unharmed.

But unbeknownst to them, this was precisely the mark of guilt. Had he simply not shown up, doubt might have lingered. Yet letting his woman fight in his stead. Waiting until the battle neared its end before making a face-saving appearance—only highlighted the contradiction.

Thus, the Heavenly Emperor heir's cave heaven origin had likely been drained nearly dry. His strength had far diminished from its peak. This was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity. Whether the Heavenly Emperor Sword or other treasures in the myriad races' vault. All stirred restless greed.

Moreover, the Heavenly Emperor heir had once been overwhelmingly dominant. Even with his origin drained, who knew if he might recover in the future? One need only recall the Heavenly Emperor of old—beaten to near-death, great powers declaring his path severed.

Yet through astonishing fortune, he shattered and reformed, returning as king. So, strike while he was weak—take his life!

In this generation's opening of the Immortal Path, best if a myriad races' prodigy claimed immortality. Thus delivering a crushing blow to the human race, paving the way early for the impending Age of Dharma's End!

After all, in that era, resources would grow scarcer. War inevitable. Suppressing the human race in advance offered boundless future benefits.

…

Within the Divine Silkworm clan's encampment, the clan leader stood before the hall, eyes gleaming with excitement and anticipation. Before him stood a tall, upright young man radiating gentle light.

"Shen Yu, you've reached mid-fourth heaven. Once the Heavenly Emperor heir departs, strike him down! I'll soon grant you the Compliant Golden-Hooped Rod. Familiarize yourself with it in the meantime. The Rod excels in slaughter. When Ye Chen falls, it can pierce his cave heaven instantly and harvest his treasures!"

Shen Yu was the Divine Silkworm clan's prodigy of this generation, overpowering many veteran peak Half-Saints. The foremost below Saint in the clan. His combat strength was formidable, having mastered the Seven Transformations of the Divine Silkworm Nine Transformations.

Hearing the clan leader's words, Shen Yu's eyes widened in shock. He pointed at himself in disbelief. "Huh? Me? Fight the Heavenly Emperor heir? Clan Leader, have I done something lately to displease you? I can apologize—or even kowtow if needed. No need to send me to my death! I'm truly loyal to the clan! Though I lack the makings of immortality, I might yet reach Saint King—or even Great Saint—in the future. Dying now as a mere Half-Saint would be a tremendous loss for the clan!"

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